THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN COMPLETING FAIR ENTRIES

• Cooking 101-401: Exhibitors can only enter classes for the level that they are enrolled in (by May 1). Example: Enrolled in Cooking 401? You can exhibit one entry in each of the exhibit classes for all of the classes listed under Cooking 401 in the fairbook.
• Geospatial: Exhibitors can enter one Geospatial class and one Geocaching class only.
• Shooting Sports: Exhibitors enrolled in Archery and Shotgun do not have an exhibit opportunity under Shooting Sports this year. (Exhibit opportunities will be added in the future as more instructors are certified and the program grows.)
• Food Demonstrations: Exhibitors can enter a food demonstration as long as they are enrolled in any Foods, Nutrition and Health Project.
• Public Presentations: The style of Public Presentations will be somewhat different, as it will be in the auditorium. 4-Hers will be waiting off stage with 3-4 judges at the helm ready to judge different 4-Hers for their speaking abilities. This will allow for a quick turnaround of speakers.
• Robotics: Because of the new Robotics project curriculum, the exhibits have changed to align with the new titles and content of the curriculum. One thing to note, you can only exhibit in the project you are enrolled in. However, 4-Hers can enroll in all three levels if they have the interest. The curriculum is not written in a skill or age based series.
• If you have questions about your entries, please ask your 4-H Leader. If they are unsure of the answer then contact the Extension office. If you are unsure of what you enrolled in, your 4-H leader can get a list of your projects for you.

Go & Grow 5k and walk

Gear up for a brand new 5K Race & family fun event! The IAA Foundation presents its First Annual 5K Grow & Go to celebrate Illinois farm families and the important role they play in putting food on your table! Learn more about our roots in agriculture while supporting a great cause! Proceeds from this race will benefit Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom, a program providing free resources to teachers in an effort to help students make the connection between food, fiber, fuel & farming! More information online here: http://www.iaafoundation.org/iaaf/Events/growandgo.htm

Special awards for 4-H clubs that participate:

The IAA Foundation needs YOUR HELP to make our 1st Annual 5K a success. Form a team, volunteer or raise $$ to support IAITC and you might earn a VIP Party with the Cornbelters! Team with the most points: (Any ties will be broken with a drawing) * Wins a VIP trip to a Normal Cornbelters Stadium * Exclusive suite access from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board More information about 4-H club rewards here: http://tiny.cc/gogro5k

4-H Shooting Sports Clinic – May 21

Register now for the May 21 4-H Air Rifle-Level 2, offered by state certified 4-H Shooting Sports Air Rifle Instructors. The Class will offer two time choices that day: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM or 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM. Registrations will be taken through May 19. Only youth who have participated in 4-H Air Rifle Level 1 may attend. Participation in each session will be limited to ONLY 10 participants per session, on a "first registered = first served" basis. Register online here: http://tiny.cc/p25vp

Quilts for Kids - McLean County HCE, May 27, 12 to 4:30 pm

Would you like to learn to sew or can you sew already? Would you like to use your talents to help others that are more unfortunate than you? Are you willing to devote time to help out? McLean County Association of Home and Community Education has set up a workshop to make "Quilts for Kids" and we would like your help. The program is to make quilts to be given to the Neonatal department at a hospital. At the workshop you will cut out squares that would be sewn together into quilt tops. If you can sew a straight line you have the talents that are necessary because all of the sewing will be done on machines using straight stitching. You will need to sew together 16 squares to make the quilt top. Those sixteen squares would then have to be outlined by a narrow and then a wide border. The workshop will be held on May 27 at the Farm Bureau building on Hersey in Bloomington. The class will be held from 12 to 4:30. If you can attend even an hour, we would love to have you. All you need to bring is one yard of 100% cotton material (do not wash it). If you have a machine you can bring, please bring it. If not, come anyway as we will have several machines that you could use. Parents and other adults are also welcome.

If you have any questions, contact Eileen Norin, HCE Cultural Enrichment at eenorin@gmail.com or phone at 309-533-1135.

4-H Memorial Day Parade

The Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 30. The 4-H clubs of McLean County are invited to meet on East Front Street at 8:15 a.m. near Station 220 (Central Station Cafe). Bring members and your club banner, wear 4-H shirts (if available), comfortable shoes, and make arrangements for transportation after the parade ends around 10:30 a.m. at Miller Park in Bloomington. Call June Jacobs, 275-8562 or email to daju04@netscape.net and let her know you plan to be there. Floats will also be accepted.

