NEWS! Morgan County Newsletter

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1 Morgan County Newsletter February 2017 NEWS! Agriculture Programs in the Schools Thanks to the Morgan County Cattleman s Association, Fort Morgan Young Farmers Foundation, third grade teachers, parents of third grade youth, bus drivers and schools for helping us make this a great opportunity for youth to learn about agriculture. Leadership Development Conference Youth attending the LDC were Alexei Archuleta, Cerise Archuleta, Chase Bennett, Jonathan Cable, Makenna Carlock, Ryan Eggleston, Cora Rhode, Luke Rhode, and Brynden Wilson. Jennifer Rhode accompanied the delegation COUNTY FAIR DATES Official fair dates are August 4-10, 2017, BUT pre-fair activities will begin earlier including Interview Judging which is Wednesday, August 2. INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 News and Events H Information & Activities 5 Volunteer Information & Leaders Advisory Info. 6 4-H Scholarship Information 7-8 Family Consumer Science & Judging Fair Book Cover Contest The Morgan County Fair Board will give the youth who draws the best illustration for the Fair Book Cover $50 cash. Entries must be hand drawn in dark pencil or ink, no color, on a white 8-1/2 X 11 inch piece of paper. You must include the date of the fair, August 4 th August 10 th and the words, 2017 Morgan County Fair in your artwork. Place your name on the back. The deadline to submit your entry is Friday, March 10, Citizenship Washington Focus Apply now for CWF contact Aimee at the Extension Office for application information. It is one of the best 4- H trips you will ever experience. Colorado youth will spend June 24- July 1 in Washington DC. Two expense paid trips are available. Youth will pay for 20% of this trip, which is $280. Deadline is February 1. ENROLLMENT DEADLINE! March 1 will be the last day to enroll in 4-H in order to exhibit at the 2017 Morgan County Fair. You can enroll after that date, but will NOT be able to participate at the fair. All re-enrollment fees are now $35. For youth enrolling in 4-H for the first time, the cost is $25. Cloverbuds (5-7 year olds) fees are $15. Enroll at co.4honline.com. 4-H Project Add/Drop Deadline, May 15, Livestock Information New Fair Board Livestock Rules Extension News & Calendar Extension Office Hours! 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Please call to schedule an appointment after hours! Colorado State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. 1

2 4-H Information 4-H 101 New to 4-H and not sure what to expect? Newsletter: Your enrollment in 4-H automatically subscribes you to this newsletter which is dedicated to Morgan County. Watch the front of the newsletter for information and events that may be pertinent to you. Flip to your section for specific news, events, deadlines and rules. Current and past editions are available on the Morgan County website at 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 a link to the newsletter and instructions on how to find it on the website. If you would like to be mailed a paper copy, please call Jamie at Manuals: Club Meetings: Are you in touch with your club leader to find out when your club meetings are? Try to attend as many meetings as you can so that you can get involved, make friends, and learn more about your projects. Many clubs have requirements as to how many meetings you need to attend so make sure you are aware of that number. Be sure to ask your club leader or the Extension office if you need a project manual. These manuals were designed to help you learn more about your specific project. TIP: For additional help, try to find out if your club has any project leaders that can help you. Colorado4h.org also has tip sheets for most projects. Click Projects and Record books. Scroll to the middle of the page and click Tip Sheets. Livestock Weigh In: Are you taking a livestock project? If you plan to show a market animal (one that will be fed out, shown and possibly sold) you ll need to be sure to check the newsletter for information about livestock weigh-in or nomination. All market beef, market goats, and market lambs must be weighed in on the specific date listed. Market Swine must turn in the ear notch form before May 9 th. Rabbits and Poultry do not need to be weighed in or tagged. Website: Check out our local Morgan County website at or the state 4-H website at We also have a 4-H Facebook page, just search for Morgan County Extension, on facebook.com and then Like to follow our updates. 4-H Meetings 4-H Exchange Sunday, February 12, :00 p.m. Leaders Advisory Committee Monday, February 20, :30 p.m. 4-H Council Monday, February 20, :45 p.m. 2

