This will be my final post on the 4-H Insider News Blog.

As many of you know, Patrick, Brandon and I are relocating to Central Illinois this summer. Monday, July 27, I will begin a new position as the communications manager for the Illinois Soybean Association in Bloomington. A week later, on Monday, Aug. 3, Patrick starts his veterinary pathology residency program at the University of Illinois in Urbana. Brandon just gets to hang out with his grandma and grandpa Meyer until after state fair when he will start attending his new daycare.

The last four years have been an amazing experience for me. I have truly enjoyed working with the 4-H program and getting to know each of you. I'm proud of everything that has been accommplished but even more pleased with the personal growth of each of our members. I learned a lot as a 4-H member and it has been my goal to pass along these experiences and skills to our members. It has been an honor to work with you and the 4-H program and it is an opportunity I will soon miss. However, I now look forward to becoming a 4-H volunteer. After all, Brandon is only a few years away from being a Cloverbud.

I also want to thank Calhoun-Jersey Extension staff for their support and growth of the 4-H program while I've been here. Things certainly couldn't have happened without Judy Benz's help and assistance. She has been a great teammate as we've worked to provide you with the best program possible. I'm confident the program will continue to thrive under her leadership. I also want to thank Linda Cook and Donna Renken for helping us with the data entry and other behind-the-scenes work that makes the program successful. Another thank you goes to Jennifer Russell for her excellent guidance of the Calhoun-Jersey Unit and for helping me with various other projects.

My final thank you is to all of our 4-H families, volunteers and community members. Thank you for making Patrick and I feel so welcome in this community and thank you for all of your support of Extension and 4-H.

-Amy

Thanks to all the clubs who participated in the 4-H Trash Can Competition. Your cans looked awesome and got lots of attention from fairgoers.

We collected a total of $79.79 in donations, which will be split up among participating clubs.

Here's a list of where each group placed:

1. Eastside Farmhands
2. East Side Kids
3. Green and Gold Clovers
4. Bits N Spurs
5. Lone Star
6. All-American Clovers
7. 4-H Ambassadors

Congratulations to all our Calhoun County 4-H members who exhibited projects during the Calhoun General Show Monday.

This year's state fair delegates are:
Anne Wieneke- animal sciences
Brandon Nolte- robotics
Gregory Nolte- woodworking

Best of Show winners were:
Gregory Nolte- mechanics and technology
Maria Wieneke- ag sciences
Anne Wieneke- home and family

Other 4-H members who participated in conference judging were Matthew Wieneke, Allison Klaas, Lucas Long and Ashley Kiel.

Great job everyone!

Congratulations to all our 4-H horse exhibitors. You did a great job in the ring.

Here's a summary of who won what:

Emily McAfee- Grand champion horse, second place senior showmanship

Greta Meisner- Reserve grand champion horse, senior showmanship champion, beginning walk and trot champion, barrel race second place, pole bending second place.

Tia Scheffel- Grand champion pony, champion junior showmanship, English equitation, hunter hack, barrel race, pole bending.

Aimee Pelletier- Second place junior showmanship and beginning walk and trot

Rachel Lahey- Reserve grand champion pony

Mallory Maag- First place horseless horsemanship

Maggie Maag- Second place horseless horsemanship

Congratulations to all our 4-H members who showed animals during the Jersey County 4-H Livestock Show. Here's a summary of the results.

Poultry (July 11)

Best of Show Poultry- Shelby Burton

Reserve Best of Show Poultry- Shelby Burton

Best of Show Waterfowl- TJ Burton

Reserve Best of Show Waterfowl- Madeleine Youngblood

Showmanship- Ryan Cassens

Rabbit (July 11)

Best of Show Rabbit- Lydia Stemmler

Grand Champion 4- Class Rabbit- Lydia Stemmler

Grand Champion 4-Class Opposite Sex- Lydia Stemmler

Grand Champion 6- Class Rabbit- Rachel Parsell

Grand Champion 6- Class Opposite Sex- Shelby Lahey

Jr. Showmanship- Maggie Collins

Sr. Showmanship- Natalie Stemmler

Breed Champions

Dutch- Lydia Stemmler

Lop- Shelby Lahey

Netherland Dwarf- Jacob Meisner

Rex/Mini- Rex- Lydia Stemmler

Californian- Rachel Parsell

Master Showmanship (July 12):

