4-H Newsletter
morgan county 4-h Connection
Fair Issue, 2023
Fair Set-Up and Clean Up Days
On June 28th beginning at 9:00 am, we will convert the 4-H Auditorium into the 4-H Exhibit Hall. If you have an hour or two to give to help move in and clean the equipment, it would be appreciated. Dress to get dirty and bring cleaning supplies. Barn set-up time for most barns is 6:00 pm. Folks, this is the best time to MOOOVE Forward Together! Don’t forget that July 16th is the all-out clean-out day all over the fairgrounds. See you there! Thanks!
Early Project Check-In Wednesday, June 28th 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building Wilber Kendall Room
Early Project Check-In is for 4-H members who are unable to attend the judging days to participate in open (face-to-face) judging. Your projects should be labeled ahead of time with your first and last name, the grade you just finished in school, project level, and club name. Face-to-face judging is encouraged, since our judges have so much educational information to share.
Premiums and Project Check-Out July 15th, 9:00 am - Noon at the 4-H Building
Premium money, medallion awards, year pins, award ribbons, and indoor projects will be released during this time. If you are unable to pick up your money, projects, etc., please have someone else get them for you. If you are picking something up for someone else, please be sure that person is aware of this. Premium money will not be available at any other time. Unclaimed projects will be discarded. All state fair projects must be checked out at this time too! See you then!
Club Flower Planters
Your club is invited to plant a flower planter to be displayed outdoors at the fairgrounds. Your planter or pot should be at least 12 inches in diameter and have four or more (preferably several) plants in it. Be creative. Add pretty decorations and clover to your display. Thanks for making our fair beautiful. Planters should be brought to the 4-H Building on July 5th.
State Fair Indoor Projects Come Back Wednesday, July 26th, 5:00-7:30 pm
Please read this, since your project could be selected to advance to the state fair. All Indoor projects except for Foods, Garden, and Foods Preservation will move to the state fair on Thursday, July 27th. This does not include Foods, Foods Preservation, Garden, and Floriculture projects. Please come to the Wilber Kendall Room on July 26th between 5:00 and 7:30 pm to package your project for travel. All ISF exhibits need state fair tags, which are distributed during the check-out time.
Unless otherwise noted, we will transport your project for you. Contact us if YOU are transporting your project so we can provide you with entry tags and the proper parking tag to be shown at the gate.
4-H Night at the Grandstand Wednesday, July 12th at 7:00 pm
Everyone is welcome to come out for 4-H Night on July 12th, featuring the 4-H Horse and Pony Drill Team to open the event, followed by the 4-H Rabbit Round Up for members who have completed second grade, and will enter third grade in the fall to catch and care for a rabbit that can be shown in the 4-H Rabbit show next year at the fair. After the rabbits, an all-new event makes its debut at the Morgan County Fair—the HUMAN TRACTOR PULL! Round up a team of six people to pull a tractor over a given distance in as little time that you can. Entry is $20 per team for Youth and Adult divisions. Winning teams will receive cash awards. Bring a pair of sturdy gloves and let’s do this! Team registration begins at the grandstand at 6:00 pm. You do not have to be in 4-H to participate in this event…but it probably would help!
Mini 4-H Pet Parade Sunday, July 9th at the Antique Machinery Barn at 1:00 pm
Mini 4-H members and their pets will strut their stuff during the Pet Parade on July 9th at 1 pm. The Junior Leaders sponsor this event, along with St Francis Pet Hospital, and there are goody bags for the participants at the end of the parade. Pet Parade entry forms are still available at the Extension Office.
Fur and Feather Finals Friday, July 14that 9:00 a.m. in the Show Arena
Showmanship winners (Intermediate and Senior) in Poultry, Rabbit, Llama, Cat, Dog, and Small Animals will face off during the Fur and Feather Finals quiz bow on July 14th at 9:00 a.m. Copies of the question bank used for this event are available at the Extension Office.
Round Robin Showmanship 2023 Thursday, July 13th 6:30 p.m.
The 2023 Round Robin Showmanship show will be held on July 13th at 6:30 pm in the show arena. Study packets will be given out after the 4-H Beef show on Wednesday, July 12th at the show arena. Thanks to Morgan County Feed and the Junior Leaders Club for sponsoring this event.
Thank you, Adult Leaders, for the 4-H Pool Party
A good time will be had by all at the 4-H Pool Party at Jimmy Nash City Park on Sunday, July 23rd from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Jimmy Nash Park Pool in Martinsville. If you haven’t already, reach out to thank your leader for providing this event!
