May Clover News 2008

Richland County     

4-H CLOVER NEWS
May, 2008

Dear 4-H Volunteer: 

The 2008 4-H year is rolling right along.  There are 43 4-H clubs, 897 4-H members (includes 137 Cloverbuds).  To organize those 43 clubs we have 159 official 4-H advisors with several volunteers waiting to complete the new volunteer training.  Also, within the five FFA chapters we have 230 total FFA members enrolled in projects to be exhibited at the county fair in August.

Please remind members about the upcoming deadlines for Hog Nominations due to Kim Stover, Dog Registration, Horse Registration & Fees, Camp Applications, Health & Safety Speaking Application, Demonstration Application, and Jr. Fair Entry..  All members will be receiving a camp letter or older youth trip letter with the Fair Entry included.  These deadlines are very important and sometimes the youth need to be reminded many times to keep up on important dates. 

Please remember that the Extension staff will gladly help you with any and all questions that you may have. 

Sincerely yours,                                             

Judy Villard, Ph.D

Extension Educator

4-H Youth Development & Extension County Director

Prepared by:  June Tilton, Administrative Secretary

                             The Ohio State University, The United States Department of Agriculture, and County Commissioners Cooperating

It is encouraged that you use the website to find additional information and updates

that occur throughout the 4-H year.  http://richland.osu.edu

Important Dates and Activities for May      

May 5  -   4-H Committee, Longview Center, 6:30  p.m.

May 8  -   Quality Assurance Training, Longview Center, 7 p.m.

                 “Happy Birthday Extension” 

May 10 -  Judy and Jim’s WEDDING DAY, First United Methodist Church, 1:30 p.m.

May 12 -  Camp Counselor Training, Longview Center, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m..

May 13 -   Volunteer Certification, Longview Center, “Preparing for the County Fair”,  6 p.m.

                  Barn Raisers Longview Center, 7 p.m.

May 15 -  Advisor Deadline - - 4-H Dog Registration into Extension Office

                Member Deadline - - Horse Registration & money due to Barn Raisers Treasurer  

                FINAL New Volunteer Training, Longview Center, 7 p.m.

May 17 - CARTEENS, Longview Center, 8:15 a.m. (session at 9 a.m.)

               Tagging Day, Market Lambs, Market Goats, Feeder Calves, at pre-determined locations, Shelby Vo-Ag Bldg., Fairgrounds, 8 a.m. until Noon

               DEADLINE:  Market Hog Identification and Nomination Forms to Kim Stover

               Poultry Clinic, Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. until Noon

               Rabbit Clinic, Fairgrounds, 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

               Mini Horse Clinic, Fairgrounds, 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

May 19 - Jr. Leadership Club, Longview Center, 7 p.m.

May 20 - Dog Committee, Longview Center, 6 p.m.

May 26 - Office Closed : Memorial Day Observed   

May 27 - Jr./Sr. Fair Board Dinner, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.

May 29 -  Horse Fun Show, Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.

Market Hog Nominations Due May 17  

The identification form and nomination form for market hogs will be due to Kim Stover on May 17 (tagging day for other market animals).  There will be no tagging of the market hogs until they get to the fair. If you have members who need these forms, they are in the packet of forms that advisors received at enrollment pick-up.

Attention Horse Advisors             

In 2008 the member deadline for the horse registration will be May 15 with advisor deadline for changes or additions to be June 1.  The horse registration fee in 2008 is $20/per horse payable at the time of registration.  In 2008 there will be NO sharing of    4-H/FFA project horses.   If you have questions, please contact the Extension Office or see the 2008 Horse Guide.

Help the Sr. Fair Board Ladies Auxiliary             

The Ladies Auxiliary has a very important role in what goes on at the Richland County Fairgrounds.  It is with their financial assistance that a lot of things have been repaired and improvements made to the fairgrounds.   4-H’ers 13 and older, parents and/or advisors who would be willing to help in the cafeteria before and during the fair should contact Pat Wells through the fairgrounds (419/747-3717) to offer your assistance.  This is a good way for 4-H to improve the relationship between 4-H and the Senior Fair Board.  Let’s show them we are willing to help wherever they need help.  The ladies also need help serving at other functions throughout the year.  Please call Pat to volunteer.

Quality Assurance Training in 2008              

The FINAL Quality Assurance training to be held in Richland County will be May 8 from 7-8 p.m.  This session will be held at the Longview Center.   You must have this training complete or you will not be permitted to show or sell your livestock (also includes lactating goats and dairy).  If you have questions or concerns please contact the Extension Office.  Quality Assurance Training must be complete by July 1, 2008 or you will not be able to show or sell your animals at the 2008 fair.  There are other clinics that will count toward QA training.  Please check with the Extension Office for these other opportunities or the website at http://richland.osu.edu.  Although not required, it is strongly recommended that parents attend this quality assurance training with the youth.   Note:  Quality Assurance training will count for volunteer certification credit in 2008.  

