4-H online enrollment window open through Jan. 15

Indiana online 4-H enrollment has been open in Putnam County since Oct. 1 and remains open through Jan. 15,.

4-H is a premier source of enjoyable, educational programs to help youth reach their full potential. Enrollment is easier than ever with the 4-H online system, https://in.4honline.com as one may also use a hand held or tablet device. And for those who enrolled last year, you will find the info already rolled over for this year such that you can make changes or quickly accept personal information and enrollment info from last year.

Indiana 4-H is the state's largest youth development program for grades 3-12, reaching more than 200,000 youth in all 92 counties. 4-H Youth Development Educators in each Purdue Extension county office coordinate local activities.

In Putnam County, approved adult volunteers teach young people specific skills related to a wide variety of subjects through hands-on, experiential learning. Youth also develop leadership and citizenship skills by participating in one or more of Putnam County's thirty plus organized 4-H Clubs. Subjects include: science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); agriculture; citizenship; healthy living; art; consumer and family sciences; and more. In 2013, a Tufts University study showed that 4-H members also excel in positive youth development areas compared to peers, including:

-- Four times more likely to contribute to their communities (grades 7-12).

-- Two times more likely to make healthier choices (grade 7).

-- Two times more likely to be civicly active (grades 8-12).

-- Two times more likely to participate in extracurricular STEM programs (grades 10-12).

Now, the new 4-H Online system makes it even more convenient to offer enrollment, event registration, calendars and secure payment online.

Youth may be enrolled in Putnam County 4-H by Jan. 15 online at https://in.4honline.com or by visiting the Purdue Extension Putnam County office located at the street address of 152 E. Columbia St., Greencastle, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. The office closes for lunch on the noon hour except remains open on Tuesday and Thursday.

One may also print and mail the form and payment to Purdue Extension Putnam County, 12 Central Square, Greencastle, IN 46135. There is a $25 program fee per child which includes the $15 Indiana 4-H program fees.

If one is interested in Exploring 4-H for second-graders only as of Jan. 1, it is best to sign up using our paper enrollment form and pay the $5 fee via mail or the office.

If signing up online do not pay the fee there as it is set only for the $25 fee for the regular 4-H program. Only sign up for mini 4-H and pay later if signing up online. Extension staff will be conducting school visits and sending home info for Exploring 4-H'ers in the next few weeks. There are just seven mini or Exploring 4-H project options compared to nearly 75 for the regular 4-H program.

For more information about specific 4-H subjects in Putnam County or the 4-H program in general, visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to learn more.

If you have questions about Putnam County 4-H, contact Mark Evans, 4-H Youth Development Extension educator, Kim Beadles, 4-H Youth Program assistant or Kristy Straziscar, office team manager at 653-8411 for help.

Upcoming events

Jan. 4 -- Extension Office reopens after holiday.

Jan. 5 -- Succession planning webinar, noon, register at ag.purdue.edu/Extension/wia/Pages/webinars.aspx.

Jan. 11 -- Volunteer program 4-H, Extension Office, 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 -- Volunteer program 4-H, Extension Office, 9:30 a.m.

Jan. 12-13 -- Succession Planning Workshop, Seymour, $150 per family, call 219-984-5115 to register

Jan. 15 -- Enrollment deadline for 4-H.

Jan. 20 -- Hay program 2016, Martinsville, $30 to get hay tested. Call 765-342-1010 for more info/register.

Jan. 28 -- Gardening Conference, Beef House Restaurant, $20, 6-9 p.m. Call 765-762-3231 to register.

Jan. 31 -- Registration deadline "4-H Grows Knowledge" clinic.