4-H Newsletter
morgan county 4-h Connection
FEBRUARY 2026
Handbooks have arrived; and are free-one per family. Thanks to Morgan County Farm Bureau for their sponsorship.
“Party Like 4-H: Celebrating 1776-2026”
The Morgan County fair will be held July 10-18, 2026, 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 July 5th with early check-in. The 4-H Food Auction will be held on July 9th. The 4-H Livestock Auction will be held on July 17th. A complete list of shows and events is coming in a future mailing.
Shout out to our 4-H Shooting Sports leaders for bringing Archery indoors through the winter months!
WAY TO GO! I would like to thank the members who applied for 4-H scholarships in 2026: Evea Ennis, Kiley Etter, Anna Fritch, Libby Hedrick, Aidra Rafferty, Grace Runnebohm, Chloe Towell-Crook and Kate Whitmire. Sometime in late March, notification will be given about finalists. -Rena Sheldon
OPPORTUNITIES
My Record of 4-H Achievement form (White Cards), Trip Intent Forms, Ambassador applications due March 2, 2026 in the Extension Office. We encourage eligible members to apply for the Ambassador program and deadline is March 1 to the Extension Office with your white cards and letters of recommendation
to morgances@purdue.edu. Trip Intent forms have been mailed as well to the members eligible. If you need to find the White Cards or trip forms please go to our website at www.extension.purdue.edu/morgan
seek under 4-H FORMS.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Morgan County Beef Cattle Association Scholarships and the Farm Bureau Scholarships are due March 1st.
Senior 4-H Swine members were emailed an application for the George Watson Scholarship recently, and it is due May 1st to the Watson family.
“Blue Collar Scholar” Award For Graduating Seniors & Post Grad. For complete details, go to
https://extension.purdue.edu/county/morgan/morgan-county-4-h-andyouth.html
Senior 4-H Swine members were emailed an application for the George Watson Scholarship recently, and it is due May 1st to the Watson family.
“Blue Collar Scholar” Award For Graduating Seniors & Post Grad. For complete details, go to
https://extension.purdue.edu/county/morgan/morgan-county-4-h-andyouth.html
SEWING WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 21, 2026 1-4PM MORGAN COUNTY EXTENSION SADLER ROOM
Create a pillowcase & build sewing skills!
Join us for a fun, hands-on sewing workshop designed for beginners and anyone wanting a refresher!
Bring: Sewing Machine(if you have one), at least ½ yard of fabric, scissors, straight pins, thread to
match your fabric, seam ripper, small ruler- if you don't have these items we can provide them!
We will finish with a small workshop on Fashion Review!! Call 765-342-1010 to register!
Create a pillowcase & build sewing skills!
Join us for a fun, hands-on sewing workshop designed for beginners and anyone wanting a refresher!
Bring: Sewing Machine(if you have one), at least ½ yard of fabric, scissors, straight pins, thread to
match your fabric, seam ripper, small ruler- if you don't have these items we can provide them!
We will finish with a small workshop on Fashion Review!! Call 765-342-1010 to register!
CAT WORKSHOP February 25 at the Wilbur Kendall Room - members do not bring cats. Topic: Back to Basics - May 15 enrollment form and state required vaccination form. April 18 Vax clinic @ Fairgrounds April 29 at the Rabbit & Poultry Building - members bring cats in carriers with collar/harness and leash. Topic: What to do at the cat show? Discussion on the different classes available, what to expect on show day, showmanship, and how to
properly handle your cat during the show. June 24 at the Rabbit & Poultry Building - members bring cats in carriers with collar/harness and leash. Topic: Importance of cat vaccinations and parasite prevention, grooming, and mock cat show to practice your skills.
properly handle your cat during the show. June 24 at the Rabbit & Poultry Building - members bring cats in carriers with collar/harness and leash. Topic: Importance of cat vaccinations and parasite prevention, grooming, and mock cat show to practice your skills.
MINI 4-H NIGHT! March 2nd 6:00 to 7:15 pm at the WKR (Wilber Kendall Room) Morgan County Fairgrounds.
