Dane County
New Family
Handbook
2015-2016
5201 Fen Oak Drive, Suite 138
Madison, WI 53718-8827
(608) 224-3700
A Warm Welcome to a New 4-H Family!
The 4-H community in Dane County would like to extend you a very warm welcome! You have just joined a
rather large family. There are 40 different 4-H clubs in this county comprised of over 800 different
families. These families help make up the 150,000 4-H participants in Wisconsin. Across the United States
there are over 6,000,000 4-Hers. And, contrary to popular belief, 4-H is not confined to this country’s
borders. More than 80 countries around the world have a 4-H program. Each club is as unique and special
as your own family.
This large organization you have joined may seem overwhelming at first. There are so many rules, forms,
schedules, and opportunities to sort out that it can be extremely frustrating and often confusing. This
handbook will help ease some of those first year frustrations. Also listed in this handbook are the names
and contact information for the staff at the Dane County 4-H Office.
Going over this handbook with the 4-H members in your household would be an excellent opportunity for
everyone to become familiar with the 4-H program in Dane County. There is a very important role for
family members in 4-H: family is what binds this diverse program. It is important to get the entire family
invested in the 4-H program as much as possible. The 4-H program realizes that not every family has an
ideal amount of time to spend with their 4-H member. That is why we support one another with
information, encouragement, transportation, etc. No matter how much time is available to you, make that
time valuable by offering genuine interest and guidance when needed. Make 4-H an important and
respected activity in your family. This will help your family receive the most benefit from this wonderful
youth program.
Remember, without YOU, there can be no 4-H!
Joe Hankey
4-H Youth Development Educator
608-224-3702
Jackie Gehin
4-H Youth Development Program Advisor
608-224-3728
University of Wisconsin-Extension (UWEX), Dane County 4-H Office (see map below)
Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture and Conservation Center
5201 Fen Oak Drive, Suite 138
Madison, WI 53718-8827
(608) 224-3700
Joe Hankey
4-H Youth Development Educator; 224-3702; hankey.joe@countyofdane.com
Jackie Gehin
4-H Youth Development Program Advisor; 224-3728; gehin@countyofdane.com
Jess Guffey Calkins 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant; 224-3712; calkins.jessica@countyofdane.com
Kathy Ottem
Support Staff; 224-3705; ottem@countyofdane.com
University of Wisconsin Extension - Dane County
http://fyi.uwex.edu/dane4hyouth/
4-H
Office
Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center
The facility is located at the southeast corner of Agriculture Drive and World Dairy
Drive.
To find our offices from the Beltline, take the highway 51-exit north. Turn right at the
lights onto Broadway East. Follow this road as it becomes Dutch Mill Road and then
Femrite Drive. At the intersection of Agriculture Drive, turn left. As you drive up
Agriculture Drive, on your right you will see a 2-story brick building. Turn right onto
World Dairy Drive and then right again onto Fen Oak Ct. and into our parking lot.
To find our offices coming from the north on Highway 51, turn left at the lights on
Pflaum Road. This road will curve right, or south, and become Agriculture Drive.
Follow this to World Dairy Drive and turn left onto Fen Oak Drive.
WHAT IS 4-H?
4-H is a youth organization that belongs to the members, their families and other interested adults who
serve as volunteer leaders. Professional leadership is provided by Cooperative Extension of the
University of Wisconsin-Extension. Support for 4-H programs is a joint effort of county government,
the University of Wisconsin and the United States Department of Agriculture.
In 4-H young people share, grow and learn together. They participate in
various projects, events and activities in informal situations under the
guidance of their families and other volunteer adult leaders. Members
can choose projects that fit them and the places where they live. Group
activities and events such as drama, trips, camps, fairs, shows and conferences provide additional
learning experiences and opportunities.
4-H is open to all youth and adults regardless of race, color, sex, creed, disability, religion, national
origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental status. Most 4-H clubs have
meetings for the entire membership once a month. During these meetings, decisions are made about
group-sponsored activities such as community service efforts, project opportunities and fund raising
efforts.
Regardless of the structure, a 4-H club may involve families, neighbors, relatives and others.
Participants have fun learning, working and succeeding together in the home, neighborhood and
community.
PURPOSE OF 4-H
The purpose of 4-H is two-fold:
*
To provide real-life educational experiences through a fun, action-oriented and practical
program.
*
To provide an opportunity for parents and other interested adults to help youth develop life
skills.
