Unfortunately, Phil (the infamous groundhog) saw his shadow. So look out, we have 6 more week of winter. But don't let that keep you from participating in the upcoming events that are in this newsletter!

First on the list is 4-H Week! This year it will be February 28th through March 6th. This year's theme is "The Magic of 4-H." The week is packed full of fun activities for everyone to enjoy! Be sure to promote 4-H during this week, and ask a friend to possibly join 4-H! Be sure to check out the list of activities inside this issue of the newsletter!

I know its only February, but 4-H BBQ plans need to begin. It will be here before we know it, and if we are prepared early, it will all be a breeze. The tentative date for this year's BBQ is June 13th.

We are again fine-tuning the workshop line-up. We are offering several different project areas in a one day workshop. There are details inside this issue, along with a registration form. However, if you would like to see a different project offered at the workshop, please call the office.

The office will be working on supplemental packets for the Cumberland County Handbook. All of the pages that have changes will be provided to you hopefully at your March club meetings. Please remember that there will only be one packet per family!

March 12, 2009

7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office

January Meeting Minutes

On Thursday, January 8, 2009 Lance Moses called the meeting to order with Zach Moses leading the American Pledge and Kyle Spurgeon leading the 4-H Pledge. Zach Moses made the motion to approve the Secretary's report and Melissa Koester 2^nd the motion. The Treasurer's report was approved by Jaylynn Maxey and Courtney Schumacher 2^nd the motion.

In Old Business we discussed the 4-H week dates which will be March 7-14, 2009. Weigh-in dates will be Beef on February 14, 2009 from 8-10 AM. Swine will be on April 18, 2009 from 9-10:30 AM and sheep will be on the same date from10:30-11 AM. Old Business was closed with Kyle Spurgeon making the motion and Melissa Koester 2^nd the motion.

In New Business we discussed 4-H Week activities. We voted on a theme for 4-H week also. The theme will be The Magic of 4-H. We also discussed the location of the dance. We decided to have it at Janet's Café (the old Stockyards) if possible or to have it at the Toledo Christian Church. The Leader's Banquet will be on February 28, 2009 at 6:30 PM. Kyle Spurgeon made the motion to have it at the Country Kitchen in T-Town and Jodi Koester 2^nd the motion.

Other Federation activities discussed were to have: college tours; a tour of the Department of Ag, Soil Testing Business, etc.; Classroom visits; and job shadowing.

Project Workshops were discussed. Some ideas for topics were Aerospace in April or May; photography; and visual arts. It was decided to have the workshop on Monday after Easter at the Lillyville Church Hall from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Skating will be January 18, 6-8:00 p.m. at the Silver Star Skate Center in Mattoon. This will be with Coles County 4-H'ers.

In other new business, we discussed Valentine's Day cards for the nursing home residents. Kyle Spurgeon made a motion to make cards and Courtney Schumacher seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Next we discussed a county-wide carnival. Courtney Schumacher made a motion to have a county-wide carnival and Jodi Koester seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Melissa Koester made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jaylynn Maxey seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be February 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office.

-Lance Moses, Secretary

There will be a scrapbooking workshop held at the Extension Office in Jasper County. It will be held on Monday February 16th at 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This will be a fun filled day of learning scrapbooking techniques. Please bring some pictures with you that you would like to use. The teacher will have some supplies to use that day. To register, call the Cumberland County Extension Office, no later than Friday February 13th at 4:30 p.m. At this time the cost has not been set. So when you call to register, we will have that information for you!

If you are a college bound high school senior pursuing an agriculture major or career, apply NOW for one of twenty-three $1,000 "We Understand" Agriculture Scholarships. Application Deadline is March 15, 2009! Applicants must complete an on-line registration form at www.fcsillinois.com/scholarships.html.

If you do not have internet access at home, please call the Extension Office and we will provide you with the materials you need.

Selection criteria is based on academic achievement, participation, and leadership within your school and community organizations, and a commitment to pursuing an agriculture-based career.

