Wells County
The Cooperative Extension Service is one of the nation's largest providers of scientific research-based information and education. It's a network of colleges, universities, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving communities and counties across America. The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service program areas are:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Health and Human Sciences
Community Development
4-H Youth Development
Purdue Extension is a service tailored to meet the needs of Indiana, needs we know firsthand. Our educators, specialists, and volunteers live and work in all 92 Indiana counties. We provide the link between Land Grant research and Indiana citizens. In doing that we provide practical solutions to local issues. We provide information and expertise that's available in the form you want, when you want it. That's Purdue Extension, Indiana's home team advantage.
What We Do
We improve lives and livelihoods by delivering tested and trusted educational resources. The Cooperative Extension Service is one of the nation's largest providers of scientific research-based information and education. It's a network of colleges, universities, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving communities and counties across America. The Purdue Extension focuses on: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Human and Health Sciences, Economic and Community Development and 4-H Youth.
Contact Us
Purdue Wells County Extension
horan@purdue.edu
1240 4-H Park Road
Bluffton, IN 46714
(260) 824-6412
Wells County Happenings
Please sign up for a time to check in your Foods & Expo projects!
The Wells County 4-H Parade is Saturday, July 13th at 10AM! Click to find the form to join the fun!
The next ServSafe training held in Wells County will be August 13th and 20th. Sign up now!
Help the Wells County 4-H Foundation provide scholarships to Wells County 4-Hers by participating...
Camping for the 4-H Fair is now open! Spots are limited. Call Allie Alma at 260-824-1689 for...
Teams of 4-H members participate in a fun obstacle course - you don't want to miss it! Click...
2024 Wells County 4-H Rule Book
Check out the 2024 Wells County 4-H Rule Book for updated information about your 4-H projects.
2024 Wells County 4-H Rule BookServSafe Classes Offered
For more information and a list of available trainings and exams in our area visit the Purdue ServSafe link below.
Learn More HereWells County Newsletters
Check out Health and Human Science Newsletters with helpful articles on health, nutrition, family and finances.
The May/June 2024 edition includes the following articles:
How to Protect Yourself and
Your Family From the Sun
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can be harmful to your skin. In fact, most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to UV light. UV light mainly comes from the sun. But harmful UV light can also come from tanning beds and sun lamps. There are things you can do to help reduce exposure to UV light—for yourself and your children.
Children need special attention to keep them protected from the sun. They usually spend more time outdoors and burn more easily. Babies younger than 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. They should also wear hats and protective clothing. Sunscreen used on babies should only be put on small areas of exposed skin.
Stay in the Shade
Staying in the shade is one of the best ways to help prevent UV exposure. Try to stay out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV light is strongest.
Tip: Use the shadow test to see how strong the sun’s rays are. If your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s rays are the strongest. Be sure to protect yourself.
Wear clothes to cover your skin
Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. Some clothing is made with UV protection.
Use sunscreen and apply it correctly
Sunscreen can help protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays. Use products with broad-spectrum protection (against both UVA and UVB rays). And choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
Be sure to check the expiration date. Sunscreen is usually good for 2 to 3 years. And don’t forget to protect your lips by using a lip balm with sunscreen.
Sunscreen needs to be put on at least every 2 hours, but check the label just to be sure. Sunscreen can wash off when you sweat or swim and wipe off with a towel. So, sunscreen may need to be reapplied more often, even if it is “water resistant.”
Tip: Use at least 1 ounce of sunscreen (about a shot glass or enough to fill the palm of your hand) to cover your arms, legs, neck, and face.
It’s important to remember that sunscreen is just a filter. It does not block all UV rays. Use it, but take other steps to protect yourself, too.
Wear a wide brim hat
Be sure that your hat protects the eyes, forehead, nose, scalp, and ears. A hat with a 2 or 3-inch brim all around is best.
Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays
Large-framed and wraparound sunglasses protect best. Children need smaller versions of protective adult sunglasses—do not use toy sunglasses.
Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps
Tanning devices can cause long-term skin damage and increase your risk of skin cancer.
Even with sunscreen, you should limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. Sunscreen does not block all UV rays.
Source: American Cancer Society
ServSafe Classes Offered
Purdue Cooperative Extension Service will be offering Retail Food Certificationclasses for food handlers who need to obtain a Retail Food Certificate.
