LAKE COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM

Members have the opportunity to learn more about a subject matter that they choose to study through completing hands on activities. We refer to these as projects. In order to enroll in a project, members must sign up for them at the time of enrolling in 4-H. Each project has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level-this allows youth to build on their knowledge each year and continue to challenge their skills. Projects are meant to be worked on over time, providing an educational opportunity for youth outside of the classroom setting. Often times, youth will exhibit and display their project at the Lake County Fair in order to show the community what they have learned. 

Resources for State 4-H projects are available at: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/projects/index.html

August 27 (Thurs.)  Fair/Program Evaluation (Business Meeting if needed)

 September 17 (Thurs.)   Business Meeting:

         *Nominations Committee presents slate of at-large directors (for vote in October)

          *Prepare requests for geranium bids

          *Schedule next year’s meetings

          *Review project completions and drop/add projects and activities

          *Clarify how next month’s elections will work

 October 22 (Thurs.)    Business Meeting:

            *Election of directors, superintendents, and activity coordinators; all enrolled volunteers may vote 

            *Review proposed changes to projects/activities

            *Review geranium bids received/update geranium forms to distribute to clubs

            *Budget proposals due to Finance Committee (=treasurers of Horse & Pony and  Auction Board   treasurer, Board president)

             *Appoint Audit Committee to complete internal audit by March 

November 19 (Thurs.)    Business Meeting:

                *Elect officers

                 *Finance Committee presents proposed budget (including sub-committee budgets)

                 *Update list of sub-committees and assign chairpersons           

                 *Banquet Committee updates invitations/program/script

2026 Sponsor Form

Check Request County Committee 

Youth Protection Letter for Non-Purdue Guests

Record of Achievement Fill in Results

The 2026 Lake County 4-H Handbooks are here at the Extension Office and available for pick-up. If you are a current 4-H club member, please get the handbook from your club leader. One book per family please. If you have any questions, please call the Extension Office at 755-3240.

Looking for a 4-H Club to join?  Our clubs are open to all young people in grades K-12. Contact the Extension Office at 219-755-3240 for more information about these clubs or to learn how you can start a new club in your community!

Brunswick Beavers Thursday, 7:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Zion United Church of Christ, Dyer              
Club Leaders: Rose Kleine(kfarmrose@airbaud.net) 219-755-7370 and Janet Neitzel (the2lefty2@yahoo.com) 219-775-4001 

 
Eagle Creek Up + At’em Sunday, 4:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Rangeline Presbyterian Church, Hebron                                                                     Club Leader: Tracy Bult(tracybult31@yahoo.com) 219-742-9740


Griffith Grinners  Sunday, 3:00pm(monthly)     Meetings: Griffith First Christian Church, Griffith
Club Leader: Lisa Bubala(lisa6000@yahoo.com) 219-718-2181

  
Happy Wranglers Tuesday, 6:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Stone Ridge Training Center, Hebron                                                                              Club Leader: Barb DeWell(bdewell.bd@gmail.com) 219-789-0255

Hammond Explorers Saturday,time(TBA) Meetings: Hammond Public Library, Hammond                                                                                      Club Leader: Barbara Hinton  219-801-1201 

Hobart Hurricanes Monday, 6:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Joan Martin Elementary School, Hobart
Club Leader: Laura Clemons(laurazato@gmail.com) 219-669-5692

Juntos 4-H Meeting time(TBA)              Meetings: River Forest High School, Hobart
Club Leaders: Noemi Lozano and Allison Gnezda

Lake Co. 4-H Color Guard & Drill Team Meeting time(TBA)  Meetings: Lowell
Club Leader: Jennifer Bisig 219-942-0804

 
Prairie Pioneers,Sunday, 4:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Lowell VFW 6841, Lowell
Cub Leader: Lynette DuBord(lynette.dubord01@gmail.com) 219-746-3105
 