McLean County Pork Producers Scholarship 2011

What: The McLean County Pork Producers are offering monetary scholarships for young pork producers/show-men/show-women in McLean County. Who: Any McLean County High School senior who has raised or shown hogs for at least 5 years and/or is a member of a family who areactive members of the McLean County Pork Producers may apply. When: Applications are due to JC Zimmerman by June 1, 2011 will be notified by July 1, 2011 and at the 2011 Barrow Show at the McLean County Fair. Monies available: Money will be divided into separate scholarships. Total monies available: $1500 ** Students may not apply again if they have won this scholarship in the past. Scholarship link: http://tiny.cc/xuczt

Regional Livestock Judging Contest, June 10, ISU Farm

McLean County Extension will once again host a livestock judging contest on Friday, June 10. Registration will begin at 8:30 and the contest will begin at 9 am at Illinois State University Laboratory Farm 25578 ISU Farm Lane Lexington. All participants will be charged $2 to defray the cost of plastic boots, and will need to bring the completed ISU Farm Visitor Pass with them on contest day! For more information contact Brian Lambert at blambert@illinois.edu or 309-663-8306.

Equus 4-H Club Open Horse Show, June 17-19

For more information click here: http://tiny.cc/21kkk

Conservation Youth Day, June 18, FREE, Comlara Park

Learn about conservation by participating in the following activities: fishing, wildlife habitats, forestry, natural resource, and plants and soils from 1-4 pm. More information: http://tiny.cc/nynfc

McLean County Farm Bureau 2nd Annual Golf Outing, Monday, June 20, 2011

Prairie Vista Golf Course, 9:30 a.m. Shotgun start, Limited to first 128 Golfers, Golf Cart Included, Ribeye dinner to follow after outing, Raffle and Prizes as well, $85.00 per Golfer. To sign up, contact Marie Denzer (309) 275-8531.

Western Illinois 4-H Horse Show, June 25, Monmouth IL

For more information click here: http://tiny.cc/munsw

State Judging Contest Changes & Dates

• Livestock Judging – Monday June 20^th, Stock Pavilion, 8:30 am registration, seniors will give 3 sets of oral reasons, $10 fee for seniors to cover lunch.
• Horse Judging – Tuesday June 21 in the Stock Pavilion on campus.
• Poultry Judging – Has moved to the state fair on Thursday August 11^th in the Orr building from 8:30 to 11:30 am.
• Dairy Judging – Has moved to the state fair on Saturday August 20^th in the Livestock Center
• Meats Judging – Saturday August 27^th in the Meats Lab on campus

For more information please go to this link: http://tiny.cc/r84px If you are interested in participating please contact the Extension Office by June 3.

Illini Summer Academies, ­­­­­­June 27-29, 2011 University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana - This 3-day event provides Illinois teens new opportunities to explore the University of Illinois campus; study potential careers or build their leadership skills; and meet youth from across the state. As of right now, Art & Design is FULL and has 1 person on the waiting list. Ag & Biological Engineering and Veterinary Medicine each have one space left before they are full. Other Academies still have several spaces left. Registration is open until May 25 or until Academies are full, whichever comes first. Register online: http://tiny.cc/isa2011

LMW 4-H Night with the Cornbelters – July 22

Come and meet 4-Hers from Livingston and Woodford while you watch local baseball! A petting zoo and fireworks after the game!! $5.00 DISCOUNT FOR 4-H MEMBERS, LEAD CROWD IN 4-H PLEDGE, PRE-GAME PARADE IF 300 OR MORE PAID TICKETS FOR 4-H, OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW OFF LAST YEAR'S PRIZE WINNING PROJECTS OR GIVE A SNEAK PEEK OF THIS YEAR'S FAIR EXHIBITS ON CONCOURSE! If you wish to bring a 4-H exhibit, please contact Kathy Weinzierl at 309-663-8306 or email kweinzie@illinois.edu. Orders must be turned in by July 8 to receive discount for 4-H members. See flier online here: http://tiny.cc/5f7r5

Ice Cream Sundae Booth – Fair

Clubs are asked to volunteer for the sundae booth sponsored by Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni Association. When four 4-Hers and two adults that volunteer for a shift the club will receive $50. This is a great way to get funds for the Club Challenge for program fees. The booth is open the duration of the fair. Simply fill in the appropriate times by or before July 23, 2010. For paper version of this form: click here.

4-H MISSIONS IN SPACE

During the 4-H Missions in Space camp, you'll go on a simulated Shuttle Mission, see what life is like on the Space Station and go through some of the work astronauts go through in their training. The camp is open to anyone who will be in the 7th, 8th or 9th grades in the fall 2011. Cost of the trip is $360. Register online at http://extension.illinois.edu/go/space . First payment will be due June 24.

