Volunteers Wanted in Coordinating the 4-H Livestock Auction

We are looking for people interested in volunteering with the 4-H Livestock Auction software and data management. We hope to identify a person or two to shadow Brian Campbell and DJ Rhoades this year, with the intention to take over the operation in 2023. 

Skills and talents needed would be:

• Good working knowledge of databases and importing/exporting data
• Experience with Windows 10 operating system
• Understanding of wireless networking
• Ability to work with numerous 4-H livestock leaders and volunteers over the course of the fair
• A basic understanding of how the 4-H livestock clubs function would be useful
• Assisting the auction treasurer in their duties with check printing

If you are interested, or know of someone who might be a good candidate, please call Extension Educator Jeff Burbrink at 574.533.0554 or email jburbrink@purdue.edu.

Club Photos

If your 4-H Club would like to display a club photo in the ECCC building during fair week, please send a copy of the photograph with the club name to the Purdue Extension office by mail or email sgreybar@purdue.edu.

We would like those submitted by July 15!

Livestock Skillathon Contest Time Set

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 25 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Monday, June 26 from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. We are asking you to preregister for the contest by filling out this survey. 

This program is open to any 4-H member! Come to our next open house on June 15 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM and learn the exact stations that will be on the contest days. You can view the contest rules and the Outstanding Livestock Exhibitor program information. 

Cheyennes 4-H Club Celebrates 50 Years!

In 1972 Samuel Strong School in Elkhart reached out to 4-H, the Boy Scouts and a couple other clubs to help their inner city students. Pat Muschamp came and met with the kids for a year and then moved. A lady from Goshen came and met a few times, but gave up and said “this will never work” and left. Donita VanZandt then stepped up and became the organizational leader and in 1982, when Lloyd Overholt had completed 10-years in the club, became the assistant leader. When Donita passed in 2000 Lloyd and his wife Kathy became the co-organizational leaders. During their 50 years they have had a couple of assistant leaders including Missy Ehlers. Missy was a 10-year Cheyenne and then her son and daughter also became 10- and 9-year Cheyennes.

The club has provided enrichment to residents at ADEC, Elkhart Rehab Center (Elkhart Meadows), and Auschandel. They have also helped raise funds for United Cancer Services, Pet Refuge, Elkhart County Humane Society, and many other agencies in the community. Elkhart County 4-H and the Cheyennes 4-H Club was represented at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Their club strives to “Make the Best Better” with every club member that comes through the door. There have been chefs in the Navy, a head pharmacist with the Kroger corporation and other leaders in the community that have come out of the Cheyennes. The club has enjoyed watching good kids become great adults!