4-H Positive Youth Development

Welcome to Portage County 4-H
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization. Youth ages 5-19 can learn important life skills like leadership, teamwork, critical thinking and communication to help prepare them for successful futures – and they do it while engaging in fun, hands-on 4-H activities right here in Portage County. Whether it’s part of our community clubs, our in-school or after-school programming or through community partnerships- there are so many ways to get involved in 4-H!
Join, Re-Enroll & New Family Information
Interested in 4-H?
- Checkout our ‘Family Guide‘ and ‘Project Guidebook’ to learn more about 4-H and available projects
- See what clubs are available in your area or that meet during the most convenient time in our ‘Portage County Club Guide‘
- Interested in 4-H but want to learn more? Complete the New Family Interest Form and we’ll be in touch to answer any of your questions!
Ready to Join?
- Officially Join 4-H or re-enroll by signing up through 4-H Online
Volunteer with Portage County 4-H
- Enroll or Re-Enroll as a Volunteer in 4-H Online
Connect, Support and Discover 4-H
Connect with Portage County 4-H!
- Join us on our socials: Facebook and Instagram
- Check out the ‘4-H Events Calendar’ section below for more 4-H opportunities!
Portage County 4-H Leaders Association
The purpose of Portage County 4-H Leaders Association is to provide a countywide gathering of 4-H youth and adult volunteer leaders to discuss ideas and offer input to enhance 4-H programming at both the county and local levels. They advocate for and promote Portage County 4-H, raise funds for programs, youth trip scholarships, and more while managing a yearly budget to support 4-H programming across the county. In addition, they help recognize the achievements of 4-H members and volunteers through a meaningful awards program at the county level, and positively represent 4-H to the greater community at local events.
- Meet the Leaders Association (coming soon)
- Leaders Association Funding Request (coming soon)
Support Portage County 4-H
Want to help shape the future of our youth? Support Portage County 4-H by sponsoring awards, funding project workshops, or contributing to unforgettable events! Reach out to the UW Extension Portage County Office today using the contact info below and leave your mark on the next generation of leaders. Gifts support 4-H youth development right here in our county to assure that we are developing the next generation of leaders prepared to make meaningful impacts on our local community.
- Sponsor an Educational Program (coming soon)
- Purchase needed curriculum & educational supplies from our Amazon Wishlists to help engage youth with meaningful programs

About 4-H

Join 4-H

Forms & Awards

4-H Newsletters

Fairs & Exhibitions

Market Animal Project
Portage County 4-H Events
Upcoming Events

4-H Teen Leader Trick or Treating
When: Sunday, Oct. 26th, 4:00-7:00pm
Where: Junction City Village Hall
Come Trick or Treating with the 4-H Teen Leaders Association! Teens will be collecting canned goods and nonperishable food items for Operation Bootstrap.
Who: All 4-H Members in grade 7 & Up (Non-4-H friends are welcome to attend!)
When: Sunday, October 26th, 4:00-7:00pm
Where: Junction City (Teens will meet at the Village Hall to start – 1001 Main St, Junction City, WI 54443)
No registration needed!

4-H Leaders Appreciation Banquet
When: Friday, November 7th
5:30pm Registration – Dinner at 6:00pm
Where: Jensen Center, Amherst
All 4-H leaders and their families are warmly invited to attend our upcoming 4-H
Leaders Banquet!
This special evening is a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate the past year, and look ahead to another exciting season of youth development and community impact.
Cost is $10 per person. (1st year leaders and Award Winners eat free. Youth age 12 & under are $5)

4-H Pumpkin Carving & Decorating Contest
Entry Deadline: November 3rd
Show off your pumpkin creativity this fall! Whether you carve, paint, or decorate, we invite Portage County 4-H members, Cloverbuds, their families, parents, and leaders to take part in the fun!
Divisions:
- Pre 4-Hers: Age 5 and below (not yet enrolled in 4-H)
- Cloverbud: Kindergarten – 2nd grade
- Junior: 3rd – 5th grade
- Intermediate: 6th – 8th grade
- Senior: 9th grade or older
- Adults/Family: Adults age 19 & older or as a Family
Classes:
- Carved Pumpkin from Pattern
- Most Original Carved Pumpkin
- Painted Pumpkin
- Mixed Media Decorated Pumpkin

Virtual Cultural Baking Series
When: December 4, 11 & 18 at 6:30PM
Where: Online Via Zoom
Register for the Cultural Baking Series
held at 6:30 PM on Dec 4, 11, & 18 via
Zoom. We will learn new baking
techniques, try new-to-us
ingredients, and explore our cultural
connection to food. This series is
recommended for those in 4th grade
and up.
Families will receive a recipe book and
ingredient list by email.
Registration closes Nov 17th at Noon.
There is no fee for this program. Your family will need to
purchase ingredients and supplies.
We will be making: Swedish Crackers, Cornmeal cranberry
cookies & Helbeh (Middle Eastern Fenugreek Cake)

Virtual Feed-Bag Tote Making Workshop
Virtual/Self-Paced
This self-paced, virtual workshop will launch at 5pm on Friday, April 28th here on our website! Make your very own up-cycled tote bag from a pet or livestock feedbag. Click the button below to get on-demand access to the workshop instructional materials and videos so you can join along!
If you have any questions regarding 4-H in Portage County, please contact:
Portage County – UW Extension
1462 Strongs Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 715-346-1316
Fax: 715-346-1323



