Welcome to May! With the busy of the last few weeks of school, please take a few minutes to read about the important 4-H information in this month's newsletter. There is information about fair entries and other fun upcoming events.

Kingman County Fair

Fair Pre-Entry Date Set

All Fair Pre-Entries will be due on the Fair Entry system by May 10. We are aware that this is an early deadline, however, the Fair Board needs time to order awards and Fair T-Shirts without as much waste as in the past. Please note, that entries can be made and then scratched when the fair gets closer. So, I recommend making entries on everything that your members might take. Example: five entries for foods, seven entries in visual arts, and that extra educational poster or notebook. If something happens that something doesn’t get made or finished, just toss that card closer to the fair. There is a deadline of June 14 to confirm these pre-entries. No additional entries can be made at this deadline, but if anything needs to be removed that can be done. Watch for more details to come.

Making Fair Entries

I have made two videos to go through the program to make your fair entries. It is easier for me to show you rather than write it all out! If you have any questions after watching the videos, please let me know. 

Livestock entries https://youtu.be/ZYtgnzKm7hY

Static entries https://youtu.be/buTh4KrjQa0

When you go to make fair entries, use this link to go right to our fair!

http://kingmancofair.fairentry.com/

4-H Section of the Fair Book

The Fair Board will once again be printing Fair Books again this year, but they are still working out a few details. To have class information when making your fair entries, you can see the 4-H Section of the Fair Book Here!

Fair Superintendents Needed

Would you like to help out at the Fair this year? We need some Fair Department Superintendents. This job would include working with the judge to make sure all entries are judged, making sure all entry cards are marked and returned to the fair office, making sure all entries have ribbons attached to them, and making the department entries nice and neat for the fair goers to enjoy. We need Superintendents for the following areas Pets, Home Environment, 4-H and Open Class Woodworking, Open Class Quilts, and Open Class Recycled. If you are interested, please let Melissa know.

Cloverbuds and Livestock Projects

In the State 4-H Policy, it is stated that Cloverbud members are not allowed to show livestock at the County Fair. To stay in policy, the Kingman County Fair Association to be starting a PeeWee show this year. Cloverbud animals need to be entered into the Fair entry system by May 10 so we can start building the fair stall plans! Watch for more details to come.

Fair Project Details

There are some new classes in the Wildlife, Veterinary Science, and Shooting Sports projects for the Fair. If you are enrolled in one of these projects and would like to see the new classes, please let Melissa know.

Public Fashion Revue

This year the Public Fashion Revue will be held at the Kingman Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The date for this event will be July 14^th at 2:00 pm.

County Fair T-Shirt Order Form

The Fair Board will be purchasing a Fair T-shirt for each member who has a fair entry this year. But if parents or grandparents would like to purchase a Fair T-Shirt the order form can be found here. Shirts are $15 each and orders are due back in the Extension Office by May 31st. 

Upcoming Activities

May is National Beef Month!

In Celebration of National Beef Month, the Kingman County Extension Office is hosting a Coloring Contest. Do you have Youth that would be interested? Pick the coloring page from the links below the youth likes most and send completed pages to the Extension Office for a chance to win a Sonic Coupon. Please write your name and a way to contact you on the back of the page, and they will be displayed at our office!

Beef Calf

Beef Cow/Calf

Beef Map

Beef Create a Ration

Activity for Fun

Day Camp

Calling all Superheroes! Join us for 4-H Day Camp! This year we will once again be having our day camp held with Kingman, Barber, and Pratt Counties. This year Day Camp will be on Friday May 31^st from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This year Day Camp will be held at the Pratt Area 4-H Center (Pratt County Fair Grounds). Registration for this event is $25 per participant and is due back to the Extension Office by May 17th. The registration form can be found here!

Counselors will also be needed for Day Camp. If you are interested in being a counselor, email Melissa at mthimesch@ksu.edu. 

Babysitting Clinic

Are you at least 10 years old and interested in becoming a babysitter? Join K-State Research and Extension along with community partners to learn about the responsibilities of babysitting. 

Youth will gain knowledge in preparing for the role of a babysitter, food safety, nutrition and wellness, basic first aid/CPR, child development, safe practices for infants, and activities for young children. Participants will leave with confidence and skills acquired to care for young children! Resources and handouts will be provided to each participant. Register by May 24^th by calling the office or emailing Melissa at mthimesch@ksu.edu. There is a $10 registration fee for this class. You can find a flyer here.

Club Corner

On March 2nd, our Cunningham 4-H Club participated in the Kingman County 4-H Club Days. There were 18 entries from our club. The entries included instrumental/vocal solos, talks, dances, and readings. Many also participated in the Photography Judging Contest and the Family and Consumer Science Judging Contest. Those who received Top Blue moved on to the 4-H Regional Club Days at Medicine Lodge on March 23rd. Those results are as follows:

Ava Neywick: Jr Dance- Top Blue

Weston Rogers: Bells Solo- Blue

Ava Neywick: Vocal Solo- Top Blue

The Cunningham 4-H Club also met on March 3rd at the Cheney Bowling Alley. This was our annual fun meeting so we rented 4 lanes for bowling. There were 15 members present. We had a short meeting to discuss concession stand profits and expenses. We then had fun bowling and ate pizza

Project Meetings precede Hawk Club’s April Meeting

The Hawk Club met on April 8, 2024 at 7pm at the Livingston’s Community Building. The project meetings for macrame, cooking/baking, rabbits and photography were held at 6pm before the 4H meeting. Abigail Fitch led the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H pledge. Members answered the roll call question ‘If you could be an animal what would you be?’ Scotty Sparks led the song ‘Take me out to the ball game”. Lane Smith led the recreation game “Follow the leader”. Shirley Boos announced the next county council meeting will be on May 20th at 7pm. Hawk Club T-Shirts were delivered to the club members. Julie Ziegler announced that May 1st is the last date to change projects. She also announced that fair entries are due on May 10th. Shirley Boos passed ribbons from the Regional 4-H day. She also reported the results from County FCS judging and Photography judging. The club decided to hold the fundraising concession stand at the Fall festival on September 21st, 2024. Veronica Ziegler presented a project talk about Macrame and Vaishu Kamesh read the short story ‘The Very Vain Butterfly.’ The next meeting will be on May 13th, 2024 at 7pm.

-Shri Sai Vaishnavi Kamesh

Reporter for the Hawk 4-H club

The April meeting of the Vinita 4-H Club was held on Sunday, April 7th at the Pretty Prairie Rodeo Pavilion. An exchange meeting was scheduled to be held with the Sedgwick County Cheney Challengers, however, their club had to cancel.

The Vinita meeting was called to order by President, Amy Wright. Roll Call was taken by Secretary, Kristyn McAndrew by answering, “How many times do you think you will fall while roller skating?” Club Leaders, Cherielle Young and Cami McAndrew reminded club members to sign up for fair projects by May 1st and that small animal weigh-in will be on Saturday April 27th. There were no project talks or demonstrations at this meeting. Club members enjoyed refreshments and roller skating at the rink in Pretty Prairie following the meeting.

Addisyn Hudson, Club Reporter

Whispering Willow 4-H Club Meets in April

The parents switched places with their 4-H members for the April meeting of the Whispering Willow 4-H Club. This was the Parent Meeting so the kids shared their offices with their parents for the day! Cindy Belt called the meeting to order at the Riverside Park. Kristen Gonzales led the roll call and read the minutes from the previous meeting. Andrea Wood gave the treasurer's report and Justina Kostner reported on the 4-H Council meeting. 

The Club Leaders shared a bunch of information about the busy summer activities and things members will need to be ready for the upcoming County Fair. 

Following the business meeting, the club adjourned to enjoy a potluck lunch and play in the park. 

Melissa Thimesch, Guest Club Reporter

This year I would like to share club highlights each month in the 4-H newsletter. If club reporters would like to email me a short paragraph about what your club is doing each month, I will include that here! Please email that to me at mthimesch@ksu.edu by the 20^th of each month. 

Record Book Round Up!

Section Six: Project Citizenship/Community Engagement

This month we are looking at Section Six of the Project Report Form. This section is where you include the citizenship and community engagement you have accomplished within your project. Record your Citizenship experiences within the project. Be as specific as possible. Citizenship means helping out in your community and serving others without compensation. List civic engagement, community service or service-learning projects that might include: cleanups, collections, repairs, construction, care packets, visitations, education, and donations. Please indicate the level of where the Citizenship took place and the time given. L (Local), C/D (County or District), R (Regional), S (State), M (Multi-State), N (National), I (International).

4-H Council Information

The next 4-H Council Meeting will be held on May 20 at 7:00 at the Extension Office.

State Events

2024 Kansas 4-H Geology Field Trip Registration

Northwest Kansas Chalk Beds

WHEN: June 14th-16th 

WHERE: The headquarters for the 2024 4-H Geology State Field Trip is the Trego Community High School, 527 Russell Avenue, WaKeeney, KS

WHAT: A variety of workshops and activities are planned for Friday and Saturday evenings. A variety of stops are planned on the Field Trip Saturday and Sunday. Project members are encouraged to participate in judging and quiz bowl. A catered supper will be provided Saturday evening for $15.00 per person and we will have a variety of educational publications for sale through the Kansas Geological Survey.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 24th - You must register all those who plan to attend including siblings ages 0-18 and all adults 19 and up - One registration per person NO LATE REGISTRATIONS and NO registrations at the door.

COST: 

·        Registration - $15.00 per person 

·        Saturday Meal - $15.00 per person 

·        Guidebooks - $4.00 each 

·        T-Shirts - $20.00 each

·        Geology Boxes (Some woods may be limited)

·        Pine $55

·        Walnut $65

·        Oak $65

·        Elm $65

·        Hackberry $65

Indoor camping is available at the Trego Community High School if you are accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Other lodgings can be found in WaKeeney. 

You can register here: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6hhKshAq6jzFNLE

The Kansas All Breeds Junior Dairy Show

The Kansas All Breeds Junior Dairy Show Planning Committee would like to invite you to this year’s event scheduled for June 20-22, 2024 at the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center in Salina.

