4-H Newsletter

Hannah Lasher, 4-H Educator

Call the extension office or come in if you have questions! We are open Monday- Friday 8am-4pm. Register for 4-H through 4Honline. “No matter who you are, no matter what your background is or what you’re interested in – there’s something for you in 4-H.” Visit purdue.ag/enroll4h to see what the nation’s largest youth development program is all about, and sign up for 4-H at in.4HOnline.com to start your year of 4-H fun. Join the fun today and enroll to make the most of your spring and summer!

Alongside other 4-H educators, council members, fair board members, and friends of 4-H from across the state. At the Summit we will engage in activities, presentations and discussions to revitalize our purpose, structure and partnership. There will also be opportunities to network, share ideas, ask questions and gain insights to bring back to the rest of the council/board. I look forward to attending this event with you to strengthen our Perry County 4-H program and the relationship between each organization and the 4-H youth we serve together. Please let me know before January 17th whether you will be able to join me at this event.

Have you started on your Indiana 4-H scholarship application? Applications are available now and are due to your county Purdue Extension-Perry County office on January 25. Visit bit.ly/4hscholarship to learn more about these opportunities.
If you turn it in prior to January 25th, you will receive feedback on how to improve prior to submission.

The best gift we can give our kids is to empower them with skills that will last for a lifetime, which is why parents have been sending their kids to 4-H summer camps for decades.
4-H was founded on the belief that when kids are empowered to pursue their passions and chart their own courses, their skills grow and take shape, helping them to become true leaders in their lives, careers and communities.
4-H is grounded in a deliberate, research-backed development and delivery model, which means at 4-H camp, kids learn critical life skills like resilience and independence. If we want our kids to be able to bounce back from adversity, stress, challenges and failures, teaching them resilience is key. Having experiences outside their comfort zones help young people become more resilient, more independent and better able to plan and reach their long-term goals.
Perry County Ag News

Sara Dzimianski, ANR Educator
Educator's Corner
What does this cold start to the year mean for Perry County Agriculture? Extended cold spells provide some, but not complete relief from some pests. This doesn’t mean that we can expect the coming year to be pest-free. Many insects overwinter in the soil itself and are insulated from the cold temperatures. Other insect species may have a percentage die but after a couple of lifecycles will be back to near-normal populations. Early spring gardens will likely suffer fewer pest problems, while we will likely see near-normal pest populations during the summer gardening season.
Pay close attention to livestock in cold weather. Keep waterers accessible and ensure that liquid water is always available. Ensure livestock have enough energy in their diets to support the extra stress of cold temperatures added to their current life stage (growth or reproduction).
Late winter is a good time to prune herbaceous and summer-flowering ornamental plants. Wait until after bloom for early-flowering plants since buds are already set for spring flowers.
Sara
2025 sPRAYER school oFFERED IN kNOX County
Area 3 Agriculture and Natural Resource Educators are presenting Sprayer School again on 1/31/2025 in Knox County. This all-day program is geared toward commercial applicators and farmers who apply ag pesticides. No PARP credits are offered; CCH & CCA are available.
Register at this Link: https://tinyurl.com/37yh73ct
Contact Purdue Extension Knox County with questions at 812-882-3509.
Cost: $50
Checks Payable to Purdue University Mail to Purdue Extension Knox County 4259 N Purdue Rd Vincennes, IN 47591
Checks should be received by 1/21.

Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture Seeking Responses for 2025 Custom Rates Survey
Please report rates for custom work which you have charged others, or which you have paid during the past year. Include the cost of hiring the machine with fuel and operator in all sections except the section which asks about machine rental rates. Please return this questionnaire even if you answer only one question. Facts about your business are kept confidential, and used only in combination with similar reports. Response is voluntary, but you can perform a valuable price discovery service for yourself and others by replying to this survey https://purdue.ag/customfarmrates
2025 Statewide Virtual Purdue EMG Basic Training
The Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program will hold a statewide virtual Extension Master Gardener Basic Training on Tuesdays, February 4 through May 6, 2025, from 6:30-8:30 PM ET / 5:30-7:30 PM CT via live webinars. Final exam given after May 6. There will also be a weekly local connection hour with your county’s Extension Master Gardener coordinator. The day, time, and place for the local connection hour will be determined by your county’s EMG coordinator and could be in person, a virtual web meeting, or a combination of both.
Please note: Attendance at the live scheduled statewide webinars and county connections is required to complete the EMG Basic Training. Watching recorded sessions for an unexpected absence(s) should be discussed with the hosting EMG County Coordinator.
If you have questions, please contact mastergardener@purdue.edu .
Purdue is committed to making all programs accessible to participants. If you require auxiliary aids or services or if you have other program-related concerns, please contact our staff at mastergardener@purdue.edu at least 3 weeks prior to the program.
Health & Human Sciences
Bringing University information to the local level to strengthen families, spend smart, eat right, and live well.

