University of Illinois Extension serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren Counties

Bright Minds, Bright Futures

Knox County 4-H members performed skits and talents at the Share-the-Fun and Showcase of Performing Arts contest help April 9 at Costa Catholic Academy Auditorium. The theme was Bright Minds, Bright Futures and hosted by the 4-H Federation.

Walnut Grove Progressors took home first place with their skit titled, The 4-H Science Fair. With their skit, 4-H Has Talent, Union 4-H was awarded second place. And in third place, Wataga Trailblazers presented, Blazing a Trail. Delong Livestock also participated in the contest with a skit called, Famous 4-H'ers of the Future.

Dustin and Lucas Kasser, Gilson, performed a violin and trombone duet call "Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho. See photos on the last page and on our 4-H website photo gallery.

Attend Illini Summer Academies

We currently have twelve youth attending the summer program held June 28-30. Youth who will be 14-18 years old by September 1, 2011are invited to participate in the Summer Academies: Aerospace Engineering, Crop Sciences, Food Science and Nutrition, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Art & Design, Physics, Leadership, and Veterinary Medicine. The deadline is May 25 to register. Check out the ISA web site for more information at web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/events/summeracademies.cfm.

Scholarship Updates

The Knox County Extension Education Foundation currently offers two $500 scholarships for youth who meet the following criteria: Must have graduated from high school (or will in May/June 2011); A current or past member of a Knox County 4-H club; Must be enrolled full-time in the fall with a status of an incoming freshmen or sophomore at a university, college, junior college or technical school. Criteria for selection will be achievements and leadership in 4-H, community service, academic record and usage of scholarship. Past recipients of this scholarship are not eligible to reapply. The scholarship form is available on our 4-H web site. Click on scholarships. Applications must be submitted to the Knox County Extension Education Foundation, no later than May 14. Applications can be mailed to the Knox County Extension Education Foundation, 180 South Soangetaha Rd., Suite 108, Galesburg, Illinois 61401.

The Don Teel Scholarship is due June 1 and is $50. Applicants must have a home address within Knox County and be a past or present 4-H member. They must be enrolled as a full time student in a university or community college with a declared agriculture or related course of study. An applicant may only be awarded this scholarship once. The application is available on our 4-H web site as well.

Let's Have Fun at the Youth Fun Show

Shooting Sports Begins

The rifle shooting sports instructors are training youth at the Knox County Fairgrounds. The next trainings for first year members are May 9, May 23, June 13 and June 27. Second year rifle youth practice next on May 10, May 24, June 7 and June 21. Practices start at 5:30 p.m.

Shot gun practice has also begun at the Knox County Sportsman Club with the next practice scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m. Clean Up Day will be on Saturday, May 21 from 9 am to 4:00 p.m.

Archery instructors have yet to schedule their practices. The next shooting sports committee meeting will be on Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m.

Denny Easley recently attended the state instructor training for shot gun. Amy Krause will be attending the next state training for the County Coordinator position. We also wish to thank our assistants at practices: Bob and Elaine Curry and Joseph Robinson.

4-H Show Entries Due

As soon as attendance sheets are received from clubs, the 4-H show entry forms will be sent directly to 4-H families. Entries are due Friday, June 3 by 4:30 p.m. No late entries will be accepted. 4-H show books should have been distributed to you at your April 4-H meeting. If you have not received your book, please contact your leader. If you have any questions about entries, your leader can help or feel free to contact the office.

Like Fashion?

We are currently looking for individuals to serve on the Fashion Revue Committee. We need both adult and youth volunteers. The Fashion Revue Committee will meet one time before the Fashion Revue and then will also need to be available to help set up Friday, July 15. If you are interested, please give us a call.

Chaperone Screening

By June 1, all documents for those wanting to stay overnight as chaperones at the 4-H Show must be received in the Extension office. These background screening checks are a must this year and without them, adults will not be able to chaperone. You must also complete the online overnight chaperone training. The web address for that site is:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hchaperone/.

Give us a call and we will send the forms to you to complete.

Welding is Work (and Fun)

Fourteen youth from Henderson, Warren, Henry, Stark and Knox counties learned more about welding at a day long workshop at the Center for Manufacturing Excellence on April 22. Five had never welded before. Chris North and Tyler Main practice their skills in the photos. Attending from Knox County were:

Paul Donsbach, Southwestern

Christopher North, Walnut Grove Progressors

Andre Castellow, 4-H Spinners

Brendan Rushing, 4-H Spinners

Justin Hoben, Delong Livestock

Tyler Main, Walnut Grove Progressors

Patrick King, Walnut Grove Progressors

Cole Steele, Union

Youth for State Committee Needed

The State 4-H office is currently accepting applications from older 4-H members, ages 17-19, to serve on the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee for a one-year term. Two 4-H members will be selected to serve. An interest in agriculture is required. Meetings occur throughout the year during the week in Bloomington. There is also required attendance at other activities throughout the year and an opportunity to assist with a week-long trip to Washington, D.C. in June/July of 2012. More information is available at web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/leadership_ifbye.cfm

Applications are due June 15.

Illinois 4-H Veterinary Science Award

The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) provides a $200 cash award each year to an outstanding member enrolled in the 4-H Veterinary Science project. Members must have been enrolled in the Vet Science project for a minimum of three years to apply for this award. The application is due July 1 of each year. The winning member may be invited to the ISVMA annual meeting in the fall of the year to be recognized at their event.

Reminder to Club Secretaries and Leaders

Please turn in attendance records after May meetings so we have an accurate account of who may exhibit at the 4-H Show this summer.

Youth must have attended five meetings since September 1 in order to exhibit at the 4-H Show. Those joining with fewer than five meetings available must have attended half of the possible meetings. College or boarding school contracts must have been turned in by May 2 to be eligible.

4-H Market

at the Knox County 4-H Show

Saturday, July 16 — 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.

4-H members may set up a table (bring your own) under the grandstand to offer 4-H projects such as bakery items, photos, vegetables, jewelry, etc. for sale Only food safe items may be sold — and no animals! Be creative as an entrepreneur!! Registration and a short application is necessary! We encourage

4-H members to take the lead and if you cannot staff your booth the entire time, find another 4-H member to help you! A planning sheet needs to completed to participate and is available on our web site.

Apply Soon!

Applications due June 17…..Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team for the 2011-2013 term, interviews during Illini Summer Academies. (There is also an August 1 deadline for interviews during State Fair). Information and application posted on the Adult Volunteer Leadership Opportunities/Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team at web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/leadership_sylt.cfm.

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