4-H Youth Development
4-H Youth Development
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
4-H Programing
The 2025-2026 school program year will not start until after September.
If you are doing the online registration, you will need to wait to enroll online until then.
Instructions for Online 4-H Enrollment Registration
4-H Enrollment and PIE Form
Sign up for your 4-H Club alerts for all up-to-date information on meetings and changes, etc., by emailing Ashley Vice at Ashley.Vice@uky.edu or Shelby Cleaver at Shelby.Cleaver@uky.edu or calling the office at 859-289-2312. If you are interested in joining or volunteering in any of our programs, please don't hesitate to contact :
The Nicholas County Extension Office
at 368 East Main St., Carlisle, KY. 40311
4-H pledge
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to a better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
The 2025 4-H Camp Season is over, but 2026 is just around the corner. Plan now to join the fun.
2009 Video of 4-H Country Ham Contest
The Country Ham is distinctive to Kentucky and the Southeast. The 4-H Country Ham project begins in January and ends at the Kentucky State Fair. The project began in the late 1990s with approximately 40 4-Hers and has grown to over 800 from the majority of the counties in the Commonwealth. The hams are judged at the state fair while the 4-Hers give a three to five-minute speech on their experiences in the project. The 4-H Country Ham Project not only teaches Kentucky’s youth about where their food comes from but also teaches them about our food heritage.
4 H Country Ham Project Tutorial
Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Project
Junior (Born 2015-2011): Steps To Curing a Country Ham
Outline, discuss, and describe the steps you took to cure your ham for this year's country ham project.
Senior (Born 2006-2010) How to Design a Country Ham Curing Facility for Your County's Ham Project.
You have an unlimited budget, design your county's dream country ham house and curing facility. Visual aids are optional, no digital or electric, limited to one poster board, and you can use both sides.
4-H Livestock Projects
‼️ Click the button for information:
4-H and Youth Livestock Skillathon
4-H Youth Livestock Judging
Livestock and Horse Volunteer Certification
‼️ Click the button below for more information:
Livestock and Horse Club Volunteer Information
🦙Livestock Skillathon Contests are a fantastic way for young people to dive into the world of agriculture! These contests are designed to help participants discover all sorts of exciting topics related to raising and managing beef cattle, meat goats, sheep, and swine.
🐄In these fun and engaging events, participants will learn about different breeds of livestock and get to know the external and skeletal anatomy of these animals. They’ll explore the different types of feed that go into livestock diets and the various tools used to raise, show, and process meat.
🐷They’ll also find out about wholesale and retail cuts of meat, what expected progeny differences (EPDs) are, and even practice some handy calculations to measure animal performance and profitability. Plus, there’s plenty of opportunity to get hands-on experience with judging hay, evaluating meats, and assessing performance classes of livestock. It’s a wonderful chance to learn and grow, all while having a great time!
Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive development, guided by our four core concepts: mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity. 4-H members focus on mastering leadership and citizenship skills. This event encourages teens to continue their involvement in 4-H by connecting with a group of like-minded peers and mentors.
During this four-day conference, teens will develop valuable life skills, leadership competencies, and communication abilities. Delegates will practice independence while staying on the University of Kentucky campus, living in dorms, and visiting "The 90" as well as other academic and student life buildings. This allows them to experience what college life is like for a real student.
Delegates are also encouraged to explore their future education and degree plans by discovering all that the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment has to offer. Additionally, a service-learning opportunity is provided for youth to practice generosity. Featured events include the Fashion Revue, Culinary Challenge, State 4-H Officer elections, and the selection of future Teen Board members.
In 2024, the NC Teen Club was about to go to the Capitol building in Frankfort to meet. They toured the building and sat in the seats of some of the top officials in this great state.
‼️ Click on the button below for more information:
Nicholas County Teen Club lined up on a cold morning to help distribute food at the Community Action Center.
Join us for an exciting array of games, valuable leadership opportunities, and meaningful community service programs! The Teen Club is dedicated to encouraging personal growth and teamwork, and as part of this initiative, we will be organizing a variety of engaging events throughout the year.
Don't miss the chance to make new friends while developing your skills and making a positive impact in our community!
☎️ Contact us today to get information on enrollment
Nicholas County Bluejacket Bullets
Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports began in 1988 and is a nationally recognized program that focuses on fostering life skills and positive youth development through healthy competition, service, leadership, and education. There are a variety of disciplines offered within the program, including archery, muzzleloader, pistol (air & .22 caliber), rifle (air & .22 caliber), shotgun, and hunting and 
outdoor skills, all of which are taught by a National or State Certified Instructor.
Shooting Sports is open to all youth, 9 to 18 years of age as of their 4-H age (age as of Jan. 1st of that year).
Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in our four guiding concepts: mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity. This program fosters mastery by learning firearm safety and marksmanship, belonging by taking part in club and community activities, independence by demonstrating responsible firearm use, and generosity by participating in community service and outreach projects.
