Letter From Janis

Dear 4-H Families:

It's 2012 — Happy New Year! Let's get ready for another great year of 4-H activities and events. Special thanks to all the 4-H clubs that did community service recently.

This newsletter contains lots of dates you'll want to know about. If you have steers or other animals that may need to be tattooed, that information is here, plus info on the Clover Clinic Workshop coming up soon. Other upcoming event dates are also included. Do you like to play games? See the article on our 4-H Game Night.

Thanks for the great turnout at the 4-H Achievement Program in November. Many deserving 4-H members were honored for their hard work.

This newsletter is our way of communicating with every 4-H family in Fulton County, but it's up to you to read it!!! As always, call us at 547-3711 if we can help you in any way to get more out of 4-H. Please read this 4-H newsletter!!!

4-H Party At the YMCA

The 4-H Federation will sponsor a countywide party on Saturday, January 7th, at the Canton YMCA, 1325 East Ash. All 4-H members, leaders, families, and friends are invited to attend.

The party will start at 6:30 p.m. (DO NOT ARRIVE EARLY) and end at 9:30 p.m. Parents must pick up their children by 9:30. Activities will include swimming (7-9 p.m.), volleyball, and board games. Members are encouraged to bring their own board games to play.

There is no charge to attend. However, Federation members ask that you bring money to donate to the Children's Hospital of Illinois and St. Jude's, chosen by Federation as the recipients of our donations this year. A donation can will be at the check-in table -- any amount is welcome. We are not collecting any items, just cash donations.

Each club participating should have at least one chaperone present. Each family attending should bring snacks to share with the group. Drinks and the cost of the YMCA will be paid for by the 4-H Federation.

Cancelled if weather is bad — call before you come if you are unsure, 338-2543 , or listen to WBYS-AM 1560 or WCDD 107.9 FM. Notice would also be posted on the Fulton County 4-H facebook page.

Volunteer Banquet

The Annual Extension and 4-H Volunteer Banquet will be held Thursday, February 23rd, at the Farm Bureau Building in Lewistown.

4-H leaders, council and committee members, Master Gardeners, and other volunteers will receive invitations. Reservations are required by February 16th, by calling 547-3711 or emailing jblout@illinois.edu .

4-H Clover Clinic

This is a multi-county 4-H workshop being held at Illinois Central College in East Peoria on February 18th. We hope lots of Fulton County 4-H members will attend! Click this link for more information and registration forms --

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/downloads/41313.pdf

4-H Federation Meeting

4-H Federation will meet on February 27th, 6 p.m. at the Extension Office. After the business meeting, snacks and an activity will follow. We will be sewing Christmas stockings and writing Christmas cards that will be sent to the troops next Christmas.

We will be done no later than 8 p.m. 4-H Federation is open to 4-H members age 12 and up. Cancelled if weather is bad — call before you come if you are unsure, 547-3711 or 338-2543 , or listen to WBYS-AM 1560 or WCDD 107.9 FM .

4-H Game Night -- Please Come!

4-H Federation will sponsor a Game Night on Saturday, March 24th, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Extension Office in Lewistown. This is open to all 4-H members, leaders, families, and friends.

Bring board games, card games, and even electronic games like Wii, Xbox, etc. We have two TV sets here at the office, so if you are bringing an electronic game that needs a TV, call and let Janis know (547-3711), or email jblout@illinois.edu . Be sure to bring any cords needed to connect them. If you are bringing items of value like the electronic games, you are responsible for the safety of the equipment, so bring them at your own risk.

Bring your family and have a fun time.

Pop and hot chocolate will be provided — please bring snacks to share with the group.

Cancelled if weather is bad — call before you come if you are unsure, 338-2543.

4-H Enrollments

Check with your leader to make sure you are enrolled in the right projects. May 1, 2012 is the deadline for making changes (except for those livestock projects which had a January deadline — see the November/December 4-H Newsletter). Young persons may join 4-H at any time of the year, but to show at the 4-H Shows, they must be enrolled at the County Extension Office by May 1st of each year.

To be a 4-H member in this 2011-12 4-H year, youth must be at least 8 (or in third grade), and not more than 18, as of 9/1/11, which was the first day of this 4-H year.

