on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic veteran. Direct inquiries to Ross Wilburn, ,

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1 MAHASKA COUNTY ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH FEBRUARY 2017 Mahaska County 212 North I Street Oskaloosa, Iowa Helping make 4-H possible in Mahaska County. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran. Direct inquiries to Ross Wilburn, , wilburn@iastate.edu. The fees for service will be used to offset direct expenses and to support the 4-H Youth Development County Extension Program. Youth Staff Amy Brainard County Youth Coordinator Codi Voss Educational Programs Coordinator Brenda Spurgeon Interim Youth Program Specialist Lea DeCook Office Assistant 4-H Mission 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults. 4-H Vision A world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change. Mahaska County 4-H & FFA Gala Please support Mahaska County 4-H and FFA members by attending their 6th Annual Fair Gala on Friday, March 10 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium at the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Oskaloosa. A meal will be offered for free will donations. A Silent Auction will be held to benefit 4-H & FFA Youth Shows at the 2017 Southern Iowa Fair. The 4-H & FFA Youth Shows fund covers the cost of ribbons, trophies and awards, judges fees, and 4-H & FFA exhibitor premiums. To RSVP or to donate silent auction items, please call or us at vermeera@iastate.edu. To find an updated list of Silent Auction items, please visit mahaska/news/6th-annual-mahaska-county-4-hffa-gala.

2 FIRST LEGO League Jr. FLL Jr. teams will be meeting soon. If you know of a child currently in Kindergarten-3rd grade who has an interest in basic engineering principles, please register them for a team. Limited spaces are available, so contact Amy ASAP to learn more. Amy can be reached at or vermeera@iastate.edu. Cost to join FLL Jr. is $ Members must be registered by February 15 to be eligible to participate. Anyone interested in being a volunteer coach can contact Amy for full details. FLL Jr. teams will take part in a FLL Jr. Expo during STEAMfest on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from Noon-3:00 PM in the Musco Technology Center at William Penn University. Kids in the Kitchen Day Camp We will hold a Kids in the Kitchen Day Camp on March from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM each day. This NEW hands-on day camp will include a lot of fun activities correlating with the following categories: Kitchen Sense (safety), Food Groups, Grains, Veggies, Protein, & Dairy. Participants will make their own snacks each day. Participants will need to bring a sack lunch each day. Cost to attend is $30.00, we will have *full financial aid available for those who apply. *Full funding provided by Campaign Headquarters and is available until used; after funding is used, Mahaska County Extension will provide partial financial aid. Registration for this day camp will be available by mid-february. Camp is limited to the first 24 to register & pay. Please visit for more day camp information and a registration form once it is available. Clover Kids Clover Kids registration is closed. If you would like more information about Clover Kids, please contact Codi Voss at cvoss@iastate.edu or call ext New Volunteer Training Any new 4-H volunteer (3 years or less) that has not already completed the required New Volunteer Training must complete it for The process for the NVT has changed. Participants must watch videos on their own via 4hOnline and then attend a 3-hour face-to-face training. If you are unsure if you re trained, please contact Amy at vermeera@iastate.edu or ext. 28. Those needing the training should start watching the videos now. For instructions on how to access those videos, please contact Amy or check the 4-H Leaders Facebook chat. Youth Mentorship Forum United Way is holding a Youth Mentorship Forum on Thursday, February 2nd from 6:00-7:30 PM in the George Daily Auditorium in Oskaloosa. Is this forum for you? United Way wants to ensure all voices are included in this conversation. Parents, teachers, volunteers, and business and community leaders will be coming together to see how they can make a youth mentorship program happen in Mahaska County. So whether you want to be a mentor one day, want to help the program get started, or just care about improving the lives of local kids, come and share your voice! They will be joined by Jill Kromminga from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County to share her 30+ years of mentorship experience. Iowa Youth Institute Earn a Scholarship. End Hunger. Be a Hero. The World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute (IYI) at Iowa State University is April 24, IYI is open to students in 8th- 12th grade. This is a great opportunity to receive a $500 scholarship to ISU*, network, and to get hands-on experience. *Scholarships for ISU in career paths listed on website. To learn more, please contact Kelsey Tyrrell at , ktyrrell@worldfoodprize.org, or visit 11

