Friday, February 7, 2020
Volume 1 Issue 7
Friday 4-H Nugget
Dear 4-H Community,

What a crazy winter it has been so far. Well, we suppose it depends on your definition of winter. There has been a flurry of 4-H events happening over the past couple of weeks! From club meetings kicking off the new year to new members and new clubs. Speaking of new clubs, did you know that we officially have a SPARK club that is just for Auto Mechanics and one for Robotics?

Last week the Expansion and Review committee met to look at ways to expand our current 4-H program and how we can reach new audiences. They are asking for input from all of you. Please take a moment to answer this one-question survey. Survey Link

Don't forget to refer to the Elkhart County Handbook if you have any questions as you start working on projects. Also be sure to reach out to your club leaders and the Extension Office.

Regards,

Robert Kelly & Sthele Greybar
Extension Educators
Welcome Penny Conover!
You may notice a new face in our office. Penny Conover joined our office on January 21, 2020 as one of our 4-H Support Staff members. She was previously with Elkhart County in the Auditor’s Office, and the Department of Defense at Grissom Air force Base. She relocated to Elkhart County in August to be near her family. She has been involved with 4-H most of her life, most recently as a Dog Obedience leader in Fulton County. She has one son, and two Australian Shepherds.  

We know that she is excited to join our team and work with our families. Be sure to say hello to Penny.
Leaders Meeting/Training
Our next Leaders Meeting is Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 pm in the Fair Board Room. The program that evening will include details and an activity from the Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event team, and we will have a youth-focused panel on keeping older 4-H’ers in the program. Bring a pot of your best homemade soup/stew (recipe included) for a chance to win a prize! All approved volunteers are welcome to attend!
Geranium and Flower Sales
The annual 4-H Club Corporation Fundraiser is officially underway and we need your help. Did you know that for for every flower sold your club gets $0.25 back? The funds also help cover expenses such as club manuals, trips and many other items? Below you will find forms that will be helpful for 4-H members and club leaders.


Livestock Project Updates
Our Beef club will be having its last tagging/ID day of the year on February 22 at the Shipheawana Sale barn. If you didn't attend the December one, be sure to attend this one. Also if you plan on showing a Dairy Beef Steer (2 year old) at state fair you need to have it tagged and entered into 4HOnline by April 1.

YQCA classes are underway. Be sure to sign up before they fill up. There are two ways to complete this required training; in
person or online. Register today at: YQCA Website
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Mini 4-H Welcome Event
The Mini 4-H Welcome Event will be held on Monday, February 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Elkhart County Community Center Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen. All Elkhart County Kindergarteners, first and second graders, and their parents are invited to attend! At the Mini 4-H Welcome Event, Mini 4-H members will learn about the 4-H program, see examples of projects, meet the Mini 4-H leaders, and receive their project manual. 

We will be hosting our last in-person training for volunteers to complete their Youth Safety and Child Abuse training on February 12, 2020 @ 6:30 PM in the Fairboard Room. All Volunteers need to complete this training every other year. You can also complete this training online. If you are not sure about your status on the training please contact the Extension Office.
Did you know that your 4-H Club can enter to design a recycle barrel for the 4-H Fairgrounds? This project is being overseen by the Fairboard's Green Committee and it has a cash prize attached. This is a great way to show off 4-H and encourage recycling. For more information please contact the committee at: elkhartcountygreenfair@gmail.com
Forms are due March 2, 2020
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