December 2024 4-H Newsletter

As we look at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, I look back at everything that has happened in the Kingman County 4-H program and I am proud to be a part of it. I have seen so many amazing things that the members and families have learned, led, and assisted with. You are all a wonderful example of the 4-H spirit! I can't wait to see what 2025 has in store for our program!


Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday season!


Melissa

Way to Go!

Members from the Kingman County Dog Project participated in the Dog Quiz Bowl event that was held at the Dog Conference on October 20. The team earned 4th place. Pictured are: Alice Nesser, Reese Allen, Vaishu Kamesh, Abby Fitch

New 4-H Year Information

Enrollment

I believe all the glitches have been fixed and the enrollment system is ready to go!! Please use this link to complete enrollment. https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

 

Projects

If you want to try a new project this year, check out the 4-H Project Selection Guide to decide what you will enroll in this year. This can be found here: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/4-h-project-selection-guide_4H1065

Upcoming Activities

Christmas Craft Day

We are planning a fun Christmas Craft Day this year! This event will be held on Monday, December 23 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm at the Extension Office. We will make some craft projects, a fun food project, and a treat for the birds! We will eat a taco lunch followed by Christmas caroling on Main Street if the weather permits. Participants do not have to be in 4-H to participate but there is a $10 registration fee for each participant. Please call the office by Monday, December 16 to register. You can find a flyer with more information here.

 

Day Off Discovery Program

There will not be a Day Off Discovery Program in December; however, we will have “snow” much fun on Friday, January 3. Join us at the Extension Office for our come-and-go program from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. or 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., we will have fun inside with snow!

 

Participants do not have to be in 4-H to attend and there is not a 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. 

 

Ambassador Happenings

The Ambassadors will once again be hosting a Chili Feed and Bingo night this year. This event will be held on Sunday, January 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Hanger (the former Kingman VFW). The proceeds from this event will go to the Kingman County Humane Society. If your family would like to donate to the meal, you can find a Sign Up Genius link here.

 

4-H Council Meeting

The next 4-H Council Meeting will be on January 15 at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office. 

 

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

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! 

December’s Photo Prompt is “Holiday Decorations.”

 

Building Block Engineering Project Meeting

Join us on Wednesday, December 11 for a County Wide Building Block Engineering project meeting. The project meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Extension Office. Legos will be provided, but come ready to talk about a favorite building technique. If you can attend, please bring your family calendar so we can set the next few meetings. If this time and date do not work for you but you are interested in attending, please let Melissa know dates and times that work for you. 

 

Free 4-H Curriculum Resources

This month we are headed to Utah 4-H Extension for our free 4-H curriculum. If you go to extension.usu.edu/utah4h/discover you will find a huge selection of 4-H curriculum on many different project areas. Projects include everything from Beef to Wildlife. Remember, each state organizes its 4-H program a bit differently, however, the lessons give families ideas for project work or guide members along a project lesson. 

 

As a family, try to set a day this month when you can try one of these fun activities. 

Club Corner

The Whispering Willow 4-H Club held our meeting on November 10. We talked about the Christmas Parade and our float, caroling at Wheatlands after our December meeting, and that fair theme ideas need to be brought to our December meeting. Our club would like to thank everyone who attended the Haunted Forest this year. 

 

Sam Thimesch

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.

Record Book Round Up!

Permanent Record Section 3  

In section 3 of the permanent record, members will list events and activities not listed in another part of the permanent record. This can include 4-H, school, church, or community activities. This could include the County Achievement Celebration, school talent shows, any camps the member attended, programs at the nursing home, fair clean up, sponsoring an award at the fair, helping with a county or club fundraiser, being in the school band, being on a sports team, or any FFA activities. There is a column to indicate if the event was non-4-H. There is also a column to pick if the event showed leadership or citizenship. Remember, leadership is teaching another person or group skills or information and includes organizing or coordinating an activity, event, or meeting, selecting and preparing materials, and selecting presenters. Citizenship means helping out in your community and serving others without compensation. 