Cost for this training is:
- Training, Exam, and Manual—$165
- Training and Exam—$115
- Exam With Manual—$115
- Exam Only—$65
May 22, 2024
1-day Training/Exam
Life Church Café of Hope
900 E State Street
Huntington, IN 46750
8:30 AM—4:00 PM
Exam at 4:00 PM
Register at: https://cvent.me/1dyOXq
August 13 & 20, 2024
Wells County Community Center
1240 4-H Park Road
Bluffton, IN 46714
1-day Training—August 13
8:30 AM—4:00 PM
Exam—August 20
9:00 AM
Register at: https://cvent.me/r8w1k2
The Outdoors and Nature
Spending time in nature is linked to many positive mental health outcomes—improved focus, lower stress, better mood, and reduced risk of developing a mental health condition. Most studies on nature and well-being look at green spaces like parks and forests, but researchers are also beginning to look at blue spaces—places with ocean and river views. However, you don’t need a picture-perfect outdoor experience to get the benefits of nature.
Plants and Green Space
Seventy percent of respondents to a Mental Health America Connection Survey reported wishing they had more time outdoors, ideally in nature away from their neighborhoods. Cities often have more stressors to physical and mental health, but green space (like parks and gardens) can reduce their impact. Even spending some time in your backyard (if you have one) can produce positive outcomes, and feeling connected to nature helps your mood even if you don’t spend time outdoors.
Children living in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of developing depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and substance use disorder.
Even being in the presence of indoor plants is worthwhile—studies have found this to improve focus, memory, and stress tolerance.
What Can I Do To Find Green Space?
Don’t discount the little things. While being in the wilderness is especially nice, even city parks, a small garden, or sitting under a tree can support your mental health.
Bring the outdoors in. Adding greenery to your space can have a similar effect to seeing plants outdoors – and some, like snake plants and bamboo palms, can purify your air.
Natural Light
Sunlight triggers the release of serotonin and vitamin D, which are associated with boosting mood and focus and reducing stress. Without enough sun, these levels can drop, leading to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Light exposure also has a direct impact on your body’s sleep-wake cycle, and consistent sleep is one of the most important factors in your well-being.
More time spent in outdoor light is associated with lower odds of using antidepressant medications and fewer symptoms of insomnia. The natural lighting of a home is known to impact how you describe your own mood. Improvements to natural lighting have a positive impact on overall emotional social well-being, particularly among women and younger populations.
What Can I Do To Get Natural Light?
Enjoy the sunshine. Just 10-15 minutes of sun on your arms and legs a few times a week has the
potential to generate all the vitamin D you need; however, this depends on factors like the season, time of day, pollution, skin tone, and more.
Try a light box. Light therapy can help with symptoms of depression and sleep disorders. The bright light from a light box mimics natural sunlight, causing the brain to produce serotonin and regulate your internal clock.
Connection
One of the greatest benefits you get from nature is connection, which is linked to a better connection to self, community, and purpose. Time in nature benefits personal growth, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and social skills. When children connect with nature, they’re more imaginative and independent, and they feel more connected to the peers they’re playing with and other living things.
Accessible nature in a neighborhood, such as parks, lakes, or gardens, are associated with an increased sense of community belonging. People who reported not feeling connected to nature also didn’t feel connected to themselves, to others, or to spirituality/purpose. (MHA’s Connection Survey)
What Can I Do To Connect?
Practice gratitude. Nature is everywhere – even in cities, you can find places like community gardens, little courtyards, or trees full of birds and squirrels. Once you start tuning into your senses and appreciating the unexpected, it often feels more meaningful.
Plant something. Gardening is a great mindfulness activity. Getting your hands in the dirt can help you feel more grounded, and helping a plant grow can even boost your self-esteem.
Source: Mental Health America
2024 Wells County Extension Homemakers Festival
May 16, 2024
Registration will begin at 5:30 PM
Event begins at 6:00 PM
Registration forms were mailed toExtension Homemaker Presidents in April and are also available through The Wells County Extension Office.
Cultural Arts Exhibit:
Guidelines for the Cultural Art Exhibit are as follows:
- The exhibit must have been completed within the last two (2) years and never exhibited at Home and Family Conference.
- There will be 5 categories for the exhibits:
- Quilts
- Needlework
- Knit/Crochet
- Crafts/Miscellaneous
- Special Project – Table Runner – No wider than 18in., can be any length, can be any medium
- There should be no visible personal identification on the entry.