Livestock Auction Friday July 14th at 2:00 pm
The 2023 Livestock Auction will feature exhibitors with live animals! You have two options for your animals during this year’s sale:
- The animal goes on the truck (consignment buyer) or
- Your animal goes home with your buyer to have butchered.
This is a terminal sale, so no animals that go through the auction can be shown at the state fair. Flyers are available for you to take to potential buyers at the Purdue Extension-Morgan County website: https://extension.purdue.edu/county/morgan/4-h-auction.html. If a potential new buyer or a previous buyer needs to register for the auction, direct them to this link: https://bit.ly/4Hlivestockauction. Please encourage your buyers to preregister through this site ahead of time. A luncheon is being held for buyers prior to the auction from noon until 1:30 pm. Buyers are asked to check in at the show arena first (as early as 11:00 am) and then proceed to the 4-H Building WKR for lunch. Sorry kids—the luncheon is for buyers only. Thanks to Morgan County Farm Bureau, North Salem State Bank, Bright Excavating, Circle K of Martinsville (Ohio Street), and Mooresville Butcher Shop/Steaks of the Midwest for sponsoring this event.
Fair Entry Thank You
Thanks to everyone who is entering projects in the Fair Entry system. https://fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/18369 This helps tremendously to get 4-H’er’s premiums calculated, auction order established and it simplifies the Indoor projects entry process too. All entries should be made by June 10th.
4-H Honor Night for 10-Year Members & Ambassadors July 5th at 6:00 pm 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!
4-H Food Auction at the Merchants Building on July 5th, 7:30 pm
Come out and purchase a cake, pie, batch of cookies, or garden vegetables at the 4-H Food Auction on Wednesday, July 5th 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 Elizabeth Chupp, Adult Leaders Treasurer, at 812-325-9342.
Livestock Members and Indiana 4-H Livestock Quality Care and YQCA
Any member selling or exhibiting a meat or dairy animal should be current on their Livestock Quality Care or Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Livestock Quality Care sessions. Your certificates are being emailed to you through the email address you have provided in 4honline. The YQCA option can be done online at www.yqcaprogram.org. Any member exhibiting at the Indiana State Fair should be current on their certification and print a copy of the certificate or have a photo of it on your phone for state fair check-in. Questions? Contact Rena Sheldon at 765-342-1010.
Where Not to Park on the Fairgrounds
Parking in the area between the Beef Barn and the show arena is prohibited during the fair. This area is for exhibitors’ grooming chutes only. No vehicles should be in this area. The grass area between the north end of the show arena and the barns is used for activities during the fair, so please do not park there during the fair either. Thank you.
Battle of the Barns Friday, July 14th 9:00 p.m. at the Show Arena
The Battle of the Barns is a high-energy upbeat farmer-style obstacle race that involves a team of 4-H’ers from each of the barns/species and the Exhibit Hall. Look for a sign-up sheet at your show(s) to put your name in for the Battle of the Barns drawing. Once drawn, participants will be notified by their superintendent that they were selected as a team member or an alternate. Team lists will be posted also behind the Information Booth signboard. Each team member receives a t-shirt to wear during the event. Please also wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and some comfortable (old) shoes, and arrive at 8:30 pm if you are selected for a team.
Tractor Driving Date Changed to Sunday, June 25th
All 4-H Tractor members (Ag Tractor and Lawn and Garden) be aware of the date change for the contest. We will start at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 25th at the WKR.
References for 4-H Posters, Display Boards, and Notebooks
Double-check the rules for your projects before turning them in, and be sure to include the references you used to find your information. Internet sites, books, videos, magazines, and personal interviews should be listed as sources on your poster (front or back) or in your notebook (usually on the last page). Give credit where credit is due.
2023 Morgan County Fair July 7-July 15
2023 Indiana State Fair July 28-Aug. 20
Outdoor Cooking Workshops/Judging
Workshops for outdoor cooking are at the fairgrounds at 6:30 p.m. as outlined:
June 5, June 12, June 22
Note: Outdoor Cooking Judging will be on June 30 at the fairgrounds at 6:30 p.m.
4-H Poultry Blood Testing
If you have any questions regarding your birds, please contact Monica Hamilton, Poultry Superintendent at 317-697-6507.
Just a reminder that Poultry Blood testing is on June 10 at the fairgrounds 11:00-12:30 p.m.
2023 4-H Ten Year members and 4-H Ambassadors!
We want to take this time to recognize our 4-H Ten Year members and 4-H Ambassadors.
