• December 10 – Illinois 4-H LCP Award Applications
• December 31 – Illinois Pork Producers Internship Application
• December 31 – Early Bird Deadline for the IL 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference
• January 5 – Illinois 4-H State Award Applications Due
• January 8 – Learn & Fun Day Registration Deadline (changed 12/10)
• January 19 – General Assembly Scholarship Deadline
• January 25 – Community Improvement & Health Improvement Grant Deadlines
• January 26 – Students Involved in Technology (SIT) Conference Deadline
• January 30 – Youth Grants for Sustainable Agriculture Deadline
• February 6 – Posters, Poetry & Prose Contest Deadline (Water Conservation)
• February 15 – Dairy Quizbowl Signup
• February 20 – Ticket order for Peoria Rivermen Game Deadline
• April 13 – Radon Poster Contest Deadline (county)

Printer friendly version of the 4-H Leader Update.

4-H LCP Award & Premier 20 Leadership Conference

This award conference is for ten 4-H members and ten FFA Section Presidents. Leadership development is the focus of training. The event is sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau & their Affiliate Companies. The conference is April 22-24, 2009. The target audience is outstanding teen leaders; 2 per county, age 17-18 by September 1, 2008. The application is due December 10, 2008 to the Extension Office because the state deadline is December 15. The application for next year can be found at: http://www.youthed.org/DownloadDocs/2008-09%20LCPapp.pdf.

4-H Volunteer Leader Update, January 22, 6:30 – 8 pm, Heartland Community College

Gear up for 2009 with an evening of 4-H brainstorming! A time to connect with old friends and make new ones. Get re-energized about being a leader. Jr. Leaders are welcome to attend also.

Share ideas on:

• Keeping older kids active
• Fundraising
• Project resource list
• Getting your parents involved

Help develop a tracking tool or "activity sheet" to keep all of your member information straight, or bring the one you currently use to share.

Register online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2356

4-H Club Challenge

Financial pressures continue for Extension and 4-H. We can relate to financial pressures with the state and national economy, not to mention personal finances in our homes. Our Extension Council, after study by the Expansion/Review Committee, has approved a "Club Challenge" goal to find $10 of support for each 4-Her in the club. Since 4-H does not technically charge "dues", it is our hope that we don't simply pass along this charge as a "membership fee", but rather that the clubs take on this challenge through regular club fund raising activities, sponsorships, or donations. Club members can learn that there are "costs" to our program, and as they say "For our Club" at the close of the 4-H pledge, they can work together to achieve this goal. We have for many years received "$2 Federation" donations from members; those will be discontinued with this new "club challenge."

More information regarding this is available at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/14964.pdf

4-H State Awards Selection – Help Needed!

Judging will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Springfield Extension Center at the state fairgrounds. We will begin at 9:00 a.m. with an orientation. Judging is done in teams with each team working on a specific awards area. Depending upon categories and the number of applications, judging is generally completed by mid-afternoon (3:00 or so); however some larger categories may take longer. If you are interested please contact Theresa or Deb Stocker at dstocker@illinois.edu.

Learn & Fun Day January 24, 2009

It's that time of year again! The Learn & Fun day registration process is being set. About 40 workshops will be available for 4-Hers to participate in. Registration forms will be mailed to each 4-H family, and will be available online. There is a possibility that registration may be available online too. The deadline for registration is January 13!

4-H Skating Party February 7, 2009, 4-6 pm

Join your 4-H friends at Skate-N-Place (1704 S Morris Ave, Bloomington) for roller skating! The entire rink has been reserved just for 4-Hers and their families. Admission is $5 and there is a $1 skate rental fee.

The Great 4-H Debate is back! February 13-14, 2009

The Great 4-H Debate is a conference for 4-H'ers from across Illinois who converge in Springfield to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The Great 4-H Debate is for all high school age U of I Extension 4-H youth development program participants who are interested in learning about how Illinois state government works.

During the two-day event, youth will:

• Learn persuasive speaking
• Learn how to find information on the legislative process
• Develop an understanding of the legislative process
• Meet people from other areas of the state

Besides all the work, participants will meet youth from across the state and enjoy games and music on Friday night.

