• April 15 – Early Bird Deadline for Illini Summer Academies
• April 30 – 4-H Digital Mayhem Challenge Deadline
• May 30 –Illini Summer Academies Deadline (Final) (if not full)
• May 1 – 4-H Camp Enrollment Deadline
• May 1 – 4-H Enrollment Deadline (to show at this year's fair)
• May 29 – McLean County deadline for Radon Poster Contest
• June 1 – 4-H Club Audit for 2007-2008 – Final deadline.

4-H Records – Open Lab April 29, 6:30 – 8 pm, Workforce Development Center @ HCC Room 3004

On March 31^st 55+ 4-H members, leaders and parents participated in the "Oh, the places you'll go…in 4-H!" workshop to learn about the new 4-H project records and learn more about county and state records. An open lab has been set up at the Workforce Development Center at Heartland Community College in room 3004 for 4-H members to actually "start" or get feedback on their 4-H records. Bring your records on a CD or "flash" drive and adults, leaders, and 4-H members who have filled them out will be available to answer your questions. If you have not started your records – that's ok, you'll have them started by the time you leave!

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

For details, see: www.pork.org/Producers/PQA/PQAPlus.aspx

YAP + Project Work = Vibrant 4-H Clubs, May 1, 6-8:30 pm at the Extension Office

ALL Volunteers are invited to attend: Project Leaders, Jr. Leaders, and Organizational Leaders, interested 4-Hers 12+

Amy Leman, Extension Educator in Macon County along with one to two youth will present on Youth and Adult Partnerships and how they can assist 4-H clubs. Dinner will be provided – an RSVP must be completed by phone or online to ensure enough food & materials. Activity kits for the Consumer Savvy, Financial Champions, and Entrepreneurship projects will be demonstrated and available for check out by 4-H clubs.

Agenda

6 – 6:30 pm Food & YAP Introduction

6:30 – 7 Small Group Discussions about YAP

7 – 7:30 Sharing about Small Group Discussions

7:30 – 7:45 Showcase Donor Plea, Extension Partners, and Great 4-H Debate Feedback

7:45 – 8:15 Consumer Science Kits for Groups by ISU Business Class

8:15 – 8:30 Announcements/Questions

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

4-H Backdrop Poster Contest

Congratulations to Madison Maciejewski of Blazing Saddles 4-H Club for creating the winning poster drawing for the 4-H Backdrop Poster Contest!

4-H Camp Registration Open

McLean County week at 4-H Memorial Camp is June 29-July 3! We have 40 spots left! 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).

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

Summer Job Opportunity

Syngenta Seeds in Bloomington, Il is looking for individuals interested in a summer job. Responsibilities include assisting the research associate with daily duties: Field data collection, Plot management, Plot maintenance, and Pollinating

If you are interested, please call or email Suzy Tomm: 309-533-2200 or Email: suzy.tomm@syngenta.com. Applicants must be 14 years of age starting July 1.

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. If you are interested in being on one of these teams please sign up online at https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1677. We have county teams for many of these practicing. We are looking for volunteers for several areas also!! Sign up now so that you can practice with others!

Attention Visual Arts 4-H Members!

The McLean County Arts Center is hosting an open house on April 26^th from 2-4 pm. Register to win art supplies and sign up for summer classes.

New 4-H Projects & New Manuals for 4-H members!!

There are exciting 4-H project changes for 2007-08! You'll find several new projects 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 1-3–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.

Essay Contest of Global Proportions

Asia Society and The Goldman Sachs Foundation are sponsoring the 2008 Youth Prizes for Excellence in International Education. Up to five winners will be selected to receive up to $10,000 each as well as an all-expense paid trip to New York City in November 2008 to receive their prize.

The 2008 competition asks students to create an in-depth written essay or multimedia feature examining a social or economic issue that has relevance to them in a global context. In the essay category, students will compare and contrast how the issue affects their community and a community abroad, as well as create recommendations for what lessons the two communities could learn from each other. In the multimedia category, students will explore how a global problem or challenge affects their life as an individual, as a member of their local community, and/or as a global citizen.

Please visit http://askasia.org/students/gsfprizes.html for the contest questions, eligibility rules, guidelines and helpful hints, and submission instructions. The deadline for applications for the Youth Prizes is Thursday, June 12, 2008.

Kid's on the Block Puppet Troupe

Are you taking theater Arts as a 4-H project? The troupe is still looking for volunteers to train for the puppet troupe; members do not need to be a part of SAC (Student's for an Accessible Community). Our group meets weekly at LIFE Center for Independent Living, 2201 Eastland Drive Suite 1 in Bloomington on Mondays at 6 p.m. If anyone would like to stop by to see what the program is like, we'd be happy to have them. To learn more about LIFE Center, go to our website at www.lifecil.org. Requirements for being a troupe member are: 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 regular practices, memorize scripts, transport materials to and attend community education events. Hours: Hours will vary greatly depending on requests for presentations. Presentations should last approximately 2 hours. Practices are currently 2 hours per week, but may change. Anyone interested should contact Marianne at 309/663-5433 or marianne@lifecil.org.

