Perry County Extension Newsletter Jan/Feb 2024

4-H Newsletter

Hannah Lasher 4-H Youth Development
hlasher@purdue.edu

---

It’s Time to Enroll in 4-H for 2023!

The annual 4-H enrollment window for volunteers and members opened on Oct. 1 and is completed by logging into your profile at  https://v2.4honline.com   If you forgot your password, click on the link to reset your password. If you have changed your email and no longer have access to the old email, contact the Extension office for assistance. Please do not setup a new profile!
Volunteers need to complete all of the training modules to complete their reenrollment. This is to be completed before working with youth or serving on 4-H committees and boards. The modules can be completed separately. The total time to complete all of the trainings is about one hour. Please complete this training online before the end of 2023. If you need assistance with the training or prefer an in-person training, contact the Extension office. Evening appointments can be scheduled. While I hope that you will reenroll for another year of serving youth, if you are unable to do this or would like to switch to a different role, please let me know.
 
4-H’ers are asked to reenroll as soon as possible so that you don’t miss out on any opportunities. While the youth enrollment window is Oct. 1-Jan. 15, it is best to enroll early. You don’t need to know all of the projects that you are taking when you enroll. Sign up for the ones you are most likely to take, and you can add and delete projects until May 15.
4-H Open House Recap
Perry County Extension hosted a 4-H open house in order to meet the new 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator. The open house included a bonfire where hot dogs, apple cider and s’mores were available to roast over the fire. 38 people came out to this event. It was a great evening of meeting the 4-H families and leaders. There were several projects on display in case new youth wanted to see some examples of past projects that were at the previous year’s 4-H Fair. It was a great event to get the community excited about 4-H and enjoy the nice fall weather before it gets too chilly!
We would like to give a big thanks to all the volunteers and 4-Hers that showed up to this event and brought the demonstrations! It is going to be a fun year for Perry County 4-H! Encourage friends this year to join 4-H; so, we can all have fun at events like these.
                                     

---

4-H Scholarships

4-H’ers in grades 10-12 are encouraged to apply for Indiana 4-H Foundation scholarships. Applications should be submitted prior to the January 25 deadline to allow time for revisions. These scholarships require an application process separate from the ones provided at school. Contact Hannah Lasher for assistance and to schedule an individual help session. Information and applications are posted here:  https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/scholarships.html

---

***Perry County 4-H’ers***

New name for the Newsletter!
Attention Perry County Youth! Send your suggestions for the name for the newsletter and the winner will receive a prize from the extension office! Email your suggestions to Hlasher@purdue.edu
 

Perry County Ag News

Educator’s Corner   

One Good Idea Shop Talks and Mini-Grant Opportunity

Good Idea Shop Talks

Good Idea Mini-Grants

Forest Management Course Offered for Private Woodland Owners

Save the Date!

March 8-9 Homesteading Conference

March 8

March 9

• Beekeeping
• Organic gardening
• Backyard poultry production
• Small business tools
• On-farm butchering
• Soil health
• Home fruit production
• Small farm/garden equipment
• Youth program for grades K-6

USDA Releases Updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Health & Human Sciences

Use the Upcoming New Year as a Time for Reflection

Meet the Newest Member of the Purdue Extension - Perry County Team

Traveling this Winter? Tips for Safety

• Adjust following distance and speed in snowy or icy conditions. 
• Having a few drinks while you are out? Be sure to designate a sober driver or arrange for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft ahead of time if you plan to consume alcohol of any kind. 
• Avoid aggressive and angry driving.
• During the winter months, an earlier sunset means you've got less daylight to work with. Ideally, plan your trip to avoid driving at night. 
• Cold weather takes its toll on car batteries. Double-check to make sure you've got jumper cables in your trunk. You never know when an easy jump-start could save you time and hassle — or when you could use them to help someone else. 
• A winter storm can leave you stuck in a drift or stranded in a blizzard, particularly if you're traveling on unfamiliar roads. So be sure to stock your vehicle with items that might be helpful in case of a problem: thick blankets, extra food and water, coats and jackets and a flashlight. 

