2023 MARTIN COUNTY 4-H FAIR & PROGRAM REVIEW MEETING
Thursday, August 10th
6:30 pm
Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center, Community Building
All are encouraged to attend and share ideas and connect to work together!
INDIANA STATE FAIR 2023 CONTINUES THROUGH AUGUST 20TH!
Results from Martin County 4-H members involved at the Indiana State Fair will be shared after those results are finalized! Congratulations to all youth participating at the Great Indiana State Fair!
MARTIN COUNTY 4-H TURKEY DINNER & 2023 4-H ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Save the date: Sunday, November 5, 2023
Martin County 4-H Fairgrounds & Event Center, Community Building
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!
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 and STEM/Robotics. Various content specialist and general volunteers are also needed. Looking to help with the 4-H Fair and have some ideas? Join one of the committees. Wonder how we can continue to bring fun and learning to youth through 4-H all year long? Do you have ideas? NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO GET INVOLVED!
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!
INDIANA 4-H PROGRAMS LEAD TO POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
4-H began over 100 years ago and has since grown into the largest youth development program in the nation. 4-H prepares young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands-on experiences alongside their peers and caring adults. Backed by a network of more than 6 million youth, 540,000 adult volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni, 4-H delivers research-based programming around positive youth development. 4-H is delivered through America’s 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service, reaching every corner of our nation.
In Indiana, 4-H can be found in all 92 counties delivered through Purdue Extension. Community clubs, afterschool programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special interest programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program. The impact of 4-H for life skill development providing college & career pathways is proven. Volunteer leadership in 4-H provides a part of the critical competencies required for 4-H programming. Thank you to all volunteers!
We invite all youth, kindergarten to twelfth grade, to join 4-H! The program provides opportunity for all!
STOCKMANSHIP with CURT PATE
From Ryegate, Montana. Curt Pate uses his personal experience incorporating effective stockmanship principles, supports a “for profit” mindset and focuses on highlighting the increased economic benefits of handling stock correctly. In addition, Curt recognizes the growing public scrutiny surrounding livestock production and the impact that improved livestock handling practices create for the sustainability of the cattle industry.
WHERE: Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center, Dubois, IN
WHEN: Friday, September 29, 2023 – Beef Focused Program
Saturday, September 30, 2023 – Sheep & Goat Focused Program
DETAILS AVAILABLE AT:
www.indianaforage.org – www.indianasheep.com – www.indianabeef.org
REMOTE WORK PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE COURSE
To help entrepreneurs, freelancers and employees enhance their remote work skills, the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) and Purdue Extension have partnered to offer the Remote Work Professional Certificate course. Grant funding allows Indiana participants to complete the certificate for $50 compared to its regular price of $199.
The Remote Work Professional Certificate course equips individuals with the skills needed to excel in a remote work environment. The course covers topics such as time management, communication, collaboration and strategies for staying focused and productive while working from home. Participants will learn about the latest tools and technologies that are essential for remote work success.
“Remote work is the future of work, and we are thrilled to offer this course to help individuals thrive in this new environment,” said Emily Del Real, PCRD engagement specialist. “With grant funding, we are able to make this course accessible, regardless of financial circumstances.”
The online certificate course consists of nine self-paced core modules and four interactive workshops. The modules will cover how to set up a virtual office and communicate professionally, as well as understanding task management and project tracking, the legal precautions of working online, problem solving, and remote professional development. Participants will need reliable access to broadband, a web camera and microphone, and basic computer proficiency. Program coaches will be available throughout the course to answer questions and guide participants through the modules.
To register for the online course and take advantage of the grant funding program, visit https://pcrd.purdue.edu/remoteworkcertificate/ and enter discount code RBDG_Grant22.
About the Purdue Center for Regional Development
The Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) seeks to pioneer new ideas and strategies that contribute to regional collaboration, innovation and prosperity. Founded in 2005, the center partners with public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to identify and enhance the key drivers of innovation in regions across Indiana, the U.S. and beyond. These drivers include a vibrant and inclusive civic leadership, a commitment to collaboration and the application of advanced data support systems to promote sound decision-making and the pursuit of economic development investments that build on the competitive assets of regions. Learn more at https://pcrd.purdue.edu/.
LEAVE NO TRACE: HOW TO PRACTICE LOW-IMPACT CAMPING
(http://ag.purdue.edu/news/2023/06/leave-no-trace-how-to-practice-low-impact camping.html)
from Katherine Jacobson
Since COVID-19 sent everyone home to self-isolate inside, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee has witnessed a different kind of phenomenon. “More people have started taking advantage of time outdoors, and that’s a good thing. But more people going outside can lead to additional pressure on the environment if people don’t act wisely and responsibly.” As Indiana’s peak camping season picks up in June, Purdue Extension experts share tips on how campers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can help protect parks and wildlife for all to enjoy.
