OTTAWA COUNTY HAPPENINGS

Transcription

1 OTTAWA COUNTY HAPPENINGS Volume 21 Issue 6 MAY 2006 District Spring Achievement Congratulations to all who participated in Spring Achievements! It is an achievement just to complete a project and be able to enter it into competition. All of the members and their leaders and parents are to be commended for getting through the project and joining in the celebration that is called Spring Achievements. Of special note are all the district and county winners who were recognized by the judges for superior effort and display of talent! Non-Competitive Participants Adin Bohn Stefanie Burggraaff Kelsey DeRoos Kenidee McAlpine Mackynzie VanderLee Lydia VanDoorne 1 st Year Still Exhibit Winners: Crystal Adams Dog Notebook Ryan Andringa Engraving art Susan Boeve Black derby car Angela Bohn Country painting Jon DeJong Flower arrangement Candles in seashells Alisa DeRoo Bead project Ceramic item Inkle weaved belt Morgan Doane Candle Jewelry Melted plastic craft Pressed flower Knitted hat & scarf Photography Creative writing Sand art MICHIGAN 4-H YOUTH PROGRAM Kelley Donselar Grace Ghent Quinc Gonzales Savannah Goodman Amber Haveman Alyssa Henderson Kristin Henderson Georgiana Hill Molly Kramer Katie Morren Rachel Sytsma Nana Temple Katelyn Tucker Janelle VanHuis Jessica VanStrien Kayla Wells Alexis Yost Austin Yost Decorated eggs Oil painting Acrylic painting Wooden candle holder Rubber stamped cards B & W photo Felt board coloring Color photography of nature Notebook/display on birds Watercolor painting B & W drawing Knitted blue scarf Wall hanging PA Notebook Cake decorating Twisted paper craft Many colored fleece pillow Purse Swing tote Horse blanket Layered cake Counted cross stitch Leather craft Metal craft Fancy belt Photography Basket Notebook on babysitting String art Stenciling on fabric Holiday decoration Wall hanging Fabric craft

2 2 HAPPENINGS 2 nd Year Still Exhibit Winners Construction Johanna Boeve PA Notebook 1 st Year 2 nd Year Emily Hemstreet Knitting Jacob Andringa Ryan Andringa Alyssa Henderson Artificial flower arrangement Megan Geurink Peter Bonnes Quilt block pillow Ashley Haveman Jessica Headley Still life in B & W Jordan Krygsheld Kara Talsma Kristin Henderson Quilt tote bag Marianna Miedema B & W photography Alexa Nyenbrink 4 th Year Watercolor painting Morgan Rozema Alisa DeRoo Claire Miles Color photograph Kayli Schout Cassandra Knoper Madeline Miles Cross stitch butterfly Hannah Kuperus 3 Nan Temple Colored photo rd Year Ellaina Miedema Nolan Dykstra Alexis Yost Terrarium Cara Overweg Advanced Year Wood burning Victoria Boersma Holiday decoration Lorna Chapman Toy Grace Ghent Clair Miles 3 rd Year Still Exhibit Winners Madeline Miles Angela Bohn Bead craft Style Lydia Bosma Beaded banner 1 st Year 2 nd Year Kelley Donselar Alyssa Henderson Kristin Henderson Andrea Hemstreet Emily Hemstreet Erin Kishman Molly Kramer Madeline Miles Cara Overweg Alexis Yost Nature photo Twisted paper basket Jewelry Holiday decoration Color photo of nature Color photo of people Crocheting Stained glass Crocheting Dog Notebook Color drawing Color photo B & W drawing PA Notebook Craft notebook 4th Year Still Exhibit Winners Alyssa Henderson Clay sculpture Kristin Henderson Ceramic letter H Madeline Miles Color drawing Michelle Nichelson Color photo Advanced Year Still Exhibit Winners Lydia Bosma Sand art Matthew DeJong Fuzzy poster Andrea Hemstreet Horse Notebook Anna Holzinger Crocheting Michelle Nichelson B & W drawing Heidi Sytsma Sun catcher Rachel Sytsma Color drawing Sarah Vollink B & W drawing Jacob Andringa Janelle Dykstra Jordan Krygsheld Katelyn Mesbergen Nana Temple Peter Bonnes Alyssa Roon Kaitlyn Streiff Kara Talsma 3 rd Year 4 th Year Rita Bouwen Alisa DeRoo Cara Overweg Cassandra Knoper Hannah Kuperus Ellaina Miedema Advanced Victoria Boersma Lorna Chapman Grace Ghent Claire Miles Madeline Miles Coast Guard Festival Parade Floats The annual Coast Guard Festival Kid s Parade will be held Saturday, July 29, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Grand Haven. If your 4-H club is interested in having a float or marching, we have applications available. Categories allowed are: antique vehicle, walking group, marching band, float, vehicle/truck, equestrian unit. Additional units may also be considered. Entries must be lined up in the staging area by 10:15 and the parade goes on rain or shine! Call the 4-H office if you want an entry form sent to you. (no entry fee is involved but groups must preregister)