Diabetes Myths

• There is no diabetes in my family, so I don’t have to worry. Diabetes does run in families, but many people diagnosed with the disease have no close family members who have it. Lifestyle, heredity, and possible other factors, such as certain viruses, may increase the risk. 
• It’s called sugar diabetes, so it must come from the sugar I eat. When you eat food, the body turns it into a form of energy called glucose, also know as “blood sugar.” Insulin helps move the blood sugar into your body’s cells for energy. When the body’s own insulin does not work well or when not enough insulin is made, the blood sugar rises. Then the person has diabetes. 
• My friend takes insulin pills to control her diabetes. Insulin is a protein; it cannot be taken by mouth because the stomach would not digest it. Insulin must be given by injection or insulin pump through the skin. Diabetes pills help by making the body produce more insulin, use its own insulin better, produce less blood sugar from the liver, or limit carbohydrate absorption after a meal. 
• If I don’t take diabetes medicine, my diabetes must not be serious. Not everyone who has diabetes takes diabetes medicine. If the body produces some insulin, weight loss, healthy eating, and regular physical activity can help insulin work more effectively. However, diabetes does change over time, and diabetes medicine may be needed later. 
• If I have diabetes, I will never be able to eat any sugar. To control one’s blood sugar, all sources of carbohydrates must be controlled. Carbohydrates include starchy foods like pasta and bread as well as sugary foods like cakes or candy. Even juice, milk, and fruit all contain carbohydrates, so they must be eaten in moderate amounts. With careful planning, small amounts of sugar can replace other carbohydrates usually eaten in a meal. Too much sugar is bad for everyone. If only provides empty calories. 
• I have diabetes, and I’ve seen its effect on family members. I know there is nothing I can do about it. Remember diabetes is serious, common, costly, and CONTROLLABLE. There are many things diabetics can do to live a full life, while preventing or delaying complications. Control your diabetes by eating healthy foods, staying active, lose weight if needed, take medicine as prescribed, test your blood sugar, and see your health care team regularly. Source: National Diabetes Education Program- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep   

"MAKING THE HEALTHY CHOICE, THE EASY CHOICE.”

Do I Qualify for SNAP?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Raise Healthy Eaters in the New Year

• Serve regular, balanced meals and snacks with a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Provide calm, pleasant meal times where adults and children can talk together.
• Remove distractions such as television, phones and tablets so that your attention is on each other.
• Allow children to use their internal signals to decide how much and what to eat from the foods you set out for each meal.
• Explore a variety of flavors and foods from different cultures and cuisines.
• Share an appreciation for healthful food, lovingly prepared and shared with others.
• Make food safety, such as washing hands, part of every eating occasion.
• Teach basic skills for making positive food choices away from home.
• Find credible food and nutrition resources when you don't know the answer.

While this may seem like an intimidating to-do list, two family habits go a long way to making all this happen: regular family meals and involving kids in nutrition from the ground up.

• Make Family Meal Times a Priority

Sometimes a very simple act can have important, long-lasting benefits. According to parenting and health experts, that is exactly the case with family meal times. Eating and talking together helps to:

• Foster family unity
• Prevent behavior problems at home and school
• Enhance academic success
• Improve nutrition
• Promote healthy weight for kids

"MAKING THE HEALTHY CHOICE, THE EASY CHOICE.”

Do I Qualify for SNAP?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Raise Healthy Eaters in the New Year

• Serve regular, balanced meals and snacks with a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Provide calm, pleasant meal times where adults and children can talk together.
• Remove distractions such as television, phones and tablets so that your attention is on each other.
• Allow children to use their internal signals to decide how much and what to eat from the foods you set out for each meal.
• Explore a variety of flavors and foods from different cultures and cuisines.
• Share an appreciation for healthful food, lovingly prepared and shared with others.
• Make food safety, such as washing hands, part of every eating occasion.
• Teach basic skills for making positive food choices away from home.
• Find credible food and nutrition resources when you don't know the answer.

While this may seem like an intimidating to-do list, two family habits go a long way to making all this happen: regular family meals and involving kids in nutrition from the ground up.

• Make Family Meal Times a Priority

Sometimes a very simple act can have important, long-lasting benefits. According to parenting and health experts, that is exactly the case with family meal times. Eating and talking together helps to:

• Foster family unity
• Prevent behavior problems at home and school
• Enhance academic success
• Improve nutrition
• Promote healthy weight for kids