January 30 – Youth Grants for Sustainable Agriculture Deadline

February 1 – Application for Travel Abroad Australia, Finland, Costa Rica or Japan

February 2 – The Great 4-H Debate Registration Deadline (extended)

February 6 – Posters, Poetry & Prose Contest Deadline (Water Conservation)

February 15 – Dairy Quizbowl Signup

February 20 – Ticket order for Peoria Rivermen Game Deadline

March 2 – U of I Chocolate internship Deadline

April 13 – Radon Poster Contest Deadline (county)

4-H LCP Award & Premier 20 Leadership Conference

Congratulations to Savanah Jacobs of the Home Spun 4-H club, she is one of ten 4-Hers across the state to win this award. She will attend a conference is for the top ten 4-H members and top 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 application for next year can be found at: http://www.youthed.org/DownloadDocs/2008-09%20LCPapp.pdf.

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 Skating Party

Come out and skate with your 4-H friends on February 7^th from 4-6 pm at Skate N Place on 1704 S Morris Ave in Bloomington. We have reserved the entire facility just for 4-H! All cloverbuds, 4-Hers, alumni, volunteers and parents are invited to attend. The cost is $5 with a $1 skate rental fee.

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

We're inviting new 4-H members 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

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 February 2 (it has been extended). 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

4-H Volunteer Orientation & Screening, May 12, 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.

4-H International Opportunities

4-Hers have the opportunity to travel overseas to Australia, Costa Rica, Finland or Japan. For more information click here: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth2601.html Deadlines for participation are February 1, 2009.

4-H Day with the Cardinals

4-H Day with the Cardinals is set for Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. in Busch Stadium. The Redbirds are playing Kansas City that evening, and yes--it is Memorial Weekend! Please publicize the date and time NOW so your families can plan their Memorial Weekend vacation in the St. Louis area. Although order forms and additional information are not available yet, orders will need to be postmarked by April 13, and we'll mail tickets and T-shirts to families on May 11.

Illini Summer Academies – June 29-July 1

We have expanded this 3-day event to 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 academies this summer (and hopefully more); each with limited enrollment that will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Full descriptions of the academies will be available March 1.

List of Academies

NOTE: At this time, we have not received complete descriptions or any age or number restrictions from these Academies. That information will be forthcoming.

• Aerospace Engineering Academy – For teens interested in aerospace.
• Agricultural & Biological Engineering Academy – For teens interested in agricultural mechanics and engineering.
• Crop Sciences – For teens interested in aspects of the science of growing, including agroecology, integrated pest management, plant biotechnology, and more.
• Leadership Academy – For youth interested in building upon their leadership skills. Whether the teens are 4-H members, sports team captains, school club officers or teen youth group leaders, the skills taught in this active academy will help them understand how they learn (and can, therefore, teach), manage resources, and make decisions. Limited to 100 teens. Open to incoming freshman through graduating seniors.
• Veterinary Medicine Academy – For youth interested in large or small animal veterinary sciences. Hands-on activities will include work on parasites, anatomy, sutures, immunology, wildlife medicine, and more.
• Youth Community Informatics – For youth interested in technology and applying it to compile and share information with others. Sponsored by the Graduate School of Information and Library Sciences (GSILS).

Who can come?

This event is open to Illinois high school teens, incoming freshmen to graduating seniors for the fall of 2009. Youth must be 14 to 18 years of age (inclusive) by September 1, 2009 in order to participate. Some academies do place additional age restrictions on their programs; those will be designated on future promotional materials. 4-H membership is NOT required – have your 4-H members invite other friends to come along. School and other teen community groups are also welcome to attend.

Registration Information:

We will only be accepting on-line registrations this year! Registration for all academies will open March 1. Early-bird registration will be available until April 15. To receive the early bird discount, mailed payments and medical forms must be received by April 24th.

Registrations received after April 15 will be charged the regular registration fee as noted for each academy. Final registrations will close Tuesday, May 26. All mailed payments and medical forms for regular registration fees must be received by June 1 to confirm registration.

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 – Good Service Learning Opportunity!

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

Draft Dodgers Sewing Opportunity

The Ecology Action Center will need about 100 Draft Dodgers. These will then be made "tie-dye" by children at the "Energy Fair" to be held at the Salvation Army on February 18, 2009; after sewing their Draft Dodger, the children, many of families with limited resources, will be encouraged to take them home to stop the drafts in their home.

The size of the "draft dodgers" would be 36" X 6" sewn along the long side turned right side out. I have sheets for sewing volunteers to use. If you have a group willing to help, I will get the sheets to you. At the event, The Dodgers will be filled with soy beans and the end of the Dodger will be stitched.

If your club is interested in helping with this task please contact Michele "Mikki" Bell, Ecology Action Center at 454-3169.

Robotics Training Opportunity

Clinton County will be having robotics training for interested volunteers on May 28^th at their Extension Office in Breese, IL. The training will be all day long and lunch is provided. Our office is willing to pay the $20 fee for up to 5 volunteers to attend this training. If you know of some one who is interested please contact the Extension Office.

