4-H Newsletter
morgan county 4-h Connection
June 2025 Workshop Issue
Photography Workshop (Grades 3-12) June 4th at the WKR - 4-H Building 7:00 pm
Grow your Photography skills from snapshot to spectacular! Bring your camera/cell phone to the 4-H Photography Workshop for members in grades 3-12 at the Wilber Kendall Room of the 4-H Building on June 4th at 7:00 pm to learn from Connie Etter, 4-H Photography and Computers superintendent. In addition to learning about photos for exhibition, you will learn how to edit them as part of the 4-H Computer project. (This project does a lot with graphics.) contact Connie (m5087@sbcglobal.net) if you have questions.
Cat Showmanship Workshop June 4th at Poultry/Rabbit Barn 6:00 pm
Learn showmanship (and other) techniques at a workshop for 4-H Cats on Wednesday June 4th at 6:00 pm in the Poultry and Rabbit Barn at the fairgrounds. Bring your cat to this workshop. Cats should be on a collar or harness and leash, and should also have a carrier or cage. Part of the lesson will be you and your cat practicing the techniques together. Also learn about decorated cages and costume class for cats. Should be a purrfectly good time!
Mini Camps in June are Open! See 4honline Events to register!
May is Older Americans Month. What can your club do to celebrate?
May is Older Americans Month, and this month is a great time for 4-H members and clubs to interact with senior citizens. Here are a few ways you can celebrate the lives and contributions of these great people:
- Visit an older neighbor
- Wash an older person’s car
- Offer to help with yard work
- Draw or paint pictures for an older person
- Invite an older person to your club meeting, and learn from them about their childhood
- Find out about someone’s 4-H experiences from long ago
- Ask an older American for the best advice that they could give a young person
Opening Night Fun Zone Party July 5th 6:00 pm
Look for the Family Fun Zone in between the show arena, the Swine Barn and the Information Booth. This area will be closed to parking so that cornhole games and other yard games can be set up for our youth to enjoy. The opening night party will feature ice cream and games, sponsored by Jackson Insurance. If your club would like to sponsor a yard game, please contact the Fair Office at 765 342-9905.
Indoor Building Set up June 24th at 9:00 a.m.
We have several pre-fair judging dates, please look at the enclosed calendar. Indoor building set up is June 24 (with Early Project Check-In Indoor projects for members unable to be at judging is June 29th 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Fair Barn Set Up Day June 29th at noon
Animal project members are asked to help set up the barns on Saturday June 29th at noon. Contact your superintendent if you have questions.
Another set up opportunity happens on May 18th when the fairgrounds in general will have a fair board workday for adults only. Workday begins at 9:00 am. Bring your work gloves.
Fair Entry is Open May 19th Until June 13 at www.fairentry.com
All 4-H projects and animals are to be entered in Fair Entry for the 2025 Morgan County Fair. This is a requirement now statewide. Instructions to enter animals and projects can be found on our website at https://extension.purdue.edu/county/morgan/morgan-county-fair-entry-instructions.html It is best to use your computer when doing this process, instead of a cell phone. All animal information must be entered in 4honline by May 15th at https://in.4honline.com. A note to consider in Fair Entry: check under “Exhibit Hall: County Only Projects” and also “State Projects”, since all Indoor projects are either one or the other. Animals should sync from 4honline so that you can see them in Fair Entry. Also, any 4-H Garden member can exhibit a Garden project at the state fair—you do not have to qualify. Fair Entry closes on June 13, 2025. Note also that Fair Entry is not a method to register an animal for a state fair show. State Fair animal entries are made at
https://exhibitorscorner.indianastatefair.com
State Fair Animal Entry Opens After May 15th
While there is no specific deadline for animal entry for the state fair, the longer you wait, the more it costs. See this link to register after May 15th: https://exhibitorscorner.indianastatefair.com and to find the Exhibit Book for each animal species. Be sure you have DNA hair samples to the Extension Office by May 15th for state fair animals (Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Meat Goats, Swine).
State Fair (Indoor) Projects
This is a reminder that 4-H projects selected to advance to the state fair are released during project check-out on Saturday July 12th from 9:00 am until noon. You are to take your state fair project home, correct anything the judge suggests and bring your project back to the Wilber Kendall Room in the 4-H Building at our fairgrounds on Sunday July 27th from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. If we are taking your project to the state fair, you will bring your project packed and ready to travel and pick up your state fair project tags to attach to it. If you are taking your project to the state fair yourself, come and get your tags and a parking tag for entry to the state fairgrounds. Projects are checked in at the ISF 4-H Complex on Monday July 28th from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm.