- Entries are due on May 16th at the Homemakers Festival.
Master Gardener Plant Sale
May 18, 2024
8:00 AM—12:00 PM
Wells County 4-H Park
1240 4-H Park Road
Bluffton, IN 46714
Need some perennial plants or bulbs to spruce up your landscape? Come out and see the Wells County Master Gardeners!
A large selection of annuals and perennials will be available to purchase at great prices.
Have questions about the plants at the sale? Just ask one of the Master Gardeners at the sale for more information!
Dry Canning
Some people are experimenting with canning fresh vegetables their own way instead of following research-based processing from USDA. The USDA home canning procedure is meant to kill spores of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that cause the potentially deadly botulism poisoning. The latest version of people making up their own method that is potentially very hazardous has been brought to our attention through emails and calls to the USDA Hotline. It involves putting raw vegetables (such as corn, green beans, carrots, beets or other vegetables) in canning jars with no added liquid, applying lids and pressure canning for the same amount of time as if you had added the water to cover required in the USDA method.
What is hazardous about this "dry canning" of vegetables?
- In the pressure processes we have to recommend for home canning of vegetable, the liquid covering pieces of vegetables in the jars is required for the expected heat penetration throughout the jars during processing. The food must be prepared and jars filled just as described for the USDA process time to work as expected in killing bacteria of concern.
- It is well known that bacteria and bacterial spores are more sensitive to wet heat than dry heat. They will die in hot dry air much slower than in hot water. So, if the process was researched with water or other liquid in the jars, it is not expected that the same process time will be long enough heating for a jar without the liquid in it.
- The risk here is botulism, which is a food poisoning disease that can be fatal (or kill people). Botulism toxin can be present in canned vegetables without any visual changes to the food or odors. Please read what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has to say about botulism and home canning, and particularly note the section on here called What is Botulism: https://www.cdc.gov/features/homecanning/index.html
But people say it works and like the food...
- Someone can get lucky and not get sick from trying this. Bacteria are not distributed evenly throughout our environment. But the next time, Clostridium botulinum or othere harmful bacteria can be in the jar and botulism poisoning could result.
- And by the way, some people who have made up this method on their own are adding butter or ghee even if no water. These are no substitute for the required liquid in the jars, either. And these should not be added to the jars even with liquid in research-based processes if not called for in the original instructions.
Home canning and creativity
- Canning preservation of food is not a creative activity about how to produce the best quality only. Safety must come first, and the researched processes we have for vegetables require the liquid cover in the jars (and whatever is the type of liquid called for in the described procedure with each process, which is usually water for plain vegetables).
- Again, the USDA low-acid home canning recommended processes are meant to be used with the full procedures as written -- how to select and prepare the food, how to fill jars, how to manage the step by step canning process in a recommended pressure canner type, and how to make altitude adjustments.
Be food-safe when home canning, please, and stay with properly researched and tested procedures.
Source: https://nchfp.uga.edu/blog/dry-canning-raw-vegetables-is-an-unsafe-practice#gsc.tab=0
No Time for Exercise?
Here are 7 Easy Ways to Move More!
Too busy to add more exercise to your schedule? When you can’t seem to make time for a full workout, try these no-sweat ways to move more in your daily life.
You found your keys. You found the motivation to clean out your closet. Now see if you can find at least 150 minutes each week — a little more than 20 minutes a day — to get physically active! Don’t worry, there are plenty of easy, no-cost ways to do it.
Think there’s no way you can find the time? Good news: You don’t have to do it all at once. In fact, it’s better to spread your activity throughout the week. You can get health benefits even if you split it into a few short sessions of exercise a day.
Here are seven no-stress ways to boost your activity level:
- Grab the leash and walk your dog. Your body — and your pooch — will thank you!
- Take your kid (or spouse) for a walk. It’s an excellent way to get some face time without screens. Keep it fun by exploring new neighborhoods or turning your walk into a scavenger hunt. Research shows that joining a group or taking a class with others increases exercise time and health benefits.
- Try the 10-Minute Workout.Stuck at home? Boost your heart rate and brain power with this quick home workout.
