4-H Family Focus Newsletter - Iowa State University...Newsletter prepared by Kati Peiffer, 4-H/Youth Coordinator [email protected] Gene Mohling Regional Extension Education Director

Newsletter prepared by Kati Peiffer,

4-H/Youth Coordinator

[email protected]

Gene Mohling

Regional Extension Education Director

February-March 2010

4-H Family Focus Newsletter

Washington Co. Extension Office

2223 250th St.

Washington, Iowa 52353

Phone: (319) 653-4811

FAX: (319) 653-6712

W a s h i n g t o n C o u n t y p r o p e r t y t a x d o l l a r s s u p p o r t t h e

W a s h i n g t o n C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n O f f i c e . T h e s e t a x

d o l l a r s c o m e t o u s t h r o u g h t h e A g r i c u l t u r a l E x t e n s i o n

D i s t r i c t t a x l e v y . T h e e l e c t e d n i n e - m e m b e r E x t e n s i o n

C o u n c i l i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e s e f u n d s . T h a n k Y o u F o r

Y o u r S u p p o r t !

Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

We’ve changed the layout of our newsletter. Pages will be specific by overall topic head-

ings. We hope that this will make it easier to find the information that pertains to you.

However, by reading additional pages you may find something new for yourself to try!!

Highlights of this Edition :

Livestock “Tails”

Sheep, Goat & Swine Weigh-ins

FSQA Information

Livestock Fair Changes

Money, Money, Money

Scholarships for Jr. & Sr. high school students

Monsanto Grant to support Wash. Co. 4-H

Event Center

4-H Fire-Up!

Mentoring Clover Kids

Livestock Judging Contest

Vet. find-out day at ISU

Project Meetings

Volunteering

SESS Leader Training

Fundraising Committee

Wanted…..Wellman/Kalona Clover Kid Leader

Club Corner

Recruitment Winners

County Council Update

Odds & Ends

Area & State Opportunities

Washington Co. 4-H Design

Additional Insert:

Dodgeball Tournament Flyer

Iowa Promise Grant due Feb. 1

4-H Scholarships, Hills Bank Grant, & Christina Hixson Award applications due

Feb. 1

4-H Photography Project Meetings-9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Washington Co. Ext. Office

Feb. 13 March

6

4-H Bucket-Bottle Meeting- 7:00 p.m.-Extension Office

Feb. 23

State 4-H Leader’s Retreat-Newton

Feb. 27

4-H Fire Up! - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.—Wash. Co. Ext. Office

Feb. 28

Area Interviews for State Recognition

Feb. 28 or

March 6

Garden Project Mtg.- 10:30 a.m.-Extension Office

March. 6

4-H Dodgeball Tournament-1:00 p.m. -Wash. H.S.

March 14

FSQA meeting-6:30 p.m.- Wash. Co. Ext. Office

March 17 and

April 15

4-H Leader’s Meeting-7:00 p.m.-Extension Office

March 24

Swine Weigh-in-Fairgrounds 10:00-11:30 a.m.

March 27

Extension Office Closed-Holiday

April 2

Dates to Remember

Page 2 4-H Family Focus Newsletter

Swine Weigh-In

(Production Barrow weigh-in for

optional Production Barrow Division)

Saturday, March 27th

10:00 -11:30 a.m.

Fairgrounds

Sheep/Goat Weigh-In

Saturday, May 8th

8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Fairgrounds

FSQA MEETING Wednesday, March 17

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Washington Co. Ext. Office

(Fairboard Conference Room)

AND

Thursday, April 16

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Washington Co. Ext. Office

(Fairboard Conference Room)

All beef, swine, sheep, dairy cattle, dairy goat, meat goat, rabbit, and poultry exhibitors are REQUIRED to be

FSQA certified to exhibit at the county fair and State Fair in 2010. The certification may take 2 forms: attend a 2

hour class or obtain certification by testing. Those attending the class may attend either date listed above or attend in an-

other county.

If you select the educational class option, you will be required to attend the class each year to be eligible to exhibit. The

educational class is the ONLY option available to Junior exhibitors (ages 9, 10, and 11 as of January 1). Intermediate and

Senior age members (ages 12-18 as of January 1) may obtain certification by passing an exam or attending the class. Once

the member receives a passing score, he/she is certified until he/she moves up to the next age bracket.

Tests may be taken after the training, prior to the trainings between 5:30-6:15 p.m. or by making arrangements with the

Extension Office.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

County Council will again be

hosting an Open Cattle Show on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the

Washington County Fairgrounds. This is a

great opportunity for you to get extra work and experience with your project.

Watch for more details to come!

