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Oconee County 4-H

Your Local 4-H Agent

Lillian (Lil) Ledford

301 W South Broad Street
Walhalla, SC 29691
Work Cell: 864-795-2347

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Oconee County 4-H Clubs

Clubs

  • Bark Buddies Dog Club

    Club Leader: Tina Reif treif@clemson.edu

    • Club meets 6pm the 3rd Tuesday of most months at the Oconee County Extension office, 301 West South Broad St. Walhalla, SC 29691
    • Open to all SC 4-H members
    • Register youth and attending adults for each meeting: Bark Buddies Registration

    For youth who love dogs, Bark Buddies K-9 Club explores topics like obedience, training, grooming, breeds, and even careers working with dogs. Members build confidence handling animals, learn responsibility, and leadership. The club is perfect for beginners and experienced dog lovers alike.

    Bark Buddies Club transitions over the summer into Bark Buddies K-9 Obedience Training, a weekly Special Interest short-term program in which members learn AKC obedience and training with the option of showing at the Foothills Heritage Fair (separate fee and registration for the Training Program)

  • Oconee Jr. Chefs

    Club Leader: Jennilee Hill picklejahr@gmail.com

    • Club meets 5pm the 4th Monday of the month at the Oconee County Extension office, 301 West South Broad St. Walhalla, SC 29691
    • Open to all SC 4-H members
    • Register youth and attending adults for each meeting: Oconee Jr. Chefs Registration

    Youth build kitchen confidence through hands-on cooking, learning basic skills, nutrition, and how food connects to culture and community. Members plan recipes, practice teamwork, and may take on leadership roles within the club. No experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to try new foods!

    Look for a Cooking Camp in June (Separate Registration and fee)

  • Oconee Hoppers Rabbit Club

    Club Leader: Tina Reif treif@clemson.edu

    • Club meets 5:30pm the 2 nd Monday of September-November and February-June at the Oconee County Extension office, 301 West South Broad St. Walhalla, SC 29691
    • Open to all SC 4-H members
    • Register youth and attending adults: Oconee Hoppers Eventbrite

    This club is for youth interested in raising, caring for, and showing rabbits. Members learn about animal health, breed identification, and responsible ownership, with opportunities to prepare for local shows like the Foothills Heritage Fair. Great for beginners or experienced rabbit owners. No rabbit required, but you’ll probably end up getting one.

  • Oconee County Clovers Club

    Club Leader: Sara Foster clydesdalesocks@gmail.com

    A flexible, member-led club where youth choose what they want to explore—anything from science and agriculture to crafts, engineering, and more. This is a great place to try new things, meet other 4‑H members, and build leadership skills in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

  • Archery Club

    Club Leader: Ashlie Parham ash.parham8@gmail.com

  • Shooting Sports

    Any Shooters interested in Shooting sports please contact Rick Willey,

  • Pickens & Anderson Clubs and Events

    Oconee Co 4-H Members are members of South Carolina 4-H, and may participate in any SC 4-H club or event for which they are eligible (shooting sports have geographic restraints; some events may have age restrictions). Pickens and Anderson are the closest neighbors. Visit their websites or reach out to the county agent to see what other opportunities are in the area! 

    • Pickens County 4-H: Agent Ty Howard: Clubs include – Shotgun, Wildlife, Farm to Table, Tri-County Horse, Canine Cadet Dog, Homeschool Club, and Sew What? Club.
    • Anderson County 4-H: Agent Jessica Simpson: Clubs include – Shotgun (3, depending on area), Pendleton 4-H club, and Trottin’ Tigers 4-H Horse Club
  • Annual Oconee 4-H Member Parties (June & December)

    Twice annually we try to all get together with our families to celebrate the community we are building withing Oconee 4-H. These events are open to all members, their families, and guests (we just ask that you register everyone, and sign up to bring a potluck dish).

    • June Cookout @ 4-H Barn
      • When: June 8, 2026 5:30pm
      • Where: Oak Grove 4-H Center (670 Oak Grove Road, Westminster))
      • Oconee 4-H will provide burgers, dogs, buns & fixin’s. Sign up for a side dish in the registration link or here.
    • Oconee 4-H Christmas Party
      • When: December
      • Where: Oconee Extension Office (301 W. South Broad, Walhalla)
      • This is a dessert & appetizer potluck!

Annual Events & State Projects

Kits and Program Reservations

  • Request a Program

    Your 4-H agent is available for free 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 with starting an all-new in-school 4-H club!
    • Becoming a certified South Carolina Green Steps School is easy and rewarding. We already have several in the county for whom I serve as a mentor! I/they would be happy to help you with this process.
    • Consider taking the Extension School and Community Garden course for resources & expertise, access to discount plants delivered throughout the school year, and recertification points.
    • Your current agent, Lil Ledford, is a certified Virginia K-6 teacher (working on SC licensure) and worked for 12 years as an educator with the regionally recognized University of Virginia’s Blandy Education Team. I would LOVE to use my expertise to work with you and your students!
    • Email ledfor7@clemson.edu or text (864-795-2347) to open a conversation.
  • Embryology (hatching chicks)
    • Request a chick-hatching kit in your educational setting, and to optionally reserve agent time for a project program.
    • Kit use is free, fertilized eggs are $12/dozen from Clemson’s Morgan Poultry Farm.
    • Eggs take three weeks (21 days) to hatch
    • **Submitting the form does not guarantee a reservation, your agent will confer with you to confirm/change your reservation**
  • Water Quality Survey
  • Wildlife Tracks and Scats
    • Available materials include:
      • silicone molds for creating plaster track casts,
      • field guides for common tracks and scats,
      • resin track casts that can be used to create prints.
    • We hope to add a model scats, pelts, and more activities in the near future!
    • Use this form to request a kit of materials, and to optionally reserve agent time for a project program.
    • Kits are free; consumables by 4-H may incur a charge. Lost or misused items must be replaced.
    • **Submitting the form does not guarantee a reservation, your agent will confer with you to confirm/change your reservation**

