|
Officer Notebooks
Congratulations to all the officers elected to serve in your clubs for the 2025-26 4-H year! As a club officer, maintaining a complete and accurate Officer Book is essential. An organized Officer Book keeps all club records for your position in one convenient place, making it easy to reference important information throughout the year.
In addition to supporting day-to-day responsibilities, a well-kept Officer Book preserves your club’s history and provides valuable guidance for future officers. It ensures continuity, strengthens leadership, and helps your club continue to grow and succeed year after year.
Officer Books for Club Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Reporter can be submitted for evaluation twice. One time at the County Fair in the Miscellaneous and Organized Project Exhibit Area, and the other when member Record Books are submitted for screening. For evaluation at the Fair, members will complete their work up to that point in the 4-H year. For evaluation at the time of Record Book screening, all work for the current 4-H year should be complete.
Only information for the current 4-H year should be included in your officer notebook.
Each Officer Notebook requires different information. Let's take a look at what to include for each office.
Club Secretary
In your Club Secretary notebook, include: Club Roll, any Club communications, Club committee lists, leader list, and monthly meeting minutes
Club Treasurer
In your Club Treasurer notebook, include: yearly Club budget, receipts for Club bills, monthly bank statements, monthly financial reports presented to the Club, yearly summary of Club finances
Club Historian
In your Club Historian notebook, include: anything that will tell the story of your 4-H Club during the current 4-H year, newspaper clippings, pictures with captions, special correspondence, written stories explaining club activities and events
Club Reporter
In your Club Reporter notebook, include: newspaper or newsletter articles submitted for publishing, clipping from the newspaper or newsletter, special articles that were submitted during the 4-H year
If you would like more information about officer notebooks, head over to our website at https://www.kingman.k-state.edu/4-h/officerresourceskm.html for videos explaining each officer notebook.
| | |
Photography Workshop
The State 4-H Photography Team will be headed to Kingman County on Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 am to Noon. At this hands-on workshop, participants will be asked to bring their camera and learn about photo composition, basic camera settings, and even drone photography! Participants will be able to get outside and take pictures using the skills learned at this workshop. This event will be held at the Saddle and Ropers Building at the Expo Center.
| | |
Tractor Safety Training
Join the Kingman, Pratt, and Reno County Extension Offices for a Youth Tractor Safety Training on Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The training is designed to help youth meet federal safety requirements for farm employment. The U.S. Department of Labor requires safety certification for youth ages 14 and 15 who plan to work on a farm for someone other than their parents. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive official certification. To earn certification, participants must complete required online course materials prior to the event, attend the in-person training session, pass a written examination, and successfully complete both pre-operational and driving exams. Youth younger than 14 are welcome to attend the training for educational purposes; however, they will not receive certification.
The registration fee for the training is $15. The registration deadline is April 2.
For more information or to register, contact the Kingman County Extension Office at 620-532-5131 or email gschnei@ksu.edu. For registration, visit: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esuTzt0bd2rd6Qu
| | |
New 4-H Year Enrollment
Don’t delay, enroll today! You can use the following link to enroll in 4-H https://4honline.com
Remember, you have to re-enroll each year to be able to take part in the 4-H program.
Just a reminder, if you will be applying for an upper-level Achievement Pin (the Leadership Pin, the Gold Pin, or Gold Guard Pin) at the end of this 4-H year, you will need to be enrolled in the Leadership Project. So now is the time to add that to your project list! Already enrolled and need to add that project? No problem. Once your enrollment is approved, you can log back into 4-Honline.com and add that project. If you need help, let Melissa know.
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. Project information can be found at: https://www.kansas4-h.org/projects/
Updating the Email List
As enrollments come into the 4-H Online System, I am updating our email list. On February 27, all emails will be removed from our list that is not associated with a 4-H family. If you are removed from the email list, you will no longer receive the monthly newsletter and other important emails. Please take the time now to re-enroll and keep your email current. Once enrollment is received you will be added back to the email list.
| | |
Kingman County Fair
Congratulations to the Norwich Boosters 4-H Club for the 2026 Fair Theme!
The votes have been tallied! The theme for the 2026 Kingman County Fair will be “Red, White, and MOO!”