3 3 HAPPENINGS County Construction Winners!!! County Achievement 1 st Year 3 rd Year Winners! Marianna Miedema Cara Overweg Morgan Rozema Kayli Schout 1st Year Still Exhibit Winners Ryan Andringa Engraving art Alisa DeRoo Ceramic item Morgan Doane Melted plastic craft Pressed flower Knitted hat & scarf Kelley Donselar Decorated eggs Grace Ghent Oil painting Acrylic painting Amber Haveman B & W photo Alyssa Henderson Notebook/display on birds Kristin Henderson B & W drawing Katie Morren PA Notebook Nan Temple Twisted paper craft Purse Janelle VanHuis Horse blanket Alexis Yost Notebook on babysitting 2nd Year Still Exhibit Winners Johanna Boeve PA Notebook Alyssa Henderson Quilt block pillow Kristin Henderson B & W photography Madeline Miles Cross stitch butterfly Alexis Yost Wood burning 3rd Year Still Exhibit Winners Kelley Donselar Nature photo Andrea Hemstreet Crocheting Alyssa Henderson Jewelry Kristin Henderson Color photo of nature Color photo of people Cara Overweg PA Notebook 4th Year Still Exhibit Winners Kristin Henderson Ceramic letter H Michelle Nichelson Color photo Advanced Still Exhibit Winners Andrea Hemstreet Horse Notebook Anna Holzinger Crocheting Rachel Sytsma Color drawing County Style Winners!!! 1st Year 3rd Year Janelle Dykstra Cara Overweg Jordan Krygsheld Nana Temple 2nd Year Alyssa Roon Kara Talsma Advanced Year Lorna Chapman Grace Ghent Madeline Miles 4th Year Alisa DeRoo 2 nd Year 4 th Year Ryan Andringa Ellaina Miedema Peter Bonnes Advanced Year Lorna Chapman Madeline Miles Top County Still Winner!!!!!! Madeline Miles of the Grand Haven Hobbiers for her Cross stitch butterfly Top County Style Winner!!!!!! Grace Ghent of Allendale Sailing Scissors Top Construction Winner!!!!!! Cara Overweg of Borculo Bobbins Dates to Remember May 22 May 24 June 1 June 1 June 1 June 3 June 8 June 14 June 15 June June 26 June 29 July July 14 July August Berlin Livestock Committee Horse Committee Meeting Dog ID s Due Member Enrollment Deadline 4-H Council Meeting Horse Leader s Show Teen Club Meeting Dairy Committee Meeting Hudsonville Fair Barn Setup Exploration Days Berlin Fair Cleanup Dog Notebooks Due Berlin Fair Berlin Fair Horse Show Holland Fair Hudsonville Fair Lost and Found A game device that appears to maybe be a part of a game called Catch Phrase was found during clean up at Lock-In. Please call us if you can identify it so it can go home!!!! Clean Up at Berlin Clean up night at the Berlin Fair Grounds will be Monday, June 26 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Fair Board will be taking reservations and payment for camping that night.

