Enrollment for Washington County 4‑H opens August 1

Enrollment for Washington County 4‑H will open on Saturday, August 1, kicking off a new year of learning and leadership opportunities for area youth. The nationwide 4‑H program encourages youth to explore their interests, develop new skills, and prepare for success in life. In Florida, 4‑H serves as the official youth development program of the University of Florida IFAS Extension.

Washington County 4‑H has announced its roster of 2026‑2027 clubs, offering opportunities for local youth to learn, grow, and connect through hands‑on experiences.

This year’s clubs include:

• Baking Buddies 4-H Club – helps youth learn baking fundamentals, practice new recipes, and develop baking techniques. Club leader: Amber Scurlock. Ages 7-12. 4-H Project: Food and Nutrition. Club dues: $20. Meets the second Tuesday of the month, 3-4:30 p.m.
• Blazing Hooves 4-H Club – teaches youth about horse care, nutrition, horsemanship, and showmanship skills. Club leader: Nina Davis. Ages 8-18. 4-H Project: Horse. Club dues: $20. Meets the third Sunday of the month, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Junior Beekeepers 4-H Club – introduces youth to the world of bees and beginning beekeeping. Club Leader: Adam Weiland. Ages 8-18. 4-H Project: Beekeeping. Club dues: $10. Meets the third Tuesday of the month, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• LEGO Challengers 4-H Club – participants solve STEM challenges with LEGO and friends. Club leaders: Danielle Gay and Allison Rudd. Ages 7-11. 4-H Project: Science Exploration. Club dues: $20. Meets the second Tuesday of the month, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• LEGO Explorers 4-H Club – youth create and build problem-solving skills with fun LEGO challenges. Club leader: Virginia McNamee. Ages 12 and up. 4-H Project: Science Exploration. Club dues: $20. Meets the second Thursday of the month, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Livestock 4-H Club – participants learn all about beef and swine, showmanship skills, take field trips to explore agriculture, and livestock judging. Club leaders: Lindsay and Phillip Fisher. Ages 8-18. 4-H Project: Beef and/or Swine. Club dues: $20. Meets September 8 then every first Monday of the month, 6-7 p.m.
• Panhandle Poultry 4-H Club – youth care for baby chicks from one day old to laying age while learning about care and nutrition, showmanship, and poultry science. Club leader: Julie P. Dillard. Ages 5-18. 4-H Project: Cloverbud 5-7 years old or Poultry 8-18 years old. Club dues: $50. Meets the third Thursday of the month, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Roots and Roosts 4-H Club – club members learn advanced poultry science topics, poultry judging, and poultry quiz bowl. Club leader: Julie P. Dillard. Ages 10-18. 4-H Project: Poultry. Club dues: $20. Meets the third Thursday of the month, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
• Sure Shots 4-H Club – participants learn and master the clay target games of skeet, trap, and sporting clays. Club leaders are Kevin Fussell and Nick Dillard. Ages 11-18. 4-H Project: Shotgun. Club dues: $100. Meets every Sunday beginning September 27, 2 p.m.

To enroll, go to the Florida 4-H enrollment site by following this link: https://v2.4honline.com/.

In 4honline, guardians will enter their child’s name, contact information, health information, and consents, then choose a club and 4-H project from the above list. If the child is 5-7 years old, guardians will need to choose the Cloverbud project for them.

A $20 Florida 4-H membership fee is paid by credit card when enrollment is submitted. Each 4-H Club charges dues to cover the costs of materials and supplies. Club dues are paid at the first club meeting. 4-H Clubs meet monthly beginning in September.

Once enrollment is reviewed and approved, guardians will receive a welcome email and 4-H Member Handbook from 4-H Agent Julie P. Dillard. 4-H club leaders will then follow up with the dates and times of 4-H club meetings. Club organizers noted that the email entered in 4honline will be the first line of communication, advising to use an email address that is checked frequently. 

For questions about Washington County 4-H, contact Julie P. Dillard at 850-638-6180 or via email at juliepd@ufl.edu.