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April 2023 Vigo County 4-h newsletter

To download a copy, click here!
Welcome!
Spring has sprung and that means preparing for a busy 4-H summer! In this newsletter you’ll find information about summer events like camps and trips. It’s also time to make sure you’re prepared to meet all the guidelines and deadlines to have a successful fair. Don’t forget to support our biggest fans the 4-H Council and Fair Board with upcoming spring fundraisers!
I Enrolled in 4-H, Now What?
Got questions about 4-H? Enrolled but not sure what to do next? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Vigo County 4-H is available at: https://extension.purdue.edu/Vigoarticle/35955
Frequently asked questions can be found there with all of your answers!
Still have a question? Call us at 812-462-3371
Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Fair Book
The 2023 fair book is posted to the Purdue Extension-Vigo County website and can be downloaded. There are limited numbers of hard copies available to purchase for $10 at the Extension Office.
4-H Project Manuals

Most 4-H projects have manuals that give in-depth information for that project and can help with your fair exhibit. Project manuals are available at the Extension Office, please call in advance so we can get them ready for pickup.

FAIRBOARD CHICKEN NOODLE DINNER FUNDRAISER

Join the Vigo County Fair Board for a Chicken Noodle Dinner on Saturday, April 8 from 4-7 pm. In addition to a great meal you can check out the remodel of the Banquet Center, meet the board, and bid on silent auction items. Tickets are available to purchase at the Extension Office.chicken noodle fundrasier

4-H Mini Camp

Mini 4-H Camp will Be June 5th-8th from 9am-12pm. Registration will be open April 24-May 12, or until spaces fill up. A link to sign up will be sent to all registered participants on April 24th.

NOW HIRING SUMMER INTERNS

See the postings and apply under Purdue Extension after searching “Vigo County Employment” in your browser. Summer interns work with the 4-H Educators to provide weekly programing to various youth organizations’ summer camps from late May to early August and assist with the Vigo County Fair. Interviews will begin being scheduled after April 5th so apply ASAP!

LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION

All alpaca & llama, beef, dairy, goats, horse & pony, sheep, and swine must be entered into 4-H Online by 11:59pm on May 15, 2023 to exhibit the animal at the Vigo County Fair, NO EXTENSIONS. Equine and lama require color photos of the full animal. The other animals require tag numbers, tattoos, and/or ear notches depending on the animal.

Goat and Sheep tag day is May 13th from 9-11am at the Fairgrounds and is required for most animals, check the fair book for specifics. Beef & Dairy Feeder Calves will be tagged 11am-1pm on May 13th. Swine tags and vaccines can be preordered by April 3 for pick-up at the April 17th meeting using the link emailed out. RFID tags can be purchased from the Extension Office during office hours.

4-H CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN

4-H Camp will take place from June 11-14, 2023 at Shakamak State Park. We will be camping with 4-H’ers from Sullivan, Owen, and Clay Counties. Daily activities will include boating, recreation, crafts, swimming, outdoor cooking, nature activities, and lots of silly songs and chants! 4-H Camp is open to all 4-H’ers currently in grades 3 through 6. You must be enrolled in Vigo County 4-H to attend 4-H Camp. If you have a non-4-H friend interested there is still time for them to enroll in 4-H!

The camp fee is $120 per camper and covers your lodging, meals, camp t-shirt, and activities. There is limited funding to assist those with a financial need, please contact Sara to learn more prior to registration. Additionally, you will need money during camp to cover craft items ($5 or less) and snacks at the pool concession stand. You will be responsible for your transportation to and from Shakamak State Park. Campers will need to be dropped off around 2 pm on Sunday, June 11 and picked up around 10 am on Wednesday, June 14. We have not finalized our camp schedule yet; the specific times will be sent to you in a letter along with important details a week prior to camp.

To sign up for 4-H Camp, you will register through 4-H Online under the events tab, instructions are available on our website. The registration deadline is May 5th. During registration we’ll need to know any dietary restrictions, t-shirt size, and any bunk buddies your child requests. If you have any issues registering, please contact the Extension Office at shaag@purdue.edu or call 812-462-3371.