4 4 HAPPENINGS Equestrian Safety Helmets If you need to purchase a safety helmet you can do so through Kristie Potts at or Carole Rietman at The price is $18 plus shipping. There is also a video available for purchase or to borrow from the 4-H office called Every Time, Every Ride. Once you watch this Standardbred Project If you're ready for more challenges in your 4-H horse program, the Michigan 4-H Standardbred Project might be just what you're looking for! In the 4-H Standardbred Project, 4-H'ers are responsible for the care, feeding, and training of a Standardbred foal for one year. They receive the foals in October and then sell the animals about a year later at a Michigan Standardbred sale. During the year, participants attend about six meetings and activities designed to teach them more about horse care and the harness racing industry. The Standardbred industry is the largest equine employer in Michigan. If a 4-H'er is interested in working with horses as a career, it makes sense to learn more about the many horserelated occupations in the multimillion dollar harness racing industry. The documented expenses from raising the foal (such as feed, health care and hoof trims) are returned to the 4-H member (up to $1,200), and any profit made from the sale of the horse is split with the breeder. Participants won't get rich, but they will gain valuable horse training experiences and be reimbursed for their expenses! The objectives of the project are to help young people and their families: Learn about the harness racing industry. Obtain, raise and sell a Standardbred foal at the Standardbred yearling sale. Develop the responsibility that caring for a young horse demands. Learn the care, feeding, breeding management and health requirements of horses at different ages. Learn about the economics of raising a horse as a business venture. Develop new skills, knowledge, contacts and career ideas related to the harness racing industry. For an application call the 4-H office at today! video you will never get on a horse (or bike for that matter) again without one!!! It is a very well done video that will make you cry but it is also very easy to watch. All 4-H youth and adults should wear a helmet whenever they are working with horses. Please remember that accidents happen when you least expect it!!! Rabbit Cages for Berlin Fair If you liked the new rabbit cages that some lucky bunnies got last year at Berlin Fair you should know that they were possible because of a very generous donation from Benes Farms Rabbitry!!! Now the goal is to find donations to help buy MORE new cages for the Berlin Fair rabbit barn. Our goal is to be able to buy 78 new cages to give us a total of 150 for the barn. The Rock-N- Country 4-H Club is looking for sponsors to help pay for them. In all we need $1,500 to cover the cost of new cages. Donors of $50 or more will have their name engraved on a plaque to go up in the barn. For $100 you can sponsor 5 cages!! For more details contact Julie May at OR send your tax deductible donation to the Berlin 4-H Livestock Committee c/o Ed Denhof th Ave Conklin, MI Be sure to indicate that your donation is for rabbit cages and how you want your name to read on the plaque when you send your check. Thanks for your Support!! A number of our clubs and committees have again shown their commitment to the 4-H program by making a monetary donation to the Ottawa County 4-H Council to enable them to continue their support of our kids and leaders - we thank you very, very much! If your group has not yet donated, give it some thoughtful consideration on whether it works with your group s budget.

5 5 HAPPENINGS 2006 Camp Kidwell REGISTRATION FORM Circle one: Male / Female Campers First Name Middle Initial Last Name Home Address City State Zip Phone # address Camper s Birth date: Age at the time of camp # of summers at Camp Kidwell (Mm/dd/yyyy) Parent/Guardian Home Phone Work Phone Cabin mate request (please list anyone you wish to be in the same cabin) Please list anyone that you would wish not to be cabin mates with (i.e. siblings, family members, classmates, etc) Please check which week(s) you will be attending Camp Kidwell: Classic Camp Sessions (ages 8-14) Little Explorers Day Camp (ages 5-7) $275/session/camper $175/session/camper Sunday 6:30pm-Friday 2:00pm Mon.-Thurs. 8:00am-5:30pm, Friday 8:00am-2:00pm July 9-14 Seaside Safari July Seaside Safari July Who Took Over Camp Kidwell? July Who Took Over Camp Kidwell? July Athletic Outburst July Athletic Outburst July 30-Aug. 4 Pirate Adventures July 31-Aug. 4 Pirate Adventures Specialty Overnight Camp (ages 12-16) Specialty Day Camps $225/session/camper $225/session/camper July 3-7 Paradise Island Adventure June Day Dreamin Day Camp- ages 8-14 June Straight-up Western- ages 8-16 Focus Activities For an addt l $50 spend an extra session in an activity each day Discounts This program is only offered for two weeks-seaside Safari and Who took over Camp Kidwell? Deduct $25.00 if registered by January 15 Please check one: Deduct $10.00 if registered by April 1 Horse Sense-spend extra time with the horses Deduct $25.00 for new camper registered. High Adventure- Enjoy a prolonged time in our Ropes program Deduct $10.00 for add l siblings (first child pays full price) Making Waves- Bask in the sun for an extra hour each day Deduct $50.00 for each week after first week (other discounts do not apply for second week) Total Discounts $ Total Costs Week(s) of Camp $ T-shirt Size Focus Activity $50.00 $ Youth Sizes: Small (6-8) Medium (10-12) Large (14-16) T-Shirt $10.00 $ Camp Photo $5.00 (5x7) $ Adult Sizes: Small Medium Large X-Large Camp DVD $5.00 $ Total Discounts (from above) $ Total $ We accept cash, money orders, checks, and credit cards. Please make checks payable to Camp Kidwell. Amount enclosed or to be charged: $ Check One: Cash Check # Credit Card Check One: Master Card Visa Card #: Exp. Date Card Holders Name Signature A minimum $ deposit is required and is non-refundable with the return of this registration form. Your balance is due in our office by June 23. If paid after June 23, the total fee is due with the completed registration form. The obligation of the Camp for its counselors, employees and general expenses are fixed for the summer and the absence of a camper does not lessen the operation expenses. Therefore, no refund or deductions will be made for campers who arrive late or leave early. When a camper must leave Camp upon the direction of Camp Kidwell s physician or the family physician, the parent and the Camp will share the loss of tuition equally. Camp Kidwell reserves the right to dismiss, without refund, any camper whose behavior is disruptive to the operation of Camp. Photographs or movies taken of your child may be used in future Camp publications. No pets allowed. Parent/Guardian Consent Statement: I give my permission for my child to attend Camp Kidwell in Allegan County. I hereby give permission to the medical personnel selected by the Camp director to order x-rays, routine tests, treatment and necessary transportation for my child. In the event I cannot be reached in an emergency, I hereby give permission to the physician selected by the Camp director to secure and administer treatment, including hospitalization, for my child. Parent Signature: Date: Please mail your deposit and registration to: MSUE, Camper Registration, nd Ave Suite 101, Allegan, MI Please check here for scholarship information (deposit not needed to receive scholarship info) Office use only - Date registration received Received By Amount Received

