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Indiana 4-H Youth Program Policies and ProceduresGeneral Terms and ConditionsThe Indiana 4-H Program Philosophy and Expectations:The Indiana 4-H program serves the youth of Indianaby providing a strong educational youth developmentprogram. This program delivers educational experiencesin a variety of settings. Caring, capable, and contributingadults assist in the 4-H program as models for youngpeople. The rich heritage of the 4-H Program is one tobe valued and passed along to future generations. TheIndiana 4-H Youth Policy and Procedures Book sets outcertain standards and guidelines to be used to assurethat 4-H is a positive youth development program.County 4-H policy is guided by the county 4-H policymaking or governing board (i.e. 4-H Council) as providedby the County Extension Board. Legal authority for the4-H Program rests with the Director of CooperativeExtension Service at Purdue University. No county 4-Hpolicy may conflict with state 4-H policy or with federalguidelines and requirements. Deadlines for county andstate participation should be carefully constructed so asto encourage rather than to discourage participation.Such deadlines should be well published. Members notcomplying with established and published dates anddeadlines for exhibition may be denied the opportunityto exhibit. It is the policy of 4-H to be an inclusiveorganization. No county policy or practice should beused to arbitrarily exclude youth from either membershipor participation. Youth should participate in 4-H YouthDevelopment opportunities at levels and times thatbest suit the youth's development and support familyinvolvement.4-H Club Membership: Youth may become 4-H memberswhen they enter the third grade and may continue theirmembership through the completion of grade 12. Eachindividual may continue membership for a maximum often (10) consecutive years.Exceptions:1) Youth who enroll in grade three and are advancedacademically (thus graduating early) may continuefor a total of 10 years ONLY if the enrollment occurs inconsecutive years.2) Those youth who are academically advanced and“skip” 3rd grade, may begin the program as a 4th graderand may continue for a total of 10 years ONLY if theenrollment occurs in consecutive years.3) Those youth who enroll in grade three and areretained a grade in school may continue to progressthrough the 4-H Program by adding subsequent yearsof participation, but MAY NOT exceed 10 years ofparticipation. For example, if a member is retained oneyear in school (public, private or home), their final year of4-H membership would conclude the summer followingtheir junior year of high school.4) Those youth who entered the program in 3rd gradeand for one reason or another leave formal educationprior to the completion of 12th grade may continuefor a total of 10 years ONLY if the enrollment occurs inconsecutive years.NOTE: 10 years of membership in the 4-H YouthDevelopment is an opportunity - not an entitlement.Those youth who do not enroll as 3rd grade students ormeet the exceptions above, conclude their involvementwith the program during the summer immediatelyfollowing the completion of their senior year in highschool. An individual’s 4-H grade is determined by theschool grade in which he or she is classified regardless ofthe time of year he or she enrolls in 4-H. A member doesnot advance in 4-H grade until he or she enrolls in 4-H forthe subsequent school year. Each member should enrollin the division of a project/subject that would best suithis/her interest and potential for personal growth andwould enhance their family involvement.Opportunities in the 4-H program are available to allIndiana youth as defined regardless of race, religion,color, sex, age, national origin, marital status, parentalstatus, sexual orientation or disability. Married young menand women of 4-H age may participate in any of the 4-Hprojects and activities. However, married persons mustparticipate by the same terms and conditions and/orguidelines as unmarried participants.Membership in 4-H is gained by annually enrollingthrough a Purdue University Cooperative ExtensionService Office located in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.The Indiana 4-H Youth Development program is October1 to September 30 annually. Enrollment is an annualprocess attained by completing individual 4-H enrollmentvia the 4HOline enrollment process. Statewide 4HOlineenrollment occurs annually October 1 through January15.Mini 4-H Non-Competitive PolicyMini 4-H is a program designed to encourage positivedevelopment of children, Kindergarten through secondgrade. The goal of Mini 4-H is to