- Walk and talk. Even if you’re glued to your phone for work or personal calls, you don’t have to be glued to your chair. Make it a habit to walk and talk. Some workplaces have walking paths to make it even easier to move while at work. You can also take walks with coworkers to break up your day.
- Tune into fitness. Don’t want to miss an episode? Walk or jog in place, do yoga or lift weights, or walk on the treadmill at the gym while you watch your must-see TV shows.
- Ditch the car. Spare yourself the parking stress and log some more active time by parking farther away (or even leaving the car at home) and walking or biking to your destination.
- Take the stairs. The elevator may go up, but it doesn’t make your heart rate climb. Take the stairs when you can, even if just for a floor or two. And don’t ride the escalator, climb it. Those can be active steps, too!
When you start looking for them, you’ll see lots of chances to be more active every day and get a few more steps in during your regular, routine activities. Remember, every step counts!
Source: heart.org
A PDF version of this newsletter is available HERE.
News Notes for Parents is a newsletter geared towards parents with children ages 8 and under. You will find articles about parenting, early childhood education, nutrition and much more.
In the May 2024 issue of News Notes for Parents, you will find the following articles:
Summer Art Activities for Social-Emotional Learning
The summer months are approaching, which is a great opportunity for getting outdoors and working on social-emotional learning through art. The Institute for Art Integration and STEAM shared how they promote social awareness through art activities. Through arts we can learn to take the perspective of others, find commonalities, and appreciate our differences. Through our passions and a shared community of diverse backgrounds we can also deepen positive relationships with others. Whether a child has a strong interest in the arts or another subject, these activities will be engaging for anyone’s sense of creativity! Here are a few activities practicing social emotional learning skills through the arts children can do at home or at school:
Drawing Activity:
Happy Me versus Angry Me
Instructions: Have your child draw two different pictures to compare side by side. First, they will draw a picture of what they look like when they are happy. Second, they will draw a picture of what they look like when they are angry. Ask your child to include in the picture examples of things that make them happy or angry.
Collage Activity:
Picture Collage
Instructions: Using old magazines, have your child cut out pictures of things that are important to them. Then have a discussion about what they chose and why they chose those pictures.
Music Activity:
Name the Emotion
Instructions: An adult will play the first 10 seconds of a song or long enough for the first lyric or two to play. The children have to guess what emotion they hear in the song (happy, sad, angry). If there is more than one child you can keep track of who gets it right first and give points. After finding the right answer everyone playing can try singing the song with a different emotion intonation. For example, if it is a sad song try singing it cheerfully!
To read full article with more activities go to: https://betterkids.education/blog/5-art-activities-for-social-emotional-learning
Healthy Eating for Kids
Healthy eating is important at every age. Offer kids a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. When deciding on foods and beverages, choose options that are full of nutrients and limited in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Start with these tips:
- Offer variety: Include choices from each food group—fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives—in meals and snacks during each day.
- Connect at mealtime: Eat meals together whenever possible. Turn off the TV and put away phones and tablets, so you can “unplug” and focus on healthy foods and each other.
- Make good nutrition easy: Designate a shelf or a drawer in your fridge for your kids. Stock it with cut-up fruits and vegetables, yogurt, nut butters, and whole-wheat mini bagels and crackers.
- Think about their drinks: Make water and low-fat or fat-free dairy milk or fortified soy alternatives easy options to grab in your home. Have ready-to-go containers filled and in the fridge to take on outings.
- Get kids involved: Depending on their age, kids can peel fruits, assemble salads, measure, scoop, and slice. Let them create and name their own side dish.
- Have a shopping buddy: Let kids participate in grocery shopping online or in the store. Reward them by letting them choose their favorite fruit or maybe a new one
Source: https://www.myplate.gov/tip-sheet/healthy-eating-kids
emoji omelets
The perfect treat to end a hot summer day. Toss the ingredients in the blender and enjoy!
Ingredients
1 banana (frozen)
1/2 c. low-fat yogurt (plain)
1/2 c. orange juice (prepared)
Directions
Before you begin: Wash your hands.
- Wash hands with soap and water
- Put all ingredients in a blender and mix well
- Add more liquid if you want the drink thinner
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1/2 c.
Calories 119, Fat 1g, Cholesterol 4mg, Sodium 44mg, Carbohydrates 24g, Fiber 2g, Sugar 17g, Protein 4g, Vitamin D 0mcg, Calcium 122mg, Iron 0mg, Potassium 479mg
Source: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/orange-banana-frosty
A PDF Version of News Notes to Parents is available HERE.
