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New Year Information
New 4-H Year Enrollment
The new 4-H Year begins on October 1. The 4-H Online enrollment system will be down until this date. Please wait to enroll until I send an email confirming the system is up and ready to accept enrollments.
Best Practices for 4-H Publicity: What Families and Volunteers Need to Know
What Is the Publicity Release?
When families enroll in 4-H Online, they are asked to agree (or not agree) to a publicity release. This release gives permission for the use of a member’s name, image, and likeness by:
- Local Extension Units
- Kansas State University (including the State 4-H Office)
- The Kansas 4-H Foundation
This includes use in photos, videos, social media, websites, press releases, and more. If a family selects “I Do Not Agree,” their child’s name and image cannot be used. Some examples include:
- Kansas State Fair & County Fair entry cards, schedules, or results
- Local or state contests
- Social media posts
- News articles or promotional materials
Additional Consent Questions
To provide more clarity, families are asked to give specific permission for:
- First and last name
- Extension unit
- 4-H club or town name
- Media (photos, video, audio, etc.)
- Print-only media
- Social media
- County fair-related publicity
These responses override the general publicity release and help guide what can or cannot be shared publicly.
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/
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National 4-H Week
October 4 to 10 will be National 4-H Week. I have fun events planned for each day of the week!
Monday, October 5 – Go Green Day! Wear your green gear and show that 4-H Spirit!
Tuesday, October 6 – Tell it Tuesday! Share your favorite 4-H Story on the Kingman County Extension Facebook page!
Wednesday, October 7 – 4-H Project Day! Dress in a way that shows your favorite 4-H project! If it is the food project, add an apron to your outfit. A livestock project, wear your show clothes!
Thursday, October 8 – Thankful Thursday! Share who you are thankful for in 4-H. Share a story on our Facebook page or tell that person why you are thankful for them!
Friday, October 9 – 4-H Funday Friday! Share what made 4-H such a fun event for you!
Watch our Facebook page to join in on the fun!
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County Achievement Celebration
We will celebrate all the achievements and kick off the new 4-H year at the 2026 County Achievement Celebration. Hawk will be our hosts this year. This event will be held on Sunday, October 25, at the Kingman Christian Church (501 N Main St). Our celebration will begin at 3:00 pm. Please use the doors on the west side of the church to enter. Please bring a dessert or snack to share, all tableware will be provided.
Officer Training will be held following the Achievement Celebration. If you are a new or returning officer in your 4-H club, it is a great way to learn more about the responsibilities of your office.
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Shooting Sports News
We have some exciting news for our Shooting Sports program for the 2026-27 program year! This year, we will offer archery, BB guns, and air rifles. Ben Ziegler has taken the training to become certified to teach the BB gun and air rifle disciplines. If your member is interested in taking part in any of these projects, please enroll when the system opens. You will get practice information as that is scheduled.
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Kansas State Fair
Kingman had such an amazing spread at the Kansas State Fair this year. Our members’ hard work was outstanding. We had a vet science notebook, welding display boards, speeches, photos, foods, and so much more. If you would like to see results, those can be found at https://www.kansas4-h.org/educational-experiences/fair-resources/kansas-state-fair/
At the Crops ID Contest, the Kingman County Senior Team, made up of Stratton Young, McKoy Young, and Addisyn Hudson received 3rd place overall! Way to go!!
In the Photography Judging Contest, Ethan Koster placed 9th overall individually. Awesome job!
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4-H Council
4-H Council Meeting
The next 4-H Council Meeting will be on October 28 at 7:00 pm at the Extension Office. This will be the election of officers for the Council.
Texas Roadhouse Roll Fundraiser
Once again, the 4-H Council will be selling Texas Roadhouse Rolls for our county fundraiser. Your club leaders have the sales paperwork. A dozen rolls will be $8. All orders and money are due to the Extension Office by October 16. Talk to your club leader for more information.
The funds raised from this fundraiser are used to run the Kingman County 4-H program throughout the year. These expenses include supplies and pins for the Achievement Celebration, 4-H Online subscription fees, Leader background check fees, Club Day judges and ribbons, Regional Club Day expenses, and State Fair entry fees.
| | Watch your email and our Facebook for information about upcoming programs! | | |
Record Books
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on your record books and pin applications. Watch for the result details to be posted after the Achievement Celebration.
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State Events
4-H Leadership Weekend
4-H Leadership Weekend will be November 21-22 at Rock Springs 4-H Ranch and consists of the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum and the Kansas Volunteer Leader Forum.
KYLF is for youth ages 14-18 before January 1, 2026.
KVF is for all Adult Kansas 4-H Volunteers.
KYLF will feature leadership workshops, Youth Council Elections, a speaker, and opportunities to learn and have fun. Each delegate will get a KYLF T-shirt. We are excited about a number of new workshops this year.
The Kansas 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum will feature workshops and information to help volunteers be more effective and learn from each other. This Forum for adults is organized by the Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers.
The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 15, 2026.
