Morgan County. Extension Office Hours! 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Please call to schedule an appointment after hours! December 2017

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1 Morgan County December ENROLLMENT EARLY RE-ENROLLMENT DEADLINE WILL BE DECEMBER 15, 2017 Enroll Online today! Go to: Colorado.4honline.com Morgan County early enrollment deadline is December 15. Members must still pay their enrollment fees to the Morgan County Extension by that date to get the early re-enrollment fee of $30 per youth. Cloverbud fees are $15 for ages 5-7 year olds. From December 16 through March 1 the enrollment fee is $35 per youth for re-enrollees. While youth can enroll in 4-H throughout the year, to participate in the 2018 fair, they must be enrolled by March 1, If you do not have access to a computer with internet please call Aimee or Jamie to set up a time to get enrolled. Fair Board Vacancy There are 3 potential vacancies; each would serve a three year term (ending 12/31/2020) on the Morgan County Fair Board. Address letters of interest to Board of County Commissioners, c/o Connor Woodall, PO BOX 596, Fort Morgan, CO stating your qualifications and why you wish to serve. Deadline is December COUNTY FAIR DATES Official fair dates are August 3-9, 2018, BUT pre-fair activities will begin earlier including Interview Judging which is Wednesday, August 1. Extension Office Hours! 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Please call to schedule an appointment after hours! 2018 NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW The National Western Stock Show will be January 6-21, H Day at the National Western Stock Show is Friday, January 12. Group tickets are only available if they are purchased early. All Colorado 4-H families and invited guests are eligible for discounted prices on reserved seating. Discounts are not available at the Stock Show Box Office. For a complete schedule, visit Youth Fest Youth Fest is a leadership camp for 4-H members 9-13 years old and is scheduled for February 9-11, More information will be in January s newsletter. Competing at Western 4-H Roundup The livestock judging team of Caden Callaway, Courtney Griffith, Jordan Kendrick and Braden Mortensen will be representing Colorado at the Livestock Judging Contest in January. They won this opportunity when they placed 3 rd at State 4-H Conference. Jonathan Cable will also be participating at Roundup as a winner of the state demonstration contest. INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 News and Events 2 4-H Information 5 Family & Consumer Science Information 6 Livestock Information 7 NEW Fair Board Livestock Rules 9 Extension News 11 Calendar Colorado State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

2 4-H Information Keep Up With Us! We use mass to send reminders of upcoming opportunities, workshops, deadlines and more. Many opportunities and news items that we receive from the State 4-H office and other counties miss our newsletter deadline, and those are also passed on by . Please let us know if you change your address. Also, the newsletter is our primary way of getting information to you. We will send a mass the day the newsletter goes to print to every enrolled member and leader. The will have the newsletter attached and instructions on how to find it on the website. If you would like to be mailed a paper copy, please call or Jamie at or coopext_morgan@mail.colostate.edu. The annual Leadership Development Conference (LDC) will be held January 27-29, 2018 in Denver. LDC is a fun, educational weekend promoting leadership development and community service. The event is open to youth 14 and over and registration is typically around $ (plus lodging). This conference is in conjunction with the annual 4-H Day at the Capitol where members can be present during the Proclamation for Colorado 4-H Day. Tours of the state capitol will be available. Interested youth can register in 4-H Online, starting December 4 January 5. Western Region Leaders Forum 2018 The Western Regional Leaders Forum will be held in San Diego, California on March 1-4, Information will be available soon. Colorado 4-H Foundation Scholarships To apply for most of the scholarships offered through Colorado State University for the academic year, applicants should complete the Colorado 4-H Foundation Scholarship Application available online at: By submitting this one application form, students will be considered for all appropriate scholarships at the University level. The online application process will begin on January 19, Take time during your vacation days to see what scholarships that you may be eligible for. CSU Scholarships Available at: Horse and Dog ID Forms All Horse and Dog ID Forms must be done on an annual basis through 4-H Online, beginning December 1, If you identified a horse or dog last year, you must activate each animal account. For the Dog ID, you will need to update and upload new vaccine information. Signing up for Shooting Sports Members interested in Shooting Sports must enroll in each discipline that they are planning to shoot in addition to the discipline they want to do their 4-H project on. This helps with record keeping, safety tracking, and ensuring that all members are enrolled correctly for their different projects. In 2018, youth must have a Hunter Safety Card PRIOR to shooting at County Fair.