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

Date Program	Place	Time
April 28 – Workforce Development	Heartland Community College	6 pm
May 19 – Cinco De-Mayo Party	TBA	7 pm
June 23 – Challenge Course	Lake Bloomington	TBA

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.

4-H Softball Day, June 28, 9 am

Remember the fun times had by all at the County 4-H Softball tournaments? Well, come on out this year and play softball with other 4-Hers and have fun! To avoid so many conflicts in July, the 4-H softball tournament will be held this year on June 28^th. It will be at the ISU Diamond nearest the Motorcycle training school. It will begin at 9:00 in the morning and end when the kids are tired of playing softball! There will be a port-a-potty there for the day. 4-H clubs may combine to form a team, individuals may come and be placed on a team and clubs may enter a junior team and/or a senior team. There is no fee. Just come and have fun. All teams are co-rec. Depending on the number of teams that sign up, a schedule with times will be set up and given to participating clubs 3 days after entries are due. Call Ray Ropp 454-1760 to enter or send in the registration form by June 21^st. Registration is also available online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1675

Community Service

Arthritis Walk & Dog Walk - Beginning at 9:30 am Tipton Trails Pavilion off of GE Road in Bloomington.

Want to spend a fun day supporting a great cause with your family, friends and even your dog? Come to the Annual Arthritis Walk! All participants receive a t-shirt, goodie bag, great food and prizes for only $25 and all the proceeds benefit The Arthritis Foundation. Just for kids- we will have the Zoolady painting faces, and a fireman to answer your fire safety questions with a fire truck. For our participants with their dogs, we will also have a pet kissing contest and trick contest. (You do not have to have a dog to partake in this awesome event). Go to http://aw2008bloomington.kintera.org/

Serving Dinner for a Fundraiser, April 29, United Methodist Church

The Vladimir/Canterbury Sister City Association of Bloomington-Normal. The fund-raiser supports our student exchange program. Each year we bring 2 students from Vladimir to study for the school year at a local high school. Two students travel to Vladimir each summer. The event is April 29 at the First United Methodist Church in Normal (next to Milner Library/Bone Student Center). They need kids there from 5:30pm- 7:30pm. Volutneers would be required to carry dishes to the tables, refill water and some dishes on their table, and take dishes away. There would not be any kitchen clean-up required. Food will be provided if they'd like. Contact info: Kathy Powell- cell-531-2003, home- 663-7559.

4-Hers Support Our Troops

On Sunday, June 8^th at 2 pm join fellow 4-H members in supporting our brave men and women in the armed forces. Listen to presentations by Judge Robert Freitag (discussing what life in Iraq is like for those serving over there) and Leatha Poshard (who will share information about what we as 4-Her's can do to help our troops in our community.)

Please bring an item(s) to send over to members of our community currently serving in Iraq. This event will be held at

Fountain of Life Church, 918 South University Street, Normal. Contact: Josh Carrigan, Phone: (309) 824-4431 Flier online under 4-H &Youth, Additional Resources, Upcoming 4-H Events: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth1385.html

Donate Free Rice

Play an online definitions game! For each word correctly defined, 20 grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Program to help end hunger. http://freerice.com/index.php

4-H CAMPaign

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 yea. There are several ways your club can get involved with this CAMPaign!! Fliers will be distributed through Organizational Leaders.

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hmemorialcamp/campaign.html

Recycling Plastic Pots

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

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-H Rocketry Materials for Free!

The National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and National 4-H Council are able to make NAR resources available to 4-H volunteers free of charge. The materials include the NAR Member Guidebook and two CD's on model rocket building and flying. To receive them, 4-H Volunteers should send their name, email address AND mailing address to GetSETInfo@fourhcouncil.edu.

More information about NAR can be found at: http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/nar.aspx .

Geocaching Opportunity

Check out this community service event organized by the new Lawrence County geocaching club! The text is copied from the groundspeak email sent out by geocaching.com, informing members of caching opportunities. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=2a820e46-ea76-4a00-b781-a1701f70a392

The Amazing Caching Kids CITO (Cache In Trash Out Event) (GC1ABJM) Location: Illinois, United States (14.7mi E (23.7km E)) Date: 4/19/2008 by The Amazing Caching Kids

Radon Poster Contest

The radon poster contest for 2009 is starting now! For information on requirements go to http://www.takeactiononradon.uiuc.edu/teacher_materials/contest/poster_contest.html. The Illinois deadline for participation is June 1^st. The McLean County deadline will be May 29^th. Regional winners could win a $50 savings bond. State winners win a $100 savings bond. Last year McLean County had one of the state winners!!

