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Last updated on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
(SWITZ CITY) - One of the largest youth groups in Greene County is seeking members and an open house is set for tonight at the fairgrounds to explain the 4-H program.
Nick Schneider of the Greene County Daily World reports that the open house will be conducted from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and is open to parents/guardians and students in grades K-12.
Regular 4-H is open to youngsters in grades 3 through 12.
Mini 4-H is comprised of students in kindergarten through grade 2.
4-H club leaders, along with Purdue Extension staff Lindy Miller, PhD. (County Extension Director, Extension Educator - Agriculture & Natural Resources), Malea Huffman (Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator), and Polly Gettinger (Extension Educator - Health and Human Sciences) will be on hand to answer questions.
"There will be (livestock) species from the various species clubs, but there will be projects and junior leaders will have some of their projects that they will have and talk about and explain," said Huffman, who's in charge of the 4-H program.
Last year, there were 422 members enrolled in regular 4-H.
More than 60 projects are available for members to do.
"Our most popular projects are photography, arts & crafts and swine. We are seeing a growing interest in poultry and our shooting sports clubs. What is great about 4-H is the variety, we have projects that run the gamut. From cupcake decorating to sportfishing to weeds or soil and water. No matter one's interest -- chances are you'll find a project related to it in 4-H," Huffman said.
One of the main purposes of the open house is to provide an easy way to sign up.
"We are in the heart of enrollment. Meetings have started for almost all of the clubs and the soon they enroll, the sooner they can get started on their projects," Huffman said.
Enrollment deadline is May 15.
At the open house there will also be door prizes and Junior Leaders will conduct a variety of games.
The highlight of the 4-H year is the annual fair.
This year's fair runs July 12-19.
A change this year will be a Friday night (July 12) check-in for 4-H projects, excluding livestock, which will be conducted on Saturday, July 13.
Speaking of the new Friday night check-in, Huffman commented, "We are really excited about it because it should be less stressful."
The Open Class check will be on Saturday, July 13.
Two new features have been added to the upcoming fair.
A BBQ cook off competition and Zipline ride has been added.
4-H is the only federally authorized and largest youth serving organization in the country.
4-H Clubs of Greene County, which operates the fair activities, is governed by a board of volunteers who represent each of the individual clubs.
The fairgrounds is located on State Road 54, about one mile east of Switz City.
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