3 Council Corner- In January, the County Council meeting was canceled. The February meeting will be held at the Extension Office on Monday, February 20, at 6:45 p.m. During this meeting we will discuss activities we would like to participate in during 2017, look at the bylaws and constitution, and will complete a short activity. County Council is still selling 4-H Merchandise and it is available for purchase at the Extension Office. Their inventory includes metal signs, window decals, shirts and thank you cards. If you have any questions about the Morgan County 4-H Council please contact Aimee at H Youth Activities Colorado 4-H Needs Your Help Collecting Gently Used Shoes This year s Colorado 4-H Youth Fest Community Service project will benefit families in more than 25 underdeveloped nations around the world! The statewide goal is to collect 300 bags (25 pairs of shoes in each bag) of new or clean, gently worn shoes. You can collect shoes from your family, friends, neighbors, and anyone you know. Please remember: If you would not lend the shoes to your best friend, then they are not good enough for this donation. Tie or rubber band the shoes together and bring them to the Extension Office by February 8. TALENT JAMBOREE March 5, :00 p.m. Sterling Middle School, Sterling, CO All 4-H members are encouraged to polish up your talent and participate in the Talent Jamboree on Sunday, March 6. We are holding one talent contest for three counties at one time on March 6. Top performing youth from Morgan County will be able to compete at the Colorado State Fair as in years past. There will be (3) overall awards given; that will recognize the top performers (from all counties) in Junior, Intermediate and Senior Division. There are several divisions to participate in: vocal, instrumental, dance, skits, emceeing and as a soloist in these divisions or as an ensemble or with several members as in a group skit, etc. Entries are due on February 22. ROBOTICS TEAMS ARE HARD AT WORK 4-H members are working several evenings to prepare for the competition in February and March. Eagle s Hockey Game Tickets 4-H Day at the Eagle s Hockey Game is on February 25, Tickets are $21.00 each. For detailed information and to purchase tickets, call or slinfield@coloradoeagles.com. 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. 3

4 SHOOTING SPORTS COUNTY FAIR ELIGIBILITY 1. All participants must be 4 H members currently enrolled in the 4 H Shooting Sports Project. 2. Juniors: 8 13 years old as of 1/1/17 Seniors: years old as of 1/1/17 3. Appropriate safety equipment is the shooter s responsibility. 4. All youth MUST complete record books and participate in interview judging and must receive at least a Red Ribbon on their interview project for scores to count for participation at Colorado State Fair. You must have participated in at least three (3) County *Certified shoots in each of the divisions entered to compete at the County Fair. For safety reasons, a shotgun shooter must shoot at least three (3) practices in each class they want to compete in. *Certified shoots are shoots shot in front of the contest superintendent or assistant superintendent of the discipline. *For emergency situations, the superintendent and shooting sports committee will take it under consideration for county only results. Youth not participating in county shoots will not be eligible for State Fair Shoot. *Guidelines for Classes and equipment will be same as the current rulebook. You may view the Colorado Shooting Sports Rule Book at: Click on rule book. Discipline Contact Contacts.22 Rifle.22 Pistol Air Rifle MC Fairgrounds Air Pistol MC Fairgrounds Muzzleloading Shotgun MCR W.5 Sporting Clays & Skeet -- Washington County Gun Club Archery - Weldona MCR W.5 Archery - Brush MCR 28.5 Karl Dahle Rich Clough Karl Dahle John Goodman Rich Clough John Goodman Paul Oliveria Andy & Janet Larrick Paul Oliveria Jon Flair John Sweenie Rich Clough John Sweenie Rich Clough Levi Dixon Jay Marshall Dave Martin Matt Wulf Levi Dixon Matt Wulf 2017 Shooting Sports Dates Shooting Practice Times February March April May June July Fair Shoots 9:00 am 2nd & 4th Saturdays 9:00 am 2nd & 4th Saturdays 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm 1st & 3rd Thursdays 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 1st & 3rd Thursdays TBD 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 1st & 3rd Wednesdays TBD 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Feb 2 Feb 16 Feb 2 Feb 16 March 11 March 25 March 11 March 25 March 2 March 16 March 2 March 16 April 8 April 22 April 8 April 22 April 6 April 20 April 6 April 20 April 4 April 18 May 13 May 27 May 13 May 27 May 4 May 18 May 4 May 18 May 3 May 17 May 31 May 9 May 23 June 10 June 24 July 8 June 10 June 24 July 8 June 1 June 15 July 6 June 1 June 15 July 6 June 7 June 21 June 13 June 27 July 5 July July 11 July 12 May 2 May 16 June 6 July 11 Youth MUST participate in Interview Judging on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 Saturday, July 15 Morgan Gun Club Saturday, July 15 Morgan Gun Club Sunday, July 16 MC Fairgrounds Sunday, July 16 MC Fairgrounds Morgan Gun Club Sunday, July 9, Check-in 7:30 am Wildcat Trap Club Washington County Gun Club Sunday, July 16 MC Fairgrounds Sunday, July 16 MC Fairgrounds Hunters Education Internet Study Course Intro Night, Monday March 6, 2017, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Wiggins Fire Station. Test and Field day is Saturday, March 18, 2017, from 8:00 am 3:30 pm at the Wiggins Fire Station. Register online at: Cost $10, Class size is limited. morganhuntersed@gmail.com or call Joe Ruland at with course related questions. Hunters Education Certificates are not required to shoot at the Morgan County Fair, however they are required at the Colorado State Fair. 4

