4-H

    4-H Connections
    Spring 2006
   

I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming 4-H activities.

Sincerely, 
Janice Zerbe, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator
rajzerj@msu.edu

The 2006 National 4-H Congress will be held from Friday, November 24 to Tuesday, November 28 in Atlanta, Georgia. Youth ages 15 to 19 are eligible.

During Congress, participants attend workshops about leadership development, character education, agriculture, cultural awareness and diversity education, and communication skills development.

The cost is $860 per delegate. This includes airfare, registration fees, lodging, meals, a shirt and a group photo.

Please let me know by May 15 if you are interested in attending. There is a $100 deposit that is due at that time.

        Teen Club/Potluck

The next Teen Club meeting will be, Wednesday, April 19th, 7:00 p.m. at the Van Buren Conference Center in Lawrence.

Participate in an activity!

Bring a dish to pass!  

Citizenship Washington Focus   

We have six youth that will be attending Citizenship Washington Focus from June 10 to June 17.

The youth are Justin Ives from West Valley Livestock, Marcia Stickels from South Haven Jay Dees, Katie Jonatzke and Lindsey Sells from Hartford Trailblazers, Tammy Smith from Young Explorers, and Haylee Moore from Geneva Wrens.

These youth will learn about the democratic process and their role as citizens while they experience our nation's capital and meet members of Congress. They will also get the inside scoop about how government really works from prominent guest speakers.

College-age program fellows lead bill-writing workshops, a national issues forum and mock elections and congressional sessions that prepare them for leadership now and in the future.

Along with all of the learning that they will be taking part in, they will also get to visit Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, Presidential and war monuments and memorials, and the Smithsonian museums.

An Excellent Adventure

All 9 to 12 year olds... here is your chance to attend a 4-H event!

An Excellent Adventure will be held at the Van Buren County MSU Extension Office on Saturday, April 15 from 10

a.m. to 4 p.m. The day is filled with hands-on learning opportunities.

Registration forms have been sent out. If you need more information or another registration form, please contact the Extension Office.

Registrations are due by March 30^th.

PA System

The 4-H Leaders Association has a PA System to lend out to 4-H Clubs/events. There is a refundable $20 fee.

If you would like to use the system, call MSU Extension to reserve or come into the office to pick it up.

         4-H Exploration Days

Expand your horizons by attending an MSU pre-college program this year! 4-H Exploration Days will take place June 21 to 23 on the campus of Michigan State University. This is a program designed for young people aged 11 to 19. Choose from more than 180 hands-on learning sessions, field trips and leisure opportunities. The cost is $155.00

Registration started March 20 and will end May 5. Sessions are filled on a first come first served basis.

New this year! There will be a spectacular fireworks show after the dance on Thursday night.

The entertainment for Wednesday night is Dan Thurmon- Make Your Best Better! Dan is a nationally known, dynamic presenter and entertainer with a highly visual and powerful message- Make Your Best Better!

For more information on Exploration Days please contact Janice at the Extension office.

1. Projects must have been completed by the exhibitor within the last year (Ages 5-19).

2. Exhibitor may enter up to two categories, the judged modeling competition, and the cloverbud walk (teen mentor/cloverbud dress alike/walk together).

3. A before photo is required for recycling and personalization exhibits. Receipts are required for the buymanship categories. Receipts and photos are due by April 18

4. The modeling category is the only category that will receive placement judging.

Categories

1. Crocheted/Knitted/Macramé Item

2. Sewn Item

3. Recycled or Personalization (Shoes, shirt, purse, accessories, etc.)

4. Buymanship

Regular or

Formal Wear under $40 or

Resale Wear under $20

5. Cloverbud Walk

6. Modeling (Ages 9-19)

Rules- Modeling Category

1. Clothing/Costumes can be sewn, purchased, or borrowed, but may NOT be rented.

Exhibitor’s clothing/costume must reflect the Fashion Revue's theme of the year. The 2006 theme is “Famous People”.

2. Exhibitors will be judged in the following five categories with a possible ten points each:

1. Modeling Skills; 2. Personalization; 3. Costume Appropriateness for Theme; 4. Poise/Presentation; 5. Skills appropriate for age.

3. Ribbons will be awarded to the top five placements and trophies will be awarded to the top two placements.

4. Exhibitors are responsible for working with other exhibitors in their club to obtain two door prizes from businesses in their community.

