These 4-H events, activities, and deadlines take place each year. Most are in Humboldt but a few are National or California 4-H events.

July: Start of 4-H Year

Online 4-H enrollment opens

Using the ZSuite website, new and returning youth and volunteers can begin 4-H enrollment for the current year.

4-H Summer Camp

This week long event provides an opportunity for 4-H members to come together for a camp-out including trail hikes, educational sessions, and entertainment. Summer Camp is usually held at Blue Slide Camp.

Record books

The 4-H program has a long history of record keeping. The focus reflects the importance of this life skill in our daily lives. Completing a 4-H Record Book is a process where you record project and club work using a standard format and provides youth an incentive for participation, learning, and achievement. Youth desiring to enter their Record Books for Evaluation Competitions start by turning in their Record Books to the County 4-H Office in July and August.

Yearly Club Update

This is a form completed by each 4-H Club and submitted to the 4-H Office in July. It's a big part of what makes 4-H enrollment run smoothly. Clubs enter important information like, what projects they are offering, which volunteers are taking the lead at the club level and at the project level, and which youth are taking on officer roles.

State Leadership Conference (SLC)

Hosted by California 4-H this event brings 4-H youth, ages 11-19, together for an inspiring experience packed with hands-on workshops, dynamic speakers, and sessions that build their leadership, communication, goal-setting, and life readiness skills.

4-H Horse Classic - State Horse Show

The primary purpose of the CA 4-H Horse Classic event is to create a forum where 4-H members can demonstrate their horsemanship skills and equine knowledge while having fun and making new 4-H friends. The CA 4-H Horse Classic offers a variety of horse show classes, recreational events, and social activities.

August

Humboldt County Fair Junior Livestock Auction

Two individuals for 4-H are selected to participate on the Auction Planning Committee of the Humboldt County Fair. Their assignments are given by this committee. Their responsibility to 4-H is to keep the general membership informed and to represent 4-H interests. 

HI 4-H Applications open

Record books

The 4-H program has a long history of record keeping. The focus reflects the importance of this life skill in our daily lives. Completing a 4-H Record Book is a process where you record project and club work using a standard format and provides youth an incentive for participation, learning, and achievement. Youth desiring to enter their Record Books for Evaluation Competitions start by turning in their Record Books to the County 4-H Office in July and August.

Devil's Garden Colt Challenge

The Devil's Garden Colt Challenge is an opportunity for youth to take home and train a wild horse. Youth trainers are given a 6 month training window and an opportunity to compete at the Colt Challenge which is held at the Modoc District Fair in August. There are over $3,500 in prizes total.

September

4-H Achievement Night

Held at the 4-H Program Leadership Team meeting, this Awards Ceremony provides the opportunity for recognizing the outstanding work of 4-H members and leaders throughout the year. This is where the installation of new County Ambassadors for the year takes place as well.

4-H Treasurer and Secretary Books

4-H Club Meetings and Financial Records are handled in a structured and orderly way. Records are maintained through the year and then are given to the County 4-H Office for review. 

New Adult Volunteer Orientation

Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of our youth while they are in our care. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe. That means adults interested in joining 4-H complete a 4-H New Volunteer Appointment Process, which includes the step of attending an in-person (or on zoom) New Volunteer Orientation. There are at least 3 scheduled orientations each year, typically held in September, October, and November.

Club Officer Training

Youth club officers plan and carry out community club meetings. This process engages officers by encouraging them to learn experientially. This training is provided to officers to support their success in whatever club officer role they hold.

Baby Week - Donations Due

National 4-H Week (held in October) is celebrated in Humboldt County by recognizing the first three babies born during that week. September is when baby items are donated and brought to the county 4-H Office by our local 4-H clubs.

October

Annual 4-H Deep Pit BBQ/Dessert Auction

This is Humboldt County 4-H's largest, annual fundraising event which is usually held the first Sunday of October. The fundraiser supports the Fieg-Tucker Scholarship fund for graduating 4-H members with 45% of the funds raised. The other 55% goes to running the county program activities and events. The public is invited to come and eat our 4-H raised lamb, pork, and goat prepared by 4-H cooks. The Dessert Auction is held in conjunction with the Annual Deep Pit BBQ as an additional fundraiser where the funds raised also go to support the Fieg-Tucker Scholarship fund and general county 4-H fund. Each club provides at least two desserts for the dessert auction.

