National 4-H Week and Paper Clover campaign arrive

For the 76th consecutive year, millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week from Oct. 7-13.

This year’s theme, Inspire Kids to Do, is a campaign that will give kids more opportunities to do, empowering them with the skills they need to succeed in life and career.

The 4-H organization was founded on the belief that when kids are empowered to pursue their passions and chart their own course, their unique skills grow and take shape, helping them to become true leaders in their lives, careers and communities.

Once again the 4-H enrollment window for all of Indiana’s grade 3-12 youth will occur between Oct. 1 and Jan. 15 to assure the availability of all project activities. One may enroll by going to in.4honline.com and additional information will be posted during the month on the local Purdue Extension Putnam County website. Specific exhibit details will be provided by January. Additionally, Extension staff will be conducting school visits to all third-grade classrooms throughout the county in October and November.

Also in conjunction with National 4-H Week, like all Tractor Supply Stores (TSC), locally the TSC store will host the Fall Paper Clover event in the store and online during Oct. 3-14. The Putnam 4-H program thanks the local store management for this ongoing promotion and the funds that support local 4-H youth. Customers for $1 may purchase a paper clover and place names, etc. on the clover to be posted in the store.

As a reminder, 90 percent of the funds raised are returned to the local 4-H program to support youth/teen participation in leadership or camping opportunities. These include Teens as Teacher training, 4-H Camp, 4-H Roundup, 4-H Academy and other statewide 4-H activities and can include transportation expenses.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic 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.

Upcoming events

Oct. 7-13 -- National 4-H Week.

Oct. 8 -- Extension Office closed for Columbus Day.

Oct. 10 – On Local Government, Extension Office, 11 a.m.

Oct. 18 – Thinking Through Your Family Finances webinar, noon. RSVP at https://ag.purdue.edu/Extension/wia/Pages/webinars.aspx

Oct. 29 – Junior Leader kickoff, 3-D Bowl, 6 p.m.

Nov. 4 – Putnam 4-H Awards and Volunteer Recognition Program, Fairgrounds, 2 p.m.

Nov. 10 – 4-H Leadership Summit Register by Oct. 22 at http://www.cvent.com/d/wbqjg4.