Clay County Cooperative Extension Service

06/18/2026

Going beyond ready means stepping up, giving back, and leading with purpose.

How has 4-H helped you or your family go “beyond ready”?

For more information, contact your local county Extension office [link]: extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/county

06/18/2026

Join us for our first Clay County Extension Showcase- Open to all Clay County residents!

Show off your talents and celebrate the creativity of our community at the 2026 Clay County Extension Showcase this summer!

We encourage community members of all ages to enter items across a wide variety of categories, from handmade crafts and photography to homegrown produce, baked goods, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just enjoy creating at home, there’s a place for you to participate and share what you’ve made. Entries will be accepted July 6th–8th at the Extension Office, with exhibits (and ribbon winners) open for public viewing on July 10th. We would like to invite everyone to come see the incredible talents of our community on display!

Youth 4-H winners will have the opportunity to advance to the Kentucky State Fair, while adult participants will receive county-level recognition, with the option to independently enter their items at the state level if they choose.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of something special - enter your items, support your neighbors, and help us celebrate the skills, traditions, and pride that make Clay County shine.

Registration of entries: Clay County Extension Office, July 6th – 8th, 9am – 4pm.
Judging: Thursday, July 9th.
Exhibits on display: Friday, July 10th, 10am – 3pm, EXCEL Building.
Pick up exhibits: Friday, July 10th, 3pm – 4:30 pm, EXCEL Building.

Only one entry per person per Class # (i.e. 100A). For a complete list of Divisions and Classes please come by or contact the Clay County Extension Office at 598-2789. You will need to have the Class # on each item you enter. Labels will be provided at the time of registration.

Fruits, vegetables, and food should be entered on white Styrofoam plates. Please ensure baked food is cooled before wrapping with clear plastic wrap or gallon size storage bags. Canned food should be in a standard canning jar and sealed.

Ribbons will be given for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place for each Class.
Champion: A Grand and Reserve Champion will be chosen for each Division.

06/17/2026

Got a garden growing faster than you can eat it? Curious about canning but not sure where to start? Come spend the evening with us at Jackson's Manchester Lumber on July 6th at 5:00 PM for a fun, hands-on food preservation class!

We’ll walk through a hot water bath canning demonstration from start to finish and chat about all kinds of ways to preserve food — including pressure canning, freezing, dehydrating, and more. Whether you’ve been canning for years or you’re just canning-curious, there’ll be plenty of tips, information, and time for questions.

And don’t forget to bring your dial-gauge pressure canner lids! We’ll be offering FREE pressure gauge testing to help make sure your canner is ready for the season ahead.

Come learn something new, share stories, ask questions, and leave feeling more confident about preserving all those summer goodies! Space is quite limited, so please call the Clay County Extension Office to register.

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

✨ Don’t miss out on all the summer fun—bring a friend and join us! It's not too late, we still have 3 more classes left! Call the Clay County Extension Office at 598-2789 to register. All 4-H Summer Programs are free!

🎨 Art Project Day
📅 June 18 | ⏰ 1:30pm
Create a beautiful sun catcher!

🦋 Monarch Waystation Class
📅 June 23 | ⏰ 11am–1pm
Help plant a monarch-friendly habitat!

🕯️ Beeswax Candle Making
📅 June 25 | ⏰ 1:30pm
Make your very own candle!

🏆 Bonus: Projects will be showcased on July 10th, and top entries could advance to the KY State Fair!

06/17/2026

Grab the kids (and yourself!) and come hang out with us for a fun, laid back 4-H Paint Day 🎉 No experience needed—just show up ready to get creative!
📅 June 29th
⏰ 2:00 PM
📍 Clay County EXCEL Building
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to ages 5–18 + parents/grandparents/guardians
Spots are limited, so don’t wait! 📞 Call 598-2789 to sign up.

06/17/2026

Beef Producers: Your Input Matters!
The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is seeking beef cow-calf producers to participate in a Fescue Toxicosis Survey.
Your feedback will help researchers better understand how fescue toxicosis impacts herds and develop practical mitigation strategies for producers across the region.
✅ Who should participate: Beef cow-calf producers
📅 Deadline: July 7, 2026
👉 Take the survey here:
https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5c0vzWqgxHX88Wq
📌 You can also scan the QR code in the flyer to get started!
Please share to help reach more producers!

06/16/2026

Take a journey with us this summer as From Appalachia Abroad heads to the vibrant countries of Japan & Thailand!

In these sessions, we’ll explore how daily life, food, and traditions in both countries compare to those in Appalachia - discovering meaningful similarities in family, resilience, and a deep connection to the land.

Participants will learn about staple foods, explore unique cultural expressions, and gain a deeper appreciation for communities that, while miles apart, share common values.

Come ready to learn, reflect, and expand your worldview as we connect Appalachia to Japan & Thailand in a way that feels both eye-opening and surprisingly familiar.

Join us at the Clay County Extension Office and experience the beauty of Japan on June 22nd & Thailand on July 27th at 5:00 PM. Seating is limited so please reserve your spot!

06/16/2026

🐝 Ready to join the buzz?

The Clay County Beekeepers Association meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the Clay County EXCEL Building.

If you are interested in becoming a beekeeper, feel free to stop by one of our meetings or contact the Clay County Extension Office at 598-2789 to learn more. New members are always welcome!

Whether you're curious, experienced, or just love bees, join us for our next meetings on June 25th & July 23rd at 6:00 PM.