All participants are asked to bring one dozen cookies for the afterglow.

Fair Date/Fair Theme

July 17-22, 2006/Back to the Basics

Livestock Tags

Livestock tags can be purchased at the March 27^th and April 24^th JLPA meetings held at the Van Buren Conference Center in Lawrence.

Tags will be sold beginning at 6:00 p.m. on both nights. Tags are $0.75 each. Remember that beef and/or dairy feeders, sheep, and swine must be tagged by May 1. Youth may tag up to 5 swine, 5 sheep and 3 feeders (beef and/or dairy).

Carcass Program

The carcass program is scheduled for Wednesday, July 5 and Saturday, July 8.

The live evaluation will take place on July 5^th at the fair grounds at 6:00 p.m. All animals will need to be weighed in by 5:00 p.m.

The carcass judging will be held on July 8^th at 12:00 p.m. at Pease Packing. All exhibitors must be present at the live judging and the carcass judging.

Please note that this is two weeks prior to the fair. Your carcass animals will still need to meet the weight guidelines for the fair.

If you have any questions, contact Warren Sell, JLPA President or the co-Carcass Superintendents, Julie Rumsey at 657-5677 and Venus Ignacek at 628-0862.

Important Dates

Still exhibits are judged on Saturday, July 16^th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Goats are entered on Sunday, July 17 from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

We would like to recognize all of the 4-H Youth that will be graduating high school in 2006. We will be displaying all of the senior pictures by the 4-H office at the fair.

Please provide this information by June 30^th.

Pork Quality Assurance

Workshop Dates and Locations still available:

Saturday, March 25
The Orchards Mall, Benton Harbor
4:00 p.m. Registration
4:30 p.m. Workshop
5:30 p.m. Test

Wednesday, March 29
Dowagiac High School
5:30 p.m. Registration
6:00 p.m. Workshop
7:00 p.m. Test
or
7:00 p.m. Workshop
8:00 p.m. Test

New Policy

When registering for a 4-H event or camp, the full amount must be paid to MSU Extension before registration can take place. Leaders Association will then reimburse each individual if there is a scholarship available.

The only exception is Exploration Days. A $75.00 deposit is due at the time of registration. The rest of the money is due by May 17. If the money is not received, your classes will be canceled.

    Upcoming Events

Michigan 4-H State Horse Show

Do you want to be considered to participate in the 2006 4-H State Horse Show this year? If so, you must complete the following tasks:

1. Write a 2-page hand written essay. The topic for 2006 will be, “How has the 4-H horse/pony project impacted your life?” Due May 1^st.

2. Pay a $15 fee and participate in the State Qualifying Horse Show on Sunday, July 9. Money is due by May 1^st.

3. Complete 4 hours of community service on either May 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or June 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Rain or shine. You must sign up at the Extension office.

4. Turn in all paperwork by the May 1^st deadline.

    4-H Livestock Camp

Spend three days with hands-on activities learning more about your animal and showmanship skills. Michigan 4-H Livestock Camp will be held June 26-28 at the Branch County 4-H Fairgrounds in Coldwater.

You can sign up for: beef, dairy, dogs, feeder/starter calves, goats, horses, rabbits, sheep, swine, large animal sweepstakes showmanship, poultry, draft horses, and llamas.

The youth must currently be registered in 4-H for the specie that they sign up for at camp. There are some restrictions for some species.

The cost is $90 per youth. Registration began March 6 and continues until May 5. The sessions are filled on a first come first served basis.

If you would like more information about livestock camp or would like to register, please contact the Extension office. 

    Horse Council Fundraiser 

Van Buren Horse Council is selling banners for the 2006 show season. You can purchase a 2' by 4' white banner with black lettering for $100 for the year. The banners will be displayed around the show ring for the 2006 show year, including the Van Buren Youth Fair. Banners can be renewed for the 2007 year for $50. Your donation is tax deductible. This is a great way to advertise your business, 4-H club or send a "good luck" wish to the kids or grandkids.

For more information, contact Terri Tripp at 639-8491 or Janet Tripp at 637-2639.

Last Chance... 

There is one more option to attend New Leader Orientation for the 2005-2006 4-H year.

Please RSVP to the Extension Office if you plan on attending.

MSU Extension Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Last modified:  April 2006