Indiana online 4-H enrollment opens for a new program year annually on October 1 and remains open nearly year around until early the following September. It is to everyone’s advantage to enroll in 4-H by January 15 so that one has the most opportunity and don’t miss out on any information. While we are just a few days past, it is still perfectly fine to enroll. While enrollment is really open more or less year around, it becomes more challenging to receive communications and be informed of the 4-H program with later enrollment. The registration is done once again via typing v2.4honline.com in your internet browser and the fee is again $25 for 4-H. This year second graders may also enroll in mini 4-H online using this website as well and the fee is $10. If financial limitations are barriers for either program, please contact the office at 653-8411 to talk with Mark to arrange for payment assistance. Moreover, for those previously enrolled, you will find the info already rolled over to quickly edit and accept personal information from last year’s enrollment.
4-H is a premier source of enjoyable, educational programs to help youth reach their full potential. There are many pathways to participate in 4-H. Too many limit 4-H to only being the fair or just exhibiting a project at the fair. Putnam County has nearly 75 activities where one may participate. A project simply references a topic that one wants to study or complete associated activities and ultimately show off publicly what was learned through accomplishment. This may be via an exhibit at the county fair or even another venue besides the fair. Every project can be associated with a life skill and/or a career. A common misconception is that one must live on a farm or have animals to be in 4-H. That is certainly not true. One can actually experience 4-H without taking any projects by participating in 4-H career development events, camp, Junior Leaders and workshops.
Indiana 4-H is the state’s largest youth development program for grades 3-12, reaching over 200,000 youth in all 92 counties. 4-H Youth Development Educators in each Purdue Extension county office coordinate local activities.
In Putnam County, approved adult volunteers teach young people specific skills related to a wide variety of subjects through hands-on, experiential learning. Youth also develop leadership and citizenship skills by participating in one or more of Putnam County’s thirty plus organized 4-H Clubs. Subjects include: science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); agriculture; citizenship; healthy living; art; consumer and family sciences; and more. In 2013, a Tufts University study showed that 4-H members also excel in positive youth development areas compared to peers, including:
Four times more likely to contribute to their communities (grades 7-12) Two times more likely to make healthier choices (grade 7) Two times more likely to be civically active (grades 8-12) Two times more likely to participate in extracurricular STEM programs (grades 10-12)
If you have questions about the 4-H program, the Purdue Extension Putnam County office located at the street address of 152 East Columbia Street is available to help. Archery, dog and horse & pony projects will close shortly after January 15 so leaders may continue to progress through activities due to the building of content in the activities. May 15 is FIRM date for all livestock enrollment which is completed using the same platform after the 4-Her is enrolled.
Extension staff have conducted school visits to all grade three classrooms in the county and plan to visit grade two classrooms soon to conduct school visits with handouts sent home that parents and youth may review. The Purdue Extension homepage has links to enroll in 4-H as well.
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
Jan. 17 – Farming Together: Cultivating Relationships and Having the Cash to Bring in to the Next Generation, 10am-3pm, Clay Co. Fairgrounds, register at
Jan. 18 – Power of Negotiation & Communication program series starts, 5:30 pm, register at puext.in/PowerOfNegotiation
Jan. 19, 26 and Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 – Winter Walking Group, 4:00pm, Fairgrounds York Auto Community Building
Jan. 23 – Virtual 4-H Grows Investors, signup via v2.4honline.com to register (2nd/4th Mon month through June)
Jan. 26 – Extension/SWCD Annual Dinner, call either Office for more details
Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 – Be Heart Smart virtual program, 5pm, register at https://tinyurl.com/PutCoBHS23
