Perry County July/August Extension Newsletter
4-H Newsletter
Hannah Lasher, 4-H Educator
Tips for a Successful 4-H Fair
Fair Time is Here! Are You Ready?
The 4-H Fair is the highlight of the year — a time to showcase all your hard work, meet new friends, and celebrate everything 4-H stands for. Whether this is your first fair or your fifteenth, preparation is key to having a fun, safe, and successful experience. Here are some tips to help you shine
- Start With a Checklist
Begin with a project-specific checklist: supplies, forms, grooming tools, display materials, and clothing. Include essentials like water bottles, sunscreen, and snacks too. Don’t forget your 4-H shirt!
- Know the Rules
Read the fair book thoroughly. Each project area has its own guidelines — from poster sizes to animal health requirements. Following them helps avoid disqualifications and shows respect for fellow exhibitors.
- Be Early, Be Prepared
Arrive early to check in, find your stall or display area, and settle in. Bring extras (zip ties, markers, tape, safety pins) — they always come in handy!
- Care for Your Animals
If you're showing animals, daily care is essential. Keep stalls clean, animals fed, and follow biosecurity protocols. It shows responsibility and sets a great example for younger members.
- Exhibit with Pride
Whether it’s a baked good, poster, pig, or photography, make sure your exhibit is neat, labeled, and represents your best effort. Judges look for attention to detail and pride in workmanship.
- Help Others
4-H is about leadership and service. Offer to help a younger member, volunteer at the food stand, or assist with clean-up. A good attitude and teamwork go a long way — and can be just as rewarding as a blue ribbon.
- Capture the Memories
Take lots of pictures! Documenting your experience is part of the journey and helps you reflect on your growth throughout the year.
- Stay Positive
Not every project earns a grand champion ribbon, but every experience teaches you something valuable. Be a good sport, cheer on your fellow 4-Hers, and celebrate everyone’s achievements.
See You at the Fair!
From the show ring to the exhibit hall, the 4-H Fair is a celebration of learning, leadership, and community. Take time to enjoy it, make new connections, and represent 4-H with heart and pride.
🦖 Dino-Mite Summer Fun at 4-H Camp! 🦕
Perry County 4-Hers Travel Back in Time for Prehistoric Adventures
Camp roared to life this year as Perry County 4-H’ers stomped into Country Lake Resort for a Dino-mite adventure alongside fellow campers from Martin, Dubois, and Area 2 counties (Crawford, Orange, Harrison, Scott, Floyd, Clark, Lawrence, Jackson, and Washington). With 227 campers and 54 counselors, this prehistoric party was one for the (Jurassic) ages!
Thanks to the generosity of the Perry County 4-H Council and the Sue Miller Memorial Fund, 20 Perry County campers had 90% of their camp fees covered, and one lucky counselor received a sponsored training experience. A big T-Rex-sized thank you to our sponsors for making this possible! We almost doubled our numbers from last year and that is mainly due to the wonderful volunteers sponsoring the camp experience.
Camp Classes: Explore Like a Raptor, Create Like a Triceratops!
Each camper got to dig into six classes of their choosing, and the lineup was nothing short of dino-rific:
🦴 Volleyball 🦴 Make Your Own Dinosaur 🦴 Tie-Dye
🦴 Fishing 🦴 Origami 🦴 Penny Boats
🦴 Friendship Bracelets 🦴 Science with Sam 🦴 Meteor Ash Drawing
🦴 Videography 🦴 Campfire Acting 🦴 Bubble Painting
🦴 Nature Hike Scavenger Hunt 🦴 Line Dancing 🦴 Archery
🦴 Making Fizzy Dinosaur Eggs 🦴 Kickball 🦴 Canoeing
🦴 Capture the Flag 🦴 Yoga 🦴 Low Ropes
🦴 Reptiles 101 🦴 Hypersonic Dino 🦴 Nukum Ball
From building boats to launching fizzy dino eggs, there was no shortage of creative chaos and hands-on exploration.
