Jan/Feb 2021 Issue 10, Volume 1

Sullivan County Extension N.E.W.S. News from Extension worth Sharing

extension.purdue.edu/sullivan

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.

Staff Cheryl Casselman Director, Extension Educator Health & Human Science/4-H Youth Development, ccassel@purdue.edu

Brooke Stefancik Extension Educator Ag & Natural Resources/4-H Youth Development, bstefan@purdue.edu Jacque Williams Office Manager, will1501@purdue.edu

Susan Gofourth Secretary, sgofourt@purdue.edu Office: 812-268-4332

By: Brooke Stefancik

One of the first questions I think about for youth livestock showman is: What is the most essential nutri-ent for your animal? The answer: Water! It’s something that can trick you because you don’t always think of water as a nutrient. During the winter, animals tend to not drink as much because they don’t feel as thirsty as when it is hot outside. It is important that we make sure ani-mals have free choice access to fresh, clean water. Horses are more prone to colic in the winter because they may not drink enough, which can cause impaction in their intes-tines. Its just as important for all the other species to stay hydrated as well.

Keeping water unfrozen can be a task. If you have access to electrici-ty, heated buckets or tank heaters can be used, but must be monitored closely and checked often. It is rec-ommended you use a volt meter to check that the heaters are not caus-ing electric current to run through the water, animals will not drink if they feel electricity in the water. If

you do not have electricity, some companies have invented insulating bucket wraps, or insulated 5-gallon bucket holders. While these proba-bly won’t keep water completely unfrozen, they can help keep water unfrozen for longer periods of time. Even with heated or insulated buckets, sometimes it gets so cold those products don’t work. I’ve had the best luck with rubber buckets in the winter. You can turn those on the side, give them a good kick, and the ice will fall out without breaking the bucket (don’t try that on plastic buckets!!). Make sure if you are running electricity, you use grounded plugs, and you keep dirt/moisture out.

Keeping animals warm and dry is the next important step in winter care. While shelter for most ani-mals is great, some animals just need a windbreak. Sometimes in an effort to keep animals warm, we close up every hole and crevice in a shelter to block wind. While this may help keep the barn warmer, we must not forget the importance of fresh air and good ventilation for all animals. Poultry are especially

susceptible to sickness if they are not given proper ventilation. Make sure the animals have a dry place to stand. Walking in mud can soften hooves and cause damage over time. In addition, wading through mud also increases an animal’s need for nutrients, in some instanc-es it may increase their need by up to 50%! Make sure you are check-ing their body condition regularly, so you can supplement the diet as needed.

Finally, most animals keep warm by eating! Feeding a clean, moder-ate quality, grass hay at free choice is the best way to keep horses, cat-tle, goats, sheep, and rabbits warm. Supplementing a small amount of scratch grains to chickens during the winter can help keep them warm, as grains take longer to di-gest than regular chicken feeds. Don’t forget that Purdue Extension has specialists for each livestock species, as well as in farm safety, so if you have any questions call Brooke at 812-268-4332 and she can connect you with advice from the experts!

Winter Considerations for Livestock Owners

January and February are the time of year that I think owning livestock is the least fun. I know I always dreaded going out and chipping ice away from buckets, and loosing feeling in my fingers as they were chilled while cleaning pens. Now I only have a small flock of chickens to tend to, and I’ve helped myself out by get-ting a warmer that keeps the water unfrozen, a large feeder that only needs filled every couple of days, and an automatic chicken door that opens on its own. It’s amazing how the access to the internet has made ob-taining specialty livestock equipment, like my automat-ic chicken door, a lot easier. Now don’t get me wrong, the local feed store is still essential for feed and other supplies, especially for those days the heater goes out and you need a new one, today.

I hope you enjoy the article on page 1, and use those reminders to keep your animals, barns, and family safe this winter. Remember that pastures can be “frost-seeded” with red clover in late January or early Febru-ary. Let Brooke know if you need more information on that subject. I’m ready for a good snow or two, but then we can get on with the nice spring weather.

Hoping you stay warm and safe this season,

Brooke

Extend the lives of holiday plants such as poinsettias and Christmas cactus by placing them in a cool, brightly lit area that is free from warm or cold drafts

Houseplants may not receive adequate light because days are short and gloomy. Move plants closer to windows, but avoid placing foliage against cold glass panes. Artificial lighting may be helpful.

