Kassy Scates: Support your neighbors during Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action month was started in 2008 by Feeding America to raise awareness in communities about hunger and food insecurity.

Help support the health of our communities by donating healthy, shelf-stable food options to our food pantries. What does that look like? Choose items like shelf stable or powdered milk, no added sugar or packed in fruit juice canned fruits, reduced or low salt canned goods. Canned meats such as tuna and chicken breast are good protein options.

Don't be afraid to reach out to our food pantries and ask what they need. Food insecurity is real in Gallatin County. We no longer have a traditional grocery store here. In most of our towns there is no place to buy fresh food. We are fortunate to have some great seasonal farm stands that sell fresh produce. Supporting our food pantries supports our communities.

<b>Barrel racing clinic held on Sept. 10</b>

We have an awesome opportunity for 4-H members enrolled in the Horse and Pony Project! On Saturday, Sept. 10, beginning at 10 a.m. we are hosting a Barrel Racing Clinic at the Southeastern Illinois Horse Club arena in Ridgway. We will cover tack and equipment, pattern, turns, leads, and more!

Helmets are mandatory when mounted. If you do not have a helmet, reach out to your leader or EPC to see if there is one available to borrow.

After the clinic we will have some fun and games classes such as Egg N Spoon, Ride A Buck, Simon Says, Relay Races & Teamwork games. Email kscates@illinois.edu for more information.

<b>Flatwater kayak club getting organized</b>

Local youths ages 10 and up are invited to join the first flatwater 4-H Kayak Club in Illinois!

Participants will learn basic safety and skills while they travel to various small lakes and ponds in the area. We will stick to waters with minimal boat traffic for safety purposes.

Sept. 1 is a safety and membership meeting. We will all take an online water safety course and check the fit of life jackets. All participants MUST take this online course to take part. Meanwhile, participants will need to provide their own watercraft, paddle, and lifejacket as well as transport for those items.

<b>Upcoming events</b>

8/31: Conservation Fair

9/1: New 4-H Year begins

9/1: Kayak Club Safety Meeting, 6 p.m. Gallatin County Farm Bureau

9/10: Barrel Racing Clinic in Ridgway.

9/17: Kayak meeting

9/24: Kayak meeting

9/30: Farm-to-table, Shawneetown

10/1 & 2: Camp Whitetail, at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center

10/2-8: National 4-H Week

10/10 Kayak meeting

10/14-16 Junior Leadership Conference

<i> To learn more about 4-H in Illinois and Gallatin County email Kassy at kscates@illinois.edu. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, email Kassy.</i>