6 6 HAPPENINGS OTTAWA COUNTY 4-H LEADERS 28 th ANNUAL OPEN HORSE SHOW SATURDAY, June 3, :00 A.M. ENTRY FEE - $4.00 HUDSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS, Located on 40 th Ave. between M-21 and Port Sheldon Ring Judge: Marc DeLisle Versatility Championship, 5 High Point & Reserve High Point Awards Plus Many Other Prizes HALTER 1. 2 Year Olds & Under 2. A.Q.H.A. Mares 3. A.Q.H.A. Stallions & Geldings 4. Registered Other Breeds-Pleasure Type 5. Registered Other Breeds-Stock Type 6. Grade Horse Halter 7. Ponies, 56" & Under SHOWMANSHIP 8. *State Show Qualifying Class-Horses 9. *State Show Qualifying Class -Ponies & Over - Open to 18 - Horses to 15 - Horses & Under - Horses & Under - Ponies 15 MINUTE BREAK 15. Maverick Walk/Trot, 9 & Under 16. Lead Line 8 & Under ENGLISH OR STOCK SEAT EQUITATION 17. *State Show Qualifying Class-Horses 18. *State Show Qualifying Class -Ponies ENGLISH PLEASURE & Over-Open to 18 - Horses to 15 - Horses & Under - Horses & Under - Ponies ENGLISH EQUITATION & Over Open to 18 Horses to 15 Horses & Under Horses & Under - Ponies * State show qualifying classes are for Ottawa County 4-H members only and require no entry fee. Members must be 12 years of age by January 1, SHOW SPONSORED BY THE OTTAWA COUNTY 4-H HORSE LEADERS & THE HUDSONVILLE HORSE ACTIVITIES Any person entering the grounds absolves these two parties of any responsibility for loss, injury or theft. 30 MINUTE LUNCH BREAK WESTERN PLEASURE & Over - Open to 18 - Horses to 15 - Horses & Under - Horses & Under Ponies STOCK SEAT EQUITATION & Over - Open to 18 - Horses to 15 - Horses & Under - Horses & Under Ponies BAREBACK-ANY-STYLE & Over Horses & Under Horses & Under Ponies RIDER VERSATILITY CLASS 42. Open TRAIL (to be shown in a separate arena from 12-3:00) & Over - Open to 18 - Horses to 15 - Horses & Under - Horses & Under Ponies 48. In Hand Trail (Horses & Ponies 2 and under & Miniatures) Michigan law requires proof of negative coggins to enter. 4-H rules will apply. Age as of January 1, Points calculated on 1 horse/1 rider basis. Entries must be made one class prior to entering the ring. SEI approved helmets will be worn in all hunt seat and bareback classes. Classes for exhibitors 9 & under are not sanctioned by Ottawa County 4-H. The rider versatility class will be English Equitation, Stock Seat Equitation and a game. Riders will be given a 5-minute in arena tack changes between classes. They will be allowed two grooms per entry to assist in these changes. Horses & ponies are only eligible for one trail class. For more information call Erin McCarthy at