Great Job! Thank you for your contribution to the 4-H program as young adults.
2023 4-H Ambassadors
Alyssa Etter Ainsley Lowder
Kasey Etter Katelyn MacPhee
Kiley Etter Maddie MacPhee
Mary Fritch Chloe Towell-Crook
Anna Fritch Kaydance Towell-Crook
2023 4-H Ten Year Members
Jeremiah Cook Ainsley Lowder Olivia Siebert
Jonathan Cook Maddie MacPhee Jenna Somerville
Peyton Dow Jaxon Mathews Cole Stierwalt
Alyssa Etter Breanna Mendenhall Kaydance Towell Crook
Grant Gentry Kelsey Moore Tarra Turnmire
Avery Graham Willow Phillips Amber Zupancic
Morgan Hamilton Lorraine Reams Katlynn Zupancic
Ella Jones Avery Robertson
Keyera Kidwell Haley Rupe
See you at the Morgan county fair!!!!!
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November-December Issue, 2022
Visit the 4-H Project Fair (and enroll for 2022) on Nov. 1st , 6:30-8:00 pm
Here it comes again! 4-H enrollment begins October 1st and continues until January 15th. Come to the 4-H Project Fair on November 1st at the 4-H Building, starting at 6:30 pm, and see projects of all kinds.
Look around and see what you can add to your lineup of 4-H experiences. Members interested in displaying a project or projects, please get in touch with the Extension Office at 765 342-1010 to be part of the fun. Bring a friend who’s not (yet) in 4-H! More details found HERE
Re-Enroll in 4-H October 1st - January 15th, 2023. Go to 4-H Online to enroll for 2022-2023.
Congratulations to Sophia DeMoss for being selected to the State Junior Leader Council! Enjoy this, Sophia!
Thank you for your service!
Morgan County 4-H has great volunteers! A few of our volunteers are moving on to greener pastures. (How much greener can you get than 4-H?) We appreciate them very much, and respect their desire or need to change or discontinue what they are doing as volunteers. Be sure to send a thank you note to them for all they’ve done.
Cathy DeMoss- for serving as the Communications co-superintendent and the Animal Science & Health co-superintendent. She has also led the Mini Dog program and helped to write the materials for it. Cathy has been a volunteer since 2007.
Darrel Findley- for serving as the 4-H Tractor superintendent and for leading the Tractor club.
Nicole Findley- for serving as the superintendent of 4-H Home and Family Sciences, assistant leader for the Swine club, and leader for the Tractor club.
Jason Maxwell- for serving as 4-H Swine superintendent since 2013. Jason has put in long hours organizing the shows and keeping records of our members’ pigs. Jason will continue to serve on the Morgan County Fair Board as a director.
Shout out to all our volunteers as we continue to work toward the betterment of our youth!
Open 4-H Leadership Positions
The following 4-H leadership positions are currently open:
- Home and Family Sciences superintendent
- Tractor superintendent/Tractor club leader
- Swine superintendent
Those interested in applying for open 4-H leadership positions should contact the Extension Office by November 18th.
4-H Theme for 2023:: “MOOOVING FORWARD TOGETHER”
The Morgan County fair will be held July 7-15, 2023, and we all need to work together to make this fair another amazing Morgan County event! To put together all the incredible pieces that make up the fair means everyone gets on board to help in some way. A workday is planned just prior to the start of the fair. Project judging in the 4-H Building starts June 28th with early check-in. The 4-H Food Auction will be held on July 5th. The 4-H Livestock Auction will be held on July 14th. A complete list of shows and events is coming in a future mailing.
Project of the Month Begins December 3rd
Let’s think about the changes we need to incorporate into our schedules because of the county fair starting sooner in 2023.
Something that seems important to me is to have your 4-H projects ready to exhibit much sooner this year.
It concerns me greatly that time will slip up on our members and their families, and that some projects just won’t be exhibited when time runs out.
That would be a shame! To get members thinking about their projects sooner, we have a PROJECT OF THE MONTH for each month from December to June.
The project of the month will have a workshop in person or virtually that will help you to get moooving on your projects. Here is the lineup of projects to date:
- December Holiday Crafts (General Crafts)
- Wreath Workshop (more details below)
- Date: December 3rd
- Location: Morgan County Admin Building Sadler Room
- Time: 10:00 AM EST
- January
- Create With A Mix (This may be a virtual workshop, depending on the weather)
- February
- Music
- March
- Garden
- April
- Electric
- May
- Poster Design
- June
- Floriculture
366 community service ideas in this newsletter
See the following link for an extensive list of ideas for serving your community. Thanks goes to the University of Nebraska Extension Service:
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/CommunityServiceIdeas.pdf
During this season of giving, take time to help others who have less than you. You will both be better for it!
youth recognized for 4-H accomplishment scholarships
Congratulations to Mary Fritch and Mackensi Schneider as they are recognized at the 4-H Leadership Summit for receiving 4-H Accomplishment Scholarships.