This conference is open to Illinois 4-H youth. Registration fee for the conference is $60. The deadline for registration is January 23, 2009. Lodging will be at Lake Springfield Christian Academy. Delegates will need to bring bedding, towels, and toiletries in addition to clothing. McLean County has three 4-Hers on the planning committee: Chris Baker, Kailey Harvey and Savanah Jacobs…if you would like them to speak to your 4-H club please contact our office!

Conference Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/greatdebate/index.html

Register online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2217

Students Involved in Technology Conference, February 14, 2009

The Students Involved with Technology (or SIT) Conference is an annual conference that provides students in grades 3-12 from throughout Central Illinois opportunities to learn and share their technology expertise with others. Sessions at this conference are presented by and for students in grades 3-12! Register by January 26^th. http://www.sitconference.org/

2009 Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference, February 21-22, 2009

Get this weekend on the calendars of your junior high age members NOW! The 2009 Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference is set for February 21-22, 2009. The Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team will be hosting this event at a new location – Lake Williamson Retreat Center near Carlinville, Illinois. It will be open to 4-H members currently in the 7th and 8th grade. Register online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2162

4-H Find Out Party/New Member Meeting March 7, 2009

We're inviting new 4-H members to "find out" about 4-H and current 4-H members to "find out" about choosing projects and preparing for the upcoming fair! For New Members: Learn more about picking projects, and the FAIR! Suggested youth ages 8-11. Parents welcome! RSVP online at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2346

Oh, the Places you'll go…in 4-H! March 30, 2009

Want to go to National 4-H Congress? Travel the world? Win awards? Let 4-H take you there, by filling out 4-H project records & learn more about the Illinois 4-H Award Application! This hands-on workshop for parents, leaders and older members will get you excited about the possibilities! "Today is your day…register online by March 30: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2202

4-H Volunteer Orientation & Screening, April 30, 6:30 – 8 pm ---- NOTE Time Change!

Who? Parents, leaders, superintendents = 4-H VOLUNTEERS

When? April 30, 6:30-8 pm

Where? Extension Office, 402 N Hershey Rd.

Why? To ensure that all 4-H youth in McLean County are with caring screened adults who are concerned about their safety. The U of I Extension State 4-H Office requires youth to be with screened volunteers at ALL times at 4-H events. Please help us protect our 4-H youth. You cannot be recognized as a 4-H leader if you have not gone through screening. This process involves CANTS screening (child abuse and neglect), criminal background check, and personal reference checks. Please RSVP online or call the Extension office. This is the final opportunity this 4-H year to become a screened volunteer.

With 4-H's connection to environmental efforts, youth participating in environmental science, and 4-H's new partnership with Nickelodeon's The Big Green Help, "Keeping it Green" shows how 4-H is bridging old ideas with new to teach youth environmental stewardship and connecting youth to science-related issues. The green theme also can showcase 4-H beyond the environmental focus as 4-H's green brand is a direct connection to the organization as a whole. Materials are available at www.4-HBrandNetwork.org.

Poster, Poetry & Prose Contest about Water Conservation

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is again hosting a Poster, Poetry and Prose contest for 5^th and 6^th grade students. The winning selections will be used in a calendar for the following year. The deadline for submission is February 6, 2009. More information can be found on http://www.epa.state.il.us/kids/teachers/contest/

Radon Poster Contest – Posters due to Extension Office April 13

University of Illinois Extension along with the American Lung Association of Illinois, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Radon Program are partnering with the National Safety Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to sponsor the Illinois portion of the 2010 National Radon Poster Contest for youth ages 9-14.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Fifty percent of Illinois counties are at high risk. We hope you and the members of your club or organization will participate to learn about radon and reduce the risk of radon exposure. The National Radon Poster Contest brochure outlines the criteria for the contest and is on this website: http://www.TakeActionOnRadon.uiuc.edu/resources/contest .

