Clover Clips

A newsletter for 4-H families

Announcements

Clover Clips: Fair Edition

The 2025 Fair Edition of Clover Clips has been published. Click the button below to read and get all the fair news like fair book updates, entry deadlines, specific project requirements, project check-in & judging and MUCH MORE.

Fair News

2025 Johnson County 4-H Scholarships

Every year Johnson County 4-H offers a scholarship to two individuals that are either 4-H seniors or former 4-H members. The scholarship application and guidelines for the 2025 Johnson County 4-H Scholarships are posted on the Johnson County 4-H website. Applications are due to the Extension office by 5:00 PM on Friday, June 20, 2025. Please help us spread the word of this opportunity to any Johnson County 4-H alumni from within the past four years who were in 4-H for at least five years.

Livestock T-Shirts

If you are exhibiting livestock at the Johnson County Fair, you will be required to have a fair t-shirt. One shirt will be provided for the youth exhibiting and are intended to only be worn by those youth exhibiting livestock. Any additional shirts can be ordered for $10. Shirts will be available for pick-up at the fairgrounds during fair.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Johnson County Fair Board for additional information. Shirts will be released as they are paid for at the fairgrounds.

Order shirts by June 30th, 2025 - T-shirt order form

July 1st Entry Deadline

Don't forget - if you plan to enter projects into the Dog or Sewing & Textile Design departments or participate in Fashion Revue, those project entries are due by July 1st. The online entry system is now open on the Johnson County Fair website.

Take note: All other project entries are due July 14th.

Food Stand Advertising Poster Contest

Calling all artists! We are looking for creative, informational, and original ideas in the form of a poster to be placed around the fairgrounds during fair week. 4-H members are encouraged to submit their artwork promoting the 4-H food stand by 5:00 PM on July 1st. View the Food Stand Poster Contest flyer.

Sponsorship Needed!

The County Awards Committee is working to add trophy sponsors for EACH project department Grand and Reserve Grand Champion winners. A total of 77 trophies are needed for livestock and static project winners. Do you know an individual, family or business that may want to sponsor these awards? Contact the 4-H team with your sponsor lead by July 1st.

Ronald McDonald House County Fundraiser

The Johnson County 4-H Council Officers have decided to hold a drive for hygiene items. These will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City. The Ronald McDonald House provides families a place to stay when a child needs treatment in a hospital that is far away from where they live. It helps families to stay close to their kids and relieves some of the stress that comes with not knowing where they will stay or what they will eat. One important thing that they provide is basic hygiene items. Because when families leave, it probably isn't their first thought to pack a toothbrush, but might still want to be able to brush their teeth. The Ronald McDonald House provides things like shampoo, toothpaste and a toothbrush, shaving cream, or deodorant for families, but they are mainly a donation-based organization, which means our donations are all the more important.

The specific items that we are looking for are travel size shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant. Please share about this collection drive with your clubs. Once you have collected items at your May and/or June meetings, you can either bring your collection to the County Council meeting on July 7th or to the Extension office.

Foods & Nutrition Project Displays at Fair

In effort to keep the Foods & Nutrition project displays at the fair as engaging as possible, we are opting for a new display this year. The past two years, clubs have made posters with pictures of all their food entries. This letter from Chelsea King, our Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health Agent, explains all the details.

Here are a few highlights from the letter:

Pictures of food entries will be displayed on two TV monitors (rotating display).
As in the past, the kids’ tag with name and ribbon will be removed from their food sample and placed on a poster for their club. This will help showcase the ribbon placing for all the entries.

What do we need you to do (if you are entering the foods project):

Take a photo of your youth with their food items, posters, or baskets that they make to be judged.
Email the photo(s) to Chelsea and be sure to include your full name, the name of the food item as it will be presented at judging, and your club.
Please email the photos before judging day.
Read the letter for all the details.

Kansas 4-H + HirePaths

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at video production? Kansas 4-H and HirePaths are introducing a Cool Careers 4-H Video Production Contest, so here’s your chance to become director, cinematographer, editor and/or producer of your own video!

This competition allows members to learn about a career and then produce a video to create their own episode of the series Cool Careers!

For more information, check out the flyer and read through the guidelines. Get started by deciding if you want to compete as an individual or team, then decide what project and profession you would like to highlight. The most important aspect of this contest is to learn new skills and have fun while doing it!

