Projects

Livestock | Horse | Environmental Sustainability |Small Animals | Life Skills | Technology and Trade
Menu Alberta 4-H Projects

Whatever your interests or hobbies are, 4‑H has projects to match them.  Not only can you enjoy working on your favourite things, but you can also earn rewards for doing them in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

With over 30 projects available, choosing just one or two can be a real challenge. Whether you are deciding to be a project leader, member or active parent, thinking about the following questions will help to make your choice a little easier:

• What interests you most - hobbies or activities?
• What do you like to do when you are with family and friends?
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
• What would you like to make, do or become?

After you have answered these questions, look through the projects offered in this guide and list the ones of interest. If you can't find a perfect fit, remember that the Creative Options Project lets you design your own project!

To find out how 4‑H can help you to earn school credits, call the 4-H Specialist in your region to get your QuickStart package and share it with your Principal or Counselor.

The 4‑H Livestock manuals are set up in a progressive learning format. Members acquire an understanding of livestock production and management through the experience of owning, caring for, showing, marketing products and maintaining records. Each livestock project has its own specific format to highlight all of the options in their industry.

Alberta 4-H LAW
Alberta 4-H LAW materials are supplementary resources to livestock projects. With these resources members are Learning Animal Welfare (LAW) - how to treat animals humanely and how to give them the best possible care.

Beef
The 4-H Beef manuals are set up in a progressive learning format. Members acquire an understanding of beef cattle production and management through the experience of owning, caring for, and maintaining records on beef cattle.  The Learning Animal Welfare (LAW) section has been added to these publications. Beef Leader Activity Guide - a resource of games and activities for club meetings and events. Alberta 4-H Beef Project Brochure describing the projects available for 4-H members to explore in the beef project.

Dairy
The Dairy units are set up in a progressive learning format. Project members acquire an understanding of dairy cattle production and management through the experience of owning, caring for, and maintaining records for dairy cattle.

Goat
Members learn approved practices in selection, feeding, care, management, and exhibition of goats. They also gain insight into the economics of purebred goat operations, as well as the marketing of goat milk and meat. Clubs have the option of using the record books from Market Lamb or Prospect Lamb, Breeding Ewe or Flock Record Book.

Judging
The 4-H Judging Manual is your information resource on judging. The binder includes information on why we judge, reasons, presentation tips and specific species and item characteristics. This resource also includes a section on how to plan a competition. Clubs can order a binder for their resource library with CD's available to members.

Sheep
The 4-H Sheep manuals are set up in a progressive learning format. Members acquire an understanding of sheep production and management through the experience of owning, caring for and maintaining records on sheep.

Swine
4-H Swine project members acquire an understanding of swine production and management through the experience of owning, caring for, and maintaining records on swine. Members will use the livestock record book for this project.

4‑H horse units are set up in a progressive learning format. Members acquire an understanding of horse management through the experience of owning, caring for, training, riding and maintaining records on a horse project. Begin with basic horsemanship levels 1 to 3 then continue to the areas of Western, English or Young Horse.

• English
  • Dressage
  • Jumping
• Western
  • Cattle Events
  • Packing
  • Ranch
  • Reining
  • Rodeo
• Young Horse
  • Standard bred
  • Draft
  • Young Horse Incentive Program

Environmental Farm Planning
This project is for 15 years and older members who wish to review the current state of their farm and look at planning for a productive and sustainable operation.  Working with the Alberta Environmental Farm Planning (AEFP) Company, 4-H members and their families will prepare for future development and improvements to their farming operation considering the environment and the economy. The AEFP workbook will be received at the first workshop the member attends. Members will use the generic record book to submit to their club. The AEFP workbook input is confidential, for your family's use only.

Nestboxes
This project encourages members to build nestboxes to attract birds to the farmstead. Members keep accurate records on each nestbox while learning the about Alberta's birds and their habitat.

Outdoor Living
Members learn how to recreate, live and appreciate their natural surroundings. The project includes environmental awareness, outdoor travel in summer and winter, and survival skills.

Apiculture
This project involves studying and managing hives of bees for selling honey. Hives and bees must be the property of the club member.  Members will need the generic record book for their beekeeping project.

Canine
Members learn to understand and enjoy the dog of their choice. They explore all aspects of good health and gain the knowledge to teach their animals good manners and simple obedience.  Canine Leader's Manual A guide to working with your 4-H Canine Project Members. Levels One through Three are outlined with activities and standards (one per project leader)  Canine Member Guide - A member guide divided in sections for members who have no experience to members who have succeeded in Canine training and shows. This manual will be used as a reference for all of the years members are in a 4-H Canine Project from Level One through Three. Once you have completed level 3 there will be Advanced Project Guides (Stock Dog, Agility, Advanced Obedience and more) in the coming years. Canine Handling and Show Guidelines - a leader's resource to help prepare 4-H Canine members for safe handling, 4-H competitions, achievement days and dog shows.

