4-H Youth Development

What is 4-H? 

The mission of Georgia 4-H is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. This mission is accomplished through "hands-on" learning experiences that focus on agricultural and environmental issues, agriculture awareness, leadership, communication skills, foods and nutrition, health, energy conservation, and citizenship.

Who is eligible? 

All youth, grades K-12, residing in Cobb County may join 4-H.  4th graders, 5th graders, and middle school students may attend meetings at their school where 4-H clubs exist.

How to enroll?

The 4-H Open House will be held on Thursday August 18, 2022 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Cobb County Extension Office. The Extension Office is located at 678 South Cobb Drive Marietta, GA 30060. Look for the 4-H signs!

At Open House, you can learn more about 4-H programming and specialty clubs including: Archery, Cooking Club, Young Farmers Club, Cloverbuds, County Council, Homeschool, Horse and Pony Club, Shotgun Club, Project Achievement, Summer Camps, Conferences, and more! While at Open House you can register for 4-H for the year, ask questions, and meet 4-H staff and volunteers as we get ready for a fantastic year in Cobb County 4-H! Some clubs are free while others have a fee to assist with club supplies and programming.

After Open House, email 4-H Program Assistant Kathleen McElroy at kathleen.mcelroy@cobbcounty.org for information on how to enroll your child in 4-H.

What clubs can my child join?

We have lots of clubs that meet a wide variety of interests! Clubs that will be available during the 2022-2023 include the following:

• Archery
• Book Club
• 4-H CHEF Community Service Cooking Club
• Cooking Club
• Cloverbuds (Home School and General)
• County Council
• Homeschool Science
• Horse and Pony Club
• Medical Club
• Shotgun
• Young Farmers Club

Learn more about these specialty clubs and other 4-H programs at our 4-H Open House on Thursday August 18th from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Cobb County Extension Office. 

When and where are general 4-H meetings held?
During the school year 5th graders may attend meetings at their school where 4-H clubs exist. 5th grade club meetings are during school hours within the classroom. 4-H club meetings are educational, focusing on science and public speaking skills. There are several 4-H clubs active at many elementary schools in Cobb County. 4-H County Council meetings are held monthly at the Extension office for grades 4th-12th. County Council meetings include engaging activities, leadership experiences, and community service opportunities. To program for our K-3rd grade 4-H'ers, Cobb County 4-H has a Homeschool Cloverbuds program that meets during the day and a General Cloverbuds program that meets in the evening monthly. 

           Cobb County & Marietta City Schools that have in-school  5th grade clubs:

            Acworth, Addison, Baker, Bells Ferry, Bryant, Chalker, Covenant Christian, Dowell, Due West, Dunleith, Fair Oaks,                                                        Harmony-Clay, Hollydale, Kincaid, King Springs, Keheley Milford, Park Street, Pitner, & Sedalia Park

County Council 2022-2023 Dates

August 18 (Open House), September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6, January 10, February 7, March 7, April 11,  May 2 

Cloverbuds 2022-2023 Dates

August 18 (Open House), September 21, October 19, November 16, December 14, January 11, February 15, March 22, April 19, May 10

4-H Activities
Activities such as judging teams, camps, conferences and more are available for all active 4-H'ers in 4th-12th grade. Activities are held after school or on weekends.  4-H activities are led by Cobb County 4-H staff members and screened UGA volunteers. Learn more about our specialty clubs and 4-H activities under the News and Events tab. For more information and an enrollment card please visit our newsletters and tabs page or contact us at 770-528-4070 or the email address listed below.

2022 4-H Summer Activities

Are you looking for fun summer day activities for your kids? Consider signing up for our Cobb 4-H summer activities program! From a STEM Day and indoor sky diving at iFly, Service and Fun Day, Food Network Cooking Day, Art Day, and more, we have so many exciting activities for K-12th grade youth this summer! Check out our registration brochure for more details. Most activities are from 9am-4pm on the day of the event. Pick up and drop off will be at the Cobb Extension Office. If you have younger youth, we have two activities just for our Cloverbuds in grades K-3 from 10:00am-11:30am. All grades are based on the current school year. All activities are limited! To register your child you may do one of the following:

• Stop by the Extension Office with your completed brochure and payment Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. Our office is located at 678 South Cobb Drive Marietta, GA 30060
• Email the attached brochure with your completed activities and call the office to pay via phone with a Visa/MasterCard/Discover by calling 770-528-4070. A completed brochure must be emailed to a 4-H staff member and confirmed with them BEFORE calling to register. All are copied to this email.
• Mail the completed brochure with a check made payable to Cobb Extension/4-H
• Put your completed brochure and payment in our black drop box outside of the office doors if you can’t come during our business hours of Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. Please be sure to notify me via email that you placed your brochure and payment in the drop box.

Questions? Email Brittani Lee at bkelledy@uga.edu or Colleen Bakhsh at colleen.bakhsh@cobbcounty.org 

2023 Cobb 4-H Plant Sale

"Bee the Change!"

Kick off 2023 by purchasing plants from the Cobb 4-H plant sale to support our pollinators and Cobb 4-H youth! Find the 2023 brochure here! Your plant sale purchase will make a difference in numerous ways!  “Bee the Change”  while getting your yard ready for spring by adding color and vibrancy to brighten your days. Orders will be accepted at the Extension Office with debit/credit card (Visa/MasterCard/Discover), cash, money order, or check. Mail–in orders will be accepted with check or money order. The mailing address is 678 South Cobb Drive Suite 200 Marietta, GA 30060. No phone orders will be accepted to ensure accurate orders.  All checks should be made out to Cobb Extension/4-H.  ALL SALES are final. Cobb County 4-H makes no guarantee on plants sold. Some plant varieties are limited. Plants sell quickly! Pre-orders are being taken from now until Friday March 3rd at 5:00pm. All mail in orders must be post marked by March 1st to ensure we receive your order in time. Pick up for plants will be held on Saturday March 18th from 9:00am-1:00pm at Jim Miller Park in the Covered Pavilion. Questions? Contact the Cobb County Extension Office at 770-528-4070 or email Brittani Lee at bkelley@uga.edu. Thanks for helping Cobb 4-H to "bee the change" with our 4-H youth!

We are SOLD OUT of the following plants:

• Camellia Japonica- Rose Dawn
• Limelight Hydrangea
• Tea Olive
• Cherry Brandy Rudbeckia
• Hosta Blue Angel
• Salvia April Night
• Tallulah Sunrise Azalea
• Snowball Viburnum
• Spirea Goldmound

We have LIMITED supply of the following plants below- please call the office at 770-528-4070 before placing your order to check on the availability:

• Fothergilla Mount Airy
• Tassel Fern
• Viburnum Mohawk
• Heuchera Black Taffeta
• Pineapple Sage

Contact

For more information about Cobb County 4-H Youth Development Programs, contact Brittani Lee at bkelley@uga.edu or call (770) 528-4070.