Purdue Extension Monroe Co. News
Opportunity For All - Making the Best Better
Welcome to your source for everything happening in Purdue Extension Monroe County!
Welcome to the virtual Purdue Extension Monroe County Newsletter, your primary source of local 4-H news! We have some incredible opportunities, club meetings, and reminders you do not want to miss, so keep scrolling down! :)
As always, remind your friends that they can join 4-H at any time, but early enrollment is always best practice so you don't miss deadlines or communication. This is the year for spreading the good news of 4-H to everyone we care about. Try sharing this newsletter with your friends and allow 4-H to transform their lives too!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Clint Deck
4-H Youth Development Educator, Purdue Extension Monroe County
4-H Enrollment is Going on Now!
Monroe County 4-H Enrollment Season is here! Join ASAP to make sure you're in the loop!
Step 1: The best time to enroll in 4-H is is NOW! It’s super easy!
Check out our Monroe County 4-H Family Guide for 3rd-12th Graders at bit.ly/4hguide
and for K-2nd Graders, view the Mini 4-H Guide at bit.ly/mini4hguide
Step 2: Create an account at in.4honline.com
Follow the steps to enter your info, sign up for clubs, add projects, agree to behavior guidelines, and pay the enrollment fee.
($5 for Mini 4-H, $20 for traditional 4-H, never more than $60 per family. Contact us if you need financial assistance.)
Step 3: Start attending 4-H club meetings, workshops, and events!
More info:
• Purdue Extension - Monroe Co Website: extension.purdue.edu/monroe
• Facebook Page: facebook.com/mocoin4h
• 4-H Calendar: bit.ly/mococalendar
More 4-H Links and Resources
Enrollment is $5 for Mini's (K-2) and $20 for Traditional 4-H
Enrollment Instructions: click here!
4-H Family Guide: bit.ly/4hguide
Mini 4-H Family Guide: bit.ly/mini4hguide
4-H Calendar: bit.ly/mococalendar
2023 4-H Project Guidelines Handbook: bit.ly/moco4h
4-H and Fair App: bit.ly/mocoapp
4-H began over 100 years ago, and has since grown into the largest youth development program in the nation. 4-H prepares young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands-on experiences alongside their peers and caring adults. Backed by a network of more than 6 million youth, 540,000 adult volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni; 4-H delivers research-based programming around positive youth development. 4-H is delivered through America's 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service reaching every corner of our nation.
In Indiana, 4-H can be found in all 92 counties as delivered through Purdue Extension. Community clubs, afterschool programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special interest programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program.
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is an equal access/equal opportunity institution.
4-H Camp Registration Runs from March 4th through April 19th!
4-H Camp is a favorite week for so many of us, and this year is going to be the best ever. We would like to see many more kids experience the joy of camp, so please spread the word. The registration form cannot be turned in before March 4th. You may download it below, wait for the form to arrive in your mailbox (if you are already in 4-H), or visit https://bit.ly/mococamp !
State 4-H Trip Applications Due April 19th for Sponsorship Consideration
State 4-H Trip Applications are Due April 19th to be considered for sponsorship by the 4-H Board of Directors (reduced cost!). Don’t miss your chance to experience these unforgettable opportunities. No payment is due with application. We will see how many youth apply for a trip opportunity and then determine cost after the 4-H Board distributes sponsorship money.
Application: https://qrco.de/moco4htrips
More Trip Info: https://extension.purdue.edu/.../state-programs/index.html
The main trips to consider applying for:
4-H Academy @ Purdue (with many options for different tracks)
4-H Round-Up
State 4-H Band
State 4-H Chorus
National 4-H Congress
Neon Nights 4-H Prom - May 4th
Monroe & Surrounding Area 9-12 Graders
TICKETS AVAILABLE STARTING TUESDAY 4/9
Our first annual 4-H PROM is around the corner, May 4th at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, Draper-Earles Auditorium! This is going to be a fun way to spend time with friends whether you are currently in 4-H or not. 9th through 12th graders may come with any 4-Her they know, or they may enroll in 4-H at in.4Honline.com.
Have a friend on the fence about joining 4-H? Invite them so they can see how much fun our 4-H community has, even outside of the fair! Please spread the word!
- buying tickets at the Extension Office before May 4th is highly encouraged. Payment may be dropped off at the Extension Office (3400 S Walnut), but no change is available. Bring exact change or write a check to “Monroe County 4-H Board”.
- This is an inclusive and welcoming night of celebration. Come as a group of friends if you want…. don’t worry about going over the top with your outfit (unless you want to, of course!). We’ll see all you high schoolers on May 4th!
The 2024 Monroe County 4-H Guidelines Handbook is now Available!
