A Note From Christine

I'm sure everyone is eager to get started on their 4-H projects for exhibition this summer. Many of you may have already started. 2012 4-H show books have been distributed to leaders. If you have not received your show book, check with your leader. Be sure to closely review your project requirements in the 2012 4-H Show Book, as there have been changes. Check in the newsletter about 4-H Federation, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids and many other 4-H opportunities.

For the first time, Mason County 4-H'ers will be charged a program fee. This year the fee is $20 per member. 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.

Clubs may decide to have fundraiser e.g., bake sales, candy sales, dinners etc. to raise these funds. It is up to individual clubs to decide how to collect the fees. Key leaders will receive a statement in May, listing their members and the amount due. If you have questions or need more information, please contact your club leader or call me at the Extension office 309.543.3308.

This newsletter is our way of communicating with all of our 4-H families in Mason County, but it's up to you to read it. Have a good summer!

2012 Mason County Fair Orientation ... Monday, June 18 at the Mason County Fairgrounds - 6:30 p.m.

Are you a little confused by the Fair? If so, plan to attend the Mason County Fair Orientation.

The TWO Shows (4-H Show and Mason County Jr. Show) will be holding a Fair Orientation, to work with our newer 4-H members and families to inform them of the process of getting ready for the fair. Our newer members and families are strongly encouraged to attend this event, but all are welcome.

· Project Release Time

· Ribbons, Plaques, State Fair Delegates

· 4-H & Jr. Show Premiums

· Livestock Requirements

· Other Fair Responsibilities

· Fair Fun

FIND OUT ABOUT ...

· Entry forms – There are TWO!

· Deadlines

· Project Requirements

· Exhibit Tags

· Project Check In

· Conference Judging

Call Christine at the Mason County Extension Office by Friday, June 15 to get signed up.

Unit Wide Federation Outing

Will be held at Summits Edge in Morton on Saturday, June 9. Information will be mailed as it becomes available to federation members.

For more information about activities at Summits Edge go to:

http://www.thesummitsedge.com

On Tuesday, June 26, federation members will have the opportunity to volunteer at the Midwest Food Bank in Peoria.

Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification

A newly revised Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification (QAEC) website has been launched. Starting in 2013, 4-Hers are expected to review the website to earn their certificate of completion requirement in order to stay enrolled in the livestock project area. The website has been updated by Dan Jennings, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, Animal Systems.

You can visit the website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/qaec/

Dog Obedience School Offered

- University of Illinois Extension in Fulton County will again offer a Dog Obedience School for both youth and adult owners and their dogs.

The sessions will begin on May 21^st at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Lewistown, beginning at 6:00 pm in the Cattle Arena. The eight sessions will be instructed by Jane Chapin of Cuba, and will be held on the following dates: May 21; June 4, 11, 18, 25, and July 2, 9, and 16. All dates are Mondays. No class will be held on May 28, Memorial Day.

Your dog must be at least six months of age, and have all its shots up to date, including an immunization for Parvo Virus. You must submit a copy of the rabies slip with the registration form. You will also have to purchase a choke chain collar and a six-foot leather lead strap. The trainer must be able to control his or her own dog, and only one handler per dog can participate in this eight-week session. Pit bulls are not allowed.

A registration fee ($25 for youth 8-18, $30 for adults) will cover the eight weeks of training. To participate, you must register with the Extension Office in Lewistown by May 18. Call the Fulton County Extension Office at 309-547-3711 to receive an application form, or go to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/downloads/42520.pdf

If you are a person who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Janis Blout at the number in the previous paragraph.

Margaret & Carl Bartels Memorial Award

- Applications to be completed by eligible 4-H member.

Recipients must be a 4-H member for at least 5 years, with the last 3 years of enrollment in Mason county. You must be a high school senior planning to pursue higher education i.e. college, junior college, vocational or technical school, health or medical profession. Application form need to be completed by the eligible 4-H member. Forms will be mailed to those eligible. Applications are due to the Extension Office by July 2.

Each winner will receive a $100 savings bond: up to 4 awards will be presented Wednesday evening of the Mason County Fair.