Contact Megan Jasperson, Health and Human Sciences Educator
mjaspers@purdue.edu
Perry County Office
65 Park Ave
Tell City, IN 47586
812-547-7084
Spencer County Office
1101 E. County Rd 800 N
Chrisney, IN 47611
Create a winter emergency kit for your car
We all know the importance of preparing for an ice storm or other potential natural disasters. Having an emergency kit with essential items in your home is the first step to surviving such an event. But you should also think about your car. Winter storms can create dangerous roads and a higher risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Create an emergency kit for your car and be prepared if caught out during a winter storm. Include the items below and have them in a bag, bucket, or small tote for easy access.
- Warm clothes (heavy coat, extra socks, gloves, hand warmers)
- Blankets
- Ice scraper
- Bottled water
- Shelf-stable snacks (Choose high protein foods
- to provide energy.)
- Flashlight
- Cell phone charger and battery backup
- Jumper cables or battery-powered jump starter
- Sand or kitty litter (to help with traction if you
- are stuck in snow)
- Small or collapsible shovel
- Roadside flares or glow sticks
- Flat tire inflation canister (non-explosive)
During the winter months, you should keep your gas tank full. Don’t let it get low, as you never know when you might be sitting for a while and not able to refuel. If you’re stranded, only run the engine for 10 minutes each hour to charge your phone and run the heater. Be sure to open a window slightly to allow fresh air to enter the car and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning while it’s running.
Contact your local Extension office for more information on preparing for severe weather or other natural disasters.
Source: University of Kentucky Extension, Annhall Norris, University of Kentucky Food Preservation and Food Safety Extension Specialist
Reference:
https://www.ready.gov/winter-ready#travel
Matter of balance class to launch in February - sign up now!
Have you stopped doing certain things you enjoy because you were concerned about falling? If so, you are not alone. Chances are you or someone you know has fallen or is afraid of falling and might even restrict their activities because of these concerns.
Many older adults share a common fear of falling that is so strong they actually limit their activities. Up to 50% of Americans over the age of 65 who live independently experience a fear of falling. When older adults limit their activity due to this fear, it can reduce their mobility and independence, affecting quality of life and actually increases the risk of future falls. It can also increase isolation and depression due the lack of interaction with family and friends. These who are most likely to be afraid of falling are likely to have already fallen once.
Purdue Extension is partnering with the Perry County Health Department utilizing Health First Indiana funding to help combat the issue. We are launching an eight-week Matter of Balance class on February 4th at the Perry County 4-H Fairgrounds. The class meets for two hours each Tuesday and has generated a lot of interest. There are still spots available but they are filling up quickly and we have limited space! You can register by calling the Purdue Extension office at 812-547-7084 or by emailing mjaspers@purdue.edu.
A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls acknowledges the risk of falling but emphasizes practical coping strategies to reduce this concern and remain active and independent. During the class, participants learn to:
- View falls and fear of falling as controllable
- Set realistic goals for increasing activity
- Find ways to change the environment to reduce fall risk factors
- Learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance.
Falling is not a natural part of aging and can be avoided by assessing your risk factors and making changes to your environment. This program is presented with the guidance of Area IV Agency on Aging.
You should attend A Matter of Balance if you:
- are concerned about falls
- have had a fall in the past
- restrict activities because of concerns about falling
- are interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength
See the enclosed flyer and testimonials for additional details!

