4-H Jr. Leader Advisor and Jr. Leader Member Webinar march 13
All are invited to a March 13th webinar scheduled for Monday, March 13, from 7-8 p.m. ET (6-7 p.m. CT). The purpose of this webinar is to share information about upcoming 4-H events at the state and national levels in 2023 and beyond. You will learn about opportunities that are available to you and how you can be involved. Also during this webinar, you will have a chance to provide us with your input on resources that you would like to see developed for your future use in Jr. Leaders.
The link to the webinar is: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/95402335989
MARTIN COUNTY AG DAY SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2023 - COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Calling all 4-H Members to help with Ag Day! Would you be able to help at Martin County Ag Day? All enrolled 4-H members, 3-12 graders, help is needed! Please call 812-295-2412 to sign up and report at 7:30 am on the 18th at the Community Building.
CELEBRATE MARTIN COUNTY AG DAY MARCH 18, 2023
WHERE: Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2666 US Hwy 50, Loogootee, IN
TIME: 8:00 am to 11:00 am EST
Door prizes – Petting Farm – Vendor’s – Celebrate Ag – Breakfast Tickets
Why celebrate Ag Day? Because all Americans need to understand the value of agriculture in their daily lives. Here are just some of the key reasons why it’s important to recognize and celebrate Ag Day each year!
MARTIN COUNTY YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS CONTEST
Save the date: Tuesday, April 25, 6 PM, Community Building, Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center. More details coming soon! Qualifiers will be invited to participate in the Area III Youth Performing Arts Contest to be hold on Friday, May 12 at North Posey School.
4-H EXHIBIT POSTER MAKING WORKSHOP
WHEN: Monday, May 8th
TIME: 6 pm – 7:30 pm
WHERE: Community Learning Center, Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center
WHO: All 4-H Ages & parents/leaders/mentors.
Come to your Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center to this NO CHARGE workshop to learn the basics of 4-H exhibit poster making!
RSVP requested at 812-295-2412 but NOT REQUIRED.
Concepts will be taught and then practiced during the workshop. If you are running late, please still join in or stop in to purchase poster board, poster board sleeves & salon sleeves for your exhibits!
If you haven’t yet enrolled in 4-H, it isn’t too late! An enrollment station will be available during this workshop.
UPCOMING 4-H CLUB MEETINGS
Jolly Jug Rox 4-H Meetings
NEW LOCATION!
Location: Shoals Christian Church in the CRC Building
Time: All meetings are from 6 to 7 pm
Dates:
Tuesday, March 14
Tuesday, April 3
Tuesday, April 18
*April 25 Performing Arts performance at the Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center
Tuesday, May 2
Tuesday, May 15
Monday, June 5
Tuesday, June 20
4-H Horse & Pony 4-H Club Meetings
Location: Community Learning Center or Horse & Pony Barn based on weather, Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center
Time: 3 pm
Date: Sunday, March 26
Jr. Leaders 4-H Club Activities
Jr. Leaders is for 4-H Members in 7-12 grades. All are invited to join in for the fun, leadership building, community minded club.
Sunday, March 12, 7 pm: Monthly meeting, Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center
Sunday, April 2: Easter Egg Hunt Community Service Event, followed with monthly meeting
Sunday, May 7, 7 pm: Monthly meeting, Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center
June 13-17: State Jr Leader Conference (free for many members to attend, sign up now!)
June 20-21: Day Camp for younger youth. Jr Leader members are day camp counselors and camp leaders.
GENEALOGY SPARK CLUB
WHEN: Every 4th Thursday in March, April & May: March 23, April 27, & May 25, 2023
TIME: 7:00 TO 8:30 PM EST
Interested in exploring your very own family tree? Join us for a free virtual SPARK club where you’ll learn about fascinating genealogy research methods as you construct family trees, charts, and reports for your 4-H Genealogy project!
Embark on a journey of self-discovery that, with a little bit of work, will be a thrilling education into your own history. You'll be the detective of your very own cold case as you learn the skills to go back through time and piece together the stories, places, and people that created YOU!