Illini Summer Academies June 24-27

- The Illini Summer Academies return this year to the U of I campus in Champaign. High school students age 14-18 by 9/1/2012 are invited to attend. Academies will provide teens with opportunities to explore the campus; study potential careers or leadership skills; and meet youth from across the state. Topics include: Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Art & Design, Bioengineering, Crop Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Leadership, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Physics, and Veterinary Medicine. For more information and to register go to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/events/summeracademies.cfm

Early-bird registration fees are available until April 15. Regular registration closes on May 23, 2012.

Statewide Youth Leadership Opportunities

llinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee 4-H Representatives - Open to 17-19 year olds with an interest in agriculture. Two youth are selected for the August 1, 2012 – July 31,2013 term. Youth must be able to attend meetings in Bloomington during the week. Details are provided on the application, available at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/leadership_ifbye.cfm. Application deadline is June 13.

llinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team – Open to 16-19 year olds who wish to make a difference in the Illinois 4-H program. Two-year terms. Geographic representation from across the state is considered. More information on YLT and the application can be found at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/leadership_sylt.cfm. Applications will be due mid-June for interviews at Illini Summer Academies or August 1 at State Fair.

Fair News

The New 2012 4-H Show Books have been distributed to clubs, so by now most 4-H families should have a copy. If you do not have one yet, please contact your 4-H leader or call the Extension Office. It's also posted in the 4-H section of our website. We recommend that you discard old show books to eliminate confusion concerning exhibit requirements. 2012 4-H show entries forms will be mailed to 4-H member in June. 4-H Show Entry Deadline is Monday, July 2.

Fair Superintendent Meeting for those volunteers that are Superintendents during fair week, July 23– 26, will be held on Tuesday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the food stand on the fairgrounds. It is strongly encouraged that superintendents attend this meeting to receive important information concerning your areas.

Clean Up Day at the Fairgrounds for all superintendents and assistants that will be helping at the Mason County Fair July 23 – 26, will be held on Thursday, July 19 at 8:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided! All club leaders and members are encouraged to come help us get ready for the Mason County Fair. Wear old clothes and bring your brooms, buckets and rags.

Show Helpers Needed! Adults, please call the Extension Office if you would like to help as a superintendent on General Show Day, Monday, July 23. Also, older 4-H members are needed to be 4-H Helpers that day. 4-H Helpers must be able to accurately and carefully assist the 4-H Superintendents with recording ratings, preparing ribbons, etc.

State Fair Premium Books are available online again this year. The website is: http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/premium/ . Our office will print off sections that you need, if you are unable to access this information from your home. 4-H members must be 10 by September 1, 2011, in order to participate in the 2012 State Fair Junior Show.

2012 4-H Federation Food Stand Schedule for Mason County Fair

Monday July 25

Peaceful Valley 7 – 11 a.m.

Happy Handful 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Happy Handful 3 – 7 p.m.

Tuesday July 26

OPEN 7 – 11 a.m.

OPEN 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

OPEN 3 – 7 p.m.

Wednesday July 27

OPEN 7 – 11 a.m.

OPEN 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

OPEN 3 – 7 p.m.

Thursday July 28

OPEN 7 – 11 a.m.

OPEN 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Please contact Christine at (309) 543-3308 or email cbelless@illinois.edu to secure a spot for your club to work in the food stand during the Mason County Fair. Proceeds from the food stand go to help support the 4-H program in Mason County.

Farm Safety Day Camp

4-H Award Applications Due August 27

4-H award applications are due Monday, August 27 by 4:30 pm in the Extension Office. Late applications will not be judged. The deadline is always the last Monday in August. Award application forms may be picked up at the Extension Office at any time. Applications can also be found on line at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/mason4h/2179.html

Rules and guidelines for completing Award Applications are found in the back section of the 4-H Show Book. Award winners from these applications will receive awards at the Achievement Program in November.

Important Leader Note

- At the end of the 4-H year (8/31), you must turn in your club's 4-H Treasurer's record book (unless you do not have a treasury) and the 4-H Secretary's book to the Extension Office. This is required by the state. These MUST be turned in. There are IRS and other rules that mandate this, and it is not optional.

2nd Annual 4-H State Fair Online

- An additional state-level judging opportunity and chance to share what you've learned in 4-H with the broader public!!!

•Contribute to a collection of videos and maps on the internet that show the broader public what 4-H youth are learning and doing in their communities

•Practice your technology skills and prepare to participate in a tech-infused workplace

•Qualify for exciting prizes! All participants will receive ribbons, as well as feedback and recognition on the

4-H State Fair Online website.

