Polk County 4-H Enrollment

Who can join 4-H? 

• 4-H membership is open to all youth ages 5-18 years as of September 1 of the current year. Explore exciting opportunities and programs on the 4-H Clubs and Events and 4-H Youth pages. 
• Adults ages 19 and older can support 4-H by becoming volunteers! Volunteers are required to complete background checks and program-specific training as determined by Polk County and Florida 4-H. Learn more about getting involved on the Volunteer

  page.

How to Join Polk County 4-H? 

• Youth Enrollment Process

  Florida 4-H follows a year-round open enrollment policy, meaning youth can join a 4-H club at any time throughout the year between September 1 to August 31. 

  Follow these steps to get started: 

  1. Explore 4-H Clubs (link the subpage) 
     • Polk County offers a diverse selection of over 25 4-H community and special interest clubs. This comprehensive lists all the clubs available, along with leader information, projects offered, and meeting dates and times. You can become a member of multiple clubs.  
  2. Contact Club Leaders
     • Once you have reviewed the selection, find a 4-H club near your location that interests you. Reach out to the 4-H leader of that club to inquire about their specific projects, meeting location, dates and times.  
  3. Enroll in 4-H Online
     
     • 4-H Online 2.0 is the enrollment and registration system for Florida 4-H. Create a family profile to enroll, and each year re-enrollment is quick and easy using the same login information. 
  4.   Start Attending Meetings and Events 
     • Once enrolled, start attending the club meetings of your chosen 4-H club or clubs and events. At the club meetings, you'll actively participate in projects, activities, and personal development opportunities.

  *Some important reminders: Annual enrollment is a process every 4-H family will need to complete, every year.

  Additional enrollment requirements to participate in Polk County Youth Fair (PCYF):

  • If youth are interested in participating in the Polk County Youth Fair as a 4-H, they must enroll and pay the annual $20 membership fee in 4-H Online by November 1 of the current 4-H year. 

  • Youth participating in a market animal project must be a current 4-H member with a Polk County 4-H club by the entry deadline. (In example: Jane Doe wants to show a market animal at the Polk County Youth Fair in 2025, she must be a bonafide member of a 4-H club by the entry deadline.)

  Please note: Polk County 4-H and Polk County Youth Fair are two separate organizations. To learn more about Polk County Youth Fair, visit their website.  

• Adult Volunteer Enrollment Process

  Polk County 4-H has a dynamic volunteer program that empowers adults to provide meaningful opportunities for youth. Adults can sign up to volunteer year-round, with a few exceptions. Ready to make a difference?!

  Follow these steps to get started: 

  1. Review "Volunteer with 4-H" to explore the various ways you can support 4-H and decide how you'd like to get involved. 
  2. Contact the Polk County 4-H office and discuss your interests, possibilities and requirements with the 4-H staff.  
  3. Select a volunteer role and complete a Volunteer Application through 4-H Online. Background screenings are a part of the Volunteer Application process.  
  4. Attend orientation and trainings outlined by the 4-H staff to prepare for your role.  
  5. Once you receive your official appointment letter, you can begin your journey as a 4-H volunteer! 

  For more details on volunteer opportunities, starting a 4-H club, and helpful resources, visit the Volunteer Page.

   

4-H Online

4-H Online 2.0 is the enrollment and registration system for Florida 4-H. This platform allows families and individuals to provide the information needed for Polk County and the state 4-H office to manage participation in the 4-H Youth Development program. It tracks your projects, event sign-ups, and emergency contacts. All 4-H members and volunteers must create profiles in 4-H Online, ensuring all information is complete and accurate. Once your family profile is set up, re-enrollment each year is quick and easy using the same login information! 

4-H Enrollment Instructions for a Youth Member 
4-H Enrollment Instructions for an Adult Member 
4-H Enrollment Instructions for Participants (Parents and Youth not enrolled in 4-H.)
Instructions for Registering for an Event in 4-H Online   

Annual Membership Fees  

All youth ages 8-18 years as of September 1 of the current year pay $20 annual membership fees in 4-H Online and is a part of the enrollment and re-enrollment process. 

Cloverbuds (ages 5-7) are exempt from paying the annual membership fee in 4-H online.   

Additional Club Dues: Clubs may have additional dues to cover projects, activities, or other expenses, in addition to the annual membership fee. These are collected by the club leaders and deposited into the club’s account managed by the Polk County 4-H Office. 

Membership Scholarships: The Polk County 4-H Foundation offers membership scholarships for families in need. Please submit one application per family to Rita West at ritawest@ufl.edu.

Polk County 4-H Membership Scholarship Application