The 2013-14 La Plata County 4-H program has begun.
Open enrollment has started, and now is a great time for new families to join a club. The best way to see if a particular club is right for your family is to attend a meeting. Every club meets once a month.
Club meetings usually consist of a youth-led business meeting and discussion of community service and other fun club activities. Members also practice public-speaking and demonstration skills. In addition, families usually rotate to provide food at the meetings.
These meetings are a great opportunity to meet and connect with other families and neighbors in your area. We have 16 registered clubs all over La Plata County. For more information, stop by the Extension Office at La Plata County Fairgrounds or visit co.laplata.co.us/departments_official/extension_office/4_h.
4-H has many projects for young people to choose from. We also have wonderful educational opportunities for learning. For example, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at the fairgrounds there will be a nutritional seminar. A big thanks to Dawn Hoselton, leader of the Bayfield Riders 4-H Club, for organizing this event.
The event will feature feed representatives, veterinarians and demonstrations about all livestock animals. Whether you are an accomplished showman and raiser of market or dairy animals, or a beginner, we will have beneficial news for you. For anyone contemplating raising market animals, come learn about feed and care before you purchase an animal as well as advanced topics about digestion systems, tagging laws and saving money on your feed program. Horse lovers can learn about up-to-date veterinarian care, local horse organizations and nutrition.
We will be meeting in the Extension building’s three main rooms and in the pavilion. Speakers will rotate every hour. The complete schedule of speakers is available on the website.
We also are very excited to announce our La Plata County 4-H County Council officers for the year. These 4-H members meet once a month, in addition to their club meetings, to organize and plan activities on the local, state and national level. They also represent our 4-H program to the greater public.
This year’s officers are: President Michael Semler of the Ignacio Westerner’s 4-H Club, Vice President Lorriane Stevens of the Westside Wrangler’s 4-H Club, Treasurer Tyllor Ledford of the Weasel Skinners 4-H Club, Secretary Kayla Stevens of the Westside Wrangler’s 4-H Club, Reporter Taylor Jenkins of the Ignacio Westerner’s 4-H Club and Parliamentarian Cody Ledford of the Weasel Skinners 4-H Club.
They are an excited group of young leaders who will work together this year to carry on the proud tradition of 4-H.
Finally, the La Plata County Livestock Judging Team would like to thank everyone who came out and supported the team at the annual Apple Day’s Festival. What a great, alcohol-free event to celebrate our community.
felsengh@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6463. Greg Felsen is La Plata County 4-H youth development agent.
