FAQ's

Are there any other costs besides the membership fee?

There can be.  If you join an animal project, you will need to buy the animal, feed, vet care, and housing.  There will also be show fees if you choose to show your animal. 

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Additionally, there may be some costs with your project.  Some leaders may have your buy the materials for a meeting or pay a flat fee per child for a meeting.  

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Most county and regional event are free.  Sometimes there will be a fee for lunch.  Or a small fee (usually under $10) to participate in special activities.

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Also there are camps and leadership events that have their own costs.  There are usually fundraisers and scholarships available for those.

Is there a uniform?

A uniform is not required for participation in any 4-H sponsored activity, event, meeting, or occasion. Although members are not required to wear a uniform in the 4-H program, many members feel a sense of belonging when wearing the uniform. 

The uniform is made up of the following garments:

1. Official green 4-H hat branded with the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and the 4-H clover logo mark. 
   These can be purchased through Leslie Carman 4-H Supplies.
   
   

2. A plain white shirt with a collar. Any length of sleeve, including sleeveless is acceptable. Alternate Casual Uniform:  For casual events, members may wear their club or county t-shirt, without the hat, provided that the t-shirt has the proper use of the 4-H emblem according to the California 4-H Branding Toolkit.  

3. Members have a choice of bottoms, appropriate to the event or activity, as specified in the California 4-H Dress Guidelines.  

4. OPTIONAL: A traditional 4-H tie or scarf worn with the collared white shirt.  The tie and scarf are both worn under the collar.  Any member can wear either the scarf or the tie--whatever the member is most comfortable wearing. These can be purchased through Leslie Carman 4-H Supplies.

The 4-H uniform guidelines follow the protocols in the California 4-H Dress Guidelines that apply to all 4-H members.

What goes where on my hat?

The 4-H hat is a source of pride for the California 4-H Youth Development Program, as we are the only state to have such a 4-H club hat.  Many members use the hat to display their achievement pins and to wear during fairs.  A 4-H hat is NOT required for membership in the California 4-H Youth Development Program or for participation in any 4-H activity, event, or occasion.

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Left side of hat - All-star, platinum, gold, silver, or bronze stars in front. Members may "cascade" the stars. Behind the stars are placed the junior/teen leader emblems and the Hi 4-H patch (in that order).

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Right side of hat - year completion pin and stripe is earned for each year completed in 4-H. Officer title pins and 100% Attendance pins should align with the year the pin was earned.

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Note: If a member earns more year stripes than can fit on the right side of the hat, they may "wrap around" their stripes and continue onto the left side of the hat.

Year completion pin and stripe recognition items align with the Steps to Success in 4-H. For project completion requirements members will receive:

1) Year Completion Pin

2) Year Stripe

Year pins are fastened to the hat above the stripe, starting with the primary pins next to the 4-H clover. The 100% attendance pin, if earned, should be fastened to the hat below the stripe of the year that the pin was earned.

• Either side - Medals may be worn on either side of the hat, and placing them on the left is recommended.

• Note: No other pin or ribbon should be worn on the hat other than 4-H related items. The hat should reflect the dignity of the 4-H Youth Development Program.  Some items that should not be worn on the hat include buttons, fair medals, convention badges or other regalia.

Where can I get help for the volunteer training?