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Exploring 4-H for second grade kicks off Feb. 29
Eligibility in the regular 4-H program necessitates one must be in grades 3-12 as of Jan. 1 of the current year. However, second-graders can get a taste of 4-H by signing up for Exploring 4-H, or the Mini 4-H program.
Exploring 4-H is a program for children who are not yet old enough for 4-H. Any youth in the second grade as of Jan. 1 of the current year is eligible.
There will be three 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 19-26. 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, entomology, farm animals, foods, photography and wildlife. Collections, photography and wildlife are poster projects, drawing is submitting a framed picture, foods involve entering no-bake cookies and crafts is hands-on construction creating a small standing or hanging exhibit. A model of an ant that the youth assemble is the entomology exhibit option, while those doing farm animals will use a shoe box to make an animal-themed diorama.
Information and registration forms were sent home with all second-grade school students during recent school visits.
Parents may sign up their second-graders now by selecting one of the eight projects. Enrollment is simple. The cost is $10 and forms are available at the office, or one may enroll online at https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in and pay with a credit card there as well, or with cash or a check at the first meeting.
The first meeting will be between 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds in the York Automotive Building. Other meetings will occur on March 27 and April 29, and the field day will be on June 18.
The meetings are typically 6-7 p.m. and 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 16 anytime between 4-7 p.m., and the Fun at the Fair scavenger hunt will be at 5:30 p.m. on July 24. It is fine if one misses a meeting, as that should not keep one from participating.
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 ensure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 22 – Ag Women Engage Conference, Fort Wayne, $100, register at https://purdue.link/AWE2024
Feb. 27 and March 5 – Navigating Farmland Inheritance webinar series, 12-2 p.m., $25 per household/farm, register at https://cvent.me/EPBQ0D
Feb 29 – Mini 4-H second grade kickoff, 6 p.m., York Automotive Building, Putnam County Fairgrounds
March 6 – Breakfast with a Forester, 8-10 a.m., Fairway Family Restaurant, register at 653-5716, ext. 3
March 5, 7, 12, 14 - Emergency Preparedness for Rural Families, 5:30-8:30 p.m., register at https://wia.unl.edu/prep