For more information, please contact:
Whiteside County Unit
100 E Knox Street
Morrison, IL 61270
Phone: 815-772-4075 / Fax: 815-772-4077
E-mail: whiteside_co@extension.uiuc.edu
Hello Whiteside County 4-H Family and Happy New 4-H Year!
Wow, a new year! Where did the summer go? Things just seem to be slipping by way to quickly.
So for a few quick reminders: the Clovers will be here soon however we are waiting for the 4HDMS system to be updated for the new year so that we can print off new enrollment forms for current members We have a few new curriculums/books coming out for the 2008/2009 4-H Year so check them out!
Also with the start of the New 4-H Year I would like to see 4-H enrollment increase again. I know everyone is busy but just think of it this way, if every 4-H'er brought in one new member that would double our enrollment. They won't join a lot of times unless you ask them or bring them to a 4-H activity and they see what a great time it is.
The 2008/2009 4-H Year will be a fun filled learning experience for all. Let's share it with a few new families and let them see what a great time 4-H can be!
Happy Fall,
Karen Atkinson Community Worker, 4-H/Youth
A Round of Applause
A very special thanks goes to each and everyone who helped in any way at the 4-H Show. The Show could not go on without the talents and efforts of all our volunteers. The Whiteside County Fairboard also sent a special thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, 4-H'ers and parents for the wonderful condition the fairgrounds was left in after the 4-H Show.
The food stand went well at the 4-H Show. So, thank you to all those who worked shifts. You all did a great job! Thanks to Ashley Vegter & Heather Dykstra for heading up the food stand this year.
A special thank you to Pepsi for donating refrigerator space, County Market of Sterling for donating Milk Chugs and to Birkey's in Prophetstown for donating the use of two great utility vehicles for the 4-H Show .
As the 4-H year draws to a close, we want to express thanks to our out-going Federation officers: Karl Miller, Tobi Drilling, Kelly Holland, Ashlee Dirks, Michael Benson, Katie Medema and Kaleb Medema for jobs well done. They put in a lot of time and effort this past year.
Thanks so much to the camp counselors and camp staff that spent a week's time up at Camp White Eagle! Give a round of applause to the following counselors: Eric Beccue, Zach Meinsma, Corey Modglin, Dustin Vandermyde, Casey Mohr, Lauren Young, Val Woolums, Brittany Dykstra, Heather Dykstra, Tobi Drilling, Chloe Wild, Elizabeth Hoffman, Taylor Reeverts, Ashley Vegter, Dani Johnson, Lauren Armstrong, Brittany Gittleson, and Amanda McDonald. Nurses/ first aid people Marcia Widolff, Danielle Wittig, Jessie Zuidema, and LaMonica Henrekin. Other volunteers Manda Geerts, Heidi Benson, Darren Mosher, Tammy Drilling, Lindsay Long, Sam Eissens, Bethany Gravert, Sheryl VonHolten, Cory Vance, Diane Baker, Greg Clark, Paul Coussens, Indian Chiefs Gary Kelm and Jay Dirks and DJ Barry Harmon.
At the 2008 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest we had three senior members and one junior member participate in the contest. The seniors that completed the WhitesideCounty Senior Livestock Judging Team were Kaleb Medema, Karl Miller and Ethan Ward. The one junior who participated individually was Katie Medema. All members received blue ribbons and The seniors have been invited back to the final state contest that will occur at the Illinois State Fair. Great job and Good Luck at the Illinois State Fair Contest!
Say Thanks
SAY "THANKS" TO YOUR PLAQUE SPONSOR
If you received a plaque at the 4-H Show, have you taken the time to send a thank you note to the sponsor? The Extension staff attached a card to the plaque. It had the sponsor's name and address on it for your use. Contact the office if your card is missing. A thank you note takes just a few minutes to write, but means so much to the individuals and businesses that sponsor these plaques. Without their generous contributions, these awards would not be possible.
THINK BACK
Now that the 4-H year is close to an end, it is time to think back about what you have accomplished this year. Chances are you had some successes. You may have had one or two things you wish had gone differently. Take a few minutes to answer these questions about your 4-H year.
1. What are you proudest of accomplishing through 4-H this year?
2. What do you wish you had done better?
3. What were your goals for your projects this year?
4. Were you able to meet your goals?
5. Were you able to go beyond your goals in any project?
6. What would you like to try next year?
As you think back over the year, remember that "Illinois Clovers" were handed out, projects selected, club officers elected, community service projects planned and completed, club parties and meetings attended, exhibits made and shown, records completed and thank you notes written. What! You haven't written your thank-you notes yet? Chances are you can think of several people who have helped you. Why not sit down and write them a thank-you note right now?
