Animal Project Resources
Camelid
Dog
Horse
Livestock
Miniature Horse
2024 Premiums and Forms
- 4-H Dog Show Premium
- 4-H Horse Show Premium
- 4-H/FFA Livestock Premium
- 4-H Miniature Horse Premium
- 4-H/FFA Small Animal Premium
- Out of County Showman Form
2024 Premier Exhibitor Study Guides
- Cattle Study Guide
- Cavy Study Guide
- Dog Study Guide
- Goat Study Guide
- Horse Study Guide
- Llama/Alpaca Study Guide
- Miniature Horse Study Guide
- Poultry Study Guide
- Rabbit Study Guide
- Sheep Study Guide
- Swine Study Guide
Swine Tagging Resources
- Swine Superintendent Instructional Video
- DNA Hair Sample Collection for 4-H Swine Enrollment Video
- Ear Tagging Swine Video
4HOnline Animal ID’s
** Please note that the projects listed below REQUIRE Animal ID’s
- Breeding Beef
- Breeding Sheep
- Breeding Goat
- Dairy Goat
- Pygmy Goat
- Llama/Alpaca
- Dog
- Cat
- Horse/Mini Horse
** Market Animals DO NOT Require an Animal ID. Rabbit and Cavy projects DO NOT Require an Animal ID.
Animal ID Checklists
- Breeding Beef ID Checklist
- Breeding Goat ID Checklist
- Breeding Sheep ID Checklist
- Breeding Swine ID Checklist
- Dairy Goat ID Checklist
- Dog ID Checklist
- Cat ID Checklist
- Horse/Mini Horse ID Checklist
- Llama/Alpaca ID Checklist
- Pygmy Goat ID Checklist
Animal ID Detailed Instructions
Club Officer Resources
Club Officer Handbook
This handbook outlines club officer roles and provides club meeting resources.
Secretary Resources
- Secretary Book Template
- 4-H Meeting Notes
- 4-H Role Call
- 4-H Minutes
- 4-H Event Participation Checklist (Optional)
Treasurer Resources
County Awards
County Awards
Camelid Achievement Award
Dog Handler Versatility Award
Outstanding Rabbit Participation Award
Pet Pig Achievement Award
4-H Shooting Sports Marksmanship Award Requirements
4-H Career Award
Attention 4-H members who were Juniors or Seniors in High School this past year!
We have an exciting Award opportunity to share with you! The EL Paso County 4-H Program is installing a NEW, annual award at the 4-H Achievement Celebration!
The “El Paso County 4-H Career Award” is meant to recognize High School Juniors and Seniors who excel in the many different aspects of the 4-H Program. This award takes into account those with strong leadership skills, 4-H club and county involvement, those who strive towards excellence, and members who overall embody the 4-H Motto: “To Make the Best Better.”
Winning applicants will be honored and receive an award at the El Paso County 4-H Achievement Celebration!
There are just a few Application Requirements:
- You must be a current member, in good standing, of El Paso County 4-H.
- You must be enrolled in 4-H and have completed at least one project for each of the past 5 years.
- You must have been a Junior or Senior in high school during the 2023-2024 school year.
- You must fill out the attached form (Excel sheet) and submit it by Friday, August 30, 2024 by 5:00 PM to the Extension Office, or by emailing the signed, completed application to Jen Loewen at: JenniferLoewen@elpasoco.com by the same deadline.
- This form must be signed by both you, and your parent/guardian.
- This award can only be received ONCE by each eligible 4-H member. (You can apply again if you do not receive the award the first time and are still eligible.)
- Youth members must find an enrolled and active 4-H Volunteer to endorse their application. 4-H Volunteers CANNOT be an applicant’s parent or relative.
- APPLICANTS MUST CONTACT THEIR 4-H VOLUNTEER TO ASK FOR AN ENDORSEMENT, AND SEND THE ENDORSEMENT FORM LINK TO THEIR CHOSEN VOLUNTEER. 4-H Volunteers must submit their endorsement at this Google Form by Friday, August 30, 2024.
- The application is based on a point system, and youth participants must score at least 180/300 (60%) to be considered for this award.
Winning applicants will be honored and receive an award at the El Paso County 4-H Achievement Celebration on Saturday, September 28th!
We hope all eligible high schoolers take a few minutes to fill out an application so that we can recognize your excellent “4-H Careers!”
Please let me know if you have any questions—and Good Luck! 😊
STAR Award
- El Paso County 4-H STAR Award Specifications
- 4-H E-Record Book Rubric
- Activity Chart for STAR Award Points
4-H Knowledge and History
The 4-H Program has been an organization dedicated to the development of youth members for over a hundred years—and 4-H members are a part of a proud history of service learning and self development, reaching almost 6 million youth annually.
The Smith-Level Act of 1914 established a system of Cooperative Extension Services, connected to Land Grand universities, whose goal became to inform local citizens in each community about current agriculture developments, home economics, public policy, and other related subjects. This act formalized the 4-H Program nationally.
In Clark County, Ohio, Albert Belmont Graham was a country schoolmaster and agriculture extension pioneer at Ohio State University. In 1902, Graham held and experimental agriculture young adult club at the University, (often called either “The Tomato Club” or the “Corn Growing Club”), and many consider this to be the first glimmer of youth development programming – the early sibling of what would later become the 4-H Program.