5 4-H Volunteer Information 2017 Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports Workshops Interested in being a part of the growing Shooting Sports program? Want to help Morgan County 4-H youth to develop their interests and improve their skills in shooting sports? Then mark your calendars Shooting Sports Certification workshops in the state. You can register for this workshop through 4-H online. Visit There are only four shooting sports certification workshops in the state including: Pueblo County, March Mesa County, March 31 April 2 Larimer County, April 7-9 Eagle County, April 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). Colorado State University Conducts Background Checks on all Volunteers Volunteers serve at the request of Colorado State University Extension. That request can be withdrawn for any reason, or no reason, at any time. Volunteers agree to abide by the 4-H Code of Conduct and to enforce the Code of Conduct with 4-H members they supervise. Leaders' Advisory Funding Youth must participate in fundraisers in the 4-H year (Oct 2016-Sept 2017) to be eligible to receive funding from LAC for activities in the next 4-H year (Oct 2017-Sept 2018). This is done by selling 4 items of any fundraisers (butter braids or peaches). If youth do not sell 4 items, $25 may be contributed by December 31, 2017 to be eligible for funding. Youth who did not sell 4 items or contribute $25 for the 4-H year (Oct 2015-Sept 2016) have received a letter in the mail as a reminder they will not receive funding for activities in the next 4-H year (Oct 2016-Sept 2017). LAC Fundraising Clarification *First year members can get reimbursed for participation in 4-H events during their first year. *First year members need to participate in fundraising to be eligible for funding in their second year of 4-H from LAC When youth are eligible, register, and attend a 4-H event, youth must fill out the LAC Funding Request Form to receive funding from LAC. Funding checks will then be put in your 4-H Club cubbies at the Extension Office. The form is available on our website 5 Morgan County Leaders Advisory Committee