The major focus of 4-H is on activities of the local 4-H club. Volunteers serve as 4-H leaders who plan
and organize learning experiences with youth. The many county and state activities supplement,
support and enhance local club programs.
4-H CUSTOMS
EMBLEM:
The national 4-H emblem is a four leaf clover with the letter "H" on each leaf.
THE 4 Hs:
The four Hs stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health.
PLEDGE:
The 4-H pledge and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag are
recited at the beginning of all 4-H club meetings.
4-H Pledge: I pledge
...My Head to clearer thinking
...My Heart to greater loyalty
...My Hands to larger service, and
...My Health to better living,
for my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World.
COLORS:
Green and white are the 4-H colors. The white background of the flag symbolizes
purity. The green of the 4-H emblem is nature's most common color in the great
outdoors. Green is also the color of springtime, life and youth.
MOTTO:
The national 4-H motto is "To Make the Best Better." It should be the objective of
every member and leader.
SLOGAN:
"Learn by Doing," illustrates the "hands-on" approach 4-H incorporates in its projects.
The 4-H emblem is a green (Pantone 347) fourleafed clover with a white “H” on each leaf. When
displaying or using the 4-H emblem there are some
specific guidelines. The stem of the clover must
always point to the right and be flush with the
numbers, “18 U.S.C. 707”. No part of the emblem
may be obscured, no leaves may be removed, and
no graphics or text may be superimposed on top of
the emblem. The emblem may be displayed in black
and white for copying purposes. For complete
guidelines concerning the use of the emblem you
can contact the UW - Extension or visit
http://www.4h-usa.org/4h_name.htm
HOW 4-H BENEFITS CHILDREN AND YOUTH
4-H members:
 Gain new skills while they learn.
 Complete projects that are appealing and meaningful to them.
 Make friends and belong to a group.
 Give and receive acceptance and affection.
 Enjoy themselves while learning.
 Earn recognition and awards.
4-H members develop and practice important life skills relating to the four “H”s:
 Head -- thinking and learning, solving problems, making decisions and setting goals
 Heart -- caring, determining values, respecting and supporting one another
 Hands -- using new skills to create, build, design or shape
 Health -- forming attitudes, habits and life styles that enhance physical and mental well-being
WHO'S WHO IN 4-H
 Cloverbud
Anyone in kindergarten to second grade who enrolls in a 4-H club is enrolled as a Cloverbud.
Cloverbuds enroll in the Cloverbud Project.
 Explorer
Many members enroll in Exploring in their first year after being a Cloverbud or if they first enroll in 4H when they are nine or older. Exploring allows a member to sample many projects before deciding on
which to concentrate.
 4-H Member
Anyone enrolled in third grade, through age eighteen who enrolls in a 4-H club or as an independent
member is a 4-H member. Members are invited to participate in all county-level
4-H activities.
 Youth Leader
Youth who have experience/knowledge in a project sign up as a Youth Leader to help younger
members learn and grow in that project area. Youth Leaders are encouraged to enroll in the Youth
Leadership Project.
 Organizational Leader
An Organizational Leader is the general leader for the 4-H club. They coordinate programs and
activities planned by the group. They work with club officers in helping them conduct monthly
meetings. They help members as well as parents follow through with responsibilities they have
accepted. The Organizational Leader is the main resource between the club, the Leaders Association
and the Extension Office.
 Enrollment Coordinator
The Enrollment Leader is responsible for processing all enrollment forms, verifying information and
submitting enrollment information to the UWEX-Dane County 4-H Office.
 Project Leader
Project Leaders are the key teaching members of the 4-H club. These individuals conduct project
meetings where 4-Her’s learn the how to’s of their projects. They provide encouragement, guidance,
and evaluation. They also arrange for educational opportunities like tours, and other activities that
relate to the project areas.
 Activity Leader
An activity leader takes responsibility for organizing and conducting special activities. (Examples:
music, drama, community service activities, chaperone, etc.)
Note: All leaders and volunteers must complete the “Youth Protection Program”. For more information call the
UWEX-Dane County 4-H Office.
 Parents
Parents are very important to the success a child will have in the 4-H program. Parents are
encouraged to attend monthly meetings and project meetings with their child. All county-wide
events are open to the public, and parents are encouraged to attend with their children. The
parents' key roles include supporting the child's commitments, helping the child think through
decisions, and seeing the child reach his/her goals.