A spanish version of News Notes to Parents is available HERE.
- We are counting down the days until the 2024 Wells County 4-H Fair and we cannot wait for all the fun and excitement the week will bring! Please make sure to read through this newsletter carefully as there is important information regarding check-in, judging, volunteer opportunities, entertainment events, and much more! Official 4-H Fair Schedules will be available soon in the Extension Office. We cannot wait to see you soon at the 2024 Wells County 4-H Fair!!
Stock the Trailer Contest:
- Wells County 4-H Junior Leaders are excited to partner yet again with Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st for the Fight the Hunger; Stock the Trailer contest during the 2024 Wells County 4-H Fair. Junior Leaders will be collecting non-perishable food items in a marked trailer just north of the Junior Leader Booth. All donations and earnings will benefit the Feeding Tomorrow’s Future Today Backpack Program! Help us support our community by bringing non-perishable food items to the Wells County 4-H Fair!
Golden Ticket Scavenger Hunt:
- Be on the lookout for the SIX golden tickets that will be hidden around the fairgrounds during the 4-H Fair this year!! Each golden ticket is worth one FREE small ice cream from the Junior Leader Booth! Tickets will not be placed in any areas that could cause harm to a person, an animal, or the property. Please do not look anywhere that could hinder your safety! Have fun!!
Calendar of Events:
- July 1st - Fair Entry Deadline - Last Day to Enter Exhibits
- July 1st - YQCA/QLC Deadline - Certificates Must Be Turned into the Extension Office
- July 2nd - Jefferson Knightriders Meeting, 6:00PM, The Bakers (11235 N St. Rd. 1, Bluffton, IN)
- July 2nd - Horse & Pony Clean Up Day, 6:00PM, 4-H Fair Grounds
- July 2nd - Dog Club Meeting, 6:30PM, Quonset Hut
- July 4th - Happy Fourth of July!! Extension Office will be Closed
- July 8th - Foods Project Check-In, 4:30-5:15PM, Expo Hall
- July 8th - Foods Judging, 5:30PM, Expo Hall
- July 8th - Ambassador Interviews, 6:30PM, Meeting Rooms
- July 9th - Horse & Pony Practice, 5:00PM, Grandstand Arena
- July 9th - Dog Club Meeting, 6:30PM, Quonset Hut
- July 9th - Expo Hall Set Up, 6:30PM, Expo Hall
- July 10th - Expo Project (Including Mini) Check-In, 3:00-8:00PM, Expo Hall
- July 10th - Livestock Barns Set Up, 6:00PM
- July 11th - Expo Project Judging, 9:00AM, Expo Hall
- July 11th - Horse & Pony Check In, 5:00-9:00PM
- July 12th - Livestock Check In, 5:00-8:00PM, Please Use Spring Street Entrance
- July 13-18th - Wells County 4-H Fair
- July 19th - Fair Clean Up, 9:00-11:00AM, Meet Outside the Extension Office
- July 21st - End-Of-Year Celebration, 6:30PM, Expo Hall, All 4-H Families Welcome
- July 25th - Junior Leader End-of-Year Banquet, 6:00PM, Expo Hall
State Fair Dates:
- July 29th - Static Project Check-In
- August 2-18th - Indiana State Fair
- August 5th - Food/Garden Check-In
- August 19th - Project Release/Pick Up
Wells County 4-H Fair Schedule:
- Fair schedule can be found on the PDF version or in the Extension Office
4-H 5K Fun Run/Walk:
- The Wells County 4-H Foundation is planning their 15th annual 4-H 5K Fun Run/Walk to kick off the 2024 Wells County 4-H Fair! New this year is a 1 mile Fast & Furriest Dog Run/Walk!!
- WHEN: Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 7:30AM
- WHERE: Wells County 4-H Park, Bluffton, IN
- ENTRY FEE: Dog & Owner - $25.00 Pre-Registered; Individual - $20.00 Pre-Registered; Family Special - $50.00 Pre-Registered (4 entries in same envelope, immediate family only. Please don't abuse)
- Make checks payable to: Wells County 4-H Foundation
- Pre-Registration Deadline is Friday, June 28th. Prices will increase for day-of registration.