Jr Champion-Justin Wadlow

Jr. Reserve Champion- Laura Kirbach

Sr. Champion- Emily Moore

Sr. Reserve Champion- Emily McAfee

Goats (July 13):

Grand Champion Wether- Brandon Wock

Reserve Grand Champion Wether- Shelby Burton

Grand Champion Doe- Shelby Burton

Reserve Grand Champion Doe- Kelli Cassens

Jr. Showmanship- Tommy Wilson

Sr. Showmanship- Kelli Cassens

Champion Boer Goat Wether- Marshall Youngblood

Champion Milk Goat Wether- Shelby Burton

Champion Pygmy Goat Wether- Brandon Wock

Champion Boer Goat Doe- Kayla Meisner

Champion Milk Goat Doe- Shelby Burton

Champion Pygmy Goat Doe- Kelli Cassens

Sheep (July 13):

Grand Champion Ewe- Sarah Moore

Reserve Grand Champion Ewe- Sarah Moore

Grand Champion Wether- Tiffany Phillips

Reserve Grand Champion Wether- Terri Wendle

Jr. Showmanship- Samantha Burns

Sr. Showmanship- Sid Sarginson

Beef (July 13):

Grand Champion Heifer- Cody Torrey

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer- Emily Moore

Grand Champion Steer- Tye Barley

Reserve Grand Champion Steer- Hayden Geisler

Jr. Showmanship- Justin Wadlow

Int. Showmanship- Cody Torrey

Sr. Showmanship- Hayden Geisler

Heifer Breed Champions

Angus- Ethan Hanold

Hereford- Kaci McAfee

Shorthorn- Emily Moore

Simmental- Hanna Moore

AOB- Ashley Moore

Crossbred- Cody Torrey

Steer Breed Champions

Angus- Laura Kirbach

Hereford- Hayden Geisler

Shorthorn- Betsy Kirbach

Simmental- Dennis Hartman

Crossbred- Tye Barley

Swine (July 13):

Grand Champion Gilt- Kristen Springer

Reserve Grand Champion Gilt- Megan Rothe

Grand Champion Barrow- Dylan Torrey

Reserve Grand Champion Barrow- Kristen Springer

Jr. Showmanship- Jamie Moore

Sr. Showmanship- Cody Torrey

Congratulations to all our 4-H members who participated during the Jersey County General Project Show on Sunday, June 14. Your projects looked great and I learned so much just from viewing them.

Several members also were selected as Illinois State Fair delegates and alternates. They include:

Photography - Chelsea Nason, Morgan Nason, Rachel Parsell

Visual Arts - Jacob Meisner

Animal Science - Christian Duggan, Kristen Springer Alternate: Natalie Stemmler

Clothing & Textiles - Sarah Maag

Tractor - Cory Rowling

Woodworking - Kristen Springer

Other special awards were presented to:

Best of Show - Food, Nutrition and Health - Ross Speidel

Best of Show Mechanics & Technology - Kristen Springer

Best of Show Home & Family - Sarah Maag

Best of Show Ag Science - Christina Duggan

Outstanding Visual Arts - Jacob Meisner

Best Of Show Personal Development - Jacob Meisner

Outstanding Photography - Morgan Nason

Congratulations to Tye Barley on winning the Calhoun-Jersey 4-H Livestock Judging Contest. The top ten were:

1. Tye Barley
2. Brad Wock
3. Laura Kirbach, Chrisy Duggan
5. Val Tonsor
6. Jay Gibbons
7. Betsy Kirbach, Mitch Stockstill, Emily Moore
10. Tom Kirbach

For complete results and scores check out: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/downloads/18143.pdf

Entries are due soon for this summer's 4-H shows. If you can't find your showbook or need an extra entry form, you can download and print information from this year's showbooks.

