Future of 4-H?

Purdue University and Purdue Extension announced April 15 an extension of a ban on face-to-face 4-H events through June 30.

The fate of the county’s 4-H fair is set for May 15.

“Right now we’re working on a couple options,” said Allison Keen, Jay County’s Purdue Extension director and educator of 4-H development. “If the ban on face-to-face continues we can look at options of either postponing the 4-H fair in Jay County, or potentially looking at a virtual fair. We’re working in conjunction with 4-H council volunteers to make that determination.

“Or, if there is a limit on gathering size or capacity, then we’ll look at how we can modify things to be within those guidelines.”

The Jay County Fair, which was extended to nine days this year, runs July 10 through 18. A big portion of that fair includes the 4-H events, which would traditionally begin with shows July 11 and conclude with the auction July 17.

But for now, whether or not those 4-H happenings will take place is still in limbo as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cripple events across the nation.

The stay-at-home order put in place by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is set to expire Friday. Two weeks after that, there will be a more clear idea if Jay County’s 4-H fair will go on as planned.

Since Purdue’s ban on face-to-face events through the month of June, Keen said the biggest impact has been on the clubs not being able to meet. Shooting sports, she said, has been affected the most.

“Those kids don’t have access to the range or instructors to shoot,” she said “There are some activities and manuals they can work on completing to still get credit.”

Keen said an alternative learning program for 4-H members uses hands-on educational activity kits. Families can sign up online each week, and then they devise a way to get the kits to those children, whether it be through delivery or by utilizing the proper social distancing requirements to drop them off at the fairgrounds.

The extension office is also using Zoom to meet with its leadership academy.

Keen said she’s seen both positive and negative reactions to the changes that have had to been made in light of the pandemic.

“Some who want to make sure we’re obviously maintaining the health and safety of our community is top priority,” she said. “Some are understanding of that and they appreciate the solutions that we’re trying to prevent us trying to cancel things like the fair.

“There is also, understandably, a lot of frustration and disappointment that so many things are being canceled that people were looking forward to.”

Keen expressed sympathy for local seniors who have had their final year of high school turned upside down. They didn’t get to have prom as scheduled Saturday, and plans are in place for drive-in awards night and graduation ceremonies, pending any changes to the stay-at-home orders.

Then there’s the 17 kids who are 10-year 4-H members. Their milestone year may not happen in the traditional sense.

“To have the fair and some of these other activities have to be adjusted and look different, that’s a hard blow for many people in the community,” Keen said.

Overall, though, Keen said she’s been happy with the way the situation has been handled locally.

“I’m very proud of our community and the 4-H community for being supportive in weathering this storm the way they have been so far,” she said. “Coming together for the health of our clubs, our community, our country and our world is part of our pledge.

“I think the members and families are definitely living up to that.”