7 7 HAPPENINGS 4-H Commemorative Quilt Raffle Help 4-H Council capture some Ottawa County 4-H history while raising money to fund many of our programs! The 4-H Coun cil would like everyone s help in creating this Ottawa County 4-H Commemorative Quilt. Within the next few months each club will be sent a square for quilting. This one foot square of white fabric will be ready for embellishing with cross stitch, fabric paint or other washable treatments of your choice. The finished product will be then be assembled and tied by members of the 4-H Council. The Fundraising Committee will display the quilt at many 4-H events when it is completed and will then announce plans for sale of the quilt. Call us to get a quilt square sent to you. Please return by July 1 if possible. Info on the Web We at the 4-H office are aware that there is an incredible amount of information available about 4-H and related events around the state. There are details about many of these events on several websites. In future newsletters, you will find sites highlighted so they available to you. Put them in your list of favorites and visit them regularly to stay up to date on upcoming events. And, as always, never hesitate to contact the office about any event you have heard or wondered about. We are always glad to help! (local Happenings) (Animal science events on campus) Ottawa County 4-H Fairs Websites: infair.org/ h ttp://ottawacountyfair.com/ st are Spiritwear Sale Beginning Soon! Get ready to show your true colors this fair season! Council will be selling grey 4-H tee shirts with a green logo that will be great for clubs to wear during service events, at state events and many other occasions. Ottawa County 4-H is one of the best programs in the state, so let s show that we are proud with our Ottawa County 4-H tee shirts! Unlike the sweatshirts, we are doing one bulk order. The order form is included in this edition of the Happenings and is due by July 1. Please make copies for your members and their families! Let s show our Ottawa County spirit in 2006! Spirit Sale Tee Shirt Order Form Small X $12 = Med X $12 = Large X $12 = X L X $12 = 2X X $14 = 3X X $14 = Total cost of shirts = Sales tax at 6% + Total with tax Shipping $4.20 Total Enclosed Make checks payable to: Ottawa County 4-H 333 Clinton Street Grand Haven, MI Ship to: Phone:

8 8 HAPPENINGS Attention Leaders! If your name is on this list we have not received a 4-H Leader form from you for 2005/2006. This means you have no liability coverage for the summers and the fairs. If you need another form, please call our office and we can mail or fax one to you. Leaders who do not fill out a form annually are dropped from the records. Those wishing to become leaders again later will need to go through the volunteer selection process and new leader training! We hope to hear from you soon!!! Wendy Baird Chad Bennink Beth Bonnes Robin Brookhouse Linda Cook Mary Cotter Carol Courtade Leo Courtade Lee Creager Nancy Dalman Ken Elzinga David Fraaza Kathleen Goll Randy Graftema Terrie Graftema Paula Grimm Charles Hammond Susan Hammond Kimberly Haveman Mark Haveman Amy Hehl Matthew Hehl Roberta Hollingshead Beth Horinga Kelly Jacobsen Linda Jager Richard Jager Kim Johnston Roberta Karr Rita Kruithoff Carole Longnecker Wanda McCallum Erin McCarthy Debra Oppenhuizen John Oppenhuizen Kim Pitsch Stephanie Poelma Arlene Potter Cyndi Pyle Cheryl Roberts Doris Schuiling Scott Schuitema Mike Tiggleman Nikki Tiggleman Susan vandenberg Laurie VanderSloot Paul VanderSloot Pamela VanDoorne Jan VanSpyker Bruce Volkers Michele Voogt Dave Wilcox Lyda Wilcox Dog Project Dog project members and leaders are reminded that all dogs must have an identification form on file by June 1, 2006 to show at the fairs in 2006 AND all members in the dog project must turn in a notebook by Thursday, June 29, Leaders may bring the notebooks to the Dog Leader s meeting in the main Ottawa County Building located at 414 Washington, Grand Haven, room 103 at 7:00 p.m. OR to the 4-H office by 5:00 p.m. on the same day. Scholarships Available If you are experiencing the exciting time of High School graduation, don t forget that Ottawa County 4-H offers several scholarships. One is the Jack Ferwerda Memorial Scholarship from the Dairy Committee. Applicants for this award need to be a livestock project member and be majoring in an agriculturally related field. A second is offered by the 4-H Council and requires the applicant to answer some essay questions and provide a letter of recommendation from a non-related leader who is not a member of council. There is also a scholarship for members in the Berlin Livestock market program. Call the 4-H office and ask to have an application sent to you or go on line to our blog to get a PDF format. Please note that all scholarship applications should be typed and be sure to follow directions precisely. Deadline for all scholarships will be July 1, 2006 this year. 4-H Camp For those looking for a summer camping experience, consider Camp Kidwell in Allegan County. They have day camp as well as overnight traditional camp. They even have horseback riding in the curriculum. A registration form is in this Happenings. Or you can call the 4-H camp staff director KJ Kelly at Goat Expo Results Ottawa County is lucky indeed to have such excellent 4-H goat teams! At the recent Michigan 4-H Goat Expo our senior and junior teams placed in very stiff competition. The senior team was 4 th place in judging, skillathon and quiz bowl. The junior team #1 was 5 th in judging 1 st in skillathon and 5 th in quiz bowl, while junior team #2 was 3 rd in judging. Junior team #1 members were: Amber Haveman, Ashley Haveman, Erin McCullick, Cody Besteman. Junior team #2 members were: Krystal Pardue, Audra Delamar, Amanda Haveman, Collin McCullick, Louis Besteman. Senior team members were: Michelle Nichelson, David Besteman, Samantha Clapp, Drew Timmer, Caitlin McCullick.