The Calhoun County 4-H Showbook is located at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth2460.html

The Jersey County 4-H Showbook is located at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth2459.html

Your last chance to attend a 4-H workshop will be next Thursday, June 4. The Jersey County 4-H Livestock Judging Contest and workshop will begin at 5 p.m. the Jersey County Fairgrounds. The cost is $5, which includes pizza for supper and other snacks.

We'll start with the livestock judging contest and then move onto a hands-on animal handling and showing workshop. This is a great chance to learn about goats, sheep, beef and swine from experienced exhibitors.

Here is the latest update on 4-H Day with Cardinals from Steve Wagoner, 4-H youth development educator at the Edwardsville Center.

Yesterday he wrote: "I have been receiving many calls and e-mails today asking when 4-H Day With the Cardinals tickets and t-shirts are to be mailed. Melinda States and I worked with Missouri Extension staffs yesterday to put the mailing together. The large mailing went out from Troy, Missouri, last night so your participating families should be receiving them within the next few days."

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Congratulations to all 11 4-H members who participated in last night's public speaking contest. You did awesome!

Here are the results:

State Fair Delegate, Formal Speech- Tiffany Phillips, Alternate- Chrisy Duggan
State Fair Delegate, Illustrated Speech- Robert Speidel

Jersey County 4-H Foundation Awards

Jr. Demonstration
1. Samantha Burns 2. Anna Fessler and Ruth Speidel 3. (tie) Mallory Maag, Maggie Maag

Jr. Prepared
1. Aimee Pelletier 2. Alex Croxford 3. Robert Speidel

Sr. Prepared
1. Tiffany Phillips 2. Chrisy Duggan 3. Katie Croxford

Also, photos from the contest can be found at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/photogallery1845/

Illinois 4-H has just come out with a new Web site and it even includes some photos of Jersey County 4-H members.

Check out the new site at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/

If you plan to exhibit livestock at the Illinois State Fair, don't forget to complete your QAEC training. The web site is available at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec/. The deadline is June 9 for horses and July 1 for beef, dairy, swine, goats, sheep and poultry.

You only need to complete the QAEC training once to be eligible for State Fair.

Dear 4-H Day With the Cardinals enthusiasts and promoters:

The postmark deadline for 2009 4-H Day With the Cardinals ticket orders is just around the corner--April 13, 2009! Rumor has it there still are tickets available. Please remember to get your ticket orders in the mail by next Monday.

The order form can be found at: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/go/cards

Gameday is set for Saturday, May 23 at noon.

Showbook covers are due next Friday, March 6. If you haven't started on your design, now is the time to come up with something fantastic. We'll select one cover for Calhoun County and one cover for Jersey County. In case you forgot, here are the rules:

1. Design should only be 8-1/2 x 11 inches.

2. Include the title: 2009 Calhoun County 4-H Book or 2009 Jersey County 4-H Book.

3. Include your name and club's name in the design.

4. Black ink on white paper is suggested.

5. You will find the official Clover at http://wwww.national4-hheadquarters.gov/

6. Do not place any objects or letters over the 4-H Clover unless you omit the H's on the leaves. In other words, you may use a plain clover in your design.

7. No copyrighted images, such as Donald Duck, or sports logos will be accepted.

8. Entries are due by March 6, 2009. Mail them to U of I Extension, P.O. Box 366, Hardin IL 62047 or drop them by the office.

Now get drawing or designing on the computer- quick!!!

If you want to order tickets for 4-H Day with the Cardinals, which will take place Saturday, May 23 at noon, download the order form at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/go/cards

Tickets are $21 and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis so don't delay.

If you dream of spending the summer camping, swimming, meeting new people and just having fun, consider attending 4-H camp. Exciting five-day adventures will be offered at 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello, Illinois. It's open to 4-H and non-4-H members so grab your friend and head to Central Illinois. For more information visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hmemorialcamp/summercamp.html

P.S. If you want to go, register early. Only 50-100 spots each session are open to kids from across the state.

