Newton County Newsletter

2026 4-H Quality Livestock Care Training

All 4-H youth participating in the beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, poultry and rabbit projects must complete the 4-H Quality Livestock Care program OR the online Youth for the Quality Care of Animals Program (YQCA).

The cost for the in-person Quality Livestock Care Training is $3 per participant. Payment will be due at the time of the training.

You must register on 4-H Online to attend!

Dates: May 19 and June 16

Register at https://2026NewtonQLC.4honline.com

Premise ID

Don’t remember your premise ID? Need to register your livestock premises? Go to www.in.gov/boah and select “Traceability & Premise ID” for more information on how to register a location or who to contact if you have lost your premise ID!

Fair Entry is Open from June 1-July 3

Beginning June 1-July 3rd you must go online to http://newtoncountyin.fairentry.com and enter your exhibit for each project in which you are enrolled. This includes ALL projects, breathing and non-breathing. No new profile is necessary, as you will use the same email and password that you use for your 4-H Online profile. 

Remember, this process is required for us to successfully accept your exhibit for all judging events and the auction. Failure to complete this process by July 3^rd will result in a delay of entry on judging day.

Seeking 4-H Volunteers

We are currently looking for volunteers to support our 4-H programs!

Current Needs:

• Male chaperones for 4-H Camp
• Assistant Ag Tractor Project Leader
• Lawn and Garden Project Leader

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please reach out. We would love to have you involved in supporting our 4-H youth!

Newton County Friend of 4-H Award

Who is the leader, Council member or community 4-H supporter who has had a positive effect on you or your 4-H member? Do you know an adult or business who has made a significant contribution in support of Newton County 4-H? Please take the time to thank this person by nominating them for the “Friend of 4-H Award.”

Previous winners include:

2019- Scott & Maureen Deno

2021- Sue Frischie

2022- Newton County Government

2023- Pam Latta

2024- Newton County Soil and Water

2025- Newton County Fair Association

Please enter the link https://forms.gle/v3cxZsd1JzoL7AKZ8 to submit a nomination. Physical forms can also be picked up at the Extension Office. This form needs to be completed by June 1.

Project Add/Drop Deadline

The last day to add or drop projects is July 3rd! Please call the Extension Office or email Mercedes to make those changes!!! This version of 4-H Online does let members make changes on their own, so you will need to contact the Extension Office so we can make the changes for you.

Barn Clean Up Dates

Horse and Pony Barn- June 28^th, 1:00 PM

Sheep Barn- July 7^th, 5:30 PM

Goat Barn- July 7^th, 5:30 PM

Swine- July 8^th, 6:00 PM

Poultry- July 8^th, 6:30 PM

Beef and Dairy Barn- July 9^th, 5:30 PM

Rabbit- July 9^th, 5:00 PM

Attention Graduating 4-H Members

If you are graduating in 2026 and completing your final year of 4-H, please be sure to complete the Graduating Member Questionnaire by May 15th using the link below:
https://forms.gle/BxqaP6mtR8F5VuGW9

Additionally, please send your senior pictures to Kyra McGraw at kyramcgraw19@gmail.com by May 15th.

Newton County Outstanding 4-H Member

The Newton County Outstanding 4-H Member Award recognizes a youth 4-H member who exemplifies the ideals of clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service and better living as expressed in the 4-H pledge. This could be a youth who demonstrates exceptional leadership in their club or project, who is a role model or mentor to younger members, or who is actively engaged and participates fully in their 4-H experience, just to name a few qualities to consider.

Please enter the link https://forms.gle/XMV9dceHr7ocTfuy8 to submit a nomination. Physical forms can also be picked up at the Extension Office. This form needs to be completed by June 1.

Contact:

Mercedes Brunton

4-H Youth Develoment Extension Educator

brunton@purdue.edu

219-285-8620

Spring Gardening Series @ North Newton Public Libraries – LAST SESSION

May 5^th, 5:30 PM – Roselawn Library

Free – RSVP (not required), https://tinyurl.com/LastChanceVeggies

Don’t miss the last installment of this Spring Gardening Series that the Newton County Master Gardeners have been teaching. The last session will cover vegetable gardening and is open to the public.

Rain Garden Program - Date TBD Late May-Early June

Brook Conservation Club - 9368 S. Lake Kenoyer Rd., Brook, IN 47922

RSVP – Coming Soon

 In partnership with SWCD, we will be offering a Rain Garden educational and experiential program at the Brook Conservation Club. The date is currently being rescheduled, but this event will involve learning about rain scaping in the morning and will include hands on experience in the afternoon where we will plant a rain garden. Information will be posted as it becomes available.

Crop and Soil Science Workshop for Youth

June 16, 2026

Purdue University Crop Diagnostic Training & Research Center –                                                              4530 US 52, West Lafayette, IN 47906

RSVP – Available Soon

 Join us for our second Crop and Soil Science Workshop for Youth. Dive into hands-on activities with other kids and experts alike. This is an event where youth grades 3-12 can sign up for a full day of crop related fun and education. Details are still being confirmed, 4-H membership is not required. Information will be posted as it becomes available.

Pinney Purdue Diagnostic Training

June 17, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:35 PM CT

Pinney Purdue Ag Center –                                                                                                                                                                

  11402 S County Line Rd, Wanatah, IN 46390

RSVP - https://cvent.me/EyREa8

 Ready to sharpen your crop diagnostic skills? Join us at the Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center for our hands-on Crop Diagnostic Training! Learn how to identify nutrient deficiencies, pests, and diseases while gaining practical skills you can use directly in the field. Perfect for farmers, agronomy professionals, or anyone curious about crop health!

Featured Animal Subject: Fly Control

 Description: Face flies, horn flies and stable flies are the big three, but house flies can also become a problem. For this reason, a multiprong approach to fly control is typically needed.

 Location and Timing: Horn flies are found on the neck, topline, and underline. Face flies are found on the face and are more prevalent in humid environments. Stable and house flies develop where there is decaying organic matter. Stable flies are found on the legs and house flies feed on organic waste materials, which include tears and mucous around eyes and noses.

 Concerns: Flies transmit diseases such as anaplasmosis, pink eye, mastitis, anthrax, salmonella, as well as cause anemia and pain to animals. A singular horn fly can remove 1+ CC of blood/day which causes skin irritation and a lower feed intake, rate of gain, & milk production in addition to all of the previously mentioned issues.

 Control: Water is required for flies to develop, so keep areas dry and clean. Think about fence lines, feed areas, water areas, and edges of the operation where things might not be sanitized regularly. Self-applicators, feed through products, producer applied products, and alternative methods can be used as well. I highly recommend reading the full article.

Link: https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-693-W.pdf

Featured Weed: Yellow Nutsedge

Identification: The stem is triangular shaped and leaves are arranged in groups of three. Leaves are light green to yellowish, each leaf has a long, tapered tip with a prominent midrib, and has a slick, shiny, or waxy appearance.

Location and Timing: Yellow nutsedge typically emerges in Indiana in late April or May and grows actively until the first frost in autumn. A frost will kill the plant’s aboveground portion, but the tubers will survive and overwinter in the soil.

Concerns: Yellow nutsedge is a perennial plant that reproduces primarily by small underground tubers, called nutlets, that form at the end of underground stems. Dormant tubers can survive for more than 3 years.

Control: The best method for controlling yellow nutsedge is to grow a healthy, dense, vigorous stand of turf that can compete with weeds.

Link: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ay/ay-19-w.pdf

Contact:

Jamie Reed

ANR Extension Educator 

reed258@purdue.edu

219-285-8620