homeschooler the March 2026 Utah Utah THE UUtahtah HOMESCHOOLER Volume 2, Issue 4 ·· March 2026 Executive Director Editor in Chief Supporting Editor Sales & Marketing Harold Godfrey Della Hilton Anna Owen Clara Warrick PUBLISHED BY The Homeschooler Magazine support@TheUtahHomeschooler.com MISSION STATEMENT To provide community, resources, and support for homeschooling parents, and to recognize and inspire excellence, creativity, and exploration in homeschooling students. CELEBRATING AND INSPIRING EXCELLENCE wanted : Families and teens to share their stories! Celebrate Inspire Support & Encourage Homeschoolers Across the State email: family@TheUtahHomeschooler.com YOU COULD BE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE UTAH HOMESCHOOLER! STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS Tell us about the fun, interesting, and exciting things you’re doing in your homeschool! Share the fascinating, inspiring, or unforgettable books you’re reading! Write an origin myth about why things are the way they are. BOOK REVIEWS POURQUOI POSSIBILITIES Writing Contest Stock images from Pexels, Pixabay, Freepik, and Vecteezy. Features Student Submissions Resource Directory 204 | The Utah Homeschooler hen most of us think of 4-H, we picture kids at the county fair showing off prize- winning animals. And while it’s true that 4-H has deep roots in agriculture and livestock, it is far from the whole picture. For homeschooling families across Utah, 4-H can be something much more: a ready-made community, a rich library of hands-on curriculum, and a launching pad for the life skills kids need to thrive. I recently sat down with Emily Fort, STEM Coordinator for Salt Lake County 4-H to learn more about what the program looks like today and how homeschoolers can use this amazing resource to enrich and expand their children’s learning experiences and help them grow in confidence, competence, and character. SO WHAT EXACTLY IS 4-H? 4-H is the largest national youth development organization in the country and is active in every state. It’s run through land-grant universities in each state (in Utah, that’s Utah State University in Logan), which means that all their curriculum is research-based and peer-reviewed and holds up to the highest academic standards. While 4-H is active in nearly every county in Utah, what it looks like from place to place varies depending on staff, resources, and—most importantly— volunteers. The overall structure is the same statewide, but each county has its own coordinators who oversee and organize programs in their area. In Salt Lake County, for example, there are five coordinators who lead programs in agriculture, urban agriculture, gardening and healthy living, family and consumer science, and STEM. They handle the planning and administration that keep everything running. Many of the clubs, camps, and events are run primarily by youth and adult volunteers. Emily made clear just how important they are: “Without our many amazing volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to offer all the opportunities that we do. 4-H is very much a community- run program, with everyone coming together to provide these incredible resources.” The program is open to young people from kindergarten through 12th grade, and membership costs just $10 per year. Since 4-H is a nonprofit, they use grants plus state and county funding to pay for the different programs and supplies, although some programs do charge an additional fee. How 4-H Can Enrich Your Homeschool BEYOND THE BARN WBeyond the Barn: How 4-H Can Enrich Your Homeschool | 5 My family was introduced to 4-H by another homeschool family. I have seven kids. The older six range from 16-26, and the youngest is 10. We began 4-H in a homeschool science class, but quickly became much more involved. Over the past 16 or so years, my kids have attended classes and camps on science, cooking, sewing, cake decorating, technology, photography, art, animals, and probably more that I can’t remember. We began our 4-H involvement in Tooele County and moved nine years ago to northern Utah county. I do have to mention that it is easier to be involved in more facets of 4-H the closer you live to where the county events happen. In Tooele, my family was very involved because the drive was ten minutes. Most of Utah County’s events occur in Orem near the Provo Canyon or in Spanish Fork. I don’t have the fortitude to drive that far in traffic at dinner time. Since we moved to Northern Utah County, our 4-H involvement has been more limited to our livestock club and home projects. Two big parts of 4-H are service and leadership. My kids have been able to do various 4-H service projects over the years. They’ve had opportunities to help with clubs, camps, and various activities. Two of my kids were ambassadors and had to elevate themselves to become more independent leaders. One of my kids participated in mock legislature, which required him to do homework beforehand. He learned about the state legislative process. 4-H keeps my kids busy. A common debate among homeschoolers especially is whether to allow video games or not. I allow them. My kids, however, have not had a problem with them and I think it’s because they are busy. They have to tend their animals in the morning and afternoon. They have embroidery, crochet, or knitting projects to work on when they have time. Sometimes their subjects for homeschool have doubled as subjects to work on for 4-H projects. I think 4-H has helped give my kids more purpose in working on various subjects over the years. The 4-H motto is “To Make the Best Better.” I believe that because of my kids’ involvement in 4-H, they pushed themselves to be better at the things they were interested in. It also inspired them to learn new skills. Sometimes those skills didn’t develop into mastery, but they were still better people for learning something new. ~ Christine C.“BUT I DON’T HAVE ANIMALS…” This is probably the most common misconception about 4-H, and it’s one that Emily is passionate about correcting. Many people have either never heard of 4-H, or if they have, they think it’s mostly about livestock and farming—and for good reason. 