2016 La Porte County Mini 4-H Project Handbook

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1 Have a great year in Mini 4-H! Remember to call us if you have any questions. (219) La Porte County Mini 4-H Project Handbook To Make the Best Better "It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to the programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution. This material may be available in alternative formats." Please keep this book in a safe place. It has details you need to complete your exhibit.

2 Welcome to Mini 4-H! This booklet will tell you everything you need to know about this exciting program. Please be sure to call us if you have any questions. Extension Office Address: Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service La Porte County 2857 W St Rd 2, Suite A La Porte, IN Phone: (219) Fax: (219) Website: Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 4-H Staff: Hugh Tonagel, Extension Educator tonagel@purdue.edu Patty Keating, Extension Educator pkeating@purdue.edu Mindy Rose, Secretary msrose@purdue.edu Important Dates January 15 th Enrollment Deadline March 23 rd Mini 4-H Workshop May 21 st Mini 4-H Fun Day June 18 th Mini 4-H Animal Showmanship Fun Day July 7 th Mini 4-H Project Check-In 3:00 7:00 p.m. July 10 th 16 th La Porte County Fair July 17 th Mini 4-H Projects Released October 24 th Mini 4-H Achievement Party

3 COLORING CONTEST The Fair Board sponsors a coloring contest! All Mini 4-Hers are welcome to pick up Color the Fair coloring book pages from the Extension Office. Please stop in and get some! Bring your best colored page to Mini 4-H project check-in. The La Porte County Fair Board will give an award to the best in each of the 3 grades kindergarten, first and second. The winning pictures will be on display during the La Porte County Fair. Notes La Porte County Mini 4-H What Is Mini 4-H? Mini 4-H is a fun and educational program designed to help build selfesteem by providing youth the opportunity to learn and be recognized through non-competitive experiential learning. It also helps develop an interest in continuing into the 4-H program. The Goal of 4-H To assist youth and adults in their development by conducting hands-on educational programs, using the knowledge base of Purdue University, other land grant universities and the United States Department of Agriculture. The goal is to help boys and girls become good useful citizens and mature capable adults. 4-H work accomplishes these goals by giving boys and girls firsthand experience in: Working on worthwhile projects. Learning how to do new things. Learning to plan and carry out group activities. Learning to take responsibility and be of service to others. Learning to select their own goals. The 4-H Club Pledge I Pledge My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS to larger service, My HEALTH to better living, For my club, my community, my country and my world. The 4-H Club Motto To Make the Best Better 4-H Colors Green and White

4 The 4-H Emblem The official 4-H Club Emblem is a four-leaf clover with the letter H on each leaflet, meaning the development of Head, Heart, Hands and Health. 4-H Club Song Tune: The Caisson Song Over hill, over dale, we will hit the 4-H trail, as we club folks go swinging along. Let it rain, let it shine, we will keep our steady line, as we club folks go swinging along. For its Hi, Hi, He, the 4-H club s for me. Shout out your letters loud and strong 4-H! For where ever we go, you will always know, that we club folks go swinging along. Keep swinging; as we club folks go swinging along. Who Can Join Mini 4-H? It is open to any child currently in Kindergarten, 1 st or 2 nd grade as of January of the enrollment year. How Do I Enroll? Members can enroll on-line at from October 1 through January 15. There are 12 different projects to choose from. Members in grades K and 1 st can choose up to two projects each year. Members in 2 nd grade can choose up to three projects each year. There are 9 fair activities you can participate in. You can participate in as many fair activities as you like. How Much Does It Cost? The registration fee for Mini 4-H is $5.00 per child. This fee entitles you to manuals for your project, a project workshop, informational newsletters, all fair activities, a Mini 4-H Fun Day, an Animal Showmanship Fun Day and the achievement party. Checks are payable to the 4-H Supply Fund and can be sent to the Extension Office or paid at any Mini 4-H event. What Are Project Manuals? Project Manuals are books that help you with your projects. They have information and exhibit descriptions for that project. Each project has its own manual and one manual can be used all 3 years. Manuals can be picked up at the Extension Office or at any Mini 4-H Event. PEE WEE GOAT SHOW Youngsters will be paired with current 4-H members in the goat project to learn basic techniques for showing goats in the ring. Show date will be in the Mini 4-H newsletter. Classes will be based on grade and class size will be limited. PEE WEE RABBIT SHOW Kids can become familiar with rabbits. Exhibitor can show one rabbit and receive a ribbon! The show will be on Saturday of fair and you will need your own rabbit. PEE WEE PIG SHOW Youngsters will be paired with current 4-H members in the swine project to learn basic techniques for showing pigs in the ring. Show date will be in the Mini 4-H newsletter. Classes will be based on grade and class size will be limited. PEE WEE SHEEP SHOW Youngsters will be paired with current 4-H members in the sheep project to learn basic techniques for showing sheep in the ring. The Pee Wee Sheep Show will take place immediately after the sheep show on Monday of the La Porte County Fair in the livestock show arena. PEDAL TRACTOR PULL AT THE FAIR See how far you can pull the sled at this fun, annual event. It is held in the Livestock Show Arena, watch your newsletter for the date and time. Mini 4-Hers will be divided into weight classes. Ribbons to everyone who participates.