3 Shooting Sports Leader Training We need more help from parents to be trained as a shooting sports leader. You must register as a 4-H leader online (and complete the background check process) prior to the training. Here are the 2018 training dates: 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training Dates and Locations: Weld County, March 9-11 Pueblo County, March Arapahoe County, April 6-8 Mesa County, April Trainings begin on Friday evening, continue all day Saturday and conclude mid-day Sunday. Attendance for the entire weekend is required to receive a certificate. Judging Opportunities for 4-H Members Judging is a great opportunity for 4-H members to improve decision making, communication, problem solving and time management skills in a fun, team-oriented setting. Members do not have to be involved in any specific project to take part in judging programs. Some potential benefits of judging include college scholarships, opportunity to travel, personal and team awards. Check out one or more of these judging opportunities! Consumer Choices Judging & Consumer Bowl Did you know that you are a consumer judge every time you buy something? Come join us and learn fun ways to become the smart and savvy shopper you know you are! In Consumer Choices Judging you will learn standards of quality for goods such as backpacks, toys, clothing, food, and much more, and then practice making comparisons. The State Consumer Choices Judging Contest is held in Fort Collins in conjunction with the State 4-H Conference in June for Senior members. There are opportunities for Senior members of top placing teams to travel to national level contests. Consumer Choices is open to all senior 4-H members and in any project. For more information contact Jennifer at jennifer.cooney@colostate.edu. Interest will determine meeting dates and times; however, we'd like to start in early in Livestock Judging Workouts for Livestock Judging normally start in early March. Generally, the team will also compete in several county contests prior to the State contest in June, held in conjunction with the State 4-H Conference in Fort Collins. Team members will learn livestock evaluation skills for beef, goats, sheep and swine. Top placing teams have the opportunity to participate in national level contests. For further information contact Marlin at or marlin.eisenach@colostate.edu. Horse Judging Develop an eye for horses and understand what exactly goes on in the show ring. Workouts generally start in January or February. The State Horse Judging Contest is held in Fort Collins in conjunction with the State 4-H Conference in June. There are opportunities for members of top placing teams to travel to national level contests. For more information contact coach Marlin at or marlin.eisenach@colostate.edu. Parli Pro Parliamentary procedure provides a framework that encourages all members to have an equal voice in their club. The 4-H club model provides an excellent forum for youths to experience, practice, and effectively use life skills that will allow them to be successful in living productive and satisfying lives. Leading or participating in a club business meeting gives members an opportunity to plan, evaluate, discuss ideas, and set goals all important life skills. The members of the Morgan County Parliamentary Procedure team will compete at the State Conference in June 2018 where they will conduct a mock meeting and demonstrate their knowledge of correct Parliamentary Procedure. For more information or if you are interested contact Aimee at aimee.kanode@colostate.edu. Practice dates and time will be determined based off interest but will begin early in 2018.