This SPARK Club is free for all approved 4-H members. Registration can be completed through your 4honline account at v2.4honline.com.
Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care Program information
The Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care Program training replaces the YQCA program. Youth in grades 3-12 showing Beef, Dairy, Poultry, Sheep, Goats, Swine, or Rabbits at the Martin County 4-H Fair and/or the Indiana State Fair are required to complete this training by July 1st to be able to exhibit.
Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care Training core components, program goals and expectations emphasize the importance of care, safety, and youth as industry ambassadors. The goal of the Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care Training program is to help youth understand their responsibility in increasing consumer confidence, animal stewardship, and overall gaining and applying pertinent information and credibility, relating to food systems. The curriculum is relevant and timely with an emphasis on assisting youth in making their best livestock practices even better.
Cornerstone beliefs of the training include:
Martin County training dates are:
Monday, May 1, 2023 4 PM
Thursday, June 15, 2023 2 PM
Thursday, June 15, 2023 4 PM
Registration is due two days prior to class by calling 812-295-2412. The training cost is $3 and payment by cash or check will be accepted at the door.
Indiana 4-H will accept online YQCA certifications for 2023. If you choose to complete the YQCA option (still required for most national shows, especially swine), you will register for the online course at https://yqcaprogram.org/. The cost of the online YQCA course is $12. After completing the course, you must email your certificate to the Dena at heldd@purdue.edu or bring a copy to the Extension Office.
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
DUBOIS COUNTY LIVESTOCK JUDGING INVITATIONAL
WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 2023
WHERE: Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds, 4157 South State Road 162, Huntingburg, IN 47542
Registration: 7:30 to 8:30 am EST
Contest Begins: 9:00 am EST
Lunch will be included in registration cost
Preregistration Recommended by 12:00 pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at: https://bit.ly.DCLivestockJudginginv Or mail paper form to Purdue Extension-Dubois County.
Scantrons will be used, so bring pencils and clipboards. ALL 4-H/FFA Judging teams are welcome to attend.
For more information:
Steve Oeding – 812-351-2468
Josh Lichlyter – 812-827-9424
Grant Weyer – 812-661-0490
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 - SPRING 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
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, March 9, 2023 6 pm - 4-H Club Charters of Tractor Club and Jr. Leaders Club will be presented & Leaders Topic Presented
Thursday, March 30, 2023 6 pm
Location: Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds, Community Learning Center, 2666 US Hwy 50, Loogootee, IN
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.
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!
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
MARTIN COUNTY 4-H FAIR 2023 4-H Related Schedule of Activities
*More activities to be added/subject to change*
Wednesday- Friday, April 26-April 28
8:00 am – 4:00 pm 4-H Swine tags to be picked up
Friday, April 28
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Martin County 4-H Animal tagging day for cattle, sheep & goats
(No new livestock tags will be distributed after April 28)
Thursday, May 11
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm 4-H Poultry Bleed & 4-H Rabbit Tattooing
Monday, May 15
All 4-H project drop/add on v2.4honline.com
All 4-H animals must be identified on v2.4honline.com
Equine Health forms & applicable leases are due
June 1-June 20
All 4-H exhibits for the fair must be entered on FairEntry.com
Saturday, June 10
9:00 am 4-H Tractor Contest – All Disciplines
Tuesday, June 27
6:00 pm Set up at 4-H Fairgrounds for all 4-Hers, Leaders & Volunteers – check in & out at the tree
Thursday, June 29
3:30 pm 4-H Fashion Revue Judging, at the Community Learning Center
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Static Project Exhibit Check-In Judging at the Community Building
Includes Mini 4-H exhibits (excludes 4-H foods, 4-H garden and 4-H floriculture)
Saturday, July 1
All livestock purebred animal registration papers due
