The Kansas 4-H Program
Kansas 4-H is a network of families and clubs that helps kids build practical skills. It is housed in K-State Research and Extension and, as reported in 2026, serves more than 15,000 members across all 105 Kansas counties. Members choose projects, set goals, learn the skills to reach them and show their work at county fairs, speaking contests and other competitions. The program serves rural, urban and suburban communities.
Project Areas
The Kansas 4-H projects page lists eight areas:
- Animal Science
- Communication and Expressive Arts
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Leadership and Personal Development
- Natural Resources
- Plant Sciences
- Project-Based Events
Members pick projects based on their interests and on whether a knowledgeable adult in the community can mentor them, and clubs help make that match. A Project Selection Guide is available from K-State.
How to Enroll
- Find a club. The state office's enrollment page says every county has several club options and suggests visiting two or three to see which fits your family's time, location and project focus.
- Enroll online. Enrollment is through the 4-H Online portal, and the page says it is open at any time.
- Check your age. Clubs are open to Kansas residents ages 7 to 19. Youth who turn 7 before January 1 of the current 4-H year may enroll, and youth who turn 19 before January 1 are ineligible. Cloverbuds is for children who turned 5 or 6 before January 1.
- Know the 4-H year. It runs October 1 to September 30.
Watch deadlines. One Post Rock District page says members must be enrolled by May 1 to show at the county fair, and a 2025 news report says the re-enrollment deadline was November 1, after which youth become ineligible for exhibit premiums, premium auctions, county or district leadership positions, state competitive 4-H events and local scholarship or travel support. Your county Extension office sets local details, so ask. For general questions, the Kansas State 4-H office is at 201 Umberger Hall, 1612 Claflin Rd, Manhattan, KS 66506, phone 785-532-5800.
County Events
County is where most families start. County fairs are the main showcase, and members generally must earn a purple ribbon at their county fair to qualify for the Kansas State Fair. Many counties also hold a County Club Day. A Douglas County description says members present individually, as a group or as a whole club in parliamentary procedure, public presentations and talent (music, drama and dance), with ribbons given against a standard of excellence and judges offering positive feedback.
District Events
Kansas Extension is organized into districts that hold their own events. The Post Rock District 4-H Day is a good example:
- Contest areas. Public presentation (project talk, illustrated talk, demonstration, public speaking, spontaneous speaking and public service announcement), model business meeting, music, dance and dramatics.
- Age divisions. Cloverbud (5-6, for experience only), Junior (7-9), Intermediate (10-13) and Senior (14 and older), set before January 1 of the current 4-H year.
- Awards. Junior, Intermediate and Senior members receive written feedback and a white, red, blue or purple ribbon. Purple ribbons in eligible areas qualify youth for the Kansas State Fair.
- Registration. Done online through 4-H Online, with a deadline and a late window. Check your district's newsletter for dates.
Horse exhibitors have a district step too. The Kansas 4-H State Horse Show is for 4-H members ages 9 to 18, who must meet the Horse Achievement Levels for their age group and qualify at their District 4-H Horse Show with a blue or purple ribbon.
State Events
- Kansas State Fair. The 4-H division is described as the highest level of competition in Kansas 4-H. The 2026 fair began Sept. 11 in Hutchinson. The 4-H division page lists areas such as Dog Show, Agronomy, Communications, Engineering and Technology, Fashion Revue, Foods and Nutrition, Horse Show, Photography, Poultry, Rabbits, Shooting Sports, Visual Arts and Woodworking, and noted that all 2026 state fair entries were due by August 15.
- Discovery Days. A mini college experience at Kansas State University for youth 13-18, where participants choose classes and attend social events. The 2026 dates were June 3-5 at a cost of $245.
- Other state opportunities. The state events page also lists 4-H Camp at Rock Springs, project-based events, teen leadership opportunities and awards. Dates and details are on each page or from the state office.
Tips for New Families
- Start early. Preparation often takes months, and some members work on one project for nearly a year.
- Ask your county office about deadlines. Enrollment, entry and fair dates vary by county and district.
- Aim for purple. A purple at the county fair is the usual ticket to the state fair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 4-H cost?
The state enrollment pages do not list a fee. Counties and clubs may have their own costs, so ask your Extension office.
Can I join in the middle of the year?
Yes. The state page says enrollment is open at any time, but watch county fair and re-enrollment deadlines.
Is 4-H only for kids who live on farms?
No. Kansas 4-H serves rural, urban and suburban communities.
Kansas Listings Covered by This Guide
- Thomas County 4-H BB Gun State Qualifier Match
A 4-H shooting sports state qualifier for BB gun, shot as 10 shots in each of four positions, is hosted March 14, 2026, at the 4-H Building on the Thomas County Fairgrounds in Colby; registration opens at 8 a.m.
West Cedar St, Colby, KS Official event details - Kansas 4-H Youth Entrepreneurship Contest
Held each year; the most recent dates were April 28-29, 2026 in Manhattan. State 4-H contest where youth present business ideas to judges.
- Douglas County 4-H Pet Show
Morning 4-H pet show in Building 21 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence, ahead of the afternoon dog show. Held each year; the most recent show was July 18, 2026.
2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Douglas County 4-H Dog Show
Afternoon 4-H dog show in Building 21 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence, following the morning pet show. Held each year; the most recent show was July 18, 2026.
