Deadlines fast approaching...

• February 15 – 4-H Technology Academy Registration Deadline
• February 29 – Legacy of Leadership Scholarship Deadline
• March 7 – Fair Horse Backdrop Design Contest Deadline
• March 7 – 4-H Ultimate Project Challenge Registration Deadline
• March 15 – Free Polypay Starter Flock Essay Deadline

Upcoming Events...

4-H Technology Academy, March 8, Workforce Development Center, HCC, 9-3 pm

4-H Electricity school has been offered every other year for 4-H members to learn the skills they need to complete 4-H projects and increase awareness of electricity. This year with the new 4-H projects in the Engineering & Technology curriculum area the day is expanding to include computers, GPS/GIS, solar power, wind energy and robotics. Registration forms will be available online at our website under 4-H & Youth, Additional Resources. This hands-on educational event will be at the Workforce Development Center at Heartland Community College. Mark your calendar for March 8^th and sign up by February 15. Registration information was mailed with Learn & Fun Day information.

Legacy of Leadership Scholarship

Current 4-H members who are high school seniors or in their last year of 4-H membership are encouraged to apply for the 2008 Legacy of Leadership Scholarship. The application deadline for this merit-based award is March 1, 2008 – County deadline is February 29. Scholarships may be used for expenses for further education programs, including trade schools, junior colleges, colleges, or universities. Additional information and an application form may be found at the Extension Office or at the U of I Extension 4-H website at http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/scholar.html.

4-H Backdrop Poster Contest

Who Can Participate:Any McLean County 4-H member.

Purpose of Contest: Design a backdrop that can be used for photographs each year for the Horse Arenaat the Interstate Center. Paper Size for Contest: 8.5 x 11 Color of Design: Please use black, white or sketched, but please do not use paint. Entries are to be turned in to the Extension Office by: Friday, March 7th, 2008.

A committee will select the winning artwork, which will be transformed on tothe backdrop in time for use at the 2008 McLean County Fair. The winner will have their poster placed and used as the backdrop at the Fair.

Find this form on the web at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth1728.html

Click to: 1. www.mcleanextension.org 2. 4-H & Youth 3. Look under Additional Resources 4. Leader Info

Ultimate Project Challenge, March 15, U of I Campus

McLean County teens are invited to join youth from across Illinois at the Ultimate Project Challenge slated for Saturday, March 15 from 9:45 am – 3:30 pm on the University of Illinois campus in – Urbana-Champaign. Conference participants will choose an event in which to compete and then work in groups to complete a challenge. Events include solar powered cars, geocaching, food, modeling, fashion design, photography, wind energy, floral design and art. Each event is led by an "expert" in the field.

The Ultimate Project Challenge is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension East Central Region 4-H Youth Leadership Team and is open to all teens, ages 13 – 18. 4-H membership is not a requirement for attendance.

Registration materials are available at the Extension office or online under Upcoming Workshop Activities. Cost for the event is $15, which includes lunch, program materials and a conference t-shirt. Registration deadline: March 7.

4-H Legislative Connection, April 8, Springfield

Illinois 4-H Legislative Connection XII will be held at the Illinois State Capitol Complex in Springfield on Tuesday, April 8, 2008. Both the House of Representatives and State Senate are scheduled to be in session. 4-H will be the only group at the capitol on this date, which provides greater visibility and opportunities to meet legislators and other government officials.

The message that we will leave with lawmakers during 4-H Legislative Connection XII is "4-H makes a difference in the lives of Illinois youth, their families and the communities in which they live." 4-Hers, leaders, and other supporters hope to impress lawmakers with the tremendous talent, poise, leadership, communication skills, and personal achievements of our 4-H youth.

Highlights include the superior 4-H project work of our 4-H members and the impact 4-H clubs have on their local communities. The large contingent of caring parents, 4-H alumni, volunteer leaders, Extension staff, and representatives of local Extension advisory groups will accompany the youth to bring a powerful message to Springfield.

Opportunities for Members...