The 2024 4-H Geranium Sale has Begun!
It’s that time of year again! As 4-H members, we are selling beautiful, hearty, locally grown red geraniums for our 4-H clubs. 🍀
Every sale helps our clubs create events, opportunities, shows, and service projects— which help us to “Learn by Doing”. 🍀
We will be selling from now until April 1st. Delivery will be arranged by each 4-H member on/after April 21st. 🍀
This year, red geraniums are $2.50 each and $45.00 per flat of 18. 🍀
Order from a 4-Her today! If you need help being connected with a 4-Her, send a private message to our page. 🍀
4-H members: Your order form can be found at bit.ly/4hgeraniums 🍀
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for the Monroe County 4-H Vaqueros horse and Pony Club
Join the Monroe County 4-H: Vaqueros Horse and Pony Club for a delicious fundraiser benefitting future educational club activities. April 20th, 6:30pm in the Draper-Earles Auditorium at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, Bloomington, In.
Forces of Nature SPARK Club - Register for these local advetnures ASAP! $35 covers any/all of the 8 events!
Forces of Nature is a hybrid (both virtual and in-person experience) Spark Club open to youth in 3rd-12th grades who have an interest in any area of Natural Resources. One virtual meeting and one in-person meeting will be held once per month beginning in January and running through April. Areas explored include Wildlife, Soil and Water, Geology, Weather and Climate, and Forestry. What makes this fun is the chance to dig a little deeper and get more hands on with topics within these subject areas. For example, see a restored wetland and many of the birds that call it home or learn how maple syrup is made.
Those who join pay one registration fee of $35 which unlocks access to all experiences. Members can attend all sessions or pick and choose which ones best fit their interests and schedule. Register at https://forcesofnature.4honline.com . (Registration requires youth to choose which sessions they wish to attend but will only charge them one time.)
If you have questions about Forces of Nature, feel free to contact Christie Jacob, jacobc@purdue.edu
Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care
Attention 2024 3rd-12th Grade Beef, Dairy, Goat, Poultry, Rabbit, Sheep, and Swine Exhibitors! We will once again be offering this required class free of charge. Mark your calendars for the class you'd like to attend.
NEW this year, we are planning a Saturday morning option on May 18th! It will be the same day as the Pre-Fair 4-H Vaqueros Horse and Pony Club Clinic and the Monroe County Fairgrounds Vendor Market... so it will be an awesome day to be at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, complete IQLC, and enjoy the festivities.
Mini 4-H Update for all K-2nd Graders!
We absolutely love our Mini 4-Her's (all 200+ of them!) We are excited for another great year of fun and exploration. Our Mini 4-H Guide can be found at bit.ly/mini4hguide , but for a quick understanding of Mini 4-H, read this post.
🍀 Many K-2nd grade Mini's "do 4-H" by attending community clubs and livestock clubs, all of which accept Mini's.
🍀 Other Mini's choose to simply enter projects at the fair and show off their creations to a judge
🍀 Some Mini's take part in special events at the fair offered by livestock and animal clubs. There are county fair opportunities for every animal club in 4-H (beef, dairy, dog, cat, goat, horse/pony, pigeon, poultry, rabbit, sheep, and swine). Be sure to add the corresponding club(s) in 4Honline and connect with club leaders to learn more about their requirements for being a part of fair festivities.
🍀 And lastly, some Mini's like to attend special meetings and events especially for K-2nd graders. No big kids allowed. Some special events for Mini's include a special dat at WonderLab and Mini 4-H Day Camp, where they get a taste of our 4-H Camp experience squeezed into one day-- yet still led by our 30+ local camp counselors.
4-H Performing Arts Contest - A New Take on "Share the Fun"!
This is your opportunity to shine! The 4-H Performing Arts Event is a non-competitive event designed to allow 4-H members to exhibit their talent in a fun way. Categories include musical, non-musical, and group. Examples of a 4-H Performing Arts act include singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, and performing a funny skit to name a few. A limited number of performances at an area event will be invited to perform at 4-H Round-Up. Participation is open to any 4-H member. Mini 4-H members may be part of a group act. Register using the info at bit.ly/4Hperformingarts
4-H Club Spotlight: Join the Monroe County 4-H Junior Leaders!
If you are in 7th-12th grade, the Monroe County Jr. Leaders Club is the perfect way to have fun, serve the community, and participate in great opportunities designed for older youth. Some of our favorite things include our completion trip (Which will be July 10-12 to Pigeon Forge, TN!), community service events, on-site club meetings in interesting locations, and working in the Jr Leaders Food Stand at the fair! We meet the first Monday of the month at 6:30pm in the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. Sign up for the club and project when you enroll in 4-H at in.4honline.com. Email leaders Penny Hudoff, Emily Headdy, and Cindi Percifield at mocojrleaders@gmail.com with questions, or call the Extension Office at 812-349-2575.