4-H’s history is deeply tied to agriculture. In its early days, new farming research and tools were emerging, but many adult farmers were slow to try new methods. The 4-H program was created to teach those ideas to kids first, since young people were often more willing to experiment. They then brought what they learned back to their families and communities. That history still shapes how people see 4-H today. But the modern program has grown far beyond its agricultural roots. Especially in the past five to ten years, there’s been a big push to expand into areas where young people don’t have many opportunities. A lot of kids can’t explore their interests or build practical skills simply because those opportunities don’t exist in their communities— and they don’t realize 4-H could help, because they don’t know what it now offers. “Even if you’re not interested in raising animals, or you’re not in a situation where you can,” Emily explained, “there is still a place for you in 4-H.” Today’s project areas include: → STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) → Healthy living and sports → Cooking, sewing, and family and consumer science → Personal finance and entrepreneurship → Leadership and civic engagement → Gardening and urban agriculture → Creative arts STEM, in particular, has grown a lot. For students who feel nervous about science or who don’t have access to hands-on learning, 4-H works to make those subjects fun and approachable. You don’t need any background knowledge or special talent—just curiosity and a willingness to try. If you still want to focus on animal and agricultural learning pathways, there are options and opportunities for kids who don’t have an animal. In some counties, leaders will lease or lend animals so kids can still learn the skills involved and even compete without having to own one themselves. There are also many animal-related activities and competitions that don’t require an animal at all. For example, youth in Weber County who want to compete in equine 4-H can give a presentation or speech on a horse-related topic, answer quiz questions in the Horse Bowl, take a written test about horses, or even judge other horse entries and explain the reasons for their judgment, all without having a horse. As Emily put it, “With 4-H, there’s always something to learn and something that will benefit you, regardless of your situation or where you live.” WHAT DOES PARTICIPATION ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? Every child’s 4-H journey looks completely different. The level of involvement and the types of programs they participate in are Embrace It! Navigating the Seasons of the Homeschool Year | 6 Through shared projects and experiences, 4-H helps young people form friendships and become part of something bigger than themselves. 6 | The Utah Homeschoolerentirely up to them and their family. For Emily, that journey has spanned more than 20 years—nearly her entire life. “I started when I was 5 years old in a family-based club with some nearby cousins and friends,” she shared. “We did general teamwork activities and focused on things like robotics and electronics. Most of the time the adults would teach us something new, and then we’d do hands-on activities to go along with it.” As she got older, her involvement grew. She joined clubs led by county coordinators and official 4-H leaders, where the focus shifted more toward communication and leadership. There were lots of chances to give presentations, work with others, and take on youth leadership roles. She also went to workshops and events where professionals came to share their expertise. “By the time I was 14, I was serving in regional and state leadership positions and had some amazing opportunities and experiences,” she said. Her brother’s 4-H path looked very different. Like Emily, he started in a family-based club, but he gravitated toward agriculture and stuck with it year after year. Some kids find one thing they love and go deep. Others explore widely, trying new projects and discovering new interests along the way. That flexibility is part of what makes 4-H such a great fit for homeschooling families—it can grow and shift right along with a child’s interests. While programs vary by county, here are some common opportunities for participation: Clubs Clubs are the heart of 4-H. They can be small and family- based, or larger and open to the whole community. Some focus on one project area (like sewing, STEM, or horses), while others mix it up each month. Meeting schedules are flexible—some clubs meet monthly, some just during the school year. Camps Camps are more intensive educational experiences, often focused on a specific project area (like space camp or natural resource camp). They vary greatly by county, and can range from a few hours on one day to a full week. They are often held in the summer and sometimes over school holidays. Events Special events throughout the year bring families together for activities and community. These range from holiday celebrations to STEM nights to county fairs to expert speakers who come in to connect with youth around specific interests. Many events are planned and put on by local youth leadership. Competitions Competitions are a big part of 4-H and often motivate kids to refine and improve their projects. Members typically spend the year working on projects (anything from robotics to sewing to livestock care) and competitions at the county fair are a chance to show the results of that work. 4-H offers county, state, and sometimes national competitions for youth in grades 3 through 12. Events exist across many project areas, such as public speaking, livestock quiz bowl, shooting sports, cooking, and so much more. Competitions may involve project exhibits, Beyond the Barn: How 4-H Can Enrich Your Homeschool | 7 HOW TO FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU: Most clubs, camps, events, and competitions are organized at the county level. To see what’s available in your area, visit the Utah 4-H and look for your county’s page. There you’ll find current programs, upcoming events, and contact information for local coordinators. You’ll also be able to create a free account in Z-Suite, the national 4-H enrollment platform, which will allow you to register for activities. W e’ve been homeschooling for 15 years and started doing 4-H about 12 years ago here in Cache County. We started with livestock and later did some of the arts and crafts as well. We’ve done several programs, including some where I’ve been one of the leaders. One year I started my own club for the summer because I wanted my kids to have something to do. I put it out there and ended up with a group of ten girls from eight different families. It was so much fun and was a great opportunity to make new friends. We also participated in Cache Makers before it was discontinued. Every year, our valley has a Pumpkin Walk where members of the community create dozens of displays from painted pumpkins