Join Columbia and Greene 4-H: Club vs. Independent Membership

Annual dues for the Columbia and Greene 4-H youth development program are set at $15 per member or $30 per family, contrasting with a $10 late fee charged to returning members who miss the December 1 deadline. As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H empowers nearly six million young people with leadership skills, offering choices between a volunteer-led club structure and independent membership.

Members engage in project areas spanning animal science, agriculture, gardening, healthy living, STEM, environmental awareness, arts and crafts, cooking, and community service. They can work on projects independently, as part of a club, or participate in local, district, regional, and statewide programs, workshops, events, scholarships, leadership opportunities, and fairs.

Families Must Submit Membership Payments by December 1

Families can pay annual dues by cash or check, while payments processed through PayPal incur an additional $1 fee. Financial hardship or military status qualifies members for a fee waiver, requiring a written request in lieu of the fee. Returning member enrollment paperwork and payment must be submitted by Tuesday, December 1, 2026, or prior to participating in the first activity of the new program year. Missing this cutoff triggers the $10 late fee per youth alongside the standard enrollment fee.

New members must submit their paperwork and payment within 30 days of attending their first club meeting, and strictly before participating in any county, regional, or state event or activity. Members enrolling after June 1, 2026, face restrictions preventing them from entering exhibits for evaluation at the Altamont Fair, Columbia County Fair, or New York State Fair.

Enrollment Assistance

Individuals seeking guidance on how to join can reach out directly to Sara Poggi-Decker, 4-H Program Manager, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (518) 622-9820 x 107 to discuss available enrollment options.

It remains unstated whether additional community sponsors or upcoming regional workshops will be announced later in the program year to further support local youth participation.