1625 Adventureland Drive Suite A, Altoona, Iowa 50009 | 515-957-5760 | Monday—Friday 8:00-5:00

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

1625 Adventureland Drive Suite A, Altoona, Iowa 50009 | 515-957-5760 | Monday—Friday 8:00-5:-00

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/POLK

Twenty-two youth from Dallas, Madison, Polk, and Warren County retreated to Wesley Woods in Indianola for two days to form friendships, enhance communication, and build leadership. Two Polk County 4-H’ers, Alleman Aces’ Bray-den Weldon and Valley Pacers’ Jessica Bigelow, attended, and one Polk County 4-H’er, Open Opportunities’ Ellen Sattler, facilitated 4-H Cranium. Ellen (left) created 4-H Cranium with Iowa-specific 4-H facts. She’s also shared her game with Region 13 volunteers and a Madison Co. 4-H club. Ellen received permission from Cranium to title her game 4-H Cranium. Brady (center) shared his favorite YOLO tidbit: getting to know fellow 4-H’er Jessica better. His YOLO take-away: leader-ship affects almost every project area. His take-away from speaker Jodie Beach: be prepared and professional when applying for a job and filling out a resume. Jessica (right) shared her favorite YOLO tidbit: all the different leadership games we played. I found games that I abso-lutely loved and others that challenged me and required me to think outside the box. I also loved meeting everyone from the different counties who share the same passion: a LOVE of 4-H. Her YOLO take-away: by participating in YOLO, I will take all the different games we played back to my club. We played a lot of good teamwork and communication games that I think will definitely help my club work together better.

CLOVER POWER JANUARY 2016

POLK COUNTY EXTENSION

KATIE BEARY County Youth Coordinator kbeary@iastate.edu (515) 957-5771

CARLA VANDERHEIDEN Youth & Nutrition Internal Coordinator carlav@iastate.edu (515) 957-5763

MARCI VINSAND County Youth Coordinator vinsand@iastate.edu (515) 957-5770

YOUTH outstandingly LEAD ONWARD

WANTED: POLK COUNTY FAIR THEME

Focus

2016 POLK COUNTY FAIR DATES CP SUBMISSION DEADLINES July 20-25, 2016 Email submissions for Clover Power to Marci and Katie,

especially if you send on deadline day. For February, submit by 1/27/16

For March, submit by 2/25/16

For April, submit by 3/29/16

For May, submit by 4/26/16

For June, submit by 5/26/16

For July, submit by 6/28/16

For August, submit by 7/27/16

The Polk County Fair Board wants your help creating the theme for the 2016 Polk County 4-H & FFA Fair. A club, small

group, or individual can submit a theme and logo. Please submit an electronic copy of a logo with your theme to Marci

by Tuesday, January 19, 2016.

ROCK YOUR RECORD BOOK!

events

CLOVER KID LEADERS & COCOA SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY

Learn about record keeping on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Extension office!

Register: http://goo.gl/forms/5mh8Xx44b7

9:00-10:00 am | NEW! OBBR Swine Record Book Project with Cristen Clark OBBR Project Mission: celebrate 4-H’ers who have raised a sow, bred her, farrowed her pigs, and raised them to show. This project is a comprehensive look at the hard work and dedication it takes to raise pigs for the county fair; it cele-brates the ‘process’ and what this type of work does to enhance the lives of project participants. This is a special swine project that is half animal care, half record keeping. There will be an OBBR Project class at the 2016 Polk County Fair with Novice (grades 4-7) and Advanced (grades 8-12) divisions. A specially crafted record book must be submitted prior to the fair in order for a youth to show in the OBBR Project. Sponsored monetary awards will be given for division win-ners. If you think you might participate in this project, take farrowing pictures and detailed notes! Attend this meeting to learn more about the OBBR Project and special record book requirements.

10:00 am-12:00 pm| Rockin’ Your Record Book

Rubrics and forms have been revamped for the 2015-16 year! Join us at this workshop to learn about the revamped ‘15-16 rubric, ‘15-16 record keeping forms, Livestock Record Keeping App, goal setting, and digital record books! Aly and Isabelle Ramer will share how to create a digital record book using Google Sites, and Katie Beary will share how to cre-ate a digital record book using Wix. Bart Weldon will explore the Livestock Record Keeping App, and Ellen Sattler and Jamie Hoss will share the news about the new rubrics and forms. Attendees will also learn how to write an ART goal!

Please register; we plan to organize the workshop’s format based on the number of attendees: http://goo.gl/forms/5mh8Xx44b7

*In the event of crazy weather on January 9, look at our Polk County 4-H Facebook page for a cancellation notice.