4-H COUNCIL TRIVIA NIGHT

The 4-H Council is hosting a Trivia Night at Sycamore Winery on Mat 4th. Get a team together and email vigo4hfund@gmail today and reserve your table for a fun night to raise money for Vigo County 4-H! trivia-night-2023.jpg

AWARD SPONSORS NEEDED

Help make the 2023 Vigo County 4-H Fair a success and sponsor an exhibit hall award! $20 sponsors a set of exhibit hall awards.  Contact Erin at 812-462-3371 or harmon79@purdue.edu!

4-H STATE TRIPS

If you would like to attend a state 4-H trip and be eligible for funding, please return the Trip Interest Form and a $50 deposit to the Extension Office. Download the Trip Interest Form on our website. Please make checks payable to Vigo County 4-H Council. The Vigo County 4-H Council has provided funding for 10 trip sponsorships. Most trip registrations are due to the state by May 15th, but turn in your paperwork early for a chance to receive sponsorship. Please note that you can go on multiple trips, but each 4-H member will only receive one trip scholarship. If selected for a 4-H Council Trip Scholarship, the $50 will be deposited and a $50 check to the 4-H family will be returned after successful completion of the trip. More information and the Trip Interest Form is on the website.
Trip opportunities include:
- 4-H Academy @ Purdue – Grades 9-12 – June 7-9
- 4-H Round-Up – Grades 7-9 – June 26-28
- 4-H Band – Grades 9-12 - June 24-26
- 4-H Chorus - Grades 9-12 - June 24-26
- State 4-H Jr. Leader Conference – Grades 9-12 – June 13-16– DePauw University
- National 4-H Congress– Grades 9-11 –November 24-28 –Atlanta, Georgia

ANIMAL ETHICS

New in 2023, Indiana 4-H Quality Care replaces YQCA for in-person trainings!
All beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, poultry, and/or rabbits, 4-H members exhibiting at the Vigo County Fair and/or Indiana State Fair MUST be certified through the Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care OR Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) by July 7, 2023. Mini 4-Her’s are exempt from the training.

Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care is an annual program that will include an in-person session presented by an Extension Educator. Once a 4-Her has attended the entirety of a session and participated in course activities, completion of the training will be documented in 4-H Online by the Educator. Trainings held in Vigo County will be free to Vigo County 4-H Members who completed 4-H enrollment by January 15th. Thank you to Effingham Equity for sponsoring the $3 fee! Those exhibiting at State Fair will need to request a completion certificate.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals can be completed via online modules for $12 per member at
http://yqcaprogram.org. Some national shows (especially swine) still require YQCA. There are a limited number of YQCA coupons left from previous years that can be used for online training. Contact Sara to receive a coupon code. Those completing YQCA MUST email a copy of the completion certificate to
shaag@purdue.edu.

Vigo County trainings will be held:
• Monday, May 15 from 6:00-7:00 PM in the 4-H Meeting Room (Rabbit Meeting)
• Tuesday, June 20 from 5:00-6:00 PM in the Community Center
Some training dates coincide with Vigo County 4-H club meeting dates, but the training is open to any youth. 4-Her’s only attend one training, even if exhibiting multiple species.

IMPORTANT DATES

May 13- Goat, Sheep, and Bucket Calf Tag Day
May 15- 4-H Online Animal ID Deadline (all livestock except rabbits andpoultry), State Fair DNA samples
Due, Add/Drop date for 4HOnline projects
June 11-14- 4-H Camp at Shakamak, Counselor Application available in March with
Camper Registration in April
June 20- FairEntry.com deadline for ALL fair projects (This is different from 4-Honline!)
June 29- Exhibit Hall Judging (all non-perishable projects)
July 6- Exhibit Hall Judging (Cake Decorating, Foods,
Crops, Garden, Floriculture & Mini)
JULY 8-15- Vigo County Fair

APRIL CALENDAR

Click here to download the April calendar!

calendar-2023 april.png

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