morgan county 4-h Connection 2026 spring edition

Hey, Mini 4-H Members! 

There are several fun animal workshops and shows that you are invited to be part of in 4-H.  The information below outlines the Mini Animal Classes for the county fair that will give you some practice and familiarity with animals that interest you.  It is your responsibility to contact the superintendent of the species you want to try.  They will connect you with another 4-H’er who can help you learn about their animal.  They will assist you on show day as well.  Please don’t wait to contact the superintendent.  Also, take a look at the Pet Parade (July 12^th) and Rabbit Round Up (July 16^th for second grade members who will be in third grade this coming school year).  As always, contact the Extension Office if you have questions.

CAT- CASEY STARNES, SUPERINTENDENT 765-516-3028 starnes951@comcast.net 

DATES: 4/29 & 6/24   TIME:  7PM      @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

DOG-CASEY HONKOMP  513-259-6510 caseymartin@yahoo.com 

DATES: 4/30; 5/7;5/14; 5/28;6/4;6/18  TIME:  6-6:30PM      @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

GOAT- PATTY DOW,SUPERINTENDENT  765-537-2010 pdow@aol.com 

DATES: 5/20; 6/3; 6/17   TIME: 6:30-8:30PM    @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

HORSE LEADLINE- JANELLE LASLEY, SUPERINTENDENT 765-346-2923 jsomerville@hotmail.com

DATES: 5/5; 5/19; 6/1  TIME: 5:30PM

LLAMA- KIM BROCK, SUPERINTENDENT 765-721-7089  brock0kim@gmail.com

DATES: 4/6;4/20; 5/4;5/18;6/8;6/22  TIME: TBD    @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

POULTRY- MONICA HAMILTON, SUPERINTENDENT 317-697-6507 mmavhamilton@gmail.com

DATE: 5/16  TIME: 11AM-1PM    @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

RABBIT- VICKIE GRAVES, SUPERINTENDENT 812-325-4829   vgraves@iu.edu  

DATE: 5/30        TIME: 1:30-3:30PM    @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

SMALL ANIMALS - DIANA HART TIELKING, SUPERINTENDENT  317-412-7242 dsahart@hotmail.com 

DATE:    TBD       TIME:   TBD   @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

SWINE-  2ND GRADE ONLY         JEREMY AMOS, SUPERINTENDENT   317-945-7234  jamos102977@gmail.com

DATE:  TBD          TIME:    TBD   @ MORGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

McCormick’s Creek Forestry and Geology Workshop April 25^th 10:00 am Forestry and 12:30 pm Geology

In the 41 seconds that the March 31, 2023 tornado was on the ground at the campground of McCormick’s Creek State Park, the damage was unimaginable in what was a 4-miles wide swath of devastation.  Learn about how this weather event changed the landscape, plants, trees and wildlife and how it is regrowing now, three years later.  This is an informative workshop for 4-H members in the Forestry, Weather, Wildlife, Photography and Geology projects.  Take photos!  Casey Starnes, 4-H Conservation Projects Superintendent, will be leading the group and explaining the various results that we will see. A parent or guardian is expected to accompany their child(ren).  The fee to attend is to pay your own gate fee of $7.00 at the park entrance.  Go to https://in.4honline.com to register for this under “Events” – Morgan County McCormick’s Creek.

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

I will be holding a Genealogy workshop, to begin at 1:00 p.m. ending by 3:00 p.m., meeting at the Morgan County History Center & Museum, 127 S. Main St., Martinsville, IN

May 26

Topic:  Where do I go to find documentation?

Tour the auditor, clerk, and health departments in the county administration building and the Morgan County Library genealogy department and meet the people in charge of each area

Parents are welcome to attend

We will discuss project requirements

Handouts will be available. One on One help will be provided at the end of the meeting as long as the parent or guardian is available to remain with the child.

 Patty Dow

Genealogy Superintendent

Cat Workshops

April 29^th and June 24^th at 7 pm in the Rabbit and Poultry Barn.  Bring your cat!  Have a carrier, collar or harness and leash for your cat.  Please make every effort to attend. 

