COOKIES AND CANVAS EVENT – SIGN UP NOW!
The Martin County 4-H Jr. Leaders are presenting a Cookies & Canvas Event! The painting experience will be led by Mya Miller, Miss Martin County 2022 and 4th Runner Up Indiana State Fair.
When: Sunday, February 26, 2023
Time: 2 pm EST
Location: Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds, Community Building, 2668 US Hwy 50, Loogootee, IN
RSVP: by Friday, February 17th to 812-295-2412 or by visiting the Martin County Purdue Extension Office.
Walk ins will be accepted on the day of the event as long as enough supplies are available. No guarantees if not registered by February 17th so please register early!
$10 per person donation, includes all painting items and refreshments. Provide requests for accommodations or special dietary needs request by February 17th to 812-295-2412.
4-H CLOVER CALL PODCAST: MARTIN COUNTY HIGHLIGHTED
The January Clover Call podcast ( https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/podcasts/clover-call-podcast.html) highlights some of the 2022 Indiana 4-H Volunteer Awards of Excellence recipients, including 4-H Volunteer Rhonda Sanders! In the podcast, awardees share some of their volunteer activities related to the 4-H program.
Nominations are open for the 2023 Indiana 4-H Volunteer Award of Excellence. Visit the Volunteer – Volunteer Recognition tab on the 4-H Website for more information: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/volunteer/recognition/index.html.
2023 AREA 3 LIVESTOCK CLINIC
Join us to learn about 4-H livestock projects and how to improve your showmanship skills and husbandry practices!
WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 2023
TIME: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
WHERE: Warrick County 4-H Center – Alcoa Building
COST: $5.00 per member (No cost for Warrick County 4-Hers)
RSVP: Call or Text: Elizabeth Butcher – 812-202-5552 or Jessie Hope – 812-686-5155
LUNCH: Fazolis - Spaghetti, Fettuccini and Breadsticks
Topics include:
Networking: Meet fellow 4-Hers from across Area 3
Stock Selection: Learn what to look for in stock when selecting your show animals.
Nutrition/Animal Health: An industry expert will discuss the most important things to focus on when feeding livestock.
Showmanship Techniques: Everything you need to know to be successful in the show ring
Whether your project is big or small, this workshop will give you the information you need to submit proposals confidently.
NOTE: If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Wendy Cuiksa at 812-462-3371 prior to the workshop.
Lawrence County 4-h Rabbit Renegades Open Rabbit Show MARCH 10 & 11, 2023
WHERE: Lawrence County Expo Hall
COST: $4 pre-registration per rabbit per show
REGISTRATION: Email to tnisley@comcast.com
INFORMATION: Please contact Keri Barker: Phone: 812-276-1428 Email: kbarker185@msn.com
This is for Single All Breeds O/Y on 3-10-23 and Triple All Breeds O/Y on 3/11/23
Unlimited Specialties
There will be a silent auction and concessions. This show helps support the Lawrence County 4-H Rabbit Club
2023 MARTIN COUNTY 4-H FAIR – FRIDAY, JULY 7 TO TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2023
2023 INDIANA STATE FAIR – JULY 28 – AUGUST 20, 2023 Closed Monday & Tuesdays
Upcoming sessions of the 4-H VOLUNTEER Leader Training Series
All are invited to the following Professional Development 4-H Volunteer Leader Training Series. Current leaders and prospective new leaders are targeted, ANYONE AND EVERYONE with an interest is welcome to attend! RSVP requested but not required: Dena Held at heldd@purdue.edu or 812-295-2412. Each session is stand alone, so attend one, some or all!
Thursday, February 23, 2023 6 pm
Thursday, March 9, 2023 6 pm
Thursday, March 30, 2023 6 pm
Location: Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds, Community Learning Center, 2666 US Hwy 50, Loogootee, IN
Adult Volunteer Enrollment and Certification
All adult volunteers must re-enroll to obtain certification for 2022-2023 programming season. Enrollment opened October 1, 2021. Please log onto http://v2.4honline.com and complete your profile. If you have any questions, please call 812-295-2412 or email heldd@purdue.edu.
VOLUNTEER opportunities
Have you ever thought about a talent you have or a talent you want to develop alongside youth in the 4-H Program? Purdue Extension & Martin County 4-H is seeking adults to work to MAKE THE BEST BETTER through 4-H programs. Contact Dena to explore how to work together in this way. No matter how much time you have, volunteering with 4-H makes a difference by helping youth explore and discover the skills they need to lead for a lifetime. There are lots of ways to get involved! Currently, 4-H Club Leaders are needed for All Terrain Vehicle Program, Shooting Sports and STEM/Robotics. Various content specialist and general volunteers are also needed.
Parents, family and adult friends of 4-H members are often a natural fit to help with programming and is one way to spending quality time with the youth in your lives!
