n May, I talked about all the exciting 4-H camps our agents help with. This month I’d like to share a secret with you about why camp is so fun. It’s because we have some of the best agents across the state. My co-workers were climbing under parachutes, playing ball, and interacting with youth throughout camp sessions. Taking 50 youth on a 4 ½ hour bus ride to camp with a stop at McDonalds looks like a breeze with our agents.
The day after we got back from camp I spoke at First Friday hosted by Independence Chamber of Commerce. You can find the video on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZS4P2mHFPM. This is a monthly event where the community gathers to enjoy a light breakfast and talk about things happening in the community. I spoke about the 4-H program in Montgomery County, school enrichment programming, and our Extension office as a whole. I connected with the director of the Independence Farmer’s Market and we have been collaborating to get more of our 4-H Youth involved. I have also been working with the Independence Chamber of Commerce on their monthly first Thursday events they hold on Main Street. This event is free for vendors and is a great spot to promote 4-H or for youth to sell projects. The Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce and I have been working on the 4-H Awards Banquet for this year. They are able to help us promote our event and help us reach more community members!
Thanks to the Montgomery County Bee Keepers Association we have some new exciting opportunities for the Montgomery County 4-H Youth. We have been working on a scholarship program that will provide any 4-H or FFA youth with their own hive of bees, the equipment, and personal help to get started. I’m overwhelmed by the help this organization has offered to our youth. The Montgomery County Bee Keepers Association will be set up in the evenings at the Montgomery County 4-H Fair. I encourage you to come see their enclosed hive and visit with them about what they do!
The last thing I would like to touch on is the fair events that have already happened this month. We had poultry testing for youth exhibiting poultry at the fair. It was fun to see the youth handle their birds and we didn’t have any escapes this year! The county horse show has also already happened but you can see photos of it at the county fair! Don’t forget the Montgomery County Fair is July 26-30 and we would love to see you there! We are still accepting 2-liter bottles for our fair water rocket activity that we partnered with the Independence Public Library on. This activity is open to any youth and will be July 28 at 10 a.m. If you have empty 2-liter bottles give the Extension office a call!
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