Bring on the Mini members! Mini 4-H Night will be an hour and fifteen minutes of games, learning
and project work. This is open to members in grades K to 2 to come and discover 4-H. We will
complete the Mini Horseless Horseman project, or you can complete the Mini Bicycle project. Register in 4honline at https://in.4honline.com and look for the Morgan County Mini 4-H events OR call the Extension
Office at 765 342-1010 to register. Thanks! See you on March 2nd. Be sure to pick up a Mini 4-H
Handbook that describes all the Mini project exhibit guidelines. Every project also has a manual,
available at the Extension Office.
Bring on the Mini members! Mini 4-H Night will be an hour and fifteen minutes of games, learning
and project work. This is open to members in grades K to 2 to come and discover 4-H. We will
complete the Mini Horseless Horseman project, or you can complete the Mini Bicycle project. Register in 4honline at https://in.4honline.com and look for the Morgan County Mini 4-H events OR call the Extension
Office at 765 342-1010 to register. Thanks! See you on March 2nd. Be sure to pick up a Mini 4-H
Handbook that describes all the Mini project exhibit guidelines. Every project also has a manual,
available at the Extension Office.
PROJECT OF THE MONTH To get members thinking about their projects long before the fair, we have a PROJECT OF THE MONTH for each month until June. The project of the month will have a workshop in person or virtually that will help you to get going on your projects. Look forward to more information: March Coasters and Cookie Decorating, April Forestry and Geology May TBA June TBA
Legos Night at the WKR (Wilber Kendall Room) at the Morgan County Fairgrounds February 16th at 6:00 pm
Bring your own Legos and let’s put them together! This workshop is for both Mini and regular 4-H members to work on a Legos kit or a creation of your own. We will provide a table and some great conversation with
friends…You bring the Legos and make something amazing to exhibit.
Bring your own Legos and let’s put them together! This workshop is for both Mini and regular 4-H members to work on a Legos kit or a creation of your own. We will provide a table and some great conversation with
friends…You bring the Legos and make something amazing to exhibit.
GARDEN CLUB Laurel Castelot, Patty Cooper and Ernie Yeager, your 4-H Garden Club leaders, are looking forward to a great gardening season. This year our club will complete work on the decorative rock garden, start plants in minigreenhouses, plant the tower garden & other planters, review winter sowing, and learn
about various other garden related topics. As always, we’ll answer project related & other gardening questions. 4-H members & parents are welcome to join us for all or some of our scheduled meetings. All
meetings will be from 7-8:30pm in the 4-H building (Wilber Kendall Room & out back near the Demo Garden). Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday: February 26, March 26, April 23 and May 28.
For more information, please contact me at 317-372-6673 or laurelec@att.net.
about various other garden related topics. As always, we’ll answer project related & other gardening questions. 4-H members & parents are welcome to join us for all or some of our scheduled meetings. All
meetings will be from 7-8:30pm in the 4-H building (Wilber Kendall Room & out back near the Demo Garden). Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday: February 26, March 26, April 23 and May 28.
For more information, please contact me at 317-372-6673 or laurelec@att.net.