9 9 HAPPENINGS Michigan Rural Rehabilitation Loans Loans to buy 4-H animals may be available from the Michigan Rural Rehabilitation Corporation. Loans are limited to: $250 hogs, sheep and poultry $500 steer/dairy $300 horse $500 maximum for new borrowers $1,000 maximum for returning with good repay More information and application forms are available from the 4-H office. Poultry Learning Lab A Poultry Learning Lab is now available to borrow from the 4- H office! Anna Timmerman was the one who put our county name into a drawing at a poultry show. The lab is in a portable suit case like container and has lots of wonderful lesson plans, flash cards, posters etc. all about poultry of many kinds. Your club may borrow it for two weeks at a time. Call Joan for more information. Someone must arrange to pick it up and return it to the 4-H office in Grand Haven. State Award Delegates Announced Congratulations to Ottawa County s delegates to the State Awards Assembly in June at MSU. We will be represented by: Missy Brower - Dairy Lorna Chapman Clothing and textiles Robert Ferwerda - Dairy Amber Haveman - Goats Aaron Koenes - Dogs Amber Kay Mulder - Dairy Anna Timmerman Agriculture Lisa VanderVeen Clothing and Textiles Livestock Judging Camp MSU Department of Animal Science will be hosting a Youth Livestock Judging Camp on June 13 to 15 at MSU. The camp is limited to the first 60 youth ages 14 through 19 years old. The cost is $175 which includes hosing in a University Residence Hall, seven meals, recreational activities, a videotape of oral reasons, a judging manual and transportation around campus. Instruction will include market and breeding beef, sheep and swine. For additional details download the PDF information at or contact Jeff Mafi at or mafi@msu.edu Raising Dairy Heifers by G. William Robb, MSU Extension, WC Region Dairy Raising dairy heifers has taken on a new importance when one considers the value of a two year old heifer is over $2,000. Farmers have also put more emphasis on growing a quality replacement heifer when, counting up all costs, the heifer enterprise is the second largest expense on the farm after feed cost. The heifer project starts out with a healthy calf with emphasis on feeding colostrum with the needed antibodies that protect a calf for the first month. Quality milk replacers and starter grain mix is required to change a pre-ruminate to a functioning ruminate in the first couple of weeks. Vaccinations of the dam and the calf are also an important part of a health program. Discuss these with your local veterinarian. Much research has been recently completed on accelerated growth of dairy heifers. The goal is to grow a large framed calf the first year of life without making it fat. Following puberty and establishment of the mammary gland, the heifer can then receive a higher energy diet. The calving goal of 24 months of age and at least 1,200 pounds requires average dairy gains of 1.5 to 1.7 pounds per day. If you wish to compare your heifer against industry averages there are good sources of information available on the web. Check out the Penn State University dairy nutrition site at Charts to record height and weigh measurements are available. It also has great photos of the calf s developing rumen. Another source of information is the Professional Dairy Heifers Growers Association at The Michigan Dairy Heifer Replacement Project allows youth to learn more about the diary industry through the selection, raising, breeding and marketing of dairy heifers. Participants will gain dairy knowledge and experience, and they will also sell their heifers at the 2007 Michigan Dairy Expo. A consignment form and more information is available at the MSU Animal Science Youth Extension web page at Here you can learn what you need to know to enjoy all the growing pains of raising a calf to a mature dairy cow. Bill Rob is available to answer your dairy related questions by calling the MSUE office in Grand Haven. at