CHECK IT OUT...

One hundred twenty-six 4-H’ers and FFA

members weighed in 268 market beef on

December 19th. Eighty-five animals were

nominated for State Fair and/or Ak-Sar-

Ben. Be sure to keep good records on your

animals. Thanks to those who helped with

weigh-in!

Dairy Steers

Ak-Sar-Ben has added a Dairy Steer Show for

2010. Nominations must be completed by April 1.

For nomination information contact the Extension

Office, 319/653-4811.

Page 2 Dec.-Jan. 2009-2010

Premise ID and COOL

Reminders: All swine exhibitors need to obtain a Premise ID in or-der to sell your hogs through the fair buyer. Once this ID is obtained it does not change from year to year. This is a mandate of Tyson Fresh Foods. All livestock must have a COOL affidavit stating the animal was born in the United States or in another country. This is an USDA mandate.

SCRAPIE ERADICATION

PROGRAM REMINDER All reproductively intact sheep and goats (ewes, rams,

does, billies) must have an official scrapie program tag be-

fore being shown or sold. This includes feeder animals,

market animals or breeding animals. Castrated males are

not required to be tagged. If you purchase ewe lambs, be

sure they are tagged by the original owner and an Owner’s

Statement with flock information is provided.

To register your flock for the scrapie program and receive

your tags, call 1-866-873-2824. For more information go to

http://www.animalagriculture.org/scrapie/Scrapie.htm or

contact the Extension Office.

This process may take several weeks so don’t wait until the

last minute.

State Fair Swine Weigh-In

Saturday, May 1st, 2010 Crawfordsville, ISU Research Farm, 8 a.m.-Noon

(contact the Extension Office for other weigh dates)

Intent to Participate Forms are due to the

State 4-H Office by March 20th.

Watch for specific information to come shortly.

Changes for 2010 Washington County Fair Following are approved changes for the 2010 Washington County Fair. Continue to watch the

newsletter and fair book for additional changes in rules and schedule.

Swine-

Will no longer be sold as a ribbon premium, the animal will be sold and the buyer will

make the decision on where the hog goes.

Market & Breeding Beef

The 2nd time an animal gets away from the exhibitor in the show ring, due to not being

able to handle it, the animal will be tied to a gate in the corner & is not eligible for 1st or

2nd in the class. It is at the discretion of the superintendent to not tie the animal in the

corner if he feels it is not the exhibitor’s fault.

Market Beef

Must be stalled by 8:00 a.m. on Monday unless prior arrangements are made with the

superintendent.

Breeding Beef

Must be checked in by 9:00 p.m. Sunday evening unless prior arrangements are made

with the superintendent.

Bucket Bottle Calf

Intermediates and Seniors will compete against each other.

Page 3 Dec.-Jan. 2009-2010

Page 4 Dec.-Jan. 2009-2010

LEADERSHIP GRANT…

High school juniors are encouraged to

apply for the Hills Bank and Trust

Company Leadership Grant.

Recipients of the grant will attend lead-

ership training and then receive a

$1,000 scholarship. Both 4-H’ers and

non-4-H’ers are eligible.

Applications due Feb. 1.

Iowa Soybean Association Ag Scholarship

The Iowa Soybean Association is accepting applications from high school seniors for scholarships in the amount of $1500. Must be pursuing an education at an ag-related college or university. Ap-plications must be postmarked by March 15, 2010. Applications may be obtained at www.iasoybeans.com.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Every county is awarded one Christina Hixson Scholarship per year. This scholar-

ship provides half-tuition grant (estimated value of $13,000 over eight semesters) for

incoming freshman at Iowa State University. Application deadline is February 1st.

Contact the Extension Office for more information or check the web at

http://www.iastate.edu/~hixsonawards/.

Applications are available for the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student

Award, a $5,000 college scholarship program for juniors enrolled in an

Iowa high school or home school setting. This program identifies &

honors up to 15 students who propose & then accomplish a project of their own choos-

ing & design. The application deadline is March 31st. For application materials,

contact your high school Guidance Counselor or download the materials at

http://hooverassociation.org.

Also, applications for 4-H scholarships are due February 2nd!

Does your family farm more than 250 acres?! If YES….then support Washington County 4-H.

How?

Log on to www.growcommunities.com & click “apply now.”

Fill in your name, address, phone & e-mail.

Designate Washington County 4-H by selecting recipient type as 4-H & Organization Name as Washington

County 4-H.

Details:

This $2500 grant is sponsored by Monsanto Company. Monsanto will select one person from each county who ap-

plies for this grant and award $2500 to the charity/organization they selected. No purchase necessary & do not

need to be a customer of Monsanto to apply. Must apply by February 28th. Must be 21 years of age to apply.