Foods, Garden vegetable and herbs projects are to be at the Extension Office Aug. 4th by 8:30 am so we can transport them to the state fair. Judging is from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the ISF if you are going in person.
Mini 4-H Classes/Mini Pet Parade
Mini members have received a letter about Mini 4-H classes and Mini Pet Parade during the fair. Mini 4-H members may participate in a special class during their animal species’ show. Those species include: Llama, Dog, Small Animals, Poultry, Rabbit, Sheep, Swine and Goat. Also, information about the Mini 4-H Pet Parade is in the mailed letter. The Pet Parade is held on Sunday July 6th at 1:00 pm at the Antique Machinery Barn, and it ends at the show arena. The Junior Leaders provide this event, with each participant receiving a goody bag and a shirt. Pets must be leashed or in a cage, and cannot be over 300 pounds in weight. All Mini 4-H class participants should contact their species superintendent to let them know their intentions. Pet Parade participants should sign up in 4honline at https://in.4honline.com under “Events”. Thanks to Country Critters Veterinary Clinic for sponsoring the Pet Parade!
Poultry Blood Testing June 7th at the Poultry Barn 10:00 am-2:00 pm
4-H poultry exhibiting at the county and state fair must be blood tested ahead of time. Blood testing day is June 7th at the fairgrounds Poultry barn from 10 am until 2 pm. If your birds are from a NPIP certified source, they are exempt. Contact Monica Hamilton, superintendent for details or questions at (317) 697-6507.
Mini 4-H Rabbit Round Up for Second Grade Members July 10th 5:30 pm
Second grade Mini 4-H members (as of January 1, 2025) are invited to participate in the Rabbit Round Up on Thursday July 10th at 5:30 pm in the show arena at the fairgrounds. Participants can catch a rabbit to exhibit in 2026 when they are a third grader in the 4-H Rabbit project. Bring a long-sleeved shirt to avoid being scratched. Register by June 27th at bit.ly/4Hrabbitroundup so we know how many rabbits to provide. Thank you to Keystone Cooperative for sponsoring this event, and to the 4-H Rabbit leaders and Adult Leaders group for organizing it.
Mini Camps (Grades K-2 as of January 2025)
Mini 4-H members who are in grades K-2 (as of January 1, 2025) are eligible to join the Mini Camp fun at either Mooresville (June 2-4) or Martinsville (June 9-11) for project work (we will complete six projects), games, demonstrations by older members, swimming and tasty snacks. Registration is through 4honline at https://in.4honline.com under “Events” and “Morgan County Mini 4-H Camp”. The cost is $40.00 per person, payable in cash or check. So many of our graduating seniors tell us that they were “hooked” on 4-H because of the good times they had at Mini Camp. I hope you can join us too!
Livestock Auction Friday July 11th 2:00 pm at the Show Arena
4-H members with livestock projects are encouraged to participate in the Livestock Auction on July 11th. You will receive an Auction Consignment form from your superintendent. This form is due to your superintendent (most of them have a box in the barn to collect them) immediately following your species’ show. R & R Livestock is the consignment buyer of auction animals and extras that are not in the sale. Buyers and those wishing to make add-on’s should register at this link: bit.ly/4Hlivestockauction Flyers to distribute to potential buyers will be available June 15th in the Extension office and on the Purdue Extension-Morgan County Face Book page and website. A Buyer’s Luncheon will be provided in the Wilber Kendall Room of the 4-H Building prior to the auction.
Round Robin Showmanship Thursday July 10 6:30 p.m.
The 2025 Round Robin Showmanship show will be held on July 10th at 6:30 p.m. in the show arena. Study packets will be given out after the 4-H Beef show on Wednesday July 9 at the show arena. Thanks to Morgan County Feed and the Junior Leaders club for sponsoring this event.
Fur & Feather Finals Friday July 11th 9:00 am in the Multi Purpose Bldg.
Showmanship winners (Intermediate and Senior) in Poultry, Rabbit, Llama, Cat, Dog and Small Animals will face off during the Fur and Feather Finals quiz bowl on July 11 at 9:00 a.m. Copies of the question bank for this event are available at the Extension Office. Note that the 4-H Cat and Small Animals shows will be held prior to the fair on June 30th at 6:30 pm in the show arena.
