April 14 - 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.at the Silver Dollar Lanes Effingham

The Cumberland County 4-H Federation will sponsor a countywide bowling party at the Silver Dollar Lanes in Effingham, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The federation is paying for the lanes and shoes but you are responsible for your food. The snack bar will be open, so bring along extra money. Please let your leader if you plan to attend this event by April 13^th. We will be having a Federation meeting after the Spring Fling 4-H Bowling.

Saturday, April 28, 2007
12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.

IL State Fairgrounds
U of I Extension Bldg. 30
Springfield, IL

Open to all Illinois 4-H Members

Featured Speakers
Ken W. Koelkebeck, Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Champaign
Bret Hitchings, APA Master Exhibitor
2005 IL National 4-H Poultry Judging team

Sponsored by the
Poultry Pals 4-H Club
Sangamon-Menard Unit

Program:
Care of Poultry
Breeding Of Poultry
Poultry Judging
New Poultry Photo/Drawing Contest
(entries should be matted of framed)

Mark your calendars 4-H Camp near Monticello
June 10-14 – Cumberland County's week
June 5 -7 – 4-H Mini Camp

You do not have to be in 4-H to attend this camp, so ask your friends to come!

Remember...
4-H Camp Scholarships are available from the Cumberland County 4-H Federation.

You need to attend a Federation Meeting to request funding.

Please visit the site at:
http://4hmemorialcamp.extension.uiuc.edu/

We only have 11 spots left!!!

June 26, 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.

The Southern Illinois Region invites all 4-H members and their families to a Minor League Baseball Game on June 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. The newly formed Southern Illinois Miners baseball team is a member of the Frontier League. Come watch the team take on the Evansville Otters in their new, state of the art stadium, located off Interstate 57 in Marion, IL. Mark your calendar for a fun-filled evening at the ballpark, and stay tuned for more information! To learn more about the Miners, go to www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Current 4-H members are eligible to enter one 8"X10" photo which illustrates the theme, "Agriculture-Farm Life is the Best." Photos must have been taken in 2006 or 2007. Deadline for entries is August 1, 2007. Eleven winners will be selected and receive $50. Photos will be displayed at the Effingham Equity Corporate office.

Grand prize winner will receive $100. For contest details, contact the Extension office.

Culture Kits will be available for the following month:

Argentina – April

If your club is interested in using this culture kit, please contact the Extension Office at 217/849-3931.

It's that time of year again. In the event that ANY SCHOOL that serves Cumberland County cancels or dismisses school early due to bad weather conditions, 4-H events will be canceled and rescheduled also. The Extension Office will try to notify radio stations in such an event.

4-H'ers are invited to participate in the 4-H Livestock Camp, June 10-12 at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds, Sumner, IL.

This three-day camp will offer hands-on sessions on Beef, Sheep, Swine and Goats. The camp will be open to 4-H Youth ages 8 and up.

The goal of the camp is to teach youth enrolled in livestock projects proper feeding, care and handling of their animals in order to have them ready to show by county fair time. The campers will receive basic livestock practices they can use throughout their career showing animals, as well as preparing them for a future in livestock production in a friendly and fun environment.

Registration will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through local county University of Illinois Extension offices. The registration fee for the camp is $50.00 for 3 days of overnight camping in open pole barns, meals from dinner on June 10^th through dinner on June 12^th. Participants will also receive a t-shirt and Animal Resource Handbook. Registration is also available on a daily basis with 2 meals, t-shirt and Animal Resource Handbook for only $30.00 per day.

Registration forms must be filled out completely for each participant and return to the Cumberland County Extension office by May 15, 2007 along with the registration fee.

All Market Swine for the 4-H Fair have to be tagged to be able to show. They can be tagged one of two ways. They can be tagged by your local vet on the farm or at the April 21st Weigh-in. You can come to the office to pick up your tags and a forms after April 9th. If you pick up the tags you do not have to come to Weigh-in. This is to help with prevention of spreading diseases from farm to farm. The forms have to be signed by the Veterinarian by April 21st and back in the office by April 25th.

