Happy New Year! We wish you a very successful 2013. This is the time of year when we start filling in our new 2013 calendars with important dates. I love receiving “Save the Date” cards for special events as they help remind me to take note of important events, meetings, etc. As you plan for 2013, here are important dates on the Kentucky 4-H Foundation 2013 calendar and ways you can support/reconnect to 4-H.
- FEBRUARY 1: 4-H Foundation College Scholarship applications will be available Feb 1 with deadline to be submitted May 17. Please share with any 4-H’ers who are a graduating high school senior in 2013.
- MARCH 9: Judges needed. On March 9, the Foundation will be assisting with the 4-H Gold Award applicant interviews in Lexington; 20 volunteers are needed that day to judge and interview the candidates.
- MARCH: Are you a farmer? If so, please make the voluntary $10 donation in March when you go to renew your Kentucky Farm License Plate. By doing so, you support Kentucky 4-H, FFA, and the Kentucky Proud program.
- APRIL 20: SAVE THE DATE! The 2013 Kentucky 4-H Homecoming is Saturday, April 20, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Georgetown, KY. Additional information will be provided in early February, but reserve the date and make plans to attend.
- JUNE 10 – 13: The Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference will be held on June 10 – 13 on the UK campus. This year will be the second time we present the Emerald Award to the top four 4-H’ers in Kentucky, along with the Gold Awards, and scholarship winners. Your support can happen two ways: as a judge/interviewer for the Emerald Award or as a sponsor of a Gold Award.
- JULY 13: Last year’s State 4-H Communications Day was all-new with the help of our new Presenting Sponsor for the program, the Kentucky Corn Growers Association. You can support more than 300 Kentucky 4-H members participating in this day of competition by serving as one of more than 100 judges needed on July 13.
- AUGUST 15 – 25: During August, we will be gathering at the Kentucky State Fair which runs from August 15 – 25. The Foundation breakfast will be on the morning of the 16th. This breakfast, along with all the other 4-H activities and exhibits in Cloverville, livestock, and more make this a great time to reconnect with 4-H.
- SEPTEMBER 20: Shooters mark your calendar for Friday, September 20, for the Third Annual Kentucky 4-H Foundation Sporting Clay Tournament. This high-profile event offers another a unique opportunity to support 4-H, hone your shooting skills, and enjoy a day away from work.
- OCTOBER 6 – 12: Last but not least, National 4-H Week is October 6 – 12. Be ready to show your passion for the green. Further details will be forthcoming this summer.
For those who want to help with judging one of the events above, please contact me. I’m always ready to discuss how someone can reconnect with Kentucky 4-H at (270) 735-6130 or KeithL.Rogers@uky.edu.
Remember, there has never been a better time to support Kentucky 4-H than now, next week, next month, and throughout the year. I look forward to reconnecting with you somewhere on the 4-H road in 2013.
