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Check Out What's New
Check Out What's New
Out with the old, in with the NEW! Instead of the standard quarterly newsletter, we thought a weekly updated website would be more beneficial for our on the go families. Check here first for updated events, happenings, and need to know information on the Bartholomew County 4-H Program. Weekly reminders will be sent to check out the Family Forum with the 4-H Weekly Happenings email sent at the beginning of every week.
Week at a glance:4-H Weekly Happenings
Upcoming Week in 2026 (Click calendar tab for additional information)
Tuesday, May 26th
4-H Dog Obedience Practice - 6:30 pm
Wednesday, May 27th
Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care - 2:00 pm
4-H Dog Obedience Practice - 6:30 pm
Clover Kids 4-H Club Meeting - 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 28th
Shooting Sports - Rifle Discipline - 6:00 pm
Mini 4-H Connection Night - 6:00 pm
4-H Swine Workshop - 6:30 pm
Friday, May 29th
4-H Creative Writing Due - 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 30th
Bartholomew County Pork Producers Scholarship Due
Sunday, May 31st
Fair Entry Deadline
Check calendar and website often in case of changes, cancelations or important information added.
Weather reminder:
If schools are closed, any 4-H meetings or events will be canceled also.
If the Extension Office is closed, you may still call in or leave a message (812-379-1665)
and someone will get back with you soon.
Purdue Extension Office Hours Have Changed
Needing to stop by the Extension Office? Remember our office hours have changed.
Our office hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm,
Monday thru Friday, due to the new Bartholomew County Ordinance.
Will be closed Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day.
Bartholomew County 4-H Opportunities
2026 Fair Entry Instructions - Enter projects between May 18 - 31
2026 Fair Entry Letter.pdf2026 FairEntry Instructions for Families.pdfYou do not need to enter the following projects in Fair Entry:
Dogs Poultry Horse & Pony Mini 4-H
2026 Exhibitor's Handbook
2026 Exhibitor's Handbook
The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Exhibitor's Handbooks have arrived in our office this morning. 4-H Club Leaders are welcome to pick up fairbooks for their club members. Distribution of fairbooks is on a first come basis as we have a limited supply.
2026 Bartholomew County 4-H Family Handbook
2026 Bartholomew County 4-H Family Handbook
The 2026 4-H Family Handbook is available online or in print form. Please call our office at 812-379-1665 to request a hard copy for you to pick up. We will only be printing hard copies as needed, so please help us be prepared by requesting one in advance.
2026 Handbook.pdf
Revised Outstanding 4-H member packet 2026.pdfBartholomew County Outstanding 4-H Member Award Guidelines & Application
Due Friday, June 5th
Extension Office before 4:00 pm
4-H Dog Obedience Schedule
4-H Dog Obedience Schedule
Dog practices will be held in the Community Building at the fairgrounds from 6:30-7:30 pm. If the weather is bad, check this website or email regarding practice being held or not.
Tuesday, May 26
Wednesday, Mar 27
4-H Dog Show
Saturday, June 6
8:30 am
Community Building
March 30th date only will be held in the Large Meeting Room in the Purdue Extension building instead of Annex.
Shooting Sports Rifle Discipline Practice Dates
Shooting Sports Rifle Discipline Practice Dates
The Rifle Discipline practices are held at the Sandcreek Conservation Club, E 600 S, Elizabethtown. Practices will start at 6:00 pm for each of the dates listed below. If you signed up for this discipline, you will want to attend.
Thursday, May 28th
Thursday, June 4th
Thursday, June 11th
Mini 4-H Connection Night
Mini 4-H Members are invited to join us for Mini 4-H Connection Night!
Enjoy activities and snacks while meeting other youth in Kindergarten-2nd grade.
Thursday, May 28th
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Purdue Extension - Bartholomew County
Extension Annex Building
783 S Marr Road, Columbus 47201
4-H Swine Workshop
4-H Swine Workshop
If you are interested in the 4-H Swine project and
learning about how to care, feed, and get your pig(s) ready
for the fair, you will want to attend.
We will meet on Thursday, May 28th from 6:30-7:30 pm, at the Purdue Extension Annex Building.