For more information, contact
Ashley Vice, Shannon Cohorn, or Matt Cohorn,
The Nicholas County Shooting Sports Coordinators.
CloverBud Club and Camp
The CloverBud Club is designed for youth ages 5-8. We engage in learning and exploring new, fun activities through lessons suitable for their age. Our approach is hands-on, and throughout the year, CloverBuds explore all parts of 4-H by creating crafts and participating in various educational activities together at the extension office.
At the end of the school year, students are invited to attend the CloverBud Camp at the North Central Camp for that designated weekend.
The 4-H Sewing Club is one of our biggest clubs. It offers youth interested in sewing, fabrics, and textiles a chance to explore these topics. Led by the FCS and volunteers, this class series teaches 4-H members aged 9 and older the fundamentals of sewing and assists them in completing a county fair project. Youth who participate for multiple years can develop their skills further. The meetings typically start in early spring and run for several weeks.
🧵Learn to make items that can be later entered into the local county fair, with the potential to go on to the State Fair in Louisville.
One of the greatest things about joining the Sewing Club in Nicholas County you will have Homemakers come assist the club members. Passing down generations of knowledge so that it will continue for years to come.
The 4-H Horse Program in Kentucky is designed to reach youth who have a passion for horses, whether they own one or not. The program offers a variety of areas where the 4-Hers can be involved, learn valuable skills, and make friends for life.
Join us for engaging lessons centered on equine education! Each meeting promises exciting activities or inspiring special speakers, along with opportunities for new club member sign-ups. Connect with fellow members and deepen your understanding of horses in a fun environment. Throughout the year, we will have thrilling field trips to educational locations, providing valuable hands-on learning experiences that you won’t want to miss!
AG Adventure Club
This club is for those ages 9-18 years old who like to explore the outdoors and farm life adventures. Youth can learn nature and outdoor living skills at our monthly meetings.
Dive into a world of enriching experiences, where you can cultivate your green thumb by learning the art of gardening, immerse yourself in the rhythms of farm life by visiting a bustling working dairy farm, and unleash your creativity through the rewarding craft of woodworking. You never know where the AG Adventure Club will go next.
The NC Photography Club
✨ Learning Objectives:
📷 Comprehensive guidance on photography techniques for both cameras and smartphones
🌅 Strategies for capturing visually striking images in diverse environments
🎨 Professional editing methods to enhance and refine your photographic work
🏆 Engaging projects and challenges designed to foster creativity and skill development
No advanced camera equipment is required; we encourage participants to bring their creativity and enthusiasm. Join us for an enriching experience as we explore, capture, and edit images to gain a new perspective on the world around us.
4-H Leadership Program
The 4-H Achievement Program is one-way 4-H members who have outstanding accomplishments are recognized. Those who complete the Achievement Application and are selected are provided with incentives for the youth to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities. This is a comprehensive program that spans the entire career of the 4-H'er. 4-H'ers are eligible to start the Achievement Program once in the 6th grade until they age out of the 4-H program.
LeadershipKentucky 4-H Achievement Program
Motivation and the use of incentives are essential to positive youth development. 4-H Youth Development programs provide opportunities for creativity in a learn-by-doing environment and encourage youth to become involved in projects and activities. The 4-H Achievement Program is intended to recognize 4-H participants who have outstanding accomplishments and incentivize youth to increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Every effort is made to make this 4-H program inclusive to all eligible youth.
Application
Livestock Skillaton
Join the Kentucky 4-H Livestock Skillathon for an exciting and educational experience! This contest covers a wide array of topics related to the production and management of beef cattle, meat goats, sheep, and swine. Participants will gain valuable knowledge about different livestock breeds, anatomy, feedstuffs, equipment, meat processing, profitability calculations, and livestock judging. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge in livestock management!
Skillaton ContestLivestock Judging
Livestock judging is a valuable skill that combines science, art, and critical thinking. It's a rewarding activity that can teach valuable life lessons and help individuals develop a deeper appreciation for the livestock industry.
Judging Contest InfoCountry Ham Project
Join the Nicholas Co. Country Ham Project by contacting the office to be added to the list for upcoming news.
What is 4-H?
4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The four H's represent the idea of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These are the values members work on through fun and engaging programs.
Head Managing, Thinking
Heart Relating, Caring
Hands Giving, Working
Health Being, Living
How does 4-H benefit youth?
4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race or gender, benefit from their participation in Kentucky 4-H. Positive youth development studies have affirmed that compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:
- Four times more likely to contribute to their communities.
- Two times more likely to be civically active.
- Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.
- Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology programs during out-of-school time.
- 4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.
Additional Information
Shelby Cleaver
Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development
(859) 289-2312 shelby.cleaver@uky.edu Nicholas County Extension Office 368 E. Main Street, Carlisle, Kentucky 40311-1158Ashley Vice
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Science
(859) 289-2312 ashley.vice@uky.edu Nicholas County Extension Office 368 E. Main Street, Carlisle, Kentucky 40311-1158