5 Mini 4-H Fair Activities These non-competitive optional activities provide an opportunity for children to become more familiar with 4-H animal projects. Classes will be based on grade and class size will be limited. Parents will need to complete registration and release forms. Ribbons will be awarded for all activities. LITTLE PEEPS POULTRY PROJECT Kids can become familiar with chickens and ducks. You can exhibit your own bird (either a chicken or a duck) during the fair. Animals being shown at the fair must come from a NPIP tested pullorum-typhoid free flock (with a state verification number) or they must be tested. If your animal needs to be tested, the Poultry Committee has a testing day in June. Animals are required to stay all week at the fair. Exhibitors are responsible for caring for the animal each day and making sure the cage is cleaned. Judging is Tuesday of fair. Exhibitors are encouraged to be at the judging, but it is not mandatory. Exhibitors will be responsible for removing the animal on Saturday of fair. PEE WEE DAIRY SHOW Youngsters will be paired with current 4-H members in the dairy project to learn basic techniques for showing dairy in the ring. The Pee Wee Dairy Show will take place immediately following the 4-H Dairy Show on Thursday during Fair week in the Show Arena. Classes will be based on grade and class size will be limited. PEE WEE MINIATURE EQUINE SHOW Youngsters will be paired with current 4-H members in the project to learn basic techniques for showing miniature horses and donkeys in the ring. If the animal is over 300 lbs., a parent or guardian will also be required to show with their child in the ring. Show date has not yet been determined, but will take place during the La Porte County Fair. Mini 4-H Workshop The Mini 4-H Workshop is a fun time for all Mini 4-Hers to gather together and get to know one another. The Workshop is not mandatory but it is helpful. It is also a time for members to learn about 2 of their projects. Mini 4-H Fun Day Mini 4-H Fun Day is at the fairgrounds. It is a day for Mini 4-Hers to learn more about 4-H, the fairgrounds and to have fun with other members. We encourage parents to leave their Mini 4-Hers and come back to pick them up. We feel this will encourage them to meet new kids and enjoy the activities. A sign up sheet for the Mini 4-H Fun Day will be mailed to you. Pre-registration is required! Space is limited. Mini 4-H Animal Showmanship Fun Day We have many fair activities that involve animals. This will be a fun event for members to interact with some of the animals and learn about them. This will be held at the fairgrounds and pre-registration will be required. Mini 4-H Achievement Party The Mini 4-H Achievement Party is a fun way for all Mini 4-Hers to end the 4-H year. They will play games, listen to a story, make a craft and have a snack. If projects have not already been picked up, they will be available for pick-up. Mini 4-Hers can dress-up in their Halloween costumes and participate in a parade. Adults and siblings are welcome to join the fun. NOTICES: All information will be sent to the enrolled Mini 4-Her in 4 newsletters. You may also receive s. Enroll at: Enrollment period October 1 January 15.