If you do not choose to let a vet tag your pigs, you need to come to the weigh-in on Saturday April 21st from 8:00 to 10:00 am. You only have to bring your market Swine.

If you have any questions about this please contact Tonya at the office.

SWINE: Saturday, April 21, 2007 – Fairgrounds, Greenup 8 to 10 A.M.

SHEEP: Saturday, April 21, 2007– Fairgrounds, Greenup 10 to 11 A.M.

All potential 2006-2007 4-H livestock exhibitors must have participated in a "Quality Assurance and Ethics Clinic" prior to exhibiting a livestock project at the Cumberland County Fair. All State Fair exhibitors must comply and attend the training yearly.

If you are unsure if you have to take the PQA please call Tonya at the office. We will be offering the test again this year if you are Intermediate (12-14) and Advanced (15-19).

April 7th 10 a.m.
Jasper County Extension Office
Newton IL

OR

April 26th 6:30 p.m
Toledo Village Hall
Toledo IL

The newly updated and revised Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification website is up for this year.

4-H and FFA youth can go to http://qaec.extension.uiuc.edu and go through their training.

When they log-in and complete the training, your county Extension office will receive notification.

Excellence In Agriculture Scholarship Program from the Illinois State Treasure Alexi Giannoulias will be awarding five $2,500 Scholarships. These Scholarships are annually awarded to Illinois high school students who plain to enroll as full-time Students in Agriculture or agriculture related studies. You can pick these applications up the Cumberland County Extension office. These applications have to be post marked by May 15, 2007.

If you are planning to pursue any AG field this would be a Scholarship for you.!!!!!!!!!

Can't find time and money to travel?

Do you enjoy exposure to different cultures which traveling brings?

Looking for a low-cost experience for the whole family?

The 4-H Japanese Summer Exchange Program allows families to gain benefits of international travel right here at home by hosting a youth from Japan. Families often find they are drawn closer together and see their lives in a whole new perspective as they welcome a new son, daughter, brother, or sister into their circle. Please contact the Extension Office for more information.

4-H'ers in the Horse & Pony project who plan to show at the 4-H Equine Challenge Show, or Illinois Jr. Horse show must have ownership/lease papers on file at the Extension office by May 1. The 4-H county horse show ownership papers must have all the above paperwork in the office by June 1st.

Please include two photos, one for each side of every horse/pony you may ride in the shows.

See new leasing information in Rules and Regulations book.

4-H member enrollments are due in the Extension Office by the 4-H Leaders no later than June 1, 2007, for members who plan to exhibit at the Cumberland County 4-H shows this summer. Members may be added or dropped from membership at any time, but after June 1, 2007, they are not eligible to show at this year's shows.

All youth must be 8 years of age or in third grade by September 1st of 2006 in order to enroll or exhibit.

Cloverbud members are not eligible for premium but may display their project at any of the 4-H shows.

What: Ninth Annual Illinois Leadership Conference ~ Take Charge of Change

When: June 6, 2007, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Where: Hawthorn Suites Hotel, 101 Trade Centre Drive, Champaign, IL, 61820

Cost: $75

To register: www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu

This conference is designed for anyone in a leadership position, serving on a board of directors, working on community projects or with committees, and seek to manage and lead more effectively. Topics include community infrastructure, power in communities, innovations in housing design and financing, and developing your personal leadership improvement plan. Cost of the conference is $75, and includes all materials, refreshment breaks, and lunch. Scholarships are available. Participation is limited, so register early. For more information, contact Anne Heinze Silvis at asilvis@uiuc.edu or call Anne at 217.333.5126. Register at www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu

June 28-30, 2007
University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana

What Is ILC?
ILC is a 3-day event to provide Illinois High School teens new opportunities to explore the University of Illinois campus while focusing on developing specific leadership skills. This year's convention will focus on both basic and advanced leadership skills that youth need to excel in their local community and school activities. Eleven hours of educational learning experiences are being planned, focusing on Communication Skills, Team-Building, Youth and Adult Partnerships, Running a Meeting, Building Camaraderie and more.