MARTIN COUNTY SEEKS ATV LEADERS: TRAINING APRIL 1ST
The 2023 4-H ATV safety skills assessment training will occur Saturday, April 1 at the Putnam County 4-H Fairgrounds. Pre-registration is required through 4-H Online. The $25.00 registration fee includes training materials and lunch. 4-H adult volunteers will be reimbursed their Indiana OHV/ORV safety certification fee. Indiana 4-H skills assessment and Indiana OHV/ORV certifications do not require renewal. The training flyer is attached and available on the 4-H ATV Safety web page.
AREA 9 LIVESTOCK JUDGING INVITATIONAL CONTEST APRIL 18, 2023
WHERE: Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds
TIME: 10:00 am EST
REGISTRATION: 9:30 am to 10:00 am EST
COST: $10.00 Per youth participant
FOR INFORMATION: Contact Ashlee Davis – davi1730@purdue.edu or Mercedes Brunton – brunton@purdue.edu
HORSE CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENTS - SPRINT 2023 DATES
4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology Contest – March 25th at Purdue University, West Lafayette
4-H Horse Communications Contest- April 13th held Virtually
4-H and FFA Horse Judging- May 6th at Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds
4-H Academy @ Purdue
bit.ly/in4hacademy
State 4-H Band & Chorus wORKSHOPS
bit.ly/inband4h; bit.ly/in4hchorus
4-H Round-Up
bit.ly/4hroundup
State Fair Exhibit Hall Workers
purdue.ag/in4hehw
Indiana 4-H Leadership Summit 2023
purdue.ag/in4hsummit
National 4-H Youth Congress 2023
purdue.ag/national4hcongress
Career Development Events
purdue.ag/4hcde
Subject Areas include:
State 4-H Junior Leader Conference
Facebook: @4HSJLC; purdue.ag/4hsjlc
Those who want to learn new leadership skills for themselves and others.
Those willing to share the knowledge they gain with those at home.
Those who want to meet new friends from around Indiana.
Those who want to have fun!
Skill Sessions
State Park Group meetings
General Sessions
Skits/Talent Show
Recreation
Banquet and Dance
Installation Ceremony for Jr. Leader Council
Citizenship Washington Focus
purdue.ag/4hcwf
Communications Events at the Indiana State Fair
purdue.ag/4hcommunications
National 4-H Dairy Conference
https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/national-programs/national-4-h-dairy-conference.html
PURDUE FAST START FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
One way to earn admission into Purdue University is through Fast Start. Indiana Students can take the Modern States online courses for free. Those who pass a minimum of five corresponding College Board CLEP exams and meet Purdue’s standard admission requirements are assured admission to Purdue and designated Klinsky Scholars. CLEP testing centers are now open along with online options. The Purdue Extension Martin County Office staff are available to help local students access this opportunity!
AGRICULTURE WINTER WORKSHOPS – MONDAY NIGHTS IN FEBRUARY
Purdue Extension Gibson County will host Winter Workshops again this year at Gibson Southern High School. Workshops will be each Monday in February located in the cafeteria and will all start at 6pm CST/7PM EST. Workshops will cover a variety of topics relevant to local farmers, provide opportunity for discussion and continued learning.
Feb 6th – Weed Management Outlook by Marcelo Zimmer
Feb 13th – Farm Bureau Policy Discussion & FSA Update – Pizza provided
Feb 20th – Digital Agriculture – Drones, Data & So Much More by Mark Carter – PARP & Meal
Feb 27th – Weather, Climate & Soil Health by Hans Schmitz
Everyone is welcome to attend, no RSVP necessary. Call 812-385-3491 with questions or accommodation requests.
PRESSURE CANNING CLASS
When: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 12-4 PM ET
Where: VU Shircliff Humanities Bldg, Room A204 (130 E. Harrison St. Vincennes, IN)
What:
Cost: $25 or $40 for two people registering at the same time
Register by sending the following information to Purdue Extension – Knox County 4259 N. Purdue Rd., Vincennes, IN 47591. Make check payable to Purdue Education Fund. Sponsorships are available; inquire at 812-882-3509
If you need a reasonable accommodation to attend this program, please contact Tonya at 812-882-3509 at least 10 business days prior to the event.
SRATEGIES FOR ESTATE PLANNING
Are you wondering where to begin when it comes to estate planning? If so, you’re not alone.
Learn more about estate planning goals, the difference between wills and trusts, advance directives and their importance, and organizing your important documents.
WHEN: February 23, 2023
TIME: 6:30 to 7:30 pm
WHERE: Owen County Purdue Extension Office
CONTACT PERSON: Jamie Jo Lowder, Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator
Email Address: lowderO@purdue.edu Ph Number: 812-829-5020
More details available at: https://extension.purdue.edu/events/county/owen/2023/02/strategies-for-estate-planning.html
CAN TREE ROOTS CAUSE DAMAGE TO A HOME’S FOUNDATION?
QUESTION:
Can tree roots cause damage to a home’s foundation? I have a 3’ in diameter pin oak tree that is within 10 feet of my house. A certified arborist took a look at it and said that he would like to use an Air Knife to expose the roots near the foundation (a walkout basement) to determine if the roots are causing damage and/or need to be pruned, or whether the tree needs to be removed since it is situated too close to the house. Before I spend $500 for them to use the Air Knife, I wondered if you thought it would be worthwhile or not necessary.