A bunch of activities are planned for this spring and summer. For a downloadable file, visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/downloads/15390.pdf Just post it on your fridge and contact us to register for the events.

Looking for a chance to meet new 4-H members from other counties and states? Three great opportunities await.

The Great 4-H Debate
Who: High school 4-H members
When: February 13-14
Where: Springfield
What: Converge in Springfield with 4-H members from across the state to debate bills and learn about the legislative process.
Cost: $60
Scholarships: Two full ($60) or four half ($30) scholarships are available for Calhoun-Jersey 4-H members from the Jersey County 4-H Foundation.
Registration: Due by January 23.
For more information: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/greatdebate/

Junior Leadership Conference
Who: 7th and 8th graders
When: February 21-22
Where: Lake Williamson, Carlinville
What: Here's a weekend conference planned especially for junior high 4-H members! This event is full of fun, meeting new friends, workshops, Fun and exploring. It's being planned by the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team.
Cost: $88 by Dec. 31, or $95 from Jan. 1-16.
Scholarships: Two full ($88) or four half ($44) scholarships are available for Calhoun-Jersey 4-H members from the Jersey County 4-H Foundation.
Registration: http://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/default.cfm?RegistrationID=2162
For more information: contact Judy Benz (benz@illinois.edu) or Amy Roady (amyroady@illinois.edu) at 576-2293 or 498-2913

Wisconsin 4-H Exchange
Who: Current junior high and high school students
When: Summer 2009
Where: Chippewa County, Wisconsin
What: Five youth and one chaperone will stay with and meet Chippewa County 4-H families during a week-long summer visit to their county. Tours and events will be planned for all participants.
Cost: To be determined. The Jersey County 4-H Foundation will help sponsor the trip.
Application: Available at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/downloads/14839.pdf Due by Thursday, Jan. 15.
For more information: Contact Amy Roady at amyroady@llinois.edu

Congratulations to all our winners during the 4-H Achievement Programs.

Here are just a few of the winners.

Jersey County:

Club of the Year- Lone Star

Member of the Year- Sarah Moore

Young Leader Award- Sid Sarginson, Hanna Moore

I Dare You Award- Brad Wock, Kristen Springer

Outstanding First Year Boy- Robert Speidel

Outstanding First Year Girl- Ruthie Speidel

Leader of the Year- Donna Meisner

Calhoun County:

Club of the Year- Golden Eagle Clovers

Member of the Year- Audrey Tepen

Young Leader Award- Allison Moennig

I Dare You Award- Jacob Maag

Oustanding First Year Boy- Easton Clark

Outstanding First Year Girl- Madison Willman

The Calhoun-Jersey 4-H Ambassadors met last night and elected officers. They are:

Chairperson- Chrisy Duggan

Co-Chairperson- Megan Parsell

Secretary- Lydia Stemmler

Treasurer- Diane Lahey

Reporter- Shelby Lahey

Are you ready to celebrate National 4-H Week? This year's week to celebrate 4-H will be Oct. 5-11 and the theme is "Keeping it Green."

During National 4-H Week, clubs will creating window displays to promote 4-H. We also will hold a hands-on 4-H Open House in Jerseyville at the Feyerabend Building from afterschool until 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6. Hands-on activities also are being planned for Calhoun County.

Stay tuned for more details.

If you're heading up to the Illinois State Fair between now and next Sunday and need some help trying to figure out what to do, here are my tips.

Best places to eat:

- Vose's Corn Dogs, located across from the grandstands by the FFA Petting Zoo, look for the red stand, has the best corn dogs on the fairgrounds.

- Commodity Building, located across the grandstands by the Avenue of Flags, look for the big open building, different commodity groups serve various foods from pork chop dinners to ribeye sandwiches to ice cream to gyros, great for the family, lots of seating available.

- Prairie Farms Stand, located on Central Avenue by the cattle and horse barns, sells ice cream sandwiches, ice cream bars and white or chocolate milk, all for 75 cents or less, a great cheap treat for the kids.

