Friday, October 1 2021
Volume 3 Issue 1
Friday 4-H Nugget
Greetings 4-H Community,

It is the start of October which means the new 4-H Year is here! I know that our 4-H Staff, Volunteers and Members are looking forward to making this year an amazing experience for all. To get the most out of the 4-H program we encourage youth to enroll now so that you can stay up to date on all of the 4-H events and learning.

We challenge each of our members to think of a friend outside of the 4-H program and invite them to join you at a club meeting or activity. Help us spark their interest! Volunteers don't forget that we do have an upcoming leaders meeting on October 12, 2021 that we are asking at least one person from each club to attend so that everyone can start the program year off on the same foot.

All the best,

Robby Kelly, Sthele Greybar, & Anna Balas
Extension Educators
4-H Enrollment Opens October 1!
Information on how to enroll can be found here: 4-H Information (purdue.edu)
Enrollment gets you connected with a 4-H Club and all 4-H activities! For example:
  • Club Leaders know who is enrolled in the club and can contact you.
  • Older 4-H members will receive information of scholarship opportunities.  
  • You will receive important project information and 4-H activities/trips.
Scarecrow Contest
Special thanks to the clubs that signed up to do the 2021 Scarecrow Contest this fall!
  • Set-up will be October 11 (if you need an earlier time please contact the extension office). They will be located near the Quilt Garden on CR34.
  • Scarecrows will be on display during the Trick or Treat Event at the Fairgrounds!
  • Scarecrows must be REMOVED by November 1.
  • Results will be posted in the Nugget on November 5.

We’re excited to see what you have planned!
Leadership Summit
Registration is open for the October 23 Leadership Summit in Carmel! Youth in grades 7-12 and adult volunteers are invited to learn from and connect with 4-H’ers and 4-H volunteers from across the state.

Click here for more information and to learn how to register through 4-H online. If we have enough interest, carpooling may be an option! Some funds may be available to cover the cost of the day.

Email abalas@purdue.edu for more information about funding.
Discover and Experience 4-H
Join us October 16 in the ECCC from 10am-1pm. Everyone is invited! This is a great opportunity to recruit new members for your 4-H club! If your club hasn’t signed up yet, please email 
abalas@purdue.edu or call 574-533-0554.
National 4-H Week
National 4-H Week is October 3-9 and the theme is 'Find Your Spark!' Keep an eye out for social media challenges all week, enroll in 4-H, and join us in wearing green on Wednesday, October 6!
Congrats to our Excellence Award Winner
Congratulations to Andrew Bailey on having been named a recipient of a 2021 Indiana 4‐H Volunteer Award of Excellence! He has been awarded the Youth Volunteer award in the Excellence in Club Programming category and will be recognized at the 4-H Leadership Summit on Saturday, October 23 in Carmel, IN!
4-H Fair Heritage Park Project
The Elkhart County 4-H Fair’s Heritage Park has become a well-maintained green space and a refreshing focal point for fair-goers and event participants throughout the outdoor season. Heritage Park has benefitted from many improvements and enhancements over the years, including expanded seating areas for eating and connecting with others, a beautiful park stage for entertainment and events, and upgrades in sidewalks and landscaping.
 
In our continuing efforts to maintain the beauty and functionality of Heritage Park, we plan to add a small annex to the back of the stage. Previously, we have used an RV as a dressing room during the Fair. However, the RV is aging and in disrepair. The Annex will replace the RV and provide three rooms that can be utilized as dressing rooms during the Fair and host small meetings and groups throughout the year, such as 4-H clubs, rallies, the Mennonite Relief Sale, and many others.
 
The estimated cost of this project is $60,000. The Fair is applying for a grant to help us reach our goal. The Fair hopes to break ground this fall and complete the structure before the 2022 Fair.
Their goal is to raise $30,000 by October 13! So far $22,700 has been raised towards the project, but they need your help to cross the finish line! Individuals and businesses may contribute to the campaign through tax-deductible donations or through purchasing engraved stone blocks.
 
Tax deductible donations may be made via credit card online at 4HFair.org/Annex or via cash or check through the Fairgrounds Office.
 
Engraved stone blocks will be located around the perimeter of the annex walls and are $500 per block for a name engraving and $1000 per block for an engraving with a logo/image and names. Engraved stone blocks are limited in quantity and may be purchased by contacting the Fairgrounds Office at 574-533-3247.
"To Make the Best Better"
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