Mary is a recipient of the Animal Science—Companion Animal category and Mackensi will receive the Civic Engagement Scholarship.
Indiana 4-H awards 33 4-H Accomplishment Scholarships, and two of the recipients are right here in Morgan County! Congratulations, Mary and Mackensi!
Wreath-making Workshop Dec. 3rd at the Extension Office Sadler Room
The first Project of the Month is Holiday Crafts (part of General or Other Crafts), and 4-H members will make a decorative grapevine wreath for the holidays that can also be put away to be exhibited at the county fair.
The workshop begins at 10:00 am at the Morgan County Administration Building (where the Extension Office is located at 180 S. Main St. Martinsville).
To register for the workshop, go to this link and complete the form—once for each child being registered. Mini members will complete a different wreath, as well as a large pinecone Christmas tree.
Payment of $20 is expected at the door. Cash and checks are accepted. Make checks payable to Morgan County 4-H Adult Leaders. Space is limited. I hope to see you there.
Register: www.bit.ly/4hwreath
4-H Scholarship Workshop Dec. 13th at the Sadler Room at 6:00 pm
Members in grades 10,11,12 and college freshmen are encouraged to apply for 4-H Accomplishment Scholarships, Senior Year Scholarships, and 4-H Club Scholarships.
We will discuss how to complete each scholarship, and it is a huge help if you have kept your white cards (4-H Record of Achievement) up to date.
Mostly, the judges want to know what you’ve learned, not how many trophies you’ve accumulated. Parents are welcome to attend as well. See you December 13th!
Sign Up for Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Your club or your family can help turn around lives in need by being a Salvation Army Bell Ringer this holiday season.
Over $17,000 was raised last year to assist Morgan County families with utility payments, rent, food, and other basic needs.
Go to www.registertoring.com to reserve a time at Wal-Mart, Rural King, or Kroger in Martinsville and Kroger in Mooresville, Wal-Mart in Camby.
Need has no season, and all money raised in Morgan County stays in Morgan County
2022 Purdue extension small ruminant lunch and learn webinars
Join the Purdue Extension Small Ruminant Team for an exciting lineup of topics.
- Oct. 27, 2022- Hoof Care
- Nov. 17, 2022- First Aid for Sheep & Goats
- Dec. 15, 2022-Winter Feeding of Sheep & Goats
- Jan. 16, 2023- Preparing for Lambing & Kidding
Each session will take place at 12:00 p.m. EST.
Permanent link for all webinars in 2022:
https://bit.ly/2022PurdueSheepGoat?_ga=2.158472634.1277059325.1666618139-208857730.1666618139
refrigerator page
October 28—Club Scrapbooks due to the Extension Office by 4:00 pm
29—4-H Leadership Summit in Carmel 9:00 am
November 1—4-H Project Fair at the 4-H Building 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
8—Election Day—Extension Office is closed.
9—Fair Board 6:00 pm
11—Veterans Day—Extension Office is closed.
14—Junior Leaders at the WKR 7:00 pm
17—Extension Board Annual Meeting at Equipment Technologies
21—Adult Leaders Meeting at the WKR 6:30 pm; Livestock Comm. Meeting 6:30 pm
21—4-H Council Meeting at the WKR 7:30 pm
24-25—Thanksgiving—Extension Office closed.
December 3—Wreath-making Workshop at the Extension Office Sadler Rm. 10:00 am
12—Junior Leaders Meeting at WKR 7:00 pm; Shop for our Christmas family 6:00 pm
13—Scholarship Workshop at the Sadler Room 6:00 pm
23-26—Christmas Holiday—Extension Office is closed.
~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
Purdue Extension is an equal access/equal opportunity institution.
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After the Fair Issue, September 2022
4-H Achievement Banquet September 17th at 5:00 pm
Let’s honor our outstanding 4-H’ers (and volunteers) and have some fun on Saturday, September 17th at the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds with dinner starting at 5:00 pm and awards starting at 6:15 pm. Wear your 4-H shirt, and bring your club’s t-shirt for the contest. Also, there will be a coloring contest for young and old, as well as a dessert contest for youth and adults. Share this time with your fellow members and leaders, and bring a side dish and a dessert. Giant sub sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, and drinks will be provided. A silent auction will help raise funds for scholarships, and you are welcome to donate items as well.