3 Bucket o Junk Contest The Bucket o Junk Contest will take place again this year. Registration will be open during the 4-H & FFA Gala on Friday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to take part in the Bucket o Junk Contest, please attend the Gala or call the office after March 10. Anyone who took part in this class last year is not eligible to participate again until Check the March 4-H Newsletter for more information. This class is open to Mahaska County 4-H & FFA members. More buckets will be available to 4-H members than FFA members. STEAMfest April 8 We re going to hold STEAMfest on Saturday, April 8 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM in the Musco Technology Center at William Penn University. This event is FREE and open to the public to learn more about science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Local organizations, businesses, and colleges will have interactive booths. Participants can: - go on a rollercoaster ride through the middle of ISU s campus with the FLEx booth s Virtual Reality headset - learn about solar cars and solar energy from Team PrISUm - try their hand at robotic surgery with the DaVinci simulator s from Mahaska Health Partnership and so much more! Stage entertainment will include a weather chat with Ranger Laura, Simply Electrifying & Boom! Shows from the Science Center of Iowa, and the FIRST LEGO League Jr. Expo. Door prizes will be awarded at the end of the day for two different age groups. To learn more, please visit Correspondence Preferences Please be sure to have all of your contact information updated in 4hOnline. Families (including members and volunteers), please log into 4hOnline to update your family s correspondence. After you log in to your family account, please click the Edit Family button within the gray rectangular box. You can select or mail correspondence and make sure we have the most current address(es) & phone number(s) on file for your family. Bucket/Bottle Animal Birthdates Bucket/Bottle Calves must be born between: February 1 and April 30, 2017 Bottle Lambs & Goats must be born between: January 1 and April 30, 2017 Packets for Bucket/Bottle Animals are available at the MCEO and on our website at mahaska/page/livestock-exhibiting-information. Contact the Extension office to have one mailed to you. All bucket/bottle animals must be in the youth exhibitor s possession within 1 week of the animal s birth and must be bottle/bucket fed. If you get an animal before receiving a packet, please start keeping a journal of feedings, care & housing, cleaning, etc. 4-H, FFA, & Clover Kids Dog Classes Dog Classes will begin on April 17 at 6:00 p.m. for 4-H & FFA. Dog Classes for Clover Kids will begin on May 1 at 6:00 p.m. Weigh-in Dates These dates have been approved by the Fair Board. Swine Weigh-in - Saturday, March 25 8:00-10:00 AM Sheep Weigh-in - Saturday, May 6 8:00-10:00 AM Meat Goat Weigh-in - Saturday, May 6 10:00-11:00 AM Weigh-ins will be held at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds. 3

4 Mahaska County 4-H Project Guide The 4-H Project Guide for Mahaska County is available on our website and at the Extension office. This is a great resource for new Mahaska County 4-H members and families. It includes important information about livestock, small animals, and non-livestock projects and fair exhibits. We would be happy to make copies of the guides for clubs to keep on file. Please let Amy know if you d like copies made or an individual copy mailed to you. Little Hands on the Farm Volunteering 4-H Clubs are invited to take participate in a shift of volunteers at Little Hands on the Farm during the Iowa State Fair. All volunteering clubs will be listed on the entrance and exit gates of Little Hands on the Farm along with listing your club on the Iowa State Fair website as a volunteer group. The Iowa State Fair Little Hands on the Farm provides children ages 2 to 10 the chance to get involved with agriculture as farmers on this mock farm. They plant and harvest products, earn money at the market for their work, and then buy food at the grocery store. The children are asked to do chores on the farm, ranging from gathering an egg from the chicken coop, to planting a carrot or onion seed, then digging up an artificial vegetable, or picking an apple off a tree. They also get the