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. www.4hmilliontrees.org

Illinois 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest, February 28, Champaign IL

The state 4-H dairy quiz bowl contest will be held in conjunction with the Illinois Jr. Holstein Spring Thing workshop on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Hawthorn Suites, 101 Trade Centre Dr., Champaign, IL. All interested 4-H members are invited and encouraged to participate -- especially noted for 4-H'ers with dairy breeds other than Holstein.

Our county can enter an unlimited number of four member teams or individual members (individuals will be grouped to form teams). There is no limit. The state 4-H contest will have 2 divisions of competition: Jr. Division for 4-H members who are 13 years of age and younger as of January 1, 2009; and Sr. Division for those 4-H members who are 14 years and older before January 1, 2009. There will be a lunch served at cost for participants not staying/paying for the entire weekend workshop. If you have interested members, please contact the 4-H office or email techamb@illinois.edu by February 15.

Illinois 4-H Hippology Dates Set – McLean County team needs more 4-Hers!

The 2009 State 4H Horse Contests are scheduled for April 25 & April 26, 2009 on the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus. Hippology & speech contests will be held on Saturday the 25^th with horse bowl following on Sunday April 26. McLean County's Hippology team has three members and needs MORE 4-Hers! We have over 100 4-Hers enrolled in the 4-H horse project. Hippology is an awesome way to improve your equine knowledge and if you are interested in a large animal veterinary career, you'll be ahead of the curve entering college! The dates for Horse Bowl/Hippology practices are on Saturdays from 5 - 6:30 pm at Heartland Village's Club House located off of Parkside Rd at 1780 Putnam Rd.

Dec 6^th, Jan 3^rd, Feb 7^th, Feb 21^st, March 7^th, ***March 21st (tentative)

Regional Contest Date is unknown, if it is March 21st then the practice for March 21st will be cancelled. For more information contact Jill or Bill Schenk, volunteer coaches at jillnbill90@msn.com .

Cowboy hat approved for Riding

New ASTM/SEI approved cowboy hat looking riding helmet by Troxel. http://www.troxelhelmets.com/products/features.php?ProductID=36 This would meet the helmet requirements at the State Jr show.

Just for Fun

Horse Riding Game: http://www.horseridingcoach.com/jumporama/

Peoria Rivermen Hockey Game, March 7, 2009

The Peoria Rivermen hockey team will again be sponsoring a 4-H Night with the Rivermen on Saturday, March 7th, 2009! Tickets are $13 for Upper Bowl; $18 for Lower Bowl. Ticket order deadline is February 20^th. For flier click: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/knox/downloads/14865.pdf

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) April 24-26, 2009

Coming to McLean County this year! Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is organized by Youth Service America with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner and a consortium of international organizations and over 120 national coordinating committees in participating countries. GYSD is an annual global event that highlights and celebrates the contributions of youth to their communities through volunteer service.

During Global Youth Service Day, youth around the world organize community service projects to address local needs. GYSD is held during a weekend every April. In 2009, the event will be April 24-26. GYSD is celebrated in over 100 countries in every region of the world.

It's a weekend of service from youth ages 5-25. We all know how much service 4-H clubs offer to our communities in McLean County. More information is coming as time gets closer. GYSD kicks off the "semester of service" with the Martin Luther King day of Service on January 19, 2009. Your club may be interested in incorporating the semester of service materials from the Youth Service America website (which coordinates/sponsors GYSD). If you have 4-Hers interested in helping McLean County celebrate send their names to techamb@illinois.edu or contact the Extension Office.

Learning Modules (Topics for Service Learning) PDF documents

• Malaria: Prevention, Awareness and Fundraising through Youth Service
• Hunger and Homelessness
• Healthy Lifestyles
• The Environment
• Intercultural Service-Learning
• Stopping Youth Violence through Service-Learning
• Older Youth Working with Younger Children
• Youth Working with Senior Citizens/Veterans
• Disaster Relief & Preparedness Through Service-Learning

4-H CAMPaign

You can help improve the facilities at 4-H Memorial Camp! Construction has started on the kitchen at 4-H Camp. This is a great opportunity for your 4-Hers to support Camp. There are several ways your club can get involved with this CAMPaign!! http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hmemorialcamp/campaign.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 attend Legislative Connection as an Ambassador need to apply by filling out the enclosed form: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/opps/leg_ambassador_app.pdf Another opportunity on the state level as an ambassador is to help with the 4-H Can Make a Difference food drive at the Illinois State Fair.

