Menu
Exploring 4-H for grade 2 kicks off in March
Eligibility in the regular 4-H program necessitates one must be in grades 3 through 12 as of Jan. 1 of the current year. However, second-graders can get a taste of 4-H by signing up for the Exploring 4-H program.
Exploring 4-H is a program for children who are not yet old enough for 4-H. Any boy or girl in the second grade as of Jan. 1 of the current year is eligible.
This year to plan appropriately for COVID safety guidelines, we really need to have everyone sign up ahead of time so planning can occur. There will be two meetings leading to a field day during the summer months for Exploring 4-H’ers and ultimately project exhibition during the Putnam County 4-H Fair during July 23-30.
With help from the Junior Leaders, the meetings include an introduction to the 4-H program, individual project instruction, recreation and a snack. Additionally, the youth in this program typically have entered their own float in the fair parade, which will likely occur again this year if the group so desires.
Project choices for Exploring 4-H youth include collections, crafts, drawing, farm animals, foods, photography and wildlife. Collections, photography and wildlife are poster projects, while drawing is submitting a framed picture. Foods involves entering no-bake cookies, and crafts is hands-on construction creating a small standing or hanging exhibit.
Information and registration forms were sent home with all second-grade school students during mid-January in connection with school visits.
Parents may sign up their second-graders now for one of seven projects. Enrollment is simple. The cost is five dollars and forms are available at the office or online at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to download.
The first meeting will be between 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 4 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds in the York Automotive Community Building. Other meetings occur on April 22 and the field day will be on June 30.
The meetings are typically 6-7 p.m., the field day is during the afternoon starting at 1 p.m. and all events are at the fairgrounds. Project check-in at the fair will be July 21 any time between 4-7 p.m. and the Fun at the Fair scavenger hunt will be at 5:30 p.m. on July 28.
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.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 25 – Midwest Women in Ag conference - virtual - $40, register at https://tinyurl.com/2021MWIA
Feb. 28 – Feb. 28 – Eating More Heart-Healthy cooking demo, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.
March 4 – Exploring 4-H kickoff, York Automotive Building, 6 p.m., please pre-register
March 15 – Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options - virtual series - $25, register at https://tinyurl.com/2021APKnow
April 2 – Extension/county offices closed for Good Friday holiday