News For All
AWARD DEADLINE
The deadline for award applications is fast approaching. If there's still time left, you may contact your club leader or the office to receive an application to apply for awards. All applications must be in the office on or before September 12th except for club group awards that wish to be considered for state competition. (Those were due August 10th.
Attention High School Students: Two-page, check-off style Top 4-H'er of the Year applications. If you are in high school, call the office and have yours sent today.
4-H AWARD INCENTIVES
It has been decided again that gift certificates will be awarded to those who fill out and turn in award applications. These gift certificates will be related to the topic area(s) that are applied for.
ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT
Achievement Night will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Church in Morrison. Everyone is welcome to attend and cheer on their fellow 4-H members. I am looking for adults to help M.C. and a club to decorate. If you are interested, give me a call.
*Don't forget - each club is to bring two dozen cookies/bars for refreshments.
CLUB OFFICER TRAINING
Club Officers, the Club Officer Training will be scheduled for sometime in October or November, keep a watch out for the announcement of the training date. This is a very important training as each individual office will be gone over and discussed on how the position should be handled!
PROJECT KITS
The Extension Office has foods, horticulture and beef kits available through the county. Various Culture kits and project kits are also available in the office. The project areas consist of the following: bicycle, cloverbuds, cat, dog, rabbit, stitchery, entomology, geology, child care, recreation, Walk In My Shoes, foods, Character Counts, and bread. Members are welcome to borrow these kits.
NEW 4-H ILLINOIS CLOVERS ARE COMING
Remember to read the clover closely to enter in the right curriculum areas. If you have any questions dealing with ages stated or number of years you have been involved please call the Extension office or check your past show book, this is more of a help than anything.
The following are county projects and are not listed on the "Illinois Clover": Ag General, Llama, Beef Bucket Calf, Dairy Bucket Calf, Forages, Do Your Own Thing, Do Your Own Thing Auto, Do Your Own Thing Foods, and Pygmy Goats.
The following are NEW projects for the 2008/2009 4-H Year: Computer Science Intro and Levels 1-3, Dairy Goats Levels 1-3, Foods and Nutrition: 4-H Cooking 201 (Intermediate Level) and Welding: Arcs and Sparks - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (grades 7 & up.)
STEPS IN CHOOSING 4-H PROJECTS
It's that time of year again when 4-H'ers begin thinking about choosing 4-H projects for the new year. Here are a few steps to make the project selection process easier.
1. Review the "Illinois Clover." At your first meeting, you will receive the "Illinois Clover." It has more than 175 project units to choose from. Ask your family and 4-H leader for help.
2. Eliminate projects that don't interest you. If you are a first or second year 4-H'er, limit yourself to three or four projects. This will give you time to enjoy each project and complete it by exhibit time.
3. Consider how much time you have for projects. How old are you? Younger members would like to sign up for many projects, but then find out there is just too much to do and learn that you can't handle them all. Most of the project listings have a "suggested" age range.
4. Sign up for projects according to your age. How old are you? What projects and units have you taken? How many years have you been in 4-H? Don't enroll in a project if it's too advanced. Look in your past show book to see the specific criteria that is needed for each area at the show. It is fun to try new projects, but you should find out from older members what you might face if you take a different project. Limit yourself to one or two new projects each year.
5. Make sure you have help with your projects. If you take too many projects, you will not enjoy them and those that help you won't enjoy them either.
6. What about awards? If you are interested in awards, you may want to take one or two project divisions for several years, moving through the different units that might be more advanced.
These six steps may help you make the project decision easier. 4-H is an organization that has no limitations, so try new projects or advance in old projects.
4-H MANUAL COST
Again this year with State Budget cuts we made a decision that we will have to charge for 4-H Manuals this year. What we decided is that the club will be charged and the club can decide if they want to charge each individual or do fundraising to cover the cost. We are also going to try to save on shipping by one of the staff picking up the manuals when they are down in Champaign. There are also many more options to look at to cut cost on manuals.
* Recycle and reuse books within your club and other clubs.
* Enroll only in projects that you are truly interested in.
* It should take a 4-H'er an average of three years to complete one manual.
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK
Before we know it, National 4-H Week will be upon us! This year National 4-H Week will be October 5-11, 2008. This is a great time to celebrate 4-H and spread the good word. 4-H promotion is very important during this time of year and will help us start our 4-H club year by recruiting new 4-H'ers. This is a great time for you, individually or with your club, to be involved in one or more promotional projects.
