Calling all past 4-Hers and all those interested in helping to “Make the Best Better”

The Marshall County 4-H program loves volunteers! They cannot operate without the support of their volunteer members. Jayne Deaton, 4-H Educator, said, “Our program is growing, and with more youth participants comes the need for more adult volunteers. Some of our programs desperately need positive and skilled community members. I know there are those in the community who could step up to help our youth learn and grow.”

There are many ways you can help! 4-H is in the middle of the season, so it would be the perfect time to start for the upcoming 2026 4-H year. 

Can you….. 

• Pass a background check and provide positive character references? 

• Interact with kids & teens and be a positive role model? 

• Host/attend bi-weekly/monthly meeting of youth, provide snacks, pass out /collect paperwork, and share club updates? 

• Collect money or monitor exhibits during the fair? 

• Host a couple of learning workshops to teach our youth new skills you are passionate about? 

Do you…. 

• Have a few hours each month to help shape tomorrow’s leaders? 

• Have a special hobby you want to share with/teach others?  

• Have a flair for organization, communication, arts, crafts, livestock, firearm safety, cooking/grilling, engines, welding, computer coding…. the list goes on…

The complete list of projects offered is on the Purdue Marshall County Extension website under “4-H Projects” in the 2025 Exhibit Guide. 

Because youth protection is of utmost importance to Purdue University, all volunteers undergo background screening and submit character references before being approved to work with our program.  

They encourage all potential volunteers to start the process by contacting the Purdue Marshall County Extension office and speaking with Jayne Deaton, Marshall County 4-H Educator, at 574-936-8545 or emailing jedeaton@purdue.edu.

The new enrollment year begins on October 1^st! For more information regarding the Marshall County 4-H program and resources for new volunteers, visit the website below: https://extension.purdue.edu/county/marshall/4-h_information.html.