The Geneseo FFA chapter and the Geneseo FFA Alumni will be hosting a Livestock contest at BHE Ag Pavilion on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

A team is 4 members, with the top 3 scores counted. The two divisions for the contest are Junior (8^th grade and under) and Senior (9^th - 12^th grade). Awards will be given to the top 5 senior teams, top junior team and the top individual per species.

Registration is from 9:00 to 9:45 AM and the contest will begin at 10:00 AM. Early Registration is $15 on/before February 1 and $20 at the door. Send your team registration with check or money order to Geneseo FFA 700 N. State Street Geneseo, IL 61254

The contest will include the following:

3 classes of Beef and Swine, 2 classes for Sheep, 1 Boar Goat class and 1 EPD class with 1 question class from 3 species.

For more information contact Brian Stahl at (309) 945-0347 or bstahl@dist228.org

U of I extension and Farm bureau offices in Henry, Stark, Bureau and Knox are again working with BHE to provide horse enthusiasts with the 2009 Fall Equine Seminar Series.

The series will kick-off on Thursday, November 5. The evening will begin with Donna Irvin, BHE instructor showing Timed Event Performance Horsemanship and Barrel Racing. Kevin Kline, University of Illinois, will also be on hand to discuss Equine Psychology and Behavior.

The second week, November 12, will feature Jim Fraley, of Illinois Farm Bureau. He will give attendees an update on NAIS (animal ID) and will show the new Farm Bureau Know before you Tow DVD. Matt Shipley and Gary Wessels of the Illinois Rodeo Association will then take over to perform a Ranch Rodeo Demonstration.

The final seminar will be held November 19. Jay Salomon, Ag Engineer from the University of Illinois will present a program on Facilities for Healthy Horses. Pat Gomes will finish the seminar with a demonstration on De-Spooking Your Horse.

All sessions run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Ag Arena at Black Hawk East. The sessions are free for 4-H members to attend. Call the University of Illinois Henry-Stark Extension office to register at (309)853-1533.

The Henry-Stark 4-H program will be sponsoring a charter bus shopping trip to Michigan Avenue in Chicago on Saturday, December 5, 2009.

See the enclosed flyer for complete details and registration form. Hurry seats are limited on a first come first serve basis and are due by November 20!

Make sure to round up all your friends and bring them to the Winter Workshop at the Extension Office at BHE on Saturday, November 7.

Registration will be at 8:30 AM and the workshops will begin at 9:00 AM and go until Noon.

This workshop is open to youth ages 8 to 18. Remember: you do not have to be a member of a 4-H club to participate so bring a friend or two!

The registration form with workshop descriptions was in your October newsletter. If you need a registration form, contact the Extension office at 853-1533 and we can get you one. We hope to see you there!