Inside this issue: Club Corner 2 Small Animal News 3 Youth Discussion Meet 4 Fair Board News 5 Swine Exhibitor Info 6 Rabbit Pedigree Info 7-8 Fair Rule Changes 9 Statewide Calendar of Events 10 Statewide News 11 Shooting Sports Spring Kick Off Event 12 Still Exhibit Classes 13 Volunteer Definitions 14- 15 Calendar 16 March 2020 CLOVER CHRONICLES Isabella County Dairy Feeder Weigh-In Saturday, March 14, 2020 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Isabella County Fairgrounds Animals cannot weigh over 250 lbs. and must be: • One of the following breeds: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, or Jersey • Castrated & Dehorned Each member can either: • Weigh in a maximum of two feeders or, • Within immediate families of more than one exhibitor: each member may weigh in one feeder, and one “family alternate” can be weighed in for the family. Only one feeder per exhibitor can be brought to fair when a family alternate has been weighed in. It’s required that by Fair, every feeder must have a RFID tag (radio frequency identification) in their ear. If you have any questions, contact Superintendent Mike Lattimer at (989) 513-7839. VERY IMPORTANT - for 4-H parents, grandparents, guardians and relatives 4-H is making the utmost attempt at making sure our youth are always safe. Therefore, MSU Extension has implemented a Gold and Silver volunteer screening process for different levels of volunteer status. ALL parents, grandparents, guardians, other relatives and friends of 4-H MUST be screened at the Silver Status level to work in the 4-H food stand, monitor the Still Exhibit Building and work at a registration table. Please take the time to do the Silver Volunteer Status screening. It is free, easy to do and takes very little time. All that is required is to fill out a short volunteer application for a Silver level volunteer, and provide consent for a background check. No references or interviews will be needed (unless you wish to move to a Gold volunteer status at some point in the future). Please read the information in the newsletter (pages 14 & 15) for more details regarding the volunteer application process. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Kristi (989-317-4079 or [email protected]) and she will be happy to answer any questions. Thank you for supporting the youth and families of Isabella County 4-H!
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CLOVER CHRONICLES 2020.pdfinstructors in archery, rifle, muzzle loader, and shotgun. Saturday, May 9 You will need to attend the April 24 - 26 workshop at Kettunen Center, in Tustin.
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Transcript
Inside this issue:
Club Corner 2
Small Animal News 3
Youth Discussion Meet
4
Fair Board News 5
Swine Exhibitor Info 6
Rabbit Pedigree Info 7-8
Fair Rule Changes 9
Statewide Calendar of Events
10
Statewide News 11
Shooting Sports Spring Kick Off Event
12
Still Exhibit Classes 13
Volunteer Definitions 14-15
Calendar 16
March 2020
CLOVER CHRONICLES Isabel la County
Dairy Feeder Weigh-In Saturday, March 14, 2020 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Isabella County Fairgrounds
Animals cannot weigh over 250 lbs. and must be: • One of the following breeds: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, or
Jersey • Castrated & Dehorned
Each member can either: • Weigh in a maximum of two feeders or, • Within immediate families of more than one exhibitor: each member may
weigh in one feeder, and one “family alternate” can be weighed in for the family. Only one feeder per exhibitor can be brought to fair when a family alternate has been weighed in.
It’s required that by Fair, every feeder must have a RFID tag (radio frequency identification) in their ear. If you have any questions, contact Superintendent Mike Lattimer at (989) 513-7839.
VERY IMPORTANT - for 4-H parents, grandparents, guardians and relatives
4-H is making the utmost attempt at making sure our youth are always safe. Therefore, MSU Extension has implemented a Gold and Silver volunteer screening process for different levels of volunteer status.
ALL parents, grandparents, guardians, other relatives and friends of 4-H MUST be screened at the Silver Status level to work in the 4-H food stand, monitor the Still Exhibit Building and work at a registration table. Please take the time to do the Silver Volunteer Status screening. It is free, easy to do and takes very little time. All that is required is to fill out a short volunteer application for a Silver level volunteer, and provide consent for a background check. No references or interviews will be needed (unless you wish to move to a Gold volunteer status at some point in the future).
Please read the information in the newsletter (pages 14 & 15) for more details regarding the volunteer application process.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Kristi (989-317-4079 or [email protected]) and she will be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you for supporting the youth and families of Isabella County 4-H!
Canine Clovers - Last month we held a dog & handler game night. Our two teams had fun testing their dog & handler skills with basic training & tricks, it was a friendly competition. Pony Creek - In February we discussed good stewardship. Our March meeting will either be sledding at Blanchard millpond or bowling at Riverwood, all depending on weather. Rural Routers - We met in January for a business meeting, they made valentines for veterans and ended by having a nacho dinner. In February they had a business meeting and played games. They had planned to go tubing at Snow Snake but things didn't work out for the club, however, they were able to visit the residents at Maplewood Assisted Living Center. Everyone had a good time visiting and sharing valentines that they had made.
