Larimer County 4-H offers over 40 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 or talk to your club leader.
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
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
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
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
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
Clothing & Sewing Projects
Love fashion or want to learn how to sew? Make a pillowcase or sew your own clothing in the Clothing Construction Project. Participate in Upcycle Your Style, sew a costume, or explore careers in textiles in the Artistic Clothing Project.
Learn more about Clothing & Sewing Projects
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Have even more questions? Visit our 4-H FAQ
FAQs
-
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 do I 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.
-
How do I complete a project?
In order to complete a project in Larimer County 4-H you must:
- Participate in a demonstration or other speech-arts presentation
- Many 4-H member give a demonstration in front of their club.
- Participate in a 4-H community service activity
- Exhibit your project
- This can be at the Larimer County Fair, a club meeting, school event or any other time where you can put your project on display. This could be an item you have made for your project or a display board showcasing what you learn over the year.
- Complete a record book for each project
Larimer County Colorado State University Extension
HOURS
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Our office follows the Larimer County Holiday Calendar for office closures.