County Events & Updates

Mr. and Miss 4-H

The Johnson County Mr. and Miss 4-H Program recognizes young people for the leadership and commitment they have contributed to the 4-H program and their communities. Mr. and Miss 4-H support and participate in county events and activities throughout the year including Fair and promote Johnson County 4-H in the community. All 4-H’ers who have been a member for at least three years and are at least 13 (before January 1, 2025) are eligible to apply. More information about the Mr. and Miss 4-H Program can be found on the website. The application is also posted on the website and is due June 27. Interviews will be held at the Extension office on the evening of July 16 and coronation will take place on July 30.

Poultry Testing

Kansas continues its designation as a Pullorum-Typhoid (P-T) Clean state. The Johnson County 4-H Fair Book states that all poultry (chickens, turkeys, and guineas) must show proof of negative Pullorum-Typhoid testing at check-in. The exception is birds that are less than 90 days old. Johnson County 4-H will hold a testing date on Saturday, June 28th, 9:00 AM - 12:00PM at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. There will be a testing fee of $5.00/per family. If you have questions, please contact the Johnson County 4-H office. View all information regarding testing on the website.

Ambassador Leadership Day Camp

Join the Johnson County 4-H Ambassadors for Leadership Day Camp! The camp is for youth ages 7-12, including non-4-H members.

The event will be held on Tuesday, July 8, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM at the Extension Office. Participants will spend the afternoon with the Ambassadors, participating in activities and games that will be a fun way to help develop leadership and teamwork skills. The cost of registration is $15 to cover materials and a snack. Register now, as spaces are limited! The Ambassadors are looking forward to a day full of leadership fun!

Silver Clovers at the Fair

Silver Clovers is a connection group for older adults in Johnson County, and they are coming to the fair! This group will tour the 4-H building on Friday, August 1st, 9:00 - 10:00 AM and they want to see all the projects AND interact with 4-H youth. Many of them were involved in 4-H when they were young. Please consider joining us in welcoming this group to the 4-H building. This is a great opportunity for youth to share about their specific project work alongside their county fair exhibit. This is casual and informal. Be in the building by 9:00 AM, stand by a project and be ready to share and talk with the adults! There will be a sign-in sheet at the 4-H table so we can track who participated and each name will be entered into a drawing for some 4-H swag!

Project News

Youth Sewing Class

Learn to make a Burrito Pillowcase and a T-shirt Bag in this sewing class designed for beginner and intermediate sewers, ages 10 and up. You will learn the following skills: Basic machine sewing in straight lines, fabric alignment and pinning, inside-out turning technique ("burrito" method), french seam finishing, sewing through multiple layers of fabric and

ironing/pressing skills. This class will take place on Thursday, June 26th at the Johnson County Extension office. Registration is required.

Eudora Quilt Guild

The Eudora Quilting Bees Quilt Guild is presenting a FREE program on July 8th at 6:00 PM for youth who are in a sewing program, fiber arts, or interested in clothing design. The guild hopes to help inspire youth to be creative through fiber arts so that the next generation will understand and appreciate the work that goes into making items. They are hosting a youth special guest speaker in July and want to invite you. View the flyer for all the details!

Local Dog Shows, Clinics & Events

There are several upcoming dog events open to all Kansas 4-H families for the spring and summer. Visit the webpage to check out the events and get more details. This page lists the local invitational shows that 4-H members can participate in too. These qualifiers use judges from the approved Kansas 4-H Dog Show Judge list, so members can use these shows to qualify for the Kansas State 4-H Dog Show.

LVCO Bucket Calf Clinic & Show

The Reno Bobwhites 4-H Club will be hosting a bucket calf clinic and show on Sunday, June 22nd at 2:00 PM at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. This clinic and show is open to any county 4-H participant. Registration fee includes clinic, show entry, meal & T-shirt. Cloverbud registration includes show entry, meal & T-shirt. Cloverbuds will need a parent or adult to be in the ring with them.

The clinic includes four topic sessions: nutrition, fitting, showmanship and consultation! There will be a show following the clinic! More information and registration can be found on the form.

Horticulture Workshops

4-H Floral Design Workshop

Wednesday, June 25th 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Horticulture Agent, Markis Hill, will guide youth through the basics of floral design, including flower selection, color theory, and the principles of balance, proportion, and focal points. This class is perfect for those who are new to floral arranging or looking to create a standout floral entry for the county fair. Participants will work hands-on to create a fresh flower arrangement to take home and will learn techniques that can be applied to future fair projects. All flowers, tools, and materials will be provided. The class is open to youth ages 12 and up. Registration

4-H Fruit & Vegetable Workshop

Wednesday, July 9th 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Calling all 4-H'ers! Want to showcase your garden’s best at the fair? Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn tips and techniques for selecting, preparing, and presenting fruits, vegetables, and herbs to wow the judges. We’ll cover what makes an entry stand out, common mistakes to avoid, and how to ensure your produce is at its peak for judging.

