Santa Cruz County 4-H Program
Going Beyond Ready 4H
4-H helps kids find their spark, build real world skills and become resilient, adaptable, lifelong learners.
For our youth the road ahead may be challenging, yet 4-H'ers are succeeding. Data shows that compared to their peers they're:
- 2x more likely to have the goal of being a leader
- 3x more likely to participate in community service
- 2x more likely to report living life with intentionality and purpose
*Tufts University longitudinal study of Positive Youth Development, 2021
Join 4-H youth program year round!
4-H equips kids with essential life skills, confidence, and a deep sense of belonging through epic hands-on learning experiences.
Join today and start your 4-H youth and family adventure by registering with a 4-H club of your choose.
Ages 5 to 18 years old
2025- 2026 4-H registration fees
$80.00 per youth member
$35.00 per adult volunteers
Come check out the 4-H clubs in our county today.
Contact the 4-H program office for more information by
email: jkatawicz@ucanr.edu or phone 831-205-3180.
For more information go to the tab "Joining 4-H Today"
4-H offers youth limitless opportunity for friendship, growth, fun, and life skills. By engaging youth and adults in a meaningful partnerships, 4-H helps youth to reach their full potential as competent, confident, leaders of character who contribute and are connected to their communities. To learn more about what the 4-H program has to offer our youth, check out the 4-H New Family Handbook.
Upcoming events:
2nd Saturday event
- Ag History Project
- Location: Ag History Project at Santa Cruz Fairgrounds
- Time: 11 am to 3 pm
- Event Dates: 2nd Saturday of every month
- Free event with actives - Family fun
4-H Countywide Projects (Open to all 4-H members):
- August 2nd - Life on a Ranch
- Wilder Ranch State Park
- Location: 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz
- Time: 11:00 am to 1 pm
- Come expolore the history of ranch with a black smith station
- Meet at the entrance (4-H program rep)
- CloverBuds project age (5 to 9 years old)
- Teen Project (ages 12 to 18 years old): TBA
- August 2nd - Life on a Ranch
VMO Meeting - August 6, 2025
- Open to all 4-H leaders & youth
- Date: August 13, 2025
- Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Location: 4-H office 500 Westridge Dr, Watsonville
- Drive to the back of the parking lot
- 4-H office door is next to the Weights & Measures garage door
Bird Flu Ban as May 21, 2025: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Updates
Sacramento, CA – There are currently no active infections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in California poultry flocks, however, California dairy cattle herds are still affected by the H5N1 virus. Due to the ongoing infections in California dairies, the Ban on all California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Shows and Fairs is still in place. For the latest updates on the ban, please visit our CDFA Avian Health Program page.
Since California's first detection of H5N1 Bird Flu in dairies, there have been a total of 766 infected dairies with 630 of those affected, fully recovered and released from quarantine. All quarantine released dairies will be placed on a surveillance list for bi-monthly testing through creameries to maintain continued monitoring of the virus in California. For the latest updates on Bird Flu infected dairies, visit our CDFA H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock page.
- Report any unusual/suspicious illness or deaths to your local veterinarian or CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473)."
4-H office:
Our main office is open on Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for assistance.
4-H staff office hours Tuesday through Thursday 9 am to 4:30 pm.
4-H office address: 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville
Please make an appointment with Julie Katawicz if you need assistance at the 4-H office.
Julie Katawicz - 4-H Program Rep contact: jkatawicz@ucanr.edu phone (831) 205-3180