4-H contest deadlines are Feb. 27

Kentucky 4-H hosted their bi-annual Ky. 4-H Volunteer Forum on Feb. 9-11 at the Lexington Center and Hyatt Regency. Washington County 4-H had 17 teen and adult volunteers to attend on Friday and Saturday of the forum.

The forum gives 4-H volunteers from across the state the opportunity to attend workshops, educational exhibits and be recognized for outstanding contributions to Kentucky 4-H.

Representing Washington County 4-H with a poster session were 4-H Teen Club members David Haydon, Will Begley, Erica Walker, Catherine Marrinan, Charley Brewer, Morgan Hoffman and Josh Jackson. The 4-H members showcased the service projects they have completed over the past year.
At the awards banquet on Friday night, 4-H Sharpshooters coach Jim Hatchett was named as one of five volunteers recognized for the Outstanding Certified Shooting Sports Volunteer Award. Jim has been a Washington County 4-H volunteer coach for 14 years. He has taught firearm safety to hundreds of youth over the years, both through the 4-H Sharpshooters Club and during the local 5th grade Summer Safety Day and at 4-H Camp during the summer.  He is nationally certified and instructs state 4-H certifications, and also serves on the state 4-H Shooting Sports committee.
On Saturday morning, Washington County 4-H Spurs and Furs club leaders Ike and Krista Thompson, and their daughter Kelsey, led a workshop on “How to Start a 4-H Rabbit Show.”  Also attending the forum on Saturday was 4-H Young Riders leader Tana Wells and assistant leader and 4-H Council President, Laura Holderman.
At the Saturday awards luncheon, five Washington County 4-H members were recognized for completing 10 years as a 4-H member. Those recognized were Mary Kutter, Rose Clements, Charlotte Campbell, Stephanie Carey and Brandon Wells. Washington County was also recognized for having one of the largest delegations to attend the 2012 Ky. 4-H Volunteer Forum. Currently serving on the Ky. 4-H Foundation Board as board treasurer is Joey Spalding, who was also recognized at the awards luncheon.
The Washington County 4-H volunteers do a wonderful job educating the youth of Washington County.
Upcoming 4-H Activities
Growing your own vegetables is becoming a popular activity for many families as more and more want to eat fresh and locally grown food. Washington County 4-H members can learn and experience this themselves by joining the new 4-H Garden Club. The club will hold its organizational meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the extension office. 4-Hers interested in joining are asked to contact the extension office at 336-7741 by Feb. 24 if they plan on participating, and no later than the Feb. 27. There is a  registration fee to join the club.
The 4-H Hooves and Horns will meet on Monday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the extension office.  The club will be getting ready for the Invitational Livestock Judging Contest on Saturday, March 10.  
Monday, Feb. 27 will also be the final deadline for 4-H members wishing to apply for the Dustin Worthington, “I Love Cows” essay contest, and also for the 4-H poetry contest. Anyone still needing an application for either contest can contact the Washington County Extension Office for forms and additional program details.