Projects
A 4-H project is a specific area of interest for 4-H members and volunteers. Youth choose which project(s) they want to enroll in each year. In 4-H, we believe in “learning by doing.” That means project participation involves hands-on learning in the activities that spark youth interest. Youth may explore a project independently, or several members interested in the same subject or topic can form a project group. Some, but not all, projects have volunteers to lead youth groups in hands-on learning. Contact the 4-H educator to find out what options are available.
With nearly 100 projects to choose from, there is something for everyone!
Project vs. Exhibit
Many people in 4-H tend to use the words Project and Exhibit interchangeably. However, they are two VERY different things.
- A 4-H project is an area that you want to learn more about during the year. The project is where learning-by-doing takes place. Within the project, you will find things to learn, to do, to make, and to explore. There are projects on just about any topic you would like to explore-from art to woodworking, computers to rabbits, clothing to small engines, aerospace to horses. If you are interested in learning more about something, there is probably a 4-H project to help you!
- An exhibit is an item that you have made during your 4-H project learning that you take to the county fair. You will receive feedback from a judge on your exhibit.
When you are enrolling in 4-H, you are enrolling in a project, NOT selecting your fair exhibit.
If you need to check which projects your child is signed up for, you can view instructions here on How to View Projects in 4-H Online. To add or remove projects, contact the office at sarah.stevenson@wisc.edu by the first Friday in April.
2025-2026 Project Guide Updates
The Wisconsin 4-H project guide has been updated for the 2025-2026 program year! All past projects are still part of 4-H; they may be under one of the new project areas (i.e. Knitting is now Fiber & Textile Arts). Returning members – If you don’t see a project that you have signed up for in the past, check the Projects at a Glance list. If you still need assistance selecting your projects, please contact our office at 920-906-4623.
Contacts
2025-2026 Project Leaders by Club
2025-2026 Project Leaders by Project
If you would like contact information for one of the project leaders, please contact the office at 920-906-4623.
We are always seeking more volunteers!
As a project leader, you will help members learn skills they will use throughout their lives, help members reach their goals, and serve as a role model.
Find Your Spark!
4-H offers a lot of ways to find your Sparks! What is a Spark? Sparks are activities or skills that interest you, light your fire, and help you find joy, energy, and purpose. Find your Sparks by asking questions, thinking about what excites or interests you, and trying new things. When you know what your sparks are, you can dig in and explore more. The Wisconsin 4-H Sparks Roadmap can help you get started.
Agriculture & Animal Science
Beef • Cats • Cavies • Dairy • Dogs • Exotic Animals • Goats • Horse • Model Horse • Llamas/Alpacas • Pocket Pets • Poultry • Rabbits • Sheep • Swine • Veterinary Science
Youth in Agriculture & Animal Science enjoy things like raising healthy animals for fun or food, riding horses, caring for pets, or teaching their dog tricks.
Environmental/Outdoor Education
Astronomy • Birds • Conservation • Entomology (Insects) • Geology • Maple Syrup • Outdoor Recreation • Safety • Shooting Sports • Taxidermy • Wildflowers • Wildlife & Habitat
Youth in Environmental/Outdoor Education enjoy things like riding ATVs and snowmobiles, learning about insects, hiking, adventure sports, and protecting the environment.
Expressive Arts
Art Appreciation • Computer Graphic Design • Creative Writing • Drawing & Painting • Fiber & Textile Arts • Folk Arts & Crafts • Performing Arts • Photography • Upcycling • Videography • Visual Arts
Youth in Expressive Arts enjoy making scrapbooks, collecting things, drawing or doing crafts, taking pictures, playing with puppets, or acting and singing.
Family, Home and Health
Candy Making • Child Development • Consumer Savvy • Entrepreneurship • Food Decorating • Food Preservation • Foods & Nutrition • Health • Home Environment • Personal Finance • Sewing • Sports & Fitness
Youth in Family, Home, & Health enjoy learning about things like babysitting, interior decorating, sewing, helping around the house, being healthy, and cooking or baking.
Leadership & Community
Civic Engagement • Cloverbud • Communications • Community Service • Exploring • Global & Cultural Education • History & Heritage • Intergenerational • Workforce Readiness • Youth Leadership
Youth in Leadership & Community enjoy things like helping younger kids, being camp counselors, leading and organizing events, exploring culture (their own and others’), and working with a team on special projects.
Plant & Soil Science
Crops • Horticulture & Gardening • Indoor Plants • Landscaping & Design • Plant Crafts • Soil Science
Youth in Plant & Soil Science enjoy things like growing vegetables or flowers, growing crops, learning about soil, or creating a fairy garden.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Aerospace • Coding & Computer Science • Energy & Electricity • GPS & Mapping • LEGO® • Mechanical Sciences • Model Building • Robotics • Welding • Woodworking
Youth in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) enjoy things like building with LEGO®, problem solving, working with engines or electricity, exploring outer space, coding, robots, and building things.
Cloverbuds (Grades 5K-2)
Youth in grades 5K-2 may only sign up for the Cloverbud project, which is a chance for them to explore all 4-H has to offer at an age-appropriate level while having fun with hands-on, engaging activities.
Self-Determined
The self-determined project allows you freedom to design a project with skills that are not already offered in a different project. Please consider if your project work might fit into another project area before selecting the self-determined project. Members enrolling in the Self-determined project are responsible for identifying their project resources and filling out project paperwork. Projects in this category allow the member to set individual goals and select activities suited to his or her needs. Approval from your UW-Madison Extension 4-H Educator is required.