Hello Clinton County, I am Junior Cecil, Clinton County 4-H Agent with the Clinton County Extension Office.

As a new agent I was amazed at the opportunities that the 4-H experience allows for children to grow and learn to be our future leaders, while they are having fun and enjoying themselves. My first big event was the 4-H Shooting Sport competition where I was totally shocked at how many children love shooting sports throughout the state. There were hundreds of kids from all age groups that participated in this two-day event.

Caption #1: Clinton County Shooting Sports would like to recognize our children who completed all safety requirements and education laws to be able to compete in area and state 4-H Shooting Sports events. Those qualified children were Brennan Marcum, Bryson Stearns, Casey Shelton, Christin Shelton, Jase Boils, Landon Smith, Tyler Smith, Caleb McFall, Joann Upchurch, Jared Upchurch, Dawson Waid, Zachary Glover and Chase Claborn.

Special thanks to the Coon Club where our pistol and rifle teams practice, to Jim and Diane Elmore who allow our trap team to practice on their farm and Chris Asberry and FOX (Foothills Outdoor Xperience) where we practice our archery and can buy needed supplies. To Lee’s Famous Recipe, American Woodmark Corp. and Monticello Banking Company for the support of 4-H.

4-H is only successful if we have good volunteers. 4-H Shooting Sports coaches are Donnie Upchurch-Trap, Jeff Upchurch-.22 caliber pistol and rifle and Chris Asberry-Archery. A special thanks to Stacy Smith, Kevin Marcum and Jeff Upchurch for volunteering at the state 4-H Shooting Sports event.

Our 4-H Shooting Sports competition this year was in two separate locations. The .22 pistol, rifle and archery event was held in Wilmore, Kentucky. Those who represented Clinton County 4-H in this event were Jonna Upchurch, who placed 18th in .22 sport rifle and 83rd in archery; Landon Smith placed 4th in archery; Jared Upchurch placed 24th in .22 sport rifle and 22nd in .22 pistol. The 4-H trap competition was held in Berea, Kentucky. Representing Clinton County 4-H was Zachary Glover who placed 14th overall; Brennan Marcum who placed 33rd overall; and Jared Upchurch who placed 53rd overall.

The Cooperative Extension 4-H program is proud of all of our participants, their parents and our coaches for the way they represented themselves as a Clinton County 4-H member. We have many events and opportunities that we will be scheduling throughout the year to help develop future leaders for our county.

The next big event will be November 7 at the Clinton County Middle School. It is Sally Time. Sally is a traditional event that 4-H campers appear to love. We would like to invite all school-age children involved in 4-H from grades 4th through 12th and any 4-H alumni. Sally price is $2 for kids and $1 for adults. Come and join us for a good time and, as always, call the Extension Office for more information, 387-5404.