NE Indiana Rabbit Show at Wells County 4-H Fairgrounds

All 47 rabbit breeds were on display at the 3rd annual NE Indiana Rabbit School last Saturday at the Wells County 4-H Fairgrounds. More than 100 4-H members and their families from across the state attended the event.

See video at 'On the Beat in Bluffton' blog, here.

4-H LIVESTOCK MEMBERS BEGIN PROJECTS

Spring is here and many Indiana 4-H members who participate in livestock projects are visiting lamb or pig sales or contacting breeders to obtain their animals for the summer.
Most 4-H animals are to be in the possession of the 4-H member by May 1. Exceptions would be meat pen rabbits or poultry (broilers) which are not born or hatched until closer to the county fair time. In addition, some young beef and dairy calves may not be born yet.

The Swine project continues to be the most popular livestock project in Indiana and in Wells Count. Rabbit, Poultry, Dairy Feeder Calf and Horse & Pony are also favorites for many youth.

Participants in all animal projects learn about proper animal diet, health care, and record keeping. The responsibility of the care and feeding of animals along with preparing them for a show can be a real learning experience. The hands on activities help youth learn about responsibility and the importance of completing a project.

Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue membership through the completion of grade 12.

For more information and forms, contact the Wells County Office of the Purdue Extension Service, 824-6412. The membership form is also located at www.wellscounty.org/4h/

(Submitted)

4-H NATURAL RESOURCE PROJECTS OFFER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Youth across Indiana can explore nature by participating in the 4-H Natural Resource projects. These projects include: entomology (insects), forestry, geology (rocks), sportfishing, weather, and wildlife.

The projects are part of the new 4-H SET (Science, Engineering & Technology) program offered by 4-H across the U.S.A.

In the entomology project, youth learn about insects by collecting and identifying various types of insects by common name and order. More advanced members can prepare a special educational box to explain some unique insect type or problem. The insect collection is then displayed at the annual 4-H Fair.

The Forestry project also includes collecting, identifying and preserving various tree leaves using the popular ì50 Trees of Indianaî booklet. Older members may also collect wood samples, tree seeds and do some type of forest improvement activity.

Geology is the study of rocks and 4-H members learn about the three major types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Beginners display six different rocks that are identified. Older members increase their rock collection adding rocks of different texture and color. They also learn about what types are used for construction such as limestone, sandstone, and granite.

Sportfishing gets youth involved in various fishing activities and learning about types of fish found in Indiana. Older members can explore various types of fishing bait or lures, fish diseases, fishing laws, and how to clean and safely cook fish for their family.

4-H members in the weather project learn about the weather by recording various facts such as temperature, rain fall, degree days, etc. They also learn to identify types of clouds and understand which can produce severe weather conditions.

As members advance in the project they can learn about lightening, tornadoes, greenhouse effect, and El Nino.

Beginners in the wildlife project participate in activities that teach them about Indiana wildlife and their habitats. Members learn about life cycles, food chains, adaptations, and laws that protect wildlife. Displays at the fair range from posters about wildlife to sample tracks to animals, bird migration maps and notebooks on animal photography.

Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue membership through the completion of grade 12.

4-H membership forms for Wells County are due to the 4-H Leaders or the County Extension Office on or before Thursday, April 1st. Families may drop off the forms after office hours at the Drop Box located under the canopy of the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park in Bluffton.

Mini 4-H membership is for youth in grades 1 and 2. Mini 4-H membership is due
May 1. Forms will be distributed in late March and early April to all school classrooms. Forms can be returned to the school office.

For more information and forms, contact the Wells County Office of the Purdue Extension Service, 824-6412. The membership form is also located at www.wellscounty.org/4h/

(Submitted)

Meet the 4-H Rabbit Club leader

Danielle Cale, Wells Co. 4-H Rabbit Club co-leader and the reigning
Indiana State Fair Master Rabbit Ambassador has put together a VERY RARE
community opportunity!

Did you know there are 47 recognized breeds of rabbits? This is a fact not
known by most people. Saturday at the Wells Co. 4-H Fairgrounds Expo
Hall, 46 of the 47 breeds will be on display for public enjoyment. You
will even be able to observe more than one variety of some of the breeds.
The only breed not represented will be the Giant Angora as there were none
available in the state of Indiana.