Upcoming Events

For more information on any event below, feel free to call the office and talk to Brooke at 812-268-4332.

Grow Your Farm Operation

Grow Your Farm Operation is a series designed to help the next generation of agricultural producers to develop key skills for tomorrow's farm managers. The eight ses-sions of the series include topics on marketing, precision agriculture, drones, IPM, best management practices, financial management, communication, succession plan-ning and legal do's and don'ts.

The series will be delivered virtually via zoom starting on Tuesday, January 12 and continuing through March 2 from 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Registration is $100/farm operation. Register at: ti-nyurl.com/GYFO2021

January Corn & Soybean Outlook Update

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. EST Purdue ag economists Michael Langemeier, Nathanael Thompson and James Mintert will host a free crop out-look webinar at 12:30 p.m. EST, January 13, 2021. The webinar will take place following the release of USDA’s January Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports.

So You’ve Inherited a Farm, Now What?

This 2-session workshop will explore the following top-ics:

• Keep or sell the property, options and financial impli-cations

• If keeping the land, how to manage

• Legal considerations

• If leasing, appropriate lease considerations

• Strategies for dealing with family and communication issues Dates: Thursday, January 21st & 28th at 6:30 p.m. EST

Cost: $25 per person/household/farm

Register by January 19th at https://tinyurl.com/inheritedfarm

 

Don’t miss Purdue Extension’s 2021 Indiana Small Farm Confer-ence, online March 4-6, 2021. The annual educational networking event for the Indiana small and diversified farming community. This year’s conference is moving online, combining live and on-demand content in a variety of topic areas. A $35 registration fee gets you full access to this fun, instructive and growing experi-ence.

For more information and registration, visit https://purdue.ag/sfc

Clover Monthly January 2021 Sullivan County 4-H monthly communication for 4-H members, families, leaders, fair board, and council

Sullivan County 4-H Monthly Photo Challenge 2021  

All Sullivan County, IN, youth in grades 3-12 are invited to participate in the 2021 Monthly Photo Challenge. Each month, a photography theme is provided (see list below).

There will be “Judges’ Pick” and “People’s Choice” winners each month and they will be shared on social media. Deadline: last day of the month Submit only one photo per month, per theme. If you take multiple photographs, which you are encouraged to do, please choose the photo you believe to be the best.

How to enter January entries: complete the online form at bit.ly/4HJanPhoto February entries: complete the online form at bit.ly/4HFebPhoto Questions? Email sullivances@purdue.edu or call 812-268-4332. **Check out the 4-H 2021 Photo Challenge webpage for photography tips and the links to the monthly entry forms at extension.purdue.edu/sullivan  

STEM Fest 2021 The STEM Fest committee members are considering a June in-person (outside as much as possible) event this year! Much more discussion about this event to come in 2021, so stay tuned.

4-H Photo Challenge Monthly Themes

January Play

February Vintage

March Black and White

April Spring Has Sprung

May Simplicity

June Celebration

July Let Freedom Ring

August Fairs, Festivals, Fun

September Boots

October Close Up

November Occupations

December Holiday Happenings

Register for 4-H until January 15 for the 20-21 4-H year! The 4-H Online registration website has been updated to a 2.0 version. Everyone must go to v2.4honline.com to register for 4-H and update volunteer status. Your user name and password remain the same, but the pages have an updated look. The program is user friendly and should alleviate confu-sion. We think it is easier to navigate and hope you do, too! Call the Extension office at if you have ques-tions: 812-268-4332.

Extended office hours Jan. 11 and 14

On Monday, Jan. 11, and Thursday, Jan. 14, the Extension office will be open until 6 p.m. for those who would like to make a payment, help with 4-H enrollment, need to pick up something, buy a 4-H “Go ahead, judge me” t-shirt, and more. We look forward to seeing you or getting your call! No contact pick up and drop off is available. We can set up an online meeting if you wish. Contact us to schedule what you need.

Important dates: (look for updates closer to the dates for if in-person or virtual)

4-H Scholarship assistance: contact Cheryl for a one-on-one phone call or meeting (in-person or virtual) at ccassel@purdue.edu or 812-268-4332. See deadline below. Making Gingerbread Houses at Home with Jacque Williams and Susan Gofourth: Dec. 5. Look for the video on our Facebook page.

