4-H online enrollment open through Jan. 15

Thursday, January 9, 2020

By MARK EVANS, 4-H Youth Educator

Indiana online 4-H enrollment has been open since Oct. 1 and remains open through Jan. 15 for all projects to be available. 4-H is a premier source of enjoyable, educational programs to help youth reach their full potential.

Enrollment is easier than ever with the 4-H online system at https://in.4honline.com, as one may also use a handheld or tablet device. Moreover, for those previously enrolled, you will find the info already rolled over to quickly edit and accept personal information from last year’s enrollment.

New to 4-H and asking what is a “project” often referenced by 4-H? Putnam County has nearly 75 projects and activities which one may complete. A project simply references a topic that one wants to study or to complete associated activities, and ultimately show off what was learned through accomplishments via an exhibit at the county fair. Every project can be associated with a life skill and/or a career.

Indiana 4-H is the state’s largest youth development program for grades 3-12, reaching more than 200,000 youth in all 92 counties. 4-H youth development educators in each Purdue Extension county office coordinate local activities.

In Putnam County, approved adult volunteers teach young people specific skills related to a wide variety of subjects through hands-on, or experiential, learning. Youth also develop leadership and citizenship skills by participating in one or more of Putnam County’s 30-plus organized 4-H clubs. Subjects include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); agriculture; citizenship; healthy living; art; consumer and family sciences; and more.

In 2013, a Tufts University study showed that 4-H members also excel in positive youth development areas compared to peers, including:

• Four times more likely to contribute to their communities (grades 7-12).

• Two times more likely to make healthier choices (grade 7).

• Two times more likely to be civically active (grades 8-12).

• Two times more likely to participate in extracurricular STEM programs (grades 10-12).

The Jan. 15 enrollment window is to enroll the child online at https://in.4honline.com or by visiting the Purdue Extension office, located at 152 E. Columbia St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. The office closes for lunch at the noon hour except for Tuesday and Thursday.

One may also mail payment to Purdue Extension Putnam County, 12 Central Square, Greencastle, IN 46135. Please reference the child(ren)’s names in the reference area of the check.

There is a $25 program fee per child which includes the $15 Indiana 4-H program fees. For those in livestock, there will be additional enrollment needs at later dates. One may drop or add projects through May 15. Archery, dog and horse and pony projects will close on or shortly after Jan. 15 so leaders may continue to progress through activities due to the building of content in the activities.

If one is interested in Exploring 4-H for second-graders, it is best to sign up using the paper enrollment form and pay the $5 fee via mail or the office. If signing up online, do not pay the fee there as it is set only for the $25 fee for the regular 4-H program. Only select “mini 4-H” and pay later if signing up online. Extension staff will be conducting school visits and sending home info for Exploring 4-Hers during early January. There are seven mini or Exploring 4-H project options compared to nearly 75 for the regular 4-H program.

For more information about specific 4-H subjects in Putnam County or the 4-H program in general, visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to learn more. For questions about Putnam County 4-H, contact Mark Evans, 4-H Youth Development Extension educator, Kim Beadles, 4-H youth program assistant or Kristy Straziscar, office team manager, for help.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office at 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. 14 – Winter walking group, DePauw indoor track, 9 a.m.

Jan. 16 – Cultivating Your Farmers Market Knowledge – Night 1, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office. Cost is $20, register at http://www.cvent.com/d/chqszv.

Jan. 21 – Winter walking group, DePauw indoor track, 9 a.m.

Jan. 23 – Extension/SWCD annual meeting, Putnam County Fairgrounds, purchase tickets at Extension Office.

Jan. 23 – Bi-State Gardening Conference, The Beef House, 5:30 p.m., $25, register at https://go.illinois.edu/GardenConf.

Jan. 25 – 4-H Grows Knowledge Workshop, Cloverdale High School. Call Extension office to RSVP.