6 4-H Scholarships 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 6. Take time during your vacation days to see what scholarships that you may be eligible for. CSU Scholarships Available at: Morgan County Cattlemen s Association Scholarship Two scholarships will again be awarded by the Morgan County Cattlemen s Association. The requirements are that you must be a graduating high school senior and expected to enroll in an agricultural degree program at any accredited college or university. The amount of this scholarship is $500 granted for tuition for up to 4 years. Pick up applications at the Extension Office. Application Deadline: April 15, 2017 Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows Scholarship The Morgan County Fair is a member of the Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows (CAFS). CAFS is offering a scholarship to any active 4-H or FFA member who has participated in the Weld County Fair. 4-H or FFA members who are eligible to apply for this scholarship must be high school seniors or a graduate with a minimum of a B average in both their junior or senior year. This scholarship can be used at any creditable post-secondary school. The application deadline is March 20, You can find more information and the application on the CAFS website 6

7 Heart Smart For All Cloverbuds (5-7 year olds) enrolled in 4-H and one guest (friend or family member) Friday, February 17 th, Extension Office Meeting Room 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $5.00 with RSVP, $10.00 at the Door Register: Call by Tuesday, February 14th. Come celebrate Valentine s Day and learn about two of the 4-H s: heart and health. Cloverbuds will create their own replica of a beating heart, learn about veins and arteries. All while enjoying fruit kabobs and making a special Valentine to take home! Clothing Construction - The Clothing Construction/Sewing workshop in June was a good start to help youth learn construction techniques. But, rather than trying to do it all in 1 day, this year we plan to set up a series of workshops with each one focusing on 1 or 2 specific skills. This will let youth actually work on a garment for their project. Here is what I need to know from you to get this planned.?? - When would you like a 2-hour session: after school, evening, Saturday??? - Do you have a sewing machine you could bring to Extension Office or 4-H Building OR would you like to meet at Sew 'n' Vac in Brush and use their machines??? - What skills do you need help with? PLEASE - Call me at or (jennifer.cooney@colostate.edu) to let me know what you want and need. MARK THESE FAIR DATES Family & Consumer Here are the tentative dates events related to the General and Family and Consumer Projects. Fashion Revue - Monday, July 31 st Judging 1-4 pm Public Revue at 6 pm Creative Cooks Thursday, August 3 rd at 3 pm Demonstration Contest - Thursday, August 3 rd Will begin shortly after Creative Cooks is completed (approx. 6 pm) 2017 FAIR DEADLINES ALL Livestock Entry forms, Livestock Record Books, Fashion Revue, Creative Cooks, and Demonstration Contest entries are DUE Wednesday July 19,

8 Judging 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 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. 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 youth 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 2017 where they will conduct a mock meeting and demonstrate their knowledge of correct Parliamentary Procedure. For more information or if you are interested contact by February 1 st at aimee.kanode@colostate.edu. Practice dates and time will be determined based off interest but we d like to start in March. 8

9 Livestock Veterinary Feed Directive On January 1, 2017 the Veterinary Feed Directive will take effect. This will impact the way your common animal husbandry practices are handled. To read more about this important topic please visit the following links to learn more 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. Talk to your club leader, or contact Marlin at if you have any questions. 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 strongly encouraged 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 calling the Colorado Animal ID coordinator at or go online to Colorado Location Identification (LID) Registration Form 88jaQ/viewform. 9

10 2017 Beef Weigh-In/Tag-In March 4, :30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Location Morgan County Fair Grounds, Indoor Arena All market steers and heifers must be processed to compete at the Morgan County Fair. The Colorado Brand Inspectors require that all market beef animals be inspected at the tag day. On that day, all participants must bring their Brand Papers, Bill of Sale or purchase invoice to be properly inspected. Breeding beef are not to be tagged. 4-H Horse Program February 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm at the Extension Office, there will be a 4-H Horse organizational meeting. The Horse Judging Team will be offered again this year for anyone interested. Contact Marlin for further information Tack Swap February 9, 2017 after meeting - Morgan County Catch it Dairy Distribution 1 st year dairy heifers will be distributed in February. Participants will receive an when date is confirmed. Participants, who feel they cannot fulfill their commitment, please notify Marlin immediately HORSE ID S Due APRIL 3, 2017 All Members with Horses are required to fill out ID s in 4-H Online, yearly. Three views of Horse are required. Primary Care of the Horses begins April 3, This includes leased horses. Check with Marlin if you have questions. 4-H Open Horse Riding 2017 APRIL 6, 13, 20, 27 MAY 4, 11, 18, 25 JUNE 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 JULY 13, 20 LIVESTOCK JR FIELD DAY Flyers are available on our website and at the Extension Office. Jr Beef, Goat, Sheep & Swine Field Day March 18, 2017 Morgan County Fairgrounds Massey Lamb and Goat Camp Lambs-June 19-20, 2017 and/or Goats-June 21-22, 2017 Stop by the Extension Office for an Application or print one from their website x.html. This hands-on two day event with J.B. Massey will be held at the Morgan County Fair Grounds. We will be covering Feeding and Nutrition, Showmanship, Fitting and Clipping. Space is limited, so registration today. Please contact Marlin with questions; marlin.eisenach@colostate.edu 4-H Horse Show July 8 th 10

