April 4-H Newsletter

Thank you to all our 4-H Volunteers!

It takes so many wonderful people to make the Kingman County 4-H program a success. From Club Leaders, Project Leaders, Volunteers for club activities, Fair Superintendents, to parents that volunteer to keep up with kids THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! Our program would not be what it is without all of you!

 

Spring Into Volunteering

The Association of Kansas 4-H Volunteers is hosting "Spring Into Volunteering" in Salina on the K-State Polytechnic Campus on Saturday, April 26. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and the day will conclude at 3 p.m. This is for anyone serving as a 4-H Volunteer or considering it! The goal is for volunteers to go home recharged, excited, and ready to try new things in their volunteer roles.

 

Sessions for the day include Preparing Youth for Real-World Opportunities, Personalities and How They Affect Volunteers, Facilitating Civic Engagement and Service, Keeping Kids Engaged, and Resources for You.

 

The registration fee for the day is $20 and includes materials and lunch!  Online registration is due April 15, 2025, and the fee will be submitted to local offices.

New 4-H Year Information

Enrollment

The online enrollment system is ready to go!! Please use this link to complete enrollment. https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

 

Reminder: Members must be enrolled in 4-H and in projects they wish to exhibit at the fair by May 1st to participate. 

Kingman County Fair

Fair Changes

There are a few changes to the Fair schedule I wanted to make everyone aware of.

 

The Rabbit and Poultry Show will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 1:00 pm.

 

The Goat and Sheep Show will be held on Thursday, July 24 at 6:00 pm.

 

There will be time families can check in inside 4-H exhibits (except food) on Tuesday, July 22 this year. Items can be checked in from 2:00 to 4:00 on Tuesday. Check-in times will remain the same on Wednesday. 

 

This year the public Fashion Revue will be held on July 13 at 2:00 pm at The Hanger.

 

Fair Book Changes

In order to stay current with the Kansas State Fair and allow members the chance to advance on after the fair, some classes have had to change in order to fit the State Fair rules. 

 

This year in the Fashion Revue, the Intermediate age group will be asked to submit a cost-per-wear sheet. That form can be found on the Kingman County Extension website at https://www.kingman.k-state.edu/county_fair/. This year, we are also including the Shopping in Style posters and education display classes with the Fashion Revue. 

 

In the Entomology Department, any insects that are listed as threatened or endangered by the Fish and Wildlife Service can’t be displayed in collections. 

 

In the Art and Woodworking Departments, projects with fractal burning will not be allowed. 

 

In the Art Departments, no project dioramas will be taken here, those need to be entered into Department 33 4-H Miscellaneous and Organized Project Exhibits. 

 

The Interior Design and Architecture has new classes. Those classes include: room design board, two collages on design board, two diorama models, marble maze or enclosure, marble maze presentation board. Refurbished furniture will be a county-only class and will not be able to go on to the Kansas State Fair.  

 

In the Computer Science Department, classes will include computer program, application, app, script, or coded system that is new and unique, coded website built entirely by the 4-H member, microcontroller or microcomputer application. County only classes will include computer presentation, and chip system. 

 

Watch for an email for when the Fair Book is out!

 

Fair Pre-Entry Date Set

All Fair Pre-Entries will be due on the Fair Entry system by May 9. We are aware that this is an early deadline, however, the Fair Board needs time to order awards and Fair T-Shirts without as much waste as in the past. Please note, that entries can be made and then scratched when the fair gets closer. So, I recommend making entries on everything that your members might take. Example: five entries for foods, seven entries in visual arts, and that extra educational poster or notebook. If something happens that something doesn’t get made or finished, just toss that card closer to the fair. There is a deadline of June 13 to confirm these pre-entries. No additional entries can be made at this deadline, but if anything needs to be removed that can be done. Watch for more details to come.

 

Horse ID Papers

If you are planning on showing at the Kingman County Horse Show at the Fair, your Horse ID Papers are due into the Extension Office by June 1st. You can find the ID Paper here. 

https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/p1039.pdf   

 

FOR THE 2025 KINGMAN COUNTY FAIR COGGINS TESTS ARE REQUIRED.

