Putnam 4-H'ers 'Fair' well at state level

An example of the many fun occasions in being a 4-H Youth Educator is when a parent calls and reports the success of a 4-Her at the Indiana State Fair. Emma Hiigel, is one such example, as she had the 2009 Indiana State Fair Champion Dairy Goat Wether. Emma, age 11 is shown with her goat and her brother Coby, age 4, who is sporting her plaque. This is the first year that the dairy goat wethers have been shown separately and not with the meat breeds like the Boer goats. Emma and her family were pleasantly surprised and elated with the outcome last week.

Putnam County 4-Hers have certainly had success at the 2009 Indiana State Fair. A 4-Her may participate in more than 75 projects or demonstrations locally where 4-Hers can exhibit at the county fair or otherwise locally. Some county 4-H projects are also Indiana State Fair projects where others are not and vice-versa.

As of August 20, more than 340 different 4-H projects and demonstrations had been exhibited by Putnam County youth at the 2009 Indiana State Fair. Putnam County had been represented in at least 47 of the more than 75 project and demonstration areas provided by the Indiana State Fair.

Competency should always be stressed over competition as the primary value of the 4-H program. "Merit" ribbons are placed on the very best of the blue ribbon projects. One has to perform very well to receive a merit ribbon. Of the more than 340 projects taken to the Indiana State Fair by Putnam County 4-H youth, a total of 23 received "merit" ribbons and 149 received blue ribbons. In the "Sale of Champions" conducted by the Indiana State Fair, Putnam County 4-Her's held two of these 24 coveted spots. Congratulations go to Taylor Zaring and Kristen Fordice for their Champion Plate of Tomatoes and Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Barrow, respectively, that sold in this sale. This is the first year that the plate of tomatoes was in the sale as it replaced the Grand Champion Honey. Interestingly, had this change not been made, Putnam County would have still had two of the 24 spots in the Sale of Champions. Tyler Heavin from Putnam County would have been able to sell his honey as he received that award this year. Congratulations to all of these Putnam County 4-Hers.

One can go to the website www.four-h.purdue.edu and click on "State Fair" at the top menu to see how Putnam County or other 4-Her's have performed at the 2009 Indiana State Fair. One can search by project, county, or name. There are also pictures for individuals to view at this website as well.

Remember to check our website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up to date info. Also all interested in the Putnam County 4-H program are encouraged to join the Putnam County 4-H Facebook group. 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

Aug. 25: Extension Homemakers District Meeting at McCormick's Creek State Park

Aug. 25: Junior Leader Event Postponed

Aug. 26-27: Drainage 101, Indy

Sept. 1-3: Farm Progress Show, Decatur, IL

Sept. 2: Natural Resource Enterprise Workshops, Linden (Mont. Co.)

Sept. 3: Forage Management Field Day, West Lafayette

Sept. 4: 4-H My Record of Achievement Due

Sept. 10: Master Naturalist 8 Week Program, Ivy Tech, Terre Haute, 6-9 PM

Sept. 14: Extension Homemaker Lesson-Rice is Nice, 1:00 p.m., Extension Office

Sept. 15: Energy Conservation Program, Rockville, 6 pm