Please call Ryan at the office with any questions.

LIVE IT UP!

Lead, Inspire, Value & Explore

The Illini Summer Academies is back! The 3-day event will provide Illinois teens new opportunities to explore the University of Illinois campus; study potential careers or leadership skills; and meet youth from across the state. Each academy will offer 15 hours of interactive activities and study in a specific field of interest. There will be at least six (6) academies this summer, each with limited enrollment. The following is the list of academies that are available:

1. Aerospace Engineering Academy

2. Agriculture & Biological Engineering Academy

3. Crop Sciences

4. Leadership Academy

5. Veterinary Medicine Academy

6. Youth Community Informatics

Illini Summer Academies will be offered on the U of I campus from Monday, June 29 through Wednesday July 1. Youth will have the opportunity to explore college life during the three (3) day conference.

If you are interested, please contact Ryan at the Extension Office for more information! DON'T MISS OUT!!

ATTENTION ALL 4-H'ERS

Are you enrolled in an Aerospace, Visual Arts, Flower Arranging, Cooking/Preservation, Soils/Crops or Photography project? If so, here is your chance to learn more about and get hands on experience with your favorite project area. If not, then you are encouraged to come and enjoy the day and learn about a project, to see if it was meant for you!! The "Discovery" will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the first session. You will have the opportunity to choose from three (3) different topics. Then we will break for a refreshing lunch. The second session will begin at 12:00 with three (3) more exciting projects! The day will conclude at approximately 2:00 p.m. We will have experienced and knowledgeable teachers to give you the tips and skills you need. Here is a question, do you wish to have another project area covered on this day that is not listed? If so, contact the Extension Office with your idea! If we can get enough people interested, we will add it to the list! All sessions are open to 4-H'ers and non-4-H'ers. So, bring a friend and ENJOY THE DAY! The cost for the Project Discovery is $8.00 per person, which includes all materials and lunch.

Get excited, learn and discover what is before you!!

Look inside this newsletter for the sign-up sheet!

The deadline for registration is April 3rd!!

1. Any person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or disability may participate in 4-H programs. Youth who are 8 years of age or in third grade & have not reached their 19th birthday on or before September 1 of the current 4-H year may enroll in a 4-H club. Persons considered to be mentally challenged & older than the eligibility age for 4-H club membership may participate fully in 4-H. Extension units may allow 4-H enrollment by boys & girls who are 5, 6, or 7 years of age on or before Sept. 1 of the 4-H year. This is a unit decision. If 4-H enrollment is offered to 5-7 year olds, they must be enrolled as 4-H Cloverbud members.

2. Enrollment Forms are due in the Extension office by 4:30p.m.on June 1.

3. Entries for the Foods Show/Demonstration are due in the Office by 4:30 p.m. on July 1st. NO EXCEPTIONS!

4. Entries for the Miscellaneous Show are due in the Office by 4:30 p.m. on July 3rd. NO EXCEPTIONS!

5. All other Entries are in the office by 4:30 p.m. on July 24^th. 4-H'ers may exhibit only in project areas in which they are enrolled. Enrollment is a matter of record in the Extension office. 4-H age is calculated as of September 1st of the calendar year. NO EXCEPTIONS!

6. The Danish System will be used to evaluate 4-H exhibits. This system distinguishes between excellent, good, & fair exhibits & awards a Blue, Red, & White award respectively. Ratings will be assigned on an individual basis according to project quality. A single entry in a class does not insure that exhibit of a blue award.

7. 4-H'ers may enter & exhibit only 1 entry per class, except in visual arts, beef, single market lamb & single market swine classes.

8. 4-H Cloverbud members (age 5-7) may only show in the Cloverbud Club Display. 4-H Cloverbuds may participate at the Cumberland County Fair as non-competitive exhibitors (Cloverbud group displays are encouraged). They will not receive premiums

9. All exhibits must be the project work of the member and members must do their own work at the Miscellaneous Show, County Fair, and at the State Fair. Preparation on and grooming of animals at the fair is to be done by the 4-H member with help from other 4-H'ers and limited adult intervention. Most preparation should be done before coming to the fair!

