MONSANTO TO FUND 'FARMERS GROW COMMUNITIES'

Indiana farmers in 83 counties including Wells and surrounding counties have an opportunity to provide a boost to their rural community with a $2,500 award available to their favorite nonprofit civic group or unit of government.

The program provides a great opportunity for farmers to nominate their favorite local non-profit. In 2009, the first year of the program, the funds provided nearly 500 farmers in 10 states with $2,500 awards to the non-profit organization of their choice. The program in 2010 has now expanded to more than 1,200 counties across 38 states.

Some of the more popular non-profits receiving the awards from the farmers include: FFA, 4-H, and fire departments. Those groups selected have included: Boys & Girls Club, SWCD, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, and Park Boards.

Farmers can apply online at www.growcommunities.com or call 1-877-267-3332. Farmers 21 and over, who are actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and / or 40 acres of open field vegetables or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers, and / or cucumbers grown in protected culture are eligible. Farmers can enter now through December 31, 2010.

The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and no purchase is necessary in order to enter or win. One winner will be drawn from each of the participating counties, and the Monsanto Fund will announce winning farmers and recipient organizations by February 2011.

Support your favorite non-profit. Enter the Monsanto Funds America's Farmers Grow Communities program.

4-H Extension Calendar

Nov. 22 — Nottingham Nobles 4-H Club Achievement Program, Living Water Church, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 25 — Thanksgiving

Nov. 26 — County Offices Closed

Nov. 30 — Ag Outlook Breakfast/Program - Wells County Community Center, 7 a.m. No fee but call for reservation, 824-6412
Nov. 30 — Private Pesticide Applicator Training Session, Wells County Community Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $10 fee. Call 824-6412 to register.
Nov. 30 — Northeast IN Purdue Council on Agriculture, Extension, Research & Teaching, Allen County Extension Office, 7 p.m.

Dec. 2 — Extension Homemaker's Holiday Luncheon, 11 a.m. $10. RSVP to Janice Walker.

ROCKCREEK TOWNSHIP 4-H AWARDS NIGHT HELD

Families in the Rockcreek Township 4-H Club met recently to honor members at their annual Achievement Night held at the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park in Bluffton.

Township Record Book Awards were presented to: Jessica VandenBoom, Arts & Crafts, Collections, Photography, & Sewing; Kale DeVoe, BBQ; Kristen Bales, Beef & Sheep; Ben DeVoe, Computer; Gabriel Smith, Construction Toy & Forestry; Audrey Barnes, Dairy; Elizabeth Small, Dairy Feeder Steer; Markus Hacker, Electric; Dani Thomas, Foods; Sara Eubank, Gift Wrapping; Cylee Morris, Goat; Karlie Thomas, Health; Danielle Hacker, Models; Luke Batdorff, Rabbit; Ashley VandenBoom, Scrapbooking; Sara DeVoe, Sewing; Caige Morris, Swine; Allison Topp, Vet Science; and Brent Bales, Woodworking.

County Record Book Awards were presented to: Jessica VandenBoom, Collections; Kristen Bales, Beef; and Ben DeVoe, Computer.

Outstanding records submitted at the County Fair are judged by 4-H Leaders and submitted for township and county awards. Accuracy, completeness, and neatness are the major factors considered in the judging.

4-H Electric Project Awards were presented to Danielle Hacker and Markus Hacker. United REMC and the Indiana Rural Electric Cooperatives serve as the sponsors of this award.

Sherry Johnson from the Wells County 4-H Foundation reported their fund raising projects. High school seniors were encouraged to apply for the scholarships that are sponsored by the 4-H Foundation.

4-H Leaders Cindy and James Hall were thanked by their club for the help and leadership during 2010.

Volunteers who assisted with the 4-H Pancake & Sausage Booth at the Bluffton Street Fair were thanked. In addition, those serving on the 4-H Association and Council were thanked. These included: Steve & Jodie Bales and Jennifer Freds.

Additional volunteers are needed for these committees next year. Adults interested in serving on these committees in 2011 should contact the Wells County Extension Office, 824-6412.