Main topic - Prepping for the 4-H Fair
Early 4-H Project Judging
Friday, May 29 4-H Creative Writing Extension Office before 4:00 pm
Thursday, June 4 4-H Performing Arts St Peter's Lutheran School, 10:00 am
Thursday, June 4 4-H Verbal Comm. Judging Event Extension Office, 5:00 pm
Saturday, June 6 4-H Dog Show Community Building, 8:30 am
Tuesday, June 9 4-H Cat & Caged Critter Shows Community Building, 5:30 pm
Monday, June 15 4-H Consumer Clothing Extension Office, 9:15 am
and Fashion Revue
Monday, June 15 Enter & Judge 4-H Projects (except - Community Building, 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Pre 4-H (Mini & Cloverbud), Beekeeping,
Garden, Floriculture and Crops)
No early drop-offs accepted
Wednesday, June 17 Pre 4-H (Mini & Cloverbud) Project David Boll Theatre, 3:00 - 6:00 pm Check-in
Kiddin' Around Goat Club
Kiddin' Around Goat Club
The Kiddin' Around Goat Club will meet on Tuesday, June 2nd at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the Community Building at the fairgrounds.
Parents are requested to stay until meeting ends.
Poultry Project Blood Testing
Poultry Project Blood Testing
June 4th
The blood testing will take place
at the
Ivy Tech Agriculture Building
2565 Grissom Street
Columbus 47203
If your poultry did not come from a NPIP Pullorum-Typhoid certified clean flock within one (1) year or had a negative Pullorum-Typhoid test within ninety (90) days
prior to exhibition, your 4-H poultry
will need to be blood tested.
Questions - contact Matt John at
or 812-603-7722
4-H Cat Show and
4-H Cat Show and
Caged Critters Show
Caged Critters Show
The 4-H Cat Show and 4-H Caged Critters Show have a new date, place and time for this year's
pre-fair judging. The shows will take place on
Tuesday, June 9 and will be held in the
Community Building at the fairgrounds.
The Cat Show check-in will start at 6:00 pm with show beginning at 6:30 pm. Check-in and 4-H Caged Critters Show will follow the 4-H Cat Show.
animal-id-instructions.pdf4-H Livestock Enrollment Due May 15
4-H Livestock Enrollment Due May 15
4-H Livestock must be entered in 4H Online by midnight on May 15th. This includes Beef, Dairy Beef, Dairy Starter Calf, Dairy Female, Sheep, Goat, Swine, Non-Market Rabbits, and Horse & Pony. You will find the Animal Identification instructions included for your convenience. If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office, 812-379-1665, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday.
Horse & Pony Enrollment and Vaccination FormDue by May 15th
Horse & Pony Enrollment and Vaccination FormDue by May 15th
Horse & Pony Enrollment Letter.pdfHorse & Pony Vaccination Form.pdfSheep, Goat, Swine Enrollment Letter 2026.pdfSheep ID Worksheet.pdfSheep ID Day - April 29th
Sheep ID Day - April 29th
See above letter
Meat Goat_Dairy_Pygmy Goat ID Worksheet.pdfGoat ID Day - April 30th
Goat ID Day - April 30th
See above letter
Swine ID Worksheet21.pdfSwine ID Worksheet
Swine ID Worksheet
See above letter
4-H Online Enrollment Began
4-H Online Enrollment Began
October 1st
October 1st
October 1st has come and gone. Have you enrolled or re-enrolled in 4-H Online? Please do so as soon as possible. Remember, your enrollment is not approved until membership fee has been paid.
Scroll down to General 4-H Information to see 4honline enrollment instructions.
Bartholomew County REMC supports 4-H
Bartholomew County REMC has been a great supporter of the Bartholomew County 4-H program. This year they have found a new way to continue supporting our youth! Once again for the 2025-2026 program year, Bartholomew County REMC will reimburse the 4-H program fee for your child or children in grades 3-12. All Bartholomew County REMC customers should simply fill out the form under incentives on the REMC website to receive a $20 bill credit per child for the 4-H program fee. 4-H Program fee must first be paid 4-H Online and enrollment approved before credit from REMC is received.
THANK YOU BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY REMC
If you did not turn in your Green Record Book at the fair, you still have until September 1st to turn it in at the Extension Office.
4-H Green Record Books
4-H members in grades 3-12 are asked to complete a Green Record Book each year. These books are a great place to keep track of your 4-H project achievements, experiences, and all you have learned throughout your 4-H journey. When you near the end of your time in 4-H, the information in the Green Record Book is instrumental in completing scholarship and award applications.
If you are a new 4-H'er, you may stop by the Extension Office and pick up a free Green Record book or check to see if your 4-H Club Leader has some.
If you have lost your Green Record book, there is a $2.00 charge to replace it due to their cost.
Statewide 4-H Opportunities
Exhibit Hall Workers – Indiana State Fair
Join our team at the Indiana State Fair as an Exhibit Hall Worker! This unique opportunity allows 4-H members to play an important role in showcasing the incredible work of youth from across the state.
As an Exhibit Hall Worker, you will help with:
Checking in non-animal 4-H exhibits
Preparing exhibits for public display
Record keeping and organization
Interacting with fair attendees
Assisting with various State Fair activities and events
Releasing exhibits at the end of the fair
Through this temporary employment opportunity, workers will gain valuable teamwork, customer service, communication, and professional workplace skills.