- Ethnic Village, located near the main gate by Sangamon Avenue, features stands with foods from various countries, a great place for indecisive eaters who want to try different foods.

- Food-A-Rama, located in the center of the fairgrounds between Central and Illinois Avenues, choose from about eight different stands with many picnic tables for families to gather.

What to do:

- Visit Conservation World, located on 6th street near Gate 7 across from the goat barn, features a ton of hands on activities for kids, a lumberjack show, and lots of fish, wildlife and trees for kids to look at and learn about, one of my favorite places on the fairgrounds as a kid, plus its free.

- Milk-A-Cow Booth, located in the last brick cattle barn (25Q) on Central Avenue toward the Livestock Center, Illini Dairy Club members teach kids how to milk a cow and give them a chance to squirt it themselves, cost is about $1, kids receive a "I Milked A Cow at the Illinois State Fair" button and a coupon for a carton of milk.

- Butter Cow, located in the Dairy Building on Central Avenue toward the east end of the fairgrounds, check out a cow sculpture made of butter, each year the artist makes something different, the dairy building also offers games for kids, Got Milk? products and dairy treats.

- High Dive Show, located behind the Food-A-Rama on Central Avenue, features people diving from really high up into a big pool of water, its something fun to see that kids don't get to see at too many places.

- If you get HOT, a few places on the grounds are air-conditioned. They include the Livestock Center, Dairy Building and Extension Building.

This is stuff I've figured out from my yearly trips the the state fair. I love the fair and hope you enjoy it as well.

Are you ready for the big stage? This year the 4-H Olympics will be held in the grandstands at the Jersey County Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m. All clubs are invited to participate. Complete rules can be found at:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/downloads/12901.pdf

Let the games begin!!!

The following changes were announced today for the Jr. Beef Show at the Illinois State Fair:

Changes for the Junior Breeding Beef Show

Rule 10 (page 60 in the 2008 Junior Department Premium Book)

Exhibitor can show a total of six Breeding Beef Females. These entries can be one breed, six different breeds or any combination. No more than six total entries can be shown in Beef Females including Performance Cow entries (cow/calf are 1 entry); heifer calf may be shown individually if born before March 31. If the heifer calf is shown individually, that entry counts as a separate entry. Polled Hereford, Hereford, Simmental, % Simmental, Shorthorn and % Shorthorn are each considered a breed as it pertains to the Illinois State Fair Junior Heifer Show.

Rule 13 (page 51 of 2008 Junior Department Premium Book)

A breed class will be developed for any breed (breeding beef females) that has 10 or more qualified entries at the conclusion of entry processing The number of classes shown with each breed and the all other breeds will be determined after all the heifers have been processed.

RULE 12A (page 51 in the 2008 Junior Department Premium Book)!

Absolutely no aerosol cans will be allowed in the make up area!

The premium book that contains these rules can be found at: http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/premium/index.html

Just a quick reminder that all entries for the Jersey County Summer Show and Animal/Livestock Show are due no later than Monday, June 9. If you have questions, call the Extension Office at 576-2293 or 498-2913.

If you can't find your showbook, it's available at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth2459.html

Congratulations to Ethan Hanold, winner of the 2008 Calhoun-Jersey 4-H Livestock Judging Contest. Ethan's winning score was 282 points out of a possible 300. Here's a list of the top 10 and their overall scores.

1. Ethan Hanold- 282

2. Josh Burns- 279

3 (tie). Sarah Moore, Tiffany Phillips- 276

5. Emily Moore- 266

6. Dennis Hartman- 265

7. Tye Barley- 263

8. Josh Walsh- 263

9. Kendra Hunter- 258

10. Emily McAfee- 254

The top scores for swine were earned by Kendra Hunter and Tiffany Phillips. Sarah Moore had the top scores for beef and sheep.