Mark your calendar! National 4-H Science Experiment – October 5

4-H National Headquarters and National 4-H Council are pleased to reveal that the 2011 National Science Experiment is Wired for Wind, an in-depth look at renewable energy technologies in the form of wind-power. www.4-H.org/NYSD

Have you ever wanted to do more? Here it is!

Ever wonder who plans the state programs and events– much of that is done by the Youth Leadership Team. Now is your time to apply for this AMAZING leadership group.

The Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team (YLT) is open to 15-20 older 4-H members and recent 4-H alumni. The group helps coordinate and assist with various regional and statewide 4-H activities. Team members are involved in planning and implementing the Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference (JLC); assisting behind the scenes with events such as Illini Summer Academies and Illinois State Fair; serving as the training team for the Speaking for Illinois 4-H (SFI4-H) program; serving on various statewide 4-H committees and boards (i.e. Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors, Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee, Recognition for Excellence Committee) and assisting with 4-H curriculum reviews, among others.

Applications for this elite group are due June 17. Members will serve the 2011-2013 term. Interviews will be held during the June ISA or at the State Fair). Information is available at:

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

2011 Illinois Governor's Volunteer Service Awards

On April 6, 2011, the Governor of Illinois announced the 2011 Volunteer Service Awards. Illinois Extension/4-H is proud that two 4-H members from Effingham and White counties, one 4-H leader from Peoria County, and one Extension volunteer from Monroe County received these awards. Check out their stories at:

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/news/

Mind your rules for Illinois State Fair livestock entries

Exhibiting livestock at the Illinois State Fair junior show is a wonderful learning experience IF you follow all the rules. Don't be disappointed show day because you missed one of these important deadlines.

Horse Show Ownership/Lease Paperwork & Photographs – 4-Hers who wish to exhibit at the Illinois State Fair Junior Horse show must complete papers of ownership and photos due to local offices by May 2. Deadline for offices to send paperwork for state horse show is May 15.

SF Jr. Horse Show Entries– 4-Hers who wish to exhibit at the Illinois State Fair Junior Show must complete entries by June 9. Entries may be sent directly to State Fair by the exhibitor.

Quality Assurance & Ethics –4-Hers wishing to exhibit beef, sheep, dairy, goats, swine, poultry and horses must complete the online Quality Assurance and Ethics test. Deadline for horse exhibitors is June 9; all others must be completed by June 15. If you have not completed QA&E Certification by that date, you will not be allowed to exhibit at the State Fair. Ethics training is available online at: , http://web.extension.illinois.edu/qaec/

Pork Quality Assurance Certification– 4-Hers who exhibit swine at the Illinois State Fair must have passed the required PQA certification. Check with your local office.

Livestock and Dairy Entries–4-Hers wishing to exhibit livestock or dairy at the Illinois State Fair Junior Show must send their entries to the state fair office by July 1

DATES TO REMEMBER

• June 9: State Fair Junior Horse Show Entries & Quality Assurance Test due
• June 15: Quality Assurance & Ethics testing due for all other livestock entries.
• June 15: PQA certification due
• July 1: State Fair Junior Livestock and Dairy entries due.

Get more information from your county Extension office today.

Illinois State Fair – Superior Young Producer Information

1. The Superior Young Producer Award (SYPA) contest will be open to any youth 14 years of age or older and who are a current bonafide IL 4-H or IL FFA member conducting project work in the species area for which he/she is entering the SYPA competition. The 4-H age is determined as of September 1, 2010. FFA member eligibility is up to and including the summer immediately following graduation from High School.
2. Participants do not have to be exhibiting animals at the IL State Fair in order to participate in the SYPA contest.
3. The SYPA contest will be held during the Illinois State Fair, Springfield, IL.
4. The contest will consist of the three following phases: skillathon, management test, and judging and/or meats ID.

For registration form go to page 42 of this link: http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/premium/junior.pdf

Support Getting 4-H License Plates on the Road: It's a 4-H Club Challenge

How cool would it be to see 4-H clovers driving down the road! In order to begin production of a 4-H specialty license plate, we must first get $25 from 1,500 Illinois drivers who have a current license plate on file with the Illinois Secretary of State. http://4hfoundation.illinois.edu/4-Hclubchallengeresources

Regional/State Upcoming Events

• May 7, 2011 4-H Day with the Cardinals
• May 13-15, 2011 Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Training
• May 14, 2011 Speaking For Illinois 4-H
• May 17-19, 2011 Visit your legislators!
• May 25, 2011 Illini Summer Academies Registrations Due
• June 9, 2011 State Fair Junior Horse Show Entries & Ethics Test Due
• June 15, 2011 QA&E Certification Due
• June 27-29, 2011 Illini Academies
• July 1, 2011 State Fair Livestock Entries Due