Fees: $215 KYLF Youth Registration
$155 KVF Adult Registration Regular
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Kansas 4-H 120 Years of Growing Leaders – Then. Now. Next
This is the theme of the 2026 Achievement Celebration. At this event, we will be kicking off our year long celebration of the 120 Anniversary of the Kansas 4-H program. I thought it would be fun to look back at the history of our program. How we have incorporated that history into our program today. And how that history can take us into our program in the future.
This year at the Kansas State Fair, counties were asked to take an item to show off our county history. I choose a Fair Book from our 10th Annual Kingman County Fair from 1928. This is a very interesting piece of history that shows what our fair was like back in the beginning.
| | With my hunt this summer, I found a record book from the 1940s. This book is from Ruby Alice Ashcraft. This is a great way to look back at member project work and see how although we are in a different time, project work is very similar. | | My last find, was brought in from a community member. It is a Secretary’s Record Book from the Handy Helpers 4-H Club back in 1931-32. This gives us a glimpse of what a club ran like so long ago. | |
All of these items and more will be on display at the Achievement Celebration, if you would like to see them. If you have historical items you would like to display, please let me know.
Watch the newsletter this year for more history from our great organization!
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News from the Kingman County Humane Society
Would you like to join the Kingman County 4-H Dog project, but need a dog to be your partner? The Kingman County Humane Society has a special dog named Xander looking for a 4-H friend of his own. Xander is an 18-month-old male shepherd mix. He is 48 pounds and walks well on a leash. If you would like more information about Xander, please go to the Humane Society website at https://www.kingmancountyhumanesociety.org/.
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Project Engagement Information
4-H is an organization that runs year-round! 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 to learn, grow, and discover 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!
October’s Prompt is “Bright, Bronze Color”
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!
October – A Fall Favorite – Make a recipe using a seasonal fall ingredient such as apples, pumpkin, squash, or sweet potatoes.
Life Skills Challenge
This challenge is geared toward the older members. Let’s focus this year on things you need to know as you get older. From making a budget to changing a tire, life will throw all kinds of things your way as you grow. Take some time each month to learn a skill that will come in handy someday.
October – Set a SMART Goal. What is a SMART Goal? It is a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. For example, instead of saying “I want to get a purple ribbon in the fair with my project,” say “By the county fair, I will learn to make three different yeast breads. I will practice each recipe at least twice and keep notes about what I changed and what I learned so I can improve my baking skills.” After you enroll in 4-H this year, set down and make those SMART goals for your project work!
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Club Corner
Hawk’s Election of Officers
The Hawk 4-H club met at Livingstons Family Center on September 14 for their monthly meeting. During the meeting members voted to do community service on October 10 in Riverside Park. Jamie Smith announced that the club will be selling baked goods, drinks, and walking tacos for the Cessna Fest on September 26. Later the new officers were elected. Members enjoyed Twinkies and Caprisuns after the meeting.
Christina A. Ziegler Hawk 4-H Reporter
The Norwich Boosters held their final meeting of the year on September 20th at D’Mario’s Pizza in Cheney.
Members had a brief meeting and talked about the upcoming County Achievement Celebration, as well as record books.
After the meeting, members enjoyed pizza and bowling.
The Norwich Boosters will kick off the new 4-H year with their first meeting on October 18th at Slate Creek Farm. Members and families are encouraged to attend and invite new members as the group begins planning for another year of activities, projects and opportunities.
--Madison Francis, Reporter
Whispering Willow Elects Officers
There were 21 members present for our election of officers for the new 4-H year. Election results were as follows: Hayden Gering is President, Addy Belt is Vice President, Paisley Gonzales is Secretary, Joe Thimesch is Treasurer, Sam Thimesch is Reporter, Ethan and Hayden Wood are Council Representatives and Parliamentarians, Recreation Leaders are Blaire Dodge and Mary Claire Huffman, Historians are Sam Thimesch, Makenna Piester, and Addy Piester, Junior President is Sophia Eck, Junior Vice President is Nolan Baringer, and Junior Secretary is Braelyn Baringer.
We will celebrate National 4-H Week with 4-H Sunday and community service projects. We will have our annual Haunted Forest on Oct. 16, 17, 23, and 24. We hope to see you there!
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.
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Follow us on Facebook
If you would like to stay up to date with what is happening at K-State Extension – Kingman County and the Kingman County 4-H Program, follow us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/kingmancountyextension
Dates to remember
October 1 Happy New 4-H Year!
October 4-10 National 4-H Week
October 5 Go Green Day
October 6 Tell It Tuesday
October 7 4-H Project Day
October 8 Thankful Thursday
October 9 4-H Funday Friday
October 10-11 48 Hours of 4-H
October 12 Extension Office Closed
October 13 PDC Election All Day
October 15 KYLF Registration Closes
October 25 Achievement Celebration 3:00 Kingman Christian Church
Officer Training to Follow
October 27 Livestock Committee and Fair Board Annual Meeting 6:30 Saddle & Ropers Building
October 28 4-H Council Meeting
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.
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