4-H Program Fee

Again this year, there is a $20 per member 4-H Program Fee. In our county, there is a family (household) cap of $50, meaning that a family (household) will only pay $50 at the most, regardless of how many children are members.

4-H key leaders will receive a statement shortly after May 1st, listing their members and the amount due. The payment from the club will be due June 1st.

It is very important that the due date of June 1st is honored. 4-H key leaders will indicate which families cannot afford the fee, and we will find funds to cover those. No one will be denied membership because of inability to pay.

Some 4-H clubs that have larger treasuries may decide to pay the fees (or a portion) from the club treasury. Some 4-H clubs may receive a donation from a local business that could help pay the fees. Some 4-H clubs will opt to collect it from individual families.

4-H clubs may decide to have fundraisers like bake sales, candy sales, dinners, etc., to raise these funds. It is up to the individual 4-H clubs how they want to handle the collection of the fees. It is up to the clubs whether they collect the fee now or later, but it must be turned in to the Extension Office no later than June 1st.

Junior Leadership Conference

The Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference has the theme this year of "Find the Clue To the Leader In U", and junior high 4-H members can look forward to a weekend of excitement and adventure! This conference is planned especially for our 7th & 8th grade 4-H members! This will be held on February 25-26 at the Holiday Inn in Urbana, Illinois. Registration is ONLINE ONLY at the following site:

https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/default.cfm?RegistrationID=6071

Cost is $125. Deadline to sign up online is January 30th. The conference is limited to the first 90 who register. Lots more information can be found at the website mentioned above.

Great 4-H Debate

The Great 4-H Debate is for high-school age 4-H members, and will be held March 23-24 in Springfield. More information and registration materials will be available soon.

The Great 4-H Debate is a conference for teens from across Illinois to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The Great 4-H Debate is for all high school age youth who are interested in learning about how Illinois state government works.

During the two-day event, youth will:

· Learn about persuasive speaking

· Learn how to find information on the legislative process

· Develop an understanding of the legislative process

· Debate "mock" bills in the Illinois House of Representatives

· Participants will meet youth from across the state and enjoy games and music on Friday night.

Steer Tattoo and Weigh-In Dates

If you want your steer(s) to be eligible for the County Rate of Gain Contest, the Illinois State Fair Junior Show, or the Illinois State Fair Premiere Contest, you must bring your steer(s) to be weighed and tattooed on one of the following dates:

Saturday, February 4, 2012 — At the Fairview Sale Barn, 7:30-10:00 a.m.

Saturday, February 11, 2012 — At the Avcom Park, at the north edge of Avon, from 8:00-10:00 a.m.

No pre-registration is required for either weigh-in, but you must arrive there in the time frame listed.

In the event of extremely severe weather, call 338-2543 those mornings, to see if the weigh-in has been postponed. Any cancellation notice would also be given over WBYS AM, 1560.

Steers must be castrated prior to tattooing. If possible, exhibitors should be present during tattooing. Electronic ear tags will also be used this year.

Each exhibitor will be charged $3.00 per head on the day of the weigh-in for the electronic ear tags. Please bring your check, payable to University of Illinois, with you that day, for the $3.00 per head charge, or bring exact change if using cash. If you are only weighing in the

steer(s) for County Rate of Gain purposes, you don't have to get the tag, but without the tag, your animal will NOT be eligible to go to State Fair Junior Show — and you CANNOT get the tag later.

Each livestock member may nominate up to 10 steers for the State Fair Open and Junior Premiere Classes. Junior Premiere Steers are eligible for the Open Premiere Class, if they are properly entered at the time that State Fair Open entries are made. To qualify, carcasses must grade at least low select, have a yield grade lower than 4.0, and weigh 900 pounds or less. To qualify for State Fair, calves must have been born on or after January 1, 2011. They must be owned and personally cared for by the exhibitor since February 1, 2012.

Barrow Weigh-In and Tattooing

Rules For Barrows —

To be eligible for the County Rate-of-Gain Contest or the Illinois State Fair Premiere Contest, your barrow(s) must be weighed and tattooed before they are 35 days old. All pigs must be tattooed by April 15, 2012. Tattooing of barrows is done at the Extension Office, by appointment only, and must be done by the deadlines listed. Call 547-3711 to schedule an appointment.