Complete results, listed alphabetically, can be found at:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/downloads/12333.pdf

If you are looking for a community service or volunteer opportunity, consider helping out at the Fishing Fair at Pere Marquette State Park. The event will be held Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Volunteers receive lunch, volunteer vest and bottled water all day. At least one leader or parent needs to accompany 4-H members. For more information or to sign up, contact Diane Blasa with IDNR at diane.blasa@illinois.gov or 618-462-1181 ext. 146

Current volunteer needs are:

The Fish Print Station - we need 4 volunteers who will work this station by helping children make a fish print with paint on paper (a little messy, but fun) - no skills required.

The Felt Fish Pond - we need 4 volunteers who will work this station by helping children catch a felt fish in a pretend pond (for the very young) - no skills required.

Smokey Bear - we need 2 volunteers to bring Smokey out, wear the outfit, and walk around the fair greeting children. Maybe two or three times during the fair for an hour or so (or less, if it is very hot).

Bluegill Pond - we need 5 volunteers to help bait hooks and take the bluegill off of the hook. Some childen may need help trying to catch it also. You will need to be able to bait a hook and handle fish.

PREMISES Registration NUMBER Voluntary

Premises Registration is voluntary to exhibit livestock (beef, dairy, horses, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits) at the Illinois State Fair/county fair.

Choosing to register your premises puts you on the frontline of controlling and preventing the spread of animal disease. A disease outbreak can't be predicted but it can impact every segment of animal agriculture. Participation ensures that you have the information you need, when you need it most, to protect your animals and your investment. Registering a premises involves obtaining a seven-character alpha-numeric "identifier" for the farm, ranch veterinary clinic or other site where livestock or fowl are handled, housed, managed or processed.

If an exhibitor wants to register their animals an application form can be found on-line at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid. Exhibitors who register on-line will receive a premises registration number immediately. An application can also be obtained by calling 866/299-9256. If completing application and returning by mail, it may take up to 4 weeks to receive the number.

Jersey County 4-H members did awesome during the West Central Horse Bowl and Hippology Contest.

In the Junior Horse Bowl Contest, the team of Aimee Pelletier, Tia Scheffel, Natalie Drainer and Alexa Jamison placed third. Members of the Senior Horse Bowl Team were Amy Straub and Jenny Cundiff.

In Hippology several 4-H members qualified for state by placing in the top six in their division. For the Junior Division, Tia Scheffel placed third and Aimee Pelletier placed fifth. Intermediate Division contestants Amy Straub and Jenny Cundiff placed fifth and sixth, respectively. They were joined in the top ten by Alexa Jamison who placed ninth.

Wisconsin 4-H members from Chippewa County will be staying with Calhoun-Jersey 4-H members from July 25-31. Start thinking now about what activities you want to plan for them.

To learn more about Chippewa County 4-H visit http://www.co.chippewa.wi.us/uw/4-H/index.htm

Do you have livestock and want to learn more before you pick out your show animals this spring? Come to the livestock exhibitors meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 in the Jersey County Administration Building. Experienced exhibitors and parents will be available to answer your questions.

For more information, email Amy Roady at amyroady@uiuc.edu or call 576-2293.

Are you ready to find out who did outstanding work during the previous 4-H year. Come find out during the first ever two-county achievement program. The Calhoun-Jersey Achievement Program will be held Sunday, Nov. 4 at the United Church of Christ in Fieldon at 2 p.m. This will be a great chance to meet kids from the other county and have celebrating.

See you there!!!

After a hiatus, the blog is back. Check often for 4-H updates.

Are you an older teen who is looking for a leadership role that will add to your scholarship applications?

Illinois 4-H has two wonderful opportunities for you to demonstrate your leadership ability on a statewide basis.

They are:

1) Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee -- Two 4-H representatives are needed for August 1, 2006 through July 31, 2008 terms. The application is due by Friday, June 15 and is available from the Calhoun-Jersey Extension Office.

2) Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team --There are several spots opening on this team, starting September 1. Terms are 2 years. Applicants must be 16-19 years of age as of 9/1/2007 (can serve until they are 21). Information on commitment and regional openings are on the application form. The application and a brochure is also available on the 4-H website at http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/opps/stateylt.html Applications are due by June 14 for interviews at Illinois Leadership Conferenceor August 1 for interviews during State Fair.