Prime Beefmakers,Sunday, 2:00pm(monthly)  Meetings: Schneider Community Center, Schneider
Club Leader: Heidi Laub(heidi.laub@yahoo.com) 219-776-9786

 
Robinson Prairie Fantasy Farmers (RPFF) Sunday, 5:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Bulldog Park, Crown Point
Club Leaders : Elaine Hein(echein@yahoo.com) 219-742-2687 and Sandi Gleason(srsg96@att.net)
 

Rockin’ Clovers  Friday, 6:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Community Baptist Church, St. John
Club Leader: Steven Shareef(rockinclovers@gmail.com) 219-351-0412 

 
Saddle + Spurs Wednesday, 6:00pm(monthly)    Meetings: Crown Point Public Library, Crown Point
 Club Leaders: Kristen Donaldson 219-306-1851 and Jill Bruhn 219-384-8641

 
Shelby Ag Tuesday, 6:00pm(monthly)  Meetings: Buckley Homestead, Lowell
Club Leader: Amber Miller(rarlpmiller06@gmail.com) 219-671-8695

 
St. John Spitfires Friday, 6:00pm(monthly)         Meetings: Crown Point
Club Leader: Stephanie Neal(tsneal2002@gmail.com) 219-308-5897
 

Tails and Trails  Tuesday, 6:00pm(monthly) Meetings: Lowell Public Library, Lowell
Club Leader: Anastasia Szostek 219-798-0723


The Lone Rangers Monday, 7:00pm(monthly)  Meetings: Four Seasons Equestrian Center, Crown Point
Club Leader: Kristina Shupryt(kristina.shupryt@gmail.com) 219-718-9776

 
The Seekers Friday,4:00pm(monthly)  Meetings: Faith Church, Cedar Lake
Club Leader: Angie Davids(adavids1121@gmail.com) 219-775-0835

 

4-H CLUB DEFINITION:  

A 4-H Club is an organized group of at least five youth from three different families who meet regularly with adult volunteers or staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences.

4-H CLUB PURPOSE:

The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development opportunities to meet the needs of young people to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity—the Essential Elements—and to foster educational opportunities tied to the Land Grant University knowledge base.  

4-H CLUB RESOURCES

                                                         Lake County 4-H Clover Connections

                                                              September/October 2026

                                                          A Note from the Extension Office 

Hello Lake County 4-H Families,

A brand-new 4-H year is right around the corner! In just a few weeks, enrollment will open and we’ll officially kick off another year of learning, leading, and growing together. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about the projects you’d like to explore, the goals you want to set, and the new opportunities you’re ready to try in 2026-2027.

This issue of Clover Connections will help you prepare for the year ahead with important dates, reminders, and ways to get involved. Whether you’re continuing with favorite projects or ready to try something new, we can’t wait to see all that our Lake County 4-H members will accomplish in the year to come.

Let’s get ready to make this the best 4-H year yet!

                                                           News & Announcements

State Fair Projects:

• There are still a few State Fair projects left that are needed to be picked up from the Extension Office. Please pick them up by Friday September 18th. The Extension Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.

Premiums:

• Premium checks have been mailed out to the 4-H members. Corrections must be reported to the Extension Office no later than October 1st. Please call the office at (219) 755-3240 Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm if any premiums and/ or ribbons that were awarded are incorrect. Reminder for everyone who receives either a premium check and/ or auction check needs to cash the check within 60 days.

 Hammond Explorers Open House:

• Hammond Explorers 4-H Club are hosting two open houses this fall. This is a great opportunity for current members to introduce their friends or other students in grades K-12 to everything 4-H has to offer. Whether they enjoy animals, science, art, cooking, gardening, or simply trying something new, there’s something for everyone in 4-H! Participants can enjoy hands-on activities while learning more about the opportunities available through 4-H. The open houses will take place this Saturday, September 12th and Saturday, October 10th from 1:00-3:00pm at the Hammond Public Library Community Room, located at 564 State Street, Hammond, IN. Come out, bring a friend, and help us grow 4-H in our community!

