Monroe County 4-H - Purdue Extension

Hey 4-H’ers, are you planning to visit your 4-H project at the Indiana State Fair next weekend? Take a few minutes to celebrate your hard work and share your knowledge with other fairgoers! No need to register – just stop by the 4-H Centennial Hall information booth at the time related to your project, then speak for a couple of minutes about your project. Times, locations, and more details for the “Learn from a 4-H’er” opportunity can be found at purdue.ag/Learn4H

Dairy Contests at the Indiana State Fair!
Calling all Indiana 4-H Dairy Project members!

You’re invited to participate in 4-H Dairy Skillathon or the Outstanding 4-H Dairy Producer Contest at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, August 15. Anyone enrolled in the 4-H dairy project may compete in the contest, you do not have to be exhibiting at the state fair. This is a great opportunity to highlight your knowledge of the dairy industry, compete for prizes, and attend the Indiana State Fair! The Dairy Skillathon is for 4-H members who were in grades 3-7 as of January 1, 2026. The contest will begin in the Cattle Barn at 11:00 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 placers ($50, $25, $15, $10, 5-10th place - $5) in each division. Winners will be announced following the completion of the skillathon during the exhibitors meeting. Monetary awards are sponsored by American Dairy Association of Indiana. Each participant receives a coupon for a free milkshake courtesy of American Dairy Association of Indiana. If you have questions contact Emily Kresca at [email protected] or (574) 372-2340.

The Outstanding Dairy Producer contest is open to 4-H members who were in grades 8-12 as of January 1, 2026. The contest will begin in the cattle barn at 10:00 a.m on Saturday, August 15. The contest is a four-phase competition consisting of the following events: judging contest, showmanship, 5 station skill-a-thon contest, and a 40 question dairy management test. Recognition will be given to the top individuals in each phase as well as the overall winner. Over $700 in cash prizes to be awarded, sponsored by American Dairy Association of Indiana and a $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to the 1st place individual. If you have questions contact Jackie Boerman at [email protected]. Jackie has put together a study guide to assist with your preparations to win the scholarship https://ag.purdue.edu/department/ansc/_docs/resource-for-outstanding-4-h-dairy-producer-contest.pdf.

We hope to see you on Saturday, August 15th!

Indiana 4-H Dairy Youth Academy Registration is Open!
An exciting opportunity open to all Indiana 4-H Members in grades 10-12 for the 2026-2027 calendar year is now accepting applications! We invite you to apply to be in the next Indiana 4-H Dairy Academy Class.

The Indiana 4-H Dairy Academy is a great way to learn about the dairy industry, make great connections, and meet friends that share the same passion for dairy as you. Please view the attached flyer and information about this opportunity via our website at https://bit.ly/4HDairyAcademy. Applications can be submitted via the 4-H Online Event Registration at https://dairyacademyapplication2026.4honline.com .
Applications are due August 31st.

The tentative 2026-27 Dairy Academy schedule includes the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, WI, a Leadership Weekend, a Multi-State Dairy Industry Trip along with regular Zoom connection opportunities. To be eligible to participate in the academy, the top 12 delegates will be selected based on their leadership and written application by a panel of industry and Extension representatives. Upon acceptance in the Academy, delegates must pay a fee of $500 (we encourage seeking County 4-H sponsorship). Most expenses will be generously covered by our sponsors.

If you are in need of accommodations to participate in this program or need an interpreter or translator, please contact Michele Jones by August 31, 2026, at 765-342-1010 or [email protected]

⚾ One week from today, the Indiana State Fair throws out the first pitch! Before you head to the fairgrounds, make part of your game plan and visit our Indiana State Fair webpage for daily schedules, activities, demonstrations and everything happening with Purdue Extension and Indiana 4-H: https://extension.purdue.edu/indiana-state-fair/index.html

The Monroe County 4-H Dairy Club members have spent countless hours caring for, training, and preparing their cows for the show ring. Their dedication, hard work, responsibility, and commitment have led to an incredible fair season, and we couldn't be prouder of all they have accomplished.
Congratulations to every Monroe County 4-H Dairy Club member! Thank you for representing our community with outstanding sportsmanship, pride, and dedication.
Post your favorite dairy show photos below!

The congratulations continue for our Monroe County 4-H Static Project Grand and Reserve Grand Champions! These outstanding 4-H members have showcased exceptional creativity, dedication, and skill through the projects they have completed and proudly displayed at the fair.

