Clover Connection - January 2013
Notes from Joanie
I hope everyone had a great holiday season and is ready to start a new year! Many people use the new year as a time to make a resolution or start something new. Perhaps you could make 4-H your new year’s resolution by showing your pride in 4-H, spreading the word about the program, taking on a new project, or inviting someone new to join. Let’s make this another great year in Randolph County 4-H!
This is the first Clover Connection newsletter of the new year, which means it will be the first newsletter that will serve as your main source of 4-H information. This means we will send you the monthly newsletter rather than a bunch of different letters and postcards about the happenings within the 4-H program. Sort of like a one-stop-shop for your 4-H info. When dates of events and activities are mentioned, be sure to right them down in your calendar, stick it on your refrigerator, or post it somewhere that is handy for you to see. PLEASE make every effort to read the newsletter thoroughly and take note of the info it contains.
Read, Read, Read!
Please make every effort to read your project manuals, fairbook, newsletters, postcards, letters, and handouts thoroughly! Stay up-to-date on your project requirements, 4-H activities, and important deadlines. We are providing you with the info — now it’s your responsibility to read and understand it. As always, if you still have questions, PLEASE ASK!
“Good to Know!”
Attention 4-H Members!! — Make sure you share the Clover Connection with your parents and 4-H helpers. Let’s make sure we all know what’s happening with 4-H!
You can find out more about ALL the info in this newsletter by contacting the Extension Office or checking out the Randolph Co. Extension Service website. Also, if you have questions, these are the people to ask! (Contact info can be found on the back page of this newsletter.)
While reading the newsletter, there will be info on where certain events are happening. Just so everyone is on the same page — if a workshop, activity, or meeting is mentioned as being in the dining room, conference room, Husted Hall, or a livestock barn, that means the event is at the 4-H Fairgrounds in that particular room. If the event is not at the fairgrounds, it will be noted as such.
If you have 4-H news you would like to include in the Clover Connection, submissions are due the 1st of each month. You may drop it off at the Extension Office, call, or email Joanie.
General 4-H News
How to Sign Up For 4-H
When it comes to signing up for another year of 4-H, there are several ways you can do it:
*Attend a County Enrollment Night in Husted Hall
*Come to the Extension Office
*Pick up an enrollment form in your school’s main office and mail the form and fee to the Extension Office (forms available in schools beginning in February)
*Enroll online at the Extension Office website
There is a $20.00 enrollment fee to join 4-H for those in grades 3-12. $5.00 is the county fee, and $15.00 is the state fee. In regards to the state fee, the maximum number of youth a family pays for is three, or $45.00. However, every child must pay the county fee, regardless of family size. Fees can be paid with cash, check, or credit card (online only).
Those enrolling in the Mini 4-H program (grades K-2) have a $1.00 enrollment fee per child.
County Enrollment Nights
February 11, 4:00—6:30pm
February 28, 4:00—6:30pm
This is a great opportunity to check out what each project offers, ask questions, and pick up your project manuals!
Scholarship & Award News
Lots of Scholarships!
The Extension Office has many different scholarships available to those graduating high school. Stop by the office or check out our website. Some of these scholarships have deadlines fast approaching, so don’t hesitate! If you have questions while filling them out, the Extension Office is willing to help you!
IMPORTANT — State 4-H Scholarships
If you are applying for any of the State 4-H Scholarships that are due January 15, please make note that these need to be turned into the Extension Office electronically. This means you need to turn it in by email, or put it on a flash drive or disc. If you have questions about this, please let us know.
Project News
Beef Project
New for 2013: ALL cattle will require an 840-RFID tag. Market steers (beef & dairy beef), commercial heifers, and dairy feeder steers will need to have a county ID tag and an 840-RFID tag. Registered heifers will need to have tattoo and an 840-RFID tag. Please be on the lookout in the mail for more information on tagging dates.
Shooting Sports
If you plan to be a part of any of the shooting sports projects this year, please mark your calendars with the dates of the organization meeting and hunter education courses. The organizational meeting is March 4 from 6:30-8:00pm; The Hunter Education dates are March 5 from 6:00-8:30pm, March 7 from 6:00-8:30pm, and March 9 from 8am-5pm. It is highly recommended that you attend these sessions. Specific info and paperwork related to these meetings will be sent to shooting sports members next month.
Arts & Crafts
New for 2013—you can enter a recycled craft under the Any Other craft category. Also new—You will need to include with each craft project you make the “4-H Craft Information Card”. You will receive one card with your project materials, but if you need more, you need to contact the Extension Office.
What can I do in that 4-H project?
As you begin to think about signing up for another year in 4-H, you may be wondering what is offered in some of the projects or wondering what some of them even are. Check out the 4-H section on the office website for a handout entitled “What Can I Do in That 4-H Project”. Every project is listed with a brief description of what each one is about. Why not try something new in 4-H for 2013?!
