pril has been a whirlwind. Since my last report a lot has happened. I finished up the YQCA classes in the district. District Wide we had 52 youth complete the trainings. More have taken it online or a junior producer day but having that many do the face to face training is great.
As most of you know Livestock Judging in Wildcat District is a big deal. I am excited to see the young kids participating. I had the pleasure of taking some teams to Junior College Aggie Days in Ft. Scott and Iola. The kids continue to represent the district well. Several kids placed individually at these two contests. We also have some great volunteers that took the kids to Hutchinson and Tonkawa for contest. I sincerely appreciate the volunteers that step up to make things happen when us as agents are not available. Currently, I am working with Cara Comstock, our new 4-H Agent that will be headquartered in Altamont, on getting our summer judging camp set up. Volunteer Brian Anderson is also helping with this endeavor. We have discussed doing a few things differently and are still working out the details so be watching for details. In addition, the Junior Meats team competed at OSU and placed third; great things are happening!
It is Spring and I enjoy doing some programs about butterflies and what they need to eat. I spent one day with the first grade classes in Fredonia. We talked about butterflies and then planted some seeds for flowers so they will have something to eat. The classrooms have chrysalis and they were getting close to hatching out. I told them to let me know when the butterflies appeared. One of the teachers called me that evening to say one had hatched and the kids were so excited and wanted her to call me right then. It is so exciting to see kids interested in science and asking questions. I have done this program for the after school program in Neodesha as well. Last month with fourth thru sixth graders, and today with second and third graders. Kids love to get their hands dirty.
The Earth day program was canceled, but I have been asked by the local Farm Bureau to help give out the Redbud trees and talk to the kids about healthy trees, so I look forward to doing that. Many exciting things are coming up over the next couple of months. Discovery Days, camps and fair…. Let summer begin.
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