Fair Button Design Contest
The Kingman County Fair Association is proud to sponsor the Kingman County Fair Button Design Contest. The contest is open to all ages. The winning design will be featured on the 2026 County Fair Button and in Publications. We are excited to celebrate the 104th Kingman County Fair! The theme this year is “Red, White, and MOO!” You can find an entry form here. All submissions are due in the Extension Office by March 31st.
New Auction Eligibility Form
There will be a new Auction Eligibility Form that members must complete for the 2026 Kingman County Fair. To participate in either the Purple Ribbon Food Auction or the Livestock Auction, members must fulfill a few additional requirements. Returning 4-H members will need to attend 50% of the club meetings from July 2025 to June 2026, fair set up and clean up will be required, attending the livestock meeting on the Monday before the fair for Livestock Auction participants, take part in two club activities, and two county, regional or state events will also be required. The new Auction Eligibility Form can be found here. These are not hard requirements to fulfill. Just remember, 4-H is a year-long youth program, as long as you are active all year, you will meet all of these requirements.
The dates have been set for the 2026 Kingman County Fair! Join us for fair fun July 22-25, 2026!
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.
Beef weigh-in is SUNDAY, March 1, 2:00-4:00 pm at the Fair Grounds
Small Animal weigh-in is April 25, 7:00-9:00 am at the Fair Grounds
Youth Livestock Meeting
Join us on Saturday, April 25 at 9:00 am, following small animal weigh in, for a Youth Livestock Meeting. We will talk about care, nutrition, and handling methods for beef, bucket calves, sheep, goats, and swine. To RSVP for this event, call the office at 532-5131 by Friday, April 17. If you need to attend a YQCA training, let us know as this can count toward that.
| |
Livestock Tagging and Livestock Care and Housing Form
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.
This year 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, 2026.
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 the 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 March 11 at 6:30 at the Extension Office.
Fair Pre-Entry Date Set
All Fair Pre-Entries will be due on the Fair Entry system by May 8. 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. Watch for more details to come.
| | |
4-H Council
4-H Council Meeting
The next 4-H Council Meeting will be on March 25 at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office.
Watch your email and our Facebook for information about upcoming programs!
| | |
Senior Corner
4-H members who are high school seniors, can apply for two local Kingman County 4-H Scholarships. We have the 4-H Council Scholarship and the Cookies for College Scholarship. The application for both scholarships can be found here and one our website at www.kingman.k-state.edu. Applications are due to the Extension Office by Friday, March 27.
Leslie Krehbiel Memorial Scholarship
It is an honor and privilege to share with you information about the Leslie Krehbiel Memorial Scholarship. You can find the scholarship application and information here.
There will be two scholarships awarded, one for a 4-H member and one for an FFA member.
Applications for this scholarship are due by April 1, 2026, to Corey Krehbiel. His contact information is provided on the application.
If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office.
| | |
County 4-H Club Day
Results from County 4-H Club Day will be sent out following the event on Saturday, February 28. Remember, you can still take part even if you are not signed up to give a speech, music, or talent performance. Come out and take part in a judging contest! We will have crops ID, FCS, photography, and a livestock event. Club Day will start at 8:30 at Kingman Elementary School.
Regional Club Day will be on March 21 at the Medicine Lodge High School
| | |
A Look Ahead
Here are dates for upcoming Kingman County 4-H events. Go ahead and mark them down on your calendar!
March 1 - Beef Weigh In
March 27 - Kingman County 4-H Senior Scholarships due
April 25 – Small Animal Weigh In
May 1 – Enrollment Deadline to take Part in the County Fair
May 8 – Fair Entries Due
July 7 – County Fair Fashion Revue Judging
July 12 – Public Fair Fashion Revue
July 18 – Fair Horse Show
July 19 – Fair Dog Show
July 20 – Fair Set Up
July 22-25 – Kingman County Fair
| | |
4-H Camp
One Adventure at A Time! 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 Thursday, 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.
| |
Save the Date for 4-H Camp!
