The Hometown Treasure January 2012 | Page 45

2012 LaGrange County 4-H Enrollment Underway Online enrollment now open. Children in grades one through twelve are being sought for participation in the 2012 LaGrange County 4-H program. Students in county elementary schools have been receiving enrollment information through their local schools. Enrollment materials are also available to junior and senior high students through their school offices. New in LaGrange County for 2012 is the availability of online enrollment. Families have the option of utilizing electronic enrollment and paying the state program fee from the comfort of home this year. Online enrollment can be accessed by visiting the Purdue Extension home page at http://www. extension.purdue.edu/lagrange 2011 marked the 107th year of the Indiana 4-H program. Many events commemorated this milestone including 4-H alumni recognition, county specific programs, and continuing renovations to the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The 4-H program is one of the largest youth serving organizations in the world. During 2011, some 200,000 Hoosier youth have participated in its educational programs. The LaGrange County 4-H program and fair have seen significant growth in the past decade. With both public and private financial support, the fairgrounds have received needed upgrades, a web site and social media communication have been refined, and entertainment, educational events and new 4-H projects have been added. Collaborating with the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service office, the 4-H Club Association’s thirty volunteer directors are currently developing plans for the 2012 4-H program and the annual 4-H Fair, scheduled for July 7-14. Through informal education, 4-H is a voluntary youth development program designed to address the interests of boys and girls through the provision of contemporary as well as traditional projects. Some of the newer projects include computers, consumer clothing, creative writing, reading, recycling, scrapbook, shooting sports education, and sports. There are still many projects available for traditional 4-H enthusiasts including foods, sewing, and animal husbandry. Returning in 2012 will be the 4-H Lama project featuring llamas and alpacas. 4-H is open to all age eligible youth regardless of race, ethnicity, residency, religion, socioeconomic status, or disability. This year a statewide $15 fee will be required youth in grades 3-12 to enroll in 4-H in LaGrange County. 4-H also offers educational programming for first and second grade children through its Mini or Fu ture 4-H groups and events. Future 4-H is designed to provide younger students with simple, hands on learning opportunities in a non-competitive atmosphere. Future 4-H remains a free program for first and second grade students. Last year about 1,300 LaGrange County youth participated in 4-H programs through traditional club and project work, events on the Purdue campus, local and classroom enrichment activities, and county wide career development programs in collaboration with area FFA groups. The 4-H program is volunteer-based. Adult leaders and parents offer their time and talents to assist youth in reaching their fullest potential through practical experience with hands-on projects, leadership development, and community service. Some projects and clubs, such as 4-H ATV, Beef and Dairy cattle, and Shooting Sports Education conduct activities early in the new year. First year youth in particular are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible for inclusion on club mailing lists and newsletters. To obtain additional club, project, or enrollment information, contact the Purdue University Extension Office in LaGrange at 499-6334, or visit the 4-H development link on Extension’s web site. Investment Strategies. One-On-ONe Advice STEVEN M. WEIGEL Financial Advisor 206 S. Detroit St. * LaGrange, IN 46761 260-463-8473 MATT RANG Financial Advisor 117 N Main * Wolcottville, IN 260-854-3116 DAVID SANDS Financial Advisor 902 Lincolnway South * Ligonier, IN 46767 260-894-9912 SHELDON Q. SHROCK Financial Advisor 160 N Morton St. * Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-4348 www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC Making Sense of Investing The Hometown Treasure · Jan. ‘12 · pg 43