11 Save the dates, for the 2017 Meat Quality Assurance/ Pork Quality Assurance Programs: Monday, May 15, 2017, 4-6:30 pm Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 4-6:30 pm Guidelines according to the State 4-H Office: anyone with a market livestock or breeding project who has not attended a training must do so, including poultry, rabbits and goats; anyone who was an intermediate last year and moving to senior (14 years old before January 1, 2017 or born in 2002) must also attend a training. Those individuals in the Market Swine project have different guidelines that are set by the National Pork Producers Council. Everyone enrolled in a market livestock or breeding project must sign a quality assurance statement on a yearly basis. This includes all new 4-H members with livestock projects. Members that don t meet these requirements cannot participate at the County Fair, State Fair, National Western, or any other major show. NO EXCEPTIONS Fair Board is requiring that all 4-H/FFA Members meet this requirement in order to show at the Morgan County Fair QUALITY ASSURANCE Age as of Jan 1 of Current Year Annual Class One year from Class/entry date One year from class/entry date One year from class/entry date One year from class/entry date One year from class/entry date Certificate Expiration Test Out Not Applicable December 31st of the year they turn 15 One year from test/entry date December 31st of year they turn 19 One year from test/entry date Market Swine Exhibitors The National Pork Board, sets the requirements for swine exhibitors, these requirements are as follows; (youth age as of January 1 of the current year) CERTIFICATION/RECERTIFICATION BY EXAMINATION -Not available for 8-11 age level -Completing and passing an examination appropriate for their age level (must score 70% or greater to pass) -Valid until they enter the next age level -Valid for a minimum of one year Members that don t meet these requirements cannot participate at the Morgan County Fair, Colorado State Fair, National Western Stock Show or other major shows. If you want to take the exam, Contact Marlin by April 4th! 11

12 New Fair Board Livestock Rules Fair Board Changes For 2017 Identification and Weigh-In Dates 2017 Species Primary Care Begins Weigh-In I.D.'s Beef March 4 March 4 Horse April 3 April 3 Breeding Animals (Sheep, Goats) May 1 Dairy (Cattle) May 1 May 1 Breeding Beef May 1 May 1 Sheep/Goats (Market) May 6 May 6 Swine (Market) May 8 May 8 Rabbits & Poultry (Breeding) June 1 Pen of Meat Rabbits June 26 June 26 Pen of Meat Poultry June 26 June 26 FUTURE FAIR DATES: August 3 9, 2018 August 2 8, 2019 July 31 August 6, 2020 COUNTY FAIR DATES AUGUST 4-10, 2017 RULE CHANGES SWINE Body hair minimum length of 1/2 inch, excluding the head neck and tail. GOATS/BREEDING SHEEP All Breeding Sheep and Breeding Goats, and Non-Sale Goats must be out of barn by 5 pm, Saturday, August 5 th. POULTRY In the Market Poultry division an Exhibitor can enter and weigh only one pen per division (Chickenseither Fryers or Broilers, not both) and cannot show in more than two divisions. 12

