4-H Horse Program Fee FAQ

1. Why is a 4-H horse program fee needed?

   The 4-H Horse Program Development Committee and Penn State faculty and staff are challenged to meet the present needs of extension educators, volunteers and youth at the county, district and regional level. Likewise it is difficult for county educators and volunteers to meet local and district program requests and needs. Additional resources are necessary to maintain current programs and provide additional opportunities and resources for program participants.

   This fee, along with the 4-H Horse Program Endowment, will enhance current programming and allow new initiatives to be moved from concept to reality. Many ideas routinely proposed by leaders, such as the shared horse and recreational programs, have not been able to advance due to a lack of staff and resources. 

2. What is the horse program fee and how is the fee determined for each county?

   It is important to recognize that this is a program fee and not a member fee. However, the total fee due from each county is calculated based on the total county 4-H horse member enrollment. In each county, a $25.00 fee will be assessed annually for every 4-H horse member. Total horse program fee = $25.00 X number of 4-H horse members in the county.

3. How will the funds from the program fee be used?

   Two 4-H horse program extension associates were hired to help maintain and develop programs at the county and regional level. The associates will assist county extension educators and volunteers with regional and multi-county 4-H horse events and activities. Money generated by the program fee will be used for support and related expenses for the extension associates, as well as to support a 4-H Horse Program Endowment. Activities may include but are not limited to:

   • Horsemanship and handling clinics
   • Trail riding and other recreational programs
   • Activities for urban and suburban youth and youth who do not own horses
   • Horse judging, horse bowl, hippology and communications resources
   • Therapeutic horsemanship
   • Regional or multi-county camps, meetings, clinics, etc.
   • Volunteer, extension educator and youth training.
   • Horse Cloverbud Curriculum development

   Activities will support current 4-H projects, the Safety and Horsemanship Skills Programs and a new recreational project to meet the needs of youth using horses for recreational purposes. In addition, opportunities for youth who do not own horses is also included.

   The endowment will provide sustainable funding to address program needs and provide programming at the county, regional and state level. The endowment will help ensure the future of the 4-H Horse Program and hopefully reduce or eliminate the need for future increases in program fees.

4. In which counties will the two extension associates be based?

   The extension associates are based in the eastern and western regions of the Commonwealth. The associates are currently based in Crawford County (western) and Lackawanna County (eastern). The associates are providing information and educational activities that are available to all counties within their assigned region through on-site, web based or video options.

5. How were the decisions made to implement the program fee?

   The 4-H Horse Program Development Committee obtained input from volunteers, stakeholders, extension educators, and university administrators to develop this proposal. A strategic plan was developed in 2005 which indicated the need for additional program resources. Input on a proposal for a program fee was obtained through meetings and discussions at subsequent 4-H Horse Program Development and Advisory Committee meetings, 4-H Horse Forum, 4-H Animal Science Extension Educator In-Service and some district 4-H horse meetings. Follow up phone calls and meetings with the Extension Leadership Team and a cross section of extension educators were conducted as the proposal was further developed.

6. How was the fee amount determined?

   A cost recovery worksheet was used to develop an initial budget that proposed a $10 fee per year to support one extension staff associate. After review of the initial proposal, the Extension Leadership Team recommended an increase in the fee to $25 per year to provide both eastern and western regional positions and address long term programming needs. The budget was revised to include two positions in order to provide more support for local and regional programming and help ensure future program sustainability.

   It should be noted that most recreational or educational programs have significantly higher fees than those associated with the 4-H Horse Program. The $25 fee is less than fees for many activities such as sports, music, dance, etc. that are often conducted over a limited time period.

7. Which 4-H members should be included to determine the county's program fee?

   All 4-H horse project members including horseless, model horse, shared horse, horse cloverbuds and equestrians with disabilities should be included in calculation of the program fee. However, it is recognized that some counties have short term or special programs where the fee may not apply. The rule of thumb is the 4-H Horse Program fee should apply to the same youth as the educational materials fee.

8. What if a youth belongs to more than one 4-H club or is enrolled in more than one 4-H horse project, will they (or the county/club) have to pay their horse program fee in more than one club or project?

   No. The program fee is paid once per year and covers all of the youth's 4-H horse projects, no matter how many clubs or projects they are enrolled in.

9. How should counties generate the money for the 4-H Horse Program fee?

   Counties are encouraged to consider a variety of options for generating the county fee. Counties may choose to conduct local fund raisers, include cost recovery fees as a portion of participant fees for specific 4-H horse events, collect member fees, etc. One or more methods may be used to generate the fee. Counties should determine the method(s) of fee generation that is most appropriate for their respective circumstances.

10. What is the timeline for implementation of the fee collection?

    The fee must be collected by the county and submitted to the Department of Animal Science at Penn State by October 1 of each calendar year.

11. What are the procedures for collecting and paying the fee?

    County extension staff working with volunteer leaders will collect fees in their county. Total amount due from each county will be based on county 4-H horse member enrollment data. One or more methods may be used to generate the fee as noted.

    Each county will send one check for the total amount for their county to the Administrative Assistant/Financial Officer in the Department of Animal Science (DAS). The check should be accompanied by a list of the number of 4-H Horse/Horseless/Cloverbuds indicating the total number of 4-H horse members in the county and the Opportunity Fund request form (if applicable). The fee must be collected by the county and submitted to DAS by October 1 of each calendar year.

For related information

Refer to the 4-H Cost Recovery and 4-H Revenue Generation FAQ and the 4-H Horse Program website.