Quality Assurance training certificates for cattle, swine, sheep, goat, rabbit & poultry exhibitors are due
Health forms for felines & poultry are due
Wednesday, July 5
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm 4-H floriculture, 4-H foods & 4-H garden projects exhibit check in
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm All Open Class Exhibits Check-In
Thursday, July 6
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm 4-H Livestock Check-In
Friday, July 7
6:00 pm -7:30 pm 4-H Horse & Pony Check-In Option 1
Friday, July 7
3:00 pm 4-H Cat Show in The Emergency Management Building
5:00 pm Community Building and vendors Opens
6:30 pm Queen Contest, 4-H Fashion Revue & Mini Sewing Modeling
Saturday, July 8
6:30 am – 7:00 am 4-H Horse & Pony Check-In Option 2
9:00 am Community Building Opens
9:00 am 4-H Beef & Dairy Show
9:00 am 4-H Horse & Pony Show
1:00 pm 4-H Rabbit Show
5:30 pm 4-H Poultry Show
Sunday, July 9
1:00 pm Community Building Opens
6:00 pm 4-H Goat & Sheep Show
Monday, July 10
5:00pm Community Building Opens
5:00 pm Oreo stacking and watermelon seed contest by Martin County 4-H Jr. Leaders
6:00pm 4-H Swine Show
Tuesday, July 11
5:00 pm Community Building Opens
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm 4-H Projects released & 4-H gratitude station Opens
5:30 pm 4-H Supreme Showmanship
7:00 pm 4-H Ten year and Last Year Member Recognition
7:00 pm – 745 pm 4-H Projects released & 4-H gratitude station Opens
7:15 pm 4-H Livestock Auction
Wednesday, July 12
6:30 pm Clean up *All 4-H members & 4-H volunteers/leaders*
Monday, July 17 to Friday, July 21
8:00 am – 3:00 pm Static projects (except foods) for the Indiana State Fair are to be provided to the Extension Office or as individually scheduled by calling 812-295-2412.
Tuesday, August 1
4:00 pm to 4:30 pm Foods projects for the Indiana State Fair are to be provided to the Extension Office or as individually scheduled by calling 812-295-2412.
SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE WITH CANCER FROM NEAR OR AFAR WEBINAR
WHEN: March 9, 2023
TIME: 9:00 AM ET
Learn more or register at: https://bit.ly/Caring23
For further information, please contact Tonya at 812-882-3509
Question: Contact Daniel Walker at walke422@purdue.edu and visit www.cdext.purdue.edu/dr
FREE INVASIVE PLANT LANDOWNER SITE VISITS
A program of The Daviess, Dubois and Martin County Soil and Water Conservation Districts:
Do you want to learn more about invasive species on your property? Have an Invasive Species Specialist come to your property and identify invasive species that are taking up residence? We can help you learn to identify, prioritize, and control problematic invasive plants. You can even receive an invasive management plan customized to your property. We can also refer landowners to state and federal programs for invasive control cost-share assistance. Help raise awareness about invasive species in your county.
This Service is available in Daviess, Dubois, and Martin Counties. Contact Emily Finch, Invasive Species Specialist at 812-482-1171 Extension #3, or Email at: Emily.Finch@in.nacdnet.net
This Program is provided by the Daviess, Dubois and Martin County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. With funding from a Clean Water Indiana Grant.
DID YOU KNOW? PURDUE EXTENSION WORKS
Purdue Extension works with residents to build vibrant communities, strong families and profitable businesses. Purdue Extension provides programing to residents in the following 4 areas:
Our vision: We will be a leader in providing relevant, high-impact education programs that transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals and communities in Indiana and the world.
Make a difference today: You can Help! For in person donations to Martin County Extension, please contact: Dena Held at heldd@purdue.edu or visit us at 2666 US Hwy 50, Loogootee, IN.
To make a donation on line visit: https://bit.ly/donationextensionmartincounty
USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Signup for 2023
From: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/news-releases/2023/usda-announces-conservation-reserve-program-signup-for-2023
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP is a cornerstone voluntary conservation program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a key tool in the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to address climate change and help agricultural communities invest in the long-term well-being of their land and natural resources.
