4-H Day with the St. Louis Cardinals is scheduled for May 23 when the Cardinals play the Kansas City Royals. The schedule calls for a 12:10 p.m. start time. Keep in mind this is Memorial Day Weekend. Why not make plans to spend it in the St. Louis area?

Registration forms are available at the office or ONLINE at:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/4H/CardinalsDay_Order.pdf

Applications are now available for the 4-H Foundation College Scholarship. Forms may be obtained from high school guidance offices in Wayne County or requested from the Extension Office. Application deadline is April 3.

The April meeting of the Wayne County 4-H Federation will be Monday, April 6, at 6 p.m. Following the business meeting, Federation members will go to Brookstone Estates to play Bingo with the residents. Everyone is welcome.

Remington Henson and Ivy Fitch are the lucky recipients of an animal from the Donate-An-Animal project. Remington received a pig from an anonymous local donor and Ivy received a goat donated by Marc & Tanya Wells of Elm River Goat Farm.

The 4-H Livestock Committee has set the following weigh-in and tagging dates for livestock exhibitors:

Swine Barrows, Sheep & Goats: Saturday, April 11^th, 9 - 10 a.m., Wayne County Fairgrounds

NOTE: Please call Matt if you plan to take an animal to the Illinois State Fair.

A 4-H & FFA Livestock Judging Contest sponsored by the Marion County 4-H Livestock Judging Team is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2008 at the Marion County Fairgrounds, Salem, IL. Registration will be held from 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. with the contest to start at 9:30 a.m.

Junior Division– 8th grade and under

Senior Division– H.S. Freshman to H.S. Senior

Teams will be 4, count 3 (or 3 count 3). Registration fee is $5 per person.

Contestants will judge classes of beef, sheep, swine and goats. There will be questions on each species. Awards will be given for the top 10 individuals overall in each division, 1st & 2nd place Junior team, and 1st-3rd place Senior team. Additional information is available from Steve Austin at (618) 755-4661, or the Marion County Extension Office at (618) 548-1446. Please call the Wayne County Extension Office at 842-3702 if you plan to attend.

A livestock showmanship clinic will be held at the Perry County Fairgrounds in Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday, April 25, featuring experienced 4-H show judge, Jeff Rister. The clinic is FREE but Perry County asks that you register by April 17^th by calling your local Extension office.

Come for all or part of the day. Species featured will follow this schedule: Swine 9:00 a.m., Sheep 10:00 a.m., Goats 11:00 a.m., Beef 12:30 p.m., Rabbits/Poultry 1:30 p.m.

A $1 hot dog lunch is offered on-site from 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

Are you running out of ideas for a program at your club meeting? Why not learn about a different country by using a Culture Kit? These kits contain articles, information, and insight to the country's lifestyle and geography. Call the office to reserve a kit and month. Kits available are: Africa, Kenya, Ireland, Norway, Japan 3, Netherlands and Thailand.

Live It Up! Lead, Inspire, Value & Explore

This conference, held on the campus of the University of Illinois June 29 – July 1, is for current 8^th graders thru high school seniors. This 3-day event provides Illinois teens new opportunities to explore the University of Illinois campus; study potential careers or leadership skills; and meet youth from across the state. Teens will explore one of the following core "Academies."

Aerospace Engineering Academy – For teens interested in aerospace.

Agricultural & Biological Engineering Academy – For teens interested in agricultural mechanics and engineering.

Crop Sciences – For teens interested in aspects of the science of growing, including agroecology, integrated pest management, plant biotechnology, and more.

Leadership Academy – For youth interested in building upon their leadership skills. Whether the teens are 4-H members, sports team captains, school club officers or teen youth group leaders, the skills taught in this active academy will help them understand how they learn (and can, therefore, teach), manage resources, and make decisions. Open to incoming freshman, too.

Veterinary Medicine Academy – For youth interested in large or small animal veterinary sciences. Hands-on activities will include work on parasites, anatomy, sutures, immunology, wildlife medicine, and more.