4-H members and others intersted in livestock are invited to participate in an online livestock judging contest. The contest includes 4 beef classes, 2 meat goat classes, 3 sheep classes and 3 swine classes. For more information visit this site.

This is not an event endorsed by the University of Illinois Extension, but we wanted to make you aware of the opportunity.

4-H members, are you thinking about taking an animal to the Illinois State Fair this summer? Now you can find out which classes will be offered and when you'll be showing that prize-winning animal.

The 2007 State Fair Premium Books have been posted on the State Fair Web site at http://www.illinoisstatefair.info/ Click on the photo by the premium book announcement and scroll down to the needed book/entry forms. Later this spring, a limited number of books will be available at the Extension Office.

Dog obedience classes for Calhoun-Jersey 4-H members will be starting in a few weeks. An orientation meeting will be held Tuesday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in the Jerseyville Public Library's Board Room. Please do not bring your dogs to this meeting. It is best for them to stay at home.

Dog obedience classes will start Tuesday, April 10. They will be held every Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Ag Pavillion on the Jersey County Fairgrounds. Dogs that come need to be current on their vaccinations.

For more information, contact Judy Benz, 4-H community worker, at 576-2293 or benz@uiuc.edu.

Do you want to watch the St. Louis Cardinals play and go on the field with other 4-H families from Illinois and Missouri?

Come join the fun on Saturday, May 5 during 4-H Day With the Cardinals. You'll watch the World Champion Cardinals play their NL Central Division rival, Houston Astros in beautiful Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Registration is due by March 26, so don't delay in ordering your tickets.

This year the Cardinals have allotted 4-H families and staff just 2,500 seats. The cost for this wonderful family outing is only $18 per ticket, and that includes the specially designed T-shirt featuring the World Championship emblem on the front and the 4-H Clover on the back. And as an added bonus, it will be Coca-Cola Bat Day, so all kids 15 and under will get a souvenir 18-inch bat that commemorates the Cardinals 10 World Championships. Members and leaders will again parade around the Busch Stadium outfield behind their county or club banner prior to the game. The Cardinals have provided more raffle prizes than ever before for the scholarship raffle. You can go to a Cardinal game anytime - but you only get a deal like this at 4-H Day With the Cardinals.

For more information and to download the form, please visit http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/event053cards.html or call the Calhoun-Jersey Extension Office at (618) 576-2293.

All 4-H members who are interested in learning about poultry are invited to attend a poultry workshop on April 28 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The clinic will run from noon to 4 p.m. It will feature Professor and Poultry Specialist Ken Koelkebeck and APA Master Exhibitor Bret Hitchings, as speakers. The topics to be covered include poultry care, breeding, and judging. An all new poultry photo/drawing contest will also be held. Participants should bring their matted or framed item with them to the event.

For more information contact the Sangamon-Menard Extension Office at (217) 782-4617 or cwanders@uiuc.edu.

Are you looking for an easy way to remember the date for the next 4-H workshop? Download this flyer and post it on your refrigerator. The flyer can be found at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/downloads/6205.pdf

Do you have a great idea for the 2007 Calhoun-Jersey Showbook? Show off your creative talents by entering this year's showbook contest. Entries are due by Friday, March 23. For more information visit: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth1598.html

6th and 7th graders- Do you want to eat lunch in a rainforest-type atmosphere? How about learning to make your friends laugh at any moment? What about being "blown-away"as you watch "Hurricane in the Bayou" at an Omnimax Theater.

All of these opportunities, plus meeting new friends from other counties, are available by participating in this year's Communications! Careers! Chicago! Trip.

The adventure will be held June 15-16 and is only open to sixth- and seventh-grade 4-H members in West Central Illinois. The deadline to register is May 9 and the cost to attend is $153 plus money for 3 meals & snack; $15 for optional waterpark; and spending money for souvenirs.

For more information, check out the flyer and registration materials at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth806.html

Come try your building and construction skills during a woodworking workshop this March. During the workshop, which will be held March 10 from 9-11 a.m. at Jersey Community High School, you'll learn about woodworking while building a nest box for birds around your house. The instructor will be JCHS agriculture teacher Jeff Goetten.

