Enroll in 4-H at v2.4honline.com
Enrollment is FREE for new 4-H members in K-12th Grade! Otherwise, $5 for Mini's (K-2) and $20 for Traditional 4-H
Enrollment Instructions: click here!
4-H Family Guide: bit.ly/4hguide
Mini 4-H Family Guide: bit.ly/mini4hguide
4-H Calendar: bit.ly/mococalendar
2023 4-H Project Guidelines Handbook: bit.ly/moco4h
4-H and Fair App: bit.ly/mocoapp
4-H began over 100 years ago, and has since grown into the largest youth development program in the nation. 4-H prepares young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands-on experiences alongside their peers and caring adults. Backed by a network of more than 6 million youth, 540,000 adult volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni; 4-H delivers research-based programming around positive youth development. 4-H is delivered through America's 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service reaching every corner of our nation.
In Indiana, 4-H can be found in all 92 counties as delivered through Purdue Extension. Community clubs, afterschool programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special interest programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program.
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is an equal access/equal opportunity institution.
The 2023 Monroe County 4-H Project Guidelines Handbook is now available!
Check it out at bit.ly/moco4h for project assistance, deadlines, schedules, guidance, support, and inspiration!
The schedule in the handbook is also found in its own file at bit.ly/moco4hfair
Upcoming Mini 4-H Events & Meetings!
We absolutely love our Mini 4-Her's (all 200 of them!) We are excited for another great year of fun and exploration. Our Mini 4-H Guide can be found at bit.ly/mini4hguide , but for a quick understanding of Mini 4-H, read this post.
🍀 Many K-2nd grade Mini's "do 4-H" by attending community clubs and livestock clubs, all of which accept Mini's.
🍀 Other Mini's choose to simply enter projects at the fair and show off their creations to a judge (June 29th 5-7pm by the way!)
🍀 Some Mini's take part in special events at the fair offered by livestock and animal clubs. There are county fair opportunities for every animal club in 4-H (beef, dairy, dog, cat, goat, horse/pony, pigeon, poultry, rabbit, sheep, and swine). Be sure to add the corresponding club(s) in 4Honline and connect with club leaders to learn more about their requirements for being a part of fair festivities.
🍀 And lastly, some Mini's like to attend special meetings and events especially for K-2nd graders. No big kids allowed. Here are some special events for Mini's, including a Day Camp where they get a taste of the amazing 4-H Camp experience we offer to 3rd-12th graders.
Mini 4-H Day Camp - June 16th!
Mini 4-H Day Camp is going “Out West” on Friday, June 16th!
RSVP for Mini 4-H Day Camp by June 9th!
Any Mini 4-Her currently in K-2nd Grade may participate.
Drop-off begins at 8am and Pick-up ends at 4pm.
Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Dress for afternoon water games!
Register soon! bit.ly/mini4hcamp
FairEntry Deadline - June 5th
Monroe County 4-H’s FairEntry deadline is June 5th.
4-H projects need to be entered into monroecountyindiana.fairentry.com between May 15th & June 5th. It’s pretty easy! Just log in and select the specific divisions and classes for the projects you are already enrolled in!
This requirement includes ALMOST ALL 4-H projects coming to the fair-- including static projects and animal projects.
THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS ARE HORSE & PONY, POULTRY, & RABBIT CLUBS, because you will register for those species’ fair events using other methods. (check for past emails from your leaders)
4Honline.com tasks were completed prior to May 15th, so FairEntry is your last step before Fair check-in! It is the website where you tell us what you are planning to exhibit in the building and what livestock classes you will be showing in. Log in using your 4Honline email and password at monroecountyindiana.fairentry.com
This requirement includes Mini 4-H projects and any Mini 4-H participation in livestock/animal clubs. Even if a Mini is not showing their own animal, we would appreciate them selecting the animal project under the corresponding species (Mini 4-H Swine is under Swine Project, Mini 4-H Cat is under Cat Project)
Local Youth Volunteer Award of Excellence Winner Sawyer Scheid is on the Clover Call Podcast!