“The Conservation Reserve Program is one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, offering a range of conservation options to farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Vilsack said. “CRP has and continues to be a great fit for farmers with less productive or marginal cropland, helping them re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat. Under this administration, we have made several updates to the program to increase producer interest and enrollment, strengthen the climate benefits of the program and help ensure underserved producers can find a pathway to entry into CRP.”
Producers and landowners enrolled more than 5 million acres into CRP through signups in 2022, building on the acceptance of more than 3.1 million acres in the largest Grassland CRP signup in history. There are currently 23 million acres enrolled in CRP, with 1.9 million set to expire this year. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is aiming to reach the 27-million-acre cap statutorily set for fiscal year 2023.
General CRP
General CRP helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Additionally, General CRP includes a Climate-Smart Practice Incentive to help increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping producers and landowners establish trees and permanent grasses, enhance wildlife habitat, and restore wetlands.
Continuous CRP
Under Continuous CRP, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap. The Climate-Smart Practice Incentive is also available in the Continuous signup.
FSA offers several additional enrollment opportunities within Continuous CRP, including the Clean Lakes Estuaries and Rivers Initiative (CLEAR30), the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative, the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The CLEAR30 Initiative, which was originally piloted in twelve states in the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay watershed, has been expanded nationwide, allowing producers and landowners to enroll in 30-year CRP contracts for water quality practices. Under this administration, FSA also moved SAFE practices back to the Continuous CRP signup, giving producers and landowners more opportunities to participate in the initiative. Through the FWP, producers and landowners can enroll land in CRP as part of their efforts to restore previously farmed wetlands and wetland buffers, to improve both vegetation and water flow.
This administration has also made significant improvements to CREP, which leverages federal and non-federal funds to target specific State, regional or nationally significant conservation concerns. Specifically, USDA made significant improvements to CREP to reduce barriers and make the program more accessible to a broad range of producers and new types of partners. These updates included flexibility for partners to provide matching funds in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or technical assistance, along with an investment in additional staff to work directly with partners. Through CREP, for the first time ever, three Tribal Nations are now partnering with USDA to help conserve, maintain, and improve grassland productivity, reduce soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Grassland CRP
FSA will announce the dates for Grassland CRP signup in the coming weeks. Grassland CRP is a working lands program, helping landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as working grazing lands. Protecting grasslands contributes positively to the economy of many regions, provides biodiversity of plant and animal populations, and provides important carbon sequestration benefits to deliver lasting climate outcomes.
How to Sign Up
Landowners and producers interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before their deadlines.
Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land.
More Information
Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. It was originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production. The program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
91st IBEP PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE
PRE-SALE OPEN HOUSE: FRIDAY, April 14, 2023 with a complimentary meal at 6:00. (RSVP by April 6, 2023
SALE: SATURDAY, April 15, 2023 1:00 PM EST
LOCATION: Springville Feeder Auction on 4426 State Road 54 W, Springville, IN 47462 (10 miles northwest of Bedford, IN)
VIEW AND BID LIVE ON LINE AT LiveAuctions.TV
For more information call: Indiana Beef Evaluation Program 812-279-4330 or visit: https://ag.purdue.edu/depatment/ansc/ibep/2022-winter-test.html
Adapted from Got Nature? blog, Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources & My DNR-Indiana’s Outdoor News.
Make preparations now to keep geese off your land. Our friends at Indiana Department of Natural Resources remind us that Canada geese begin scouting for nesting areas in February. If you want to keep geese off your property, now is the time to start preparing. Geese prefer to nest near water surrounded by short, mowed grass and often return to where they have had previous nesting success. Well-kept lawns provide geese with food and a clear line-of-sight to see predators.
For more information and resources view the Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife – Canada Geese Management web page. You will find regulations, common goose conflicts, Canada Goose Biology, hunting information and more.
Other Resources:
Selecting a Nuisance Wildlife Control Professional,
Nuisance Canada Goose Management – Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR)
Caution: Feeding Waterfowl May Be Harmful, U.S. fish & Wildlife Service
Indiana Department of Natural Resources