There are exciting 4-H project changes for 2007-08! You'll find several new projects and as well as long-standing projects that have been updated. Here is a summary of the project changes:

• Floriculture, Levels A-D–Members will learn about growing and caring for plants, production science, floral design and careers.
• 4-H Cooking 101–Replaces Let's Start Cooking, You Learn to Bake, and Tricks for Treats I & II. In this introduction to cooking project, members will learn the basics of food preparation and nutrition. This is the first of four new cooking projects.
• Forestry, Levels 1-3–Members learn about trees, forests, forest ecology and the need for trees.
• Geospatial 1 & 2–Are only available on CD. Members will explore the world of geospatial science, geospatial technology, geographic education, GIS, and GPS.
• Photography, Levels 1-4–In Level 1 members learn the basics of equipment, lighting, composition and photography skills. Each level builds on that foundation. Youth can use a film or digital camera.
• Exploring the World of Plants and Soils, Levels 1-3–Members will learn about gardening, plants, soil, and the natural world through experimentation and exploration.
• Robotics, Levels I & II–Members must purchase or borrow a LEGO© Mindstorms kit, Robotics project manual and "Robotics and You" CD to complete this project. Robotics is an ideal way to learn about science, math, engineering, and technology. The manuals use the RCS but the NXT kits are only available for purchase. Members can use either kit or a non Lego kit for their project.
• Tractor, Levels A-D–Members learn about engine operation, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and safe operation of the tractor. There will be a new fair display/poster project this year.

Youth Trip to Washington – through Cornbelt Energy

Parents/grandparents who are Corn Belt Energy Corporation gas or electric members are welcome to nominate a child or grandchild to attend CBEC's Youth to Washington experience in June 2008. A drawing for the winner will be held on Feb. 29, 2008, and the student selected will attend the Youth to Washington event courtesy of Corn Belt Energy Corporation. The winner should also be available April 9 to spend the day in Springfield. For more information on this trip go to: http://www.cornbeltenergy.com/Pdfs/2008Y2WForm.pdf

Are you money smart?

Then you better look at this opportunity! This is part of the Money Smart Week Event that the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago coordinates. www.moneysmartweek.org The Money Smart Kids Essay Contest is part of the event and is a great opportunity for any student. Flier attached.

Federation Meetings set for the rest of the 4-H Year!

Date Program	Place	Time
February 25 – TBA	Bickford House – Location Change!!	7 pm
April 28 – Workforce Development	Heartland Community College	7 pm
May 19 – Cinco De-Mayo Party	TBA	7 pm
June 23 – Challenge Course	Lake Bloomington	TBA

4-H Camp Registration Open

McLean County week at 4-H Memorial Camp is June 29-July 3! We have just 90 spots available. The registration deadline is May 1. Spots fill quickly and are first come first served. After registration is full we turn over registration to the 4-H Camp office. Cost to attend camp is $145 for the first child and $125 for additional siblings. There is a family/friend discount for $10 at the Camp Outpost (for snacks and pop etc).

4-H CAMPaign

Stay tuned to future mailings, and check the 4-H memorial camp website for more information on how you can help improve the facilities at 4-H Memorial Camp! A major fundraising campaign is in the works with a renovation of the Dining Hall set to start after this camp year. There are several ways your club can get involved with this CAMPaign!!

Theater Arts Project Members – Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe

Volunteer opportunity: Kids on the Block puppet troupe

Start/end dates: Ongoing – but anticipate most shows will be during school year

Skills needed: Enthusiastic, like to work with children, able to memorize scripts, able to manipulate puppets, and able to carry materials. All volunteers must be 14+ and complete a volunteer application. Drivers must have valid license and insurance.

Duties: Attend initial training, attend regular practices, memorize scripts, transport materials to and attend community education events.

Hours: Hours will vary greatly depending on requests for presentations. Practices to be set by troupe members. Presentations should last approximately 2 hours.

Anyone interested should contact Marianne Cavanaugh-Wozniak at LIFE Center for Independent Living 309/663-5433 or marianne@lifecil.org.

4-H Day with the Cardinals date set – May 17 at 12:10 pm

Registration forms will be posted online when we receive them. Deadline will be mid April.

4-H Judging Contest Opportunities for Many project Areas!

Most state judging contests are on June 17. Topics include: Livestock, Horse, Dairy, Horticulture, Meats, Poultry, Forestry, and Electricity has a skill-a-thon. For more information on judging contest opportunities look here: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/event051.html

ILC renamed to Illini Summer Academies, June 26-28, U of I Campus

This summer, the State 4-H Office is collaborating with colleges across the University of Illinois campus to bring Illinois teens a new experience. The Illini Summer Academies (ISA) are designed to offer a 15-hour in-depth look at skills, classes, and tools needed for teens to explore various careers and opportunities. ISA will replace the former Illinois 4-H Leadership Convention and is scheduled for June 26-28, 2008.