chance to feed and milk a cow and drive a pedal tractor. The program helps kids connect to agriculture by teaching them in an entertaining and interactive way. The 2017 Iowa State Fair is August In order for the exhibit to run as smoothly as possible, it is necessary to have a minimum 30 volunteers at the exhibit at all times. Little Hands on the Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and would need to be staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Each day is divided into three shifts: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Noon to 4 p.m. and 3:30 to 8 p.m. Volunteers would receive one admission ticket, one vehicle permit and a Little Hands on the Farm volunteer t-shirt. To learn more or to register, please contact Emily Wynn, Iowa State Fair Agriculture Education Coordinator, at or ewynn@iowastatefair.org. Tentative Fair Schedule Monday, July 17 7:00-9:00 AM - Swine Weigh-in at scale 8:00 AM-2:00 PM - Exhibit Judging in Exhibit Hall & 4-H Building 9:00-11:00 AM - Poultry Exhibits Check-in in Poultry barn 9:00-11:00 AM - Sheep Weigh-in at scale 10:00 AM-Noon - Rabbit Check-in at cages 11:00 AM - Advanced Feeder Cattle Weigh-in & Scanning at scale and pens 1:00-2:00 PM - Bottle Lamb/Goat Check-in in barns 4:00-5:00 PM - Meat Goat Weigh-in/Check-in at scale and in barn by 6:00 PM - Dairy Check-in at Dairy stalls w/superintendents 6:00-8:00 PM - Beef Weigh-in/Check-in at scale, Breeding Beef in Pavilion Tuesday, July 18 9:00 AM - 4-H & FFA Poultry Show Sale Ring 9:00-11:00 AM & 12:00-2:00 PM - Communications: Educ Pres, STF Extemp Spkg Judging at Free Stage 2:00-4:00 PM - 4-H Horticulture Judging in 4-H Building 3:00-4:30 PM - 4-H & FFA Bottle Lamb & Bottle Goat Interviews in DAV 4:00-6:00 PM - 4-H & FFA Horse Check-in at barns 6:00 PM - 4-H & FFA Swine Show in Pavilion Wednesday, July 19 8:00 AM - 4-H & FFA Bottle Lamb & Goat Show in Pavilion 9:00 AM-Noon - Communications: Working Exhibit Judging at Free Stage 12:30-1:45 PM - 4-H & FFA Dairy Show in Pavilion 2:00-4:00 PM - 4-H & FFA Meat Goat Show in Pavilion 6:00 PM - 4-H & FFA Rabbit Show in Sale Ring Thursday, July 20 9:00 AM-Noon approx. - 4-H & FFA Beef Show in Pavilion 3:00-4:00 PM - 4-H & Clover Kids Pet Show at Free Stage Friday, July 21 8:00 AM - 4-H & FFA Horse Show at Outdoor Arena Auction Animal Verification in Fair Board Office by 10:00 AM, NO EXCEPTIONS! Must have affidavit (Market Beef, Meat Goats, Market Lambs) on file at Fair Board Office for animal to be eligible for the auction. 3:00-4:00 PM - Feeder Pen Re-Weigh for Auction at Scale 4:00 PM - 4-H Non-Livestock State Fair Exhibitor Meeting in 4-H Bldg. 4:00-5:00 PM - Livestock Re-Weigh for Auction at Scale Saturday, July 22 4-H Office will be CLOSED 8:00 AM - Livestock Auction (following Buyer s Breakfast) in Sale Ring Horses Released Following Auction 9:00 PM - Livestock Released 9:00-10:00 PM - Exhibits Released (Exhibit Hall & 4-H Building) Sunday, July 23 Livestock Released - starting again at 6:00 AM Exhibits Released - 10:30 AM-1:00 PM Exhibit Hall & 4-H Building Monday, July 24 Animals Must Be Gone by 8:00 AM Exhibits Must Be Gone by Noon Exhibit Hall & 4-H Building will be open from 10:00 AM-Noon 4 This schedule is subject to change due to conflicts and weather. 9

5 State 4-H Youth Conference Start Your Future Here June 27-29, 2017 ISU campus - Ames Anyone in 8th-12th grade (not just 4-H ers) is encouraged to attend the State 4-H Youth Conference in Ames. You will get to experience campus life and meet new people from across the state! You will be having fun while learning by doing, dancing the nights away, and serving the community. You will get to learn new things to take back to your community and school, and in the process you might even discover something new about yourself! There are opportunities for you to share your talents with the rest of the delegation through small group discussion and a Talent Show! Please join us in June for the most incredible three days of your life at the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference! Visit iowa4hyouthconference to learn more and to access the registration information this month. 