Wildcat Connection August 2018 | Page 28

ow, what a hot summer it has been so far. Fair week is upon us and with it brings many feelings, some stress, some relief, and lots of excitement for the many 4-H members that have been working so hard all year. While fair is a great way to showcase what members have worked on this year, it is only a small part of being a 4-H member. Fair time is a time for seeing old friends and making new ones, it is also a time to teach others about the many projects in which you are involved. Nothing makes me more proud than to have a member talk to someone about what they have learned about a project. I hope everyone has a great fair!

As of time of writing, some pre-fair activities have already taken place. We had a successful Style Review and Foods judging has been completed.

The heat of July also brings District Horse Show. This event is always hot and dusty. 4-H members must qualify at the district show in order to show at the state fair in September. As the number of kids participating continues to decline, we are searching for ways to strengthen the event and encourage participation. The committee will meet and discuss somethings that we think will help.

I had the opportunity to do a program at the Coffeyville Boys and Girls Club. Youth love to look at butterflies, so I took a box full of butterflies and we talked about the different ones. We discussed butterfly gardens and what butterflies eat. The youth had fun and so did I.

Wildcat District also had a member compete at the National Muzzle Loader contest. The State team placed third and our member Adam McCarter placed 11th overall. So much is happening around the district.

While we are in the search for a new Crop Production Agent, I have been helping the agriculture and natural resource agents with questions. Many questions have come in regarding: Blue green algae, rental rates, endophyte testing fescue, poison ivy, tree problems, Japanese beetles, green June beetles, aphids, pesticide applicator testing, and Sericea lespedeza control. Summer has been busy for everyone – I enjoy assisting during this time.

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