4-H Projects (Extension)

Larimer County 4-H offers over 50 projects to choose from.

You can enroll in as many (or few) projects as you want. If you enroll in more than 5 projects, however, you will need to pay a higher enrollment fee.

Each project will require access to some materials. For some projects, these may be materials you already have around your home. Other projects may require a significant investment. You can look at each project page to see what materials you need access to. If you still have questions, give us a call. Our agents would be happy to talk to you.

A 4-H leader helps a young man set up his model rocket preparing it to launch

FAQs 4-H Projects

What is a 4-H Project?

4-H members select 1 or more projects to complete over their 4-H year. The next year, the 4-H member can enroll in the same project at a more advanced level or enroll in a completely new project. They learn new skills by completing the activities in the project. Our staff and volunteers work to support 4-H members and their families. This includes offering advice, access to expertise, organized activities, connecting you to resources, and more.

Many 4-H members choose to show their project at the Larimer County fair in August. This is not required to complete a project, however. If you do not wish to participate in the fair, talk to your club leader or 4-H Agent to ask how you may complete your project.
How to Pick a Project
Projects are fun to do alone and/or with your friends. Think about:
- An interest you’d like to explore
- A hobby you’d like to learn more about
- A topic of interest shared by you and your family
- Something that is fun for you
What materials do I need?

It's important to remember that projects require access to materials, supplies, or sometimes live animals. For example, livestock projects require youth to care for an animal that they purchase or lease. A sewing project will likely require that you have access to a sewing machine that you own or borrow. You may already have many or even all of the materials needed for some projects. If you see a project you are interested in, please feel free to contact us to see what materials are required. We can also provide resources/ tips for how/where to acquire materials at a discounted cost.

4-H Animal Projects

Participating in an Animal Project helps 4-H youth learn responsibility, budgeting, and planning. To participate, the 4-H member will need regular access to the kind of animal they are going to care for. Most families already own the animal, but some projects require a new animal be purchased. Some projects have animal-leasing options for families who do not currently have the animal.

Beef

The Beef project is open to youth age 8-18. Your involvement in this project allows you the opportunity to develop and use new life skills by caring for a market animal or building your own herd.

Learn more about the Beef Project

A teenager shows her market animal at the fair

Cats

The Larimer County 4-H Cat project is designed to provide an opportunity to handle, care for and learn about cats. Members learn responsibility, leadership, communication and the importance of keeping accurate records. Members may participate in educational and hands-on workshops.

Learn more about the Cat Project

Dairy Cattle

The Larimer County Dairy Cattle Project is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and overall care. Youth in the Dairy Cattle project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship. Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Learn more about the Dairy Cattle Project

A young woman wearing white stands next to her dairy cow.

Image Credit: Jennifer Wildman

Dog

The Larimer County 4-H Dog program is designed to provide an opportunity to handle, care for and learn about dogs. Members learn responsibility, leadership, communication and the importance of keeping accurate records. There are many ways you can get involved, such as workshops, Dog shows and knowledge competitions. The program includes four class options; Obedience, Showmanship, Rally, and Agility.

Learn more about the Dog Project

Goat

The Larimer County Goat Project is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and overall care. Youth in the Goat project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship. Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Learn more about the Goat Project

Horse

The Larimer County 4-H Horse program is designed to provide you an opportunity to handle, care for, and ride horses.

4-H members may own or lease a horse for this project. There are many ways you can get involved, such as entering riding events or knowledge competitions. You can compete in a Western or English riding event, or even enter your horse in the Musical Freestyle competition. The possibilities are endless!

Learn more about the Horse Project

Horseless Horse

Learn how to care for, feed, and tack a horse or pony, without having to own or lease an animal.

Learn more about the Horseless Horse Project

Two children hold their stick horses while sitting on a fence.

Poultry

Members of the Poultry project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship

Youth in the Poultry project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship. Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Learn more about the Poultry Project

Rabbit

The Larimer County Rabbit Project is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and overall care. Youth in the Rabbit project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship. Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Learn more about the Rabbit Project

Sheep

The Larimer County Sheep Project is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and overall care. Youth in the Sheep project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship. Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Learn more about the Sheep Project

A boy preps his sheep for showing at a fair

Swine

The Larimer County Swine Project is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and overall care. Youth in the Swine project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship. Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Learn more about the Swine Project

Veterinary Science

Learn about the range of behavior and characteristics of a normal animal. Learn about diseases, their causes and prevention, and precautions to control those diseases that affect humans.

Learn more about the Veterinary Science Project

Two small children pet their cat as a vet holds the cat

Ceramics

Learn how to make items or projects out of clay.

Learn more about the Ceramics Project.

Heritage Arts

Learn how to make creative items. This includes but is not limited to, any of the following: knitting, crocheting, quilting, etc.

Learn more about the Heritage Arts Project.

Multiple children work on crocheting something at the same time.

Leathercraft

Learn to design, make, and decorate leather furnishings and wardrobe items.

Learn more about the Leathercraft Project

Scrapbooking

Learn how to make a scrapbook to commemorate events or people using photos, mementos, and basic scrapbooking tools.

Learn more about the Scrapbooking Project

4-H Filmmaking

Learn about the science of videotaping, editing and distributing a finished product.

