4-H Clover Newsletter

Transcription

1 4-H Clover Newsletter Univers ity of Illinois E xtension -W inneba go C ounty V o l u m e FA L L A Quarterly 4-H Newsletter Dear Volunteers, Supporters and Friends of Extension: As you know, U of I Extension began a statewide process of reorganization in early January of this year. Although this reorganization was implemented as a reaction to continuing financial concerns, it has also been over 18 years since the structure of Extension in Illinois has been examined and enhanced. With this in mind, administration and local staff and volunteers have worked through a process which will hopefully make the organization and our related programs stronger and sustainable for the new realities that face us. Many thanks to those of you participated in the public meetings held in February and March to hear input from our communities. That process of travelling around the state and hearing from so many volunteers and supporters provided the administrative team with a wealth of information about our local programs and the impact Extension has within our cities, towns and rural communities. The administrative team used that information as they worked to create the three-phase reorganization plan which we are now implementing. Five program Initiatives were identified as we move forward: Energy and Environmental Stewardship, Food Safety and Security, Economic Development and Workforce Preparedness, Family Health, Financial Security and Wellness, and Youth Development. In June, County Directors in our region were asked to come up with a plan to suggest new unit configurations and partnerships to the administrative team. Many considerations were taken into account, but the bottom line was that we worked together to submit groupings that have either worked effectively with each other, or had great potential to do so. Stephenson County was paired with JoDaviess and Winnebago Counties, a three-county grouping that includes two counties (Stephenson and Winnebago) who are already essentially working together due to my role as County Director for both. I met with the Extension Councils of Stephenson and Winnebago County in June to discuss our programs, similarities and differences, and to develop a list of prioritized programming needs. I worked with Mark Maidak, County Director in Jo Daviess County, to compare this list with that generated by the JoDaviess County Extension Council. Together, we submitted a request for educators to serve our multi-county unit, keeping our program priorities in mind. In August, we learned that our unit has been approved for a total of six Extension Educators. Keep in mind that these individuals will mainly serve our three counties, while also being involved in regional and state programming initiatives and projects. The major change is that rather than sharing Regional Educators with the 21 counties in our region, these six individuals will be working within our three-county area to bring the resources of Extension to agencies, organizations, governmental bodies, etc in addition to supporting our volunteers. You can just imagine the potential for programs and local impact we have with this change! It is a good thing indeed. By July 1, 2011, our new unit will have six Extension Educators in the following areas: Nutrition and Wellness, Youth Development-4-H, Youth Development-Metro (funded totally with state money to serve the Rockford Metro Area), Environmental and Energy Stewardship, Small Farms and Local Foods, and Horticulture (50% in our unit, shared with Boone/Ogle/Dekalb unit). The final step for Phase II of the reorganization was determining office locations. In a nutshell, the reorganization calls for a reduction in costs by eliminating county director positions, reducing office lease costs, and other changes in the manner in which the business of Extension is conducted. An Executive Council Committee with two representatives from each county was convened to discuss office locations and functions. Winnebago County was represented by Extension Council members Sara Dady (Extension Volunteer) and Constance McCarthy (Master Gardener, Master Composter and Master Food Preserver and member of the Local Food Working Group). The task of this group was to review office locations and costs and to make recommendations regarding future locations. The group reached a consensus that business functions will be conducted and the educators will be housed in Stephenson County, with Extension Offices remaining in Winnebago and JoDaviess Counties. At this time, there are no plans to close county offices in this three county unit. Thanks to Sara and Constance for serving on this committee and representing Winnebago County in such a positive manner. At this point, I see this reorganization as very positive and feel that we will have much more local impact through the work of Extension Educators who are serving the unit as a team. Of course, the new units have until July 1, 2011 to come together, though some may make the necessary changes earlier. We continue to be concerned about local and state support and are thankful for the local support shown to Extension from the Farm Bureau, 4-H Showboard, 4-H and Extension Foundation, and the Building Association. These local funds go a long way in securing our future as a active, vibrant Extension Office. If you have any questions about the reorganization, please contact me directly at the office or through at mklarson@illinois.edu. At this time, I would like us all to work together to dispel rumors, continue to do our work and build our programs. On a final note, many thanks to the staff for their patience, positive attitude and hard work; it has been very gratifying to see so much going on in the office in spite of so much turmoil! Margaret Larson County Director Stephenson and Winnebago Counties University of Illinois Extension

