The listing of county and state 4-H projects for 2007-2008 is included in a booklet called "Illinois 4-H Clover." Copies are available from club leaders at the rate of 1 per family.

The Illinois 4-H Enrollment Policy states that youth who are between 8 and 19 by September 1^st (or at least 3^rd grade) may enroll as members. Cloverbuds must be 5-7 years old (and not in the 3^rd grade) by September 1^st of the current 4-H year.

All 4-Hers who intend to exhibit at the 2008 Ogle County 4-H Fair MUST be enrolled in the projects of their choice by April 15, 2008. This deadline applies to ALL project areas.

Be aware that the Extension staff cannot accept 4-H enrollment forms from anyone other than leaders! (Exception: Collegiate 4-H Club members.) Once your enrollment forms are complete, please turn them in to your club leaders for processing.

4-Hers who are attending college may enroll as members of the Ogle County Collegiate 4-H Club. Participation in this capacity makes it possible for long-term 4-Hers to complete their 4-H careers through county involvement during school breaks and summer months without club or Federation meeting requirements.

The Collegiate 4-H Club is county-based. Members are NOT expected to enroll in community clubs. Instead, they work directly with the Extension staff to complete 4-H Contracts resulting in 12 hours of county level service. For membership guidelines and service options, contact the Extension office.

The Ogle County 4-H Family Guide is filled with important information about our 4-H program. It can be used as a valuable reference tool. New 4-H families will receive a copy of this publication when they receive their project manuals. Veteran families should already have a copy. If you can't find yours, contact the Extension office.

In compliance with Illinois 4-H Policies, the Extension office is required to have a signed copy of the Code of Conduct on file for every Ogle County 4-H member.

Each new member will receive two copies of the Code of Conduct attached to their enrollment forms. Parents and members need to thoroughly read this form and sign it. One copy should be returned to the 4-H leader, so he/she can turn it into the Extension office. The second copy is yours to keep

It is time to sign up for 4-H projects again! The 4-H year began on September 1^st and will end next August 31^st. Between now and then, 4-Hers sign up for 4-H projects, work through the activities in the corresponding project manuals, create project exhibits for the fair, and complete records telling what they learned. 4-H projects are intended to be long-term studies. That's why you have a full year to complete them!

CHOOSE PROJECTS carefully

Sign up only for the projects you're sure you'll have time to finish. Remember, you're expected to complete records and exhibit a product for every project you enroll in. Don't burn yourself out next summer by signing up for too much now.

In recent years there has been some confusion regarding Fruits and Vegetables. If you are growing your own and want to exhibit them, make sure you enroll under horticulture. If you want to make a quick bread from fruits or vegetables, enroll under the foods project.

Most OF THE NEWER 4-H MANUALS ARE INTENDED TO REQUIRE THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE. This includes most of the animal project manuals, woodworking, aerospace, child development, etc. – whichever projects have levels I, II, III, and so on.

YOUR MANUAL IS ONLY ONE TOOL YOU'LL USE TO COMPLETE YOUR PROJECT. Project manuals help direct learning. In order to complete them, however, you'll need to visit the library and talk to experts. Attend workshops. Take tours. Additionally, check with the Extension office and find out if it has project support materials that can help you. Do whatever it takes to prepare yourself so you can create a project exhibit for the fair and expand your knowledge. Being in 4-H is all about figuring out how and where to get the information you need to accomplish the things you set out to do.