Club News
Club meetings & activities are here to make 4-H a great experience for you. Clubs will help you with your projects, answer questions, and are a chance to have fun with other 4-H’ers. To get the most out of your time in 4-H, get involved and be a part of all the great things the program has to offer!
Community Club Leaders
Deerfield Lucky Clovers—Donna Bickel, Debra Homan
Deerfield Trailblazers—Tammy Sofronko
MC Challengers—Gordon Jackson
MC Modern Achievers—Marie Jackson
MC 4-H Traditions—Marie Jackson
MC Showmen—Jim Weiler
RS Grand Champions—Chris Robinson, Beth Randall
RS Rebel Succeeders—Chris Robinson, Beth Randall
Union Achievers—Cindy Shamy, Lisa Compton, Rebecca Bennett
Union Blue Ribbon—Cindy Shamy, Lisa Compton, Rebecca Bennett
Union City Buckskins—Katelynn Harshman
Union City Lucky Charms—
White River Blue Ribbon—Mike & Karla Reed
Winchester 4-H Club—Pat & Greg Neville, Diana Greene
K-9’ers Dog Club
Reminder that weekly practices have resumed on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00pm in Husted Hall (there will be no practice on February 12). Also, everyone needs to have an up-to-date vaccination form turned in.
Junior Leaders
The next meeting will be Monday, January 21 from 6:30-7:30pm in the dining room.
Reminder that Junior Leaders are asked to help at the 4-H Enrollment Nights (Feb. 11 & 28). You can come to one or both nights. If you have past 4-H projects, bring those along and we can put them on display to show what can be done in the different 4-H projects. This is also a great time to turn in your enrollment form and pick up your manuals!
Any 4-H’er in grades 7-12 can be a part of Junior Leaders. The Junior Leaders are a group of 4-H members that meet on a monthly basis to learn life skills while helping their community and participating with various 4-H activities. If you are interested in joining, simply contact the Extension Office!
Randolph Riders Horse & Pony
The next meeting is Monday, February 4 at 6:30pm in Husted Hall. Member packets will be distributed.
Any member that would like to run for a Junior Advisor position may download an application at www.randolpriders.webs.com. Applicants are required to give a presentation to the adult advisors on “Why I would like to be a Junior Advisor” on Thursday, January 31 at 7:00pm in the conference room.
The show date schedule for 2013 has been announced! Saturday, June 8—Practice Show; Saturday, June 15—Open Speed Show; Sunday, June 16—Open Performance Show. For show bills, please visit the Randolph Riders website: www.randolphriders.webs.com.
Volunteer News
How to Become a 4-H Volunteer
We are always looking for individuals to volunteer within the 4-H program. If you are interested in volunteering, you simply need to fill out a volunteer application form. To get this form, contact the Extension Office and we can mail, fax, or email you a copy. You may also come directly in the office and fill out a form. Once you return the completed form to us, we will begin the process to make you a volunteer!
Volunteers Wanted
There are lots of areas volunteer help would be greatly appreciated, such as community clubs, project clubs or workshops. Currently we are in need of a community club leader for the Union City Lucky Charms 4-H Club. We are also looking for help with project clubs and workshops, such as alpacas, small engines, and goats. If interested, please let us know.
Bi-State 4-H Judges & Leaders Clinic
The 2013 Bi-State 4-H Judges & Leaders Clinic is Saturday, February 16 from 8:30am-2:00pm in Cloverdale, IN. This training will provide youth development opportunities and growth to all 4-H club leaders, volunteers and project judges. Registrations are due by January 30. If interested, please contact the Extension Office for more information.
Adult Behavioral Expectations Forms
We still need these forms from several volunteers for the 2013 4-H year. This is a form you need to sign annually as long as you plan to continue on as a volunteer. You should have received a form either electronically or in the mail. Please turn these in ASAP. (If you have decided to step down as a volunteer, please let us know so we don’t expect a form from you.)
Help at 4-H Enrollment Nights
All 4-H leaders are asked to come to the enrollment nights to help out, answer questions about projects, and meet your new 4-H members. Also, if you have past 4-H projects that we could use as examples to display, please bring those along!
Attention: All Randolph County 4-H Volunteers
You are invited to a mandatory meeting for all 4-H Volunteers on Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Husted Hall from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
Come join us for an evening of fun and learning. Meet other 4-H Volunteers. Find out about national 4-H opportunities. Be invigorated about 4-H. Hands on activities! Make your meeting exciting for the 4-H'ers. Find out about the National 4-H Science Activity and Service Opportunities.
We will be having a guest speaker, Beth Van Sickle, from Madison County speak about 'The Fun Factor'. Beth will talk about:
*How to reach 4-H youth and parents
*Youth Leadership Activities
*How to have an interesting, informative 4-H meeting
*Fun Activities for 4-H meetings
Please call the Office and make your reservation now (765)584-2271. March 14 will be the make-up date for those who can't make this meeting.
