Reporter's Corner

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.

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 and can be found here. 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.

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 here.

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.

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!

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 here. 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.

Cloverbud Camp

Join us for the 2025 Cloverbud Camp, open to all explorers ages 5-7! The Johnson County 4-H Cloverbud Camp is two days of hands-on fun, learning, and adventure. Campers will enjoy crafts, nature walks, science experiments, gardening, water games, and more - all in an engaging environment led by Johnson County Extension staff. Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot!



When: June 17th & 18th, 2025

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM daily

Where: Johnson County Extension Office

Registration: Register here

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. For information regarding testing, click here.

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 here, as spaces are limited! The Ambassadors are looking forward to a day full of leadership fun!

Knitting Workshop

Join us and learn two essential knitting stitches—knit and purl—while creating a practical dishcloth in this hands-on workshop on Saturday, June 7th, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM at the Gardner Library. Perfect for complete beginners, no prior knitting experience required. All participants welcome; you don't need to be enrolled in the Fiber Arts Project to attend. Find more workshop information and registration here. Registration deadline is Monday, June 2nd.

FCS Agent, Joy Miller, is also accepting two experienced 4-H'ers who would like to assist in teaching participants how to knit. Contact Joy Miller to volunteer.

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.



To register for the morning session (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM), click here.

To register for the afternoon session (1:00 - 4:00 PM), click here.

YQCA

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a national, multi-species youth livestock quality assurance program that focuses on nutrition, animal wellbeing, and character development, through age-appropriate educational curriculum for ages 7-21. 

If you plan to exhibit in the Johnson County Fair or at State Livestock Shows, you need to be certified. You must be certified by June 15th in order to exhibit in the county fair.

Certification can be done by completing an online training. Registrations and payments must be made through the YQCA website. The online training is $12 per youth. (If a family needs financial support, contact the Extension office.)

Families are responsible for printing their YQCA certificate, having it on file with the Extension office, and bringing it to county fair. Additional details can be found here: Johnson County 4-H Livestock

Livestock Tagging

All market and commercial breeding animals, including beef, sheep, goats, swine, and bucket calves, must have been tagged by Extension staff on or before the designated tagging deadlines to be eligible to show in the 4-H division at the Johnson County Fair. All registered animals must provide paperwork during livestock check-in at fair. All animals must have been tagged on or prior to their species' last date to tag which were April 19th for Beef and May 31st for Small Livestock. Animals tagged after these dates will only be allowed to show in open class where there is open class competition at the county fair unless prior arrangements have been discussed and approved by Extension staff, the Livestock Superintendent, and the Department Superintendent.

State Livestock Nominations

4-H members planning to show their animals at the Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS) and/or the Kansas State Fair must submit nominations to the KSU Youth Livestock office. Commercial heifer, swine, sheep, and meat goat nominations are due by June 15. Information regarding state livestock nominations, ordering DNA envelopes, and the nomination process can be found here: State Livestock Nominations

Local Dog Shows, Clinics & Events

There are several upcoming dog events open to all Kansas 4-H families for the spring and summer, starting May 17th. 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! For more information and registration, click here.

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 can be found here.

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 can be found here.

Monday, June 2nd 6:30 PM

County Council Officer's Meeting

The 4-H County Council officers meet on the odd-numbered months.

Contact: Cyla or Lexi

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

Thursdays, June 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th 6:30 - 8:30 PM

County-Wide Sewing Meetings

All levels welcome. Bring your sewing machines!

Contact: Martha Powell

Location: Johnson County Extension Office

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

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

Poultry Pullorum-Typhoid Testing

Contact: Cyla or Lexi

Location: Johnson County Fairgrounds

Allen County Entomology Project Meeting

The June Entomology project meeting will be on June 14th at 1:30 PM. The location will be at Vicky's home at 2447 40th Road, Humboldt, KS. We will be going out and trying to collect some insect specimens. Bring your nets, kill jars and specimen containers. You will want to wear long pants and enclosed shoes. If you want to try to wade in the shallow water of the pond or creek to catch water insects, you will need mud boots. You might want to bring a change of clothes - just in case you get wet and/or muddy. Insect spray and sunscreen are recommended. Call Vicky at (620)804-9170 if you need further directions to her house.   

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 here.

Youth Challenge Day

The Little Balkans Clover Foundation invites Kansas 4-H members to the Annual Southeast Challenge Day on Thursday, June 12 in Emporia, KS. Registration begins at 9:30 AM and youth are encouraged to participate in as many contests as possible.

*Please note that Favorite Foods Show participants must qualify at the local level.

Youth who participate will be entered into a drawing for a $100 scholarship.

Specific contests and the contest chairs are listed on the flyer. This is an excellent way to practice for other state and area contests!

Ag Ambassador Program

Johnson County Farm Bureau Association is excited to continue to foster growth in the next generation of leaders in agriculture through our Ag Ambassador Program. The program's purpose is to provide leadership opportunities for Johnson County seniors interested in agriculture, provide students with an opportunity to learn about Farm Bureau and how it works from the grassroots up, and to develop students to be spokespersons for agriculture. Upon completion of the one-year program, Ag Ambassadors receive up to a $3,000 scholarship. We are currently accepting applications for up to 3 new Ag Ambassadors for the 2025-2026 school year. This opportunity would be for current juniors and is due by 11:59 PM on June 1, 2025. Find the application form here.

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!

Junior Extension Master Naturalist Wild Kids! Summer Programs

Kids ages 7-14 can explore and discover the natural environment of Johnson County with fun, hands-on experiences! Field trips take place from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM on select Saturdays, starting June 7, on topics like aquatics Kansas wildlife & habitats, fossils, and more. Learn more and sign up here.

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. Registration can be found here.

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

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