For State Fair, all barrows must have been farrowed on or after January 15, 2012. For State Fair Premiere Barrows and County Rate-of Gain Contest, the farrowing date is on or after February 10, 2012.

Barrows must be castrated and ear-notched prior to tattooing. Both purebred and crossbred pigs are eligible. Each exhibitor may nominate a maximum of 25 barrows at the time of tattooing. Pigs cannot weigh more than the equivalent of 1.0 pounds per day of age when tattooed.

Please read the rules and deadlines carefully, and check the age and weight per day of age to determine when you may need to have your barrows weighed and tattooed.

Rabbit Clinic/Workshop

There will be a free Rabbit Clinic on March 17th, in the afternoon, at the Tazewell County Extension Office in Pekin. Speakers from the Rabbit Breeders Association will present information. For more information, email larrysrabbits@hotmail.com, or call 309-348-3118.

Fulton County 4-H Federation Offers College Scholarships

The Fulton County 4-H Federation announces college scholarships being offered to Fulton County 4-H members.

Two or more scholarships, each in the amount of up to $300, will be awarded to county 4-H members at his or her high school graduation or awards program. One of the scholarships is sponsored by 4-H Federation, and another is given in memory of Hilda Rock, by her family. Mrs. Rock was a 4-H leader in the Cuba area for many years. A third scholarship may be funded by Pheasants Forever.

In memory of Roberta Mahr, a devoted former 4-H leader who passed away in 1997, a $100 scholarship will be awarded to a 4-H member. The Roberta Mahr Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by the Farmington Lucky Clovers 4-H Club.

In memory of Merle L. Jenkins, a dedicated supporter of youth in Fulton County, the $150 Merle L. Jenkins Agricultural Scholarship is also available, sponsored by his family.

The Gerald Tarter Memorial Scholarship will be given to honor the memory of Gerald Tarter, who passed away in 2004. Gerald served as a 4-H leader of the Busy Bees 4-H Club for many years, and also was the Beef Cattle Superintendent at the Fulton County Fair for many years. This $300 scholarship will be given to one Fulton County 4-H member who has shown Beef Cattle through the Fulton County 4-H Program.

For each scholarship, the recipient must be a current 4-H member; must also be an achievement member; and must actively participate in 4-H events. The application will include a place for the 4-H member to list accomplishments and career goals. Financial need will not be a factor.

The scholarships will be given to seniors in high school; therefore, these scholarships can only be received once by individuals.

To receive a 4-H Federation Scholarship Application, contact the Fulton County Extension Office at 547-3711, or stop by. The deadline for submitting an application is May 1, 2012.

Weighing and Tattooing Sheep Wethers and Meat Goat Wethers

Lambs for the 2012 Illinois State Fair live and premiere programs will need to be weighed, tattooed, and tagged at a centralized point again this year. Dates and locations will be announced soon. An electronic identification tag will be used on each lamb, as they are being weighed and tattooed. The owner will be charged for the tag. As soon as information is released regarding dates and locations, 4-H sheep families will be notified.

To be eligible for the State Fair Junior Show On-Foot, Junior Show Premiere, or Open Premiere Contest, your wether(s) must be weighed and tattooed between March 15 and May 15, 2012. Ownership of all lambs exhibited at the State Fair must be no later than May 15th. Wethers must be castrated and ear-tagged prior to tattooing. Wethers must have been lambed on or after January 1, 2012. There will not be an ADG requirement for wethers at the 2012 State Fair.

Each exhibitor may nominate a maximum of 10 wethers for the State Fair Junior Show and Premiere classes. ALL wethers for the State Fair Junior Show MUST BE WEIGHED AND TATTOOED. All market ewe lambs must be tattooed and tagged, but need not be weighed.

State Fair Junior Show Meat Goat Wethers must be registered and tattooed in the name of the exhibitor only by May 15, 2012, and will be done at the same locations/dates as the sheep, which will be announced soon.