10. Only members of Cumberland County 4-H clubs are eligible to show.

11. In no case will the Cumberland County Fair Association, the Cumberland County Extension, or anyone else connected with conducting the 4-H Show be responsible for personal injury or property loss or damage incidental to the show.

12. Members should have attended 2/3 of the club meetings after enrollment and otherwise met the requirements suggested in the local leader's handbook.

13. Grade levels will automatically be lowered one letter, if any exhibit requirements are not followed.

14. Project Forms are required when showing an exhibit.

15. Judges and superintendents have the right to refuse entries or disqualify any entries that do not meet the requirements listed in the Fair Handbook.

16. 4-H'ers must be 10 years of age as of September 1 of current 4-H year to show at the Illinois State Fair.

4-H'ers planning to exhibit in livestock divisions in the 4-H Show must be enrolled by June 1, 2009 with livestock possession on the following dates.

2009 Possession Dates for Cumberland County

Steers and Market Heifers:
-Calved on or after January 1, 2009
-Owned & Personally cared for by exhibitor no later than February 14, 2009.

Swine:

Market Animals: (Barrows & Guilts)
-Farrowed on or after February 1, 2009 and must be the property of the exhibitor by April 18, 2009.
-No weighing and tattooing is required but must submit ear notches when making nomination.

Breeding Animals: (Boars & Gilts)
-Farrowed on or after January 1, 2009 and must be the property of the exhibitor by April 18, 2009.

Sheep:

Both Premiere & Live Show Market Lambs
-Lambed on or after January 1, 2009
-Ownership Date - April 18, 2009

Goats:

Wethers-Born on or after October 1, 2008
Must be property of the exhibitor by April 18, 2009, ex- ceptions include births after that date.

Breeding Animals

Birth & Ownership Dates for Cumberland County

Beef-Heifers & Cows:
-Owned and personally cared for by exhibittor since June 1, 2009.

Swine-Boars & Gilts:
-Age requirement is farrowed on or after January 1, 2009.
-Owned by exhibitor since June 1, 2009.

Sheep-Ewes & Rams:
-Owned and personally cared for by exhibitor since June 1, 2009.

Dairy-Cows & Heifers:
-Calves and Heifers-owned since June 1, 2009.
-Cows-owned since January 1, 2009.

Horse and Pony:
-June 1-Place on file in Extension Office copies of owner- ship papers and/or lease information and one set of photos attached (all views) for all animals that the member plans to exhibit at the County Fair. (May 1, 2009 for ISF Junior Horse Show)

Dogs:
-Dogs must be owned by April 1, 2009
-At this time, no paperwork is required to be on file.

Rabbits & Poultry:
-Breeding animals must be owned by June 1, 2009
-Market animals must be owned by July 1, 2009.

The following rules were discussed and approved at the last Extension Council Meeting. Please take note of the new rules and be sure to remember them in the coming year. These will be added to the Fairbook supplement that will be coming in a few months. If you should have any questions, please contact the Extension Office.

Livestock:

1. 4-H'ers must show own animal; only death in immediate family, sickness of individual, military service, illness in family or school related activity is excusable. If a 4-H'er is excused due to only the listed excuses they must complete the following requirements:

A. Essay required
i. Age 8-11 is required to submit a minimum of one handwritten page.
ii. Age 12-14 is required to submit a minimum of one typed page.
iii. Age 15-19 is required to submit a minimum of two typed pages.

B. 4-H'er must complete all project requirements.

C. Leader must be contacted 48 hours in advance for reason of not attending and the leader must approve the reason.

D. Leader must contact Extension Staff to inform of absence.

2. If a 4-H'er is unable to show their animal at the Cumberland County Fair, and have met all other requirements, they must have a current enrolled Cumberland County 4-H member show their animal. Non 4-H members are not allowed to show animals at the Cumberland County Fair. Parents are also not allowed to show 4-H members animal in their absence.