Pre-registration is required by Monday, March 5. To register, call the Extension office at 498-2913 or 576-2293, email Judy Benz at benz@uiuc.edu,or register online at www.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey.

We hope to see you there!

To get a heads-up on life as a college freshman, join other high school seniors for College 101: The stuff they didn't teach you at school. This program, which was planned by Calhoun County 4-H member Steven Nolte, will be held Saturday, March 3 at Illinois College in Jacksonville. Registration is due Feb. 16, so don't delay.

For more information, visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth1561.html or call the Extension Office.

Are you ready to start talking about something you know about? Do you want to share your information with others? Do you want to learn more about public speaking? Consider participating in this year's NEW Public Speaking Program.

The Jersey County 4-H Foundation is sponsoring special awards this year to encourage more 4-H members to participate. Information and dates for the program are available at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth1598.html

Also, don't forget that our first public speaking workshop is coming up soon. The topic is demonstrations and the workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9-11 a.m. at the Jersey Community Hospital Womens Center. To sign up, just call the Extension Office.

Now, that's worth talking about.

The Calhoun-Jersey 4-H program is trying to form a livestock judging team to compete at the Illinois Beef Expo judging contest on Saturday, Feb. 24 in Springfield. If you are interested in participating in the contest, which also includes a livestock judging clinic, please contact Amy Roady or Judy Benz.

The registration fee is $15 per member, but scholarships will be offered for the first four 4-H members who contact the Extension office and attend the livestock judging contest. Other scholarships also may be available. Transportation will be provided for the contest.

For more information about the contest, check out the brochure at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/calhounjersey/4hyouth806.html

Also, on that page is a link to a livestock e-quiz. It's a fun way to find out how much you really know about livestock.

Is your 4-H club's community service project running out of gas? Are you for looking something new and different to try? University of Tennessee Extension has great ideas that are even related to different 4-H project areas.

For example, under companion animals I found the following idea:

To check this idea and others out visit:

http://www.utextension.utk.edu/4h/SOS/projectideas/index.htm

Tis the season for a holiday party.

All 4-H members 12 and older are invited to attend the Calhoun-Jersey 4-H Federation Holiday Party on Tuesday, Dec. 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The party and meeting will be held at the Jersey County Administration Building and pizza will be served. Everyone is encouraged to bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry and a gift under $5 for the gift exchange.

If you need more information, just call a 4-H Federation member or contact the Extension office.

Get your calendars out. Dates have been set for market animal weigh-ins in Jersey County.

Beef Weigh-In (steers) - Saturday, Feb. 17, 9 a.m., Hugh Moore Jr. Farm

Swine Weigh-In (market barrows and gilts)- Monday, March 5, 4:30 p.m., Carl Meisner Farm

Sheep Weigh-In (wethers)- Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m., Hugh Moore Jr. Farm

*New this year- All sheep wethers that will be shown at the Illinois State Fair must be weighed, tatooed and ear-tagged at one of several centralized locations in Illinois. Information concerning dates and locations will be available in February.

For more information on these dates or any other 4-H livestock questions, please contact the Calhoun-Jersey Extension Offices at (618) 576-2293 or 498-2913. You can also email Amy Roady, 4-H youth development educator, at amyroady@uiuc.edu

Are you hungry for leadership? Are you craving the opportunity to meet other 7th and 8th graders from Illinois? Are you ready to deliver new ideas to your 4-H club?

Consider attending the Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference. This conference is just for 7th and 8th graders, and it's being organized by high students. For more information and to view abrochureabout Junior Leadership Conference visit http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/annual013jlc.htmlor call the Extension Office.

The Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference will be held Feb. 24-25 in Decatur, but the time to register is now. Only the first 125 junior high students who register will be allowed to attend. To register for the Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference, you may register on-line at: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/annual013jlc.html OR complete the registration and medical forms, include the $91 fee, and return to the State 4-H Office no later than January 22.