4-H deadlines nearing

Monday, March 12, 2012

Where can youth learn life skills and work to master knowledge by selecting from more than 70 topics that include shooting sports, scrapbooking, photography, sewing, aerospace, ATV safety, small engines, and model building crafts?

The answer is 4-H! Enrollment forms may be found on the Purdue Extension Putnam County website listed below and new this year is online enrollment where you may both enroll and pay online. Youth grades 3 through 12 are welcomed to join 4-H and are reminded that the deadline to enroll is April 2 this year since the usual April 1 deadline falls on a Sunday. Some projects may have openings after that date. It is best to get signed up now to assure availability of all projects.

The 4-H program is more than the important lessons learned from showing livestock or farm activities that come to mind with most individuals as it is a misnomer that one must have animals or be on a farm to enroll in 4-H. The 2012 Handbooks are now available online, via CD or $3 by hardcopy in the Extension office which detail all project offerings.

Besides the project features of 4-H, there are many trips, awards and scholarship aspects. The 4-H Science Workshops occur during June and cover a variety of topics ranging from aerospace-computer science-electric-engineering-entomology-food science-plant science-animal science and finally veterinary science. The animal science portion covers nine species and includes aquatic science. The veterinary science workshop has both a large and a small animal option. There are three options of horticulture, agronomy and Mission to Mars in the plant science workshop.

Also there is 4-H Roundup where 4-H'ers learn leadership development and team building activities. There is sponsorship for these workshops to assist with at least ½ of the registration fees. Most of these workshops are three-day events that occur at Purdue, West Lafayette.

Therefore, regardless of whether one is a Purdue fan, one can experience being on a large university campus and gain that valuable experience. After having a sponsor paying one-half the fee, the cost for most of these events are $85 or less. The state band and state chorus workshops have slightly higher fees but are also additional options for 4-H'ers.

Any 4-H'er interested in the 2012 trips or workshops should indicate by marking the enrollment form appropriately or contacting the Extension office. To have increased opportunity for sponsorship, please have your enrollment into the Extension office by April 1st.

Those 4-H'ers in grades 7-12 are also eligible to join Junior Leaders and the next meeting is April 3rd at 7 p.m. at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Junior Leaders is a project where youth return the favors of others who have gone before them in terms of providing assistance and encouragement to younger 4-H'ers. This special group may apply to become camp counselors, serve as junior superintendents during project judging at county fair, and most importantly learn by conducting service learning projects and solving community problems in a team atmosphere. Leadership development roles are provided.

Meetings have already started and congratulations to officers who have been elected as follows: Co-presidents, Jessie McKean and Ali Torr; Vice-presidents, Mikayla Cherry and Kady McKean ; Co-secretaries, Miriah Cherry and Jake Robertson; Co-treasurers, Bailey Goff and Mitchell Williams; Recreation and Song Leaders, Kyle Cunningham, Tori Kiste and Kristen Rudolph; Historians & News reporters, Brianna Bryant and Trevor Sheldon; and Parliamentarians, Hunter Overbay and Emma Taylor. Congratulations to all of these officers. The wonderful feature of Junior Leaders, unlike many adult organizations, is that individual's do step forward seeking the officer roles rather than being coerced!

Check www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up to date info. 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

Today -- E. H. Leader Lesson, "Nutrition and Cancer", at Extension Office, 1 pm

March 12 -- Indiana Master Naturalist Program -- Park County

March 13 -- E.H. Program Planning meeting, at Extension Office, 7 pm

March 14 - E. H. Spring District Meeting in Terre Haute

March 15 -- GAPs workshop in Parke County

March 20 -- West Central Indiana Lawn Care and Landscape Preseason Tune-up -- Montgomery Co.

March 20 -- Cooking Up a Food Business in the Home Kitchen -- Putnam Extension Office

March 22 -- Farmers Market Boot Camp Series (Safety Plans and Liability Issues) -- Indianapolis

April 3 -- 4-H Junior Leader Meeting, Fairgrounds, 7 pm

Registration is now open for Spring 2012 Dining with Diabetes classes, contact Extension Office

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