May 2023 Newsletter
To download a pdf version click here!
Welcome!
As we welcome May and warmer weather we also want to make you aware of important May deadlines to make sure you’re eligible for upcoming events and fair! Please reach out to the Extension Office if you have any questions at all.
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.
Livestock ID
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. RFID tags for Swine and Registered Heifers can be purchased from the Extension Office during office hours.
If you think you may show (beef, dairy cattle, meat goats, sheep, swine) at the Indiana State Fair a DNA Hair Sample is due to the Extension Office in the official collection envelope on May 15th.
May is Bike Month
Get out and explore Vigo County with our Bike Month Passport. And we’re bringing back the bike rodeo!
•Workshop May 13th 2-4pm at the 4-H Meeting Room
•Bike Rodeo June 24th 9am-Noon Location TBA *must sign-up in FairEntry.com
•Helmets are required! Water, snacks, and sunscreen are recommended.
Watch for pop-up bicycle events on Facebook in May & June! pending weather & interest
4-H Camp registration due May 5th
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 Mini Camp
Mini 4-H Camp will Be June 5th-8th from 9am-12pm. Registration is OPEN until May 12, or until spaces fill up. Sign up is on 4-H Online under the events tab.
V2.4Honline.com
last call for 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.