13 Livestock Fair Schedule

14 Extension News National Western Stock Show Morgan County Cattlemen, Fort Morgan Young Farmers and the Morgan County Extension staff took Morgan County third graders on four days of field trips to National Western Stock Show. This followed an agriculture lesson in the classroom with the students. In addition to the sheep shearing, students visited the Petting Zoo, Hall of Education with many Colorado agriculture exhibits, Pony Trails and the National Western nursery. AmeriCorps Programs Morgan County Extension will be offering science focused after-school programs again beginning in January. Connor Gerken, a graduate of Colorado Mesa University and former Morgan County 4-H member, will be our AmeriCorps member this spring. Diabetes Webinars There is more to diabetes than high blood sugar. It s one of those health conditions that requires constant attention. There are complications associated with it, unanswered questions, and discouragement and frustration when you have worked so hard and don t see results. Come learn about dealing with the social, emotional and psychological sides of this complex disease from Dr. William Polonsky on February 2nd at 12 during the first of the 2017 series of the diabetes webinars offered in Northeast Colorado. Also, a copy of Dr. Polonsky s book, Diabetes Burnout, will be available as a door prize for one lucky winner. This webinar is free of cost. For more information or to RSVP, please call (970) Order Trees & Shrubs NOW!!! Applications for the 2017 Colorado State Forest Service seedling tree program are being accepted. This program enables farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners to plant trees and shrubs for windbreaks, to reduce erosion; protect homes, cropland, livestock, and highways, and to enhance wildlife habitat. The trees and shrubs are grown for conservation benefits and cannot be resold as living plants. Applications are available at the Extension Center and are due March 1, 2017, but order early as popular varieties sell out. Trees arrive April 5 th. For information, contact Aimee ( ) or visit the website ( Horticulture Presentations coming this Spring! In the spring the Extension Office will be offering presentations on horticulture related topics. Currently the schedule includes a presentation over caring for new trees after the first year. This presentation will be held at the East Morgan County Library in Brush tentatively on February 21. There will be Soils and Garden Planting Workshop on March 11 th and a Tree Planting Workshop on March 25 th, both at the Extension Office. Other topics looking to be covered include drip irrigation, straw bale gardening, raised bed gardening, and much more. More information will be available on these presentations soon. Exploring Science as a Family Can you shoot a straw rocket? Build a structure out of gumdrops that will hold a can of pop? Design a garment that will light up? Morgan County Extension will be bringing science to elementary school children and their families during Family Science Nights this spring. Youth (with help from their families) actively solve science problems and have fun at the same time. 14

15 Calendar of Events February 1 - CWF application, 4 pm, Extension Office 9-4-H Horse Project Meeting, 6:30 pm, Extension Office Youth Fest, Ponderosa Camp 12-4-H Exchange Meeting, 5 pm, MCFG 4-H Building 17-4-H Exchange Krispy Kreme Delivery, Extension Office 17 - Heart Smart Cloverbud Workshop, 10 am 12 pm, Extension Office 20 - Holiday, Extension Office Closed 20 - LAC, 5:30 pm, Extension Office 20-4-H Council, 6:45 pm, Extension Office 22 - Talent Festival Entry Deadline, 4 pm, Extension Office 25 - Makey Makey, 9:30 am- 12 pm, Extension Office 25 - Eagles Hockey Game, Loveland March 1-4-H ENROLLMENT DEADLINE (for 2017 fair participation) 4 - Market Beef Weigh-In/Tag-In, 8:30 10:30 am, MC Fair Grounds 5 - Talent Festival, 2 pm, Sterling Middle School, Sterling, CO 10 - Entry Deadline for Fair Book Cover Contest, 4 pm, Extension Office 18 - Livestock Jr. Field Day, 8 am, MC Fair Grounds 20 - LAC, 5:30 pm, Extension Office 20-4-H Council, 6:45 pm, Extension Office April 3 - Horse ID s/lease Forms DUE 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. 15