National 4-H Week and Paper Clover Campaign

4-H enrollment window for all of Indiana’s grade 3-12 youth will occur between October 1 and January 15 to assure the availability of all project activities.

For the 81st consecutive year, millions of youths, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week from October 7-12.

This year's theme, Beyond Ready, is a theme that reiterates the importance of 4-H in the lives of young people to develop strong life skills, career development, and interpersonal skills. Youth success time and again has as a number one criterion for youth to have a caring adult who continually invests in their livelihood. In 4-H we believe in the power of youth and see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to thrive in the world around us. Our 4-H volunteers, in some cases, may be the primary caring adult for a child empowering the child to have awareness of their value, strengths and influence.

4-H was founded on the belief that when kids are empowered to pursue their passions and chart their own course, their unique skills grow and take shape, helping them to become true leaders in their lives, careers and communities.

Once again, the 4-H enrollment window for all of Indiana’s grade 3-12 youth will occur between October 1 and January 15 to assure the availability of all project activities. One may enroll by going to https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in and additional information will be posted during upcoming months on the local Purdue Extension Putnam County website. Specific exhibit details will be provided by January. Additionally, Extension staff plan to conduct school visits to all third-grade classrooms throughout the county in October and November. Mini 4-H for grade two will begin after January 1.

Also, in conjunction with National 4-H Week, like all Tractor Supply Stores (TSC), locally the TSC store will host the Fall Paper Clover event in the store and online. However, the dates are being pushed back to embrace the holiday spirit and will begin on Black Friday this year. Running from November 29^th to December 15^th, the local 4-H program is thrilled that TSC is hosting this event during the season of giving. The Putnam 4-H program thanks the local store management for this ongoing promotion since 2010 and the funds that support local 4-H youth! Customers for $1 may purchase a paper clover and place names, etc. on the clover to be posted in the store. As a reminder, 90% of the funds raised are returned to the local 4-H program to support youth/teen participation in leadership or camping opportunities. These include Teens as Teacher training, 4-H Camp, 4-H Roundup, 4-H Academy and other statewide 4-H activities and can include transportation expenses.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm. Evening and lunch appointments are available, upon request. 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. All times listed are Eastern Time. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

Upcoming Events

Sept. 28 – Weed Wrangle sponsored by Putnam Co. Remove Invasive Plants, 9-11 am, Ivy Tech Community College

Sept. 30 – Deadline to enter Hoosier Hay Contest

Oct. 14 – Extension Office Closed in Honor of Columbus Day

Nov. 3 – Putnam 4-H Awards Program