This large and uncommon exhibit is available in conjunction with the 3rd
Annual North East Indiana Rabbit School being put on by the Wells County
4-H Rabbit Club. If you are only coming to see the rabbits on display,
admission is $1 per person. Admission to the Rabbit School speakers and
rabbit exhibit is $3 and participation in the rabbit knowledge contest is
$1 per person.

From the response through emails and phone calls Danielle has been
getting, this year promises to be the biggest one yet. The past two years
there have been 100 people in attendance.



Wells County Rabbit Club Presents:
The 3rd Annual
NE Indiana Rabbit School
Saturday, March 27th, 2010
Doors open @ 9:00 am, First Speaker @ 10:00 am

This Year Come and See:

Examples of 46 of the 47 Rabbit Breeds!

Some with multiple varieties

Hear the following speakers:

Steven Cooper, New Zealand Rabbit Breeder:
“Selecting Rabbits for Meat Classes”

Carla Wilson, ARBA Judge
“Mini Lops, Holland Lops, Netherland Dwarfs, Polish, and Dwarf Hotots;
What’s the difference and what do I look for?”

Justin Lowe, ARBA Registrar
“Selecting a balanced Mini Rex”

Admission: $3 per person or $10 per family Ambassador Contest: $1 per
competitor.
Also during the day’s events, as last year, we will be holding a Rabbit
Ambassador Competition. The Contest will include: 20 Rabbit Breed
Identification, Written Test, and Showmanship. Prizes will be awarded for
the winners in each of the following categories: Mini 4-H (Pre-K – 2nd
grade), Novice (3-4 gr.), Junior (5-6 gr.), Intermediate (7-8 gr.), Senior
(9-10 gr.), and Master (11-12 gr.). A Kitchen and Silent Auction will
also be available for your enjoyment.

The Rabbit School will take place at:
Wells County Community Center located in the Wells County 4-H Fairgrounds
1240 S 4-H Road, Bluffton, IN 46714

4-H forms for membership due April 1st

4-H membership forms for Wells County are due to the 4-H Leaders or the County Extension Office on or before Thursday, April 1st.
Families may drop off the forms after office hours at the Drop Box located under the canopy of the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park in Bluffton.
Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue membership through the completion of grade 12.
Mini 4-H membership is for youth in grades 1 and 2. Mini 4-H membership is due
May 1. Forms will be distributed in late March and early April to all school classrooms. Forms can be returned to the school office.
Youth in the Archery, Dog Obedience, and the Shot Gun Safety projects may join at their first meeting in April.
For more information and forms, contact the Wells County Office of the Purdue Extension Service, 824-6412. The membership form is also located at www.wellscounty.org/4h/

4-H Dairy feeder identification day April 17

The Wells County 4-H Dairy Feeder Calf Identification Day will be held Saturday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Wells County 4-H Park in the Multi-Purpose Arena located west of the horse barn.
All 4-H dairy feeder calves must be weighed and ear tagged in order to show at the 4-H Fair in July. Calves may not weigh more than 215 pounds. at the ID Day. Only steers (no heifers) may be exhibited in the project.
This year’s 4-H Fair will be held July 17 to 22.
The Dairy Feeder Show is scheduled for Monday, July 19, at 6 p.m.
Animal forms will be available at the event and a local veterinarian will also be at the event if you are in need of their services.
For more information about the ID Day, contact Dairy Feeder Superintendent James Hall, 543-2310 or the Wells County Office of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, 824-6412.

Extension Calendar

March 23 — 4-H Frozen Food Orders Due at County Extension Office

March 23 — 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club, Community Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

March 27 — Northeast IN Rabbit School, Community Center, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

March 29 — Extension Homemaker Executive Council Meeting, Community Center, 1:30 p.m.

March 30 — District Extension Homemaker Meeting, Allen County Fairgrounds, 9:30 a.m.

March 30 — 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club, Community Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

March 31-April 1 — Kids Health & Safety Fair, Bluffton Elementary School

April 1 — 4-H Membership Forms due for youth grades 3-12, Wells County Extension Office, 4-H Park, Bluffton. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

April 6 — 4-H Dog Obedience Club Sign Up, Community Center, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

April 6 — 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club Awards Night, Community Center, 6:30 p.m.