SHOOTING SPORTShe 4-H Shooting Sports members have been meeting and the calendar has been mailed to those members. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Dow at 317-694-1484
Archery (4-H Building): Feb. 3, 17, 24 and Mar. 3 Outdoor Skills (Show Arena): Mar. 10, 17, 24,
31, Apr. 7, 14 Air Rifle & Pistol (Police Range): Apr. 21, 28 .22 Pistol & Rifle (Police Range): May 5, 12,
19, 26, June 2, 9 SWAT (Police Range) June 23 Muzzleloader & Shotgun (Police Range) June 16, 30
Archery (4-H Building): Feb. 3, 17, 24 and Mar. 3 Outdoor Skills (Show Arena): Mar. 10, 17, 24,
31, Apr. 7, 14 Air Rifle & Pistol (Police Range): Apr. 21, 28 .22 Pistol & Rifle (Police Range): May 5, 12,
19, 26, June 2, 9 SWAT (Police Range) June 23 Muzzleloader & Shotgun (Police Range) June 16, 30
4-H Tractor Driving/Lawn and Garden Tractor Projects
Everybody get ready for the Area Six 4-H Tractor Driving/Lawn and Garden contest to be held at the
Morgan County
Everybody get ready for the Area Six 4-H Tractor Driving/Lawn and Garden contest to be held at the
Morgan County
BEEF WEIGH-IN Fairgrounds on August 1, 2026. Fairgrounds (Swine Barn) March 21st 1:00 pm
4-H Beef Members have received a letter detailing the Beef Weigh In on March 21st at 1:00 pm. Be in line by 3:00 p.m. and bring your premise ID. All beef steers, dairy steers, market heifers and crossbred heifers must be tagged at the weigh in with both a county tag and an RFID tag. If your steer or heifer
already has an RFID tag, do not remove it. We will use that tag. If it does not have an RFID, we will get you one. Registered heifers also need an RFID tag for exhibition. If your registered heifer
needs tagged, bring her to the weigh in. All Beef and Dairy animals should be entered in the online system at
https://in.4honline.com by May 15th. Bucket (Feeder) calves do not need to come to the weigh in, but they do need an RFID tag. Feeder calf tag day is April 26th at the fairgrounds at 12:30 pm.
Questions about the weigh in should be directed to Jean Ann Knoy at 317 443- 2581.
already has an RFID tag, do not remove it. We will use that tag. If it does not have an RFID, we will get you one. Registered heifers also need an RFID tag for exhibition. If your registered heifer
needs tagged, bring her to the weigh in. All Beef and Dairy animals should be entered in the online system at
https://in.4honline.com by May 15th. Bucket (Feeder) calves do not need to come to the weigh in, but they do need an RFID tag. Feeder calf tag day is April 26th at the fairgrounds at 12:30 pm.
Questions about the weigh in should be directed to Jean Ann Knoy at 317 443- 2581.
Swine Meet and Greet Workshop at the WKR on the fairgrounds Feb. 11th 6:30 pm
Hey, Swiners! Come out for a workshop about selecting your swine, and visit with in-county breeders to learn more about their swine operations. Contact 4- H Swine Superintendent Jeremy Amos if
you have questions at jamos102977@gmail.com and we’ll see you there!
Hey, Swiners! Come out for a workshop about selecting your swine, and visit with in-county breeders to learn more about their swine operations. Contact 4- H Swine Superintendent Jeremy Amos if
you have questions at jamos102977@gmail.com and we’ll see you there!
Exhibitors of 4-H meat and milk animals are required to complete a certification of either YQCA or the Indiana 4-H Livestock Quality
Care program. This is a quality assurance program for livestock exhibitors at the county and state fair. You can still be certified in YQCA online only at https://yqcaprogram.org
for $12.00. Some national shows still require this certification, and most of them are swine
shows. Check before you show. Also, it is important to print your certificate and keep it
with you at shows. The Extension Office staff cannot access certificates. If you are exhibiting at the county fair only or at the county and state fairs, you can certify through the 4-H Livestock Quality Care
program in-person . Registration is through 4honline as an event. In-person sessions for
2026 are held in the Extension Office Sadler Room at 6:30 pm and are as follows:
Wednesday April 22th
Thursday May 14th
Tuesday May 19th
Wednesday June 17th
Go to https://in.4honline.com and click on EVENTS. Find the event, “Indiana 4-H Livestock Quality Care” as created by Rena Sheldon for Morgan County with the date that works for you. Members from other counties
can certify in these sessions as well. You are not charged for the training until the night of
the event. Thank the Adult Leaders group for paying for your certification. Contact the
Extension Office at 765 342-1010 if you have questions.