🌊 Jurassic Lake Adventures
The lake at Country Lake Resort was the ultimate watering hole! Campers braved:
🦈 The “Blob”
🦈 The “Shark” float
🦈 Giant zip line
🦈 Dino-sized water slide
🦈 Blow-up obstacle course
🦈 Sandy beach area
Not into swimming? Camp also offered cool indoor crafts, and the pool (with water basketball!) was a big hit too. Whether you were a land dinosaur or a water-loving plesiosaur, there was something for everyone.
💚 A Prehistoric Thank You
To every counselor, camper, parent, and supporter who helped make this experience unforgettable: you rock more than a fossil bed! This camp season was packed with adventure, friendship, learning, and laughter — and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Until then, keep your claws sharp, your dino dance moves ready, and your 4-H spirit strong.
RAWR means “See you next summer” in dinosaur! (add 4-H Camp Group picture)
(add Pool Party Flyer)
Hoppin’ Good Times at 4-H Mini Day Camp!
It was Toad-ally Awesome!
Perry County 4-H’ers had a ribbit-ing good time at this year’s Frog-Themed Mini Day Camp! Campers leapt into hands-on learning and fun with a fantastic lineup of activities, from science and art to nature and games.
Each day was packed with activities like tree exploration, canvas painting, tie-dye, and bubble painting. Campers got to wiggle through Hungry Hungry Hippo, launch into parachute games, and hop along a nature walk. They even got up close with dairy calves and discovered creepy-cool creatures in bugs class! Each project the Mini 4-Hers completed and got to take home will be a perfect project to enter in the Perry County 4-H Fair this year!
Our young scientists experimented with plant propagation, built mini greenhouses, and learned about collections. Everyone loved hopping on the blender bike to mix up healthy treats and had a blast with homemade ice cream!
Each afternoon wrapped up with camp songs that had everyone singing, dancing, and laughing — the perfect ending to each toad-ally terrific day.
From curious tadpoles to full-blown froglets, our campers explored, played, and grew together in true 4-H spirit. We’re already hopping with excitement for next year’s mini camp!
Perry County Ag News
Sara Dzimianski, ANR Educator
Educator's Corner
After a cool wet spring we’re seeing the transition to a summer pattern. Crops have been a bit late in getting planted due to wet conditions. Pastures and hayfields have thrived with cooler wetter weather, but hay harvest has been delayed due to rain.
With the cool wet weather extending to the beginning of June we may see pasture conditions more similar to earlier in the spring where we tend to have concerns with bloat and other issues related to high protein/low energy in early pasture growth. Use caution when grazing livestock on lush pastures and limit access if needed. This is particularly important for horses with metabolic problems, particularly those suseceptible to laminitis or founder.
Warm season vegetables have probably gotten off to a slow start with the cool weather we’ve had. You should see more rapid growth as we transition to a warmer weather pattern. Watch tomatoes for blossom end rot as the weather changes. They are particularly sensitive to extremes in moisture.
Many people are seeing problems with spots on maple leaves and leaf drop on maples. Most cases are caused by anthracnose of maple, a fungal disease that thrives during cool wet springs such as we have had. The trees should recover with no issues.
Have a wonderful summer and happy growing!
Sara
Greener pastures field day planned for August 28
Time & Location
Aug 28, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:40 PM
Weyer Farms
10683 S 475 E
Ferdinand, IN 47532
A special thanks to our hosts, Weyer Farms
Topics:
Native Warm Season Grass Use in Pastures - Pat Keyser, University of Tennessee
Biochar & Gypsum Utilizations - Yichau Rui, Purdue Agronomy
Paddock Systems - Jason Tower, Purdue SIPAC
Alternative Nitrogen/Legumes - Travis Walters NRCS
Watering Systems - Robert Zupancic, NRCS
Cost:
$10 per person RSVP online or with your local SWCD office by August 18th
Meal Provided by Arnie Welp Catering- St. Anthony, IN. Fried Chicken, German Fries, Green Beans, Slaw and Cookies.
