Harris Hall wants folks to enter exhibits

Sunday, June 5, 2016

This year at the 2016 Putnam County 4-H Fair, think about entering an exhibit in the Horticulture Building, Harris Hall.

You don't need to have a rabbit or a cow or a pig to show at the fair. You probably already have something you could exhibit at Harris Hall.

Look in your yard. Are there any flowers blooming? Are you raising any vegetables? Maybe some herbs? Excellent. You're halfway there already.

Problem No. 1: I haven't the faintest idea where to start.

Solution: Everything you need to know is in the Harris Hall 2016 booklet: Dates, times, things to enter, what to do.

You can download the 2016 Harris Hall booklet by going to http://extension.purdue.edu/Putnam, then click on Purdue Extension -- Putnam County Quick Links, and lastly click on 2016 Harris Hall Booklet. Or you can go to the Extension Office at 152 E. Columbia St. in Greencastle and pick up a copy of the booklet.

Problem No. 2: I don't have anything in my garden that could win.

Solution: Who cares? Only one person's entry wins. The rest always have a blast just participating.

Problem No. 3: I wouldn't know how to enter anything.

Solution: No problem. Harris Hall is manned by Putnam County Master Gardeners. Look for people in green aprons. They'll help you every step of the way.

Problem No. 4: I'm no gardening expert.

Solution: So what. Every single gardener starts out as a rookie. The cool thing is, Harris Hall is manned by Master Gardeners who love talking to people about plants and gardening. If you want to learn, just ask.

Problem No. 5: I don't know...

Solution: Start small. Consult the book. Then go outside and see what's already in your garden. Maybe you'll decide to enter just one category. How about exhibiting a single daylily or perhaps some tomatoes? The Master Gardener people at Harris Hall are so helpful, even the first-time rookie will be glad to be participating.

Over the years, it's been said the Putnam County Fair horticulture show is one of the best in the state, with many more entries, and a lot more participants. The people who work in Harris Hall -- almost all of them are Master Gardeners -- love what they do. Come meet them, and be part of things.

Fair warning though: Once you take the plunge and exhibit something at Harris Hall, you'll find yourself planning for next year, and the next, and the next ...

Persons who have any questions may call the Purdue Extension Putnam County at 653-8411. The ag and natural resource educator for Putnam County is Jenna Nees, at smith535@purdue.edu.

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