 

Fashion Revue scripts are due to the Extension Office by June 27.

4-H Camp Opportunities

It is almost time to go camping! This year we will offer two fun camping events for members to take part in. 

 

Four-Ever Wild at 4-H Day Camp

Kingman, Pratt, and Barber counties will once again hold a fun, interactive day camp experience.  This event will be held on Wednesday, May 28 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Pratt Area 4-H Center. We will have crafts, foods, educational activities, and more! 4-H members who are 7-12 years old can come to Day Camp and members 13 and older can help by applying to be counselors. The cost is $25 for the day. Registration is due by May 15. You can find the registration form here.

 

Roaring about 4-H at Wildhorse 4-H Camp

Wildhorse 4-H Camp will be held June 17-19 at Silver Maple Camp again this year. Campers will be able to take part in archery, crafts, fishing, robotics, nature activities, snacks, and dancing. Campers need to be between the ages of 7 and 12 years old with counselors 14 and older. Counselors will arrive at camp on June 16 for training. Camp Counselor applications can be found here. 

 

Cost for this event is $135 per camper. Kingman County offers a $50 camp scholarship through 4-H Council. You can find the registration form here and the scholarship form here.

 

Kingman County will have 20 camper spots. We will keep a list of registrations received here in the office. Participants who sign up after the 20 spots are filled will be put on a waitlist to see if space is available. 

 

Camp Counselor applications are due to the Extension Office by April 25. All camper registrations are due in the Extension Office on May 2. 

Upcoming Activities

Sheep and Goat Project Meeting

Join us on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00 pm on Zoom for a Sheep and Goat Project meeting with Kelsey Bentley, Small Ruminant Extension Specialist. Kelsey will share about nutrition and project management. Please call the office or email Melissa at mthimesch@ksu.edu to register and get the Zoom link.

Day Off Discovery Program

Join us on Monday, April 21, for our final Day Off Discovery Program for this school year. As the weather warms up, many people start planting a garden of vegetables or flowers. Come learn about starting seeds and take home some fun plant starts. This event is a come-and-go program from 10:00 am to Noon and 2:00 to 4:00 pm. 

 

Participants do not have to be in 4-H to attend, and there is no registration fee. This will be a come-and-go format, so if you can just stay for a bit, that is OK! You can see the flyer for more details here. 

 

4-H Council Meeting

The next 4-H Council Meeting will be on May 21 at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office, a Zoom link will also be available for this meeting.

 

Watch your email and our Facebook for information about upcoming programs!

 

YQCA Trainings

If members will be showing at the Kansas State Fair or the Kansas Junior Livestock Show this year, you will need to attend a YQCA Training. We have two training dates set to try to help with families’ busy schedules. Members only need to attend one training. Training will be April 7. Training will be held at 6:00 at the Extension Office. Members will need to register for the training at yqcaprogram.org and there is a $3 fee to attend. 

 

If these dates don’t work for you, please contact the Office for more options.

 

Please note that YQCA has recently changed its website. The correct address is yqcaprogram.org.

 

Here is a video from YQCA on registering for an instructor lead training. If you have any questions, please let me know.  https://youtu.be/qC5n5YWx1rI

 

We have added points to the 4-H Activity Sheet for attending the in-person YQCA trainings.

 

Livestock Tag Information

This year any animals that will only be showing at the Kingman County Fair will use a county-specific ear tag. All tags will be available at weigh-in dates. If an animal will be showing at the Kansas State Fair or Kansas Junior Livestock Show, EID tags will still be required. Members must know at the tagging events which tags they will need. Cost for the County Tags will be $2 for Beef, $1.50 for Swine, Sheep, and Goats. EID tags will cost $3.50 each for each species.

 

Small Animal weigh-in is April 26, 7:00-9:00 am at the Fair Grounds

 

Changes to Livestock Tagging and Livestock Housing Form

There will be a few changes to livestock tagging this year for all livestock projects. If you are not able to attend the weigh-in event for the species that you will be showing, you need to contact the Extension Office BEFORE the weigh-in date to set up a tagging date with one of the Agents. No pictures of animals with tags in the ears will be accepted this year.  