Clover Kid leaders, gather ‘round the table with a hot

cup of cocoa and share what you’re doing! Join us on

Tuesday, January 12 from 6:00-7:00 pm at the Extension

office. Bring activities to share and questions to ask fel-

low leaders. This is an informal gathering to foster more

ideas for your club. Email Katie if you want your activity/

idea handouts printed.

Capture brilliant photos with Meredith’s Matt Strelecki

on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the Johnston Public

Library. There are three sessions, each limited to ten 4-H

members. There are a few spots left in each session:

10:00-11:00 am, 11:30 am-12:30pm, 1:00-2:00 pm. It’s

free to attend but donations will be taken to support

those affected by the Paris attacks. Register: http://

goo.gl/forms/RMUrht9nGC

SWEET, GLUTEN-FREE TREATS!

Events CONT’D Learn about gluten-free baking with Rebecca on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 9:30-11:30 am at Meredith Middle

School in Des Moines (4827 Madison Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310). You will also learn how to write an effective baking

goal in preparation for the fair! Details: 16 4-H/Clover Kid members can attend; the cost is $6 per youth (due 2/13/16)

Register: http://goo.gl/forms/e2ugn4TZ0C

PANERA BAKERS IN TRAINING Join us on March 17, 2016 at Panera at 5525 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA at 2:30 pm for a Baker in Training workshop! The workshop is for youth 6-12 years old. The cost is $20 per child and can be paid at the time of the event at the bak-ery-cafe. Each child will receive a baking hat and apron, score and bake their very own French Baguette (as well as one to donate!), enjoy milk and a cookie, and take home a Baker's Certificate to remember the day. The workshop is limited to 10 kids. Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NMjLT12-4hbOHgfKGPtYdMrvc3uwX8nENEwHAQINd2w/viewform

GIVING BACK TO BIRD’S NEST

spotlight RED KETTLES & RINGIN’ BELLS

Bondurant Go-Getters 4-H Club meets at the Bird’s Nest

each month, free of charge, and enjoys giving back by

donating craft supplies. Pictured below: Bird’s Nest rep-

resentative Jill Sullivan, Bird’s Nest friends, and Bondu-

rant Go-Getters.

Beaver Creek and Open Opportunities 4-H clubs joined efforts to ring bells for the Salvation Army.

BLUE RIBBON FAIR

Congratulations to the Polk County Fair Board and Polk County 4-H & FFA Fair for receiving the Blue Ribbon Fair Award!

CITIZENSHIP WASHINGTON FOCUS (CWF) 2016

classifieds Experience leadership and citizenship on a higher level with this epic opportunity on June 10-18, 2016. Trip highlights include the Flight 93 Museum, Gettysburg Battlefield, Capitol Hill, Smithsonian Museum, Mount Vernon, and the Holo-caust Museum. Youth will also meet with the Iowa Congressional and Senate delegations to discuss legislative issues. In addition to tours and workshops, 4-H'ers will socialize and meet new friends!

The cost of the trip is $1,570. This includes lodging, transportation, tour site admissions, and most meals. Registration and a $510 deposit will be required to secure a spot. Space is limited. Registration deadline: January 4, 2016. To learn more about the trip and view registration information, visit: www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/cwf.

STATE 4-H AWARD APPLICATION HELP State 4-H Awards: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/recognition-opportunities

Katie and Marci are happy to help you complete your forms. At January’s County Council meeting, Katie will talk about successful application writing. If you plan to submit an application and want to attend, please join us at the Polk County Extension Office January 6 at 7:00 pm.

CONSERVATION & AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS

Conservation Districts of Iowa is sponsoring the conservation and agriculture scholarships again in 2016. The scholar-ships are offered to graduating Iowa high school seniors for their first year of education on the college level pursuing programs of study in any field of agriculture or natural resources. Three scholarships will be awarded on the state level in the amounts of $4,000; $3,000; and $2,000. Polk County seniors should submit their application to the Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, 1513 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ste. 3, Ankeny, IA 50023 no later than January 30, 2016. The 2016 scholarship application, judging criteria and selection process are available online at http://www.cdiowa.org

In addition to the above scholarship opportunity, Polk County graduating seniors are also eligible to apply for the Larry Beeler Memorial Scholarship Fund. That application process can also be found at the Conservation Districts of Iowa website. For any questions contact the Polk Soil & Water Conservation District at 515-964-1883 x 3.

IOWA 4-H FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

The Iowa 4-H Foundation has announced applications are now available for its 4-H scholarship program. Approximately 82 scholarship opportunities valued at over $75,350 will be awarded. The various scholarship awards range in amounts from $500 to $3,500. Some of the scholarships are open to students pursuing any field of study, while others are open to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food and nutrition, ag business, animal science, and journalism. Former and current 4-H members graduating from high school or currently attending college are eligible applicants.