Tractor Supply Paper Clover Fundraising Campaign

Held twice a year, this fundraising campaign directly benefits 4-H youth. 90% of donations directly support 4-H youth in the state where the funds were raised, and the remaining 10% supports the overall mission and growth of 4-H nationally.

National 4-H Week

This special week inspires and connects millions of 4-H’ers, educators, volunteers and alumni. Events in every county and state celebrate and amplify the 4-H mission: preparing youth to be Beyond Ready for life and career.

Baby Week

National 4-H Week is celebrated in Humboldt County by recognizing the first three babies born at St. Joseph's Hospital. Baby items are donated by all of our local 4-H clubs and it is the chairman's responsibility to assemble three baskets with all the items and deliver them to the hospitals. 

CR Science Night

This annual event, organized by College of the Redwoods, features hands-on STEM demonstrations, experiments, and activities for youth and adults, showcasing how science shapes our world and sparking curiosity. The Humboldt 4-H Team is happy to have the opportunity each year to join Science Night, sharing activities that kids are always excited for!

New Adult Volunteer Orientation

Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of our youth while they are in our care. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe. That means adults interested in joining 4-H complete a 4-H New Volunteer Appointment Process, which includes the step of attending an in-person (or on zoom) New Volunteer Orientation. There are at least 3 scheduled orientations each year, typically held in September, October, and November.

November

4-H Program Leadership Team Meeting

This meeting gathers 4-H Staff, Volunteers, and Youth who are decision-makers for the administrative management of county 4-H activities and events. They discuss how to create more opportunities for youth in the county to join 4-H and make it accessible to families in every sort of circumstances. Financial management and purposeful fundraising are part of the agenda. The Team is responsible for holding meetings open to all Humboldt 4-H volunteers and members where they share decisions impacting Humboldt 4-H and other relevant information for volunteers and members.

New Adult Volunteer Orientation

Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of our youth while they are in our care. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe. That means adults interested in joining 4-H complete a 4-H New Volunteer Appointment Process, which includes the step of attending an in-person (or on zoom) New Volunteer Orientation. There are at least 3 scheduled orientations each year, typically held in September, October, and November.

Project Leader Training

4-H uses the experiential learning model in project meetings. Experiential learning takes place when a youth is involved in an activity, looks back at it critically, determines what was useful or important to remember, and uses this information to perform another activity. Our 4-H volunteers are not left to figure out how to implement this on their own. This training gives guidance on using experiential learning and gives them the valuable opportunity to share and receive ideas from 4-H staff and other 4-H project leaders. 

December

Returning 4-H Adult Volunteers Deadline

Returning 4-H volunteers are given a 5 month overlap of insurance coverage so they have time to complete 4-H reappointment while continuing to act as volunteers. December 1st is the date when they lose that insurance coverage. If they have not yet reappointed by that date, any and all volunteer activity must cease until reappointment is completed.

January 

4-H Program Leadership Team meeting

This meeting gathers 4-H Staff, Volunteers, and Youth who are decision-makers for the administrative management of county 4-H activities and events. They discuss how to create more opportunities for youth in the county to join 4-H and make it accessible to families in every sort of circumstances. Financial management and purposeful fundraising are part of the agenda. The Team is responsible for holding meetings open to all Humboldt 4-H volunteers and members where they share decisions impacting Humboldt 4-H and other relevant information for volunteers and members.

State Ambassador Applications deadline

Youth wanting to take on the higher leadership responsibilities of representing the California 4-H program statewide and nationally apply to be part of the State Ambassador Leadership Team. It is one of the highest service opportunities and recognition attainable in the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. Applications for this position are due in January.

February

Fieg-Tucker Scholarship Applications Available

Fieg-Tucker Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and recipients of the scholarship who are still in college. The awards are memorials to two 4-H advisors who served youth in Humboldt and Del Norte counties for a total of nearly 50 years. They were Harry Tucker - 1917 to 1948 – and Walter Fieg – 1948 to 1964. These scholarships are funded by 45% of the money raised at the Annual Deep Pit BBQ.