Kingman County will be going back to 4-H Camp this summer at Wild Horse 4-H Camp. This is held south of Kingman at Silver Maple Campgrounds. Save the date for camp! It will be June 8-9 for counselor training and June 9-11 for Camp. One change to camp for 2026, campers will not be allowed to leave for sporting events. Watch for more details to come!
| | |
Project Engagement Information
4-H is an organization that lasts all year! It is important to do project work all year. Engage in educational opportunities all year. Find your spark with something new every day. This year, in this section, you will find ideas to engage in your project areas all year long. Take some time each month and learn, grow, and find out something great in your project work.
Photography Showcase Project
Pick up your camera or phone and 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!
March’s Photo Prompt is “Capture a Rainy Day.”
Monthly Food Project Challenge
The foods and nutrition project is more than just what you make for the County Fair. This year, I will give you a fun monthly food challenge. If you take part, take photos and email those to me. You might just be featured on our Facebook page!
March – Lucky Greens: Make a dish featuring green foods (spinach, kale, peas, herbs, etc.).
| | |
Club Corner
The Norwich 4-H Boosters held their monthly meeting on February 15 at the park in Harper. Members gathered to discuss upcoming projects, events, and club business in a relaxed outdoor setting.
One of the main topics of discussion was the new club shirts. Families were reminded that additional shirts can be ordered through the club app, and members who had previously placed orders received their shirts during the meeting.
The group also discussed plans for an upcoming can collection drive to benefit Kansas Honor Flight. Members talked about scheduling the drive in time for the Garden Plain Brothers, also known as the “Can Guys,” to pick up the donations and transport them to All Metal Recycling before Memorial Day.
The meeting concluded with snacks and drinks provided by members and families, followed by time for the youth to play together at the park, making it both a productive and enjoyable evening for all involved.
Madison Francis-Club Reporter
Hawk 4-H Welcomes New Members
The Hawk 4-H Club met on February 9th at Livingston’s Family Center. During their meeting, members made Valentine cards for the residents of Wheatlands. They welcomed two new members with a speech and cookies. Vaishu Kamesh did a project talk to inform members about veterinary science and Tamil. Afterwards, members enjoyed Valentine cookies.
Christina A. Ziegler
Hawk 4-H
Club Reporter
Whispering Willow 4-H Celebrates Valentine's Day!
At the February Whispering Willow 4-H Club Meeting, members met early to make Valentine cards for all the residents of Wheatlands. We made over 75 cards! The Junior Officers led the meeting. Sophia Eck called the meeting to order, and Westyn Giefer took Roll Call. Recreation Leaders Landon Giefer and Nate Eck lead us in a game of Cup Stack. Sean Kostner gave a talk about his Rocketry project. We also had a special guest! Aiden Hill came and shared about his time in 4-H and how he has used skills learned in 4-H as an adult.
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
UAS Workshop
Date: March 14, 2026, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Registration Deadline: March 9, 2026
Location: K-State Salina Campus
Cost: $15 per person, which includes lunch and contest fees
This event will teach members about safety rules, flight basics, and drone flights, and participants will be able to take part in an obstacle course.
See the flyer for more details!
K-State Junior Sheep Producer Day
Date – Saturday, April 11, 2026
Registration Deadline – March 20, 2026
Cost - $20/person by March 20 ($30/person after March 20)
*Only those who register by March 20 will receive a t-shirt.
**Both youth and adults attending (including parents) need to register.
***No refunds.
Online Registration - https://bit.ly/SheepJrProducer
Ag Tech Day
Join is on April 4 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for a fun opportunity to learn about technologies use on the farm. This event will be held on Flickner Innovation Farm in Moundridge. This is a free event for grades 5-12. You will be able to visit stations and learn about ag technologies, such as drone aerial application, and how robots can be used on the farm. The Extension van will be going to this event, so if you would like to attend, but need transportation, please let Melissa know.
| | |
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 You have all helped us reach our goal of over 1000 followers! Thank you!
Dates to remember
Mar. 1 Beef Weigh In 2-4 pm
Mar. 11 Livestock Committee Meeting 6:30
Mar. 14 State UAS Workshop in Salina
Mar. 21 Regional Club Day Medicine Lodge
Mar. 25 4-H Council Meeting 7:00
Mar. 27 Kingman County 4-H Scholarships Due
Mar. 31 Fair Button Entries Due to Extension Office
If you have questions regarding the information in this newsletter, please contact me at:
Kingman County K-State 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.
| | | | |