Cat
Calling all cat owners!  Work with your 4-H club to learn all you need to select, raise, care for and train your cat. Members will need the generic record book or may be able to modify the canine record book for their cat project.

Pet
A new project for members who want to be the one to raise their family pet, whether it be a salamander, a turtle or a gecko. This project will help members to learn to select, care for and train their pet and share the experience with other 4-H members. Members will need the generic record book or may be able to modify the Canine Record book to suit their pet project. (Project materials are also available for cats and dogs, specifically.)

Pheasants
Members purchase pheasant chicks in May or June and raise them over the summer. They learn how to construct a pen, and monitor the development of the pheasants. Members may raise and release, butcher, or sell pheasants.

Poultry
Members of the poultry project raise laying hens, broilers or turkeys. They learn the basics of breeding, feeding and management through raising chicks and poults.

Rabbit
Members learn how to care for, select, feed, manage, market and house rabbits.

Business Cent$
Members plan and run their own business. They will work closely with a community mentor. This project can be taken on its own or in conjunction with another 4-H project.

Clothing
The clothing project consists of three levels each offering several activities. Level One introduces sewing tools, patterns, fabrics, hems and facings. Level Two covers construction techniques, clothing care, choosing colour and figure flattery. Level Three explores pattern adjustments, construction techniques, wardrobe planning, and tips on buying clothing. A record book has been incorporated into each level of this resource.

Crafts
Members and leaders are free to select their own craft projects. The craft project can be a series of lessons on one type of craft or a combination of different crafts. The crafts chosen should involve a variety of skills, techniques and be progressive in learning. Crafts currently popular are scrapbooking and quilting.

Creative Options Project
The Creative Options Member Guide offers two ways to host Creative Options Projects. Group Option - For members of all ages, Junior through Senior, as a group, with a project leader who works through the project with regular project meetings/workshops. Individual Option - For 12 years and older members who have been in 4-H for at least two years. This is a self-directed, unique project determined by the member. A proposal must be presented to the club leaders and membership for approval.

Exchange
Members must be 12 years or older to participate in three to four week exchanges which usually take place during July or August. In taking the three units, the member advances from hosting in the first year to traveling in the second and reporting in the third year. This project could take three or more years to complete.

Exploring 4-H Project
Members wishing to learn more about all of the possible projects in 4-H will want to work through this project. There are over 50 possible modules to choose from and most clubs will be able to complete 6-10 modules per club year. Several modules are available in the following areas: Alternative Livestock, Environment, Technology and Trade, Leadership, Life Skills, Livestock and Small Animal projects.

Foods
The 4-H Foods project consists of three levels. Members learn about various aspects of food preparation, and become familiar with sound nutritional principles. Each unit consists of a series of individual lesson plans to fill one work meeting. A record book has been incorporated into each level of this resource.

Leadership
This is for 12 years and older members interested in working with the club leadership team as their 4-H project.  Various planning tools, leadership strategies and great ideas to jazz up your 4-H club are included. Leadership project members should have access to the applicable general club or project resources as determined by their project focus. For example working with the club leader take on the role of Communication Trainer - you will work with the 4-H members as they work on their communication activities.

Performing Arts
Prepare to perform! This 4-H project highlights drama and the performing arts. Whether your passion lies on stage or behind the scenes, this is your chance to shine as you create your own standing ovations.

Visual Arts
Visual arts is for 12 years and older members and consists of two resources Sketchbook Crossroads and Portfolio Pathways. Each resource provides numerous activities for members to develop their artistic skills and talents while learning the elements and principles of design. Members will explore art techniques, art history and culture, the science behind the art and artistic challenges. Both resources are designed so that members may choose to discover art techniques in a group or individually.

Computer
Members wishing to do a computer project are encourage to plan their year with their leader and seek out the most current resources available.

Gardening
Members learn about the conditions and tools required for growing a variety of plants. A record book has been incorporated into this resource.

Photography
Take your photography from "Ho hum" to "Wow!" Includes activities, ranging from step-by-step guidance for the beginner to challenging photo assignments that develop "the photographer's eye".

Small Engines
This project covers engine power, the stroke cycle engine, and the two-stroke cycle engine. The essential components and functions of the engine are studied. Members have an opportunity to take engines apart and reassemble them.

Veterinary Science
Members cover animal health, meat and poultry inspection, care of market and pet animals and diseases that directly affect humans.

Welding
This project is designed for 15 years and older members. It introduces the basic concepts of arc welding, oxyacetylene welding and soldering. Some welding projects are also included.

Woodworking
Learn and discover the woodworking industry. Explore all aspects of wood science including products, processing, building, finishing and creating items and gifts.

Project manuals and club resources can be found in the Resources section of this web site. You must be a 4‑H member, leader or parent to gain access to this information. The 4‑H Registrar can help you access this section if you are new to 4-H.