The 4-H programs in Illinois and northeast Missouri are inviting all youth, ages 8-18 years old to produce their own digital photography, digital audio, digital video or mixed media production and upload it to www.4hdmc.org. 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 theme and message. Youth need not be current 4-H members to participate. Entries will also be displayed on the 4hdmc website. Rules and promo video are on the website – check it out: www.4hdmc.org

The following dates have tentatively been set for those annual 4-H programs we've come to know and love. Please mark your calendars accordingly.

November 22…..…………......Achievement Celebration

January 30…………………4-H Pizza/Cookie Dough Day

February 6 .……………………….…………. Beef Weigh-in

February 14…….………………………4-H Valentine's Tea

February 25……………… Advanced Night of Dabbling

February 28……………………….…….….…Bowling Finals

March 13……………………..…..……..4-H Penny Carnival

March 27………………………..……………Day of Dabbling

June 7-11………………………………………....….4-H Camp

June 26…………………..……….… Softball Tournament

July 13………………………..………………Wilderness Day

July 17…………………..…Clothing Day & Fashion Show

July 26-August 1….………..…………………………4-H Fair

July 27-August 1………………….State Jr. Horse Show

Aug 13-22………………………………….……..IL State Fair

4-H Leader Meeting – February 18

"Super Leader Mini-Conference"

4-H Leader Meeting – April 27

Fair book and records distribution

4-H Leader Inservice '10 – August 31

Adults and teens interested in assisting with 4-H show plans should contact the Extension office. The 4-H Fair Committee meetings have been set for:

Fair Planning Meeting – January 7

Farm Bureau Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Fair Details Meeting – July 15

Farm Bureau Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Fair Evaluation Meeting – August 5

Farm Bureau Auditorium, 7 p.m.

The 4-H staff is now looking for possible workshop presenters for Day of Dabbling (Mar. 27) and Advanced Night of Dabbling (Feb. 25). Workshops will be 50 minutes long and must feature hands-on project related activities for the participants! Presenters get to set class size minimums and maximums. Call the Extension office if you (or someone you know) are interested in helping us keep these annual events FRESH and EXCITING for our 4-Hers.

The annual county 4-H Achievement Day program will be held on November 22 at the Oregon Coliseum beginning at 1:30 p.m. All 4-H families are invited to attend to show support for their clubs. 4-H members and clubs who will be winning awards that day will receive invitations in the mail. This year's theme is "Fairy Tales & Fantasies." Decorations for the day are being coordinated by Federation Committee members.

SOuL 4-H Camp is set for June 7-11 at Camp White Eagle in Leaf River. This four-day, four-night residential camping experience is conducted by U of I Extension in Stephenson, Ogle, and Lee Counties and the professional staff at Camp White Eagle. Campers engage in activities designed to challenge, educate, and entertain: swimming, hiking, nature study, rock climbing, arts and crafts, archery, canoeing, field games, water and mud volleyball, crate stacking, teambuilding challenges, camping skills, and GPS scavenger hunts. Evening activities include campfires, a dance, and a night of friendly competition.

Camp is open to all youth, ages 8-15 by June 7, 2010. 4-H membership is not required.

Camp fees increase as camp approaches, so interested families are encouraged to sign-up quickly! Complete details and applications are available from club leaders and on-line at www.extension.uiuc.edu/ogle. Counselor info and applications are also available.

Thursday, November 12

1:30 OR 6:00 pm (same program each time)

Ogle County Farm Bureau Building

Windbreaks have been used for many years to stop cold winter winds, to reduce noise, and for aesthetics. Listen to Extension Educator Dave Shiley discuss how to properly design, plant, and maintain a windbreak for maximum benefits. Tree species, spacing, and weed control will be included in the discussion.

As a state wide teleconference, Dave will use Power Point slides at each location to present information. The fee for the seminar is $5 payable in advance or at the door. To register for the program, please contact U of I Extension at (815) 732-2191.

Wednesday, December 2

6:00 – 8:00 pm

Ogle County Farm Bureau Building

When we try to get the most nutrition out of our calories, can we have our dessert and eat it too? As families try to get good nutrition from money-saving meals, healthy dessert strategies become important. Learn how to make healthful, money-saving desserts using fruit, calcium-rich foods and grains that can fit in your family's meals. The registration fee is $10 which covers the cost of recipe booklets and food samples. Call 815/732-2191 by November 30th to register.

Wednesday, December 2

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Ogle County Farm Bureau Building

The Food Service Sanitation Manager Recertification Class is an approved refresher course for those who need to renew their Illinois Department of Public Health Food Service Sanitation license. The instructor for this session will be Sarah Todd, Extension Nutrition Educator. Advance registration is required and must be completed by November 30. The Recertification Class fee is $40, which includes all course materials, lunch and breaks. This fee is the course fee only and is separate from the IDPH license renewal fee. For more information or to register, contact Ogle County Extension at 815/732-2191.

November

20………………………………………………………..………….Federation Meeting, Oregon Coliseum, 6 p.m.

22…………………………………..……………………...Achievement Celebration, Oregon Coliseum, 2 p.m.

26 – 27 ……………………………………………………..………………………………….. Extension Office Closed

December

17…………………………………………………………………………….…4-H Federation, Location TBA, 7 p.m.

24-Jan 1…..………………………………………………….………………………………….Extension Office Closed

January

7………………………………………………………….4-H Fair Committee Mtg., F.B. Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

18……………………………………………………………………………………….…4-H Federation Zoo Trip, TBA

30……………………………………………..4-H Pizza/Cookie Dough Distribution, F.B. Auditorium, 9 a.m.