4 COUNTY Member in Good Standing POLICY Just a reminder that Morgan County and Colorado 4-H have a Member in Good Standing policy. As written in the state policy manual, a member in good standing; abides by the 4-H Code of Conduct, meets deadlines, attends a majority of club and project meetings, and completes at least one project. To complete a project, members are required to 1. Participate in a 4-H related (subject matter or audience) demonstration or other speech-arts presentation. 2. Participate in a 4-H sponsored community service activity, and 3. Complete any county level requirements such as a record book, exhibit, etc. While this state policy has always been in effect, the county has really had no way to determine a member s level of participation. Effective October 1, 2015, all club leaders are required to sign off on every member s participation before county fair and at the end of the 4-H year. All members must meet county/state policy as well as club policy (if applicable). Members not in good standing may not be able to participate in certain county, state or national events. Members: If you are planning to transfer to another club, please do the following: 1. Call your current Organizational Leader to let them know you will be transferring clubs. 2. Call the Extension Office at H Membership The 4-H year runs from October 1 to September H age is the age of the individual on December 31 of the current 4-H year. Cloverbud: 5-7 years old; junior member: 8-10 years old; intermediate member: years old; senior member: years old. Leader Requirements Recognized leaders may hold 4-H functions, are covered by 4-H insurance, and may serve as chaperones in the name of 4-H. Everyone interested in becoming an Organizational Leader is required to visit with the 4-H Agent, even if you are already an approved project leader. If your club is dissolving or if you are considering changes in leadership, call the Extension Office at In order to be recognized as a volunteer 4-H leader in Morgan County, all NEW leaders must complete the following requirements: 1.Complete a volunteer application through 4-H Online and receive two positive references. 2.Complete a 4-H enrollment form through 4-H Online 3. Complete leader training 4.Pass a background check 5.Interview with 4-H Agent (All organizational leader applicants or as requested). What is a Self-Determined Project? The self-determined project is designed for 4-H members who have an interest in a topic that is not included in the 4-H Project List. Self-determined projects include these county projects that are not offered as state projects: Crops, Model Horse, Pocket Pets and Weeds. If you wish to re-enroll in a self-determined project, use the project name next to self-determined. For example: Self Determined/Pocket Pets. County projects are not eligible to qualify for state fair.

5 MORGAN COUNTY 4-H COUNCIL MEETING No meeting scheduled for December. Next meeting is January 15 at 6:45 pm. MORGAN COUNTY 4-H EXCHANGE MEETING Next meeting is December 10 at 5 pm at the Morgan County Fair Grounds, 4-H Building. If you cannot make this meeting you must notify Aimee. Council Corner- During the November Morgan County 4-H Council Meeting members spent time creating decorations for the Christmas float that the council is putting together. This years theme is Patriotic Christmas. In place of holding a regular meeting in December, the County Council will have a float in the Christmas Parade on Thursday, November 30. The parade starts at 6:30 and the exact meeting location and time will be sent out to all families as soon as more information is available. Even if you aren t a part of council, you are welcome to join us for the parade on the 30 th! County Council still has 4-H Grows t-shirts available for pre-order at $10 each. 4-H Grows metal signs and 4-H window decals are available for purchase at the Extension Office now, decals are $10, and metal signs are $15. Show your support for your 4-H members and support the Council in fundraising at the same time! Our next meeting will be January 15 th at 6:45, where we will discuss ideas for different county wide activities to hold in the spring. If you have any questions about the Morgan County 4-H Council please contact Aimee at Family and Consumer 4-H News Larimer County Fiber Fun Fest - February We don't have a date for this event yet, but this event is open to anyone, but would be of special interest for 4-H members enrolled in a Heritage Arts project. The day features a wide range of fiber arts workshops including some which teach beginning skills and others which are new techniques using fiber and fabric. In addition, there are vendors with fiber arts supplies and demonstrations throughout the day. You can learn a lot just by visiting the exhibit hall. If you want to attend the workshops, pre-registration is required on the Larimer County website beginning in early January at select the 4-H button and then Fiber Fun Fest. The workshops fill up fast, so don't wait to register. MARK THESE FAIR DATES Here are the tentative dates events related to the General and Family and Consumer Projects. Fashion Revue - Monday, July 30 th Judging 1-4 pm Public Revue at 6 pm Creative Cooks Thursday, August 2 nd at 3 pm Cake Decorating Contest Monday, August 6 th *This is new this year- look for more information to come!*