**If you are in need of accommodations to attend this event, please call (812)482-1171 ext.3 by August 18**
Succession Planning for Farmers 2 part live webinar
Date/Time:
Session #1: 6/16/2025 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM (CDT)
Session #2: 6/17/2025 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM (CDT)
Registration Deadline: 6/16/2025 1:00 PM (CDT)
Fee: No Fee
Point of Contact: Catherine King (812) 425-7232
***This is an online-only event.***
Secure Your Farm’s Future!
Planning for the next generation is essential to ensuring the long-term success of your farm. Join us for Succession Planning Basics for Farmers, a two-part webinar series designed to help farm owners and their families navigate the transition process with confidence. This event provides practical insights to help you create a clear succession plan and protect your family’s legacy.
What You’ll Learn:
Part 1 (June 16th): Management Transfer
How to shift decision-making and leadership responsibilities
Steps to ensure business continuity and family harmony
Building leadership capacity for the next generation
Part 2 (June 17th): Understanding Heirs’ Property
What is heirs’ property and why does it matter
Legal and financial challenges of unclear land titles
Strategies for preventing heirs’ property through estate planning, wills, and property deeds
Partners:
This series is brought to you in partnership with Purdue University Extension and the Indiana Black Loam Conference.
Presenters:
Jenna Nees
County Extension Director | Extension Educator - ANR
Purdue Extension - Putnam County
Renee Wiatt
Family Business Management Specialist, Department of Agricultural Economics
Purdue University
Resources:
Succession Planning (Purdue University Extension)
Guiding Farm Families Down the Road of Succession Planning (Purdue University Extension)
Understanding Heirs’ Property at the Community Level (Southern Rural Development Center)
Sponsor:
Fifth Third Bank is a sponsor of the Southwest Indiana SBDC and makes programming like this possible.
Special Accommodations: In accordance with the American Disabilities Act and state law, you may request accommodations due to a disability by contacting the event organizer listed above. Advance notice may be necessary for some accommodations. Registration must be paid prior to accommodation requests.
Do Earthworms Eat Corn Leaves?
Source: Pest & Crop Newsletter Date: May 30, 2025 - Included in Issue: 2025.13
By: Christian Krupke
Most of the best article ideas come from observations in the field. Recently, a crop consultant recently contacted us with questions about about what was causing damage, shown below, that included corn leaves appearing to have been dragged down into burrows where they were presumably fed upon. The damage was not estimated to be at economically significant levels, but interesting all the same.
Health & Human Sciences
Bringing University information to the local level to strengthen families, spend smart, eat right, and live well.
Contact Megan Jasperson, Health and Human Sciences Educator
mjaspers@purdue.edu
Perry County Office
65 Park Ave
Tell City, IN 47586
812-547-7084
Spencer County Office
1101 E. County Rd 800 N
Chrisney, IN 47611
Sign up now! Purdue Extension's Food for health program at pcmh
Thanks to Health First Indiana funding, we are bringing a wonderful program to our county beginning in July and you are invited to attend! The Food for Health program is a free, eight-week healthy lifestyle program. Participants will learn nutrition basics, how to prepare simple dishes, ways to incorporate physical activity, and more. Each person will receive a free box of locally grown produce every week to recreate simple, healthy meals for their family at home. Instructors will prepare a healthy dish in class using the food that participants will take home so that it can be easily replicated.
We are partnering with Helm’s Greenhouse for our weekly produce boxes. This is located in neighboring Spencer County, and we can’t wait to share their delicious produce and hard work with our community! Nutrition education will be provided by Purdue Extension staff and local guest speakers. Topics will focus on preventing chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes. We will also include information on how to increase your physical activity levels, even with a busy schedule.