Extended Extension office hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 11

Extended Extension office hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 14

4-H Council: 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14, 4-H Building

Jr. Leaders: 7-8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 11, 4-H Building—Bring gloves, scarves, hats for Blessing Box

4-H Adult Leader Annual Retreat: Saturday, Jan. 23 (tentative)

4-H Scholarships deadline: Jan. 25

Fair board: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, 4-H Building meeting room

4-H Grows Knowledge: Monday—Thursday, Feb. 22-25 (for adult leaders, project superinten-dents, judges). Virtual.

Sullivan County 4-H Fair: July 17-24, 2021

Clover Monthly January 2021 Sullivan County 4-H monthly communication for 4-H members, families, leaders, fair board, and council

Junior Leaders

Junior Leaders is a youth-led leadership and community service 4-H group for those in grades 7-12. Our group is led by the Board of Directors made up of 12 4-Hers from Sullivan County. The 3 adult advisors are Brooke Stefancik, Becky Scott, and Bobbi Kincaid.

To attend the Junior Leader’s Completion Event, you are expected to attend 3 meetings, pay $3 dues, par-ticipate in a fundraiser, and participate in a Community Service activity. These requirements will be ad-justed depending on what we are able to accomplish in 2021 and the everchanging COVID-19 situation.

Add Junior Leaders as a project when you register for 4-H and join us!

Contact for Brooke: bstefan@purdue.edu or 812-268-4332

Clover Monthly January 2021 Sullivan County 4-H monthly communication for 4-H members, families, leaders, fair board, and council

2021 Jr. Leader Meetings

Jan. 11, 7-8 pm

Feb. 8, 7-8 pm

March 8, 7-8 pm

April 12, 7-8 pm

May 10, 7-8 pm

June 14, 7-8 pm

July 12, 7-8 pm

How to stay informed

· To receive text reminders, send @G4A2DG to 81010.

· Instagram: @sullivancojuniorleaders.

· Sullivan County Purdue Extension bi-monthly news-letter and the Clover Monthly.

· Emails are sent through 4Honline to the email account with which you registered.

4-H Grows Knowledge workshops

Who: For 4-H adult volunteers, 4-H Junior Leaders, 4-H project judges and anyone interested in becom-ing a volunteer, judging at other county fairs, or getting more involved. Connect virtually with others from all over Indiana.

When/Where: 7-8 p.m. each night Feb. 22-25 (Monday through Thursday) online

Cost: Free

This Area V event will kick off on Feb. 22 with Mallori DeSalle’s engaging presentation on how to use humor to cope with, well, life. Let’s say yes to laughter!

All session details will be ironed out in January, so look for more info and registration details in your email and on social media coming soon. The plan is to have two 20 minute sessions with Q&A each night.

Contact: Cheryl Casselman, ccassel@purdue.edu or 812-268-4332 for more information.

Indiana Extension Homemakers Association

Sullivan County president’s message

Sullivan County Extension Homemakers have 2020 Goodie Books "Homebound for Christmas." They can be picked up for $1.25 at the Exten-sion Office. Please have the right change.

Indiana Extension Homemakers Association is planning on resuming State District Meetings in the spring. As of yet we do not know if they will be virtual, in person or hybrid. Time will tell. The state of-ficers feel that we need to have some kind of contact in order to remain a viable organization. Sullivan County is in charge of the Terre Haute District meeting in March.

A plug for CISMA, a statewide organization promoting the eradication of invasive species. A one hour edu-cational session will be held the first Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. starting in February. There is no charge and will be held at the fairgrounds. Sessions include identification, eradication methods, and native replacements for home landscapes and woodlands. Registration information will be run in the Sullivan Times.

Here's hoping that everyone will have a Happy New Year!

—Becky Cole

Happening At the Library

January 30, 2021

10am to Noon

Zoom/Online event

"WHAT'S IT WORTH?" ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW:

Author, Auctioneer, Appraiser and Radio show Host Mike Ivankovich will introduce you to “What Deter-mines Value"…and reveal what your Antiques, Collectibles, and Personal Treasures are really worth today. Each attendee is invited to bring in 1-2 items for Mike to appraise. Call 812-268-4957 to register for the event.