UPCOMING IN 4-H

Remember – ALL in attendance must register via Eventbrite (not just participants) for EACH session of each event. Eventbrite links also contain essential information (location, ages, cost, ect)

View All Events & Deadlines

Youth Camps & Training

  • Bark Buddies K‑9 Obedience Training (June 22 – September 15)

    A short-term program focused on practical dog obedience skills. Youth work directly with their dogs to build communication, confidence, and handling skills, with the option to compete at the Foothills Heritage Fair. The $25 program fee per youth & dog covers the show entry fee for the Foothills Heritage Fair for that pair.
    Contact: Tina Reif treif@clemson.edu

    • Free information meeting at June Bark Buddies Club Meeting: June 15, 6pm.
    • Training: Tuesdays June 22 – September 15, 2026 (except July 28) 6pm
    • Extension Office, 301 West South Broad St, Walhalla
    • Youth must be members of SC 4-H, 3rd grade and older, and register in Eventbrite.
  • On Target Archery Camp (June 13-14)

    On Target: Oconee 4-H 2026 Archery Camp is a hands-on youth camp designed to introduce archery fundamentals, range safety, and skill development in a fun and supportive environment. SC 4-H Members* ages 8-18 will learn proper technique, safety, focus, and responsibility while enjoying introductory practice time. $30 fee covers both days, access to all equipment, and snacks. It does not cover lunch.
    Contact: Ashlie Parham, ash.parham8@gmail.com

    • Saturday, June 13, 10-4 and Sunday, June 14, 1-4
    • Oak Grove 4-H Center, 670 Oak Grove Road, Westminster SC
    • Youth must be members of SC 4-H and register in Eventbrite.
  • Oconee 4-H 250th Cooking Camp (June 22-24)

    Celebrate USAs 250th birthday through South Carolina cooking through the ages in partnership with the Oconee History Museum.

    Join us for three delicious days of hands-on fun at Oconee 4-H's 250 Cooking Camp, where youth travel through South Carolina's history through culture and cuisine! Each day highlights a different time period and technique in South Carolina culinary history via heart-healthy lunch recipes, engaging cooking activities, and mindful food presentation—all designed with youth in mind.
    Contact: Lil Ledford & Jennifer Moss, ledfor7@clemson.edu, info@oconeehistorymuseum.org

    • Monday, June 22- Wednesday, June 24, 10-noon, family lunch to follow (with tickets)
    • Extension Office, 301 West South Broad St, Walhalla
    • Youth must be members of SC 4-H and register in Eventbrite.
  • Creepy Crawly Critter Camp (June 30, July 7, 14) 

    Creepy Crawly Critter Camp (June 30, July 7, 14) 

    Creepy Crawly Critters is a hands-on youth camp exploring insects and other invertebrates through fieldwork, observation, and simple scientific techniques. SC 4-H Members* of all ages will catch, observe, and identify organisms while learning about form and function, ecosystems, and ethical ways to study wild creatures. Activities take place across multiple outdoor locations and include creek exploration and nature-based projects. Fee covers all materials, supplies, and snacks.

    Contact: Lil Ledford, ledfor7@clemson.edu; Emily Riquelme, m.emily.robinson@gmail.com

    June 30, July 7, and July 14, 9am - noon

    Oconee Extension Office, Oak Grove 4-H Center, and Clemson Experimental Forest (locations may vary with weather)

    Youth must be members of SC 4-H and register in Eventbrite.

    Adults must stay with youth

  • EcoArt (July 13, 15, 17)

    EcoArt (July 13, 15, 17)

    EcoArt is a hands-on youth camp focused on creative expression through natural, found, and repurposed materials. SC 4-H Members* of all ages will explore upcycling, visible mending, cyanotype printing, painting, and nature journaling while developing artistic skills and creating projects that are both beautiful and useful—no fluff. Fee covers all materials, supplies, and snacks.

    Contact: Lil Ledford, ledfor7@clemson.edu ; Jamie Stoppelbein, jamiestop@gmail.com

    July 13, 15, and 17, 9am-noon

    (Location details provided upon registration; Oconee County sites may include Extension Office and outdoor settings)

    Youth must be members of SC 4-H and register in Eventbrite.

    This is a custodial care event, youth may be dropped off.

Community Needs Assessment

Oconee County 4-H is conducting a survey to help us grow our positive youth development programs.There are no right or wrong answers, so please answer all questions honestly. Thank you for your help.

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Member Interest Form

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Oconee County 4-H
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