March

4-H Presentation Days

Both County and Regional Presentation Day events provide opportunities for 4-H members to learn to express themselves in creative and effective ways. They have an opportunity to plan and present demonstrations, speeches, table top displays or skits. County Presentation Day is held in March, Regional Presentation Day is held in April and State Presentation Day is in May.

4-H Program Leadership Team meeting

This meeting gathers 4-H Staff, Volunteers, and Youth who are decision-makers for the administrative management of county 4-H activities and events. They discuss how to create more opportunities for youth in the county to join 4-H and make it accessible to families in every sort of circumstances. Financial management and purposeful fundraising are part of the agenda. The Team is responsible for holding meetings open to all Humboldt 4-H volunteers and members where they share decisions impacting Humboldt 4-H and other relevant information for volunteers and members.

Ignite by 4-H & Citizen Washington Focus @ Ignite

Ignite by 4-H continues to be the premier experience where teens find their spark and build career and life readiness skills that prepare them to become Beyond Ready for the future. Also offered during Ignite is Citizen Washington Focus (CWF) which remains 4-H's cornerstone leadership experience for teens passionate about civic engagement, public policy, and advocacy as pathways to community change. This event sells out quickly, so local youth wanting to join Ignite by 4-H or CWF @ Ignite should act quickly once dates for Ignite are announced!

April

National 4-H Conference

This event brings hundreds of 4-H'ers to the nation's capital each spring. By providing opportunities for young people between the ages of 15-19 to share their voices with the federal government, this nationally recognized event is developing the next generation of leaders. 

Tractor Supply Paper Clover Fundraising Campaign

Held twice a year, this fundraising campaign directly benefits 4-H youth. 90% of donations directly support 4-H youth in the state where the funds were raised, and the remaining 10% supports the overall mission and growth of 4-H nationally.

Fieg-Tucker Scholarships due

It is the responsibility of the applicant to see that all documents have been received by the 4-H office. Incomplete applications will not be considered for a scholarship. Applications must be in the Humboldt County 4-H office by 5 p.m. or postmarked on or before the due date on the application.

Regional Presentation Day

Both County and Regional Presentation Day events provide opportunities for 4-H members to learn to express themselves in creative and effective ways. They have an opportunity to plan and present demonstrations, speeches, table top displays or skits. County Presentation Day is held in February, Regional Presentation Day is held in April and State Presentation Day is in May.

May

UC ANR Giving Day

4-H Program Leadership Team meeting

This meeting gathers 4-H Staff, Volunteers, and Youth who are decision-makers for the administrative management of county 4-H activities and events. They discuss how to create more opportunities for youth in the county to join 4-H and make it accessible to families in every sort of circumstances. Financial management and purposeful fundraising are part of the agenda. The Team is responsible for holding meetings open to all Humboldt 4-H volunteers and members where they share decisions impacting Humboldt 4-H and other relevant information for volunteers and members.

State Field Day 

Held at the UC Davis Campus, this day is packed with activities and contests! Either at the event, or virtually, youth can participate in Presentation and Interview contests. Other State competitions include a Robotics Contest, State Avian Bowl, and State Fashion Revue. Some contests are qualifiers for national competitions! Youth get to connect with other 4-H'ers from across the state, learn new things at the interactive booths, and get inspired by other contest participants!

June: End of 4-H Year

Redwood Acres Fair

4-H youth get to present what they have worked on during the past 4-H year, including showing animals or crops they raised.

Club Officer Elections

Each club to hold officer elections and to confirm club and project leaders for the following program year. This information will be entered into the "Yearly Club Update Form"

State Horse Classic

The primary purpose of the CA 4-H Horse Classic event is to create a forum where 4-H members can demonstrate their horsemanship skills and equine knowledge while having fun and making new 4-H friends. The CA 4-H Horse Classic offers a variety of horse show classes, recreational events, and social activities. 4-H youth can also display their equine knowledge through participation in the state qualifying equine educational contests: Horse Bowl, Horse Judging, Hippology, public speaking, and team/individual presentation contests.

CA 4-H Shooting Sports Match

Having a variety of disciplines to choose from, participants register for the category of their choice and guided by their project leader, shoot at a target that gets sent in for judging. Awards and/or banners are given to the top shooters.

National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships

The 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships is held each June in Grand Island, Nebraska. 4-H youth from across the country compete in compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting skills.