Available now, check out the first Indiana 4-H Clover Call episode of 2023! Learn about the hard work and dedication that goes into earning the Indiana 4-H Volunteer Award of Excellence from real experiences provided by three 2022 award recipients. Tune in now at: https://youtu.be/UweVpyvrW6I #ThisIs4H
Nominations for the 2023 Indiana 4-H Volunteer Awards of Excellence are open now through August 15, 2023. More information found here: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/volunteer/recognition/index.html.
We now have a 4-H Calendar for the entire program year! Try adding the calendar feed to your favorite calendar app on your phone!
iCal Format: copy and paste this .ics calendar into your favorite app: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/mocoin4h%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics
Useful 4-H Links
4-H Links:
- Most Recent Monroe Co. 4-H Newsletter: www.bit.ly/4hnews **this is an extra-important link!
- 4Honline (the first destination for enrolling!): https://v2.4honline.com
- 4Honline Enrollment Instructions: www.bit.ly/new4her
- 4-H Meeting Schedule: https://bit.ly/mococalendar
- 4-H Family Guide: https://bit.ly/4hguide
- Mini 4-H Family Guide: https://bit.ly/mini4hguide
- Facebook Page: https://Facebook.com/mocoin4h
- 2023 Project Guidelines (handbook): https://bit.ly/moco4h
- 2023 4-H Schedule of Events at Fair: https://bit.ly/moco4hfair
- FairEntry (begins in May): https://monroecountyindiana.fairentry.com/
- Livestock Sale Packets for 4-H Members to invite new buyers: https://bit.ly/4hsale
Other Monroe County Fair Resources
- 2022 Open Class Exhibition Requirements for ALL Ages: https://bit.ly/fairopenclass (2023 version will be published at this link soon!)
- Monroe County Fair Website: https://www.monroecountyfairgrounds.in/
- Monroe County Fair App: https://bit.ly/mocoapp
Become a 4-H Volunteer!
Then create a new volunteer account in 4Honline to begin the application process: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/_docs/enrolling-in-4-h-online-as-a-new-adult-volunteer.pdf
Past volunteers: You can re-enroll as a 4-H volunteer. Re-Enrollment in the current program year is required each and every year: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/_docs/enrolling-in-4-h-online-as-a-returning-adult-volunteer.pdf
An App for Junior Leaders (and parents too!)
bit.ly/monroeJL We are on a mission to help our Junior Leaders keep tabs on club opportunities and responsibilities ~by themselves~!
We will be able to manage a lot of things from the app, but the best part is that youth can interact with one another in a safe way while enriching their experience of the club.
If your 7th-12th grader has a phone, please consider sending them this photo or link, and helping them add the BAND app!
Parents encouraged to get the BAND app too!
Purdue Fast Start
Purdue Fast Start — giving Indiana students a new pathway to Purdue through:
• Free courses
• Assured admission
• Purdue credit
• Big savings
Check it out today!
https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/purduefaststart/
To find a CLEP testing center near you, visit https://clep.collegeboard.org/test-center-search.
Testimonial from an Indiana parent:
Welcome, Edward Oehlman!
Please help us extend a warm welcome to Edward Oehlman, Monroe County’s new Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, starting January 12, 2023! Feel free to leave a comment for him to read.
Edward grew up in Sunman Indiana, a small town in Ripley County, graduating from East Central High School. Thou he spent his grade school years in Ripley and Dearborn county, he was born in Honduras where he spent much of his early childhood.
Being raised in rural Indiana, Edward grew a fond appreciation for the outdoors and natural world around him, sparking his interests in studying forestry. Fueled by an academic focused family and community that encouraged questions, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge, Edward graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Forestry, a minor in Urban Forestry, and a concentration in Wood Products. While at Purdue, Edward was fortunate to receive diverse educational opportunities in the form of many internships, professional organizations, study abroad, and undergraduate research.