6 What Do I Do With My Exhibits? You will bring your project exhibits to Mini 4-H Project Check-In. This takes place the week before fair. Each exhibit will be checked in at the Fairgrounds and will be judged. All exhibits receive ribbons and will be placed on display in the Small Projects Building during the County Fair. Projects will be released on the Sunday after the Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can pick your exhibits up at this time to take home. Please make arrangements with a friend or family member if you cannot be there to pick up your exhibits. Help Wanted Throughout the entire fair, we have volunteers known as Building Watchers in both the Community and Small Projects Buildings. Their main job is to protect the 4-H projects that members have worked so hard to complete. By watching the building, fair visitors are less likely to touch, damage, or walk away with ribbons and/or exhibits. Building watchers also keep the buildings looking nice, greet guests, and provide 4-H information if requested (we will have brochures and displays in the building). If you can help us out, please call us at (219) The shifts are usually two hours long and each volunteer will receive a one-day pass for free entry into the fair. Poster Construction Requirements POSTER BOARD Be sure to check individual project requirements. All posters must be 11 X 14 unless otherwise specified. See diagram for proper horizontal position. 14 Nature Do you like to explore the great outdoors? Then the Nature project is for you! Learn about trees, bugs/ worms, soil, water, plants, animals and their habitats. Learn to make leaf rubbings, draw a picture of your favorite animal and where it lives, discover the colors of soil and find out why bugs are important. You will choose one of the activities in your manual for your fair exhibit. Recycling This project will teach you how to reduce waste at home and how to recycle things you already use. You will exhibit a poster at the fair to show something you have learned while recycling or an item made from something that was already used. Sewing You will collect the basic tools for sewing and learn how to sew on a button and other sewing with needle and thread. You will also learn to use the sewing machine. In division 1 you will hand sew a puppet. In division 2 you will make placemats and in division 3 you will make a pillowcase. Small Animal Friends If you enjoy animals you will enjoy this project. Besides learning to care for your pet you can take part in the annual Mini Pet Parade held at the La Porte County Fairgrounds, or exhibit a poster about your pet. Learn more about your pet while having fun! 11 (leave area clear for exhibit tag) THE CORRECT WAY