The 4-H Cat Show will be held July 6^th at 6:30 pm in the livestock show arena.

 Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic April 18^th at the livestock show arena from 8:00 am until noon.  Also available:  nail trims, flea and tick preventatives, wormers and plenty of friendly pet owners to talk to while you are in line.

 Shakamak Camp Counselors Training is mandatory to be a camp counselor.  April 18^th at the Putnam County Fairgrounds in Greencastle 8 am until 3 pm.  Bring $8.00 for lunch.  The camp theme for 2026 is dinosaurs, so have your good ideas ready to roar!

Livestock Quality Care

All 4-H exhibitors of meat and milk animals are expected to become certified in Livestock Quality Care.  Those sessions are April 22^nd, May 14^th, May 19^th and June 17^th at the Extension Office Sadler Room at 6:30 pm.  The program lasts 90 minutes.  Please register in 4honline at https://LivestockQualityCare.4honline.com prior to coming to the session.

The Youth for Quality Care of Animals is also an option for certifying as a livestock exhibitor.  Go to  https://yqcaprogram.org/  to be certified online at a cost of $12.00 per person.  Save a copy of your certificate once finished, since Extension staff cannot access this information, and you will need it to exhibit at the county and state fairs.  This option is not recommended for younger exhibitors…It’s a challenging course.

Livestock Enrollment Deadline is May 15^th.  What does this mean for me?  4-H animal projects must be enrolled in 4honline by May 15^th in order to exhibit at the county and state fairs.  Once you have your animal identified (tag, tattoo, etc. from a weigh-in, tag day or ID Clinic), enter this in 4honline under “Animals”.  Have your blue ID sheet from your weigh in ready when you go to the computer.  It has everything in order that you will need it.  Please call us at 765 342-1010 if you have questions.  Remaining weigh-in’s and ID Clinics:  Swine and Feeder Calf Tag Day April 26^th at the Swine Barn 12:30 to 2:00 pm.  Goat ID Clinic May 6^th at the Swine Barn 4:00 to 6:30 pm.  Sheep Weigh-In May 8^th 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Swine/Sheep Barn. Poultry Blood Testing June 20 0:3-1pm at Rabbit/Poultry Barn.

  INSTRUCTIONS -  ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION 2026

 4-H Feed Auction is a good time!  The Feed Auction has feed, bedding, equipment, swaggie stuff, tools  and fun times bidding with or against friends.  Be sure to attend and take home some great products.  April 25^th 5:00 pm start time.  Donors are welcome to drop products off as early as 4:00 pm in the north end of the Merchants Building.

4-H Camp Registration is open!

Registration for Mini 4-H Camps and Shakamak Camp is open in 4honline.  Shakamak Camp is for 4-H members in grades 3-6 as of January 1, 2026.  Mini 4-H Camp is for members in grades K, 1 and 2 as of January 1, 2026.  Find your camp here:

Shakamak Registration (through May 8^th):  SHAKAMAK CAMP 2026 REGISTRATION

Mini 4-H Camp Registration (through May 29^th):  MINI CAMP REGISTRATION 2026

Camp is one of the best parts of the 4-H experience, and I hope you’ll join in on the fun! 

Reminder to club leaders:  Check your club bank accounts to be sure they are not going dormant.  Banks can assess a fee if an account has no activity for a certain period of time.  All you do to avoid a dormancy fee is to make a deposit of a dollar.  Questions about club accounts should be directed to the Extension Office at 765 342-1010.

4-H Flowers Delivery Day is Friday April 24^th at the Swine Barn on the Morgan County Fairgrounds.  Anyone with time and a strong back is welcome to help unload the delivery truck at 9:00 am and stay around an hour or two to help sort the flowers into clubs.  Leaders and individuals who ordered separately should pick up their flowers and plants from 4:00 until 7:00 pm at the Swine Barn.  Payment is expected before you load your flowers.  Thank you to the 4-H Flowers committee for their help to organize this fundraiser!