4-H Camp House For Rent 4-H Camp Association is looking for a renter
for the house located at the 4-H Camp. The
house is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, with a 1
car attached garage. Please call Don Kistler
at (989) 621-0447 for more information.
Shooting Sports Instructors Needed We are looking for volunteer leaders to
become certified as 4-H Shooting Sports
instructors in archery, rifle, muzzle loader,
and shotgun.
You will need to attend the April 24 - 26
workshop at Kettunen Center, in Tustin. At
the workshop you will learn safe and proper
use of guns and archery equipment that you
can teach the youth.
Please call the Extension office if you are
interested or for more details.
New Leader Orientation Wednesday, March 25, 2020 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Isabella County Building, Room 320 Volunteers who have completed the Volunteer Selection Process, or who are in the process of completing are encouraged to attend the New Leader Orientation meeting. Light refreshments will be provided.
Register to the Extension office by March 20.
Swine Tagging Sunday, May 3 11 AM - 2 PM At the Fairgrounds
Goat Weigh-In Sunday, May 3 10 AM - 12 PM At the Fairgrounds
Sheep Weigh-In Saturday, May 9 2 PM - 4 PM At the Fairgrounds
Cat Project Update NEW THIS YEAR - Any youth interested in
the cat project may borrow a cat or kitten to
show at the fair. You must get it approved by
Superintendent Mary Anne Tompkins,
contact her at 989-948-0535.
Broiler Chick Orders Time to order your broiler chicks! Cost will be $2.08 per bird if we are able to order 100 birds, this includes shipping. Orders need to be placed at the Extension office by April 30.
Attention 4-H Seniors Any 4-H high school senior that would like to wear 4-H Honor Cords at their graduation ceremony, please contact the Extension office by April 15 to reserve your honor cords. There will be a $15 fee for the cords that WILL be refunded upon return of the cords in good condition to the office. Those seniors who wish to keep their honor cords may purchase them for the same amount.
Small Animal News
• Goats that will be entered in the small animal auction at the fair MUST have a scrapie tag BEFORE weigh-in. It is a State mandate, and if your auction goat does not have a scrapie tag, you will not be allowed to sell. ALL goats must have some identification -- either the scrapie tag or a tattoo for those not in the auction. Goat weigh-in (for wethers only) is May 3 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the small animal barn at the fairgrounds.
• If you do not already have your small animal purchase arranged, you should do so now. For example, there are only a couple of rabbit shows before the May 1 deadline and if you haven't placed an order or made contact with someone, it may be too late to get the breed you would like to have. If you wait until April 15 or later, it will be very difficult to have your animal(s) by May.
• Reminder, if you live outside of Isabella County and plan to sell in the small animal auction, you will need approval from the Small Animal Association. Plan to attend their next meeting on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Isabella County Building. If you have already met with the Small Animal Association to sell in the auction and were approved, you do not have to do it again.
• Rabbit members - when shopping for your fair animal, it is beneficial to work with a reputable breeder; someone who guarantees their animals. We suggest you not purchase your rabbits from pet stores or swaps. Take your breed standard when you go shopping so you can have a guide for finding a good representation. For instance, make sure a Mini Rex doesn't have too long of ears; a Dutch doesn't have a split stop or cheek color into the mouth; any of the lop breeds need to have a correct crown; etc. You need to purchase a rabbit with a full pedigree. Only first year members are allowed to have a mixed breed rabbit, which does not mean a recognized breed with disqualifications.
Page 3 CLOVER CHRONICLES
State Rabbit & Cavy Show Results Emma Block of Beal City Pioneers 4-H Club won Best in Show at the State 4-H rabbit show in
January. She also placed 8th place in Breed ID. Congratulations Emma!
Page 4 CLOVER CHRONICLES
4-H Exploration Days June 24-26 at Michigan State University
4-H Exploration Days is an annual state youth conference that is open to all youth ages 11-19, by January 1. This event is meant to be a learning experience that will instill self-esteem, decision-making skills, independent thinking and leadership skills. The full time participant fee is $220 which includes meals, lodging, and a t-shirt. 4-H Council will pay half the fee for full time registration. We also have a limited number of $40 scholarships available, but youth have to fill out an application.