Post graduation he was employed by Purdue’s FNR property staff, working on forest management on the various properties throughout the state. Through this position he got the opportunity to engage with the diverse ecotypes Indiana has to offer, as well as assisting researchers and professors in the field. Post working for Purdue, Edward took a position as Property Manager at Jackson-Washington State Forest where he managed over 18,000 acres of public forest land. Though he enjoys his days in the field, and "boots on the ground" land management, Edward feels blessed to get to transition from his Property manger position to once again being a Purdue employee.
With the first of the year, Edward moved to the outskirts of Bloomington with his wife Amy, who is also a forester, and their dog Charlie (who likes to think she’s a forestry pup). Edward enjoys spending his time outdoors participating in various forms of outdoor recreation such as hiking, hunting, paddling, birding, camping and climbing. Edward also enjoys wood working with his wife and sharing in God's many gifts they find in the natural world around them.
Edward is very excited to get to join the extensive Purdue Extension Educator team and hopes his knowledge and experiences can be a positive addition.
Get WalkIN
We will meet three times during this time to walk as a community!
June 26th- Switchyard Park
July 24th- RCA Park
Aug 29th- Tree Walk with Edward Oehlman (ANR Educator) at Karst Farm
Food s Medicine
Stress outlets for kiddos and the whole family!
Extension's Enjoyables: Chicken and Dumplings
Looking for an idea for dinner? Try this quick and easy Chicken and dumplings from The University of Maine Cooperative Extension! Get the whole family involved with this simple and delicious dish!!
More recipes can also be found on Eat, Gather, Go from Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program!!
Fresh Friday Food Distribution- Hoosier Hills Food Bank
Anyone in need of food is welcome to pick up the boxes. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN FRESH FRIDAY BOXES? Each household will receive: 1 box of shelf stable goods (peanut butter and jelly, pasta and sauce, mac and cheese, canned fruit/vegetables, soup, tuna, beef stew and other items); 1 box of fresh produce (a variety of items);1 dozen eggs; 1 fresh meat item.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, 2333 W. Industrial Park Drive.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- June 9
- July 14
- Aug. 11
Activities for Kids
School Nutrition Association: Benefits of School Meals
These fact sheets from School Nutrition Association share research demonstrating the role that school meals play in supporting obesity prevention, overall student health and academic achievement.
HAND Homebuyers Club
The City of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department's Home Buyers program offers participants a chance to explore the possibility of affordable home ownership. The Home Buyers Class (HBC) is comprised of two sessions which are held on two consecutive Saturdays. The first Saturday session is from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and the second Saturday session is from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
The goal of the class is to help first-time home buyers understand and overcome the obstacles involved in purchasing their first home and what to expect after buying a home. Participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a housing counselor to discuss any potential obstacles to achieving their goal. Income eligible graduates may qualify for up to $10,000 in Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance from HAND.
Contact Cody Toothman cody.toothman@bloomington.in.gov
· HBC III: Saturdays, July 22nd and 29th, In Person
· HBC IV: Saturdays, September 23rd and 30th, In Person
· HBC V: Saturdays, November 11th and 18th, In Person
Habitat for Humanity
• Thursday, August 24, 2023 // 6 p.m. (English) // 7 p.m. (Spanish)
• Saturday, August 26, 2023 // 10:30 a.m. (English) // 11:30 a.m. (Spanish)
Extension Homemakers offer continuing education to meet the needs of the family, home, and community in an ever changing world. By providing informal educational opportunities, the organization broadens members' horizons and provides in-depth information in specific interest areas.
About Purdue Extension Monroe County
Ody Ekwonwa
Extension Educator
Health and Human Science
County Extension Director
Clint Deck
Extension Educator
4-H Youth Development
Edward Oehlman
Extension Educator
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Annie Eakin
NEP Community Wellness Coordinator
Shelly Powell
Nutrition Education Program Advisor
Cindi Percifield
Office Manager
Stephanie Roberts
Education Assistant
Email: cjdeck@purdue.edu
Website: extension.purdue.edu/Monroe
Location: 3400 South Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN, USA
Phone: 812-349-2575
Facebook: facebook.com/MoCoIn4H