Youth Community Informatics – For youth interested in technology and applying it to compile and share information with others. Sponsored by the Graduate School of Information and Library Sciences (GSILS).

Registration is now open and all the details can be found at Illini Summer Academies website: http://4-h.illinois.edu/events/annual004.html.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency is offering operating loans of up to $5,000 to eligible individual rural youths age 10 through 20 to finance agriculture-related projects. The project must be of modest size, educational and initiated, developed and carried out by rural youths participating in 4-H clubs, FFA or a similar organization. The project must be an organized and supervised program of work. It must be planned and operated with the assistance of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan, and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience in agriculture-related skills. Check with the local FSA office.

The popular 8-week dog obedience class will be held on Monday evenings, 6-7:30 p.m., starting May 4 and running through June 29, except May 25, which is Memorial Day. It will take place in the 4-H arena of the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Interested individuals should call the Extension Office at 842-3702 to register or Connie Brach, class instructor, at 673-2028.

This Science, Engineering & Technology (SET) contest will include skill-a-thons on Welding, Electricity and Small Engines. The contest will be held at Rend Lake Collage on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. in the Applied Science Building (new agriculture shop).

4-Hers must be 14 years of age as of 01/01/09 to participate. These skill-a-thons will help introduce you to skills needed for state competition in June. The skill-a-thon contest will be hosted by the ag staff at Rend Lake College.

To register go to www.extension.uiuc.edu/franklin and follow the links. Registrations are due by April 6.

Change can be fun and exciting… well get ready for both. Several changes are in store for this year's 4-H Show. Those changes will all be listed in the Wayne County 4-H Showbook, which will be available on-line soon.

Be sure to read it carefully and check your newsletter every month to see updates and revisions. Great things can happen when we all work together!

Remember, you must be enrolled in all the projects you wish to take before May 1 … No exceptions will be made this year.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the 12^th Annual Horse Camp held at Coon Creek Ridge Riders Club from June 4-7. Campers will participate in hands-on activities, trail rides, and games as well as listen to guest speakers. Campers must be 10-18 years of age. To request a registration form or for more information, contact the Clay County Extension Office at 618/665-3328 or visit their website at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/clayfayette/.

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Certification is required for any exhibitor showing junior barrows, open barrows, or Premiere barrows at the 2009 Illinois State Fair.

In reaction to most US packers requiring PQA, the Illinois State Fair is mandating this certification for its exhibitors in these swine classes. Proof of PQA Certification will be part of the Illinois State Fair entry forms due July 1^st every year.

• It is encouraged (not mandated) that youth 9-13 years of age be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the class.
• The parent or guardian cannot become certified by accompanying their child at a Youth PQA class; bust must attend an adult PQA Level III program to become certified or have a veterinarian certify them at their farm during a routine visit.
• Youth 19 years of age or older must become certified through the adult PQA Level III education program.
• Youth 9-13 years of age must re-certify annually by attending a Youth PQA education program.
• Youth under 9 years of age cannot be certified in Youth PQA, but may sell a pig under their parent or guardian's Adult PQA Level III certification.

Two PQA training sessions will be held - May 18^th at 7 p.m. and another one to be held at a later date, both at the Extension Office. Please call the office to register at 842-3702.

Any youngster planning to exhibit beef, sheep, swine, goats, poultry, dairy or horses at the Illinois State Fair MUST complete Quality Assurance & Ethics training via the internet by July 1^st if they have not already done so. Once completed, you do not have to repeat the process. Horses have an earlier deadline of June 9^th. The website address is http://qaec.outreach.uiuc.edu.

There will be a 4-H Petting Zoo at the Family Literacy Fest on Saturday, May 2. It will be held at Northside School in Fairfield. Geff Chatters 4-H Club is coordinating this activity and invites any 4-H'ers with small animals to participate. Call the Extension Office at 842-3702 to volunteer. Help is also needed to man the booth that day.

