What South Carolina 4-H Legislative Day Is
South Carolina 4-H Legislative Day is the annual day 4-H members take their program to the State House in Columbia. Members, volunteers and families share personal 4-H stories with lawmakers and explain what Clemson Cooperative Extension programs mean for young people in their home counties. The 2027 Legislative Day is Tuesday, March 9, 2027, and registration closes February 26, 2027.
Who Can Attend
Legislative Day is open to all registered 4-H members, volunteers and families. Youth enroll in 4-H through their county's Cooperative Extension office, so the first step for a new family is to contact the county 4-H agent. The event draws a crowd: the 2020 Legislative Day had more than 350 registered participants, including 4-H members, family members and Extension agents, and the House declared the day 4-H day at the capitol by resolution.
What Happens
- Hearing from public officials: Attendees hear from public officials.
- Time in the State House: Members spend time inside the building and watch legislators in action.
- Meetings with your legislators: 4-H members are encouraged to work with their 4-H agent to set up a meeting with their representative, senator or legislative aide.
- Stories from members: At the 2020 event, members from several counties spoke about how 4-H shaped them, including a Teen Council president and a dairy club volunteer who joined 4-H as a member in 1955.
- Group photo: Participants gather on the State House steps for a group picture.
How to Talk to a Legislator
Clemson 4-H gives members a short set of talking points for these meetings:
- South Carolina 4-H is the official youth development program of Clemson Cooperative Extension.
- The program teaches life skills through civic engagement, science, healthy living and more.
- Youth enroll through their county's Cooperative Extension office.
- More than 100,000 South Carolina youth have been impacted by the program.
- Share which 4-H projects you take part in, what you have learned and why you enjoy being a member.
Key Dates and Timing
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| February 26, 2027 | Legislative Day registration deadline (online) |
| March 9, 2027 | South Carolina 4-H Legislative Day, Columbia |
For the 2026 Legislative Day on March 10, 2026, check-in was at 10:45 a.m. and the program began at 11:00 a.m. Confirm the 2027 times with your county 4-H agent.
Where
South Carolina State House, Columbia, SC. Visitor information for the State House is posted on the legislature's website.
Questions
Do I have to be a 4-H member?
Legislative Day is open to registered 4-H members, volunteers and families. Enroll through your county Extension office.
Is there a fee or dress code?
Ask your county 4-H agent about any costs, transportation, meals and attire for your group.
Can I meet my own legislator?
Yes, members are encouraged to work with their 4-H agent to schedule a meeting with their representative, senator or legislative aide.
Who do I call?
Clemson 4-H Civic Engagement: (864) 656-3848.
Official Links
- South Carolina 4-H Legislative Day: schedule and talking points
- Clemson 4-H statewide events calendar 2026-2027: 2027 date and registration deadline
- 4-H Legislative Day brings together state's current, future leaders: 2020 event report
- South Carolina State House visitor information
Clemson Cooperative Extension in South Carolina: The Essentials
Clemson Cooperative Extension has an office in all 46 South Carolina counties and offers research-based help on farms, gardens, families and youth programs.
Find your office
The County Office Directory lists address and phone for each county.
4-H
South Carolina 4-H is open to youth ages 5 to 18 for a $15 annual membership, with sign-up through 4HOnline, per the Get Involved page. Projects include cattle, horse, poultry, rabbit and swine.
Farm and soil help
The Livestock and Forages team runs beef cattle, forage, small ruminant, equine and backyard poultry programs. Soil samples can be dropped at a county office for the Clemson lab, where a standard test is $6.00 per sample, per the lab guidelines.
Next steps
Call your county office before you drive, and bring labeled samples.
Read the full guide: Clemson Cooperative Extension in South Carolina
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Carolina 4-H State Engineering Challenge
Teams of 4-H members build and test design solutions at the State Engineering Challenge, held Feb. 10, 2027 at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia.
- State 4-H Engineering Challenge
State 4-H engineering challenge for youth teams at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia on February 10, 2027.
Columbia, SC | Organizer: Clemson 4-H Official event details - FFA Auctioneers CDE Semifinals
Semifinal round of the state FFA auctioneering contest in Columbia on February 22, 2027, with finalists moving on to the June state convention.
Columbia, SC | Organizer: SC FFA / Clemson Extension Official event details - FFA Legislative Day
FFA members meet lawmakers at the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia on February 24, 2027.
Columbia, SC | Organizer: SC FFA / Clemson Extension Official event details - South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup Columbia
The Columbia stop of the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup, the last of three regional days for teen leaders, is set for March 6, 2027.
All South Carolina events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.