Memory Books:

• While memories of the past 4-H year are fresh, it’s a good time to make and submit a 4-H Memory Book. The guidelines are in the Lake County 4-H Handbook and each 4-H member can complete a book each year that they are members. This is an excellent opportunity for 4-Hers to take a look at their goals and achievements of the past year and for future years. It is an organized way to recall and record your many successes and favorite time of the past year. Every participant will receive an activity ribbon if they meet the requirements. The books are due in the Extension Office by November 1.

Member Completion Pins:

• Pins have been placed in the club mailboxes. All Administrative Leaders should pick them up and distribute to club members that have completed another year in 4-H. Thank you Lake County Farm Bureau and Lake County 4-H Club Committee for the sponsorship to purchase the pins.

                                                           2026 Awards

We would like to congratulate all of our outstanding 4-H members who were recognized with 2026 4-H Awards! These young leaders have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, citizenship, and achievement throughout their 4-H experience.

Ambassador Winners

• Royal Ambassador: Leah Pozen, Prairie Pioneers; Annalise Neal, St. John Spitfires
• Leadership Ambassador: Claire Donaldson, Saddle & Spurs
• Citizenship Ambassador: Garret Neal, St. John Spitfires
• High Point Ambassador: Fawwaz Shareef, Rockin Clovers

Special County Award Winners

• Junior Leaders: Annalise Neal, St. John Spitfires
• Horse and Pony: Abigail Bisig, Tails and Trails
• Entomology: Zahrah Shareef, Rockin Clovers
• Goat: Addison Segert, Prairie Pioneers; Mikayla Klopp, Prairie Pioneers
• Livestock: Mikayla Klopp, Prairie Pioneers; Elaina Berrones, Tails and Trails
• Science: Zahrah Shareef, Rockin Clovers
• Home Environment: Annalise Neal, St. John Spitfires

Middle School Award Winners

• Overall: Evan Davids, The Seekers
• Leadership: Melody Downs, Rockin Clovers
• Citizenship: Violet Millett, Prairie Pioneers
• Science: Evan Davids, The Seekers
• Home Environment: Melody Downs, Rockin Clovers

We are proud of each of these 4-H members and the hard work, commitment, and enthusiasm they have shown throughout the year. Congratulations to all of our 2026 award winners! Your accomplishments are something to celebrate, and we look forward to seeing all that you continue to achieve through 4-H!

We would also like to give a special thanks to all of our sponsors: Lake County Farm Bureau Inc., Farm Credit Mid-America, Deep River Farms, Griffith Tri-Kappa, Bailey Veterinarian Service, Saddle and Spurs 4-H Club, Hawthorne Arbor of Gleaners, Sheehy Well Pump Co. Inc, Janice Williams, Zamir and Rafia Hasan, Lake County 4-H Club Committee, and State Women’s Committee of Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. — for their generous support of the 2026 4-H awards and their continued investment in our 4-H youth.

                                                          Lake County 4-H Jr. Leader Officers

• Leaders is open to ALL 4-H members in 7th-12th grades. Parents, please encourage your youth to participate with the Lake County Junior Leader Organization this is a great opportunity for youth all over the county to get together, have fun, and learn new things! We would like to congratulate our 2026-2027 Jr. Leader officers.
  • President – Leah Pozen, Prairie Pioneers
  • Vice President – Garrett Neal, St. John Spitfires
  • Secretary – Zahrah Shareef, Rockin Clovers
  • Treasurer – Annalise Neal, St. John Spitfires
  • County Committee Reps – Wilson Orange, Shelby Ag
    • Katelyn Smith, Saddle & Spurs
  • Recreation Leaders – Caroline Spaniol, Prairie Pioneers
    • Jenna Miller, Griffith Grinners

