4-H Grows Knowledge event slated for Cloverdale on Feb. 23

The annual 4-H Grows Knowledge workshop for 4-H volunteers, Junior Leaders and current or prospective judges at 4-H or other events is slated for Saturday, Feb. 23 at Cloverdale High School.

Both 4-H members and volunteers may sign up for the workshop using the same website in.4honline.com used to enroll for the local 4-H program. If one is a judge, one may initiate a new profile in 4honline using the same website above as a contact and also sign up for the workshop. Cost for the workshop is $20 and includes lunch, programs and other materials.

Topics for volunteers, 4-H club officers and Junior Leaders include civic engagement, nature of teaching, teens as teachers, Monroe County Makers Team, incorporating art, Vermillion County Google Team, making meetings fun, innovative STEM and more.

Those wanting to get started in the role of serving as a judge or who are already a judge have the topics of do you want to be a judge, explore the sticky situations of judging, tips or tricks for open judging, and best judging practices. Other sessions include a special needs panel, citizenship and community service topics.

Each county has volunteers who conduct and assist with 4-H and other programs. These volunteers are carefully reviewed by Extension staff on an individualized basis and approved by the county Extension educator. Any volunteer application presenting an instance of inappropriate behavior with minors would be declined. Anyone working with 4-H youth as a volunteer must complete the 4-H volunteer screening process prior to serving in the role.

The 4-H Grows Knowledge workshop is intended to help 4-H volunteers and youth leaders grow personally and to help foster those who would like to serve as judges. Judges are not considered 4-H volunteers and are typically placed on a list of prospective judges for county staff to contact. Most county organizations pay a small nominal fee for the service of judges coming to judge projects at the county fair.

Putnam County 4-H could certainly utilize more volunteers for SPARK programs that consist of six hours of skill development for youth related to a particular topic. Opportunities include but are not limited to fashion, savings and investment, child care, car care, fishing, campfire cooking, welding and DIY (do it yourself plumb, electrical, etc.). These could also be after school, evening or weekend programs. We would love to have individuals with expertise in these or other areas to invest only six hours over the coming months share their knowledge to inspire youth.

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

Jan. 31 – Putnam 4-H Leader/volunteer meeting, Extension Office, 6 p.m.

Feb. 12 – Cultivating Your Farmers Market Knowledge – Night 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 – Youth Quality Care Animals program, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m. Signup https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login

Feb. 20 – Exploring 4-H (Mini 4-H grade 2) kickoff, Fairgrounds, 6-7 p.m.

Feb. 20 – Junior Leader meeting, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

Feb. 23 – 4-H Grows Knowledge Workshop, Cloverdale High School, 9 a.m.

March 12 – Cultivating Your Farmers Market Knowledge – Night 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.