Renewing farm tags benefits Clinton County, state 4-H

4-H has an opportunity to raise funds for Clinton County and statewide 4-H programs through the Ag Tag Voluntary Donation Program.

Soon after taking office in 2012, Commissioner of Agriculture James R. Comer announced all farm license plate voluntary donations would be split evenly among 4-H, FFA and the Kentucky Proud program.

Farmers can make the voluntary donation of $10 when renewing their farm license plates at the county clerk’s office in March. With more than 160,000 farm plates bought or renewed each year in Kentucky, the commissioner’s action could generate up to $1.6 million annually.

“Kentucky 4-H has been given a tremendous opportunity by Commissioner Comer to raise significant funds to support 4-H,” said Keith Rogers, executive director of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation. “The voluntary donations from the Ag Tag Program will help 4-H give young people around the Commonwealth opportunities that develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills.”

Over 238,000 youth are involved in Kentucky’s 4-H program. Kentucky ranks in top 10 in several 4-H enrollment categories nationwide. All 120 counties in Kentucky have 4-H programs, and all counties will receive a portion of the support from this fund raising opportunity.

Last year the 4-H statewide shared total was $160,895.06. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation splits the donations between the county where the funds originated and the 4-H Foundation.

That means part of the Ag Tag donations stay in Clinton County funding programs and activities that teach children and teens about, leadership, citizenship, science and technology, communications, public speaking, agriculture, and more.

Clinton County 4-H’s share for 2013 was $80 and benefited several local 4-H programs

This year Clinton County has a great opportunity to increase financial support for our local 4-H Councils, clubs and programs by encouraging farmers to make the donation.

Making the voluntary $10 donation is an excellent opportunity for our agricultural community to support the youth of our community and help fund the programs that can make a lasting difference in their lives.

Junkyard Restoration

There is money to be made in junk! The 4H program will be offering a class to all youth ages 9-18 who want to learn more skills on “rust-oration”.

Youth will learn how to recycle old picture frames, furniture, metal works, etc. into something that looks modern and that can be potentially sold as a profit.

Different techniques will be taught on how to create crackle paint on wooden surfaces, recycle old junk into modern decoration, proper tool use, using stripper and sanding paper, how to care for and recondition old leather, reupholstering old furniture, and creation of their own project.

Students will also learn basic entrepreneurial skills that will carry with them throughout their life.

This class will only have a limited number of spots and will meet for five weeks on Mondays after school. There will be a $15 fee associated with the class to help purchase class materials.

Any youth may join from ages 9-18.

Call Brandon at the Extension Office, 387-5404, to sign up and learn more information, or email at brandon.pharis@uky.edu .

Dates for Junkyard Restoration are scheduled for March 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, and April 7th, you must be signed up prior to the start date in order to attend.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.