Some ideas you may choose from are:
**Write an editorial to local papers on "What 4-H Has Done For Me."
**Do radio public service announcements, taped or live spots.
**Make a special effort to invite another person to join 4-H, either as a member or volunteer.
**Wear a 4-H shirt to school one day.
**Take some of your 4-H projects to school.
**Hang a club banner at your school.
**Have a meeting exchange with another club in the county to get to know each other.
**Do something for your community.
**Hand out fliers everywhere imaginable.
**Make posters and fliers about your club.
WINDOW DISPLAYS
Window displays help with the promotion of 4-H in the county. Displays have to be in place Monday, October 6 and will be judged Wednesday, October 8. Be thinking of ideas and places to put your displays.
Window displays should be based on the theme:
"4-H… Touching the Lives of Our Community"
Please sign up by Wednesday, October 1!
4-H COOKIE JARS ARE IN!
During National 4-H Week there will be a Cookie Jar Decorating Contest.
The rules are as follows:
*1. You may do one or both of the following: One jar per club (done as a group) or one jar per 4-H member (if done individually).
*2. Only jars available from the Extension Office may be used for the contest. These are available NOW!
*3. Each jar is to be decorated with a 4-H theme. The jars will be judged on creativity and uniqueness while getting across a positive message about 4-H. Any media may be used. The cookie jars (and cookies) will be given to local dignitaries during the month of October.
*4. Decorated jars are due to the Extension Office by Wednesday, October 1st!
1ST ANNUAL FALL WHITESIDE COUNTY 4-H DRIVE THRU PORK CHOP BARBECUE
Well after the success of the spring drive thru pork chop barbecue everyone was discussing that we needed to have one in the fall. So the decision was made to have another annual one in the fall along with the spring one. The information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Whiteside County Extension Office and drop off locations throughout Whiteside County.
Price: One Chop Meal $7.00
Two Chop Meal $8.00
Meals consist of the chop(s), salad, chips and a cookie.
Why: Fundraiser taking place of the Whiteside County Fair 4-H Foodstand & this is a GREAT way to promote 4-H before National 4-H Week! Let's increase Whiteside County 4-H enrollment numbers for the 2008/2009 4-H Year!
Who: Your 4-H leaders will be getting tickets to all 4-H families towards the end of August to sell in advance to your friends, family and neighbors. Good Luck Selling!
Tickets will be due back to your leader NO later than September 20, 2008!
Remember 4-H Clubs will be also be asked to assist with the afternoon activity of packing up, delivering, running, etc.
Four 4-H'ers
RURAL YOUTH LOANS
Farm Service Agency is offering Rural Youth Loans to 10—20 year old 4-H, FFA or similar organizational members. The project must be organized and supervised by an advisor, 4-H/FFA, must be able to produce sufficient income to repay the loan and the youth must be provided practical business and educational experience. For more information on this wonderful opportunity contact the Extension Office at 815/772-4075.
BE IN 4-H FEDERATION
Would you like to get involved with a group of teens and do not know where to turn. 4-H Federation is a great opportunity to do a variety of activities with teens your age or to be active as an officer. If you would like to get involved contact the office and we will get you the information. The next federation meeting is September 7, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
BE A 4-H AMBASSADOR
Will you need good letters of recommendation in the future? Do you need to become more comfortable speaking or reading? How would you like to participate in a small, fun group of older 4-H'ers who get to do a wide variety of things? If your answer is yes, then apply to be an Ambassador. Call the office, and we'll mail you an application today. The ambassador interviews will occur on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 3:30 p.m.
The Scoop For Parents
COLLEGE BOUND?
Parents/Leaders—If your son/daughter or club member is enrolled in 4-H this year, but is away at college, we will be glad to send monthly issues of the "Cloverleaf Special" to them. Let us know their address.
HOW DOES THE 4-H SHOW HAPPEN?
The 4-H Show is not a magical event that just appears in mid-July each year. The 4-H Show takes a lot of hard work by a lot of volunteers. Anyone—4-H members, leaders, or parents—are welcome to serve on a project committee! We are always in need of volunteers to serve on various committees. The committee opportunities are:
*Home and Family/Clothing
*Beef
*Horticulture
*Dairy
*Mechanical Sciences
*Horse
*Personal Development
*Rabbit
* Foods
*Sheep/Goats
*Small Animals
*Cat
*Poultry
*Swine
*Natural Resources
*Dog
*Sale of Champions
We also set up committees to plan such events as: livestock sale, grooming clinics, and county judging contest. Can we count on you to serve on a committee this coming year? You need to put in only a small amount of time…but your assistance is vital!