 

The other change this year is every member who is showing livestock will be asked to complete and return a Kingman County Livestock Care and Housing form. This form has the members indicate where their project animals will be housed during the project year and what the care plan is for the animals. One member can complete one form even if they show multiple animals, please just note the animals being shown at the top of the form. This form is due back to the Extension Office by May 1, 2025. 

 

You can find the Kingman County Livestock Care and Housing Form here.


If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at mthimesch@ksu.edu

 

If your breeding animal is registered with its breed association and has a tattoo or other approved form of identification, it does not have to receive a tag for the fair; the paperwork and approved alternate form of identification on file with its association will constitute as a tag and proof of ownership. This information needs to be in the Office by May 1.

 

Dairy Cattle or Leasing Identification forms must be filled out for identification of all cattle showing at the Kingman County Fair. You can find the 4-H Dairy Cattle Identification Form here. 

 

https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MG54.pdf

 

The next Livestock Committee Meeting will be held on April 30 at 6:30 at the Extension Office.


State Livestock Information Released

The information for state livestock nominations has been released. All market animals and commercial breeding females must be nominated to be eligible for the Kansas State Fair Grand Drive and/or KJLS. The process transitioned to an online system in 2022, so there are no longer paper forms for families to complete and mail.


Families will purchase DNA envelopes online in advance, submit their animal and exhibitor information online, and then mail their completed and signed DNA samples by the deadline. Extension Agents and FFA Advisors will approve nominations electronically. Exhibitors who nominated animals last year (in 2024) need to use their existing ShoWorks account. There is an option through ShoWorks to reset forgotten passwords.


The first steps for families are to locate their KSU Family Name and Nomination Number, complete their 2025 Declaration Form, and have kids renew their YQCA certification. Market Beef nominations will be due May 1, with Small Livestock and Commercial Heifer due by June 15. These are firm and final deadlines – no exceptions. The deadline to order DNA envelopes is 10 days prior to the deadline, which is April 20 for market beef and June 5 for all other species.


Information, the link to the online nomination system, and resources may be found under the “Nomination Information” tab on the youth livestock website. All families are encouraged to plan ahead, as well as use the Rookie Guide, species checklists, and other resources provided.

Project Engagement Information

This year I would like to encourage members and their families to be active and engaged with 4-H project work all year! Watch this area for information you can use on your own time to grow project knowledge and special Countywide events for different projects!

 

Photography Showcase Project

This year I would like to encourage members to take pictures all year long! In each newsletter, I will give members a photo prompt and you can take pictures and send me your best 2 by the 20th of each month. You can email me the file at mthimesch@ksu.edu or text me the files at 620-243-3766. I will apply a watermark to your image and then post a showcase each month on our Facebook page. I will also showcase photos on our digital frame here in the office. If a member isn’t in photography but would like to give it a try, this would be a great opportunity for that! 

April’s Photo Prompt is “Colors of Spring”

 

Frames!

If you are in need of a frame for your Visual Art project, please stop by the office. We had a very generous donation of different sized frames just for 4-H members to use!

Club Corner

The Cunningham 4-H club met on March 2nd, 2025 at the Community Center. The Role Call was “What’s your favorite place to visit?” and was answered by 25 members. Those involved in the Poultry Project will do some final paint touch ups on the new chicken pens. Our Club participated in 4-H club days on March 1st and Emiy Ogg got an Alternate Top Blue and Kendall Rogers got a Blue in Senior Demonstrations and Illustrated talks and Katie Ogg got a Blue in the Jr. division. Julia Hageman got a Blue in Senior Reading and Evelyn Prim, Olivia Halderson, and Jessica Ditmmer got Blues in the Jr. division. Wyatt Neywick got an Alternate Top Blue in Project talks, Jonathan Ogg and Ava Neywick got Blues in Project talks. Aspen and Canyon Lammon got Reds, Jessica Dittmer and Ava Neywick got Whites in the Show and Tell. Ava Neywick got an Alternate Top Blue in Jr. Dance. Ava Neywick got a top blue and Kane Reid got a Red in Vocal Music. Kendall and Weston Rogers and Will Halderson got Blues in Instrumental and Piano Solo’s. Leah Rogers got a Blue in Jr. Instrumental Solos. Finally the Meeting was adjourned by Hank and seconded by Jonathan.