The Wayne County 4-H Public Presentation & Cooking Demonstration contest has been set for Thursday, April 30, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Extension Office. All 4-H members interested in giving a talk or demonstration are encouraged to do so. Several categories are offered in this contest (complete list of contest categories and rules in Showbook). You could even give a speech that you wrote for a class at school! Each time you speak in front of an audience, you gain so many skills that you will carry with you throughout the rest of your life. Please contact the Extension Office by April 29^th to let us know the topic of your presentation.

Your next chance to enroll in a Hunter Safety Course is right around the corner. One has been scheduled for May 22 & 23. It will be held at the Fairfield Gun Club. Friday's class will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday's class will be all day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don't forget to bring a sack lunch. Remember you must attend class on both days for certification. The class is limited to 40 and participants must be 9 years old. Pre-registration is required, so call the Extension Office early to reserve your spot!

4-H Camp for Grades 3-6

4-H Camp is an experience you'll never forget. Make new friends as you enjoy swimming, hiking, canoeing and team games. Learn new skills as you try sport fishing, woodworking, crafts, and nature activities. And, each evening offers special activities like campfire singing, star gazing, movies, and board games.

4-H Youth Camp runs June 7-10 and is held at WOW Little Egypt Camp near West Frankfort. All Southern Illinois kids ages 8 to 12, or in grades 3 through 6, can attend. You don't have to be a 4-H member to come to camp. Space is limited, so register early!

Registration materials will be available soon at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/4h/camp/

4-H Camp for Grades 7-8

4-H Junior High Camp is the place for summer fun. This camp offers just the right mix of traditional camping activities and plenty of free time to hang out with friends. Besides the traditional camp fun of swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, and team games, this camp features a high ropes challenge course and energizing activities

Jr. High Camp runs June 25-27 and will be held at Camp Wartburg, Waterloo, IL. It is for all youth ages 12-14 or in grades 6 thru 8, regardless of 4-H membership. Space is limited so register early!

Registration materials will be available soon at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/4h/camp/

If you are planning to show a bucket calf this summer at 4-H Fair, you will need your project manual/record. Please call or stop by the office to pick yours up. Remember, the judge will need to review this during judging.

Wayne County 4-H has purchased three robotics kits with a generous donation from the Wayne County 4-H Foundation. Matt is available to attend club meetings and demonstrate this fun and exciting form of technology. Please notify the office if you're interested.

4-Hers – Are you interested in learning more about the robotics project area? This hands-on workshop will offer you the opportunity to work with the robotics kits as well as learn about the project requirements for robotics.

The workshop is scheduled for Monday, April 13, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Extension office. There is a $5 registration fee. The workshop is limited to 10 participants, so call the Extension office to sign up today.

The theme this year is "Inspire by Example", which clearly describes what 4-H volunteer's do as they role model positive behavior for youth across Illinois.

Nearly 24,000 youth and adult volunteers support Illinois youth as they participate in 4-H community clubs, after-school programs, special interests groups, and camps. The time and effort these volunteers expend to create positive youth development environments for Illinois' youth are truly appreciated. Volunteers have the power to inspire the people they help and to inspire others to serve.

Wayne County 4-H salutes our dedicated volunteers. Thank you for your service!

Why not make plans to attend the Illinois State Fair this year. It will run from August 14^th - 23^rd in Springfield. Wayne County's 4-H exhibit day is Sunday, August 23^rd. Check out the State Fair website for information on coming attractions at http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/.

The Extension Office has been notified of a Club Pig Sale scheduled for April 4 in Cisne. The show features January and February club pigs that would be ideal for summer shows. Contact the Extension Office if you'd like more information or a copy of the show flyer.