Sewing Classes

Sharon Spangler, Checkrow Volunteers 4-H Leader, will be teaching Sewing Classes for beginner and more advanced levels, on Saturday afternoons beginning some time in January. These will be held at the Checkrow Church Fellowship Hall, near Bushnell. Call Sharon for more information or to sign up, 926-7321.

Community Service Project

Information is being sent to the key leaders about a unit-wide (four counties) community service project, to make Birthday Bags for children whose families are having financial hardships. This is optional, of course, but we hope lots of you will participate. Ask your 4-H leader for more information.

Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship

The Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship, sponsored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation, offers $1,000 scholarships. Currently enrolled 4-H members who are seniors in high school or already college age may apply. Three years of 4-H enrollment in 4-H livestock projects and focus on an agricultural degree and career are required. Applications are due postmarked by March 1, 2012. Go to this website for more information, or call the Extension Office for a paper copy —

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/recognition_scholarships.cfm

Sheep Essay Contest

The Illinois Montadale Sheep Breeders Association is sponsoring its first annual essay contest, and will be awarding a Montadale ewe lamb to the winner. The contest is open to Illinois 4-H or FFA members under the age of 18 and not currently raising Montadale sheep. The lamb will be presented to the essay winner at the annual Illinois Montadale Breeders picnic held in June. The winning essay will also be published in the spring edition of the 2012 "Montadale Momentum" magazine.

The essay should describe why the contestant would like a Montadale ewe lamb, future plans for the lamb, and how they will care for it. Essays will be judged on their content and age appropriateness. The winner will be expected to exhibit the lamb at the 2012 Illinois State Fair Junior show.

Entries should be sent to John Coers, P.O. Box 78, New Holland, IL 62671 by February 1st, 2012. Please include the entrant's name, address, phone number, age and 4-H club or FFA chapter name.

Legacy Of Leadership Scholarship

The State 4-H Legacy of Leadership Scholarship is merit-based, and is available to 4-H members who are high school seniors, or in their last year of 4-H membership. Additional information about the scholarship is available at:

http://my.extension.uiuc.edu/documents/8110512111211/L%20of%20L%20Scholarship%20Application%20-%20Revised%202011.pdf

The deadline for making this application is March 1st. Copies of the scholarship application are available at the Extension Office or at the above listed website.

Radon Poster Contest

Students ages 9 to 14 are eligible to enter the annual National Radon Poster Contest. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can reach dangerous levels in buildings. The contest aims to raise awareness so that families can protect themselves. The American Lung Association in IL, the Ecology Action Center, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Radon Program, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Southern Illinois Radon Awareness Task Force, and University of Illinois Extension are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to sponsor the Illinois portion of the contest. The 1st place winner in the nation will receive $1000. There are additional cash prizes for national and Illinois winners. Posters are due to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency on or before March 1, 2012. For more information, visit http:// takeactiononradon.illinois.edu/resources/contest, e-mail cindy.ladage@illinois.gov or call 800-325- 1245. The University of Illinois Extension radon web site includes rules, submission forms and fact sheets to educate students.

Peoria County 4-H Lock-In

Peoria County 4-H is inviting Fulton County 4-H members to their annual 4-H Lock-In, scheduled for February 3-4, 2012. Cost is $17 per person. This fun event is sponsored by the Peoria County 4-H Federation. For a registration form, call the Fulton County Extension Office, 547-3711, or email jblout@illinois.edu .

For leaders & parents who would like to help chaperone this fun event -- there is no registration fee to chaperone the lock-in, but there is a fee for the movie. Also, they are required to have completed volunteer forms (including the overnight chaperone form) on file at the Extension Office. Don't wait until the last minute to complete these forms, because they take a couple of weeks to process.

All chaperones must have taken the Overnight Chaperone course online at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hchaperone/

4-H House Sorority

Are you a female member of 4-H, interested in attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign next year? If so, 4-H House Cooperative Sorority could be the perfect home-away-from-home for you while attending college! 4-H House provides an economical, fun, relaxed living environment with other girls who, like you, have been active in 4-H related activities.

If 4-H House sounds like it would be a great fit for you, do not hesitate to contact our Interviewing Chair, Hannah Henkel, at (217)344-4784 or by email at hen-kel1@illinois.edu.