4-H Honor Night for 10-Year Members & Ambassadors July 3 at 6:30 p.m. Merchants Bldg.
Ten years is a long time to be involved in 4-H, and that is something to celebrate! Bring your family to see 10-Year Members and Ambassadors recognized for their accomplishments. All 10- Year Members receive their pin, plaque and embroidered blanket to remember their 4-H years. Thanks to Farm Credit of Mid-America for sponsoring the awesome blankets!
Stock the Trailer Food Drive
Stock the Trailer Food Drive is sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America to collect at least 1,000# of non-perishable food items. Bring five food items to stock the trailer during the fair and receive a free ticket to the state fair (one per family), compliments of ISF Fairs Care. All donations go to the Morgan County Food Pantry Coalition to distribute to local food pantries. Many thanks to Double Down Dirt Works for their trailer! In 2024, we were blessed to receive $500 from Farm Credit-Mid America and $200 from the Indiana State Fair to give to the Morgan County food pantries. Let’s do this again!
4-H Ambassadors
4-H Ambassadors: Chloe Towell Crook, John Holzer, Katie McPhee, Kiley Etter, Kendal Etter, Kaci Hegg, Justin Amos, Madeline Duncan, Anna Fritch, Miles Peters, Grace Runnebohm, Kaycee Towell, Kate Whitmire, Kendall Whitmire, Gracie Wunderlich
4-H Ten Year Members: Justin Amos, Jordan Argue, Wyatt Buster, Kendall Cragen, William Etter, Allyson Greenwell, Rheanna Hacker, Ava Hess, Allie Layton, Katie MacPhee, Michaela Mathews, Bryce Maxwell, Zachary Musgrave, Abigail Ritter, Alexander Starnes, Gracie Wunderlich
4-H Food Auction at the Merchants Building July 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Come out and purchase a cake, pie, batch of cookies or garden vegetables at the 4-H Food Auction on Thursday July 3 at the fairgrounds Merchants Building at 7:30 pm. All funds raised from the auction benefit 4-H’ers through programs sponsored by the 4-H Adult Leaders. For more information, contact Tami Hicks, Adult Leaders Treasurer, at 317-696-1056.
4-H Night at the Grandstand Tuesday July 8th 7:00 pm
The team events include the Human Tractor Pull, the Square Bale Toss and the Round Bale Roll. Cash awards will be given to the top three finishing teams, and the loot has increased from last year’s event! Teams of six people can enter for $20 per team. Register at this link: bit.ly/humantractorpull . The registration table opens at 6:00 pm at the east gate (near the parking lot). Get a team of your strongest friends together and have some fun!
If training through YQCA, you must be certified by July 1, 2025. https://yqcaprogram.org
On May 20, 2025, May 22, 2025 and June 17, 2025 Morgan County 4-H Livestock Quality Care Training is held at the Morgan County Administration Building at 6:30 pm. Register ahead of the training in “Events” at https://in.4honline.com. Fees for these classes are sponsored by the Morgan County 4-H Adult Leaders. Be sure to thank them!
Flower Planters
Attention 4-H Club leaders! This is a great opportunity to decorate the fairgrounds. Please show us your talents and provide a decorative planter with your club identified in or on the planter. This should be on the fairgrounds by July 1. This is sponsored by the Adult Leaders and there will be payment made to the clubs for participating. Leaders—let Tami Hicks know where you put them.
Tractor Parts Practice Night June 12th at Extension Office Sadler Rm
Let’s brush up on our knowledge of tractor parts at 6:00 pm on June 12th at the Sadler Room at the Morgan County Administration Building (where the Extension Office is located). Parts photos for each division will be on display for your learning until 7:30 pm. Bring a friend who enjoys tinkering too. Tractor contest date is June 29th at 1:00 pm at the fairgrounds…FYI.
Judicial Campus Construction
Bear with us as the Morgan County Judicial Campus continues to take shape. At the end of this project (suggested date of January, 2027) the Extension Office will relocate to the renovated Courthouse first floor on the west side of the courthouse. In the meantime, use the Main Street entrance to access the Admin Building, and park in the lots on Columbus Street.
Sincerely,
Rena Sheldon
CED/Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development
Purdue Extension—Morgan County
180 S. Main St. #229 Martinsville, IN 46151
765-342-1010
www.extension.purdue.edu/morgan
We are blessed with so many dedicated 4-H volunteers! Thank your leader/superintendent for being awesome!
