4-H livestock deadline day is May 15

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

By MARK EVANS, County Extension Director

Mark Evans

There are many dates set for registrations and sign-up for various 4-H activities. While many have flexibility, one that is not flexible is the livestock enrollment deadline and some of the state and national trips.

All 4-H animals and livestock must be entered into 4honline by May 15. When hundreds of people wait until the last minute, sometimes the online portal can be slow. You don’t need to wait until the last day and go ahead and enter your animals/livestock with ID and other info. Pay close attention to page 48 in the Putnam County 4-H handbook with the animal identification requirements. Several species must have DNA hair samples if one wants these animals to be eligible for the Indiana State Fair.

Also, save yourself time and remember livestock only needs to be entered once. For example, if you have two 4-H’ers in the same family with six head of a species between the two kids, just enter each animal once as siblings can show each other’s animals. Specifically, if three barrows are entered under a sister and three gilts entered under a brother, all six animals would be eligible for either sibling to decide to show. When FairEntry.com entries are declared closer to fair, all six would be available for the siblings to select from to decide who shows which animal.

The Putnam 4-H Council will pay half of 4-H members registrations for state trips. Out-of-county 4-H Camp and state trips like 4-H Round-Up, 4-H Academy and the 4-H Junior Leader conference are due soon (sign up using 4honline events). Here is a rundown:

• 4-H Academy – Wednesday, June 7– Friday, June 9; Purdue University; grades 9-12 completed; 15 career exploration workshops available; registration deadline is May 15. www.bit.ly/in4hacademy

• State 4-H Junior Leader Conference – Tuesday, June 13-Friday, June 16; DePauw University; grades 9-12 completed; registration due by May 15. Facebook: @4HSJLC purdue.ag/4hsjlc

• State 4-H Band and Chorus – Saturday, June 24–Monday, June 26; Purdue University; perform during 4-H Round-Up; grades 9-12 completed; registration deadline is May 1. http://bit.ly/inband4h http://bit.ly/in4hchorus

• 4-H Round-Up – Monday, June 26–Wednesday, June 28; Purdue University; grades 7-9 completed; registration deadline is June 1. www.bit.ly/in4hroundup

• National 4-H Youth Congress – Friday, Nov. 24-Tuesday, Nov. 28; Atlanta, Ga.; grades 9-plus; application due May 1. www.purdue.ag/national4hcongress

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local office at 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Evening and lunch appointments are available upon request. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs.

Upcoming Events

May 15 – All 4-H livestock/animal registrations must be entered in 4honline (firm deadline)

May 15 – Deadline for 4-H Academy and state Junior Leader conference

May 6 – Extension Homemakers garage sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Putnam County Fairgrounds, York Automotive Building

May 6 – Plant auction, Putnam County Fairgrounds, goat barn, starts at 10 a.m.