6 Livestock Selecting and Starting a Market Beef Project Over the next few months many of you will be selecting a calf for your market beef project to be shown at your county fair next year. The decisions you make now have a tremendous effect on the success of your overall project. There are many important things to consider when you begin the project. First of all, with the increased cost of purchasing a calf and higher feed costs you need to be sure that you have the financial backing to be able to successfully complete the project. On the conservative side, you can have over $1500 invested in your beef project and may well expect to spend over $2500 purchasing and feeding your calf. You will want to discuss this with your parents prior to purchasing the calf and be sure you will be able to follow through. To finish reading the article, go to Don t Come up Short on Your Swine Project Decisions made now will affect your swine project either positively or negatively at fair time. Many 4-H and FFA members find themselves in a battle to make a light pig gain 30 pounds in the last week before fair because of decisions they made at the beginning of the swine project. Making sound choices early will help to eliminate the stress on you and your parents as the fair draws near. You have invested countless hours and your life savings into a pig that absolutely refuses to gain the weight needed to meet the minimal weight requirement to be sale eligible. To finish reading the article, go to Premises ID Premises identification will provide quick and accurate traceability of livestock and locations in the event of an animal health concern, which will help maintain the health of all Colorado livestock. For this program, a premises is defined as a location or site where livestock are born, handled, housed, managed, marketed, processed, or exhibited. Premises ID is managed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. For the project year, 4-H members with livestock projects (beef, dairy, goat, horse, sheep, swine, poultry, and rabbit) are to obtain a Premises ID. It is required to exhibit at the Morgan County Fair and Colorado State Fair. It is also required for other livestock shows. If you don t already have a Premises ID, you can obtain one by go online to Colorado Location Identification (LID) Registration Form at Animal Care and Housing Form All 4-H members with animal projects will be required to have a completed, signed and approved animal Care and Housing Form for Colorado 4-H Livestock Projects form on file at the Extension Office. This form will be provided in two ways: 1. 4-H online for those that have their animals at their place of residence and 2. on our 4-H Website for those that have their animals some place other than their residence. If your animal project is housed at your place of residence you can fill out this form while filling out your paperwork during the enrollment process online. If your animal project is not housed at your place of residence then you will need to go to our 4-H Website, print the Animal Care and Housing form and fill out both sides of that form. This gives us additional information about your specific situation and helps with the approval process. Please give us detailed information or we will send them back for you to adjust your comments. Contact Marlin at if you have any questions.

7 New Fair Board Livestock Rules Fair Board Changes For 2018 Identification and Weigh-In Dates 2018 Species Primary Care Begins Weigh-In I.D.'s Beef March 3 March 3 Horse May 1 May 1 Breeding Animals (Sheep, Goats) May 1 Dairy (Cattle) May 1 May 1 Breeding Beef May 1 May 1 Sheep/Goats (Market) May 5 May 5 Swine (Market) May 7 May 7 Rabbits & Poultry (Breeding) June 1 Pen of Meat Rabbits June 25 June 25 Pen of Meat Poultry June 25 June 25 FUTURE FAIR DATES: August 2 8, 2019 July 31 August 6, 2020 RULE CHANGES COUNTY FAIR DATES AUGUST 3-9, 2018 HORSE Horse ID s due date change from April 1 st to May 1 st. FAIR SCHEDULE CHANGES HORSE Saturday, July 28 th 9:00 am Western & English Horse Show Sunday, July 29 th 4:00 pm Gymkhana Friday, August 3 rd 2:00 pm Ranch Horse SWINE *Weigh-In 5th 8:30 to 10:30 am 7

