JUST RELEASED FROM THE STATE 4-H OFFICE……
THE NEW 4-H AGE-GRADE POLICY IS:
Ohio 4-H membership is based on a child’s age AND grade as of January 1 of the current calendar year. Eligibility for Cloverbud participation begins when a child is age 5 and enrolled in kindergarten. Eligibility for participation in 4-H projects and competitive events begins when a child is age 8 and in third grade. Any youth age 9 or above is eligible for project membership, regardless of grade level. Membership requires enrollment in an authorized Ohio 4-H club or group under the direction of an OSU Extension professional or an approved adult volunteer. A youth’s 4-H eligibility ends December 31 the year he or she turns 19. Joining Ohio 4 H is a privilege and responsibility for individuals and is subject to the Ohio 4-H Code of Conduct and applicable policies of The Ohio State University.
The ”tweak” to this policy is that nine year olds, regardless of grade level, can join 4-H clubs. This change was overwhelmingly supported by a vote earlier this year of Ohio 4-H Professionals (110 YES; 17 NO) and approved by Extension Administrative Cabinet on July 13, 2017.