To access show information and register online, please visit https://www.asi.k-state.edu/research-and-extension/dairy/jr-dairy-show/ . ENTRIES ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, JUNE 14.

K-State to offer animal sciences leadership academy this summer

Kansas State University is now taking applications for a four-day leadership academy for high school students who have an interest in the livestock industry and related careers.

The Kansas State University Animal Sciences Leadership Academy is an intensive four-day educational experience designed to enhance the leadership skills and animal science knowledge of students in grades 9-12.

This is the 15th year of the academy, hosted by K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry in Manhattan and set for June 5-8. Applications are due April 15, and can be found at asi.ksu.edu/KASLA.

Mike Day, head of K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, said the academy’s goal is to develop young leaders within the livestock industry and prepare them for a successful future in the field.

“Each year, (K-State’s animal sciences department) looks forward to hosting the selected group of youth for the KASLA program,” Day said. “This program is a great opportunity for future agriculture leaders to visit campus to get an inside look at the opportunities our department and the agriculture industry provides. This program helps build the future of the livestock industry and we appreciate all the industry stakeholders and companies that contribute to the program to make it a success.”

The academy is sponsored by the Livestock and Meat Industry Council, Inc.

The program’s itinerary features interactive workshops, tours and faculty mentor time with animal science professors. Industry leaders will also join the participants frequently to share their knowledge and expertise.

Throughout the week, participants will work in teams to evaluate current events within the animal science industry and educate others. This experience will culminate with team presentations and a closing reception on the final morning.

Organizers say only 20 students will be accepted for the 2024 session to ensure individualized attention from counselors, professors, and industry leaders. Participants will stay on campus in university housing with program staff for the duration of the event.

Transportation to and from the event is the responsibility of the participant, along with a $50 fee to reserve his or her space. The fee is only due upon acceptance and not at the time of application. LMIC generously provides all other sponsorships.

For more information, contact academy director Sharon Breiner at sbreiner@ksu.edu or 785-532-6533.

2024 4-H Wheat Expo

The 2024 Kansas 4-H Wheat Expo will be held Monday, August 12th at Pottorf Hall in Manhattan, KS. The day includes contest and exhibit opportunities for Crops ID, Photography, Foods, Wheat, Project Displays, and Clover Buds. Participants will also have the opportunity learn more about Kansas wheat through tours of industry partners. Additional information is forthcoming.

Other Extension Programs

 Wildlife Update

Join Kingman County K-State Research and Extension and Kingman County Conservation District for a Coffee Shop Talk on Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the NRCS Shed, South of the USDA building (1137 US-54, Kingman, KS 67068) for a Wildlife Update. For this meeting, we will have Drew Ricketts, Extension Wildlife Specialist, give a Wildlife Update, from Managing Predation/Coyote Control to Upland Bird and Deer Management, and discuss some resources his team can offer. Bring your questions, discussion, and let’s talk about wildlife! Thank you to the Kingman County Conservation District for making this event possible. Contact the Extension Office 620-532-5131 for more information or with questions.

First Impressions Kingman Economic Development Meeting

Join KSRE and Kingman Economic Development as they present the findings of the recent First Impressions visit. This meeting will be held on May 14 at 6:30 in the North Room of the Expo Center.

Wheat Plot Tour

The 2024 Wheat Plot Tour will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 11 AM at Conrardy Seed Farm. Come listen to speaker, Kelsey Andersen Onofre as she discusses the current wheat crop. Lunch will be provided by Conrardy Seeds, FCE, and Scoular Grain. 

Tractor Safety Training

Kingman and Harper County Extension Offices will once again be teaming up to present the 2024 Tractor Safety Training. This event will be held in Harper on Thursday, May 23 from 8:30 to 4:30. Participants will have pre-work to be completed before the in-class session to cut down on our actual classroom time. Please sign-up early so youth can get started on their homework. Contact the office or gschnei@ksu.edu for more information.

Dates to remember

May 9 Wildlife Update

May 10 Fair Entries Due

May 14 Extension Council Meeting

            First Impressions Kingman Economic Development Meeting 6:30

May 16 Wheat Plot Tour 11:00

May 17 Day Camp Registration Due in Office

May 20 4-H Council Meeting 7:00

May 23 Tractor Safety Training in Harper

May 27 Office Closed

May 31 Babysitting Clinic

            Day Camp at Pratt 4-H Fair Building 

If you have questions regarding the information in this newsletter, please contact me at:

Kingman County K-State Research and Extension Office

Melissa Thimesch

125 N Spruce

Kingman, KS 67068

620-532-5131

mthimesch@ksu.edu

K-State Research and Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Program information may be available in languages other than English. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including alternative means for communication (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) may be requested by contacting the event contact Melissa Thimesch two weeks prior to the start of the event at 620-532-5131 or mthimesch@ksu.edu. Requests received after this date will be honored when it is feasible to do so. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information will be provided free of charge to limited English-proficient individuals upon request.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.