Dorchester County 4-H

Contacts:

• Dierdre Lunny
• Cynthia Shiell

The Dorchester County 4-H Livestock Club is for any animal enthusiast, though most members currently focus on equine programs. Meetings are held monthly on the first Thursday at the Dorchester Libraries - Ashley River branch in Summerville. Open to youth ages 5-18 as of January 1. $30 club fee. 4-H Membership required ($15 annually).

Register for 4-H Membership at 4HOnline.

Contact:

• Robert Dudley
• SEEKING NEW LEADERSHIP

The Dorchester County Partridge Creek 4-H Young Guns Club is dissolving as of May 10, 2026, unless new leadership is onboarded and approved.

Adults can register for 4-H Membership at 4HOnline.

Adult volunteers in Dorchester County receive ONE FREE youth membership per adult per household.

Contact: Tawanah Reeves-Ligon

Application Required

Dorchester County 4-H Teen Council members have the opportunity to impact county programming, lead local service projects and events, represent 4-H in their communities, build connections with like-minded teens, and more! Meetings are held every two months (or as needed in preparation for an event/project) both in-person and virtually according to the schedule of the members. Open to teens ages 13-18, as of January 1, with at least one year of experience in community service or leadership (with any organization). No club fee. 4-H Membership required ($15 annually).

Register for 4-H Membership at 4HOnline.

Contacts:

• Heather Epps
• Dawn Wheeler 

The Dorchester County 4-H Rabbit Club is a hands-on program that teaches responsibility, animal care, breeding, and showmanship. This new year-round club is available for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. This club supplies rabbits if needed. Meetings are held monthly on the first Thursday at the Flowertown Rabbit Farm in Summerville. Open to youth ages 5-18 as of January 1. No club fee. 4-H Membership required ($15 annually).

Register for 4-H Membership at 4HOnline.

Contact: Kristen Yoast

The Dorchester County 4-H Beekeepers & Gardeners Club teaches horticulture (cultivating plants) and apiculture (beekeeping) to beginner and experienced enthusiasts alike. Meetings are held monthly on the third Saturday at the Dorchester County Career and Technology Center - Main Campus in Dorchester. Open to youth ages 5-18 as of January 1. No club fee. 4-H Membership required ($15 annually).

Register for 4-H Membership at 4HOnline.

Contact: Andie Bazzle

The Junior Master Gardener program is an international youth gardening program of the university cooperative Extension network. Its purpose is to assist young people in acquiring a basic knowledge of gardening, leadership, and service. Meetings will be held starting Fall 2026 at Joseph Pye Elementary School in Ladson. Currently open to JOSEPH PYE STUDENTS ONLY ages 5-10 as of January 1. No club fee. 4-H Membership required ($15 annually).

Register for 4-H Membership at 4HOnline.

Contact: Lisa Hart

The Dorchester County 4-H CTC Trailblazers Club is an extension of the programs offered by the Carolina Teen Center (hyperlink: https://www.southcarolinateen.com). The Carolina Teen Center is a nonprofit and offers programs and services throughout the Tri-County area (Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester) to empower youth to reach their full potential through education, mentorship, and innovative intervention programs designed to enhance their total well-being. Meetings will be held starting Summer 2026 at their Summerville and Hollywood center locations. Currently open to CAROLINA TEEN CENTER PARTICIPANTS ONLY ages 5-18 as of January 1. No club fee. 4-H Membership required ($15 annually).

Register for 4-H Membership at 4HOnline.

Your 4-H agent is available for free and reduced cost programs in the educational setting of your choice (schedule dependent).

• I'd love to help you with adding 4-H to your existing clubs or activities (or with starting an all-new in-school, homeschool, or community 4-H club)!
• Become a certified South Carolina Green Steps School!.  The process is easy and rewarding. We already have several in the state, and I would love to serve as your mentor!
• Consider joining the Extension School and Community Garden   family for resources & expertise, access to discounted plants delivered throughout the school year, and a recertification opportunity.
• Your current agent, Tawanah Reeves-Ligon, is a published writer, editor, and journalist. I would LOVE to come lead a writing series or project with your youth or students in fiction, nonfiction, media literacy, etc.! I have a passion for helping children and youth use writing as a vehicle for self-care and fun, personal and professional development, as well as building greater self-awareness.
• Have another great idea or desired program in mind? Email  tawanar@clemson.edu or call/text (864-784-0516) to start a conversation!

This three-week program allows students to hatch chicks in the educational space of your choice, learning about biology, animal life cycles, and the responsibilities of caring for live animals. Students observe embryo development through candling, learn about poultry science, and develop skills like scientific observation and teamwork, fostering a respect for life through hands-on engagement.

• Open to Dorchester County classrooms, schools, micro-schools, homeschool co-ops, or other development programs serving youth ages 5-18 as of January 1.
• $25 per kit, includes incubator, eggs, instructional materials and videos for daily lessons, and additional support and supplies as needed and available.
• To reserve/request a kit, please complete an interest form
• Submitting the form does not guarantee a reservation, your agent will confer with you to confirm/change your reservation.

Clemson Extension offers research-based horticulture training and technical assistance to school and community gardens throughout South Carolina. Visit School & Community Gardening to learn more and get started. Learn more.

To support these and similar local programs, Dorchester County 4-H annually offers a six-week series of workshops that are gardening and horticulture based. In 2026, the program is called "Garden-to-Table," is appropriate for new and experienced gardeners, and costs $30 per participant.

Email tawanar@clemson.edu to learn more and request a program at your location.

The Dorchester County 4-H Healthy Living Program helps youth lead balanced lives: physically, mentally, and spiritually. These programs are available by request, can be free or reduced cost, and can be led by a facilitator with 4-H curriculum or by your local 4-H Youth Development Agent. Open to organizations and facilities serving youth ages 5-18, as of January 1. No 4-H membership required. These programs include:

• Healthy Habits, a six-week module, hands-on experience that teaches skills in nutrition and educates students about equitable food access.
• Workshops or series ideas developed in collaboration with your local 4-H agent.

Email tawanar@clemson.edu, subject line "Healthy Living Program" to make a request or learn more.