A Veterinary Science Academy and a Leadership Academy have been confirmed for 2008, but other academies are in the works. Academies will be limited in the number of youth accepted and acceptance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees will vary for each academy, but will include University of Illinois dormitory housing, meals, insurance, evening activities, speakers, and the 15-hours of coursework.

On-line registration will be available and local Extension offices will have that information when registration opens. Registration begins on February 15^th – and spots will be filled first come, first served. Check the website frequently: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/events2.html

Illinois 4-H Ambassador Program

The Illinois 4-H Ambassador Program provides youth and adults the opportunity to become active partners in the marketing and promotion of their organization. Members that wish to be an Ambassador need to apply by filling out the enclosed form: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/opps/leg_ambassador_app.pdf Other opportunities on the state level as ambassadors are to help with Legislative Connection and the 4-H Can Make a Difference food drive at the Illinois State Fair.

Club Opportunities...

Cultural Opportunities...

Family Fest, February 23, ISU Bone Student Center

Catholic Charities and other community organizations, free, and is held in the room next door to the Ballroom.

Special entertainment on Feb. 23 at 5:00 by acappella men's group from U of I with students of Indian ancestry - Chai Town http://chaitown.illinexus.org/ -special entertainment on Feb. 24 by a Celtic group called Traveler's Dream

ISU International Fair, February 24 noon to 5:00 p.m., ISU Bone Student Center

Ballroom of Bone Student Center on ISU campus entertainment, food and trinkets to buy, information booths, kid friendly information-scavenger-hunt and world map coloring page. Free for children through 5th grade

$2 for 6th grade through university students, $3 for adults

Recycling Plastic Pots – Community Service

A pilot program for recycling plastic plant pots will begin this spring in McLean County, thanks to the cooperation of the Ecology Action Center(EAC), the Master Gardeners, ISU Facilities Services, and the Town of Normal. Initial funding for the project is being provided by McLean County Solid Waste Management. We will use a corner of ISU's recycling building off of Gregory St. for sorting and palletizing product by type. There is additional storage available outside, and in a nearby old farrowing shed. The Town of Normal will also allow us to store full pallets of pots at their Public Works facility.

The basic concept is to have five Saturdays where the public can turn in their pots at our site. The dates are: April 19, May 17, June 21, September 20, and October 18, from 8am to 12pm. Otherwise, there will be three garden centers where containers can be turned in anytime during business hours. The sites are: Niepagen Greenhouses, AB Hatchery, and Greenview Nurseries.

The group will need volunteers for the five Saturdays that we collect on site, and for picking up collection bins from the garden centers. In addition, we need help sorting and palletizing pots brought in from the other garden centers and landscapers. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact me directly, and I'll add you to my list. Email me at: jjj.swartz@verizon.net

Prescription Drug Disposal – Community Service

Extension educators are working on developing an educational initiative to provide information to youth and their families about the importance of properly disposing of unwanted medicines and best practices for disposal. This important human health and environmental issue has been the center of national attention due to pharmaceutical use being on the rise and numerous resulting impacts.

4-H clubs can integrate this topic into 4-H Projects such as the Citizenship, Service Learning, Exploring your Environment, etc. For background information and existing resources (including an award-winning toolkit) providing content for adult audiences, please refer to our Sea Grant Web site http://www.iisgcp.org/unwantedmeds/index.htm as well as the attachment. Through the Office of National Drug Control Policy, The White House has issued a press release on WHAT EVERY AMERICAN CAN DO TO PREVENT MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (visit http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press07/022007.html )

If your club chooses to explore opportunities with this issue please let us know what you do!

4-HSET Opportunities...

4-H Technology Academy, March 8, Heartland Community College

Look above for more information!!!

NASA's Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber project!

You can visit our website for the project at: www.nasa.gov/education/plantchallenge . On the site you will notice a left hand toolbar with buttons such as "Join the challenge," "Reference," "Career Corner," etc. By clicking on the Join the Challenge button you will find buttons to Register to Participate and Teach the Challenge. By registering to participate, you will receive the flown cinnamon basil seeds from the STS-118 mission with Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan. Students may also be interested in the Career Corner section where we've highlighted careers in the field of plant growth chambers. The seeds should begin mail out very soon. We will also have a p participation/feedback form on our website that includes the capability for teachers to print Certificates of Participation for each student.