Cedar Point 4-H Days                    

Just a reminder that “4-H Day” at Cedar Point will be June 27, 2008.  Please remember that if you want to attend this day, someone from your group must have a membership card from Richland County 4-H to purchase tickets.  Ticket prices will be $31 for students (K-12), $34 for adults and $14 for Juniors (ages 3 & older, under 48”) and $14 for Seniors (ages 62 & over).  Regular gate price is $42.95.  Mark this date on your calendar. 

New Showmanship Rule in 2008

It is going to be required to pre-register for showmanship in each species. 
You must register the day before the show to be eligible for showmanship. 
If you do not pre-register, you will not be permitted to show in your showmanship class.

Tagging Times and Locations            

Please remind members who have market lambs, goats, and feeder calves that tagging day is May 17, 2008.  The locations for tagging will be the Richland County Fairgrounds or the Shelby Ag Building.  You should plan to be there between the hours of 8 a.m.– noon.   If for some reason you cannot make it to any of these places in the time allotted, please call someone on the Livestock Sale Committee to set up a tagging time for your animals.  Loren Kranz is President of the Livestock Sale Committee, his phone number is 419-896-3534. 

Theme For Fair Booths in 2008              

The theme for the 2008 Richland County Fair Booths will be along the lines of the 4-H Camp themes (Captain Hook, pirates, treasure chests, etc., but
NO SKULL AND CROSSBONES will be permitted).   The Booth Sign-up Sheet is in the packet of forms and will be due in the Extension Office by June 1. Booth space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you have questions and concerns about this, please feel free to give the Extension Office a call.   NOTE:  We have had questions that the theme “Getting Hooked on 4-H” was about fishing.  The theme is “Pirates”.  Please call the Extension Office if you have questions about this year’s theme. 

Need a Community Service Project?               

Once again, the Richland County Solid Waste Department is looking for 4-H clubs to commit to two hours during the fair to clean the fairgrounds.  They provide gloves, brooms, and dust pans and each crew member receives a hat and t-shirt to keep.  Each shift should consist of six 4-H members. If your members want to commit to this project, call the Richland County Solid Waste Office at 419-774-5861. 

Poultry & Rabbit Workshop             

The Poultry and Rabbit workshop will be held May 17 at the Fairgrounds with the Poultry workshop beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at noon.  The Rabbit workshop will begin at 1:00 p.m. and run through 4 p.m.  You must attend the entire sessions of each of these to get your Quality Assurance training credit fulfillment (entire poultry or entire rabbit session).  Registration will begin 1/2 hour before the program starts.  IMPORTANT: The only livestock not covered at these clinics will be hogs.  Hog exhibitors must attend one of the other QA sessions.  Please call the Extension Office if you have questions about the Quality Assurance training credit. 

Miniature Horse Clinic            

Jayme Kilgore will conduct a “Miniature Horse Clinic” on May 17 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.  The clinic will be held at the fairgrounds by the horse arena and will have lots of educational information for those interested in the (Self Determined) Miniature Horse.  If you are attending the rabbit workshop and wish to be a part of the Miniature Horse Clinic, please let Jayme know that you are at the rabbit clinic and then will attend the miniature horse clinic.  Jayme’s phone number is 419-342-2557.

Active Advisor Status                 

In accordance with the Ohio 4-H volunteer thrust to promote leadership development of 4-H advisors, ALL 4-H volunteers must enhance their personal development by attending at least one of the “Volunteer Certification  Meetings”  to remain an active volunteer in Richland County.  Please sign the attendance records at these events, so that your name can go into the computer program that you have attended the required development activity.  The last of these meetings will be held May 13, 2008.  This information has been posted in past newsletters, online and at Super Clinics, so don’t miss out and not be entitled to a 2008 fair pass.  There have been and are still many opportunities to obtain this status.  If you have questions, please call the Extension Office for dates and times.

Dog Obedience Registration Due                

The dog obedience registration form and information was mailed out to all those members signing up for the projects #201 (obedience, showmanship, performance, guide dog).  Information is also available on the following website (southcenters.osu.edu/4h/dog/index.htm).  This information will be helpful if you are taking your dog to the Ohio State Fair this year.  Something new at the Richland County Fair in 2008 is going to be the Open Dog Show to be held immediately following the regular dog show on Friday morning.  Details about the show will be in the letter sent to all members taking dog projects.    If you have questions and concerns about this new project, please contact Stephanie Bargo at 419-529-9845 or call the Extension Office at 419-747-8755.

Once again this year, Stephanie and Jayme are offering “dog workout” sessions at the Richland Rural Life Center starting at 6 p.m.   The next workout session is scheduled for May 12.  There is no charge for these sessions and are open to all 4-H’ers taking the dog project. 

Commission $ from Livestock Sale Committee

Ever wonder where the commission money goes that the Livestock Sale Committee gets from the market livestock that sells at the fair?  Well, here is a few items that the committee has had a hand in to better the fairgrounds, junior fair, junior fair exhibitors and many other projects that you see taking place on the grounds.  The new turkey pens were added and completely funded by the committee..  The committee also donated $2000 to the addition being built onto the Junior Fair Office and most recently, donated $2000 to the new Red Barn which is to house the Laundromat, restrooms and showers back in the campgrounds.   All these improvements will benefit the entire fairgrounds and junior fair exhibitors.  

