Putnam County 4-H | Extension | West Virginia University

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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

It Pays to BEE a Writer: State 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

West Virginia 4-H is excited to announce the 2024 State 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest!

The topic for this 750-1000 word essay is Varietal Honeys.

Read It Pays to BEE a Writer: State 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

Ten My Hands to Larger Service Mini-Grants awarded in 2024

Ten 4-H teen leaders and their teams have pledged their hands to larger service in the coming months as they implement the service projects outlined in their winning mini-grant applications. The West Virginia 4-H All Stars have committed $2,000 to support the ten mini-grants to enhance communities in Berkeley, Harrison, Monongalia, Morgan, Ohio, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, and Randolph counties.

Cooper Knott and the Scrabble Scramblers 4-H Club in Berkeley County plan to update athletic equipment at the Camp Frame. This facility attracts the tri-county community for year-round social, educational, and recreational gatherings. The basketball hoop and backboard at the facility are broken and need to be replaced for the facility users to enjoy for years to come.

Harrison County 4-H members Hope Woods, Hannah Woods, and Spencer Nolan plan to repurpose old furniture to make a blessing box in their community. Community members can help fill this box with food, warm clothes, hygiene products, and other essentials that those in need can discretely acquire. By repurposing old furniture instead of building a new box, the 4-H members aim to reduce waste and encourage environmental preservation.

Read Ten My Hands to Larger Service Mini-Grants awarded in 2024

2024 My Hands to Larger Service mini-grants available

Youth replacing the floorboards of a porch

For several years the West Virginia 4-H All Stars have generously funded to eleven mini-grants for West Virginia 4-H teens/teen leader groups to assist in the planning and completion of a community service project through the My Hands to Larger Service 4-H Project.

Mini-Grant Application

Read 2024 My Hands to Larger Service mini-grants available

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