Opinion

Second graders "Exploring 4-H"

Monday, May 11, 2009

To officially be in the regular 4-H program, one must be in Grades 3 through 12 as of January 1 of the current year. However second graders can get a taste of 4-H by signing up for the "Exploring 4-H" program. Exploring 4-H is a program for children who are not yet old enough for 4-H. Any boy or girl who lives in or attends school in Putnam County and was in second grade as of January 1 of the current year is eligible.

There will be three meetings during the summer months for Exploring 4-Hers. With help from the Junior Leaders, the meetings include an introduction to the 4-H program, individual project instruction, recreation, and refreshments. Also during the last six years, the youth in this program entered their own float in the fair parade which will likely occur again this year if the group so desires.

Project choices for Exploring 4-H youth include collections, foods, wildlife, drawing, and photography. Also the summer college students who work in the office will be starting this week and will be visiting second grade classrooms and enrollment forms will be sent home.

Parents may sign up their second graders now for one of five projects that may be exhibited at the county fair in July. Enrolling is simple. The cost is two dollars and forms are available at the office or online at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to download and submit by mail. Enrollment forms are requested by Friday, May 22. If need be, enrollment forms and the $2 project fee will be accepted at the first meeting.

The first Exploring 4-H meeting will be held on Thursday, June 11 from 7-8 PM in the Community Building at the fairgrounds. The second meeting will be on Thursday, June 25 from 7-8 PM, again at the fairgrounds. The annual field day will be Thursday, July 9 from 1-3:30 PM again at the fairgrounds.

The summer college students who will be working in the Purdue Extension-Putnam County office include veteran Jada Buchanan returning home from Ball State. Two new student assistants who are certainly no strangers to 4-H include Megan Criss and Megan Robertson who are completing their first year of college at the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech, respectively. The office staff is excited to have these fine ladies coming work in the office during the summer months. So if you hear a different voice when calling the office, it may be one of these ladies.

Also "The Herald" (4-H Newsletter) was mailed last week. If you have not received one and should have, contact the office or visit the website at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view The Herald and up to date list of 4-H meeting events. You can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events

May 11: Junior Pork Quality Assurance Program, 6:30, Fairgrounds

May 14: Farmer's Market Boot Camp Jennifer Dennis 765-494-1352

May 14: Ext. Homemakers County Council 7PM Extension Office

May 16: Putnam County Master Garden Plant Swap Call 653-8411

May 16: Festival of Flowers Paint Out 7 AM

May 16: Gardening Series T.C. Steele State Historic Site

May 19: Junior Leader Meeting, 7 PM, Fairgrounds

May 21: Putnam County Health Coalition 10 AM Extension Office

May 25: Office Closed for Memorial Day

May 30: Back in Thyme Garden Tour call 784-5671

June 6: Special Family Learn to Fish Class nrec@dnr.in.gov or 317-562-1338

June 9: Aquaculture Workshop 812-462-3371 or email luzar@purdue.edu

June 11: Exploring 4-H, 7 PM, Fairgrounds

June 25: Exploring 4-H, 7 PM, Fairgrounds

June 25: Junior Pork Quality Assurance Program, 6:30, Fairgrounds

July 9: Exploring 4-H, 1 PM, Fairgrounds

July 17-25 Putnam County Fair