Katie and Marci are happy to help you complete your applications.

S.T.E.M. IN BEEF

ROCK YOUR RECORD BOOK!

Animal & Livestock news

WEIGH-IN DATES

Learn about record keeping on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Extension office!

Register: http://goo.gl/forms/5mh8Xx44b7

9:00-10:00 am | NEW! OBBR Swine Record Book Project with Cristen Clark OBBR Project Mission: celebrate 4-H’ers who have raised a sow, bred her, farrowed her pigs, and raised them to show. This project is a comprehensive look at the hard work and dedication it takes to raise pigs for the county fair; it cele-brates the ‘process’ and what this type of work does to enhance the lives of project participants. This is a special swine project that is half animal care, half record keeping. There will be an OBBR Project class at the 2016 Polk County Fair with Novice (grades 4-7) and Advanced (grades 8-12) divisions. A specially crafted record book must be submitted prior to the fair in order for a youth to show in the OBBR Project. Sponsored monetary awards will be given for division win-ners. If you think you might participate in this project, take farrowing pictures and detailed notes! Attend this meeting to learn more about the OBBR Project and special record book requirements.

10:00 am-12:00 pm| Rockin’ Your Record Book

Rubrics and forms have been revamped for the 2015-16 year! Join us at this workshop to learn about the revamped ‘15-16 rubric, ‘15-16 record keeping forms, Livestock Record Keeping App, goal setting, and digital record books! Aly and Isabelle Ramer will share how to create a digital record book using Google Sites, and Katie Beary will share how to cre-ate a digital record book using Wix. Bart Weldon will explore the Livestock Record Keeping App, and Ellen Sattler and Jamie Hoss will share the news about the new rubrics and forms. Attendees will also learn how to write an ART goal!

Please register; we plan to organize the workshop’s format based on the number of attendees: http://goo.gl/forms/5mh8Xx44b7

*In the event of crazy weather on January 9, look at our Polk County 4-H Facebook page for a cancellation notice.

Join us on Saturday, January 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the beautiful Ellsworth Community College Agri-culture and Renewable Energy Center in Iowa Falls for “S.T.E.M. in BEEF”! Youth will learn how Science, Tech-nology, Engineering, and Math are involved with beef production. Cost is $5.00 per person and includes lunch. This also qualifies as FSQA certification!

You don’t have to be a beef project member to join the fun while learning more about raising and producing beef. The registration form can be found at Franklin County Extension http://www.extension.iastate.edu/franklin/4h. For more information contact CYC Jackie Dohlman at jackied@iastate.edu or call 641-456-4811.

Please mark your calendars with the following weigh-in dates: Swine – Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 8:00-11:00 am at Don Timmin’s Farm

Sheep and Meat Goats – Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 8:00-11:00 am at the Iowa State Fair Grounds Sheep Barn

Animal & Livestock news Cont’D

THE IOWA DAIRY GOAT ASSOCIATION SHARE-A-KID PROGRAM Each year the Iowa Dairy Goat Association (IDGA) promotes interest in dairy goats in our state. One of the ways IDGA encourages our young people in this aspect of agriculture is through the Share-A-Kid program. Winners of the Share-A-Kid program receive a free doeling, as well as one year of free membership in IDGA. Winning applicants are selected from the essays and supporting material (such as photos/artwork, etc) that they send in. This statewide contest is open to those between the ages of 10 and 17 and who are a member of IDGA, 4-H, FFA, or other agricultural groups. IDGA can only award one goat per family per year; however, siblings are encouraged to ap-ply. Entries are accepted from January 1 to March 15, 2016, and winners are notified by the end of April. Winners are re-quired to show their animal at a county fair or open class goat show and to stay in touch with their appointed mentor with updates every two weeks. More information and the application form can be found by visiting www.iowadairygoat.org and following the "Youth" link from the homepage.

LIVESTOCK ID’S ALL livestock ID’s will be done through 4-H Online (iowa.4honline.com) Non weigh-in species’ ID’s are due by May 15 (they can also be done today!). To enter non weigh-in species, you will need to log into your 4-H Online family record and add the pertinent Animal ID’s to the member record. Weigh-In animals will be entered into 4-H online by county extension staff. It will be the responsibility of the members to log into 4-H Online to verify that all information is correct within one week of the weigh-in date. Infor-mation that is not verified by the members within the verification timeframe will be locked and will not be able to be changed after that date. If you have questions about this process, contact Marci at 957-5770 or vinsand@iastate.edu