A flyer for the program is enclosed which contains additional details. Please share this opportunity with anyone you think might be interested. Space is limited. If you would like to register, contact the Purdue Extension - Perry County office at 812-547-7084 or email Megan at mjaspers@purdue.edu.
Enter Open Class Show at the Upcoming Perry County 4-H Fair!
Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your talents with Perry County? Open Class is a chance for anyone in the community to enter their project in a friendly competition and have their work displayed at the fair. You do not need to be connected to 4-H in any way to enter a project and anyone of any age can participate! See attached flyer for info.
Project Check-in: Monday, July 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Judging: Tuesday July 8
Pick up project on: Monday, July 14 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Contact Megan for more details!
"MAKING THE HEALTHY CHOICE, THE EASY CHOICE.”
ERIN MEYER, RDN - COMMUNITY WELLNESS COORDINATOR
Mobile Food Pantries are back!
Mobile food pantry distributions sponsored by the Perry County Food Pantry Coalition bring essential groceries directly to communities in need, especially in rural or underserved areas. These events help reduce barriers like transportation by delivering shelf-stable items to convenient local sites. In partnership with local agencies and volunteers, this ensures that families facing food insecurity can access nutritious food with dignity and ease.
The next mobile food pantry distribution is June 30 at 10:00 am CST at the Bristow Community Center.
Being For Others Foundation Focused exclusively on grant-making, the foundation collaborates with local organizations, agencies, and other funders to promote health and wellness initiatives that inspire our communities to Be Well. Be Healthy. Be for Others. The Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation welcomes applications from organizations committed to improving health and wellness within our eight-county Indiana service region: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, and Spencer. To be eligible, projects must directly benefit communities within this region, align with at least one of our grant priority pillars, and must not be in competition with services offered by Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, government entities, schools, and other mission-aligned groups working to create meaningful, lasting impact in the region.
2025 Grant Cycles:
Cycle 1 - Application portal open: 3/17/25- 4/15/25, Distribution of funds: June 2025
Cycle 2 - Application portal open: 4/16/25- 6/10/25, Distribution of funds: August 2025
Cycle 3 - Application portal open: 6/11/25- 10/7/25, Distribution of funds: November 2025
For more information or to find the grant application, please visit https://www.beingforothers.org/
June is National Employee Well-being Month.
This is a great time to review your overall strategic initiatives to support the whole person who comes to work every day.
Are you in need of Emergency Food Resources?
Widows Barrel Food Pantry
821 10th Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-0834
Open Tuesday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm,
Wednesday 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry
434 13th Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-5038
Open Tuesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Council of Agencies
817 Blum Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-7780
Open Mon, Wed, Fri 9:00 am - 11:30 am (Food)
Tues 9:00 - 11:00 am (Clothing)
Cannelton Food Pantry
200 North 5th Street
Cannelton, IN 47520
(812) 719-5544
Open Tuesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Martin’s Cloak Food Pantry
27246 Perry Street
Siberia, IN 47515
(812) 357-7575
Open the 2nd & 4th Saturdays
8:30 am - 11:00 am
Deer Creek Baptist Food Pantry
6733 Alamo Rd
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 719-3909
Open the last Saturday of the Month
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free Community Meals - Families Welcome
Shepherd’s Table
Community Christian Church -
Fellowship Hall
821 10th Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-7486
Tuesday - 5:00-6:00 pm
Table of Blessings
EUCC Fellowship Hall
Corner of Jefferson and 10th Streets
Tell City, IN 47586
Free, Hot, Nutritious Meals
Thursday - 5:00-6:00 pm
Nutrition Education Program
Danica Williams
Nutrition Education Program Advisor
Purdue Extension-Perry County Office
65 Park Avenue Tell City, IN 47586
Cell: 270-993-8549 Office: 812-547-7084
Email: will1179@purdue.edu