4-H Poster Week Winners

The following 4-H members were selected as winners for their 4-H Week promotional posters:  9-11 yr. old category - 1st place, Madeline Hariman, Farmhand Friends - 2nd place, Julie Brown, Lexington Lads & Lasses - 3rd place, Erica Bowman, Lexington Lads & Lasses; and Honorable Mention goes to Emily Brown, Lexington Lads & Lasses,  12-14 yr. old category - 1st place, Casey Yetzer, Country Kids; 2nd place, Tara Yetzer, Country Kids; - 3rd place, Allison Brown, Lexington Lads & Lasses and Honorable Mention goes to Kayla Brown, Lexington Lads & Lasses;  14-19 yr. old category - 1st place, Elizabeth Greenslade, Country Kids - 2nd place, Krista Steiner, Bibs & Boots;  - 3rd place, Alix Fidler, Richland Round Up.  These winners won cash from the Richland County 4-H Committee.  Congratulations to all the winners.   Thanks to all 4-H members who made posters to help promote 4-H around the county. 

4-H Jr. Camp Nurse Still Needed

If you are a LPN or RN and would like to help out at camp for a small stipend, please contact the Extension Office ASAP.  We are seeking someone to work the entire week of Jr. Camp, June 16-20.  If you cannot commit to the entire week, we could try to get someone to split the week.  There will be a camper provided for the nurse to sleep in and work out of.  Please let us know if you can help out with this important and necessary position at camp.  As we have said in the past, “the pay is small, but the rewards are huge”.  

4-H Camp Helpers                                                                                                    

Camp is a big event and if you would like to volunteer to help out either at mealtime, craft time, swimming or just come out for a few hours to help where needed, please call the Extension Office and volunteer.  We love to have you come to camp and assist in some way or another. 
Jr. 4-H Camp is the week of June 16-20 and Beginner’s Camp is June 21 and 22.   

Dress Code Change in 2008

The Jr. Fair Board has made a few changes to the dress code rule.  For non-livestock events, activities, etc. continue with same dress code, but also include sleeved shirt/top   and showing no cleavage.  Show Day Dress Code for Goats - - do not have to wear white - - however must wear sleeved, collared shirt, jeans (or skirt), hard-soled shoes.  Call the Extension Office if you have questions regarding these changes.

**** OLDER YOUTH NEWS ****

Camp Counselors To Meet                                                                                      

The 2008 camp counselors will meet on May 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Longview Center. 

*** 4-H camp is educational, builds social skills and is lots of fun. 
Camp is open on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Camp applications will be mailed to eligible youth next week.  

Jr. Fair Board Meeting                                                                                                           

The 2008 Richland County Jr. Fair Board will meet May 27 from 6 p.m.  There will be a combined Jr./Sr. Fair Board dinner that evening at the fairgrounds.  The Sr. Fair Board Ladies Auxiliary will provide the meat, table service and drinks.  Each Jr. Fair Board member is to bring a covered dish to share.  A short meeting will be held immediately following the dinner.  If you are unable to attend, please call the Extension Office to be put on the “EXCUSED” list. 

4-H CARTEENS Instructors                                                                                                    

The Richland County CARTEEN program is open to all older youth.  If you would like to attend one of the CARTEENS sessions, please feel free to come and observe what is expected of an instructor.  The next CARTEENS session is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at 9:00 a.m. (with set up for instructors beginning at 8:15 a.m.)   If you think you might be interested in being a part of the 4-H CARTEENS, please consider observing a session before you commit to the program.  Or if you have questions and want more information about what is expected of you, please call and talk to Judy or Sandi.

Older Youth Trip to Tennessee     

It is that time of year again to be thinking about going on the Older Youth Trip.  The trip in 2008 will be to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  July 19-22 will be the date for the trip.  The bus will depart from the Longview Center at midnight, July 18.  Look for more details to be sent to older youth (14 +) within the next couple of weeks.  Just mark your calendars and pack your bags for a fun-filled trip to Dollywood and many other places of interest.

Jr. Leadership Club

Come and join with other Jr. Leaders from across the county for fun and leadership development activities on May 19 at the Longview Center, beginning at 7 p.m. 

                                                                 JUDY’S CORNER                                                                       

The custom of “Open Church”

♥                                  will be observed as                                  ♥

Judy Villard and Jim Overocker

♥              invite you to share in the joy of the            ♥

beginning of their new life together

♥                       as they exchange marriage vows                         ♥

Saturday, the tenth of May, 2008.

♥                         To be held at the                          ♥

First United Methodist Church

♥                                            Mansfield, Ohio                                               ♥

Music begins at 12:45 p.m.

♥                      Ceremony at 1:30 p.m.                       ♥