Celebrate Earth Day – April 22

April 22, 2008 will be the 39^th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Earth Day 2008 provides a unique opportunity to join millions of people around the world by taking a proactive approach to protecting and enhancing the earth for the future. YOU can make a difference! For more ideas on what you can do to promote National Earth Day in your school and community, check out this website www.earthday.net/

4-H Million Trees Project

Members of the Pacifica (California) 4-H Club launched the 4-H Million Trees (4HMT) project, a large-scale service-learning project with the goal to plant 1,000,000 trees across the United States to beautify America, absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and combat global climate change. Given the nature of the approximately 6.5 million 4-H members, which is summed up in the 4-H Pledge, it is our hope that every one of the approximately 90,000 4-H units in the U.S. will unite with us as participants in this community service, and plant at least a dozen native trees in their areas during the current 4-H year. We hope everyone will stay with the project every year until we reach our ultimate goal. We hope clubs will accept this invitation and adopt the project so members can enjoy the satisfaction of joining with millions of fellow 4-Hers to make a big difference in the world. www.4hmilliontrees.org

Are you a "Green" Citizen"?

With Earth Day just around the corner, this is a great website to provide to Science Teachers, students, Environmental organizations and homeowners. It provides a very revealing scorecard on how your day-to-day living activities will impact the environment. The following website is available through the Office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and his "Standing Up for Illinois Green Committee". See how "Green" of a citizen you are by checking out this website: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/green/quiz/citizen_quiz.html

Earth Day Related: What's YOUR Carbon Footprint?

Every day, when you drive to work, cook, heat your house or watch TV, you leave behind a "carbon footprint" – the carbon-dioxide gases you send into the atmosphere. Many scientists say these gases are big culprits in global warming. So it's now 'chic' to know your carbon footprint and how "green" you are or need to be. Check out www.carbonfootprint.com

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!

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. If you are interested in participating, sign up online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1677

4-H Technology Tour, June 20^th, ISU Campus

Have you ever thought about a technology career? Do you want to learn about all the amazing things you can do with computers and robotics? Come on the Technology Tour and learn how to program your own robot, design your own CAD program (computer assisted design) and see your programming in action! Registration Due May 29^th. Registration forms will be available online soon at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth1385.html

4-H Horse Judging

Thank you to volunteer Diane Moretz who is working to prepare the county 4-H Horse Judging Team! If you are interested in 4-H Horse judging the group is meeting on Sunday afternoons to practice. Please call the 4-H office or sign up online at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1677. There is a regional contest coming up on April 30^th.

Heartland Community College offers horse riding classes. Please see brochure for more information or go to Heartland's website: www.heartland.edu

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:

Rabbit Tattoo July 14 6-8:30 pm Sheep Weighing/Tattoo April 19 & May 10

Poultry Testing July 14 6-8:30 pm

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/

4-H Poultry Workshop, April 19, 2008, Sherman Fire Department, Sherman IL

A poultry workshop will be held from 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm on April 19^th, the program includes Care and breeding of poultry, Poultry Judging, and there will be a New Poultry Photo/Drawing Contest.

4-H Livestock Judging

Thank you to our 4-H volunteers, Rhonda Baer, Dan Hinshaw & Jason Crider for working with the 4-H Livestock Judging Team. If you are interested in participating there are several upcoming events. The county contest is on June 13 at the ISU Farm. Sign up online or call the 4-H office: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1677

4-H Llama-o-rama Family Day, June 21, Mason IL

A day of fun llama events for the whole 4-H family! Bring your own llamas and pens or 35 llamas will be available to use for games, hikes and activities. $5.00 registration per person (includes lunch and craft supplies). Registration Deadline is June 9, 2008. Afternoon events from 1:00 - 4:00 pm are FREE! There will be displays about 4-H projects using llamas

Visual Arts, Animal Science, Photography. Contact: The Ol' Ring Place ~ Larry & Jo Ring, 13956 E 1^st Ave. ~ Mason, IL 62443, (618) 686-777, llamajo@hotmail.com.

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.

Volunteers Needed at the State Fair

Mclean County (and all other counties) has been asked to provide a minimum of 4 volunteers to assist in any or all of the following areas: project assistant, superintendent, judge, etc at the Illinois State Fair Jr. Department 4-H General Project Judging & Jr. Livestock Shows. If parents, leaders and 4-Hers age 16+ are interested please contact the 4-H office before April 25.

