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Clarke County Extension Office 154 W. Jefferson Osceola, IA 50213 | (641) 342 -3316 LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/4H/clarke

4-H Banquet

Notes from Jennifer

ISF Eligibility

4-H Clover Kids

4-H Workshop Ideas

Weigh-In Information

FREE Ear Tags

Mark Your Calendar

Youth Council

Project Record Participants

Jennifer Miler– Clarke County Youth and Outreach Coordinator

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Notes from Jennifer THANK YOU to everyone who made 4-H Awards Night a success.

We had an outstanding crowd, great skits, enthusiastic 4-Hers, and showcased a variety of well deserved awards.

The Clarke County Extension Office will be closed Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 to celebrate the holiday with family and friends. We will also be closed Friday, January 1 to celebrate the New Year. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, February 6, the

Fairboards Annual Soup Supper. The fairboard is asking for clubs help with desserts. They are asking that each club donate 3 dozen assorted desserts. These may be dropped off at the exhibit building throughout the day for your convenience.

Senior 4-Hers, information has been mailed to you regarding

scholarship opportunities. Applications are due February 1, 2016.

CLARKE COUNTY FAMILY 4-H DECEMBER NEWS

Jennifer Miler Clarke County Extension

County Youth and Outreach Coordinator jpollard@iastate.edu

MISSION STATEMENT 4-H EMPOWERS YOUTH TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL WORKING AND LEARNING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CARING ADULTS

Iowa State Fair Eligibility In regards to fourth graders participation. After getting feedback from staff, 4-H families and superintendents, no change will occur for 2016. The main factor on the livestock side is stalling. As some of you may know, stalling is not the most pleasant experience due to large

participation. The Iowa State Fair is more than at capacity and an increase in exhibitors and animals would only increase the challenging situation. Staff will continue to look at options for future years.

For many years, only 4-Hers who have completed the 5th grade have been eligible to participate in the Iowa State Fair. This rule covers both building exhibits and livestock. There has been a lot of discussion at the state level

4-H Clover Kids begins in January Gives youth the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities suited to their development, growth, and will learn in a non competitive environment.

Osceola and Murray Clover Kids will both kick off in January. If your child or another child may be interested in the program they must be enrolled before they attend the first activity in January. Information will also be coming home from school in the students back packs.

4-H Clover Kids is a youth program for youth in grades K-3 that focus on doing and learning in small groups. Children explore a wide variety of life skills including healthy living, the environment , citizenship, plants and animals, science and expressive arts. 4-H Clover Kids

4-H Workshop Opportunities

Clover Kids, 4-Hers, families, and clubs– I am looking to offer another workshop or two again this year. I want to offer a workshop that interest YOU. If you have any ideas or want to master a new skill please share your ideas with me. I am open to any thoughts or suggestions.

A few past workshops have included: Woodworking hosted by White’s Woodworking, Visual Art workshop with various stations, and making burlap wreaths.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? FIND US AT: EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/CLARKE

Livestock Weigh-In’s– Are you prepared?

Items to be completed before weigh-in:

MUST be an active in 4-H online. This means you have enrolled online and paid your enrollment fee. I will not enroll any members during weigh-in.

Ear tags must be picked up and place in your animals ear before arriving to weigh-in.

Cost:

Ear tags– FREE

Retinal Imaging for Iowa State Fair participation- $5/head

DNA Hair Sample for Ak-Sar-Ben participation- $5/head

Payment for both, due at weigh-in

Specific beef details:

Retinal imaging for the Iowa State Fair and pulling DNA for Ak-Sar-Ben will only take place from 11 a.m. to noon. This cuts down on the wait time for families who are not participating in out of county opportunities. This system has worked for us the past couple of years and we are hoping for that success again.

Livestock Weigh-in’s will be kicking off in a month, are you prepared? Also keep in mind, our office has limited hours with the holidays right around the corner so don’t wait until the last minute. These dates can be found on page 4.

As you will read, Medora Feed & Livestock will cover the cost of ear tags. However, please pick up the tags in advance and already have them placed in your animals ear.

I will enter your animals infor-mation in 4-H online at weigh-in so please be sure you are active in 4-H online.

If you show animals that require an ear tag, please take the opportunity to send them a thank you for their contribution to the Clarke County 4-H program. A Thank You may be sent to:

1076 315th Ave.

New Virginia, IA 50210

Swine participants, please note this does not cover the swine DNA tags required for the Iowa State Fair.

Once again, thanks to the generous donation from Medora Feed & Livestock, there will be no cost to the 4-Hers for county fair ear tags.

FREE 4-H Ear Tags!

WANT TO KNOW MORE? FIND US AT: EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/CLARKE

Refrigerator Reference

Youth Council Representatives 4-H PROJECT RECORDS MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Congratulations to the following individuals for turning in some outstanding 4-H project records. These individuals include:

Andrew Barnard Nicole Barnard Adam Barnard

Trinity Miler Rileigh Hiatt Colton Hiatt

Alma Heckman Emma Heckman

Kacey Boyer Konrad Boyer Alexis Hudson

Will Cook Allen Jaeger

Josiah Heckman Noah Heckman

Alena Allen Clay Allen

I am so proud of each and every one of you for completing and turning in your project records!

Triple Troopers: Rileigh Hiatt & Cierra Mastin Robotics: Noah & Josiah Heckman K.W. Hustlers: Layla Carney Independent Member: Sydney Garrett Cooking Club: Daylee Hembry & Megan Keller Osceola Go Getters: Colby Wilken & Devin DeVore Osceola Chargers: Rawley Collins & Monique Smith Koolios: Leia Decker & Mackenzie Keller Fremont Feenix: Trinity Miler & Anna Sereg Horse & Rider: Alexis Benda

FLL Robotics Competition: Saturday, December 5 at the Clarke High School Beef Weigh-In: Saturday, January 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. Snow date– January 9 4-H Scholarship Deadline: February 1, 2016 Fairboard Soup Supper: Saturday, February 6, 2016 Swine Weigh-In: Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to noon

Sheep/Goat Weigh-In:

Saturday, April 30 from 9a.m. to noon

PT Testing: Saturday, June 18th from 9-11 a.m. 2016 Clarke County Fair: July 18-25