Enrollment is currently open for the 2026-2027 program year, and anyone in K-12th grade can join Cass County 4-H at no cost. Thanks to generous donations to our Cass County 4-H Endowment fund, the annual enrollment fee is completely covered in Cass County! There are 8 Clover Kid Clubs for youth currently in kindergarten through 3rd grade to choose from. There are 11 4-H Clubs for youth currently in 4th through 12th grades to choose from.
Cass County 4-H has more than 250 youth and 100 volunteers involved in the program. Are you wondering if 4-H is for you? Here are a few myths and facts about 4-H in Cass County and Iowa.
4-H is for youth living in town or on a farm. True! Even those who live in the middle of town can be in 4-H. This is a youth focused organization for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade. Each club within Cass County 4-H has its own meeting date, time, and location. Youth officers work with adult volunteers to plan recreation activities, community service and business meetings. Families are encouraged to attend monthly club meetings to watch the youth take leadership and learn communication skills all year long.
You have to have animals to participate in 4-H. False! There are many avenues for learning through 4-H. While 64% of Cass County 4-H and Clover Kids have animals and show them at the county fair, it is not a requirement to have an animal to participate. Often times youth learn about animals through their friends’ animals, have pets, or take on an animal focused research project on their own. There are also many other project areas to explore!
I wasn’t in 4-H, so my kids can’t be in 4-H. False! 4-H is open to anyone and our club leaders help guide members and families through the club meetings. No prior 4-H experience is needed. Parents are encouraged to attend the monthly club meetings to hear and ask questions as well. Club Leaders are trained annually through Iowa 4-H to help guide families through the 4-H program in addition to being trained and screed for safety.
I don’t know what club is in my township to join. That’s okay! There are no hard boundaries about the county or club you have to be in! Choose what is best for you/your family based on the date/time and location of the club meeting. Also consider the other youth and adult leaders in the club – go where you know people, you will make new friends regardless. If you start by visiting one club, but find it is not the right fit that’s okay too – shop around and visit multiple clubs until you find the right fit!
4-H sounds fun! True! The possibilities are endless with 4-H. Youth will attend club meetings to get to know other members and make new and strengthen current friendships. There are county-wide events like Fall Fest October 11th at the Cass Community Building 2-4pm with Bounce Houses, Awards Convention, Bowling Tournament and Project area workshops. Club activities include fun group activities, sharing learning through presentations, and service projects around the community.
Recent graduates of the program have the following advice for young members joining Cass County 4-H.
- Join 4-H because you will make new friends and lots of memories!
- DO IT. Even if you are scared, it is never too late to try something new!
- Put yourself out there and try new things! You never know what you might enjoy!
- Enjoy the years in 4-H. They go fast, try to do things that make you nervous.
- Take on project areas that might not be exactly what you’re used to.
- Get actively involved in your 4-H community year-round.
4-H is in Iowa’s 99 counties and offers dozens of project area topics to learn about in addition to agriculture. With the help of caring adult volunteers, we help youth explore their interests like entrepreneurship, engineering, child development, music, performance, or art–while preparing young leaders for the careers and challenges of tomorrow. 4-H is uniquely poised to help youth develop life skills such as public speaking, self-motivation, healthy lifestyle choices, emotional intelligence, conflict management, and negotiating.
4-H members are 4 times more likely to give back to their communities, and 2 times more likely to make healthier choices than their peers, not in the program according to a recent National 4-H Index study. 4-H sets youth up for success!
To learn more about 4-H and how to join, contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132. You can follow us on Facebook @CassCoIAExt or visit the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.