Share this information with neighbors, family & friends. The more who apply the higher the chances of Washington

County 4-H being awarded the money.

Farm Bureau Scholarships Available

The Washington County Farm Bureau Jim Roberts and Celeste Hora Memorial

Scholarship applications are now available. Applicants must be a member of a

Washington County Farm Bureau family, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and enter a pro-

fession/vocation requiring at least two years of college or the equivalent amount of

technical/educational training. Information and application is available for the

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation scholarship as well. Application deadline for both of

these scholarships is March 1, 2010. For more information contact Washington

County Farm Bureau, 319/653-5428. Applications are available at the Extension

Office.

The Washington Master Gardeners are offering a $500 scholarship to anyone pursuing a horticulture related

degree or certificate from a college or university in the state of Iowa. Anyone is eligible whether in or out of

high school.

Applications are due April 1st to the Extension Office. For more information contact Nancy Adrian, 653-4811.

Canoe Trip….

Area Council will

hold a Canoe Trip for Int.

on June 5th in Monticello.

Watch for more informa-

tion to come!

Page 5 4-H Family Focus Newsletter

4-H Fire Up!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

2:00-4:00 p.m.

Washington Co. Ext. Office-Washington

We will have our 4-H Fire Up meeting on

Sunday, February 28, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00

p.m. All 4-H’ers and parents/guardians are

welcome to attend but it will be most benefi-

cial to those in 4-H three years or less.

Each family will receive a 4-H Handbook.

This meeting is designed to provide infor-

mation about 4-H, various projects, opportu-

nities, upcoming events, and much more.

Snacks will be provided.

4-H’ers and family members planning to

attend the 4-H Fire Up! are asked to RSVP

to the Washington County Extension Office

by February 22nd. You may call 319/653-

4811 or e-mail [email protected] to

RSVP.

Interested in Veterinary Medicine?

Iowa State University will hold a find out day on Veterinary Medi-

cine on February 27th. This day will be filled with workshops on

suturing, anatomy, parasitological & physical examinations. The

day will also give you a chance to get more information on schooling

and careers.

It is open to all youth in grades 7th-12th.

Registration is due by Feb. 5th and there is no cost. For a regis-

tration form contact the Extension Office.

Livestock Judging Contest

Kirkwood Community College will be hosting their annual Live-

stock Judging contest for all high school students. Whether just

getting started or experienced there will be something for you.

When: February 5th, 2010

Time: Registration from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Contest from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Where: Kirkwood Community College-Tippie Beef Education

Center-Cedar Rapids, IA

For more information contact Dan Lane at [email protected]

Mentor a Clover Kid

Members of Washington County Clover Kids are future 4-H members. Help them get a jump start on learning

about 4-H opportunities and take on a leadership role by mentoring a young member.

Current mentor opportunities for fair

Sheep Mentoring-those 4-H’ers who have shown sheep for at least one year can be paired up with a clover kid.

The clover kid will come out to your farm, you teach them a little about sheep and then following the sheep show at

the fair, the Clover Kids will get to show your sheep in a special class.

Clothing Event-those 4-H’ers who have participated in Clothing Selection, Fashion Revue or $15 Challenge can

be paired up with a Clover Kid. You speak to them about the Clothing Event experience. They meet with a judge

with you and then they have a style revue during the fair.

If you want to mentor a Clover Kid, but it doesn’t fit into these areas, contact the Extension Office about your

idea and we can see about adding new things. To sign-up contact the Extension Office by May 1st.

PROJECT MEETINGS

Take a look at the “dates to remember” on the front page of the newsletter for

project meetings.

These meetings are a great opportunity to learn more about project areas, get

ideas, speak to the superintendent(s), find out about deadlines and get your

questions answered.

More meetings to come possibly in sheep, dog, and rabbit.

County Council Update….

County Council is working hard to plan upcoming events includ-

ing the 4-H Fire Up!, Dodgeball Tournament, & Open Cattle Show.

They also planned the Skating Party.

The group gave back during the Christmas season. The council

purchased Christmas gifts for three local families. Each member

donated 2-3 items towards the Y Christmas Bazaar and $5 worth of

canned items to the HACAP food pantry.

They had a fun time at their Christmas party, giving each other

gag gifts, eating pizza and socializing.

Page 6 Dec.-Jan. 2009-2010

Leader’s Meeting

Wednesday, March 24

7:00 p.m. - Extension Office

Shooting Sports Training

The next Shooting Sports & Education in Shooting Sports training will be held March

26-28, at the Iowa 4-H Center. Registration deadline is March 5 and the Iowa 4-H

Child Protection Screen process must be completed prior to the registration deadline.