Hello everyone!
We are super excited to be going to Pigeon Forge this year! HERE is the trip packet along with our club requirements for 2024. If you are planning on completing all club requirements and going on our completion trip to Pigeon Forge, TN on July 10-12th please have the completed registration packet, trip deposit, and any unpaid club dues submitted to the extension office by March 4.
If you have any questions, please contact Brendan, Cindi, Emily, and Penny
We now have a 4-H Calendar for the entire program year! Try adding the calendar feed to your favorite calendar app on your phone!
iCal Format: copy and paste this .ics calendar into your favorite app: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/mocoin4h%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics
Useful 4-H Links
4-H Links:
- Most Recent Monroe Co. 4-H Newsletter: www.bit.ly/4hnews **this is an extra-important link!
- 4Honline (the first destination for enrolling!): https://v2.4honline.com
- 4Honline Enrollment Instructions: www.bit.ly/new4her
- 4-H Meeting Schedule: https://bit.ly/mococalendar
- 4-H Family Guide: https://bit.ly/4hguide
- Mini 4-H Family Guide: https://bit.ly/mini4hguide
- Facebook Page: https://Facebook.com/mocoin4h
- 2023 Project Guidelines (handbook): https://bit.ly/moco4h
- 2023 4-H Schedule of Events at Fair: https://bit.ly/moco4hfair
- FairEntry (begins in May): https://monroecountyindiana.fairentry.com/
- Livestock Sale Packets for 4-H Members to invite new buyers: https://bit.ly/4hsale
Other Monroe County Fair Resources
- 2023 Open Class Exhibition Requirements for ALL Ages: https://bit.ly/fairopenclass (2024 version will be published at this link soon!)
- Monroe County Fair Website: https://www.monroecountyfairgrounds.in/
- Monroe County Fair App: https://bit.ly/mocoapp
Important 2024 4-H Dates
4-H Camp at Timber Ridge Camp
June 2 - 5, 2024
Grades 3-8
2024 Monroe County Fair
June 29 - July 7th for 4-H Events
Official Fair Dates are July 1 - 7
Pre-Fair Fireworks @ the Fairgrounds: June 28th
The 2023 Monroe County 4-H Project Guidelines Handbook is Available!
** This document applies to LAST YEAR, but it is still very helpful. The new Handbook will be released soon!**
Check it out at bit.ly/moco4h for project assistance, deadlines, schedules, guidance, support, and inspiration!
The schedule in the handbook is also found in its own file at bit.ly/moco4hfair
Become a 4-H Volunteer!
Then create a new volunteer account in 4Honline to begin the application process: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/_docs/enrolling-in-4-h-online-as-a-new-adult-volunteer.pdf
Past volunteers: You can re-enroll as a 4-H volunteer. Re-Enrollment in the current program year is required each and every year: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/_docs/enrolling-in-4-h-online-as-a-returning-adult-volunteer.pdf
News Coming Soon:
- Monroe County 4-H Camp is one of our flagship experiences, coming up June 2-5, 2024!
- 4-H Camp Counselor Applications will be available in January. More details to come!
- Exciting new announcements are on the horizon regarding ATV Club, Shooting Sports meetings, Animal Science programs, and many project workshops!
- A HUGE “Explore 4-H” Event is being planned for the entire community in February. Look for those details in a separate email, because we will be asking for your help to make it a reality. :)
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Testimonial from an Indiana parent:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Welcome, Edward Oehlman!
Please help us extend a warm welcome to Edward Oehlman, Monroe County’s new Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, who started January 12, 2023!
Edward grew up in Sunman Indiana, a small town in Ripley County, graduating from East Central High School. Thou he spent his grade school years in Ripley and Dearborn county, he was born in Honduras where he spent much of his early childhood.
Being raised in rural Indiana, Edward grew a fond appreciation for the outdoors and natural world around him, sparking his interests in studying forestry. Fueled by an academic focused family and community that encouraged questions, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge, Edward graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Forestry, a minor in Urban Forestry, and a concentration in Wood Products. While at Purdue, Edward was fortunate to receive diverse educational opportunities in the form of many internships, professional organizations, study abroad, and undergraduate research.
Post graduation he was employed by Purdue’s FNR property staff, working on forest management on the various properties throughout the state. Through this position he got the opportunity to engage with the diverse ecotypes Indiana has to offer, as well as assisting researchers and professors in the field. Post working for Purdue, Edward took a position as Property Manager at Jackson-Washington State Forest where he managed over 18,000 acres of public forest land. Though he enjoys his days in the field, and "boots on the ground" land management, Edward feels blessed to get to transition from his Property manger position to once again being a Purdue employee.