10 10 HAPPENINGS Michigan State Fair Due to budget constraints the Michigan State Fair will no longer print a premium book. After May 15, 2006 the premium book and all entry forms will be found on line at Entries cannot be accepted on line but may be mailed or faxed. Dates for the fair are: August 23 to September 4 Recommendations for Scholarship Applications Competition for any scholarship is always competitive and being successful is the goal of every applicant. However, no matter how qualified an applicant might be, there are certain factors which can make or break you when the committee begins deliberations. These guidelines are intended to increase the chances of youth being successful in the scholarship application process. 1) Type your application In this day there is no excuse for a scholarship application to be hand written. Scholarship selection committees are not impressed when they have hand written applications because it always requires more effort to read them. In many cases if your application is not typed it will be moved to the bottom of the pile. 2) Follow directions exactly! Often there are specific requirements for a particular scholarship application. Examples are: type of recommendation required, deadlines for turning in the application, adding pages etc. In many cases applicants ignore requirements and may even think that they can offer the committee something better than what is requested. Don t be tempted to make such changes. Most committees will reject any application that is not complete and that has not followed the rules exactly! 3) Be very detailed and specific in your answers - Keep in mind that the people reading your application do not know you and often are unfamiliar with the program that you are involved in. You need to write the answers to questions such that anyone can understand exactly what you did. Be detailed in your descriptions and answer all questions completely. If there is ½ page to write an essay be sure to use all of the space. This is a competition and if you write a few lines it is hard to compete against someone who has written several paragraphs. 4) Proof read carefully - Never submit an application until you have proof read it and have had another person look it over carefully. If this is a scholarship for college it should look like you are ready and able to write at the college level. Typos, poor grammar and incorrect words do not help your cause. 5) References Follow up with your references to be sure they are aware of any deadlines and that they are willing and able to supply you with the reference you need. Make your references job easier by giving them an outline of what you feel are your qualifications for the scholarship and provide them with a stamped addressed envelope. Be sure to check back with them to make sure the reference was sent in and thank them for assisting you. Supershowmanship Rules 1) A member may only win Supershowmanship at one fair per summer. 2) Judges must be at least 18 years old. Youth ages 17 may assist an adult judge. Youth judges who are 18 must have had one year of assisting. Youth judges who are 19 may judge if experienced in the species. 3) Classes divided by AGE. Junior 9, 10 and 11 Intermediate 12, 13 and 14 Senior 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. NO STEERS allowed for the junior class. 4) First animal that you win eligibility in is the species you must show. You may NOT pass down your first win if you win in another species. 5) Questions asked are to be of general knowledge and easily attainable for any member. They should be age appropriate 6) Good sportsmanship should be followed before, during and after the contest. 7) Animals must be easy to work with. The project coordinator has final decision on any animal being used for supers. Animals may not be switched during a class but rather should be changed between classes.

11 11 HAPPENINGS 4-H Tuesday, June 13, 2006 NEW LOCATION: Berlin Fairgrounds 7:00 p.m. Beef Cats Dairy Dogs Goats Hogs Horses Poultry Rabbits Sheep Free workshop to learn how to show each species! Great way to prepare for the fairs. Food available on site. Free showmanship book for all participants.

12 12 HAPPENINGS Ottawa County 333 Clinton Street Grand Haven, MI NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND HAVEN MI PERMIT NO. 26 HAPPENINGS IS PUBLISHED PERIODICALLY BY THE OTTAWA COUNTY 4-H OFFICE 333 CLINTON STREET GRAND HAVEN, MI ELIZABETH C. WELLS EXTENSION 4-H YOUTH AGENT JOAN BIESECKER 4-H SECRETARY GRAND HAVEN: GRAND RAPIDS: X 8250 HOLLAND/ZEELAND: X 8250 MUSKEGON: X 8250 NE OTTAWA COUNTY: X 8250 FAX MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution. Michigan Sate University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.