Care program. This is a quality assurance program for livestock exhibitors at the county and state fair. You can still be certified in YQCA online only at https://yqcaprogram.org
for $12.00. Some national shows still require this certification, and most of them are swine
shows. Check before you show. Also, it is important to print your certificate and keep it
with you at shows. The Extension Office staff cannot access certificates. If you are exhibiting at the county fair only or at the county and state fairs, you can certify through the 4-H Livestock Quality Care
program in-person . Registration is through 4honline as an event. In-person sessions for
2026 are held in the Extension Office Sadler Room at 6:30 pm and are as follows:
Wednesday April 22th
Thursday May 14th
Tuesday May 19th
Wednesday June 17th
Go to https://in.4honline.com and click on EVENTS. Find the event, “Indiana 4-H Livestock Quality Care” as created by Rena Sheldon for Morgan County with the date that works for you. Members from other counties
can certify in these sessions as well. You are not charged for the training until the night of
the event. Thank the Adult Leaders group for paying for your certification. Contact the
Extension Office at 765 342-1010 if you have questions.
SHAKAMAK 4-H CAMP
Shakamak 4-H Camp May 27-30, 2026 (overnight for grades 3-6; camp counselors in grades 8-12) is at Shakamak State Park in the GroupCamp facility, which is comfortable and air conditioned. We are
finalizing details to meet the standards of the American Camping Association for activities, facilities, health and safety. Cost is $120 per camper. Financial assistance is available—just ask in the Extension
Office.
Shakamak 4-H Camp May 27-30, 2026 (overnight for grades 3-6; camp counselors in grades 8-12) is at Shakamak State Park in the GroupCamp facility, which is comfortable and air conditioned. We are
finalizing details to meet the standards of the American Camping Association for activities, facilities, health and safety. Cost is $120 per camper. Financial assistance is available—just ask in the Extension
Office.
MINI 4-H CAMP
Martinsville Mini 4-H Camp June 1-3, 2026 (day camp 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for grades K-2) at Jimmy Nash City Park in Martinsville. Mooresville Mini 4-H Camp June 15-17, 2026 (day camp 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for
grades K-2) at First United Methodist Church across from Pioneer Park in
Mooresville. Campers at both Mini camps will complete six Mini 4-H projects, play games, sing
silly camp songs, hike in the park, swim at the pool and have yummy snacks. Campers should bring their own lunch, sunscreen and swimming gear. Cost is $40 per camper and $35 for second camper from the same family.Financial assistance is available—just ask in the Extension Office.
grades K-2) at First United Methodist Church across from Pioneer Park in
Mooresville. Campers at both Mini camps will complete six Mini 4-H projects, play games, sing
silly camp songs, hike in the park, swim at the pool and have yummy snacks. Campers should bring their own lunch, sunscreen and swimming gear. Cost is $40 per camper and $35 for second camper from the same family.Financial assistance is available—just ask in the Extension Office.
4-H Round Up and 4-H Academy at Purdue June 10-12, 2026 (overnight in residence halls).
4-H Round Up participants (grades 7-9) learn about careers that interest them, develop
leadership and make friends from all over the state. Some meals are provided during Round
Up and Academy, and some are on your own at campus restaurants.
4-H Academy participants (grades 9-12) get a closer look into their area of interest with daily
learning activities in those departments at Purdue. Examples include: Animal Science,
Computer Science, Aeronautics, Veterinary Science, Engineering, Medical and Health
Sciences, Communications and plenty more.
More details are coming in March about registering for camps. 4-H Round Up and 4-H
Academy information is on its way to eligible members in February.
Page
4-H Round Up participants (grades 7-9) learn about careers that interest them, develop
leadership and make friends from all over the state. Some meals are provided during Round
Up and Academy, and some are on your own at campus restaurants.
4-H Academy participants (grades 9-12) get a closer look into their area of interest with daily
learning activities in those departments at Purdue. Examples include: Animal Science,
Computer Science, Aeronautics, Veterinary Science, Engineering, Medical and Health
Sciences, Communications and plenty more.
More details are coming in March about registering for camps. 4-H Round Up and 4-H
Academy information is on its way to eligible members in February.
Page
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.