In 2007, we are also introducing a separate Technology Summer Academy that is being offered in collaboration with the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science. This special track will offer a limited number of teens 17 hours of a high impact, career-exploring look into technology as it relates to informational sciences, including web technology and podcasting experiences. Youth involved in the Technology Summer Academy will stay in the same dormitory and join ILC delegates for evening recreational activities.

What's the Cost?
This year, we are offering an early-bird registration fee of $150 to those who register prior to April 23. The registration fees after April 23 are $175 for ILC; $200 for the Technology Summer Academy. The fee covers a 2-night stay in University Housing (2 delegates per room); six meals; programming materials; workshop fees; and insurance.

When Is Everything Due?
Registration is due by May 21, 2007 . On-line registration will be available by April 2 at this web address. Delegates and chaperones may register on-line at this site OR may mail in registration materials. (NOTE: On-line registrants will still need to mail in health forms and conduct/media release agreements.)

Early-bird registration ($150) will be available until April 22. Registrations (postmarked or on-line) received after April 22 will cost $175; $200 for the Technology Summer Academy. Scholarship applications will be due by May 4. On-line registrations will not be accepted after midnight on Monday, May 21. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by Monday, May 21.

If you would like more information on this please contact Tonya at the Extension Office.

Saturday, May 19, 2007
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hamilton County Saddle Club
McLeansboro, Illinois

A free horsemanship clinic for anyone interested in horses, whether you own one or just want to learn more about them. Horses will be provided.

Learn about:

• equine nutrition and health
• basic roping skills
• proper tack fitting,
• lunch ($2–hot dog, chips, drink & cookie)
• you be the judge–horse judging taught by Bonnie Darnell. Please call and pre-register so we may provide adequate supplies. Please bring a clipboard. In case of rain morning session will continue but afternoon session will be cancelled.

Contact:
Connie 618-728-4467
Angie 618-925-6569
Bev–618-643-2232

4-H PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE -- 2007

Any club or individual who wishes to submit a tape of a performance to be considered for the Illinois State Fair 4-H Performance Showcase may do so. In support of our curriculum in Theatre Arts Adventures, we encourage every club enrolled in performing arts to use this opportunity to develop and perform an act.

Acts may be almost anything (in good taste, of course). We consider puppet shows, mime, singing, dances, skits, poetry reading, and instrumentals. Performance must be short, but will not be timed or eliminated from consideration because of length. Keep in mind that we have only one-hour maximum for the show and we want to feature as many youth as possible. It is a variety show. Diversity in both types of acts and performers is desired.

4-H members age 10 and above may enter as individuals, younger members may be on stage in a group (5 or more) entry. Parents/adults are allowed to accompany the act, but not be a part of it. If you would like more information please contact your 4-H Leader or Tonya at the Extension Office.

SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2007

Cumberland County 4-H will again be selling pie to the patrons of the Toledo Fire Department's Chicken Dinner during the Toledo Spring Festival on Sunday, May 20.

It is suggested that each club donate at least nine fruit pies (No cream pies, please, due to health department regulations.) Leaders are encouraged to call the Extension Office to confirm pie donations. Pies should be delivered to the Toledo Fire Hall after 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 22.

Funds raised from this event go directly toward 4-H publication expenses, which eliminates each club having to cover publication costs.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!

The 4-H Equine Challenge is Saturday, June 9 at the Rock-N-A Ranch, Charleston. 4-H'ers from our region can compete on teams in halter, western and English classes at the Rock-N-A Ranch. Teams consist of four 4-H members or horse/rider combo. Awesome prizes such as bridle bags, hat cans, saddle carriers, hay bags, engraved buckles or jackets are awarded to each member of winning teams.

Fees: $15 per rider or rider/horse combo and $5.00 grounds fee per horse.