Join 4-H
We are excited to welcome you to Gallatin County 4-H!
Mark Your Calendars: Enrollment for the 2026-2027 4-H Year opens on October 1, 2026 at NOON (12pm)
Each 4-H year brings fresh opportunities for youth to explore their interests, develop valuable life skills, and contribute to their communities through the 4-H program. We are grateful for the dedication of our volunteers, the support of our families, and the commitment of our youth to learn and grow.
Thank you for choosing to be part of a program that empowers young people to lead with their Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.
FAQs:
4-H is the youth development program of Montana State University Extension. 4-H is the largest, out-of-school youth development program in the state. Mission: 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults volunteers.
They stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Heath.
The 4-H Pledge:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.
Youth ages 5 - 18 (age as of October 1 of the current enrollment year) may join.
- Youth that are ages 8 and older are considered regularYouth Members.
- Youth that are ages 5-7 are considered Cloverbuds and have a more limited project selection (i.e. Cloverbud Project, Horseless Horse, Cat, Rabbit Breed/Pet & Poultry Breed/Show ONLY).
Families pick Clubs & Projects upon enrolling.
- CLUBS are the foundation of the 4-H experience. Youth are encouraged to select a Club based off of your location and schedule. Club meetings are ran by adult volunteers and youth officers to provide leadership for community service activities, social gatherings, and educational experiences.
- PROJECTS are topic areas youth select based on what they are interested in. Popular Projects include, dog obedience, baking, shooting sports, robotics, leathercraft, horse, livestock, and teen leadership.
Your child may learn to cook, take photos, raise an animal, garden, or sew - but along the way, they will also develop responsibility, confidence, citizenship, financial skills, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, leadership and MORE!
Most Gallatin County 4-H Clubs & Projects gather monthly for meetings. Dates/times vary based on Club and Project - schedules are in our monthly Newsletter. *The more Projects you join, the more meetings you attend per month - so start small, you can always add more!
4-H is a family commitment. Successful 4-H families get involved. They attend Club & Project meetings on a regular basis, and county-wide educational opportunities put on by the Extension Office & 4-H Agent. They show up, participate in community service and fundraising efforts, and follow through on committments.
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Annual Enrollment Fees for 2026-2027 4-H Year
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Fee
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Youth (ages 5-18) (a per month late fee of $10 will be tacked on each month November - January) |
$30
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Volunteer
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$10
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Project Fees
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Fee
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|---|---|
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Project Fee (per project)
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$5
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Shooting Sports Fee (per discipline)
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$40
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Cooking Project Fee
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$25 |
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Baking Project Fee
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$25 |
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Cake Decorating Project Fee
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$25 |
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Robotics Project Fee
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$25 |
RETURNING 4-H members must be re-enrolled by October 31st each year.
NEW youth members must be enrolled no later than our county's 4-H enrollment deadline of January 15th to take advantage of all 4-H opportunities, including participation in the Fair. Enrolling early and participating in as much as possible in our program is really important. The later you join, the more you miss out on.
Waitlists: Projects with enrollment caps tend to fill quickly – waitlists will be established once full, but you must email the 4-H Office to be added to the waitlist(s).
Enrolling in Gallatin County 4-H:
| Step 1 |
GALLATIN 4-H ENROLLMENT POLICY: Our county 4-H program enrollment window OPENS October 1st and CLOSES January 15th each year. ALL youth and volunteers MUST be enrolled in 4-H and any/all projects they plan to participate in no later than January 15th, especially if planning to participate in the Fair in that project area. Note: some Projects have enrollment caps and/or tagging deadlines and may close prior to January 15th. Projects with enrollment caps tend to fill quickly – waitlists will be established once full, but you must email the 4-H Office to be added to the waitlist(s). Enrollment takes place online only at: https://4h.zsuite.org/ For how to enroll for the first time, follow our New Family Enrollment Help Guide Helpful resource for navigating the basics of our program: Gallatin 4-H New Family Handbook |
| Step 2 |
Decide which Club that you want to be a part of. In Gallatin County 4-H, joining a Club is not required, but highly encouraged. Clubs offer members the opportunity to connect with youth members from various project areas, to become more involved with their communities, explore leadership, fundraise and develop vital life skills. Most 4-H families select a Club based on their location and meeting dates/times that fit their schedule. > See list here: 2026-2027 Gallatin 4-H Club Selection Guide *COMING SOON* |
| Step 3 |
Decide what Projects your child wants to do. Projects are skill-based learning areas focused on that one subject matter (i.g. Baking, Quilting, Sheep, Horse, etc.), There are over 200 Montana 4-H Projects to choose from, but Gallatin County 4-H has adult volunteers that serve as Project Leaders for about 40 of those projects. **Pay attention to any listed "Project Notes"regarding age restrictions, enrollment caps, application requirements, start and end month of project, and any special or additional enrollment fees. > See lists here: 2026-2027 Gallatin 4-H Animal Projects Selection Guide *COMING SOON* 2026-2027 Gallatin 4-H Indoor Projects Selection Guide *COMING SOON*
Independent Study (project with no leader): It is challenging to identify and recruit 4-H volunteers within the county to serve as official Project Leaders for that many project areas. If a youth member chooses to participate in a Project that Gallatin County 4-H does not currently have an official leader for, members participate in that project as “Independent Study”, with their parent/guardian as a “helper.” Independent Projects are a great way to build skills, learn by doing, and take ownership of a self-directed learning experience. Families will guide youth members through the project at home utilizing the 4-H Project Curriculum Book. |
| Step 4 |
PAY Enrollment Fees via ZSuite Stripe online upon submitting your enrollment, or by check, cash, or card at the Gallatin 4-H Extension Office (903 N. Black Ave, Bozeman). |
| Step 5 |
PICK UP Project Curriculum books and Record Book materials at the Gallatin 4-H Extension Office (903 N. Black Ave, Bozeman). *Please note: we DO NOT mail the curriculum books. |
| Step 6 |
READ the monthly 4-H Newsletter for program updates/information, club and project meeting info and leader contacts. |
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Step 7 |
SUBSCRIBE to our Gallatin County 4-H BAND App group to receive information and updates all in one place on your smart phone! Join BAND |
For More Information Contact: