4-H & Youth

4-H Cultural Arts Festival is a historical 4-H event that has been going on for over 20 years. This is a one day event with multiple parts, all related to the arts! It is an art, craft, music, & drama show just for our area’s youth and it is judged by knowledgeable local artists.

Check out our latest 4-H Family Newsletter or, follow us on Facebook! for up to date news & program information.

Want to see what our Bayfield County 4-H Clubs have been up to? Check out our Club Corner!

What is 4-H?

4-H is the youth development and education component of Bayfield County’s Division of Extension UW-Madison. Our programming serves Bayfield county youth aged 5-18 and opportunities are available through area schools, 4-H Community Clubs , Project Specific Clubs, and countywide events and opportunities.

The purpose of a 4-H is to provide positive youth development opportunities to meet the needs of young people to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity—the Essential Elements—and to foster educational opportunities tied to the University of Wisconsin Madison knowledge base.

Through 4-H youth members build leadership skills, develop life skills, are given opportunities for civic engagement, meet new friends; and most importantly, have fun. Additionally, many 4-H members engage in hands-on learning around projects of interest.

How to join:

Anyone can join 4-H at anytime in the year but our annual enrollment period goes from September 1-November 1. All returning members, new members, and volunteers can complete their enrollment for the 2021-2022 4-H year online by logging onto 4HOnline. Please visit our How Do I Join? page for more information on enrollment.

What does 4-H stand for?

  • Head:4-H’ers learn about new project areas, try new skills, and gain new knowledge and experience. 
  • Heart: 4-H’ers learn about who they are and what they stand for, along with gaining many new friends. 
  • Hands: 4-H’ers learn about helping their community and are involved in a wide variety of service projects. 
  • Health:4-H’ers learn about healthy lifestyles and to make choices that will have a positive impact in their and others’ lives

4-H Motto :

“To make the best better.”

4-H Pledge:

I pledge

  • My HEAD to clearer thinking (right hand points to forehead)   
  • My HEART to greater loyalty (right hand over heart) 
  • My HANDS to larger service (arms slightly bent, palms up) 
  • And my HEALTH to better living for my club, my community, my county and my world (arms at side)

For more information please contact:

University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Bayfield County || Courthouse-117 E 5th Street, PO Box 218 || Washburn, WI  54891

711 for Wisconsin Relay (TDD)

Ian Meeker, 4-H & Youth Development || 715-373-3289 || Email ||

Kaylie Lukas, 4-H Operations & Communications Associate || 715-373-3287 || Email ||


An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.

Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities or limitations should be made prior to the date of the program or activity for which it is needed. Please do so as early as possible prior to the program or activity so that proper arrangements can be made. In certain situations, information related to requests may be shared with staff or units necessary to help coordinate an appropriate accommodation.

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