7 Flowers and Gardening The gardening project will help you to learn how to plant and care for a garden. Your exhibit will be a vegetable you have grown, or pictures of your flowers or sweet potato plant. Read your manual for exhibit requirements. Exhibit a Flowers poster or a plate with one type of vegetable on it. Projects will be judged based on: Plants- meets requirements, clean, ripe, does not have insect damage, plant appears healthy; Vegetable meets requirements, clean, ripe, does not have insect or disease damage, appearance; Poster meets requirements, neatness, pictures, labels. Foods You will learn about the food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid and what foods are in each group. You will learn what kinds of foods you need to eat each day to grow healthy and strong. You will learn to measure ingredients and make healthy snacks. First year will exhibit a made snack. Bring a sample of your snack in a Ziploc bag to the fair. Projects will be judged on: exhibit meets requirements, quality, and taste of snack. Second year should try several recipes before deciding on which nobake cookie or other snack to exhibit. Projects will be judged on: exhibit meets requirements; cookies are the same size and shape, taste of cookie. Third year should exhibit a food made in the microwave. Foods exhibited will be thrown away after the fair or sooner if they mold or spoil. Projects will be judged on: food of uniform quality & taste of food. Models The models project will help you learn how to follow directions when putting together a model. You will exhibit one of the models you have made. You can make your model out of anything you want like a kit, clay, popsicle sticks and toothpicks. You may want to build more than one and then choose the best one to exhibit. Be sure to label your model correctly. 1. Stiff Backing any material that will keep the poster from bending forward will work examples foam board, board or heavy cardboard (freezer box). The backing must be the same size as poster board. 2. Acetate or clear plastic covering this is recommended for all posters to keep them clean. Can be purchased in rolls or sheets. Plastic envelopes are available at the Extension Office for $0.50 (14 x11 ). 3. Leave room on lower right-hand corner (51/2 high X 4 1/2 wide) for county exhibit tag. Label poster with name and project. Animal Safety Policy for Mini 4-H Members: The safety and well being of our 4-H youth is of the utmost importance. Although kindergarten is specified as the time when a child may begin participation in some 4-H events and activities, parents are encouraged to take into consideration their child s physical and mental development before agreeing to let the child begin to show, work with, or care for animals. Each child matures at a different rate, and children in grades K-2 may still be too young to begin showing, working with, or caring for animals. The State 4-H Youth Department at Purdue University has agreed to allow Mini 4-H members in grades K-2, to participate in some animal projects subject to certain conditions. These conditions are specified below. Each county may determine its own programs, classes, and participation requirements subject to the following safety guidelines: Mini 4-H members, in grades K - 2, will be allowed to show, work with, or care for animal projects after their parent or legal guardian has signed a liability release. Mini 4-H members may independently show, work with, or care for animals that weigh 300 pounds or less. Mini 4-H members may only show, work with, or care for animals over 300 pounds when they are assisted by a parent, legal guardian, or another adult designated in writing by parent or legal guardian. (Assisted means with the child at all times.) If the guidelines stated in this policy are not followed for a particular event or activity, then such event or activity shall not be considered to be a 4-H event or activity and shall not be under the auspices of Extension 4-H Educators or covered by Purdue University.

8 Mini 4-H Projects & Exhibit Options Listed below is a brief description of the project and the exhibit options for each project. More information and directions will be included in the project manuals. Aerospace If you are interested in exploring and learning about how things fly, then the aerospace project will help you learn just that. You will choose from a variety of activities designed to help you learn about this fascinating science that takes us off the Earth and into space! First year Construct a candy rocket using marshmallows, candy and six or more toothpicks and bring it on a small Styrofoam plate. Second year Draw and color a picture of your favorite bird and airplane. Use a poster board displayed horizontally no larger than 11 x 14. Third year Draw and color a picture of yourself and where you want to work on a poster board displayed horizontally no larger than 11 x 14 or construct a space helmet out of a gallon milk jug (see page 12 of Aerospace Mini 4-H manual) and decorate it with paints, marker, crayons, pipe cleaners, straws, paper or whatever you choose. You may use colored cellophane for the eye of face shield. Arts & Crafts If you like to create different designs with colors and textures or just enjoy drawing or painting, this project is for you. Examples of projects you could do are drawing, painting, thumb print art, collage, and seed pictures. Bicycle Pedal your way to a completed project! This project teaches you how to care for your bicycle and ride it safely. Those of you enrolled in bicycling have the opportunity to complete your project by making a poster or participating in the Bicycle Rodeo. Mini 4- Hers exhibiting a poster should consult the project manual for specific requirements. Those participating in the Bicycle Rodeo will demonstrate their ride skills they have learned as they ride through the skill course at the Fair. The Bicycle Rodeo Course illustrated below is similar to the course we will be using. You may want to set up a course at home and practice. Collections If you like to save rocks, buttons, stamps, butterflies, pennies, or anything else, this project will help you get it all together. Be sure to label the treasures in your box or on your poster to help identify them. Exhibit only items which will fit in your box or poster. Labels may be placed below the item in the box. Also for larger items in your collection you might wish to put your name on a tag and attach it to the bottom or on the back of your items exhibited. If you are displaying a poster, it must be able to stand upright, instead of lying flat, and must have a stiff backing. Dinosaurs If you like dinosaurs, this project is for you! You will learn about the different types of dinosaurs. Follow the directions in your Mini 4-H Dinosaurs manual. There are several projects you can do with directions for each one. Example are: make a diorama, make a model of dinosaur, and draw pictures of a dinosaur.