Welcome 4-H Members & General Reminders (2026) & Minimum Participation Requirements

We want to welcome our new and returning 4-H members and families!  The following are some tips and reminders for the 4-H year.

¨ For Questions->Contact the office via phone or email  (sooner than later).

¨ 4-H information, events, and updates will come out through the newsletter and email (information goes to the primary email listed in 4H Online). *Please make sure that emails are not getting stuck in your “spam or junk” folders. Additional information will be posted about other events as well on the Lincoln County Colorado Extension Facebook page. Plan accordingly so that important deadlines or requirements at the club and county level are not missed.

¨ All events subject to change or cancellation due to public health concerns, weather, cost, lack of attendance or closure due to maximum attendance, lack of volunteers, etc.. 4H Online is coordinated through the state and thus many additional events will show up in the registration section in 4H Online than may be applicable to our county members. 

¨ Start on your projects and record books before school is out, so that you may ask questions and get help to complete your projects on time.  Check out the Colorado 4-H website to learn more about the projects offered, what they entail, where to order manuals from, score sheet examples, and the general project record books at: co4h.colostate.edu/programs-projects/. Livestock/Animal records books will now be utilizing the state records books at co4h.colostate.edu/programs-projects/. There are age specific books for livestock and also breeding animal supplements that will need to be attached. A 4-H club leader’s signature is not required for livestock record books only general projects (because of state-level judging potential).

¨ All deadlines and forms are due on the day stated or previous Friday if date is a holiday or weekend by 4:00pm (close of business). Items emailed, mailed, or dropped in the backdoor after that date/time are considered late. When there is an error in the day of the week and date please reach out for clarification in advance and use the earlier date as the deadline if unsure.

¨ Check the newsletter and fair website for fair related entry due dates and information. 

County Extension/4-H & Lincoln County Fair Website: lincoln.extension.colostate.edu/

Facebook Page: Lincoln County Colorado Extension

Colorado 4-H Website: co4h.colostate.edu/

County 4-H “Forms/Applications” Link: lincoln.extension.colostate.edu/4-h-forms-applications/

County 4-H Policy, Guidelines & Deadlines Information: lincoln.extension.colostate.edu/4-h-policy-guidelines/

–Shooting Sports Members– $35/per enrolled shooting sports discipline, except shotgun ($40). (This is in addition to the enrollment fee and is payable to the Extension office with forms by January 31st).

-Hunter’s Safety– March 1(must be completed for all members enrolled in shooting sports that will be participating in live fire activities).

-Project add/drop-March 1

-Market Beef Tagging (Mandatory) & Weigh-In -If exhibiting your project at the county fair– March 7

-Meat Quality Assurance (MQA) Training Requirements– March 30

1x-As a new member or first year taking a livestock project.

1x-When the member turns 4-H age of 10.

1x-When the member turns 4-H age of 14. *FFA members must attend their first livestock project year when showing in FFA (if they have not met the requirement in 4-H).

–Market Sheep/Goat/Swine– Must pick up and tag animals and submit nominations through 4H Online.-May 1

–Dog and Horse ID’s– Must be submitted through 4H Online– May 1

–Market Poultry-Must collect leg bands from the office and submit nomination information through fair entries. -July 1

–Market Rabbits-Must be tattooed and submit nomination information through fair entries. -July 1

–Other Fair Related-Check the new fairbook in late spring for information, entry and deadline requirements.
 

For youth to successfully participate and complete requirements in the county program, the following must occur:

1) Enroll in and complete at least one 4-H project. Completion involves making a project and filling out a corresponding record book for the project. *Completion does not require participation at the county fair.

2) Participate in a community service activity.

3) Complete a demonstration or speech-arts presentation on a subject that relates to 4-H. *This does not have to be specific to your project.

4) Participate in any additional project requirements and deadlines as stated. Pay any additional project fees as required.

5) Participate and complete additional individual club requirements.

Reach out to the Extension Office if you have questions.