State Fair Results
Congratulations to all Morgan County 4-H members who exhibited at the state fair! See the following link for state fair animal and non-animal results. https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/fair/fair-results.html
This is a reminder that if you do not have your non-animal state fair project in your possession, it’s probably still here. Please come and take it home. The Extension office is open weekdays from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Accept our thanks if you have already picked yours up.
Visit the 4-H Project Fair (and enroll for 2023 fair) on November 1st 6:30-8:00 pm
Here it comes again! 4-H enrollment begins October 1st and continues until January 15th. Come to the 4-H Project Fair on November 1st at the 4-H Building, starting at 6:30 pm, and see projects of all kinds. Take a look around and see what you can add to your own lineup of 4-H experiences. Members interested in displaying a project or projects, please contact the Extension Office at 765 342-1010 to be part of the fun. Bring a friend who’s not (yet) in 4-H!
Re-Enroll in 4-H October 1st – January 15th. Go to https://v2.4honline.com to enroll for 2022-23.
Congratulations to Sophia DeMoss for being selected to the State Junior Leader Council! Enjoy this, Sophia!
4-H Trunk or Treat October 22nd at the Swine Barn 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Come out to the fairgrounds Swine Barn on October 22nd for a ghoulish good time with the Junior Leaders for Trunk or Treat 2022. Costumes are welcome, and games, prizes, and candy will be in abundance!
All 4-H members are welcome, and be sure to bring a friend!
Indiana 4-H Leadership Summit Oct. 29th 502 East Event Centre Carmel 9:00 am
Youth in grades 7-12 and adult 4-H volunteers can register now through October 14th to attend the 4-H Leadership Summit on October 29th. See two of our members, Mackensi Schneider and Mary Fritch receive 4-H Accomplishment Scholarships, have a great lunch, be inspired by 4-H leadership sessions, and come home feeling energized about 4-H! See this link for content and registration details: www.in4h.org/2022Luncheon Limited ride space is available to the event.
Recycling Plastic Caps for Benches is Finished
I am sad to report that Greentree Plastics is closing its business, and we will no longer have a plastic caps recycling effort for 4-H. The last load of caps is going to Greentree later in September. Thank you to everyone who collected, cleaned, sorted, bagged, and hauled plastic to make benches. It was a great program, and Morgan County 4-H is responsible for 32 benches and six picnic tables, making a total of 8,600 pounds of recycled plastic caps since we started this effort in 2016. Please continue to recycle all household plastic at your local recycling center, and thank the friends, relatives, and others who have provided caps for 4-H.
Refrigerator Page
September 12—Junior Leaders Orientation (New Members) 6:00 pm at the show arena
12—Junior Leaders Meeting (Returning Members) 7:00 pm at the show arena
13—Fair Board Meeting at the WKR 7:00 pm
15—Area Six Livestock Skillathon at Hamilton County Fairgrounds
17—Achievement Banquet at the 4-H Building 5:00 pm
19—Adult Leaders Meeting at the WKR 6:30 pm; Livestock Comm. Meeting 6:30 pm
19—4-H Council Meeting at the WKR 7:30 pm
October 1-- Fall Demo Derby at the fairgrounds 7:00 p.m.
3—Area Six Soils Judging
4—Farmers Day at the fairgrounds 4-7 pm
6—Fall Foliage Festival Customer Appreciation Night on the square 6:00 pm. (Stop by the 4-H table.)
9—Fall Foliage Festival Parade
10—Columbus Day—Extension Office is closed
11—Fair Board meeting at the WKR 7:00 pm
17—Junior Leaders Meeting at the WKR 7:00 p.m. (Note date change)
22—4-H Trunk or Treat at the fairgrounds Swine Barn 2:00-4:00 pm
28—Club Scrapbooks due to the Extension Office by 4:00 pm
29—4-H Leadership Summit in Carmel 9:00 am
November 1—4-H Project Fair at the 4-H Building 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
8—Extension Office Closed (Election Day)
9—Fair Board 6:00 pm
11— Extension Office Closed (Observance of Veteran’s Day)
14—Junior Leaders at the WKR 7:00 pm
17—Extension Board Dinner at Equipment Technologies
24-25—Thanksgiving—Extension Office closed.
~Rena Sheldon
CED/Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development
Purdue Extension—Morgan County
180 S. Main St. #229 Martinsville, IN 46151
765-342-1010