Putnam County 4-H | Extension | West Virginia University

Share this

What is 4-H?

4-H is one of the largest youth development programs in the United States involving more than 6.5 million young people and 540,000 youth and adult volunteers. The focus is on helping youth learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills by participating in projects and service.

Membership is open to any youth when he/she is in at least 9 years of age and is not older than 21 within the current 4-H year, which runs from October 1 – September 30. The Cloverbud program is open to youths ages 5-7 years of age. On a local level 4-H offers community clubs, specialty clubs, cloverbud clubs, county camp(s), club outings, Achievement Banquet, and more! In 4-H youth socialize, learn, and develop life skills in a safe, educational atmosphere.

Studies show that 4-H members

do better in school
are more motivated to help others
feel safe to try new things
achieve a sense of self-esteem
develop lasting friendships

4-H…The Power of Youth

Putnam County has over 400 4-H’ers enrolled in 22 traditional community clubs, and over 500 youth receive 4-H programs in their schools. 4-H is for any boy or girl from third grade through age 21 (there is also a Clover Bud program for children in kindergarten through second grade) regardless of race, color, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.

4-H’ers learn leadership skills and how to run a meeting through club programs under the careful leadership of trained adult volunteers. Youth participate in special activities such as monthly skating parties, talent shows, public presentation contests, conservation program, field trips, weekend camps, and community service projects. They participate in Adopt-A-Highway, the Putnam County Fair, and many other community service events.

Each 4-H’er is encouraged to take and complete at least one project. The project book is provided at no cost. The project is exhibited at the county fair. There are no dues, no uniforms, nor fees to belong to a 4-H club.

All Putnam County youth, ages 9-21 are invited to attend Putnam County 4-H Camp, a week-long residential camp held at Camp Virgil Tate near Cross Lanes, the end of June each summer.

4-H in Putnam County is sponsored by West Virginia University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Putnam County Commission, and Putnam County Board of Education.

To become a 4-H member, contact the 4-H club leader nearest you or call 304-586-0217.

Clubs

Putnam County 4-H Clubs Putnam County 4-H Specialty Clubs

Camps

Contact the Putnam County Office for information.

Recent WV 4-H News

Win up to $3,000 in the Natural Resources & Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition

Photo of student standing at a podium presenting in front of a screen with the words "Natural Resources and Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition" overlayed on top. The Flying "WV" and "Extension" written in bottom left corner

West Virginia individuals or teams (up to four persons) of students in grades 9-12 from traditional, virtual or homeschool environments, or those attending career and technical centers are invited to compete in the 2023 Natural Resources and Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition.

This competition is an exciting program designed to engage talented youths in our community, state and beyond. By participating in this competition, young people will have the opportunity to jump-start their own businesses or develop essential skills for their future roles with potential employers.

Read Win up to $3,000 in the Natural Resources & Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition

4-H Volunteer Retreat

The words 4-H Volunteers and a 4-H clover surrounded by hands reaching out with hearts in the palms

Registration is now open for the 2023 4-H Volunteer Retreat! WV 4-H Volunteers, All Stars, Adult Leaders, and Alumni (18 years or older) who serve, or want to learn more about serving, as volunteers with the West Virginia 4-H program are invited.

The conference will be held Friday, September 29, 2023 - Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Read 4-H Volunteer Retreat

Season 4, Episodes 26-30 - Energy Express on WVPB 

Monday, July 24, 2023, 5:30 p.m. 

To kick off today’s episode, Jen Robertson-Honecker, WVU Extension STEM Specialist, and Ben, the flashlight wizard, lead a STEM activity, teaching us how to make our own flashlights. For this activity, you will need jumbo craft sticks, LEDs, coin cell batteries, jumbo paper clips, copper tape, masking tape, scissors. If all that science worked up an appetite, you’re in luck! Susan Lily, a nutrition instructor with the WVU Extension Family Nutrition Program, walks us through how to make some delicious energy bars. For this recipe, you will need rice cereal, quick cooking oats, toasted nuts, dried cranberries, unsweetened coconut, honey, low-fat peanut butter and vanilla.

Read Season 4, Episodes 26-30 - Energy Express on WVPB 

Older WV 4-H News