3. Record books should be kept up to date at all times for show earnings. You are required to bring your record book to the County Livestock Shows. At the end of the 4-H year, your leader will set a date when 4-H records should be completed and turned in.

4. All 4-H and Junior Livestock not included in the 4-H Auction may be removed Wednesday afternoon, after the conclusion of the Cumberland County Junior Show and no sooner than 3:00 p.m. Extension Staff are to be notified before removal of any and all animals at this time. Dairy Cattle, poultry, rabbits, and horses will be the only species allowed to be removed from the fairgrounds after the conclusion of their shows. Special permission requests to remove other species are required in writing to the Extension Office two (2) weeks in advance of the fair.

2009 Steers, Barrows, Wethers and Meat Goats birth, ownership and tattoo dates for ISF Jr. Show.

Steers:
-Calved on or after January 1, 2008
-Owned & personally cared for by exhibitor since - February 1, 2009
-Weighed & Tattooed:
-on or between January 31 and March 15, 2008

Minimum ADG
-2.1 for British Bred show steers
-2.3 for Simmental & crossbred show steers
-Premiere Carcass Only-No Requirement
-In addition to tattooing, steers are to be tagged with elec- tronic ID tags. Cost to exhibitor, $3.00 per tag. Information forthcoming regarding obtaining the tags. Each tag will in- clude a bar code sticker that will be attached to the nomina- tion sheet.

Barrows:

Regular Barrows
-Farrowed on or after January 15, 2009 and must be property of the exhibitor by June 1, 2009.
-No weighing and tattooing required but must submit ear notches when make entry for ISF.

Premiere Barrows
-Farrowed on or after February 10, 2009 and must have been the property of the exhibitor by June 1, 2009.
-Weighed and tattooed February 10 to April 15, 2009
-Tattooed within 35 days of birth and not weigh more than 1.0lbs/day
-Junior exhibitors can purchase barrows.

Meat Goat:
-Wethers-Born on or after October 1, 2008
-Registered and tattooed in name of exhibitor only by

May 15, 2009
-Ownership dates for Kids & Yearlings not in milk-May 15, 2009.

Wethers:

Both Premiere & Live Show Wethers
-Lambed on or after January 1, 2009
-Ownership Date-May 15, 2009
-Weighed & Tattooed-between March 15 and May 15, 2009.
-Weigh/Tattoo procedures for Open & Jr. Premiere & Live Show Wethers: All lambs to be exhibited at the State Fair MUST be taken to one of the statewide locations for weighing and tattoos. Each lamb will be tagged with an electronic ID tag (and the owner charged $2.00/lamb); tattooed; weighed; and recorded on Lamb Nomination Forms from Dr. Tom Carr. Fee for electronic ID tags will be payable on that day. Specific in formation regarding each of the weigh-in locations & proce- dures will be forthcoming.

Breeding Animals

Birth & Ownership Dates for ISF Jr. Show

Beef-Heifers & Cows:

Heifers
-Age requirements is from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.
-Owned and personally card for by exhibitor since June 1, 2009.

Performance Cows
-Cows must be born before September 1, 2007.
-Owned and personally cared by exhibitor since

January 1, 2009.

Swine– Gilts:
-Age requirement is farrowed on or after January 1, 2009.
-Owned by exhibitor since June 1, 2009.

Dairy-Cows & Heifers
-No age requirements
-Calves and Heifers-Owned since June 1, 2009.
-Cows-Owned since January 1, 2009.

Sheep-Ewes & Rams:
-Age requirement for yearling ewes is from January 1, 2008 to August 21, 2008.
-Age requirement for ewe lambs is after September 1, 2008.
-Age requirement for ram lambs is after January 1, 2009.
-Owned and personally cared for by exhibitor since

June 25, 2009.