LEAVE NO TRACE
It’s step number one: setting up camp. Farlee advises campers to restrict tents and equipment to existing and hardened campsites to prevent erosion and soil compaction of surrounding vegetation.
“Thinking about existing guidelines as you establish camp is a big deal for conservation. I know some folks might feel constrained by this, but there are good reasons to practice this approach.”
While they may look cute, animals like raccoons can become accustomed to being fed and cause problems looking for food in people’s tents and campers. According to Extension Wildlife Specialist Brian MacGowan, unless there are bears in the area, storing food in a locked vehicle will effectively keep wildlife out. Trash should be thoroughly discarded in locked containers or off the campsite.
“One of the many joys of camping is seeing wildlife up close, but we have to remember to let wild animals be wild,” MacGowan said. “Even something like a cooler is not necessarily safe because a racoon can open that latch.”
When it’s time for tear-down, in addition to thoroughly picking up all trash, Horticultural Extension Entomologist Elizabeth Long suggests campers clean and inspect all vehicles, equipment and gear for signs of invasive species, such as spotted lanternfly egg masses on cars or grills or zebra mussels on boats.
“Familiarize yourself with what egg masses look like. If you’re suspicious, just scrape it off.”
BURN WHERE YOU BUY
Nothing says camping more than roasting smores around a campfire, but in some weather conditions, starting fires can be dangerous. “Dry, windy, and low humidity conditions can pick up embers and start wildfires,” said Farlee. “Always check the fire conditions with the DNR or recreational area you’re staying at before you go.”
If conditions are safe for a fire, campers should use only the provided rings or pits and keep water or a shovel nearby to extinguish any stray embers. If there are no existing rings, cleaning an area down to bare soil or using stones will safely contain the fire.
“Think about where you’re placing any equipment that produces heat to avoid tree damage, protect surrounding vegetation, and prevent fires from starting,” said Farlee. “Make sure fine fuels are not close to fire—things like dry grass, leaves, or overhanging twigs.”
Equally as important as where you start your fire is the firewood itself.
“Don’t move firewood,” said Long. “Although you can’t see them, wood-boring beetles like the emerald ash borer can be inside wood, even wood that has been dead or sitting awhile.”
Instead, Long suggests buying firewood directly from the campsite or local gas station to prevent the spread of invasive species.
STAY ON THE TRAIL
Although it may be tempting to venture off the beaten path, Purdue Extension experts agree that it’s important to stay on well-established trails to avoid erosion issues and habitat loss. Going off-trail could disturb habitats with rare plants or animals or delicate conditions, creating problems for the entire ecosystem.
“One of the things we don’t think about is our capacity to spread invasive species through soil or residue on boots and clothing,” said Farlee. “One of the things I see along trails is a higher percentage of invasive species than in surrounding habitats, which is probably due to accidental human spread.”
To minimize the spread of invasive species, experts suggest making sure clothing is free of seeds, ticks, and burrs and cleaning shoes before and after a hike, especially in wet areas. Clean boots and clothing to avoid spreading invasive species
“If you’re going into any kind of wetland, there’s a possibility of disease transmission from site to site. We treat waders or boots as well as sampling equipment with a bleach solution to kill pathogens that impact amphibians and reptiles,” said MacGowan.
Not only does sticking to trails and sanitizing clothing help protect parks and habitats—it also protects the people who enjoy them.
“Although it makes me sound like a lame hiker, if you’re not hiking on a well-managed path, you’re more likely to pick up ticks,” said Long.
These tiny, bloodsucking parasites carry Lyme disease, and some tick bites can trigger Alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy, posing a potential health risk. Hikers can wear long pants and sleeves to further protect themselves.
If there’s one more thing experts agree on, it's that wildlife is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Stay on the trail to prevent habitat loss.
“Take pictures!” said Farlee. “As tempting as it may be to take souvenirs like wildflowers, if everyone picked them, we wouldn’t have any. Take that low-impact approach and leave them in place for pollinators, and we’ll have even more next year.”
ATTENTION 4-H’ERS, FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS.
Friends of 4-H, 4-H'ers, families, and volunteers: we need your input! Visit the below link and complete this survey to tell us about your 4-H priorities & experience. Your answers will help us submit a strong
Lilly Endowment, Inc. funding proposal that has the potential to benefit every Indiana 4-H'er. https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6PBZzsZibFdXPZs?Source=Stakeholders&fbclid=IwAR1WNXOsMbxO47WYojl2tRMHmiQU5rJNeNQ4f9iCp8PSCx_xwbNqy-OpCEw
The Purdue Extension Martin County weekly column is provided to help all learn about programs and opportunities. We highlight events from Purdue University & Extension where we hope you will choose to be part of Extension….. where there is Opportunity4All!