ANSWER:
Tree roots can damage a house foundation, with an invitation to do so. Tree roots are very opportunistic and will only grow and penetrate where it is easiest to grow such as friable soils and mulch. Typically, when roots encounter solid, impervious surfaces such as pipes, sidewalks, curbs and foundations, they are redirected laterally or up and over. However, if there is a breach or a crack nearby, they can and will exploit those voids in search of moisture. Such as sewer pipes aren’t damaged by the roots, they are just very capable of finding those leaks and moving into the moist and often nutrient-rich pipe.
Roots normally grow horizontally and not very far beneath the soil surface. Sometimes when roots encounter the looser backfill soil near the foundation, they can abruptly start growing down. You may be able to locate these roots, if they exist, by excavating a foot or two down within a few feet of the foundation. If you find a suspect root, cut it off. Unfortunately, in some cases excavation down to the base of the foundation may be necessary. This may have to be done anyway to repair and stabilize it. Cutting the roots should prevent future problems, especially if a root barrier is installed to prevent re-growth.
Resources
Surface Root Syndrome, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
The Nature of Teaching: Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Tree Appraisal and the Value of Trees, The Education Store
Construction and Trees: Guidelines for Protection, The Education Store
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
bIOCHEMISTRY SENIOR HONORED FOR CAMPUS LEAERSHIP
Story by Emma Hopkins, published May 2022
Coming to Purdue Clayton Hicks had much of his academic plans figured out. What he did not bank on, however, was carrying them out in the College of Agriculture or receiving the France Córdova Leadership in Action Award. Presented to graduating undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated success, integrity, influence and vision in leadership roles, the Córdova Leadership in Action Award honors one male and one female student annually.
Hicks, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, always knew he wanted to go into medicine; however, that path took an unexpected direction after a campus visit.
“When I first came to visit Purdue, I had no idea there was a department of biochemistry in the College of Agriculture,” he said. “And it was actually when I came to visit the honors college that my student ambassador said ‘Oh you should check out the biochemistry program in agriculture.’”
Hicks looked at the department and decided he wanted to study with faculty doing research in all areas of biochemistry.
“Some faculty researchers are working with plants; some are working on cancer research; some are doing drug discovery; and that only scratches the surface,” he said. “I did not have a full understanding of everything agriculture includes—which is anything to do with food, anything to do with basically any living organism. Human health is part of agriculture as well. So, now I explain that to incoming students.”
One of the first leadership roles Hicks had as an undergraduate was as an ambassador for the honors college, where he spoke with prospective students. He said one of his most significant leadership roles was his position on the Purdue Foundation Student Board.
“We educate the student body about private giving and try to instill the mindset that private philanthropy and giving does not have to be a million-dollar gift,” he said. “We’re helping students understand the importance of why it is essential to give back, whether it be with your time, talent or treasure, and to find that program or the people they want to give back to after graduation or even while they’re students.”
It's not a coincidence that many of his leadership roles dealt with talking to his peers. Even back in high school when Hicks put together study groups and tutored other kids, his knack for teaching was hard to miss. That knack flourished into a passion he plans to pursue by eventually teaching and practicing medicine at a research or academic hospital.
“I guess I wouldn't have said I knew I was interested in teaching in high school, but that has always been important to me. Then coming to college, seeing the roles that TAs have in classes, I saw it as a way to give back, but also to train myself to run a classroom and get experience grading, giving lectures and running review sessions.”
As an undergraduate, Hicks took a basic biochemistry class with Professor Clint Chapple, and immediately knew he wanted to TA for him in that class specifically, even though there had never been an undergraduate in that position.
“In Dr. Chapple’s words--I was very persistent in asking if I could TA for him,” Hicks said.
Distinguished Professor Biochemistry Clint Chapple definitely remembers Hicks’ determination.
“While he completed his study abroad experience at the University of Exeter, Clayton asked about the possibility of being a teaching assistant in my BCHM 100 class. I initially didn’t take action on his request, but Clayton would not relent! After four or five requests, I got permission to add Clayton as a TA. Clayton immediately identified things he could do to help students—such as offering additional help sessions prior to quizzes and exams and providing feedback to the students on ungraded assignments. Students commented on what a help Clayton was and how he was excellent at explaining the class material.”
For Hicks, the experience was transformative, definitely worth his persistence.
“It's interesting because Dr. Chapple teaches basic biochemistry through the process of looking at diseases. Learning what's right by looking at when it's messed up or when it's not functioning correctly is a great way to learn the concepts, and I also think he just does an incredible job of explaining the concepts in a lecture setting.”
These experiences are just of few of the many Hicks has had that have also helped him gain what he calls “soft skills.”
“Soft skills are, at the end of the day, some of the most important things that you develop. All that experience I've had to develop myself as a person, as a leader, as a better friend and as a better citizen have not necessarily been learned from classwork, but from the other experiences I’ve had,” Hicks said. “People on campus truly care about students and help the next generation by raising up leaders and citizens who want to give back to their communities.”