Whether you’re new to fairs or a seasoned participant, this workshop will help you put your best harvest forward! Registration

4-H Calendar Events

Check out all the available 4-H Projects and Events coming up in the next few weeks.

Monday, June 16th 6:00 PM

Johnson County Entomology Project Meeting

Join us on the third Monday of each month as we dive into the art of pinning insects! Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, this hands-on meeting is perfect for anyone looking to improve their skills and take their insect collection to new heights. All skill levels welcome!

At the June Meeting we will be learning about how to set up your insect display box to meet the county and state requirements, and to get the best ribbon possible at the Fair. Whether this is your first time learning about Entomology or you have been in the project for several years, you can come to this meeting and build your skills. There will be time to get help with pinning and identifying any insects that you have already caught.

NO Registration required

Contact: Patrick Delancy

Location: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (Room #115) 13145 Blackbob Road, Olathe, KS 66062

Tuesday & Wednesday, June 17th & 18th 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Johnson County Cloverbud Camp

Registration: Register here

Contact: Cyla or Lexi

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

Thursday, June 19th

Johnson County Extension Office closed

Juneteenth Observance

Thursday, 26th 6:30 - 8:30 PM

County-Wide Sewing Meetings

All levels welcome. Bring your sewing machines! No class on June 19th due to Juneteenth observance.

Contact: Martha Powell

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

Saturday, June 28th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Poultry Pullorum-Typhoid Testing

Contact: Cyla or Lexi

Location: Johnson County Fairgrounds

View 4-H Calendar

Upcoming Deadlines

June 15th - Commercial heifer, swine, sheep, and meat goat nominations Due

June 15th - YQCA Certifications Due

June 20th - Johnson County 4-H Scholarship Applications Due

June 24th - Bob Hines Swine Classic Registration Due

June 27th - Mr. & Miss 4-H Applications Due

July 1st - Dog, Sewing Textile & Design and Fashion Revue Fair Project Entries Due

State Events & Updates

Bob Hines Swine Classic

The Dr. Bob Hines Kansas Swine Classic is hosted annually by the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Research and Extension to provide Kansas youth ages 7-18 an opportunity to exhibit their swine projects. The event includes educational activities, such as a swine skillathon and photography contest, as well as showmanship, a prospect hog show and a market hog show. This event will be held July 11th & 12th at the Riley County Fairgrounds in CiCo Park in Manhattan, Kansas. Registration is due by June 24th and more information can be found on the website.

Kansas Wheat Expo

The Kansas 4-H State Wheat Expo is a fun day showcasing all things wheat and will be held Thursday, August 7th in Hutchinson, Kansas. This is a fun, educational and hands-on program for all Kansas 4-H members, siblings, parents, grandparents, and KSRE Extension staff. You do not have to be enrolled in crops/plant science projects to participate. 4-H members enrolled in Food and Nutrition, Photography and Field Crops are encouraged to participate. Lunch and refreshments are sponsored, and tours will be available. View the website for more information and the registration link.

Partner Events

Wonders of Discovery

Learn about the wonders of pollination and its importance at this family-friendly event at the Pollinator Prairie in Olathe in conjunction with National Pollinator Week.

When: Friday, June 20th 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Where: Pollinator Prairie (320 S. Blake Street Olathe, KS)

This is a free community event!

Join the Johnson County Master Gardeners

Do you love to garden? Would you like to volunteer and share your passion with others? Applications for the class of 2026 is now open! The applications process will run

May 1st - June 27th, 2025. For more details on the program and application process, visit the website.

4-H Afterschool Cooking Program in Gardner

Join us for July's 4-H Afterschool Cooking Class on Thursday, July 10th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Students will participate in hands on cooking activities and will be engaged in other fun educational sessions on various topics. July's topic focus will be on preparing a canned item that you can enter at the fair! This month's program will be held at the Johnson County Extension office. Register for this class now!

Take note: There will be no Afterschool Cooking Program held in June or August.

Reporter's Corner

Click the button below for the latest club news and updates!

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Clover Clips Submission

The deadline for submissions for Clover Clips will be on the 15th of each month. If you have a submission that you would like to have considered for an edition of Clover Clips please send it to Erin at Erin.Yeung@jocogov.org