State Events

Join us for our 4-H Day with the K-State Women's Basketball Team!  

The Kansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents (KAE4-HA) is excited to inform you that the annual "4-H Day with the K-State Women's Basketball Team" has been scheduled for Saturday, January 4th at 4PM. Join us as the Wildcat women take on the Red Raiders of Texas Tech! 

 

For $25, each attendee will receive a ticket to the game, an awesome game day t-shirt, and a $10 meal voucher to use at the main concession stands. A ticket/voucher option with no t-shirt is available for $15.  

 

Register at: http://tinyurl.com/4HDaywiththeCats2025 or by scanning the QR code on the flyer by December 13th.  All orders must be paid with a credit card. No paper registrations will be accepted.

 

A perfect Christmas gift or trip over Christmas Break!

 

State 4-H Scholarships and the Vanier Family Scholarship Changes

The Kansas 4-H Scholarship and Vanier Family Scholarship application process is now open. Applications are due by March 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM. To learn more about the scholarship process use the following link or click here (https://kansas4-h.org/resources/awards-and-recognition/scholarships.html). Scholarships are available to current high school seniors and undergraduate students. There are several scholarships that graduate and professional students are eligible for.

 

Registration now open for the K-State Junior Producer Days!

Since 2025 is an odd year, we will host Junior Swine Producer Day and Junior Meat Goat Producer Day (beef and sheep are in even years). Registration is now open and we look forward to seeing everyone in Manhattan in March!! All attendees must register, which includes all youth, parents, and adults. You must register by the deadline to receive a t-shirt. Information to register online is included below.

 

What are the junior producer days?

The junior producer day events are one-day family educational programs to learn about the selection and management of swine and/or meat goat youth livestock projects, as well as a variety of aspects related to the animal science industry. Each day is dedicated to one specie. These events are open to all ages and skill levels including youth, parents, extension agents, ag teachers, project leaders, and other volunteers. The tentative program and topics for each day are included on the flyers. This is a family event! Parents and youth are invited to come learn together!

 

Where will these events be hosted?

The 2025 K-State Junior Producer Days will be hosted at the Stanley Stout Center, which is in Manhattan, north of campus, near the KSU Sheep & Meat Goat Center and KSU Purebred Beef Unit. A map and more specific directions will be provided to families who register the week leading up to the event.

 

NEW THIS YEAR – LIMITED REGISTRATION!

Registration for each junior producer day will be capped at 400 participants this year. Register early to reserve your spot! Space will be filled on a first come, first serve basis through the online registration process.    

 

K-State Junior Swine Producer Day

Date – Saturday, March 1, 2025

Registration Deadline – February 5

Cost - $20/person by February 5

*Only those who register by February 5 will receive a t-shirt.

**Both youth and adults attending (including parents) need to register.

***No refunds.

****Participation is limited to the first 400 registrants.

*****Late registration fee after February 5 is $25/person and these participants will not receive a t-shirt.

Online Registration - https://commerce.cashnet.com/KSUASIND

 

K-State Junior Meat Goat Producer Day

Date – Saturday, March 22, 2025

Registration Deadline – February 26

Cost - $20/person by February 26

*Only those who register by February 26 will receive a t-shirt.

**Both youth and adults attending (including parents) need to register.

***No refunds.

****Participation is limited to the first 400 registrants.

*****Late registration fee after February 26 is $25/person and these participants will not receive a t-shirt.

Online Registration - https://commerce.cashnet.com/KSUASIND

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 970 followers, help us reach 1000!

 

Dates to remember

Dec. 11 Lego Project Meeting 5:30 Extension Office

Dec. 23 Christmas Craft Day 10:00-1:30

Dec. 24-Jan. 1 – Extension Office Closed

Jan. 3 Day off Discovery Program 10:00-11:30 and 2:00-4:00

Jan. 8 Lego Project Meeting 5:30 Extension Office

Jan. 15 4-H Council Meeting 7:00

 

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.