Learn more about the Filmmaking Project

An image of a phone screen. The phone is on a tripod. Two teens are being video taped by the phone.

Photography

Learn to use photographic equipment and take and/or develop photographs.

Learn more about the Photography Project

A teenager uses a SLR camera to take a photo

Visual Arts

Learn how to utilize different elements of design, textures, mediums, techniques, etc. to create a unique artwork.

Learn more about the Visual Arts Project

Artistic Clothing

Artistic Clothing includes the following projects that encourage members to use their creative thinking skills.

Learn more about the Artistic Clothing Project

A child sews something at a sewing machin

Cake Decorating

Members learn how to decorate a cake according to their tastes. Cakes may vary from advanced to very basic.

Learn more about the Cake Decorating Project

A cake that is being decorated with white, yellow, and pink frosting.

Clothing Construction

Members will not only learn the basics of clothing and other project construction, but also explore purchasing, selection, appearance, and care of clothing and textile. The clothing project has subcategories including artistic clothing and clothing construction.

Learn more about the Clothing Construction Project

A child sews something on a sewing machine

Food and Nutrition

Learn how to shop for, prepare, and serve nutritious food safely, and learn how to maintain good health through a balanced diet.

Learn more about the Food and Nutrition Project

Home Design and Decor

Learn to embrace home arts, home furnishings, and refinishing furniture. Members may also learn how to best incorporate color, light, design, space, and texture in a living space to optimize comfort and appearance.

Learn more about the Home Design and Decor Project

Beekeeping

Have you wanted to explore the habitats of bees? Do you wonder which plants bees like to pollinate? Do you want to know how bees make honey? Then the 4-H Beekeeping project is right up your alley. You will learn about the world of bees and have fun doing it.

Learn more about the Beekeeping Project

Entomology

Learn to collect, identify, and possibly mount insects. Learn about insect’s individual traits and habitats, and their relationship with humans in their uses and control.

Learn more about the Entomology Project

A child looks at an insect through a magnifying glass

Gardening

Learn to grow vegetables and/or market crops. This includes learning about the different methods of gardening; conventional, organic, etc.

Learn more about the Gardening Project

Outdoor Adventures

Includes, but is not limited to any of the following; camping, rock climbing, canoeing, mountaineering, first aid, outdoor cookery, topographic map reading, and outdoor survival.

Learn more about the Outdoor Adventures Project

A teenager sits by a trail wearing hiking gear

Shooting Sports

Shooting Sports is one of the most popular 4-H projects in Larimer County and is as one of the largest 4-H Shooting Sports programs in the state of Colorado. Members learn how to care for and handle shooting sports equipment safely. There are numerous options, from rifles to bows. Members also have the opportunity to hone their skills and test themselves by competing in the county shoot and, if they qualify, the Colorado 4-H State competition.

Learn more about the Shooting Sports Project

Sportfishing

Members learn the delicate art of tying flies for fishing. Fishing methods taught may vary from fly fishing to lake fishing.

Learn more about the Sportfishing Project

Wildlife

Learn about local and exotic wildlife, their habitat, and value to ecosystem and economics. Includes information on the conservation of wildlife. May include work with a relocation/rehabilitation program.

Learn more about the Wildlife Project

A teenager looks at wildlife with Binoculars

Global Citizenship

Learn about your rights and responsibilities, the common core values of the American democratic system, and how you can be a leader and make a difference in your community. Focus on personal development, history and culture, government studies, and current issues.

Learn more about the Global Citizenship Project

Leadership

Learn about leadership for an individual, group and organization. Build your own leadership skills through public speaking, project management, communication, organization, and negotiation.

Learn more about the Leadership Project

Teenagers stand on a stage speaking to a crowd

Self-Determined

Any project which a member wishes to engage in for which there is not already a project category. This is a County Project only. Exhibits do not qualify for State Fair.

Learn more about the Self-Determined Project

Two youth sit outside and look at the camera.

Computers

Learn about computer hardware and software. Projects may focus on specific software packages, general computer maintenance, or computer hardware identification and upgrading.

Learn more about the Computers Project

Electricity

Learn the fundamentals of electricity and its application as a source of energy and power. Learn to build and maintain electronics of varying complexity.

Learn more about the Electricity Project

A pre-teen works on a demonstration circuit

Model Rocketry

Learn how to design, build, or demonstrate flying or non-flying model rockets.

Learn more about the Model Rocketry Project

Robotics and Engineering

Learn about the science and technology of robots and their design, manufacture and application.

Learn more about the Robotics and Engineering Project

A teenager works on an electronic component with a motor

Small Engines

Learn about the care and use of a 2-cycle and 4-cycle gasoline and diesel engines in all home, farm, or recreational situations – from lawn and garden equipment, to boats and motorcycles.

Learn more about the Small Engines Project

Woodworking

Learn to design, build and finish a wooden item. Learn the safe use and care of woodworking tools and equipment.

Learn more about the Woodworking Project

Metalworking

The metalworking project is designed to help young people learn how to build and design metal projects. Members will learn about different welders, welding techniques, and metal by participating in the experiences of this project.

Learn more about the Metalworking Project

A pre-teen holds a hammer preparing to strike it on an anvil

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4-H Projects