April 7 — 4-H Frozen Food Order Pick Up, 4-H Park Quonset Building, 2-5 p.m.

Extension Calendar

March 9 — 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club, Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

March 10 — Extension Homemaker Program Planning Meeting, Community Center, 10 a.m.
March 10 — Hunter Education, Community Center, 4-H Park, 5:30-9 p.m.

March 11 — Hunter Education, Community Center, 4-H Park, 5:30-9 p.m.

March 15 — Fair Schedule Committee, Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30 p.m.
March 15 — Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, 7 p.m.

March 16 — 4-H BB & Rifle Safety Club, Community Center, 4-H Park, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

March 17 — Extension Service Annual Meeting and 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 6:30 p.m. Dinner served. Reservations requested. Call 260-824-6412 by March 10.
March 17 — 4-H Rabbit Workshop, Community Center at the 4-H Park, 7-8 p.m.

March 30 — District Extension Homemaker Meeting, Allen County Extension Office, 9:30 a.m.

March 31-April 1 — Kids Health & Safety Fair, Bluffton Elementary School.

4-H Shooting, Hunting & Archery classes

Shot Gun The Shot Gun Program will begin April 17. This groups meets at the Wells County Gun Club, north of Bluffton. Watch the 4-H Newsletter for details or call Ryan Kline, 375-3865.

HUNTER EDUCATION A Hunter Education Class will be offered March 8, 10 & 11, 5:30 – 9 PM at the 4-H Park. More details at the 4-H Meetings. Call 824-0692 to register for the class.

PISTOL SAFETY The Pellet Pistol Program will be offered if there is enough interest. Mark your enrollment form or call the Extension Office, 824-6412 if you are interested.

ARCHERY CLUB The Archery Club will begin with sign up on April 19, 6:30 PM at the 4-H Park Quonset. Meetings will be held on Mondays in May and June. Watch for more details in the 4-H Newsletter. Call Terri Quinn, 622-6617.


QUESTIONS? For more information about 4-H, contact the Wells County Office of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, 1240 S. 4-H Rd., Bluffton, IN 46714 260-824-6412 rsherer@purdue.edu Web Site: www.wellscounty.org/4h/

2010 WELLS COUNTY 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS BB GUN AND RIFLE SAFETY CLUB

WHO CAN JOIN? Youth may become 4-H members when they enter third grade and may continue their membership through the completion of grade 12. A member may continue membership for a maximum of ten (10) years.

AGES & COST BB Gun Safety: Grade 3 and above - Cost $20.00 .22 Caliber Rifle:Grade 6 and above – Cost $25.00 No person will be turned away for financial constraints.Cost includes: (Book - for new members) Equipment, Supplies, Insurance, Awards and Refreshments at Awards Night. If you have more than one youth in the family, the second member is only $15.00. Scholarships available – check with leaders.

LIMITED MEMBERSHIP For safety reasons and to provide adequate instruction, membership will be limited to the first 28 youth in BB and the first 32 youth in Rifle.

SAFETY FIRST The 4-H program teaches firearm safety taught by NRA and 4-H certified instructors. All equipment (Daisy BB guns) Pellet Pistols, and .22 Caliber Rifles will be furnished. Members are not to bring any equipment with them.

SPECIAL DETAILS  Parents are welcome to attend.  In case of bad weather, listen to radio stations K105 or WMEE 93.3 for postponements. Usually if one of the schools cancel, the 4-H event will be postponed.

PARENT HELP Parent help is needed to assist with scoring targets, recording scores, and as range assistants along with set-up and tear-down.

LEADERS NEEDED More adult volunteers are needed to become club leaders. If interested, call the County Extension Office at 824-6412 or talk to one of the leaders. Volunteers interested in becoming a certified 4-H instructor may attend the State Training April 9 – 11, 2010 or September 10 – 12, 2010. Your fees will be sponsored by Wells County 4-H. Options include: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Archery, Coordinator, and Hunting/Wildlife.

4- H LEADERS BB Gun & Rifle Chad Captain 417-6488 Gregg Palmer 701-2975 Tex Mauger 827-0266 James Painter 639-6547 Don Kiefer 824-1585