- Pre-Register Online at: https://www.active.com/bluffton-in/running/4h-5k-fun-run-walk-fast-and-furriest-1-mile-dog-run-walk-2024
- OR Send completed form with payment to: 4-H 5K Fun Run/Walk, 1240 4-H Park Road, Bluffton, IN 46714
- Forms available in the Extension Office or online at www.extension.purdue.edu/wells
Spirit Night:
- Saturday, July 13th at 8:00PM
- 4-H Park Pull Strip near the Grandstand Horse Arena
- Teams of 4-H members may participate in a fun obstacle course to earn the honor of being the top team and win prizes. Team members MUST be a 4-H Member to participate.
- Bring a canned food item or $1.00 to enter! Forms are available in the Extension Office and online at www.extension.purdue.edu/wells
4-H Fair Entertainment:
- Friday, July 12th @ 5:00PM - Antique Tractor Pull Sponsored by Wheels of Yesteryear
- Saturday, July 13th - TRSS Drum Corp, Midway
- Saturday, July 13th - Sunday 14th 12:00-8:00PM - Craft Bazaar, Quonset Hut
- Sunday, July 14th @ 10:00AM - Praise in the Park by River of Life Church, Main Stage
- Sunday, July 14th 5:00-7:00PM - The Keystones, Youth Rock Band, Main Stage
- Monday, July 15th 5:00-8:00PM - Craft Bazaar, Quonset Hut
- Monday, July 15th @ 7:30PM - Miss Wells County Pageant, Main Stage
- Tuesday, July 16th 7:00-9:00PM - Hubie Ashcraft Band, Main Stage
- Wednesday, July 17th 7:00-9:00PM - Trevor Hunt Band, Main Stage
- Friday, July 19th @ 7:00PM - Truck Pull, Gates open at 6:00PM, Pull Strip
Log Cabin Entertainment:
Bring a lawn chair for presentations
- Saturday, July 13th 6:00-8:00PM - Log Cabin Open
- Sunday, July 14th 2:00-8:00PM - Log Cabin Open
- Sunday, July 14th 3:00-5:00PM - Pioneer Crafters & Dulcimer Music
- Monday, July 15th - Thursday, July 18th 4:00-8:00PM - Log Cabin Open
- Monday, July 15th 4:00-5:00PM - Story Time by the Wells County Public Library
- Monday, July 15th @ 6:30PM - Raptors & Eagles, Presented by Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation
- Tuesday, July 16th @ 6:30PM - Ouabache State Park Nature Program
- Thursday, July 18th @ 6:30PM - Ouabache State Park Nature Program
4-H Parade:
- Saturday, July 13th at 10:00AM
- Parade line up begins at 9:30AM in the south parking lots of Bluffton Regional.
- Parade will be in front of the Grandstands at approximately 10:30AM.
Fair Sign Ups:
- There are a slew of sign ups for project check-in, volunteer opportunities, club activities, and work in the Junior Leader Booth. Please see the PDF version on how to sign up. You can also call the Extension Office at 260-824-6412.
Check Out Times:
- Wednesday, July 17th from 10:00pm - 12:00am - Release of Livestock Exhibits (except auction animals)
- Thursday, July 18th from 6:00am - 12:00pm - Release of Livestock Exhibits (except auction animals)
- Thursday, July 18th from 3:00 - 7:00pm - Release of Expo Hall Projects
10 Year Members:
- Congratulations to the following 4-H members for completing 10 years in 4-H! We are very appreciative of your hard work and dedication to making the best of Wells County 4-H even better! Please join us for a 10 Year Member recognition on the Main Stage on Saturday, July 13th at 5:00PM.
- Alexis Grover
- Annabelle Johnson
- Audrey Sweeden
- Austin Rogers
- Ayden Teeple
- Brady Wenger
- Cade Shelton
- Case Boxell
- Chase Hulvey
- Chloe Ferguson
- Cohen Bailey
- Connor Collins
- Dakota Perry
- Dalton Tomasek
- Elijah Ingle
- Ella Lahr
- Ella Wheeler
- Ethan Stauffer
- Faith Bales
- Fletcher Wenger
- Gracie Rinkenberger
- Grant Nash
- Hudson Werich
- Hunter Wenger
- Jillian Melcher
- Joshua Bricker
- Kammy Miller
- Karlee Warner
- Kayla Kiefer
- Kylie Frauhiger
- Lauren Mann
- Madeline McCabe
- MaKaylynn Bushee
- Makenzie Fuess
- Marlee Wenger
- Perrin Gates
- Riley Frauhiger
- Trevon Stoppenhagen
- Tucker Jenkins
- Vanessa Wilson
- Yazmine Tucker
Junior Leaders:
- Junior Leader Project Books are due to the Wells County Extension Office by Monday, July 22nd. If you need a book, you can pick one up from the office.