McLean County 4-H Horse Judging Team

The state horse judging contest is coming up in June. All 4-H members are welcome to be a part of this team, you do not have to be enrolled in horses or own a horse to participate in this contest. The McLean County team will be practicing starting soon. If you are interested in learning more about Horse Judging please contact volunteer Coach Diane Wohlers at 309-531-9326. The first scheduled practice is January 31^st at 5:30 pm at Diane's home: 110 W Exchange Street, Danvers IL. Thank you to Diane for coaching this years team!

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 Horse Fair – March 6-8 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

Top national clinicians and equine educators join vendors offering everything for the equestrian - recreational horsemen as well as professionals in all breeds and disciplines - at the 20th annual Illinois Horse Fair, March 6-8 at the state fairgrounds in Springfield. Website: http://www.horsemenscouncil.org/Illinois_Horse_Fair/welcome.htm

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.

Students Invited to Create "Green Solutions" in National Middle School Sustainability Challenge

Education materials, cash prizes, and an appearance on the Discovery Channel will be awarded to a middle school team under the mentorship of a teacher or adult supervisor working to improve their community....
Deadline: March 15, 2009
Posted: September 29, 2008

Lexus and Scholastic Announce Launch of Environmental Challenge Education Program

Grants and scholarships of up to $75,000 will be awarded to teams of five to ten middle or high school students and one teacher-advisor working to address an environmental issue....
Deadline: Various
Posted: September 25, 2007

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)

• 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 application at this link: 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.

New and Improved Activities by the Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni Association

Promote 4-H at the fair in the Mini Expo building!

4-H clubs AND cloverbud groups are asked to make a standard poster (22x24) with their club name and photos of some of the activities clubs participate in, with the same tag line of: INTERESTED IN JOINING 4-H? CALL 309-663-8306. The posters will be hung in different locations in the Mini Expo building, where the beef/pork producers food stand is.

Sundae Booth

Alumni will pay $50 to each 4-H club that provides members and adults to work a 2 hour shift in the sundae booth. No ice cream sundaes will be provided for workers at the end of their shift. Clubs will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and requests for more than one shift will be honored after all clubs have had the opportunity to request a shift. Open slots will then be filled with clubs requesting more shifts.

Lobby Activities

Alumni are also planning on building a small stage in the lobby with a "photo friendly" backdrop where:

• a 4-H'er can have a photo taken with a project (rabbit, chicken, rocket, dress, Lego, flowers, etc.)
• a 4-H'er can do a public presentation (practice) or other public speaking activity
• Master Gardeners can talk about gardening, etc.
• any other educational mini-programs can be presented – nothing heavily involved, just good, concise educational information

All of these will be scheduled and added to the "TODAY AT THE McLEAN COUNTY 4-H FAIR" handout that Alumni will produce (each day on a different color sheet, short brief, informative, available at the lobby booth and in Mini.)

If you have suggestions or wish to assist the Association with their activities at the fair and beyond, they meet on the second Thursday of each month. Contact Carol Pfoff, President for details.

State Fair Changes – General Projects

McLean County day at the Illinois State Fair is Saturday, August 15. A majority of projects will be judged on the 15^th with the EXCEPTION of: Bicycle Rodeo, Electronics and Geospatial, which will be judged on Saturday, August 22.

• All projects will be conference-judged. Action-oriented exhibits (public presentations, bicycle rodeo, food demonstrations, and fashion revue) will again be competitively judged with special recognition being awarded to the top 5% each day.
• All other project exhibits will be judged on the assigned county days. There will only be udging on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and the last Saturday and Sunday of the Illinois State Fair. The Jr. Home Economics Building and the University of Illinois Extension Building exhibit areas will be closed Monday, August 17 through Friday, August 21.
• Because of timing issues related to Public Presentation exhibits, judging will be in multiple locations and hope starting times may vary. Exhibitors should be made aware of this as it may involve walking to "new" locations on the fairgrounds for judging.
• There will be 4-H presence at the Exposition Building throughout the entire fair and 4-H clubs and individual groups assist with providing 4-H activities to promote the program to fairgoers from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Horse exhibitors

There will be a horse exhibitor meeting at the Extension Office on Feb.11^th from 7-8 pm. There is a tack sale before and after.

• Interested in Horse Judging??? Practices for horse judging team began on Jan. 17. They would love to have new faces on the team – all ages. The team will compete at the IL Horse Fair, the Hoosier Horse Fair and the State contest in June. If interested, please contact Diane Wohlers, 309-531-9326, wohlershorsemanship@gmail.com. Thanks to Diane for coordinating.

Beef exhibitors

All 4-Hers wanting to show in the county or state Beef Market classes or the Premiere Beef class MUST have their animals weighed and tattooed by the beef committee on Feb. 7th, 10am-12pm at Reel Livestock Center in Congerville. Electronic ID tags, at a cost to the owner of $3/tag, will also be used for all steers to be shown at the state fair.

Swine exhibitors

Swine Exhibitors planning to show in the county or state Premiere Barrow class must be weighed and tattooed between Feb. 10 and Apr. 15 by the swine superintendents. Call Jody Hughes at the office to set up an appointment.