help young childrenexplore friendships outside the family; explore the way inwhich things work; practice both small and large musclecontrol; and think about the ways people work togetheron projects. The NON-COMPETITIVE learning environmentfor Mini 4-H includes:1. Planned learning activities in which children are invitedto be active and explore materials and ideas without thepressure of completing a specific product or exhibit.2. Low adult leader to child ratio that allows timefor adults/leaders to provide individual, positiveencouragement and assistance.3. Simple, interesting activities that are fun.4. Encouragement of children to participate in a groupactivity by sharing and or displaying their activityprojects.5. Rewards that are identical and/or ribbons of the samecolor for everyone.DO NOT JUDGE projects, but instead discuss themwith the child. Note: Purdue University and the Indiana4-H Youth Development Program do not support,endorse, or encourage programming for children priorto Kindergarten. 4-H Youth Development Extensionstaff members and 4-H Volunteers may not offer orencourage others to offer programming for children priorto Kindergarten.7

Residence:Indiana youth typically enroll in 4-H Youth Developmentprograms in the county or state in which they reside.However, individuals living in one county may join 4-Hin another county. There may be educational or socialreasons for an individual joining 4-H in a different countythan that of their primary residence. During a singleprogram year, a 4-H member enrolled in a given projectis expected to enroll and exhibit that project only in onecounty of enrollment.In the event that a project is not offered in the county ofprimary 4-H enrollment, a 4-H member may enroll in thatspecific project in a different county. Approval of thisspecial exception rests with the 4-H Extension Educator.Participation in 4 -H related activities and events (i.e.,judging; share-the-fun, auction) must be in the county ofprimary 4-H enrollment.The above policy is not intended to provide an escapemechanism for 4-H members and families who areunwilling to follow the terms and/or conditions in theircurrent county of 4-H membership. Decisions regarding4-H membership in a non-resident county (a county youdo not live in), rest with the 4-H Extension Educator in thereceiving county.Note: In a statement from our federal partner inWashington, DC, the following statement appears:“Anytime there are procedures for exclusion ofindividuals from events which use the 4-H name there arepotential challenges to enforcement of the exclusions.The challenges have a substantial potential to prevailand they frequently result in negative publicity for theorganization. Therefore, before choosing a policy ofexclusion it is wise to evaluate the exclusion beingconsidered, to be sure there is an overwhelmingeducationally based need for the exclusion”.Extension employees and volunteers are obligatedto eliminate (and should not create) any practicesthat limit, deprive, or tend to deprive any youth ofopportunities for membership and/or participation in theIndiana 4-H program.Behavioral Criteria for 4-H Events and Activities:To 4-H members, volunteers, parents and the public:When attending, participating or acting on behalf ofthe 4-H program, all persons are expected to conductthemselves in accordance with accepted standards ofsocial behavior, to respect rights of others, and to refrainfrom any conduct which may be injurious to the 4-Hprogram.The following actions constitute misconduct forwhich persons may be subject to disciplinary penaltiesand/or dismissal from the program:a) Dishonesty in connection with any 4-H activity bycheating or knowingly furnishing false information.b) Alteration or unauthorized use of 4-H records.c) Obstruction or disruption of any 4-H activity or aidingand encouraging other persons to engage in suchconduct.d) Failure to comply or aiding or encouraging otherpersons not to comply with specific terms and conditionsof a given project, contest or activity.e) Failure to comply with directions of 4-H officials actingin the proper performance of their duties.f) Inhumane treatment of 4-H animal projects.There are many opportunities for 4-H members,volunteers, parents and the public to participate in 4-Hevents and activities. When involved insuch experiences, members, volunteers, parents and thepublic are expected to follow all rules and regulations asoutlined by those responsible for the specific program oractivity. In all such 4-H activities, the followingconstitute a violation of behavioral expectations:1. Possession or use of firecrackers, gunpowder, firearms,chemicals or othermaterials that can be used to create an explosivemixture.2. Misuse of fire equipment or sounding a false fire alarm.3. Having a guest of the opposite gender in your sleepingquarters.4. Physical or verbal abuse of any person or conductwhich threatens or endangers the health or safety of anyperson.5. Theft of or malicious damage to property.6. Possession, use, or distribution of alcohol, illegal drugs,tobacco and tobaccolike products, or other dangeroussubstances.7. Inappropriate displays of affection toward anotherperson(s).8. Inappropriate clothing or lack of clothing during theevent or activity.9. Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct.10. Unauthorized entry, use or occupancy of any facility.11. Any conduct, which threatens or interferes withmaintenance of appropriateorder and discipline or invades the rights of others.When violations occur at out-of-county, district, area,and/or state and/ornational 4-H events, the following procedures will befollowed.a) The parents/legal guardians will be contacted toarrange transportation homefor the violator (s) andb) The local extension educator will be notifiedGuidelines for Exhibition and Completion: Following arepolicies that govern exhibition and completion of 4-HProjects:Exhibition: Exhibition of 4-H projects in local, county orstate exhibits/fairs is voluntary on the part of the exhibitor.The exhibition of 4-H projects provides 4-H membersan opportunity to display their 4-H projects, enter intocompetition and participate in an educational/socialenvironment with peers. With exhibition also comesthe responsibility for abiding by all of the terms andconditions pertaining to the respective 4-H project.Completion: The completion of a 4-H experiencemay include a variety of options and must not bemisinterpreted solely as exhibition of a project at a local,county, or state fair.8

There are a number of ways that a young person mayparticipant in the 4-H Youth Development Program inaddition to the club-based option. Participating in these4-H opportunities enable the youth to build skills that willserve them well throughout their adult lives.Some of these participation options do not include thepreparation of a specific exhibit by an individual thatwould be on display at a fair or similar event. In somecases, the youths’ actual participation may be the finalproduct that results in their completion of a year of 4-H.Some examples of this participation includes working asa team to develop a robot for a workshop or challenge;completing a Spark Club experience; participating inthe State 4-H Band or Chorus; taking part in a sciencetraining or experiment; participating in an after school4-H experience; etc. 4-H members are consideredcomplete in their 4-H educational experience for theyear when they have (1) completed the 4-H memberenrollment process prior to the established andpublished date for enrolling; and (2) had an officialrecognized 4-H volunteer/Extension Educator verifythe existence of the completed project/subject or themember’s participation in a 4-H educational experience.Additionally, 4-H members who participated in a club-orfair-based 4-H project/subject will submit a completed4-H record sheet based on printed or web-basededucational materials (used by Indiana 4-H YouthDevelopment) prior to the established and publisheddate.Though exhibiting in local, county, and state exhibits/fairs is not required for project completion, as it does notnecessarily relate directly to content and skills leaned inthe development of the 4-H project, project exhibitionis encouraged as a continuation of the educationalexperience. Extension employees and volunteers areobligated to eliminate (and should not create) anypractices that limit deprive, or tend to deprive any youthof opportunities for membership and/or participation inthe Indiana 4-H program.Safety Policy for Mini 4-H Members:The safety and well-being of our 4-H youth is of theutmost importance. Although kindergarten is specified asthe time when a child may begin participation in some4-H events and activities, parents are encouraged totake into consideration their child’s physical and mentaldevelopment before agreeing to let the child begin toshow, work with, or care for animals. Each child maturesat a different rate, and children in grades K-2 may still betoo young to begin showing, working with, or caring foranimals.The Indiana 4-H Youth Development Program at PurdueUniversity has agreed to allow Mini 4-H members ingrades K-2, to participate in NON-COMPETITIVE animalprojects subject to certain conditions. These conditionsare specified below.