- Junior Leader Award Voting will be available from Tuesday, July 23rd - Wednesday, July 24th. A Google Form will be sent out with eligible award candidates for Junior Leaders to vote.
- The Junior Leader End-Of-Year Awards Banquet will be held on Thursday, July 25th at 6:00PM in the Expo Hall! Along with celebrating the year, we will be electing our 2024-2025 Officer Team at the banquet. If you are interested in holding an officer position, please plan to attend! Please RSVP using this link: https://forms.gle/z4LZrj77cudKn9dM6
Indiana 4-H Approved Animal Grooming Applications:
- If you are exhibiting livestock at the Indiana State Fair and have someone helping you who is not a parent or guardian, they will need to complete the Approved Animal Grooming process by July 20th. This can be completed one of two ways:
- Option 1: Complete the 5 Animal Ethics and Adult Expectations online modules, and submit a copy of your valid Indiana Driver’s License to the Qualtrics link below.
- Option 2: If you completed the program in 2023, select the option to proceed to complete the Adult Expectations and submit your valid Indiana Driver’s License to the Qualtrics link below.
- https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2ugO9kFH9ENJWWa
- Please note, this is a statewide program and is not facilitated through the Wells County Extension Office. If you have questions about this process, please visit the Indiana 4-H website or contact in4h@purdue.edu. If you need to verify that your helper has been approved, please contact Anya at aaulbach@purdue.edu. Approved animal groomers should receive communication from the Indiana 4-H program mid-July regarding their approval status.
4-H Camp:
- Wells County 4-Hers joined 4-Hers from Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, and Whitley Counties at our annual Northeast IN 4-H Camp...and it's safe to say we had a blast!
- Campers soaked up the sun at the beach, enjoyed some fun Olympic themed crafts, tried their hand at catching fish, started fires while learning survival skills, made their own ice cream, learned some line dancing, gave back to their communities while making blankets for local shelters, visited with raptors from Soarin' Hawk, and SO MUCH MORE!
- We're already counting down the days until we get back to North Webster next summer!
4-H Association Upcoming Meeting:
- NEW 4-H Association Business Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21st at 7:00PM.
- Agenda Items Include:
- Street Fair Pancake Booth
- Fair Review Session Items
- 2024 Constitution and Bylaws Updates - 2nd Reading
4-H Association Fundraisers:
- The Wells County 4-H Association is currently seeking funds to replace one of the two HVAC systems in the Community Center Building. The current HVAC system is original to the building and is no longer working at the capacity it needs to properly heat and cool the Expo Hall, which serves as a gathering place for many 4-H families and community members. If you would like to make a contribution to the 4-H Association’s efforts to replace the HVAC unit, please reach out to 4-H Association President Brandon Gephart at wellsco4hassociation@gmail.com. The 4-H Association will be pushing out a fundraiser in the fall that all 4-H families can get involved in, and then having another fundraiser effort in the Spring. We thank you in advance for your support of the Wells County 4-H Association!
4-H Council Upcoming Meetings:
- Monday, August 26th from 6:00-8:00pm - Project Committee Roundtables
- Agenda Items Include:
- Project Rule Changes
- Superintendent Nominations
- 2024 Review & Wrap Up
- Agenda Items Include:
- Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00PM - 1st Reading of Rule Changes
- Tuesday, October 1 at 7:00PM - 2nd Reading of Rule Changes & Voting
Upcoming Wells County and State Extension Events
State Extension Events
Summer is a time for exploration and discovery, and a collaboration with Indiana 4-H and the...
The Purdue University College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural Economics has...
Producers are invited to attend Purdue University Extension’s twilight tour of grazing...
The Grasslands Partnership invites forage-based livestock producers in southern Indiana to become...
The Climate Prediction Center outlook is calling for a warmer, slightly wetter summer around...
Purdue Extension provided in-person and virtual basic training for gardening enthusiasts who...