Thursday, April 30^th

Public Presentations, 7 p.m., Extension Office

Wednesday, July 8^th

Fairgrounds Clean-up Day, 9 a.m., Fairgrounds

Friday, July 10^th

Dog Obedience and Dog and Cat Show, 6 p.m., Fairgrounds

Tuesday, July 14^th

Clothing Show, 10 a.m., Methodist Church

Thursday, July 16^th

Foods Show, 1 p.m., Geff Ruritan Building

Saturday, July 18^th

Horse Show, 5 p.m., Wayne County Saddle Club

Monday, July 20^th

General Projects Show, 8 a.m., Fairgrounds

Bicycle Rodeo & Tractor Driving Contest, 2 p.m., Fairgrounds

Beef weigh-in, 4 p.m., Fairgrounds

Sheep & Goat weigh-in and check-in, 5 p.m., Fairgrounds

Swine weigh-in, 6 p.m., Fairgrounds

Tuesday, July 21^st

Bucket Calf Show, 8:30 a.m., Fairgrounds

Beef Show, 9 a.m., Fairgrounds

Chicken BBQ Contest, 3 p.m., Fairgrounds

Sheep Show, 5 p.m., Fairgrounds

Goat Show, 6:30 p.m., Fairgrounds

Wednesday, July 22^nd

Swine Show, 8 a.m., Fairgrounds

Poultry Show, 5:30 p.m., Fairgrounds

Rabbit Show, 7 p.m., Fairgrounds

Thursday, July 23^rd

Carcass Show, 10 a.m., Farmer's Packing in Albion

Round Robin Showmanship Contest, 1 p.m., Fairgrounds

Little Pig Drive, 4:30 p.m., Fairgrounds

Awards Presentation, 5:00 p.m., Fairgrounds

Livestock Auction, 5:30 p.m., Fairgrounds

Although spring comes in March, it usually comes with lots of rainy days. During heavy rains and thunderstorms, we need to be indoors where it is safe. But on days of a light rain or drizzle, don't let the wet weather confine you to the house. Think outside the box to make a rainy day an extraordinary day full of fun and exercise.

Be sure to dress for the weather by wearing a rain jacket, boots, or some other water-repellant clothing. Once you are properly dressed, head outside for some fun:

• Find puddles and leap over them.
• Slide in the wet grass when playing in the rain. Or, find a hill and use a snow sled to slide down.
• Play sports out in the rain. Football and soccer are a lot more fun when you play them in the rain.
• Go for a bike ride in the rain. Make sure you wear a helmet and safety gear.

Baked Chicken and Vegetables

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 small potatoes, quartered

12-ounce bag of frozen corn

1 onion, sliced

1/2 green pepper, cut in strips

2 pinches sweet basil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease bottom of baking dish.
3. Sprinkle salt lightly over chicken and place in a baking dish.
4. Quarter potatoes and place over chicken. Add corn.
5. Slice onion and cut pepper in strips and add to dish.
6. Sprinkle with basil, and cover dish. Cook approximately 1 hour.

March 28

Southern Region Hippology Contest & Horse Event

March 28

Marion Co. 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest, Salem, IL

April 3

4-H Foundation Scholarship deadline

April 11

Swine, Sheep & Goats Weigh-In

April 13

Robotics Workshop, 1-4 p.m.

April 20

4-H Foundation Meeting, 6 p.m.

April 25

So. IL 4-H Livestock Showmanship Clinic, Pinckneyville, IL

April 30

Public Presentations Contest, 7 p.m.

May 1

Wayne County 4-H Project Enrollment Deadline

May 1

4-H Horse Ownership/Lease Papers Due

May 2

4-H Petting Zoo at Literacy Fest

May 18

PQA Training, 7 p.m.

May 22-23

Hunter Safety Course

May 23

4-H Day with the St. Louis Cardinals

June 4-7

Clay Co. Horse Camp, Louisville, IL

June 7-10

Southern IL 4-H Camp

June 25-27

Jr. High 4-H Camp

June 29 – July 1

Illini Summer Academies

July 19-25

Wayne County Fair