Registration begins on March 10 and sessions fill up VERY fast, so turn in your registration forms to the Extension office as soon as possible. A $70 deposit is due at the time of registration. For more information, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_exploration_days/
2020 Isabella County Youth Discussion Meet Competition 1st Prize $100, 2nd Prize $75 - Awarded from Isabella County 4-H Council
(Minimum of 12 participants) Partnered with Farm Bureau
If you are a high school student interested in creative problem solving in a collaborative team/group
environment, this contest is for you!
What is a Discussion Meet?
The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Youth Discussion Meet is a contest sponsored by the MFB
Young Farmer program. The contest itself involves a moderator and contestants. The moderator’s
responsibility is to introduce the topic and the contestants, start the discussion, keep it on track and
see that no one monopolizes the time. The contestants discuss a pre-selected topic. We are
excited to offer this opportunity to all high school youth in Isabella County!
The three fundamental bases of general discussion are constructive criticism, cooperation and
communication. With this in mind, the participant’s responsibility is to exchange ideas and
information to solve a problem. The discussion should not be “conversation” or aimless talk nor
should the participant take the role of a persuasive speaker. The participant should attempt to
cooperatively shed further light on the problem and tentatively retain a flexible position. A successful
participant is a productive thinker rather than an emotional persuader, who is free to state beliefs
and change positions whenever new information and ideas make that a reasonable thing to do.
The discussion should follow these steps: 1. State the problem or need. 2. Explore, define and
understand the problem or need. 3. Identify causes of problem or need. 4. Elaborate all possible
alternative solutions. 5. Evaluate and compare alternatives. 6. Test and project what appears to be
the best solution. 7. Arrive at ways to implement the solution. 8. Teach the value of compromise. 9.
Develop leaders.
If you are interested in competing in this exciting educational event which will held at the Isabella
County Building starting at 8:30 a.m. on April 14, please register to attend the Discussion Meet
orientation meeting with Kristi Schreiber on Monday, March 23 from 6-8 p.m. Everything you need
to know about this event including the three topics to be discussed will be covered in detail. We look
FAIR CAMPING INFORMATION Open camping sign-up will be Saturday, April 25
at the Fair Office, 500 N. Mission Rd from 9 AM –
12 noon. Visa, Master Card and Discover are accepted with a 3% fee. Check or Money Orders made out to Isabella County Fair or cash (correct change only please) are accepted. Pre - registration forms will be mailed March 16 for 2019 campers. Forms and payments will be due on or before April 22, 2020. NO EXCEPTIONS!
PARKING PASSES $15.00 for the week or $5.00 per day.
AMUSEMENT RIDES Maple Leaf Amusements are again offering advance ride passes for the 2020 Fair. Passes are $10 each (one pass per person per day). The passes will be available April 24 through June 30 only. Mail a check or money order to Isabella County Fair, PO Box 28, Mt. Pleasant 48804-0028 or call Deb at 989-400-1082 or the Fair Office 989-773-9070 after May 1 to order with Visa, Master Card or Discover ( +3% fee ). You may order as many passes as you would like. They are available to all 4-H & FFA families and to all Friends of the Fair. If you have any questions, please give us a call. The Fair Board is busy finalizing all events for this year’s fair. We are excited to see all the exhibits you are working on. We wish you all Good Luck at the 2020 fair!
Scholarship Opportunities
Isabella County 4-H Scholarship Isabella County offers two $500 scholarships to 4-H members or former members each year. The scholarship recipient must be enrolled at an institution of higher learning and have been involved with 4-H in Isabella County. The scholarship is not limited to college freshmen. To get an application, click here: Isabella County 4-H Scholarship or you may pick one up at the Extension office. Applications are due back to the office by April 20. The scholarship recipients will be notified by May 15.
Kathryn Methner Fike Scholarship For high school seniors and current college students. Thank you to the family of Kathryn Virginia Methner Fike for establishing a $1000 scholarship in her name to benefit 4-H members in Isabella County. Kathryn Virginia Methner Fike was born on the farm of her parents in northeast Wise Township, Isabella County on Nov 21, 1918. Except for a few winters in Florida, she spent all most 96 years within 5 miles of her birthplace. She married Lester Fike on March 29, 1936 and spent over 60 years on what became the Fike Centennial Homestead. In her childhood years, she was a member of a 4-H sewing club lead by her mother, Daisy Methner. After having children of her own, she became a leader, too. She served in this capacity for many years. Kathryn took great pride in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in their 4-H activities. 4-H has been a top priority in Kathryn’s family for 5 generations and so it is with pride that her family is honoring Kathryn’s many years of dedication to 4-H education in Isabella County with this scholarship.
Application is available at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/isabella/isabella_county_4_h/newsletters-and-forms
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials
are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status
or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jeffrey W. Dwyer, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is
for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU
Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
“Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the MSU Extension office at (989) 317-
4079 at least 5 days prior to the scheduled event to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after