Radon Poster Contest 2009

For more information about the Radon Poster Contest click here.

New website for kids – Go GREEN!

Kids care about the climate crisis too! Scholastic is launching ACT GREEN! At www.scholastic.com/actgreen , a fun, educational website designed to motivate and empower kids to take action in school, at home and in their community to preserve the environment. This multi-media website provides kids, parents, and teachers with customized green plans, expert tips, and a "Greenroom" to share ideas with other kids.

4-H Digital Mayhem Challenge

All youth ages 8-18 in Illinois and Northeast Missouri are challenged to produce their own digital photography, digital audio, digital video or mixed media production that promotes any of the various opportunities or great things about 4-H. This is a chance to stretch your imagination and have fun learning more about digital technology. The winning entries will be used to promote 4-H. For more information, go to www.4hdmc.org where you can find the contest rules and more information. Top Entries may be used in various promotional products throughout the region. $100 Amazon gift certificates will be awarded to quarterly winners. Youth select their own theme and message. Youth need not be current 4-H members to participate. Entries will also be displayed on the "4hdmc" website. The next deadline for this is April 30^th!

4-H Electricity Skill-A-Thon, June 17

The 4-H Committee within the Energy Education Council, formerly known as the Illinois Electric Council would like to know of upcoming 4-H Electricity Schools or workshops that are planning the second Electricity Skill-a-thon set for June 17, 2008 during the State Judging Day activities here on campus. This year the Electricity Skill-a-thon will be open to any 4-Her who has turned 14 years of age by January 1, 2008. This age requirement follows the guidelines of the National

4-H Engineering Competition. The winner(s) of the Illinois Skill-a-thon will be invited to represent Illinois 4-H at the National 4-H Engineering event next fall at Purdue University.

Horse Opportunities...

Illinois State Horse Judges Seminar

Please see enclosed flier.

Livestock Opportunities...

Tattoo/Weighing Dates Set

Swine, sheep and rabbit tattoo dates have been set for the spring! Please ensure that members are aware of the following:

• Swine Weighing March 8, April 5 – 9-noon
• Rabbit Tattoo July 14
• Sheep Weighing/Tattoo April 19 & May 10

4-H/FFA Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification

Available until June 9, 2008 for Horses

Available until July 1, 2008 for Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Swine, Goats, & Poultry (new for 2008)

New Web Site URL = http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec/

McDonough Co. Livestock Judging Contest, March 8, WIU Livestock Pavilion

The contest is open to any current 4-H member! Registration fee is $5.00 and covers the meal. The contest includes 9 classes: 3 beef, 3 swine, 2 sheep and 1 questions class. Pre-registration is required! If you do not pre-register, but still show up you will not be eligible to compete for individual or team placings! You need to pre-register by February 29th. Please contact Rhonda Baer, Livestock Judging Volunteer Coach at brbaer@verizon.net.

Midwest Boer Goad Breeders Club Workshop

This all day workshop will have a morning session with Dr. Maria Leite-Browning who will explain and demonstrate the procedure for doing fecals for your herd. The afternoon session will have a demonstration of meat goat showmanship

4-Hers feel free to bring a goat to work with. Pick up some tips and pointers for your goat. Registration is mandatory and due on March 10. The flier is posted on our website under upcoming workshops.

Free Polypay Starter Flock

Receive three registered Polypay ewes plus $100 buying credit at next year's national sale towards the purchase of another ewe/ram. An essay contest is being held for members of 4-H/FFA between the ages of 8-19 as of March 15 to start a flock. Please contact the extension office for a registration form. Registration is due on March 15.

4-H Meat's Judging Contest, April 10, Morton

Do you enjoy meat? Can you identify the retail cuts? Test your knowledge of meat at the multi-regional meat's judging contest on April 10^th at Rocke's Meat Haus in Morton. The contest starts at 6 pm, check-in will begin at 5:45 pm. Youth interested need to contact Theresa at the Extension office for registration by April 4^th.

PQA Training for Swine Exhibitors, April 22, 7 pm at the Extension Office

The Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) course is required by the National Pork Board for producers/exhibitors planning to make State Fair entries as part of the ongoing effort to ensure quality pork products for the consumer. The course MUST be taken EVERY year. For details, see: www.pork.org/Producers/PQA/PQAPlus.aspx

PQA training is not a requirement to show at the county fair.

