The Marion County 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team will be heading to Kansas City, MO to compete in the American Royal National Livestock Judging Contest on November 1, 2009. Marion County is very proud of team members: Kane A., Bradley B., Justin S., and Robert F. The team is coached by Steve Austin. GOOD LUCK!

Marion County 4-H members will be recognized with awards for their accomplishments during the 2008-2009 4-H year at the annual 4-H Achievement Program. The event will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Marion County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building in Salem. The Outstanding 4-H Boy and Girl will be announced, as well as the Friend of 4-H Award and the Alumni Award. Parents, grandparents, extended families, volunteers and community leaders are encouraged to attend. Those receiving recognition should have received a postcard in the mail. Please be present to accept your award!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 (no school – Veterans Day)

9 a.m. – noon

This workshop is designed for youth ages 10 and older. Participants will work in teams to make and program a robot using the Lego Mindstorm Kits to encourage team building and problem solving. Pre-registration is required by calling the Extension Office. 4-H membership is not required to participate. There is still space available for you! There is no fee to attend.

Were you recently elected to an office in your 4-H club and now you're not sure what to do? Then make plans to attend Officer Training on Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Extension Office. The training will begin immediately after a short Marion County 4-H Federation Meeting.

This is also "Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae" night, so you won't want to miss it!

February 12 & 13, 2010

Springfield, IL

Participants will visit the state capital and hold a mock session in the House of Representatives chambers! This is an amazing and unique opportunity. The planning committee will have 10 mock bills to debate during your mock session. More details should be available soon, so watch your 4-H newsletter for updated information!

This great collection of recipes is made from 4-H cooking manuals that are no longer in print. There are lots of old favorites included in the book. The recipe books are only $15.00 and would make a great Christmas gift. The Extension office has a limited supply of the recipe books on hand, or you can use the order form included in this newsletter.

Enrollment forms must be received for the following projects by:

Beef – January 15, 2010

Swine – April 15, 2010

Sheep – May 15, 2010

Goats – May 15, 2010

Exhibitors must own their animal(s). All animals must be the property of the exhibitor by:

Steers – February 1, 2010

Market hogs – May 1, 2010

Goats and Lambs – May 15, 2010

All livestock exhibitors should complete the 4-H Livestock Record for each species they are enrolled in. Copies can be downloaded off the State 4-H website or they are available at the Extension Office.

The Marion County 4-H Federation elected officers for the 2009-2010 4-H year as follows:

President – Bradley B.

Vice President – Nicole T.

Secretary – Summer P.

Treasurer – Kane A.

Reporter – Rhiannon B.

Historian – Karlie N.

They also received a $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart, donated $1,000 to the Marion County 4-H Livestock Judging Team to help towards their expenses while competing in the American Royal National Livestock Judging

Contest, formed committees and enjoyed ice cream cake!

Their next meeting will be held on Monday, November 23, 2009. Officer Training for all club and federation officers will be held that evening and everyone will get to make their own ice cream sundaes afterwards!

LEADERS – please remember to complete a 4-H enrollment form on yourself, so we can update our records. Your information does not automatically roll-over to the new 4-H year.

Also, Marion County 4-H Federation Reporter Rhiannon B., will be contacting club leaders by e-mail (if possible) for club news to be included in the 4-H newsletter.

November 1 – Marion County 4-H Livestock Judging Team competes at

American Royal Contest in Kansas City, MO

November 1 – Daylight Savings Time ends (turn clocks back 1 hour)

November 7 – 4-H Achievement Program (7 p.m.)

November 11 – Robotics Workshop (9 a.m. – noon)

November 23 – 4-H Federation Meeting/Club Officer Training (6:30 p.m.)

November 26 & 27 – Thanksgiving Holiday – office closed

December 24, 2009 – January 3, 2010 – Holiday Break – office closed

January 15, 2010 – Beef Enrollment deadline

January 25, 2010 – 4-H Federation Meeting/Game night (6:30 p.m.)

February 1, 2010 – Steer Ownership deadline

February 13, 2010 – Steer Weigh-in

February 22, 2010 – 4-H Federation Meeting/Nursing Home visit (6:30 p.m.)

April 15, 2010 – Swine Enrollment deadline

May 1, 2010 – Market Hog Ownership deadline

May 15, 2010 – Sheep Enrollment deadline

May 15, 2010 – Goat Enrollment deadline

May 15, 2010 – Market Lamb and Goat Ownership Deadline

May 24, 2010 – Marion County 4-H Federation sponsored Dairy

Mart/Miniature Golf

June 19, 2010 – 4-H General Projects/Foods/Visual Arts/Clothing and

Public Presentation Exhibits

June 24, 2010 – 4-H Cat/Dog Exhibits

July 29, 2010 – 4-H Clean-up of fairgrounds

July 30, 2010 – 4-H Livestock Weigh-in

July 31, 2010 – 4-H Swine/Sheep/Goat/Dairy/Beef Exhibits

August 1, 2010 – 4-H Super Showmanship Contest

- 4-H Tractor Driving Contest

August 2, 2010 – Kid's Day at the Fair

- 4-H Rabbit Exhibits

- 4-H Poultry Exhibits

August 4, 2010 – 4-H Livestock Auction

August 5, 2010 – 4-H Horse Exhibits

- 4-H Carcass Exhibits

- 4-H Crops and Horticulture Exhibits

August 13 – 22, 2010 – Illinois State Fair

Lots of dates have been added to the 4-H Calendar (even the 4-H exhibit schedule for 2010)……..be sure to mark your home calendar with the dates that apply to you and your family.

Angela Britt (Patoka Panthers 4-H Club); Michelle Pennington (Four Leaf Fighters 4-H Club); Vicky Moody (Hoofbeats 4-H Club); Rebecca Jackson (City Creek Clovers 4-H Club).

We would also like to welcome a new club to Marion County 4-H: City Creek Clovers 4-H Club!

The 4-H Achievement Program (November 7, 2009 – 7 p.m. at the Marion County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building) is a big evening for Marion County 4-H members! Many will be recognized for their accomplishments with their 4-H projects, as well as leadership in their clubs. Trophies, plaques, certificates and other awards will be presented during the evening. Special awards to be announced will be: Friend of 4-H, 4-H Alumni, Outstanding 4-H Leader, Outstanding 4-H Boy and Outstanding 4-H Girl Awards. Please plan to attend!