This page provides an overview of annual events and opportunities
available to 4-H'ers in Santa Clara County.
ACT Team Meetings (Advisory Committee Teams)
level: county volunteer management organization
location: in-person, each club is to be represented
When: Quarterly
Contact: zmahmood@ucanr.edu
County Ranch Committee
level: county
location: Via Zoom
When: Meetings TBA, each ranch is to be represented.
Contact: barbarak.suit@gmail.com
State Ambassador applications due
level: state
When: Annually in January
level: county
location: San Jose, CA
When: TBA November 2026
level: county
location: San Jose, CA
When: TBA February 2027
Favorite Foods Day
level: county
location: San Jose, CA
When: TBA Spring 2027
This event is open to public spectators!
4-H Camping conference
level: state
When: Bi-annually March 2028
The camping conference is a biannual event that provides 4-H teen leaders, volunteers, and staff the opportunity to improve their camping programs
Leadership Overnight
level: county
location: Saratoga, CA
When: March 2027
Conference for youth leaders, hosted by County 4-H Ambassador Team
level: county
location: San Jose
When: TBA May 2027
A one-day conference for 9-13-year-old youth to learn about leadership.
National 4-H Conference
level: national
location: Washington, D.C.
When: April 2027
Youth 16+. Applications due November
County Ambassador applications
level: county
When: Annually due as announced in the application (April-May)
Youth 15 and older can apply to be County Ambassadors.
level: county
location: San Jose, CA
When: TBA April 2027
Small and Large Animal Field Day
location: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
When: TBA Spring 2027
State Advisory Committee Applications
level: state
Youth 14+ and adults can join the 12 state advisory committees to help build the 4-H program.
Applications Due: Annually, May 31
level: state
location: UC Davis
When: May 29, 2027
level: Regional
location: Felton, CA
When: June 2027
State 4-H Horse Classic
level: state
Info TBA
County Ambassador and Recognition Banquet
level: county
When: August 1, 2026
Event to induct the new County 4-H Ambassador team and pass the torch from the old team. All are welcome to learn about the opportunity and recognize our youth
level: state
location: UC Davis, CA
When: July 23-26, 2026
4-H'ers qualify for participation in the SCC Fair according to the CA 4-H Steps to Success.
level: county (not a 4-H event)
location: San Jose
When: August 19-23, 2026
National 4-H Week
level: national
When: October 4 -10, 2026
This event is open to public spectators! Many 4-H programs organize events or outreach during National 4-H Week. Everyone is encouraged to wear 4-H apparel and invite new members to 4-H meetings or events.
Martial Cottle Park Harvest Festival
level: county
location: Martial Cottle Park
When: October 10, 2026
This event is open to public spectators! 4-H outreach activities
Food Safety
Online Food Safety Training
The CA State 4-H Office requires that every club have at least one 4-H leader trained in Food Safety. The more leaders in your club that are certified, the more convenient it is for your club.
It is required that a certified volunteer is to be present at all bake sales/food booths to make sure proper food safety guidelines are handled. Food Safety training is available anytime online!
Please visit the website below, and use the provided sign-in/user information:
https://www.servsafe.com/access/SS/Catalog/ProductDetail/SSECT6CA
The ServSafe training is valid for 3 years and is a widely recognized certificate that meets California requirements for food handlers.
The training cost is $12. per person and we suggest that clubs/VMO pay this fee for their volunteers.