4-H Clubs needed for Action Presentations

The application is due May 1 from clubs who wish to provide an educational activity for general fair-goers in the Exposition Building at this year's fair. With the return of conference judging, we hope that more clubs will consider applying for positions on the day that your county is attending. A club premium of $100 per day is available for groups that fulfill the 5-hour commitment. The form is available on line at the McLean County Fair website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/fair/index.html Click on Illinois State Fair OR Forms & Downloads.

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.

Club Audits – Important!

4-H Clubs that have a treasury are required to complete an audit and turn it in to the local extension office each year. Starting for the 2007-2008 4-H year we are required to file a 990-N e-postcard for ALL 4-H Clubs. All club audits for 2007-2008 must be received by June 1^st – no exceptions. A fact sheet available online from National 4-H at: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/fs-electronic_filing_v2-08.pdf. If you have questions please contact us.

Reduce – Reuse – Recycle = $ saved!

We ask for your 4-H club's help in reducing expenses in our office. Please encourage families to give us email addresses & club leaders also. Let us know if you prefer email over snail mail. Our office can save significant amounts of money on postage by emailing information to 4-H Organizational leaders to distribute to 4-H families. If you have members who have project books that they do not plan to use, please return them to our office. If you know of 4-H members, parents and leaders who would be interested in volunteering in our office please contact us. We could always use assistance.

4-H Club Chatter

Does your club have a Reporter & Secretary? Give them or an interested 4-Her opportunity to report on your 4-H club activities and events before & after they happen! Just write up a simple report to Theresa at the office! It will be posted on an online blog called 4-H Club Chatter…not sure if it will be a part of Extension's site or not. Articles may be put in an Extension newsletter if there is space. If you have club reporters or other members that are into blogging send their names to the Extension office! Examples below.

Best of All 4-H Club Chatter

The Best of All 4-H club participated in the Central Illinois Chapter of the Links, Incorporated National Poster Art Contest from February 11 through March 10. The Poster Art Contest is called project Walking Fete, which celebrates walking, physical activity, health, and wellness. The contest is designed for children in grades 1-12. This year's theme is Stepping Out.

There were 10 4-H participants from grades 1-6. The Central Illinois Chapter of the Links awarded certificates of participation to the following 4-H members: Sarrah Walters, Brianna Deal, Akasha Jackson, Keyona Smith, Justice Slayton, Almond Slayton, Amiyla Bonds, Quincy Watts, Antoine Deal, Shaniya Jackson and Jasmine Anderson. The winner was Akasha Jackson, a 6 grader who attends Bloomington Junior High School. She was awarded a first place certificate and a $25.00 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.

Linden Lead'em 80^th Anniversary

The Linden Lead'em 4-H Club was founded in April of 1928 by Clarence and Mabel Ropp. Clarence Ropp led the club for 40 years. His son Ray has led the club for the last 40 years. An 80^th birthday celebration will be held this summer on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at the Grace Church Activity Center at 1311 W. Hovey in Normal.

There will be a potluck lunch at 12:30 pm followed by reminiscing about those "good old days" by former members and present members, displays of past accomplishments and scrapbooks. All present and former Linden Lead'em members and their families are invited to attend as well as any 4-H leaders or members who would like to extend best wishes to the club.

If anyone knows of former members, please inform them of this celebration as correct addresses are not known for everyone.

Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni Association, April 10, 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-Her's and supporting Extension staff as they seek to maintain and improve programming in our county. We welcome perspectives from 4-Her's, parents, leaders, etc on how to best distribute available funds to 4-H related needs. For more information contact Rose Rutledge, President, rutrose@yahoo.com

4-H Volunteer Orientation, May 15, Extension office, 7 pm

This is the last orientation for 4-H "new" volunteers this 4-H year! On May 15, at 7 pm at the Extension office attendees will learn more about 4-H and become a screened volunteer. Only leaders that complete the screening process will be recognized at the 4-H Volunteer Recognition Banquet at the end of the 4-H year. Please register online or call the office.

North Central Regional Volunteer Forum, November 6-8, Columbus, Ohio

The North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Forum (NCRVF) is held annually, and involves 4-H staff and volunteers from the 12 states in the North Central Region (including Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) and the Canadian Province of Manitoba. Scholarships are available from the Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni Association if you are interested in attending please go to: http://www.ohio4h.org/ncrvf/

4-H has an Ice Cream from Blue Bell

4-H inspired the third best-selling ice cream in the United States, Blue Bell Creameries, to introduce their newest flavor—Centennial Cupcake—in honor of more than 100 years of 4-H youth development programming.

Featuring a delicious cake batter ice cream with pieces of yellow cake, a chocolate icing swirl and four-leaf clover sprinkles, the Centennial Cupcake half gallon is now on shelves in stores where Blue Bell products are sold. To sweeten the deal, Blue Bell is donating a portion of the sales to promote 4-H educational programs.