Also, check us out at www.4hhouse.com! We look forward to hearing from you!

Club Treasurer Book Online

The State 4-H office has created an online version of the 4-H Treasurer's book. If you are a club Treasurer and prefer to use the computer, then check out this new resource.

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/downloads/40631.pdf

Great American NO BULL Challenge

Be sure to read about the Great American NO BULL Challenge in the Illinois Leader section of this newsletter. Cyberbullying needs to end.

Ag Literacy Fundraiser Dinner

The Fulton County Ag Literacy Committee will hold a fundraiser Chicken and Noodle dinner at the Farm Bureau Building in Lewistown on Friday, January 13th to support Ag In the Classroom programs.

Dinner will be served from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and carryouts will be available. The meal will include homemade chicken and noodles, real mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and drink. A variety of homemade desserts will also be available, included in the price of the meal.

Charge for the meal is $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 5 to 12 years of age. Kids under 5 eat for FREE!

Tickets can be purchased at the door. All proceeds will go to benefit the Fulton County Ag Literacy Program, which is a partnership of area groups and individuals that fund Ag In the Classroom activities.

Call the Farm Bureau Office at 547-3011 for more information.

Missed Radio Programs

If your club had to cancel its 4-H radio program recording, please call Janis at 547-3711 to reschedule for another time. 4-H clubs are asked to share in this responsibility just once a year.

4-H Night With the Peoria Rivermen

The Peoria Rivermen are hosting a 4-H Night on February 11^th. All 4-Hers and their families are invited to attend. There is also a free Hockey 101 Clinic prior to the game for all 4-Hers and their friends. Tickets are $10 for Upper Bowl and $15 for Lower Bowl. Ticket order deadline is February 3^rd. Call the Extension Office for a ticket order form, 547-3711.

Illinois Leader pages

Click on this link to see the current edition of the Illinois Leader, published by the State 4-H Office. Both 4-H members and leaders will find valuable information here --

http://my.extension.uiuc.edu/documents/8111711111111/December%202011-January%202012.pdf

4-H Calendar

January

7 4-H Party at the YMCA, 6:30-9:30 p.m. -- see article

8 Avondale 4-H Club Radio Program, 6:03 a.m.

13 Chicken and Noodle Fundraising Dinner for Ag In the Classroom, 4-7 p.m., Farm Bureau Building

16 Extension Office closed for Martin Luther King Day

29 Big Ten 4-H Club Radio Program, 6:03 a.m.

February

3-4 Peoria County 4-H Lock-In (Fulton County 4-H invited)

4 Weigh in steers at Fairview Sale Barn, 7:30-10:00 a.m.

11 Weigh in steers at Avon, 8:00-10:00 a.m., Avcom Park

11 4-H Night at the Peoria Rivermen Hockey

18 4-H Clover Clinic at Illinois Central College, East Peoria

19 Canton Luckettes 4-H Club Radio Program

20 Extension and 4-H Volunteer Banquet

25-26 Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference, Urbana

27 4-H Federation Meeting, 6 p.m. at the Extension Office

March

11 Summum Handy Helpers 4-H Club Radio Program, 6:03 a.m.

17 Rabbit Workshop in Pekin, see article

23-24 Great 4-H Debate, Springfield

24 4-H Game Night, 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office

April

1 Fairview Huskies 4-H Club Radio Program, 6:03 a.m.

22 Country Bloopers 4-H Club Radio Program, 6:03 a.m.

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June 23rd — 4-H Sewing and Textiles Show at the Extension Office

July 14th — 4-H General Show at Living Springs Gym

Extension Office Hours

The Fulton County Extension Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed during the lunch hour, 12 noon to 1 p.m. The answering machine is left on when we are out of the office, or when we are away from the phone. Our office is located in the lower level of the Farm Bureau Building, on the north edge of Lewistown.

If you are a person who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in any of the listed programs or events, contact Janis Blout at University of Illinois Extension, Fulton County Office, phone 309-547-3711.

Cancellation Notices

If we need to close the office or cancel an activity due to weather, we will make the announcement over WBYS-AM 1560 or WCDD 107.9 FM . It would also be posted on the Fulton County 4-H facebook page.