Mini 4-H News
Mini Horse & Pony
Members will begin to meet in February at the monthly Horse & Pony meetings. The next meeting is Monday, February 4, and the Mini H&P members meet from 5:30-6:30pm in the dining room.
Enrolling in 4-H
Don’t forget to fill out an enrollment form to join Mini 4-H for the coming year. Every child in K, 1, 2 grades will receive an enrollment form with information about the program at the school either the end of January or beginning of February. Check it out and see what project you’d like to explore this year!
Other News
4-H Camp
Mark your calendar for this summer’s 4-H Camp & Teen Camp to be held June 5-7, 2013. 4-H Camp is for youth currently in grades 3-5, and Teen Camp is for youth currently in grades 6-8. More information will be coming this spring!
Foam Core Board & Poster Sleeves
Great news for those of you that will have a poster project in 4-H this year — we have available the foam core boards that you can use as the stiff backing for your poster. The cost of these is $2.50 each. We will again have the clear, plastic poster sleeves to use to cover your poster or photography salon print. The cost of these is $1.00 each.
Weather Permitting!
With the cold, wintery weather upon us, sometimes our plans can be altered by mother nature. When it comes to 4-H activities, every club or group may have their own cancellation policies. The Extension Office will use STAR 98.3 FM to list cancellations. We may also use your school announcements. If all else fails, you can contact the Extension Office or your 4-H leader to double check.
Ag Days
The annual Ag Days will be held April 10-11 this year. We want to spread the word about a new addition this year and hope for community involvement to make this a success. We will be having a bake sale auction on Wednesday, April 10 beginning at 6:30pm. Items can be homemade pies, cakes, breads, rolls, candies, soups, etc. The list can go on and on! We want to invite anyone that likes to bake or has a famous food item they enjoy making to donate to the bake sale auction. Also, to get the schools involved, we are working to invite the Family and Consumer Sciences classes from all county schools to enter items as well. If so, we would like to have a contest between the schools to see whose entries make the most money in the auction and reward them! The best part of this auction is that all the proceeds will go to the scholarship fund through Ag Days, which any county high school senior can apply for that will be pursuing a career in an ag-related field. We have exciting new additions we’re working on for Ag Days this year, so please watch the newsletters for the next two months to learn more!!
4-H Calendar
All events below are held at the Randolph County 4-H Fairgrounds, unless noted otherwise.
January 2013
14—Beef Producers Meeting, 6:00pm
15—K-9’ers Practice, 6:00pm
21—Junior Leaders Meeting, 6:30pm
22—K-9’ers Practice, 6:00pm
29—K-9’ers Practice, 6:00pm
31—H&P Advisors Meeting, 7:00pm
February 2013
4-Mini H&P Meeting, 5:30 PM
4-Randolph Riders Meeting, 6:30 PM
5-K-9'ers Practice, 6 PM
11-4-H Enrollment Night, 4-6:30 PM
19-K-9'ers Practice, 6 PM
19—Junior Leaders Meeting, 7:00pm
21—4-H Leaders Night, 7:00pm
26—K-9’ers Practice, 6:00pm
28—4-H Enrollment Night, 4-6:30pm
28—H&P Advisors Meeting, 7:00pm
Benefit Tack Auction
Randolph County 4-H Horse and Pony
Saturday, March 2, 2013 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
(Doors open 4 PM, auction starts at 5 PM)
Randolph County 4-H Fairgrounds @ Husted Hall
1885 US Hwy 27 South
Winchester, IN 47394
The Randolph Riders 4-H Horse and Pony Club will be holding their annual tack auction and swap meet. There will be large assortments of new and used tack and equine equipment.
*Saddles/Blankets
*Bits/Reins
*Leads and Halters
*Leather Goods
*And much, much more!!
If you own or enjoy horses this is a must attend auction!!
15% of all sales go to the Randolph Riders 4-H Club to help lessen the cost of showing in 2013 and arena improvements. Come show your support for our youth, future leaders and horse enthusiasts.
Come hungry: Kitchen will be open for dinner! Heated Building!
Taflinger Auctioneers
Contact Us:
Sean Taflinger 765-716-1641
Kirt Mcleland 260-223-1156
Ed Shirey 765-774-4444
www.taflingerauctioneers.com
Do you have old show clothes or used tack to sell?
We will be offering booth space and talbes.
Businesses 10'x 10' booths $25.00 Individuals single tables for $10.00
For more information or to reserve a booth or table contact
Shawnda Bond 765-546-0746 or randolphriders@gmail.com
Purdue Extension - Randolph County Office Staff:
Dan Kirtley
Extension Educator
CED/ANR/4-H Youth
dkirtley@purdue.edu
Jennifer Hartzler
Extension Educator
HHS/4-H Youth
jhartzle@purdue.edu
Joanie Thornburg
4-H Program Assistant
jmcollin@purdue.edu
Carol Tirey
Family Nutrition Program Asst.
jtirey@purdue.edu
Sue Thornburg
Secretary
lthornbu@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 765-584-2271
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM
www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/randolph