and gourds, and our Cache Makers club would create a display. We’ve done lots of home arts together as a family and entered them in the fair. We’ve done canning, sewing, and even a photography class through 4-H. There are so many different categories and ways to be involved. Sometimes we just look through the entry options and decide what we want to learn in preparation for the next fair and how we can incorporate it into our homeschool. I love the community you get with 4-H. The projects give you something in common with the other families, and you can help and support each other when you need it. The livestock program runs during the summer, so it’s nice to have that community and connection when school is out. Livestock has been a big part of our 4-H participation, and an area where I have seen my kids grow so much. There is so much that goes into livestock participation, and it really helped my kids learn responsibility and accountability. You start by buying your animal (the first year my kids raised sheep, and later we did goats). Then the kids have to learn about it, how to care for it, and train it for judging at the County Fair. Being in the ring, having to show their animal and answer the judges’ questions, really helped my kids build confidence. Some parents get really involved in the competitive aspect and take over, but I’ve always let my kids be as involved and responsible as possible. Participating in livestock 4-H has also helped them learn to do their very best and to be okay with the outcome, whatever it may be. My children’s mantra has become, “The fair’s not fair.” Sometimes your kid ends up competing against people who compete professionally, travelling around the country and entering their animals into one fair after another, and that can be extra hard. Also, since the judges are all volunteers, sometimes aspects of judging aren’t super clear and you don’t know why you got a red ribbon or a blue ribbon. Animals can also be super unpredictable. You’re supposed to have them walk in a certain pattern and stand in a specific position for the judging, but you never know how your animal is going to do until they are actually in the ring. Sometimes an animal that has done great at home does horribly at the fair, and sometimes an animal that has done poorly at home does great at the fair. 4-H has helped my kids learn to be adaptable and choose to have a positive mindset about whatever the situation is. Regardless of the judging outcome, my kids always think it’s worth their time, because at the end of the judging, they have the opportunity to auction off their animal to the highest bidder. With the money they can get, raising an animal for 4-H and entering it in the fair feels almost like a summer job. In a traditional school setting, students have many opportunities to display their projects and be recognized for their work, but homeschoolers have far fewer opportunities for achievement. I have found that entering competitions through 4-H is a great way for homeschoolers to receive some acknowledgement for the things they have done. ~ Heather H. 8 | The Utah Homeschoolerskill demonstrations, or team contests. Top entries in each county progress to the state competition. In some subject areas, high- school-aged youth who perform well at state contests may go on to represent their state at national competitions. You can visit https://extension.usu.edu/ utah4h/programs to learn more about the competitions available in each pathway. A NATURAL FIT FOR HOMESCHOOLERS 4-H’s slogan is “Learn by Doing,” and that fits really well with how many homeschool families approach education. Where traditional school is often lecture-based and standardized, 4-H focuses on hands-on, real-world learning. One of the things that makes 4-H such a strong addition to a homeschool education is the wide range of practical skills kids can develop. Utah 4-H organizes these opportunities into what they call Project Pathways—six distinct tracks covering Animal Sciences, Family & Consumer Science, STEM, Outdoor Recreation, Leadership & Civic Engagement, and more. Within those tracks, kids can work on projects in everything from computing, engineering, and invention to sewing, cooking, and needle arts. But 4-H isn’t only about learning technical skills or completing projects. At its core, the goal of 4-H is to help youth develop into capable, confident adults—building both hard skills and the “soft skills” that matter just as much in real life. “We recently started an initiative called Beyond Ready,” Emily explained, “which is all about helping youth develop the skills they’ll need for the future, especially soft skills like communication, problem solving, time management, social interaction, and even being a good civil servant.” These aren’t abstract ideas. In Salt Lake County, Beyond Ready has become a part of regular monthly club meetings, giving coordinators and volunteers practical tools to teach and reinforce these skills. Each meeting gives kids the chance to practice speaking clearly, managing responsibilities, working through challenges, collaborating with others, and contributing to their communities. And as youth grow older, those skills expand into meaningful leadership opportunities. Most counties have junior and teen councils, which are coordinator-run clubs where teens from across the county and across all project areas come together specifically to develop leadership and communication skills. For example, the Junior Teen Council in Salt Lake County plans and runs Cloverbud Camp for younger children (kindergarten through second grade), and older teens organize and lead a three-day family camp where Salt Lake 4-H families come together for a full camping experience. Beyond the county level, youth can serve as project ambassadors, representing one of the major project pathways. At the state level, ambassadors even help develop curriculum that is distributed statewide. Being able to say you helped write curriculum for a state program is no small accomplishment. Statistics taken from the 2025 Utah 4-H Impact Report put out by Utah State University Extension. https:// extension.usu.edu/ utah4h/impact- reports-UT4H Youth who participate in 4-H are more likely to make responsible choices 50% more likely to show leadership skills 3X more likely to take responsibility for their actions 74% more likely to possess problem-solving skills 88% more likely to know how to set goals 150% more likely to understand the importance of having a strong work ethic 2X Beyond the Barn: How 4-H Can Enrich Your Homeschool | 9Next >