Livestock Premises ID – Required for Exhibition at 2008 fairs in Illinois

Leaders, please alert your members enrolled in a livestock project that a Livestock Premises Identification number will be required for exhibition at all 2008 county, state, 4-H and FFA fairs in Illinois.

Livestock Premises Identification/Registration is part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), which is a state/federal/industry cooperative program intended to identify animal premises by assigning a unique number (a Premises Identification number) to each location where livestock and/or poultry are born, managed, marketed or exhibited. Premises registration is critical to protecting Illinois' livestock industry as it helps animal health officials minimize trace back times in the event of an animal disease outbreak. This applies to all livestock, fowl, horses and poultry -- including beef, sheep, swine, dairy, goats, poultry, rabbits, horses, and exotic hoof stock (i.e. llamas).

• A Premises ID is for the location where animals are produced and/or raised.
• The Premises ID number may or may not be registered in the exhibitor's name as it relates only to location and not ownership.
• The Premises ID number should be obtained prior to making fair entries and placed on the entry form.
• Premises registration is free and can be performed on line by at http://www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid/ or by calling 1-866-299-9256 for a paper form.
• When registering on line, the Premises ID number will be given immediately. When mailing in a paper form, you may need to allow 3-4 weeks to be issued a number.

If you do not have access to a computer or need assistance to register please call the Extension office to make arrangements.

State Fair Changes...

GENERAL 4-H PROJECT CHANGES

All action oriented events will take place on the first weekend of the fair–Fri., Aug. 8 & Sat., Aug. 10. These events will be made "competitive events" and "Top Winners" will be named.

CONFERENCE JUDGING HAS RETURNED!

All McLean County State Fair projects will be conference judged on August 15. This means that exhibitors will take their own projects to the fair, conference judging and bringing their projects home the same day.

Friday, August 8

ALL Counties: Formal Speech, Extempore Speaking, and Demonstration Public Presentations

Saturday, August 9

ALL Counties: Illustrated Speech and Original Works Public Presentations, and Bicycle Rodeo

Sunday, August 10

ALL Counties: Oral Interpretations, Food Demonstrations and Fashion Revue (McLean)

Friday, August 15

All other projects conference judging for McLean.

THERE WILL BE NO FOOD SKILL-A-THONS FOR 2008

All food exhibits will be either educational displays or food products. Food classes will also be conference judged.

CHANGES REGARDING ANIMAL EXHIBITS

• Quality Assurance & Ethics Certification will be required for POULTRY junior exhibitors. Deadline for certification is July 1, 2008.
• Quality Assurance & Ethics Certification website should be available on Feb. 1, 2008. The new web address is http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec. ALL horse exhibitors must complete the certification by June 9, 2008 and ALL other species by July 1, 2008. Exhibitors only need to take the training once.
• Jr. Market Lamb Show is being moved to Friday, August 8, 2008. Jr. Breeding sheep will show on Sunday, August 10, 2008.
• Beginning with the 2008 Fair, all Jr. Exhibitors will need to pay entry fees for any/all animals entered. Fees will be due with class entries–June 9 for Horses; July 1 for all other livestock; Aug. 1 for Dogs. Fees are allocated as follows:
• Beef, Dairy, Horses–$10 per head
• Sheep, Swine, Goats–$2.50 per head
• Dogs–$2.00 per dog
• Poultry, Rabbits–$1.00 per head
• Premises Identification Numbers will be required for all animal entries. In the Jr. Department, this includes the following species: Beef, Sheep, Swine, Rabbits, Poultry, Dairy, Goats, and Horses. Contact our office if you need assistance.
• State Fair Dog Show is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, 2008.

Special Reminders for 4-H Leaders...

Club Audits

4-H Clubs that have a treasury are required to complete an audit and turn it in to the local extension office each year. There are several clubs that we have not received audits for. Please turn in your audit by March 15 if you have not yet done so.

Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni Association, March 13, Extension office, 6 pm

Anyone is welcome to attend; you need not be a board member. Meetings are started promptly at 6 pm and usually finish within an hour. Consider becoming a part of our group as we work to serve 4-H in McLean County. It is a minimum time commitment and very rewarding to be a part of continuing a great 4-H tradition! With budget cuts affecting state 4-H programs it is more important than ever those groups such as ours remain active in funding and serving 4-H'ers and supporting Extension staff as they seek to maintain and improve programming in our county. We welcome perspectives from