The La Plata County 4-H program has had a busy summer.
We have completed exchange trips, a natural resource camp, project days and the state 4-H conference. In addition, we are starting to harvest vegetables from the 4-H Giving Back Garden in Hesperus. We would like to thank all of our members and volunteers that work so hard to make these programs a success.
Particularly, I would like to congratulate Stephenie Riegel, our new District 9 state 4-H president. Stephenie will be representing our region as a youth leader. She has shown her leadership skills by mentoring and organizing younger members at the natural resource camp and at county council meetings. She is a lifetime member of the program and is dedicated to “making the best better” through the 4-H program.
Stephenie and others now will finish off the 4-H year strong by preparing for the annual county fair. The 2015 La Plata County Fair – A Family Affair will take place from Aug. 5 to Aug. 9 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds in Durango. Fair books are available and being distributed throughout the community. There are plenty of great events you won’t want to miss.
For 4-H members, the next 2½ weeks are important for completing and registering their projects. Here is some helpful information for 4-H’ers to remember.
Livestock and animal (beef, swine, sheep, goat, horse, dog, rabbit and poultry) record books are due next week, Monday to July 24, at the Extension Building. In addition, club community service books and fair royalty applications will be accepted during that time.
Office hours for next week will be:
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday
8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesday
8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. July 23
8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 24
Doors will be locked at exactly 5 p.m. Friday and no record books will be accepted after that time. We have extended office hours Wednesday and July 23, so please come early.
When you turn in your record book, you will also turn in an entry form and sign up for an interview of your project. The entry forms are available online at www.laplatacounty4h.org or at the Extension Office.
All of the general, natural resources and family consumer science projects are due from 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 4. Please park at the Durango High School lot and walk over to the fairgrounds. If you have something that is heavy, you can park at the fairgrounds doors, but after you unload, please move your car to the DHS parking lot.
You will need to bring in your 4-H project/project board and record book with you. After entering the Extension building, you will need to find the line for your project and check in. You will then sign up for an interview, which will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you have questions, call the Extension Office at 375-6465. We are looking forward to sharing all of these great projects with the community.
Greg Felsen is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach him at felsengh@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6463.