With the first of the year, Edward moved to the outskirts of Bloomington with his wife Amy, who is also a forester, and their dog Charlie (who likes to think she’s a forestry pup). Edward enjoys spending his time outdoors participating in various forms of outdoor recreation such as hiking, hunting, paddling, birding, camping and climbing. Edward also enjoys wood working with his wife and sharing in God's many gifts they find in the natural world around them.
Edward is very excited to get to join the extensive Purdue Extension Educator team and hopes his knowledge and experiences can be a positive addition. Email Edward at eoehlman@purdue.edu
Get WalkIN
We will meet three times during this time to walk as a community!
June 26th- Switchyard Park
July 24th- RCA Park
Aug 29th- Tree Walk with Edward Oehlman (ANR Educator) at Karst Farm
Food as Medicine
Family
Stress outlets for kiddos and the whole family!
Food
Extension's Enjoyables: Chicken and Dumplings
Looking for an idea for dinner? Try this quick and easy Chicken and dumplings from The University of Maine Cooperative Extension! Get the whole family involved with this simple and delicious dish!!
More recipes can also be found on Eat, Gather, Go from Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program!!
Fresh Friday Food Distribution- Hoosier Hills Food Bank
Anyone in need of food is welcome to pick up the boxes. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN FRESH FRIDAY BOXES? Each household will receive: 1 box of shelf stable goods (peanut butter and jelly, pasta and sauce, mac and cheese, canned fruit/vegetables, soup, tuna, beef stew and other items); 1 box of fresh produce (a variety of items);1 dozen eggs; 1 fresh meat item.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, 2333 W. Industrial Park Drive.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- June 9
- July 14
- Aug. 11
Activities for Kids
School Nutrition Association: Benefits of School Meals
These fact sheets from School Nutrition Association share research demonstrating the role that school meals play in supporting obesity prevention, overall student health and academic achievement.
Health
As we thrust into the spring weather, consider exploring the parks in Monroe County. Walk with your family or take a hike with some friends!!
Explore new and different parks! Check them out!
Money
HAND Homebuyers Club
The City of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department's Home Buyers program offers participants a chance to explore the possibility of affordable home ownership. The Home Buyers Class (HBC) is comprised of two sessions which are held on two consecutive Saturdays. The first Saturday session is from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and the second Saturday session is from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
The goal of the class is to help first-time home buyers understand and overcome the obstacles involved in purchasing their first home and what to expect after buying a home. Participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a housing counselor to discuss any potential obstacles to achieving their goal. Income eligible graduates may qualify for up to $10,000 in Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance from HAND.
Contact Cody Toothman cody.toothman@bloomington.in.gov
· HBC III: Saturdays, July 22nd and 29th, In Person
· HBC IV: Saturdays, September 23rd and 30th, In Person
· HBC V: Saturdays, November 11th and 18th, In Person
Habitat for Humanity
• Thursday, August 24, 2023 // 6 p.m. (English) // 7 p.m. (Spanish)
• Saturday, August 26, 2023 // 10:30 a.m. (English) // 11:30 a.m. (Spanish)
Extension Homemakers
Extension Homemakers offer continuing education to meet the needs of the family, home, and community in an ever changing world. By providing informal educational opportunities, the organization broadens members' horizons and provides in-depth information in specific interest areas.
Extension Homemaker Clubs
Domestic Engineers: Kathy Shaffer (kshaffer@indiana.edu)
Energetic Club: Gayle Morris (rgmorris@att.net)
Evening Glories: Nola Donley(donley.dn@comcast.net)
Good Neighbors: Loettea Rush (lrush@kiva.net)
High Hopes: Karen Hahn (kaehahn@gmail.com)
Highlanders: Tara Slaughter (tbslaugh@indiana.edu)
Musicmakers: Kay Strahm (toby121444@gmail.com)
Nine Patches: Sharon Masters (smasters1994@gmail.com)
Walk-A-Lot: Tammy Mezgar (tammymezger@yahoo.com)
or Contact Ody Ekwonwa for more information
About Purdue Extension Monroe County
Ody Ekwonwa
Extension Educator
Health and Human Science
County Extension Director
Clint Deck
Extension Educator
4-H Youth Development
Edward Oehlman
Extension Educator
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Annie Eakin
NEP Community Wellness Coordinator
Shelly Powell
Nutrition Education Program Advisor
Cindi Percifield
Office Manager
Stephanie Roberts
Education Assistant
Email: cjdeck@purdue.edu
Website: extension.purdue.edu/Monroe
Location: 3400 South Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN, USA
Phone: 812-349-2575
Facebook: facebook.com/MoCoIn4H