FSQA (FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY ASSURANCE) ELIGIBILITY All food-producing livestock exhibitors currently in 4-6th grades are required to attend FSQA training. 4-H’ers currently in 7-9th grades will be eligible to take the intermediate test, and 4-H’ers in 10-12th grades will be eligible to take the senior test. These eligibilities are no longer tied to the 4-Her’s age. This training includes exhibitors in Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, and Rabbit project areas; additionally, the train-ing includes breeding divisions of the above exhibits. Polk County will be offering FSQA Training from 6:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 and 1:00-3:00 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. These are currently the only two sessions scheduled for Polk County. Please sign up at http://goo.gl/forms/oecW0p4EHR

CLOVER KID LEADERS & COCOA: JANUARY 12

Attention: leaders! Clover Kid leaders, gather ‘round the table with a hot cup of cocoa and share what you’re doing! Join us on Tuesday, January 12 from 6:00-7:00 pm at the Extension office. Bring activities to share and questions to ask fellow leaders. This is an informal gathering to foster more ideas for your club. Email Katie if you want your activity/idea handouts printed.

RISK MANAGEMENT RULES ARE FROZEN SOLID

New leaders and co-leaders, have you attended New Volunteer (Leader) Training? This two-part orientation takes place at the Polk County Extension Office January 19 and 26 from 6:00-9:00 pm. This is a one-time orientation that explores 4-H philosophy and sends you home with concrete activities. It is required! Register today: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/training-registration-new-volunteers

NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING: JANUARY 19 & 26

2016 STATE VOLUNTEER RETREAT: FEBRUARY 5-6

The annual State Volunteer Retreat is February 5-6, 2016 at Iowa State University. This FREE retreat is designed as a train-the-trainer event and participants are encouraged to use information from the sessions to teach 4-H members in their clubs and counties. The deadline to register is Friday, January 22. Register now to get your choice of workshops! http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/state-volunteer-retreat

ANNUAL TRAINING FOR POLK COUNTY VOLUNTEERS: FEBRUARY 11 Mark your calendar! The 2015/2016 Annual Volunteer Training: The HEART of Community will be held in February at the Polk County Extension office. We will host two sessions that day: 1:00-3:00 pm and 6:30-8:30 pm. Volunteers in this session will be prepared to help youth find their voices as they become actively engaged in their communities. The session will include resources and models to incorporate mastery, belonging, generosity, and independence as you include citizenship activities in 4-H settings. Plan to attend February 11; in the event of snow, plan on February 15.

If you plan a winter activity i.e. sledding, every club member must fill out the Winter Sports Waiver: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4hfiles/RMIowa4HWinterSportsPermissionAgreementJan2010.pdf

Other Risk Management Reminders: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/4-h-risk-management

CP SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Email submissions for Clover Power to Marci and Katie, especially if you send on deadline day. For February, submit by 1/27/16

For March, submit by 2/25/16

For April, submit by 3/29/16

For May, submit by 4/26/16

For June, submit by 5/26/16

For July, submit by 6/28/16

For August, submit by 7/27/16

… and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Calendar 2016 January

1 Office Closed, Happy New Year!

4 Deadline to register for CWF

5 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm

6 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm

9 Record Keeping Workshop (Parents, Youth & Leaders) 12 Clover Kid Leaders & Cocoa 6:00-7:00 pm

16 4-H Smartphone Photography Workshop 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm

18 Office Closed

19 New Leader Training 6:00-9:00 pm (Part one of two) 20 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm

26 New Leader Training 6:00-9:00 pm (Part two of two)

February 1 State Award Applications Due

1 Scholarship Applications Due

2 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm

3 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm 13 Sweet Gluten-Free Treats! 9:30-11:30 am

17 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm 27 Pillowcase Sewing Workshop Time TBD

March

1 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm

2 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm

8 FSQA Training 6:00 – 8:00 pm

15 FSQA Training 1:00 – 3:00 pm

16 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm

17 Panera Bakers in Training 2:30 pm

April 5 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm

6 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm

16 Swine Weigh-In 8:00-11:00 am

20 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm

28 Leader Meeting 1:00–3:00 pm or 6:30–8:30 pm

30 Sheep and Meat Goat Weigh-In 8:00-11:00 am

May

3 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm

4 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm

15 Livestock ID’s Due in 4-H Online

15 Last Day to Enroll in 4-H (if you plan to exhibit/show at fair) 15 Polk County Fair King and Queen Applications Due

18 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm

30 Office Closed

… and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Calendar 2016 CONT’d June

4 King and Queen Candidate Interviews

7 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm

8 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm

10-18 Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Trip

15 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm

22-25 Region 13 Taste of Camp

TBA Intermediate Trip, tentatively the week of June 13

TBA Photography Camp

TBA State 4-H Conference

July

1 Polk County & Iowa State Fair Entries Due to Extension Office

4 Office Closed

5 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm

6 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm

9 Clothing Event

13 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm

20-25 Polk County Fair

August

11-21 Iowa State Fair

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