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“Exploring 4-H” for Grade 2 Kicks off in February

Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:33 PM

By Bailey Coble, 4-H Youth Development Educator

Eligibility in the regular 4-H program necessitates one must be in Grades 3 through 12 as of January 1 of the current year. However, second graders can get a taste of 4-H by signing up for the “Exploring 4-H” program. Exploring 4-H is a program for children who are not yet old enough for 4-H. Any boy or girl in the second grade as of January 1 of the current year is eligible.

There will be three meetings leading to a field day during the summer months for Exploring 4-Hers and ultimately project exhibition during the Putnam County 4-H Fair during July 17-24. With help from the Junior Leaders, the meetings include an introduction to the 4-H program, individual project instruction, recreation, and refreshments. Additionally, the youth in this program typically have entered their own float in the fair parade which will likely occur again this year if the group so desires.

Project choices for Exploring 4-H youth include collections, crafts, drawing, farm animals, foods, photography and wildlife. Collections, photography and wildlife are poster projects while drawing is submitting a framed picture, foods involve entering no bake cookies, and crafts is hands-on construction creating a small standing or hanging exhibit. Information and registration forms were sent home with all second-grade school students during end of January/early February in connection with school visits.

Parents may sign up their second graders for up to two of the eight projects. Enrollment is simple. The cost is ten dollars and forms are available at the office or you can sign up online at <http://v2.4honline.com>.  The first meeting will be between 6-7 pm on Thursday, February 26th at the Putnam County Fairgrounds in the York Automotive Community Building.

Other meetings occur on March 19th, April 29th and the field day will be on June 9th. The meetings are typically 6-7 pm, the field day is during the afternoon starting at 1:00 pm, and all events are at the fairgrounds. Project check-in at the fair will be July 14th anytime between 4-7 pm.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming events

Feb. 16 – Pasture Lease Workshop, 9 am, virtual, register at
                https://tinyurl.com/59fedw6x

Feb. 17, 24, Mar 3, & 10 – Grain Market Navigator, 6:30-8:30 pm, Extension Office, $40,
                                           register at https://bit.ly/GrainMarkets  

Feb. 18 – Annie’s Project at Ag Engage Conference, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, $50 &
                registration at Ag Engage Conference, Monroe Convention Center, register by
                Feb. 6 at https://cvent.me/8V51nP

Feb. 19 – Ag Engage Conference, Monroe Convention Center, register by Feb. 6 at
               https://cvent.me/8V51nP

Feb. 23 – Pasture Lease Workshop, 7 pm, virtual, register at
                https://tinyurl.com/59fedw6x

Mar. 2 – ServSafe Food Manager Day Class & Examination, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm,
              Extension Office, register at https://cvent.me/DOG55O

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