Wells County Farm Bureau was recognized for their sponsorship of 4-H pins and donation to the 4-H Club for the Achievement Program.

The 4-H program is organized by the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, Wells County, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

4-H Extension Calendar

Nov. 22 Nottingham Nobles 4-H Club Achievement Program, Living Water
Church, 6:30 PM

Nov. 25 Thanksgiving

Nov. 26 County Offices Closed

Nov. 30 Ag Outlook Breakfast / Program at Wells County Community Center,
7 AM No fee but call for reservation, 824-6412

Nov. 30 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Session, Wells County Community
Center, 9:30 - 11:30 AM. $10 fee. Call 824-6412 to register.

Nov. 30 Northeast IN Purdue Council on Agriculture, Extension, Research &
Teaching, Allen County Extension Office, 7 PM

Dec. 2 Extension Homemaker's Holiday Luncheon, 11 AM. $10. RSVP to
Janice Walker.

4-H Extension Calendar

Nov. 9 — Chester Chargers & Liberty Happy Go Lucky 4-H Clubs Achievement Program. Southern Wells School, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 — Veteran's Day - County Offices Closed

Nov. 15 — Northeast IN 4-H & FFA Forestry, Crops & entomology Judging, Whitley County Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.
Nov. 15 — Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, 7 p.m.
Nov. 15 — Rockcreek Rollers 4-H Club Achievement Program, Wells County Community Center, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 18 — Wells County Extension Advisory Board, Community Center, 7 p.m.

Nov. 25 — Thanksgiving

Nov. 26 — County Offices Closed

Nov. 30 — Ag Outlook Breakfast/Program - Wells County Community Center, 7 a.m. - No fee but call for reservation, 824-6412
Nov. 30 — Private Pesticide Applicator Training Session, Wells County Community Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $10 fee. Call 824-6412 to register.
Nov. 30 — Northeast IN Purdue Council on Agriculture, Extension, Research & Teaching, Allen County Extension Office, 7 p.m.

4-H Extension Calendar

Nov. 7 Wells County Horse & Pony Advisory Board, Community Center, 4-H
Park, 5 PM

Nov. 9 Chester Chargers & Liberty Happy Go Lucky 4-H Clubs Achievement
Program. Southern Wells School, 6:30 PM

Nov. 11 Veteran's Day County Offices Closed

Nov. 15 Northeast IN 4-H & FFA Forestry, Crops & entomology Judging, Whitley
County Fairgrounds, 6 PM

Nov. 15 Wells County 4-H Association, Community Center, 4-H Park, 7 PM

Nov. 15 Rockcreek Rollers 4-H Club Achievement Program, Wells County
Community Center, 6:30 PM

Nov. 18 Wells County Extension Advisory Board, Community Center, 7 PM

Nov. 25 Thanksgiving

Nov. 26 County Offices Closed

Nov. 30 Ag Outlook Breakfast / Program at Wells County Community Center,
7 AM: No fee but call for reservation, 824-6412

Nov. 30 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Session, Wells County Community
Center, 9:30 - 11:30 AM. $10 fee. Call 824-6412 to register.

Nov. 30 Northeast IN Purdue Council on Agriculture, Extension, Research &
Teaching, Allen County Extension Office, 7 PM

4-H Extension Calendar

Nov. 2 — Election Day - County Offices Closed

Nov. 4 — State Council on Agriculture, Research, Extension & Teaching, Beck Center, West Lafayette
Nov. 4 — Wells County 4-H Council, Community Center, 4-H Park, Bluffton, 7 p.m.

Nov. 9 — Chester Chargers & Liberty Happy Go Lucky 4-H Clubs Achievement Program. Southern Wells School, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 — Veteran's Day - County Offices Closed

Nov. 15 — Rockcreek Rollers 4-H Club Achievement Program, Wells County Community Center, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 30 — Ag Outlook Breakfast/Program - Wells County Community Center, 7 a.m. - No fee but call for reservation, 824-6412
Nov. 30 — Private Pesticide Applicator Training Session, Wells County Community Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $10 fee. Call 824-6412 to register.