"MAKING THE HEALTHY CHOICE, THE EASY CHOICE.”
ERIN MEYER, RDN - COMMUNITY WELLNESS COORDINATOR
Looking to reduce your family's added sugar intake?
Here's How:
Eating patterns with fewer sources of added sugars are associated with lower rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer in adults. There is even evidence that higher intakes of added sugars have been linked to dental cavities in both children and adults. Since many foods and beverages with added sugars also contribute extra calories, there is also a risk for overweight and obesity. Minimizing added sugars is a priority for many parents, but it's not as simple as trading cookies and soda for fruit and water. Avoiding obvious sources is one thing, but added sugar can be found in many foods where you may not expect it.
Added sugars sweeten a food or beverage — and although they add calories, they offer very little nutrition. On an ingredient label, sugar may appear under many names. Some common ones include cane sugar, evaporated cane juice, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, raw sugar and crystal solids. And, don't forget brown sugar, honey, maple syrup and brown rice syrup.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calorie needs. That's about 12 teaspoons (48 grams of added sugar) on a 2,000-calorie diet. But for kids — especially little kids, who may only need 1,200 to 1,400 calories per day — it's even less. For them, added sugars should not top 7 or 8 teaspoons (30 to 35 grams of added sugar).
But, rather than obsessing over grams and teaspoons, focus on reducing added sugars by limiting products that contain them.
Common Sources of Added Sugars
Some sources of added sugars are easy to spot, such as:
- Sugar sweetened beverages (soda, fruit punch, energy drinks, and some coffee and teas)
- Sweetened cereal
- Candy and chocolates
- Flavored yogurt
- Baked goods such as cakes, pastries and cookies
However, added sugars can hide in some surprising places, including:
- Whole-grain cereals and granola
- Instant flavored oatmeal
- Frozen foods
- Granola bars, protein bars and cereal bars
- Pasta sauce
- Dried fruit, canned fruit, applesauce and fruit juices
- Baby food
- Barbecue sauce, ketchup, salad dressing and other condiments
Tips for Reducing Added Sugars
The first step in reducing your family's intake of added sugars takes place in the grocery store. Scan ingredient lists and Nutrition Facts Labels while in the aisle and, when possible, choose options that don’t use added sugars. Try using naturally sweet fruits and vegetables when baking and cooking. Examples include bananas, sweet potatoes and apples. You can add a fruit like berries or mashed banana to your cooked oatmeal in the morning for sweetness.
For beverages, choose plain water and milk most often for children older than 12 months. Kids five years old and under should avoid flavored milks, non-dairy milks (with the exception of soymilk for dietary or medical needs), caffeinated beverages and low-calorie beverages. Add fruit and fresh herbs, like lemon slices or mint leaves, to water for extra flavor. You also can reduce added sugars at home by cooking from scratch. By making your own granola, pasta sauce and condiments and serving homemade baked treats, you are in control of the ingredients used and the amounts. As your family's taste buds adjust, gradually use less and less of the sweetened varieties.
Make a healthy relationship with food the overall focus instead of a completely sugar-free diet. Encourage positive associations with foods such as fruits and vegetables by playing up their good qualities and fresh taste — and save the super sweet stuff for special occasions.
Reference:
https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthful-habits/looking-to-reduce-your-familys-added-sugar-intake-heres-how
Are you in need of Emergency Food Resources?
Widows Barrel Food Pantry
821 10th Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-0834
Open Tuesday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm,
Wednesday 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry
434 13th Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-5038
Open Tuesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Council of Agencies
817 Blum Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-7780
Open Mon, Wed, Fri 9:00 am - 11:30 am (Food)
Tues 9:00 - 11:00 am (Clothing)
Cannelton Food Pantry
200 North 5th Street
Cannelton, IN 47520
(812) 719-5544
Open Tuesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Martin’s Cloak Food Pantry
27246 Perry Street
Siberia, IN 47515
(812) 357-7575
Open the 2nd & 4th Saturdays
8:30 am - 11:00 am
Deer Creek Baptist Food Pantry
6733 Alamo Rd
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 719-3909
Open the last Saturday of the Month
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free Community Meals - Families Welcome
Shepherd’s Table
Community Christian Church -
Fellowship Hall
821 10th Street
Tell City, IN 47586
(812) 547-7486
Tuesday - 5:00-6:00 pm
Table of Blessings
EUCC Fellowship Hall
Corner of Jefferson and 10th Streets
Tell City, IN 47586
Free, Hot, Nutritious Meals
Thursday - 5:00-6:00 pm
Nutrition Education Program
Danica Williams
Nutrition Education Program Advisor
Purdue Extension-Perry County Office
65 Park Avenue Tell City, IN 47586
Cell: 270-993-8549 Office: 812-547-7084
Email: will1179@purdue.edu