What is a 4-H Project?
A 4-H project is made up of three types of activities:
- Hands-on activities: making, producing, selling, practicing, observing, testing, interviewing, etc.
- Organized activities: demonstrations, speeches, workshops, camps, county judging, exhibits, etc.
- Leadership/Citizenship activities: planning, teaching, assisting, informing, organizing, etc.
When choosing a project, consider your interests, background, what is necessary to start your project, and what resources are available to help you complete it.
The 2026 Ohio 4-H Project Guide is the complete listing of all Ohio 4-H Projects.
Please be aware of the following project updates for the 2026 program year:
| New | |
| 101 | How the Herd Multiplies |
| 365 | Aquaculture: Raising Seafood and Restoring Fisheries (self determined idea starter) |
| 365 | Backyard Fireflies (self determined idea starter) |
| 365 | Building the Future: Construction Careers (self determined idea starter) |
| 365 | Needle Felting |
| 365 | No-Sew Fun |
| 495 | Living on Your Own |
| 594 | Knitting It Together |
| 616 | Water Matters |
| 668 | Field Crops and Forages |
| Revised or Replaced: New Title (Old Title) | |
| 446 | Empowering Personal Finance (448 Teens on the Road to Financial Success) |
| 527 | Paper Circuits (527 Magic of Electricity: Electricity 1) |
| 528 | Smart Circuits (528 Investigating Electricity: Electricity 2) |
| Discontinued | |
| 351 | Staying Healthy |
| 372 | Diversity: The Source of Our Strength |
| 518 | Wheels in Motion: Bicycle 2 |
Self-Determined Projects
If you're a 4-H member with a great project idea of your own or someone who's ready to go beyond a current project book, consider doing a self-determined project. Use the Self-Determined Project Guide to describe your project, set goals, and record your activities. The Self-Determined Project Guide and all of the Idea Starters can be found on the Ohio 4-H Web page. *Self-Determined Projects are not recommended for members ages 9-11.
Individual project numbers for all idea starters are being dropped in 2021. Instead, youth enroll in one of these broader topic areas:
365.00 General
365.01 Companion Animal
365.02 Creative Arts
365.03 Family Life
365.04 Natural Resources
365.05 Quilt
365.06 Workforce Preparation
Pickaway County Self Determined Project Tip Sheet
Learn more about 4-H projects on Project Central
Thinking about exploring a new project area? Not sure if a project is the right fit for you? Find the answers to these questions on projectcentral.ohio4h.org! Use Project Central to digitally flip through the first pages of any project book and to read what other members and volunteers are saying about it.
Using Project Central is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4...
- Use three different options to SEARCH for projects and resources
- FIND what you are looking for
- Select a project or resource to LEARN about the publication. Preview sample pages and view other users' feedback.
- RATE the publication and add your own feedback!
Visit Project Central to find projects that interest you or to rate and leave comments about ones you already know about.