4-H & FFA Clinics & Workshops The Mahaska County 4-H & FFA Clinics, Workshops, & Events Booklet is now available on the Extension website listed below. Some of the clinics included in the booklet will be required to attend to be eligible to exhibit at the county fair, so please mark your calendars. Bookmark this page: news/mahaska-county-4-h-workshops-clinics-classes. This site will include the booklet and lists currently scheduled events for 4-H & FFA members. Horse Clinics & Ride Night Requirements Any 4-H or FFA member planning to exhibit horses, ponies, or mules at the 2017 Southern Iowa Fair must complete at least 2 Mahaska County Ride Nights at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds Outdoor Arena and 1 Mahaska County 4-H offered or approved clinic. This is a countywide rule set by the 4-H Youth Committee. Riding Nights will be held from 6-7 PM in the Outdoor Arena at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds. Exhibitors must bring their horses and ride to earn credit. Rain dates will be determined at a later date. Riding Night dates are listed below: May 4, 9, 18, 22, 30 June 8, 12, 26 July 6 For more information, please contact a Horse Superintendent. Jennifer Fynaardt Kenzie Gunter Tia Campbell FEBRUARY CLINIC OPPORTUNITY! A Hoof Health Clinic with Derrik Younger will be held on Thursday, February 16 at 6:00 PM in the 4-H Room at the Extension office (please enter North door). RSVP is appreciated, call Jennifer at If you have questions about the horse project area, please contact a Horse Superintendent listed above. 8 This newsletter was prepared and written by Amy Brainard, Mahaska County Youth Coordinator. Amy can be reached by calling ext. 28 or by ing vermeera@iastate.edu. 5

6 4-H & FFA Workshops & Clinics 4-H & FFA General Beef Workshop Monday, February 6-6:30-7:30 PM - Extension office Auditorium This workshop is being presented by Patrick Wall, Extension Beef Specialist, and will cover the general care and feeding. Cost to attend is FREE. Call or vermeera@iastate.edu to RSVP. RSVP is required by Wednesday, February 1. 4-H & FFA General Swine Workshop Monday, March 6-6:30-7:30 PM - Extension office Auditorium This workshop is being presented by Colin Johnson, Extension Swine Specialist, and will cover the general selection of pigs, housing, and feeding. Cost to attend is FREE. Call or vermeera@iastate.edu to RSVP. RSVP is required by Wednesday, March 1. 4-H & FFA Rabbit Workshop Saturday, March 11-10:00-11:00 AM - Extension office 4-H Room (use NORTH door) Anyone wanting to learn more about raising, caring for, identifying, and preparing rabbits for the county fair should plan to attend this workshop. Rabbit Superintendents will be present to answer questions. You may bring rabbits if you have questions. Cost to attend is FREE. RSVP is required by Monday, March 6. 4-H & FFA Rabbit Tattooing Clinic Monday, May 1-6:30-7:30 PM - Extension office 4-H Room Anyone with rabbits that need tattooed for identification purposes can attend this clinic to have their rabbits tattooed. A tattoo is required to be eligible to identify and show rabbits for the county and state fairs. Cost to attend is free. RSVP is not required. Rabbit Superintendents will only be present for one hour. Rabbits that are already tattooed are good to go. Rabbits that don't have tattoos will need to be tattooed. Youth are not required to attend this clinic, it is just an option available to families. A full list of current clinics and workshops can be found at: 4-h-workshops-clinics-classes. 6 Mahaska County 4-H at Iowa Wild Mahaska County 4-H is having a night at the Iowa Wild! We re selling discounted tickets for the Sunday, April 9 Iowa Wild hockey game at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. This game will begin at 5:00 p.m. with doors opening at 4:00 p.m. The theme for this game is Home Improvement, so the first 1500 fans to arrive will receive a free tote bag from FastSigns. A Postgame Skate will also be available if you d like to skate on the ice in Wells Fargo Arena! The Iowa Wild is the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate for the National Hockey League s (NHL) Minnesota Wild. Tickets are $18.00 each for Attack Zone seating. Our group will be recognized on the video board during the 2nd period intermission. If you d like to check out a hockey game, maybe for the first time ever, this is your chance! You can purchase tickets from a Teen Council member or Amy at the Extension office. We hope to see you at Mahaska County 4-H Night at the Iowa Wild game vs. the Milwaukee Admirals on April 9th! FSQA Changes Coming in 2019 In 2019, the process for FSQA (and name) will be changing We will continue the training and testing as usual for 2017 and possibly 2018, but see future newsletters for changes that will be required in As we know more details, they will be shared. FSQA will be referred to as YQCA beginning in A full list of changes will be shared next fall FSQA Testing & Training FSQA Training for 4th-6th graders will be held on Tuesday, May 23 from 6:30-8:00 PM. FSQA Testing for 7th-12th graders will be offered on the same date between 3:00-5:00 PM. FSQA is required for anyone who plans to exhibit Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Beef, Dairy, Swine, & Meat Goats. 7