 

Brody Bock, Club Reporter

 

In March, the Whispering Willow 4-H Club welcomed Sierra Collier to our meeting. She taught us about nutrition for our pig projects and what we need to do to show our projects. We all learned so much from Sierra. We also recognized members in our club that participated in County 4-H Club Day. Hayden Wood – Blue Senior Demonstration/Illustrated Talk, Ethan Wood – Alternate Top Blue Junior Demonstration/Illustrated Talk, Ethan Kostner – Blue Junior Demonstration/Illustrated Talk, Top Blue Junior Public Speaking, Red Vocal Music, Red Junior Instrumental Solo, Sean Kostner – Top Blue Public Speaking, Red Instrumental Solo, Sam Thimesch – Top Blue Project Talk, Joe Thimesch – Alternate Top Blue Project Talk, Maggie Huffman – Cloverbud Ribbon Show and Tell, Mary Claire Huffman – Blue Junior Reading. Our next meeting will be our fun meeting. 

 

Sam Thimesch

Whispering Willow Club Reporter


This year, I would like to share club highlights each month in the 4-H newsletter. If club reporters would like to email me a short paragraph about what your club is doing each month, I will include that here! Please email that to me at mthimesch@ksu.edu by the 20th of each month. 

State Events

Shutterbug at Botanica

Shutterbug Event at Botanica in Wichita that will take place on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 9:00 am. Photography members are encouraged to bring their camera or smartphone to learn a variety of topics ranging from mounting photos and using a photo jig, to using kaleidoscopes, learning about crested images and light shadows, composition, how to use light & color, and how photos are judged.

 

For those not familiar with Shutterbug Events, these are statewide photography workshops that are held in different areas of the state. In previous years, there have been two in the spring and two in the fall. Please note, this will be the only Shutterbug event for Spring 2025.

 

The registration fee to attend this event is $24.00 per attendee. Members from the State Photography committee will be holding workshops from 9:30-12:00 on the topics listed above. The registration fee allows for all-day access to Botanica, and each 4-H member will get two photo mount boards with registration. We will also have cameras available for youth to check out during this event; they will need to bring an SD card so they can take home their photos at the end of the event.

 

4-H youth in attendance are required to have an extension agent, screened volunteer or parent/guardian with them for this workshop. Event registration can be found here https://cvent.me/arPGWe

  

IPM Insect Art Contest

The K-State Research and Extension Pesticide Safety and IPM Program is hosting its annual insect-themed art contest, open to all ages and skill levels in Kansas! This year, the theme is “By the Light of the Moon: Insects at Night.” The goal is to explore which insects are active or inactive at night and why, then create artwork that fits the contest theme.

 

Art may be a drawing or painting, digital art, or a 3-D piece such as sculpture, stained glass or other media. There are five age categories in which 1st – 3rd place will be awarded:

  • Kindergarten – 2nd grade
  • 3rd grade – 5th grade
  • 6th grade – 8th grade
  • High school
  • Adult

Entries must be received or postmarked before April 15, 2025. 

 

Visit https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/pesticides-ipm/ for details!

 

K-State to offer animal sciences leadership academy this summer

Kansas State University is now taking applications for a four-day leadership academy for high school students that have an interest in the livestock industry and related careers.

 

The Kansas State University Animal Sciences Leadership Academy is an intensive four-day educational experience designed to enhance the leadership skills and animal science knowledge of students in grades 9-12.

 

This is the 16th year of the academy, hosted by K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry in Manhattan and set for June 11-14. Applications are due April 15, and can be found at asi.ksu.edu/KASLA.

 

Mike Day, head of K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, said the academy’s goal is to develop young leaders within the livestock industry and prepare them for a successful future in the field.