Eligibility & Details
Must be at least 14 years old (college-age young adults are also welcome to apply)
Workers will reside on-site in reserved dormitory space during the fair
This is a paid, minimum-wage employment opportunity
Workers are needed July 31 – August 23, with flexibility for scheduling conflicts
You can learn more here:
Scholarship Information
2026 4-H Scholarship packet.pdf2025-2026 Scholarship letter.pdfSCIMGA Gives Scholarship Application (V3).docxSouth Central Indiana Master Gardeners Association Scholarship
South Central Indiana Master Gardeners Association Scholarship
SCIMGA has a scholarship being offered only to students seeking a degree or certificate in any one of the following sciences: Plant Biology, Horticulture, Landscape Design, Soil Science, Entomology, Botany or related disciplines. Online scholarship applications are accepted November 1st through April 30th. You will need to be able to access the online (Google) form at https://www.scimga.org to submit your application. The one included here is for information only.
National 4-H Opportunities
National 4-H Congress
National 4-H Congress will take place November 27 – December 1 in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the premier national experiences for 4-H members.
For more than 90 years, 4-H youth from across the country have gathered at this event to celebrate their accomplishments and grow as leaders. National 4-H Congress offers a life-changing experience where participants connect with other 4-H members from across the United States while taking part in:
Engaging educational workshops
Cultural and service experiences
Leadership and team development activities
Networking with youth from across the country
And, of course, plenty of fun!
Eligibility & Details
Open to 4-H members in grades 9–11 (must be 15 years old)
6-8 youth will be selected to represent Indiana’s delegation
You can access the application and more information here:
https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/national-programs/national-4-h-congress.html. Applications will be turned in through 4-H Online.
Both of these opportunities provide incredible ways to build leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and represent Indiana 4-H.
If you have questions about registration, please reach out to your local Extension Office or Megan Skiba at skiba0@purdue.edu.
4-H Volunteer Opportunities
General 4-H Information
Your Credit Card may have expired
since you last entered it.
4-H Families - Please check your credit cards you use in 4honline to see if:
The expiration date has expired. If so, this will cause a "Decline" on the enrollment until a new card is entered.
Check to make sure you have entered the correct number, expiration date and security code. Entering a number incorrectly can also cause a "Decline".
This needs to be done before you hit the "submit" button in 4honline.
4-H Enrollment 2025-2026
4-H Enrollment 2025-2026
Enrollment for 2025-2026 begins October 1 in 4-H Online! We encourage everyone to enroll early to not miss out on any information or FUN!
Interested in becoming a new 4-H volunteer? Contact the Extension Office before enrolling in 4honline.
Questions about enrollment please call 812-379-1665.
Enrolling in 4-H Online as a Returning Youth Member.pdfEnrolling in 4-H Online as a NEW Youth Member.pdf4-H Project Materials
Did you know our office has a variety of materials for sale that can be utilized for your 4-H projects? We do! The items we offer include:
Foam boards (correct size for 4-H poster projects) - $5.00 each (price increase)
Plastic sleeves in two sizes - poster and salon - $1.00 each
Resource manuals for many of our projects - price varies
Styrofoam cupcake dummies - $8.00 for package of six (price increase)
Electric kits are no longer being sold at the Extension Office.
To purchase materials, please visit our office from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. We are located at 783 S Marr Road, Columbus.
Free Used Entomology Boxes
We have several donated used entomology boxes available for any 4-H'er needing one for their Entomology project. Some are in need of minor repairs. Some have glass and some are in need of a glass covering. If you are interested, please stop by the Extension Office and take a look at these free boxes.
Purdue Ed Store Offering
Insect Boxes
We have received word that you can order unfinished insect boxes (without glass) from the Purdue Ed Store. This is a standard insect box (24"x 18" x 3 3/8" for
$40 (plus S/H). These are homemade by a
parent in Tippecanoe County.
4-H Club Leaders we are needing your club meeting dates to include in 4-H Weekly Happenings and 4-H Family Forum Website calendar. Please email your meeting dates as soon as possible to Elisabeth (eleaton@purdue.edu) and Brenda (bshirema@purdue.edu). We need the club name, meeting place, and both start and end times. You may add additional information as needed.
4H meeting.pdfPurdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, please contact Elisabeth L. Eaton prior to the meeting at 812-379-1665 or eleaton@purdue.edu. For special dietary needs contact Elisabeth L. Eaton, 812-379-1665 or eleaton@purdue.edu by one week prior to date of event. If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Elisabeth L. Eaton prior to the meeting at 812-379-1665 or eleaton@purdue.edu by one week prior to date of event.
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