Unit 14 4-H Policy

Adams/Brown/Hancock/Pike/Schuyler Counties

New Year Enrollment begins September 1 of each year. In order to be considered an active 4-H member enrollment forms must be resubmitted each year. Any person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, etc. may enroll as a 4-H member. Each 4-H club, and thus, each member is asked to comply with the non-discrimination and equal opportunity regulations by law. Since 4-H is a part of the University of Illinois Extension program, we must not show prejudice against any person.This is in alignment with Illinois 4-H Policies and in specific to counties included in Unit 14.

4-H Enrollment Standards=See new ONLINE Enrollment opportunity!

  • Youth who are age 5 through 7 years of age on or before September 1, may enroll as Cloverbud members. Cloverbuds may enroll in designated Cloverbud projects, and will receive individual recognition for participating in the 4-H Fair, but are not judged in general project areas. In addition, Cloverbuds are NOT permitted to participate in actual 4-H livestock projects and/or shows.
  • Youth who are 8 years of age (or in the 3rd grade) and have not reached their 19th birthday on or before September 1, of each year may enroll in a community 4-H club or 4-H Spin Club or as an independent member.
  • Persons considered to be mentally challenged may participate fully in the 4-H program regardless of age.
  • A youth who enrolls in a 4-H club must attend at least one meeting, tour, workshop or other activity of that club to be called a member. Leaders will track member participation and report concerns to extension staff by April 15th of each year.
  • Spin Clubs consist of youth involved in special educational/topic areas and will operate under the guidance of volunteers, leaders, and extension staff within the time-frame allotted. Spin Clubs are also classified as 4-H members.

Program Fees

4-H Program fees are $20 per member or $50 per family (includes cloverbuds). This includes the 4-H annual insurance fee and t-shirt. Publications, plus shipping, ordered will be the responsibility of the 4-H member. Due to the increasing cost of publications, there will be no free publications included in your program fee. Each county may have additional financial support forProgram Fees, so check with the local county office.

Enrollment Deadlines

  1. All member project enrollments and program fees must submitted online or for paper copies- be turned into the Extension Office by December 15 of each year– sooner, if possible (postmarks accepted**). All members must be enrolled in at least one project. Youth not submittingproject enrollment information (both online or with a paper copy) by the December 15th datewill not be considered 4-H members. If a youth wants to become a member after the December 15thdeadline, he or she may do so, but will not be allowed to exhibit livestock at the upcoming your local 4-H Fair. No livestock/animals (beef, swine, goats, sheep, horses, cats, dogs, rabbits, poultry) will be exhibited at the4-H Fair unless the member has enrolled in the project by the December 15th date. Exceptions will be considered ONLY when 4-H member follows proper procedure as outlined below in the Request for Reconsideration section.
  2. Members will be able to make changes in project enrollment (with the exception of adding a livestock/animal project) until April 15th of each year. (postmarks accepted**)Exceptions will be considered ONLY when 4-H member follows proper procedure as outlined below in the Request for Reconsideration section.
  3. Members mustturn in Fair Registration Formsto the local County Extension Office for their fair classes by the following dates each year in order to exhibit at the 4-H Fair. (postmarks accepted**) Exceptions will be considered ONLY when 4-H member follows proper procedure as outlined below in the Request for Reconsideration section.

BrownMay 15 due date in order to exhibit at the local 4-H Fair

SchuylerMay 15 due date in order to exhibit at the local 4-H Fair

PikeMay 15due date in order to exhibit at the local 4-H Fair

HancockMay 31due date in order to exhibit at the local 4-H Fair

AdamsJune 30due date in order to exhibit at the local 4-H Fair

**Please note– Postmarks will be honored for deadline dates. If a deadline date should fall on a weekend or holiday, forms will be collected from the local designated drop box at 8:00 am the next working day.

Request for Reconsideration

In the event that a 4-H enrollment deadline is missed, members have the option to complete and submit a “Request for Reconsideration” form NO LATER THAN 1 week after the missed deadline. These requests will be reviewed by members of the Unit 14 Extension Council, and a recommendation will be given to Extension Staff to accept or decline the 4-H member’s request for reconsideration. Unit 14 Extension Staff will make the final decision to accept or decline the 4-H member’s request for reconsideration. The Unit 14 Request for Reconsideration form is available online at or by contacting your local Extension office.

I have received a copy and read the additional Unit 14 4-H Policies.

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Parent Signature & Date4-H Member Signature & Date

Reviewed 8/15/16

Unit 14