Plan to join us at the Leaders' Association meeting on Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office.
4-H ENROLLMENT PAPERS
Paperwork will be coming home shortly with your 4-H'ers from their club meetings. Make sure you sit down right away with your 4-H'er and fill out the enrollment form, project sheet, health form and behavior guideline ASAP and get them back to your leader! The sooner done the better, so they are not forgotten about! The sooner we get the paperwork here in the office the sooner the databases get updated! Remember you can always add projects up to the deadlines. Re-enrollment deadline, for current members, is December 1, 2008, livestock enrollment is January 1, 2008 for new members and additions of livestock projects, and general enrollment is May 1, 2009 for new members and additions of projects. Also please notice that there are some new manuals for the 2008/2009 year so please pay attention to the minor details!
WE NEED YOU !!!
4-H takes everyone to provide the opportunities for youth to develop the life skills to become successful leaders. We, the 4-H'ers, and volunteers, need help from parents to provide opportunities. You may say you don't have time, but some of the things that need to be done are short term.
Ø First, I encourage you to ask the leaders of your club how you can help out.
Ø Secondly, take a look at the projects in the "Illinois Clover." Where do your interest and talents fit in? Could you come to five meetings a year and be involved with that project for the 4-H Show?
Ø Next, how about a commitment to help with an exciting activity such as softball, livestock judging or foodstand. 4-H is involved in many community service projects. All of these jobs take people. People who care enough to make an impact on youth. I can provide the training, support, and recognition, but I cannot make people appear out of thin air. I cannot give you what you will gain from working with youth. You have a chance to invest in tomorrow's leaders and make a difference in the youth of today.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT SUGGESTIONS FOR 4-H CLUB ACTIVITIES
Because boys and girls gain the most from 4-H when their parents take an active role, we ask parents to:
¨Encourage and support your 4-H'er(s) and leaders. Help your member select, finance, and manage their projects. Encourage your children to complete what they begin.
¨Work cooperatively with other parents to assume one or more responsibilities in the 4-H club, if possible. Your family will possibly be scheduled to provide refreshments for one meeting during the year.
¨Help the junior leaders guide your 4-H'er(s) in setting project goals and determining when it will be done and who will help. Encourage good record keeping.
¨Check the 4-H calendar of events and review meeting business after each meeting. Assist 4-H'er(s) in keeping a current 4-H calendar folder to remind family members of important dates and to fill in their participation check list.
¨Phone the leader if there are any questions or problems to help clarify the situation.
¨Each month a county newsletter is sent to each family. Both parents and 4-H'er(s) should read this carefully since dates of county events and opportunities are explained. ¨Encourage your child to attend all club meetings and 4-H activities. Feel welcome to attend club meetings with your child.
(Adapted from 4-H Times, Boone County)
Club Happenings
Hume Happy Hustlers
By: Riley Francis
Members of the Hume Happy Hustlers 4-H Club met at Booth Park in Tampico on Sunday, June 8th at 3:00 p.m. Tobi Drilling called the meeting to order and pledge to the American Flag was led by Ashley Cooney. Roll call was taken by Catherine Cooney. Then Catherine read us the Secretary's minutes of the March and April meetings. Riley Francis motioned to approve the minutes as read and Ashley seconded it. Courtney Dirks gave us the Treasurer's report. Tonja Egan and Gordon Kelm gave reports on the drive thru pork chop bbq. Tonja also gave a report on the judging contest and there were no other reports. During Old Business we asked the members if anyone had brought in anything for the support fund basket and no one had yet. There was not any other old business so we moved on to New Business. We need volunteers to run the slush machine during Tampico Daze while we are in the parade. Tampico Daze is Sunday, June 29th. We will meet at the Kelly home on Saturday, June 28th at 10:00 a.m. to decorate the float. We need volunteers for food stand workers on Monday, July 14th from 2:00—5:00 p.m. Then we passed out tickets for the Federation Pork Chop BBQ. We decided to have the next meeting on Sunday, July 12th at 10:00. We discussed that if you're in Photography 2 you cannot do any effects to digital pictures. Red eye and cropping are exceptions. The cloverbuds need to decide what group projects they are going to take. They can do either Aerospace or Arts n' Crafts. Aly Wetzell was not at the meeting so she couldn't give us her talk. Pledge to the 4-H flag was led by Riley. Catherine motioned to adjourn the meeting and Megan Wetzell seconded it. We ended the meeting by picking up sticks in the park and having ice cream with toppings as our refreshment.
Cookie Jar Request Form
You Must Come to the Extension Office to Pick Up Your Cookie Jars or Contact Your 4-H Leader!