For more information contact the Extension Office at 319-653-4811 or

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/NR/rdonlyres/E7B2E132-552D-4D76-B222-

D3A551DAE8BF/112488/SESSLeaderTrainingSpring2010.pdf

Help, help, help!

The fundraising committee is looking for new members

to join. If you are interested in joining, the next meeting

will be February 4th at 7:00 p.m. The committee will be

determining which projects to focus on and fundraising

ideas. Youth and adults can join this committee.

Recognize our volunteers

In 2009 we began awarding awards to our volunteers

throughout Washington County. Awards given were

for 4-H Alumni, 4-H Family of the Year, 4-H Volunteer

of the Year, Partner in 4-H and Friend of 4-H. Anyone

can nominate anyone in Washington County for these

awards.

Nomination forms can be taken anytime throughout

the year. They are available on the web at

www.extension.iastate.edu/washington or at the Exten-

sion Office. These nominations will not be reviewed

until October, when all nominations have been re-

ceived.

Nominate someone today, so you don’t forget their hard

work and dedication!

WANTED….

We are still looking for a Clover Kid Leader for the

Wellman & Kalona areas. If you or someone you

know might be interested in helping with this

group, please contact, Kati immediately. We have

a lot kids interested in Clover Kids in this area, but

are missing a leader!

The Recruitment Winners are……. Crooked Creek 4-H Club. They recruited 12 new members. The club will receive a $50 pizza party. Congratulations Crooked Creek!

The St. James Clover Kids were the winners of the Clover Kid’s Recruitment Contest. They recruited 20 new members. They will receive a $25 ice cream party. Congratulations St. James!

Great Job to everyone! We have a total of 80 new members so far. Keep recruiting!!

Page 7 4-H Family Focus Newsletter

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR DATES!

Sun. Ju ly 18—Fr i . Ju ly 23

Non- l i ves tock Judg ing—Sa t . Ju ly 17

L ives tock we igh - in & l i ves tock judg ing contes t—

Mon. Ju ly 19

Attendance Reminder… In order to exhibit at the Washington County Fair you must attend club meetings. Any member missing more than 3 times without a legitimate excuse will not be able to show. This ruling is in the Fair Book!

4-H Project Resources Just a reminder: All first year members will receive their project materials from the club leaders. Any other 4-H’er who would like project material may contact the Extension Office or stop by. The Extension Council paid a total of $1,076.82 for new member literature this year. Please thank them for this contribution.

AREA AND STATE AWARD OPPORTUNITIES

4-H’ers have the opportunity to apply for the following area and state recognition events. Applications are due in the Extension Office by February 1. Interviews will be Sunday, February 28, in Muscatine and Saturday, March 6, in Fairfield. Applicants may choose which interview date they prefer. Those unable to attend the interview may submit a videotape.

State 4-H Council—10th & 11th graders can apply for State 4-H Council. This group acts as ambassadors for the

state 4-H program by providing input and helping with planning of state events.

National 4-H Congress—10th & 11th graders can participate in a forum to discuss issues important to youth and

learn more about making contributions in our community. This event takes place Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 2009.

National 4-H Conference—9th-11th graders gather at the National 4-H Center tentatively March 20-March 25, 2010

and discuss the future 4-H program needs at the national level.

State Project Awards—9th-12th graders can apply for this award to receive recognition for participating, learning,

and evaluating 4-H experiences.

Iowa Youth Technology Corps—9th-11th graders will meet with teens from around Iowa to develop a community

service project, use the latest technology tools, promote technology, and gain leadership skills. This opportunity is also

available to non 4-H’ers.

All opportunities include an application form, support material or audio tape/video tape, and an interview. Applications

and support material due to the Extension Office by February 1st. Contact the Extension Office for an application.

One hundred sixty-nine 4-H’ers, family

members and friends skated at the

annual skating party on January 17th.

Lets see your design….. We are looking for a new 4-H design to use in Washington County. This design will be used on 4-H exhibitor

t-shirts and additional Washington County promotional materials. We prefer the design be computer generated,

to get 4-H clipart contact Kati. The design can be turned in to the Extension Office or e-mailed to Kati at

[email protected] by March 1st.

Washington Co. Fair Board has agreed to pay $1400.00

towards 4-H enrollment fees. Remember this fee went

up to $30 this year, but maintained $10 to members.

Be sure to thank the fair board for this very generous

donation!

Page 8 Dec.-Jan. 2009-2010

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