McLean County course date is April 28, 7 pm in the Extension Office auditorium.

Sheep exhibitors

State Fair premiere or live show wethers must be weighed and tattooed on April 18^th or May 9^th at the Interstate Center, 9am-12pm. Animals will also be tagged with electronic ID tags at a cost to the owner of $2/tag.

Goat exhibitors

Meat goat wethers must be tattooed only by May 15.

State Fair

• Beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, poultry and horse exhibitors must complete the Quality Assurance & Ethics certification. This online course must be taken only ONCE in a lifetime in order to show at the State Fair. The website is http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec/ and can be accessed after Feb. 1^st, 2009.
• Swine exhibitors must take the Pork Quality Assurance course EVERY year to show at the State Fair. McLean County course date is April 28, 7 pm in the Extension Office auditorium.
• Entry fees are required again for Illinois State Fair junior exhibitors, payable with entry form. Fees are allocated as follows:
• Beef, Dairy, Horses -- $10.00 per head
• Sheep, Swine, Goats -- $2.50 per head
• Dogs -- $2.00 per dog
• Poultry, Rabbits -- $1.00 per head

Livestock Judging Opportunities

• If you are interested in participating in the following contests please contact Rhonda Baer at 309-275-8451. *IL Beef Expo contest, Feb.21, 8:00 am. *Black Hawk College contest, Mar.7, 8:00 am. *Multi-county contest at ISU Farm in Lexington. (date TBA, call Jody at the office, 663-8306)
• Special thanks to volunteer livestock coaches Rhonda Baer and Marie Denzer for coordinating McLean County 4-Hers this year.

Premise ID # Update

A Premise ID # will be required for State Fair entry for barrow entries only. Providing an ID number will be voluntary at the McLean County Fair again this year. If you would like to obtain a number, go to http://www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid/ or call 1-866-299-9256 for a paper form. There is no charge.

Grant Opportunities

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.

Internship Opportunities

Summer of Chocolate Internship at the U of I

Science-minded high-school students should consider applying for a 15-day summer internship at the University of Illinois, especially if they're interested in chocolate. Six interns will be chosen to participate in the program. Interested students should apply by March 2, and a decision will be reached by March 23, according to Engeseth. For more information, interested students should contact Melissa Tisoncik at uiuc.chocolate@gmail.com. For full article: http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4629.html

Volunteer Teleconference Series

The State 4-H Staff will be offering five different teleconference trainings for 4-H volunteers in the next few weeks. These sessions will last one hour and will be open to volunteers from across the state. Below are the topics and dates – they are all associated with the Valued Volunteer program. All teleconferences will be at the Extension office on the following dates:

• Parental Involvement – February 17, 2009
• https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2420
• Public Presentations - February 19, 2009
• https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2421
• Risk Management – March 11, 2009
• https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2422

All sessions will be conducted beginning at 7:00 p.m. There is no fee to register. Print materials for the session will be available to the volunteer who attends at the Extension Office. If you have questions about registration please contact Sandy McGhee.

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 to Theresa. 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/

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.

It seems as soon as I send a 4-H Leader update…more news comes to me in waves!

Dog Obedience Classes

Dog obedience classes will be offered again this year on Monday evenings beginning with registration on April 6, 6 pm, at the Interstate Center. There will be approximately 12 sessions. Cost is $10 and questions can be directed to Jody Hughes at the Extension Office, 663-8306, ext 218.

National Jr. Swine Association 2009 Swine Boot Camp

March 21, 2009 on the U of I Campus

Entry Form & Schedule

http://www.nationalswine.com/njsa/njsaShowsEvents/09_boot_camp.html

Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Training

The date was listed INCORRECTLY in the last 4-H Calendar handed out at the 4-H Volunteer Update on January 22.

The correct date is: April 28 – Tuesday at 7 pm.

Registration is online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2653

4-H/FFA Quality Assurance and Ethics Clinic Web Site – for State Fair Jr. Show Exhibitors

February 1st – Web Site Open Available until June 9 for Horses and Available until July 1 for Beef, Sheep, Swine, Dairy, Goats & Poultry

The web certification is the only approved method for 2009 and future years as approved by the Illinois State Fair Junior Livestock Advisory Committee. Participants are required to only take the training once for the Illinois State Fair.

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

IMPORTANT – opportunity!

Heartland Community College – Use of Facilities by 4-H Clubs

Through a great relationship with HCC I am excited to announce that 4-H clubs have been given the opportunity to schedule a meeting at their facility for special programs/speakers.

• Have you ever wanted to have a speaker come, but they wanted to show a Power Point or needed an overhead projector?
• Want to use a computer lab to have your 4-Hers learn about Geospatial/Robotics project activities?
• Would you like to have an Extension Staff member teach your 4-Hers a workshop?

This is a one or two time per year opportunity for your club to use an HCC classroom or computer lab for a 4-H meeting. IF your club would like to schedule a meeting at Heartland Contact Lisa Sleevar at 309-268-8016.

You will need to contact her 4-6 weeks in advance.