“Mini 4-H members, in grades K through 2, will be allowedto show, work with, or care for animal projects after theirparent or legal guardian has signed a liability release.Mini 4-H members may independently show, work with, orcare for animals that weigh 300 pounds or less. Mini 4-Hmembers may only show, work with, or care for animalsover 300 pounds when they are assisted by a parent,legal guardian, or another adult designated in writing byparent or legal 6 guardian.” (The word assisted meansthat the adult has control of the animal at all times.)Mini 4-H members exhibiting horses must wear ASTM or SEIstandard F1163 (or above) certified helmets whenevermounted. The parent/guardian is responsible to seethat this specified headgear is properly fitted with theapproved harness in place and fastened whenever arider is mounted. If the guidelines stated in this policyare not followed for a particular event or activity, thensuch event or activity shall not be considered to be a 4-Hevent or activity and shall not be under the auspices ofExtension 4-H Educators or covered by Purdue University.NOTE: In Allen County Mini 4-H Youth are NOT allowed toshow or exhibit or otherwise handle an animal in a showactivity. Exceptions Horse and Pony, Rabbits and Goats,following above guidelines.General Rules for Animals Housed at the Fair1. All 4-H General Rules apply as well as County andState 4-H Livestock Rules.2. Youth for the Quality Care of Animals Requirement(YQCA): To exhibit beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine,sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, poultry and rabbits,4-H members must be certified through YQCA. This isan annual program that can be completed via onlinemodules or in person training. In person training dateswill be communicated to all 4-H members and theirfamilies through the LaGrange County Extension Officeby the newsletter, postcards and Facebook post. All4-H members exhibiting the species listed above mustbe certified through YQCA. Livestock participants mustpresent certification for their species prior to unloadingtheir animal(s) at the fair. Any member not able topresent the required proof of YQCA certification willnot be able to unload their animals. If certification ispresented before the end of scheduled unloading times,livestock can be unloaded.3. All animal projects housed at the fair must arrive at thedesignated time, as determined by the species projectcommittee, pending fair board approval by March fairboard meeting, for check in for the 4-H fair. All animalprojects housed at the fair (beef, swine, etc.) have notgotten fair board approval must be penned by 6 a.m. to12 p.m. by the first Saturday of fair. With the exemption ofhorse and pony which can start entering Friday at 6 p.m.Failure to do so will result in your animals not being ableto unload4.All exhibition animals must be permanently identifiedby an acceptable method. Official ear tags are tagsapproved by the USDA. Official ear tags must bear theUS shield to be considered official identification. Official9

identification acceptable for specific species of livestockexhibited in Indiana are as follows:Swine: official 840 ear tag (electronic - RFID orvisual tag); NUES tag, plastic or steel; official premisesID number (“PIN”) tag; ear notch, if the notch has beenrecorded in the book of record of a purebred registryassociation; or tattoo, if the tattoo is registered with aswine registry association.Cattle: 840 tags (15 digits, beginning with 840)may or may not be RFID; NUES (brite) tags, steel or plastic;or official USDA program tags, such as orange calfhoodvaccination tags.Sheep and Goats: scrapie program flock tags;electronic implant (goats only) for breed registeredanimals only when noted on registration paperwork;tattoo if accompanied by registration papers with tattoonoted; tattoo of scrapie flock ID number along with anindividual animal ID number; wethers younger than 18months of age must bear a unique, permanent ID of anyform (not necessarily an official/scrapie tag).legal action may be taken.11.Release time: Animal exhibit release time will be 12:00am on the final Saturday of the fair, until the end of theauction on Saturday morning/afternoon. No animalproject of any species shall be released before midnighton the final Saturday of fair unless: The animal is determined to be too ill to remainat the fair. The animal poses a health risk to other animalsat the fair.

LaGrange County 4-H 4-H Project Information and Fair Book 2022 Purdue Extension- LaGrange 114 West Michigan Street LaGrange, IN 46746 Phone: 206-499-6334. . Travis Hostetler Mark Howe Roy Howe Sherri Johnston Crystal Leu Nate Mauck Kevin Myers Mike Patka Kyle Sherman Aaron Smith Adam Yoder 6. 7