8 2017 Livestock Fair Schedule Species Beginning Weigh-In/ID's Due Western and English Horse May 1, 2018 Gymkhana Horse May 1, 2018 Breeding Poultry June 1, 2018 Market Poultry June 25, 2018 Breeding Rabbit June 1, 2018 Market Rabbit June 25, 2018 Ranch Horse May 1, 2018 Breeding Sheep May 1, 2018 Market Goats May 5, 2018 Breeding Goats May 1, 2018 Market Sheep May 5, 2018 Market Swine May 7, 2018 Breeding Beef May 1, 2018 Breeding Beef May 1, 2018 Market Beef March 3, 2018 Market Beef March 3, 2018 Dairy Cattle May 1, 2018 Dairy Cattle May 1, Livestock Information Vet Check in Transit Saturday, July 28th, 8-9 am Sunday, July 29th, 3-4 pm 7:30-8:30 am 7:30-8:30 am Friday, August 3rd, 7:30-9 am 7:30-9 am 1-2 pm 4th, 8-9:30 am 4th, 8-9:30 am 4th, 8-9:30 am 4th, 5:30-7 pm 5th, 8:30-10:30 am 5th, 1-2 pm Monday, August 6th 8-9:30 am 5th, 1-2 pm Monday, August 6th 8-9:30 am 5th, 1-2 pm Monday, August 6th 8-9:30 am Enter in Barn after Vet Check Weigh-Ins after Vet Check & Entry Weights Show Date and Times Saturday, July 28th, 8-9 am N/A N/A Saturday, July 28 th 9 am Sunday, July 29th, 3-4 pm N/A N/A Sunday, July 29th, 4 pm 7:30-8:30 am N/A N/A 8:30 am 7:30-8:30 am 7:30-8:30 am Varies on Species 8:30 am 7:30-9 am N/A N/A 10 am 7:30-9 am 7:30-9 am 9-17 lbs. 10 am 1-2 pm N/A N/A 2 pm 4th, 8-9:30 am N/A N/A 4th, 10 am 4th, 8-9:30 am 4th, 8-9:30 am lbs. 4th, 8-9:30 am N/A N/A 4th, 5:30-7 pm 4th, Immediately after Goat Showmanship 4th, Immediately after Market Goat Show 4th, 5:30-7 pm lbs. 5th, 4 pm 5th, 5th, 8:30-10:30 am 8:30-10:30 am lbs. Monday, August 6th, 4 pm 5th, 1-2 pm N/A N/A Tuesday, August 7th, 10 am Monday, August 6th 8-9:30 am N/A N/A Tuesday, August 7th, 10 am 5th, 1-2 pm Monday, August 6th, 9:30 am lbs. Tuesday, August 7th, Immediately after Breeding Beef Show Tuesday, August 7th, Monday, August Monday, August 6th, Immediately after Breeding 6th 8-9:30 am 9:30 am lbs. Beef Show 5th, 1-2 pm N/A N/A Wednesday, August 8th, 9 am Monday, August 6th 8-9:30 am N/A N/A Wednesday, August 8th, 9 am 8

9 Extension News OUT REACH REACHING YOUTH WHERE THEY ARE! MORGAN COUNTY YOUTH TO AGRICULTURE SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR 3 RD GRADERS DECEMBER NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW TRIPS WITH 3 RD GRADERS JANUARY Tentative Schedule- January 8 Beaver Valley Elementary January 9 Weldon Valley Elementary January 11 Columbine Elementary and Green Acres Elementary January 12- Pioneer Elementary and Baker Elementary THANK YOU!!! TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED BY MORGAN COUNTY CATTLEMEN S ASSOCIATION & FORT MORGAN YOUNG FARMERS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION Also Thanks to the National Western Stock Show for providing FREE admission!! Tree Seedlings The Colorado State Forest Service and Colorado State University Extension partner each spring to bring the residents of Morgan County seedling trees grown at the seedling tree nursery in Fort Collins. The Seedling tree program was established as part of the Soil Bank Act of 1956 to help eliminate soil erosion. The CSU Forestry Service grows nearly 150 varieties of trees from seed in one of two ways; either bare root or grown in small containers. The nursery produces nearly 2.2 million bare root and 700,000 container grown seedlings on 180 acres in Fort Collins each year. Beginning in 2014 the nursery introduced small perennials and grasses to help with soil erosion and beautification of the prairies and eastern plains grasslands. The minimum acreage requirement of years past is gone, and now the only requirement for participating in this program is participants must use their seedlings for conservation purposes only and cannot resale them. Order forms are available at the Extension Office. Colorado Master Gardener Program Morgan County Extension is now accepting applications for the Colorado Master Gardener Program which begins January of They will be receiving applications through December 15, The initial year of the program requires the participants to do course work through their local extension office via online training. It is generally over a ten week period ending in April. In the remaining part of 2017 participants will complete 50 hours of volunteer work throughout the community in a garden related capacity. Please contact Aimee Kanode at aimee.kanode@colostate.edu or at (970) for more information regarding the Master Gardner program.