In Colorado, instruction in agriculture started as early as 1910 as part of the Outreach and Extension program. Since then, Colorado 4-H has thrived, growing in rural mountain towns, bustling cities, and expansive prairies. Extension Offices all over Colorado work to embody the Colorado 4-H Mission of “4-H empowering youth to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults.”
The primary focus of the 4-H Program at this time was a focus on instructing rural youth in improved farming and homemaking practices – and was among the first early youth organizations to give equal attention to both male and female participants. It became clear that youth members were more likely to experiment with new agriculture technologies, techniques, and practices, unlike their parents and grandparents, who preferred traditional methods. When youth began outpacing their adult members in crop production, the improved methods were more likely to be implemented by the adults, and positively impact their families overall.
In many ways, the growing 4-H Program represented the “growing” done on farms and ranches across the state – flourishing crops, higher quality animals, and healthier homes. The 4-H Colors of White (for purity) and Green (representing nature, youth, life, and growth) became the national standard. The 4-H Clover, too, became part of the national brand. The earliest “H’s” included Head, Hands, and Heart, with some states adding “Home” or “Hustle.” By 1924, the 4-H Clover joined the U.S Presidential Seal, Red Cross, Smokey Bear, and Olympic Rings as federally protected marks. The responsible stewardship of the 4-H Clover is granted to the Secretary of Agriculture, at request of the U.S Congress.
Once 4-H was Nationalized, the program developed its Motto: “To Make the Best Better” and their Slogan, “Learn by Doing.” These phrases represented the goal of Positive Youth Development, as does the 4-H Pledge, originally written by Otis E. Hall:
“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.”
Today, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the National 4-H Program, with help from National 4-H Council and land grant university extension offices nationwide. Each October, during National 4-H week, 4-H Programs across the country gather to promote and celebrate the 4-H Program nationwide.
In Colorado, 4-H youth members gather each January at the Leadership Development Conference in June on the Colorado State University Campus, seeking to promote the Colorado 4-H Vision, “A World in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together.
In El Paso County, 4-H members and volunteers work everyday to “Make the Best Better”— and you can too!
E-Records
4-H Members must complete an E Record book for each project that the 4-H member is enrolled in an receive a score of 70% or above.
General Projects – STEM, Shooting Sports, Creative & Family & Consumer Science Projects
- Click HERE for E-Record Book Templates from the state website
Animal Projects
- Click HERE for E-Record Book Templates from the state website
Self Determined
- Click HERE for E Record Book Template
Forms
General Animal Forms
Livestock
- Beef Producer Nomination Form
- Sheep/Goat Producer Nomination Form
- Swine Producer Nomination Form
- Youth Livestock Ownership Affidavit
Shooting Sports
Scholarships
Scholarships
4-H Youth in Action Awards
The 4 H Youth in Action Program recognizes four confident young leaders with diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives in our core pillar areas: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living and STEM. Each year, Pillar Winners will experience an exciting year of telling their 4-H story and celebrating their leadership.
Winners receive:
- $5,000 higher education scholarship
- Promotional video showcasing their 4 H impact story
- All-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for National 4 H Council’s Legacy Awards
- Networking opportunities with 4 H celebrities and other prominent alumni
- Recognition as the official 4 H youth spokesperson for their pillar
Applications on hold until 2023-2024 4-H year.
Colorado 4-H Senate Scholarship Form
This form is used to request funds from the Colorado 4-H Senate. It is used for State Conference, LDC, CLC and Youth Fest. Form must be complete and received (not postmarked) 10 days before the event registration due date.
El Paso County Jr. Livestock Sale Committee Educational Sponsorship Funds Application
Aid for 4-H Participation
El Paso County 4-H Request for Foundation Funds
This form is used to request funds from our El Paso County 4-H Foundation. Fund requests can go toward a variety of 4-H activities like paying for a 4-H event, membership dues, fundraiser supplies or anything 4-H-related.
Please mail your application to:
El Paso County 4-H Foundation,
c/o Kathy Hisey, President
24 Circle C Road
Fountain, CO 80817
Or email to epc4hfoundation1@gmail.com
4HOnline
4HOnline Enrollment Instructions (for new or returning members)
New Volunteer Enrollment Instructions
Returning Volunteer Enrollment Instructions
Adding/Dropping Projects in 4HOnline
4HOnline Animal ID’s
** Please note that the projects listed below REQUIRE Animal ID’s
- Breeding Beef
- Breeding Sheep
- Breeding Goat
- Dairy Goat
- Pygmy Goat
- Llama/Alpaca
- Dog
- Cat
- Horse/Mini Horse
** Market Animals DO NOT Require an Animal ID. Rabbit and Cavy projects DO NOT Require an Animal ID.
Animal ID Checklists
- Breeding Beef ID Checklist
- Breeding Goat ID Checklist
- Breeding Sheep ID Checklist
- Breeding Swine ID Checklist
- Dairy Goat ID Checklist
- Dog ID Checklist
- Cat ID Checklist
- Horse/Mini Horse ID Checklist
- Llama/Alpaca ID Checklist
- Pygmy Goat ID Checklist
Animal ID Detailed Instructions
4-H Policies
El Paso County Policies for Success
Colorado State 4-H Policies for Success
The Colorado State Extension 4-H Policies supersede the El Paso County Extension 4-H Policies when something is not addressed in the El Paso County Policies for Success document.
Alcohol Policy Handbook (coming soon)
CSU Protection of Minors Policy
Colorado 4-H Youth Development Policies