Horse & Pony:
-May 1-Place on file in Extension or FFA Office copies of own- ership and/or lease papers for all animals that the member plans to exhibit at the ISF Jr. Horse Show.
-June 9-Copies of ownership and/or lease papers and one set of photos attached to ISF entry forms.

Dairy Goats:
-Kids & Yearlings not in milk must be owned by exhibitor only by June 1, 2009.
-Milking Does must be owned by exhibitor only by January 1, 2009.

Rabbits, Pygmy Goats & Poultry:
-Animals in these species that are to be exhibited at the ISF Jr. Show must be owned by the exhibitor as indicated:
-Does-By June 1 of the year exhibiting
-All others-Out of stock owned by the exhibitor prior to June 1.

Nancy Simpson has called and said she has a dark Carmel pygmy for sale. It is seven years old and is an excellent goat. It is a permanent Grand Champion and is registered and chipped. She is asking $100 for him. This would make a great opportunity for any 4-H'er that already shows goats, or would like to start. Her phone number is 217-832-9775; leave a message if there is no answer.

All clubs should be deciding on their club royalty at their February club meeting. We need each club to nominate a king, queen, prince & princess. They will be voted on at the 4-H Dance on March 2, 2009.

GOOD LUCK TO THE CANDIDATES!!!

Saturday, February 28
6:30 p.m. Leader's Banquet at The Kountry Kitchen in Teutopolis

Sunday, March 1
5:30 p.m. Bowling Night at Charleston Lanes in Charleston, IL

Monday, March 2
Window Display Judging (complete by 10:00a.m.)
6:30 p.m. 4-H Dance at the Stockyards in Greenup

Tuesday, March 3
Promote 4-H Day

Wednesday, March 4
Wear your 4-H Apparel Day

Thursday, March 5
5:00 p.m. 4-H Open House/Federation Meeting at the Extension Office

Friday, March 6
Send a 4-H Volunteer a Thank You Card Day

Sponsored by Clark County 4-H

Saturday, February 21, 2009

4:00 p.m. (doors open at 3:00)

It will be held at the Clark County Extension Office in Marshall, IL

New & Used Tack, Misc. Items

New Tack is supplied by Ty Southerlin. Used tack consigned by Clark County 4-H Members. Miscellaneous items are donated by area businesses and individuals and they will be auctioned.

Concessions will include: Chili, BBQ, hotdogs, nachos, taco-in-a-bag, desserts & drinks.

Everyone get ready for the 2009

Show & Trail Riding Season!

There will be a silent auction & raffle to be held during the evening. And you must be present to win!

For more information, please contact the Clark County Extension Office at 217-826-5422.

Proceeds will go to benefit the Clark County 4-H Horse & Pony Program

Saddle Up & Head to the Auction!!!

4-H members requiring the QAEC will have the opportunity to complete this requirement to exhibit at the 2009 Cumberland County Fair & Illinois State Fair on the web. The website allows exhibitors to move easily between six different modules and will not require downloading software. The web certification is the only approved method for 2009 and future years as approved by the Illinois State Fair Jr. Livestock Advisory Committee. 4-H'ers are required to only take the training once. You must complete this if you are showing beef, dairy, horses, sheep, swine, goats and poultry. Please remember that this is for both County Fair and State Fair requirements. The website address is http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec/. It is available February 1st through June 9th for horses and July 1 for beef, sheep, swine, dairy, goats and poultry.

If you have any questions, contact the office.

The 4-H Club Program Planning website has been revised. The address is www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/4hplanning. The site contains an overview and six easy steps that 4-H leaders can use with their members, parents, and other leaders to plan an exciting yearly set of activities for their 4-H club. The steps include: select planning committee, survey members/leaders, plan program, approve plan, recruit volunteers, and evaluate. Leaders who complete the session on-line may print a certificate of completion for their records and the Extension Office will be notified of your completion.