2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Scott County Free Fair 4-H Foods Judging
4-H foods static judging takes place Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Building at the Scott County fairgrounds in Scott City, alongside a free-will donation bake sale from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Scott City, KS Official event details - Douglas County 4-H Clothing Judging
Clothing project judging for Douglas County 4-H members in Building 21 and the Dreher Family 4-H Building in Lawrence. Held each year; the most recent judging was July 21, 2026.
2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Wyandotte County Fair 4-H Horse Show
The 4-H horse show with showmanship and English events starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Wyandotte County Fair in Kansas City, Kansas.
13700 Polfer Rd, Kansas City, KS 66109 Official event details - Scott County Free Fair 4-H Livestock and Champion Foods Auction
The annual 4-H livestock and champion foods auction is held Friday evening, July 24, 2026, in the fairgrounds show arena at Scott City; rabbits and poultry are released after the sale.
Scott City, KS Official event details - Douglas County 4-H Horse Show
Sunday morning 4-H horse show held at the Community Building of the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence. Held each year; the most recent show was July 26, 2026.
2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Douglas County 4-H Fashion Review
Evening 4-H fashion review in Building 21 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence, where members model what they have sewn or chosen. Held each year; the most recent review was July 22, 2026.
2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Douglas County Fair Livestock Judging Contest
Livestock judging contest for Douglas County youth during fair week at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence. Held each year; the most recent contest was July 30, 2026.
2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046 | Organizer: Douglas County 4-H Official event details - Harvey County Youth Horticulture Judging
Young exhibitors are judged in horticulture on Sunday afternoon during the Harvey County Fair at the Newton fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-08-02.
800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114 Official event details - Harvey County 4-H Livestock and Champion Food Auction
The 4-H livestock auction and the Champion 4-H Food Auction close out youth competition at the Harvey County Fair in Newton on Monday evening. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-08-03.
800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114 Official event details - Rooks County Free Fair 4-H Photography, Life Skills and Horticulture Judging
4-H photography, life skills and horticulture judging contests run from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, during the Rooks County Free Fair in Stockton.
918 S. Elm Street, Stockton, KS 67669 Official event details - Rooks County Free Fair 4-H Beef Carcass Ultrasound
Beef carcass ultrasound for 4-H exhibitors is scheduled Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Rooks County Free Fair in Stockton.
918 S. Elm Street, Stockton, KS 67669 Official event details - Rooks County Free Fair 4-H, FFA and Old-Timers Livestock Judging Contest
A livestock judging contest open to 4-H members, FFA members and old-timers follows the open class beef show on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the Rooks County Free Fair in Stockton.
918 S. Elm Street, Stockton, KS 67669 Official event details - Rooks County Free Fair 4-H Pedal Pull
Young pedal-tractor pullers compete in the 4-H Pedal Pull on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. during the Rooks County Free Fair at the Stockton fairgrounds.
918 S. Elm Street, Stockton, KS 67669 Official event details - Rooks County Free Fair 4-H Livestock Sale
The 4-H livestock sale caps the show week at the Rooks County Free Fair on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 6 p.m., at the Rooks County Fairgrounds in Stockton.
918 S. Elm Street, Stockton, KS 67669 Official event details - Harvey County 4-H Livestock Judging Competition
Youth place classes of livestock in this Saturday-morning judging contest at the Harvey County Fairgrounds in Newton, one of the contests announced on the closing Monday. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-08-01.
800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114 Official event details - Bonfire 4-H Club
Riley County 4-H club whose member Rylinn Gerber showed a jean rack woodworking project for judging at the 2025 Riley County Fair at Pottorf Hall in Manhattan.
KS - CiCo Shamrocks 4-H Club
Riley County 4-H club whose member Garrett Henderson displayed a project at the 2025 Riley County Fair judging held at Pottorf Hall in Manhattan.
KS - Comanche County 4-H
Youth 4-H program for Comanche County run through the K-State Research and Extension office in Coldwater, which also handles volunteer sign-up and the county fair 4-H exhibits.
201 S. New York, Coldwater, KS 67029 | 620-582-2411 Website - Frontier Extension District #11 - Anderson County 4-H
Frontier Extension District #11 maintains the Anderson County 4-H events and information page used by local 4-H clubs and families.
Garnett, KS Website - Harvey County Extension 4-H Youth Development
The Harvey County Extension office runs 4-H youth development, led by a 4-H Youth Development Director with program assistants, and handles Harvey County Fair entries.
Newton, KS | 316-284-6930 - Jolly Workers 4-H Club
Stafford County 4-H club in Hudson founded in 1937; the Alpers family has produced five generations of members and leaders and six family members exhibited at the 2026 Kansas State Fair.
Hudson, KS - Kansas State 4-H Office
State 4-H office at K-State Research and Extension. It coordinates Discovery Days, state contests, Kansas State Fair 4-H shows, camp at Rock Springs and teen leadership programs.
201 Umberger Hall, 1612 Claflin Rd, Manhattan, KS 66506 Website - Sedgwick County 4-H Youth Development
Sedgwick County K-State Research and Extension 4-H program that organizes 4-H Day speaking events, county fair entries at Cheney, county-wide horse project resources and a 4-H advisory council.
KS Website - Shawnee County 4-H Youth Development
Shawnee County K-State Extension 4-H program that publishes Shawnee County Fair information and YQCA youth livestock quality assurance training details, and supports the county livestock spring show.
KS Website - Wyandotte County 4-H
Wyandotte County K-State Extension 4-H program with enrollment, project guides, a monthly 4-H newsletter and the 4-H Summer Showcase and Fair at the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds in Kansas City, Kansas.
Kansas City, KS Website
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.