4-H Community Health Improvement Grant

Grants of $50 to $250 per year are available to local 4-H clubs for carrying out worthwhile community improvement projects. They are given to assist local 4-H club members in establishing and operating health or safety-related projects. Due to County Extension Office by January 25. http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/hww/downloads/14796.pdf

4-H Community Improvement Grant

Grants of $50 to $250 per year are available to local 4-H clubs for carrying out worthwhile community improvement projects. They are given to assist local 4-H club members in establishing and operating projects that help make their community a more pleasant place in which to live. Due to County Extension Office by January 25. http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/hww/downloads/14795.pdf

Sustainable Agriculture Grants

Youth Grants are a new part of the Farmer Rancher Grant Program. The purpose of the Youth Grant Program is to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about Sustainable Agriculture.

YOUTH GRANTS: These grants are awarded to youth ages 8-21 for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore sustainable agriculture issues and practices. Education projects can involve teaching others about sustainable agriculture or attending a sustainable agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum. Deadline: January 30, 2009. For more information about the Youth Grant Program contact NCR-SARE Associate Regional Coordinator, Joan Benjamin at 402-472-0809, 1-800-529-1342 or jbenjamin2@unl.edu.

Applications for the 2009-2010 General Assembly Scholarship are now available. Anyone who lives in Dan Rutherford's Senate District and will be attending a four year state university next fall may apply for the scholarship. Applications and instructions are accessible from our website. For instructions go to: http://www.danrutherford.com/GA%20Scholarship%20Info%202009.pdf and for the application go to http://www.danrutherford.com/GA%20Final%20Scholarship%20App%20Form%202009.pdf

Completed applications, along with letters of recommendation, must be returned to Dan Rutherford's district office no later than January 19, 2009. Applications that are not in Dan Rutherford's office by January 19 will not be considered. The General Assembly Scholarship is a one-year tuition waiver to a state university in Illinois. To qualify, applicants must live in the 53rd Senate
District, which includes all or parts of Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean, Tazewell, Vermilion, and Woodford counties. Rules for eligibility are posted on our website.

When Electing Officers in your club…

If your club Reporter or Secretary is interested in being an "author" on the 4-H Club Chatter Blog, please pass along their email. They can then post their own articles on to the 4-H Club Chatter blog. It's really easy and fun! All posts will be monitored. Articles posted 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!

The website is up: http://mclean4-hclubchatter.blogspot.com/

HCE – Home & Community Education members say Thank you 4-H!

McLean County HCE members have asked 4-Hers for assistance with their community programs recently. 4-H clubs and members have responded overwhelmingly!

Please extend a special THANKS to all the 4-Her's who made the stockings and the supplies to put in them. It was great to be able to take over 1600 stockings out to the Midwest Food Bank representing the HCE, 4-H Clubs, Parkside after school program and GFWC McLean County Woman's Club.

We will probably be doing this again next year, and will try and get the word out after the 1st of the year, so they will have a longer time to work on the stockings and to collect the items.

Thanks again!

Leatha Poshard

• A class from GCMS made 24 stockings
• Greenleafers 4-H club helped stuff stockings
• Members and leaders from the Stylistics 4-H club with 2 members from other clubs made stockings
• SOAR 4-H members donated items to be put in the stockings and made cards

4-H Clubs and members also contributed to the over 300 dozen Christmas cookies collected, packaged and mailed to troops overseas on December 2. Thank you 4-H clubs for all of your contributions!

New 4-H Projects!

Cooking 201, Computer Science, Dairy Goats and Welding are the new 4-H projects or 4-H projects with new manuals this year. See the Illinois 4-H Clover for more information: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/projects/clover.pdf

Watch for next year's Wind Energy Curriculum!

Read the Illinois Leader.