There are several ways for parents to help:
o Attending 4-H meetings and other special events.
o Guiding the 4-Hers project and encouraging completion without doing the work.
o Supporting local 4-H club leaders by offering assistance.
o Making it possible for youth to participate in a variety of 4-H activities such as camps,
fairs, contests, and festivals.
o Being an example of a good sport so children will learn to appreciate the successes of
others.
o Volunteering as club project leaders.
o Serving on county committees. (Call the UWEX-Dane County 4-H Office for
information)
o Volunteering at the Dane County Fair
 4-H Leaders Association
All parents, members and leaders are automatically members of the Dane County 4-H Leaders
Association. The Association meets three times per year in order to plan and provide training
for leaders, parents and members to enhance local project work. The Association is led by a
Board of Directors who meet monthly to support the work of the Association.
4-H RECORD BOOKS
Records are a way of recording a 4-H member's growth through learning and experience. The record
book should be a detailed account of all project work. This information becomes very valuable to older
4-H members if they wish to complete an M.E. (Member Evaluation), apply for state or national trips,
awards and scholarships. By completing a record book each year, members develop good
organizational, planning and decision-making skills; learn to identify and set realistic goals; improve
written communication skills; and learn to objectively evaluate and critique their work. A Dane County
Awards Packet is available online at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/dane4hyouth/awards/
4-H Offers Limitless Opportunities!
Community Service
Help your community by cleaning
highways, visiting the elderly, sponsoring
community meals, teaching children, or
anything else you can think of!
If chosen at the local level, 4-H Members have the opportunity
to take their projects to the annual state fair in Milwaukee.
4-H Members have the opportunity to display
their projects at the County Fair in July.
Enjoy 3 days of outdoor fun, adventure and
learning with adult and youth leaders from
the Dane County area. Available to both
members and non 4-H members.
For more information
about these or any of the
other exciting
opportunities offered
through 4-H, contact an
Organizational Leader
or the Extension Office
at 608-224-3700.
If you are looking for a wide variety of things to do in
one location, then this is it. There are so many
different seminars to choose from - everything from
horses to learn to wind surf! Meet teens from around
the state. Must be in 8th - 10th grade. Usually held in
June.
4-H Ambassadors coordinate and lead
county-wide educational programs, service
activities, and promotional events.
International
Programs
Travel the world or host an
International family the 4-H way!
A Little 4-H History4-H’s beginnings are as varied as the 50 states. No one club or specific individual can be
credited as the founder of 4-H. 4-H began as boys’ corn clubs and girls’ canning clubs that
began to pop up between 1902 and 1909 in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi,
South Carolina, and Texas. These early youth clubs developed, in part, out of the state
land grant college’s efforts to take agricultural information to the public. Founders of these
clubs wished to not only interest young people in rural life, but to also bring new
knowledge home to their parents. Volunteer farm men and women were trained by county
extension agents to act as leaders in these early clubs.
In about 1907 or 1908 the early clubs became known as 3-H clubs, with the three leaf
clover’s “H’s” standing for “head,” “heart,” and “hands.” In 1911, there was discussion of
adding a fourth “H”. The word “hustle” was considered, and then replaced by “health”.
From 1924-1939 the 4-H emblem was patented. Then in 1939, a law was enacted to protect
the 4-H name and emblem. Now this very special emblem can be used for official 4-H club
and program activities.
The Linn Junior Farmers Club was the very first 4-H club in Wisconsin. Mary Hatch and
Thomas Bewick organized the club on October 30, 1914. Four boys and three girls
attended this very first meeting. A historic marker on Highway BB in Rock County marks
the area and tells the story of these 4-H pioneers in Wisconsin.
For more information about the history of 4-H consult these great sources:
 Heritage Horizons (1976) Editors: C. Austin Vines and Marvin A. Anderson.
Published by: Journal of Extension
 Reck, Franklin M. (1951) The 4-H Story; A History of 4-H Club Work. Chicago:
National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work.
 On the web: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov
http://4hcentennial.org
4-H ENROLLMENT FORMS
The first form that you will become familiar with is the 4-H Enrollment Form. You will receive these
from your Organizational Leader in August/September of each year. They are due back to your
Organizational Leader before November so that the 4-H Office has them by the first Monday in
November. The Extension Office distributes current enrollment guidelines that explains the process in
detail.
You will find samples of both the member and the leader enrollment form included in this packet,
along with a copy of the Behavior Agreement that each member is required to sign.
Welcome to Dane County 4-H! If you have any questions, comments, concerns, etc. please feel free to
contact one of the staff.
To Learn By Doing