                                                          Upcoming September 4-H Workshops

Day at Sandy Oak Ranch

• Join us for Lake County 4-H Day at Sandy Oak Ranch on Saturday, September 19th from 10:00am–4:00pm at Sandy Oak Ranch located at 1144 W 700 N, Lake Village, IN. Admission is $10 per person, with last entry at 3:00 p.m. Enjoy animal feeding, photo opportunities, project ideas, door prizes, and more! To register, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4EADA72CA7FD0-65676683-lake

Insect and Forestry ID Workshop:

• Want to learn about insects throughout their life cycle and expand your forestry knowledge by identifying trees? Join us on Tuesday September 29th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm at Jim’s Repair Service located at 11900 Wicker Ave for grades 3-12. If you have any questions, please contact Lin Wozniewski at lwozniewski@gmail.com.

                                                         Upcoming October 4-H Workshops

Insect and Forestry ID Workshop:

• Want to learn about insects throughout their life cycle and expand your forestry knowledge by identifying trees? Join us on Tuesday October 6th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm at Jim’s Repair Service located at 11900 Wicker Ave for grades 3-12. If you have any questions, please contact Lin Wozniewski at lwozniewski@gmail.com.

                                                        Save The Dates:

Wild about 4-H Kickoff Open House:

• Purdue Extension–Lake County is kicking off the 2026-2027 4-H year with an exciting afternoon full of fun, friends, and opportunities to discover what 4-H is all about. Both new and existing 4-H members and their families are invited to join us! Come discover how 4-H helps kids build confidence, learn new skills, make lifelong friends, and have fun along the way. We are excited to welcome Humane Indiana as our special guest for this event! The kickoff will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Purdue Extension–Lake County Office, located at 2291 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN. Whether they are ready to jump into 4-H for the first time or are returning for another year of adventures, there is something for everyone! Come meet new friends, explore exciting opportunities, and kick off the new 4-H year with us. We can’t wait to see you there and get WILD about 4-H!

                                                       Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 9/22 – Jr. Leaders Call Out Meeting, Lake County Fairgrounds, 6:00pm

Wednesday, 9/23 – County Committee Meeting, Extension Office, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Thursday, 10/1 – Record of Achievements Due 

Thursday, 10/1 – 4-H Enrollment Opens

Thursday, 10/1 – Horse and Pony Meeting, Extension Office, 6:30pm

Wednesday, 10/7 – Purdue Extension Open House, Extension Office, 5:00-7:00pm

Sunday, 10/11 – 4-H Kickoff, Extension Office, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Thursday, 10/22 - County Committee Meeting, Extension Office, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Tuesday, 10/27 – Jr. Leaders Meeting, Extension Office, 6:00pm

PLEASE NOTE!

Make sure you have the dates above are on your calendar! The Extension Office will be closed on the following dates:

October 12th – Columbus Day

If you have any club or project information that you’d like to share in the weekly email, please let 4-H Secretary Roz Adams rdcoleman@purdue.edu know by the 15th day of each month.

Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend a program, please contact or Jennifer Haynes or Kasey Wilhoit at least 2 weeks before the event at (219) 755-3240 and jhaynes7@purdue.edu or kwilhoi@purdue.edu.

For special dietary needs please contact Jennifer Haynes or Kasey Wilhoit at least 2 weeks before the event at (219) 755-3240 and jhaynes7@purdue.edu or kwilhoi@purdue.edu.

If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Jennifer Haynes or Kasey Wilhoit at least 2 weeks before the event at (219) 755-3240 and jhaynes7@purdue.edu or kwilhoi@purdue.edu.

A 4-H volunteer is anyone that wants to be involved in our 4-H program. We have a variety of involvement opportunities available. The time commitment and area of interest vary for each individual. All volunteers must pass a background check and participate in training through Purdue Extension. For more information on becoming a volunteer, contact the Extension Office to speak with Jennifer Haynes at 219-755-3240 or jhaynes7@purdue.edu

Policies & Procedures are available: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/about/policies-and-procedures/index.html