Who: Open to all Illinois 4-H members who meet state fair age requirements (at least 10 years of age by September 1, 2011.) No county-level selection process is required.

When: All exhibits must be posted online by noon, August 1, 2012.

•Exhibit judging will be conducted online through interactive website (Aug. 1-10th.)

•Winners announced on Saturday, August 11th, at the Illinois 4-h Family event on the IL State Fairgrounds.

•Entries will be made available for public viewing in the Exposition Building on a daily basis.

Entries from the 2011 Illinois 4-H State Fair Online can be viewed at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/4hstatefaironline/ Updates on the 2012 event will be posted on this website later this spring. Details on 2012 entries can be found in the 2012 General 4-H Exhibit – Illinois State Fair guidelines. Related classes include My 4-H Project Video and My 4-H Project Map.

Flip Video Camera Available

- The Extension Office has a Flip Video camera that we can loan out to 4-H members that do not have access to a camcorder to do their SF Online video. Members may check it out for a few days to record your video. Editing and such will have to be done on your computer. Please contact the Extension Office to reserve the camera or for any questions you may have

T-shirt Fun Day

Wednesday, June 20th

9 a.m. (done by noon or before)

at the Extension Office in Lewistown

No cost to attend — but pre-registration is required by June 18th.

(Call 547-3711 or email jblout@illinois.edu )

You do not have to belong to 4-H to attend, so bring a friend!

You can choose from several project options — You can do more than one if you want to —

You can turn one T-shirt into a tank-top, with some simple machine sewing. You can bring more than one T-shirt if you want. If you choose this option, you will probably be done in about one hour.

Another option is to take two T-shirts and turn them into a pillow, which will involve some simple machine sewing, ironing, and then stuffing with fiberfill. If you choose this option, you will probably be done in about one to one and a half hours.

The other option involves taking several (about a dozen) T-shirts and making a rug out of them, using a hula hoop as your loom. You would work on the project until around noon, then if you were not done yet, you would be able to finish it at home with instructions we would give you.

You can choose as many options as you want — Please fill out the form below, or call 547-3711, or email jblout@illinois.edu by June 18th if you want to attend!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name___________________________ Phone____________________Age___________

Check as many as you want —

_____ I want to turn my T-shirt into a tank top. (Bring one or more T-shirts.)

_____I want to turn my T-shirts into a rug (Bring about a dozen T-shirts and a hula hoop.)

_____I want to turn my T-shirts into a pillow (Bring two T-shirts.)

Register by June 18th by calling 547-3711, emailing jblout@illinois.edu, or sending this form to

Fulton County Extension Office, 15411 N IL 100 Hwy, Lewistown, IL 61542.

Calendar of Events

May

1 4-H enrollment deadline to show at the 2012 Mason County 4-H Shows & Horse papers due

21 Dog Obedience School begins at Fulton County Fairgrounds 6pm for 8 weeks - Lewistown

June

8 Deadline for State Fair Horse Entries to be in to the Extension Office *

9 Unit Wide 4-H Federation Meeting - Information will be mailed to federation members

13 Applications due for Statewide Youth Leadership

15 Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Day Camp - Mason County Fairgrounds - Havana

17 Payment & paperwork due Illini Summer Academies

18 Mason County Fair Orientation - 6:30 pm at Mason County Fairgrounds

26 4-H Federation volunteering at Midwest Food Bank in Peoria

24-27 Illini Summer Academies - Champaign

28 Deadline for State Fair Livestock (beef, sheep, swine, goats, poultry) to be in the Extension Office*

* Exhibitors may choose to mail entries directly to State Fair

July

2 4-H Show Entry Deadline

2 Bartel Memorial Award Application deadline

17 Fair Superintendent Meeting - 6:30 pm at Mason County Fairgrounds

19 Fairgrounds Clean Up Day - beginning at 8:00 am - Lunch provided

23-26 Mason County Fair - includes 4-H livestock & action exhibits

23 4-H General Show

August

10-19 Illinois State Fair – Mason County Day for most General Exhibits is Saturday, August 11

27 4-H Award Applications due to the Extension Office by 4:30 pm

If you need reasonable accommodation

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in advertised programs, please contact University of Illinois Extension, Mason County at 309-543-3308.