Each project represents hours of hard work, learning, and commitment to growth. We are incredibly proud of these members and the effort they put into developing their talents and sharing their accomplishments with our community.

These Grand and Reserve Grand Champion projects will advance to the Indiana State Fair, where they will represent Monroe County 4-H among the best in the state!

Please join us in congratulating these amazing 4-H members and wishing them the best of luck as they continue their journey at the Indiana State Fair!

Stay tuned as we continue recognizing and celebrating our outstanding Grand and Reserve Grand Champions!

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us reach our goal! 🍀🏛️

🙏 We're still working hard to raise funds for our YES Grants team to attend Ignite by 4-H, and we need your help! Your gift can push us over the finish line if you donate by August 15th. Read more on our blog: in4h.org/send-youth-on-national-trip

🥫 12 FOOD ITEMS = 🎟️ 1 FREE STATE FAIR TICKET!
From now through Friday, July 31, Purdue Extension - Monroe Countyand Monroe County 4-H are participating in the Indiana State Fair’s FAIRs Care Food Drive. Every item collected will benefit Community Kitchen of Monroe County. 💚
Feeding America estimates that 22,580 Monroe County residents—about 1 in 6 people—experienced food insecurity last year. At 16.1%, Monroe County’s estimated rate was higher than both Indiana’s 15.1% rate and the national rate of 14.3%.
HOW IT WORKS
🥫 Donate 12 unopened, unexpired nonperishable food items.
🎟️ Receive one free 2026 Indiana State Fair admission ticket for every 12 qualifying items donated.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Limit: 10 tickets or 120 items per family.
📍 Purdue Extension–Monroe County
3400 S. Walnut St., Bloomington
🕗 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Final drop-off: 4 p.m. Friday, July 31
COMMUNITY KITCHEN’S PREFERRED ITEMS
🥫 Canned and packaged foods: fruits, vegetables, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tuna, chicken, broth, fruit cups, dried fruit, and salad dressing
🍝 Meals and pantry staples: short pasta, pasta or rice meal helpers, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, small bread mixes, cooking oil, and spices
🥣 Breakfast foods and snacks: cereal, instant oatmeal, snack crackers, and granola or cereal bars
🧃 Beverage and kitchen supplies: powdered drink mixes and powdered coffee creamer
Each retail can, box, bag, jar, or pouch counts as one item. A case of 12 cans counts as 12 items; a box containing 12 granola bars counts as one box.
Donations of any size are welcome—even if you bring fewer than 12 items or do not need a ticket. Tickets are available while supplies last.
Help us turn 250 State Fair tickets into at least 3,000 food items for Community Kitchen! 🤝
Questions? Call 812-349-2575.

We are ready to make our 2025 4-H meat disappear so we can start stocking out this year's product!

We have ALL remaining 4H pork products 80% off. This is a crazy good deal. The most expensive item (pork sausage links) would only be $1.40/lb after the discount, and everything else is even lower. This deal is in the system through Saturday 8/01, and then we will be stocking this year's pork after that.

We also have a beef strip steak bundle available for $99. These box deals have 10 strip steaks and a minimum of 8 lbs (many have more). There are also a few one-off bundles with fillets or a mix of strips and rib-eyes.

There are a few lamb bundles left as well, and then they are gone.

Come get a great deal and help us get last year's 4-H meat out of here and this year's 4-H meat on the shelf!

🚨 State Fair Livestock Exhibitors – Important Reminder! 🚨

4-H members planning to exhibit beef, dairy, goats, sheep, and/or swine at the Indiana State Fair MUST complete the following for EACH animal:
✔️ 4-H Animal Affidavit
✔️ Animal Husbandry Form

🔹 Important Details:
• Forms must be notarized – don’t wait until the last minute!
• These forms are designed to be printed front and back
• Each individual animal = its own notarized form

📄 How to Get Your Forms:
• Print at home: https://cdn.saffire.com/files.ashx?t=fg&rid=IndianaStateFair&f=4-H_Animal_Affidavit_-_2026.pdf&cb=6c0ced05
• Pick up printed copies at the Extension Office

🏢 Extension Office Hours:
Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
(No lunch closure)

Plan ahead and get these completed early so you’re ready for the State Fair! 🎡🐄🐖🐑