 

“If you're a high school student interested in animal science, the K-State Animal Sciences and Industry Leadership Academy program is a valuable opportunity to explore the diverse careers within the industry,” Day said.

 

He added that participants will have numerous opportunities to interact with industry leaders, faculty, and peers; and get an up-close look at the department’s new facilities currently under construction.

 

“We appreciate the industry stakeholders who make this program possible, supporting the development of the next generation of agriculture leaders,” Day said.

 

The academy is sponsored by the Livestock and Meat Industry Council, Inc.

 

The program’s itinerary features interactive workshops, tours and faculty mentor time with animal science professors. Industry leaders will also join the participants frequently to share their knowledge and expertise.

 

Throughout the week, participants will work in teams to evaluate current events within the animal science industry and educate others. This experience will culminate with team presentations and a closing reception on the final morning.

 

Josie Kueser, a 2024 KASLA participant, said she “would absolutely recommend KASLA to anyone interested in being a leader in the agriculture industry, especially animal science.”

 

“It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes to a variety of businesses and industry fields I would have otherwise not known about. One of my biggest takeaways from KASLA was the endless career opportunities for leaders in animal science.”

 

Organizers say only 20 students will be accepted for the 2025 session to ensure individualized attention from counselors, professors, and industry leaders. Participants will stay on campus in university housing with program staff for the duration of the event.

 

Transportation to and from the event is the responsibility of the participant, along with a $50 fee to reserve his or her space. The fee is only due upon acceptance and not at the time of application. LMIC generously provides all other sponsorships.

 

For more information, contact academy director Sharon Breiner at sbreiner@ksu.edu or 785-532-6533.

 

Discovery Days

Discovery Days will be held June 4-6, 2025 on the K-State Campus. Watch for more details to come.


Save the Date: 4-H Wheat Expo

The Kansas 4-H Wheat Expo will be held Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the South Hutchinson Community Building. Tours are being finalized and registration information will be out soon.


The 4-H Wheat Expo is an opportunity for 4-H families to engage in learning more about Kansas Wheat and our Kansas Agricultural industry. Youth participants have the opportunity to take part in hands-on judging opportunities including a Crop ID contest, exhibiting wheat related projects for foods, photography, wheat variety plot educational displays, 1 lb. bin run for crops members, 1 lb. bin run for “adopt a producer”. Youth may bring multiple exhibits. 


Save the Date for 48 Hours of 4-H

Join us this fall to see how much we can give back to our communities! The weekend after National 4-H Week is the perfect opportunity to set up a service project for the Kansas 4-H Service Challenge, 48 Hours of 4-H. Invite your friends, clubs, adult volunteers, and 4-H Alums too!

When: October 11-12, 2025

Who: 4-H Members, 4-H Clubs, Friends, Adult Volunteers, Parents, 4-H Alumni


Get this on your radar now!


Follow us on Facebook

If you would like to stay up to date with what is happening at K-State Research and Extension – Kingman County and the Kingman County 4-H Program, follow us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/kingmancountyextension Currently we have 989 followers, help us reach 1000!

Dates to remember

April 7 YQCA 6:00

April 16 Sheep and Goat Project Meeting on Zoom 6:00

April 18 Extension Office Closed

April 20-26 National Volunteer Week Thank you to all our 4-H Volunteers!!

April 21 Day Off Discovery Program

April 26 Small Animal Weigh-in and tagging

April 30 Livestock Committee Meeting 6:30 Extension Office  

 

If you have questions regarding the information in this newsletter, please contact me at:

Kingman County K-State Research and Extension Office

Melissa Thimesch

125 N Spruce

Kingman, KS 67068

620-532-5131

mthimesch@ksu.edu

 

K-State Research and Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Program information may be available in languages other than English. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including alternative means for communication (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) may be requested by contacting the event contact Melissa Thimesch two weeks prior to the start of the event at 620-532-5131 or mthimesch@ksu.edu. Requests received after this date will be honored when it is feasible to do so. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information will be provided free of charge to limited English-proficient individuals upon request.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.