10 2018 A Healthier Weigh Challenge Start on the road to "A Healthier Weigh" in 2018 and take part in our 12- week health and fitness challenge. The challenge begins with team weighin in January. A team is any 4 adults (18 or older) who will help motivate team members to set goals and take action to become healthier in Get your team together! This challenge involves weighing as a team, measuring waist circumference, recording activity with a pedometer, and weekly online updates on health and fitness. We ONLY weigh the team at the beginning and the end. The focus is on setting personal goals and strategies that will help you be successful, increasing activity to burn extra calories, and making wise food choices. This should result in a weight loss of approximately 4% of the team's beginning weight during the 12 weeks. The online updates for 2018 are totally new and are based on adaptations from a Healthy You, a weight management and mindful eating program. The registration for 2018 is $40/person or $160/team. At the conclusion of the challenge, teams earn CASH prizes for weight loss (based on percentage of original team weight), percentage loss of waist inches, and miles of activity recorded. AND, for those who have done the challenge before, we are working to adapt all components of the challenge, including the online educational series. Contact Jennifer at for information or registration form. Annie s Project Annie s Project is a program designed to empower farm/ranch women to be better business operators and/or partners. The six-week course meets for one 3-hour session per week. Topics include five risk areas: production, price or market, financial, institutional and legal, and human and personal. Classes will begin on Tuesday, January 16 th from 6-9 pm at Morgan Community College. The class will meet every Tuesday from 6-9 pm through February 20 th. Classes are limited to 20 participants; $60 fee includes meals and class materials for the series. Call Morgan County Extension office to register. Strong People Stay Healthy This strength-training program for older adults begins Tuesday, January 9 th and will continue each Tuesday and Thursday through March. The evening class from 5:30-6:30 pm will be held at the Morgan County Extension Office. Participants learn a series of exercises for muscle strength, bone density, flexibility and balance using hand and ankle weights. Each person completes a senior fitness assessment prior to starting the weights to determine physical ability and/or limitations. Call for more information or to register for this class.

11 Calendar of Events DECEMBER 1 - NWSS Catch it Calf Application Deadline 1 - Deadline for MCCA Heifer or Steer Applications 15 - Deadline for Morgan County Fair Board Applications 15 - Early Re-Enrollment Deadline Agriculture Programs for Morgan County 3rd Graders 25 - HOLIDAY, Extension Office Closed JANUARY 1 - HOLIDAY, Extension Office Closed National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO Field Trips to NWSS with Morgan County 3rd Graders Leadership Development Conference, Denver, CO FEBRUARY Youth Fest, Ponderosa Camp 19 - Holiday, Extension Office Closed MARCH 1-4-H Enrollment Deadline to participate in the 2018 Morgan County Fair Janice Dixon Extension Agent, 4-H/Youth Colorado State University Extension Morgan County PO BOX E Railroad Ave Fort Morgan, CO 8070 Phone: (970) Fax: (970) coopext_morgan@mail.colostate.edu Web Page: Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.