2 I want to thank the many volunteers who offered their time and talent to the 4-H program this summer! I especially want to thank my Judges and 4-H Superintendants for making the fair, auction and 4-H contests all run smoothly. I also want to thank all the volunteers who helped setup, cleanup, monitor, work and teardown the 4-H building and 4-H restaurant at the fair this year. I sincerely appreciate your many hours of dedication. Special thanks to Elizabeth Johnson and her daughters, Bernadette & Bridgette for their restaurant management skills in running our 4-H Restaurant. They did an excellent job and dealt with the heat of the restaurant! Emily Hilton was our Part-time Summer Assistant and helped make the chores of the fair easier. Thank you Emily for all your hard work! Emily will be staying on part time to assist the 4-H program as I am taking a medical leave of absence to have knee surgeries this fall and winter. I plan to be back in the office around the 1st of February if all goes well. Thanks for all your well wishes and have a great fall and holiday season! Stacy Cwiklo, 4-H Program Coordinator cwiklo@illinois.edu RE-ENROLLMENT DEADLINE FEBRUARY 1, H Leaders will be picking up their H enrollment packs on September 30th. Please make sure to attend your October & November meetings to receive your re-enrollment paperwork. All current 4-H members need to be re-enrolled with at least one project selected by February 1, Brand new members will have until April 1, 2010 to enroll. The 4-H Program Fee of $20 per member will be in effect again this year. Winnebago County offers families with multiple 4-H members a sliding scale. Please contact your 4-H Leader for more information. The sooner you turn your paperwork in, the sooner project books can be ordered for you to begin your projects. HELP INCREASE 4-H ENROLLMENT! I would like to encourage each 4-H member to invite one friend to their next 4-H meeting. Please share your 4-H fun with a friend this year! 4-H RECOGNITION EVENT To recognize our 4-H volunteers and award winning members and their clubs, we will be holding our 4-H Recognition on SUNDAY, October 24, 2010 at Midway Village & Museum Center in Rockford, IL. This event will begin at 3:00 p.m. We would like to invite all of our 4-H members and volunteers to join us for an afternoon of fun including a silent auction, awards presentation and light refreshments. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Please call (815) or go online to our website: to reserve your spot. Special invitations will be mailed in early-october. If you receive an invitation by mail, that means either you or your club will be receiving special recognition that day, so you really should call and reserve your space. We look forward to seeing ALL our award winners and valued volunteers at this event! Deadline for registration is October 18th or whenever we meet our limit of 150 guests. 4-H Recognition Event Date: Sunday, October 24, 2010 Place: Midway Village & Museum Center 6799 Guilford Rd, Rockford, IL Time: 3:00 p.m.

3 University of Illinois Extension -Winnebago County F A L L Page 3 Winnebago County 4-H Auction Results The H Quality Livestock Auction and Fur & Feather Sale was held on Saturday, August 21st. Sales totaled $70,117. The average prices were: Beef = $1.86 per pound Sheep = $2.48 per pound Beef Carcass = $1.95 per pound Swine = $2.33 per pound Rabbits = $62 each Poultry = $62 each Goats = $51 each THANKS TO OUR TOP 10 BUYERS IN 2010! 1. Woodman s of Rockford 2. Stone Eagle Tavern 3. Seward Ag Supply 4. Eickman s Processing 5. Landmark Agronomy 6. Ginny Meyer 7. German-American State Bank 8. Conserv FS 9. 1st Farm Credit 10. A-American Machine A special THANK YOU goes out to Hack s Auction Service, Terry Dieken and Jim Sacia who donated their time and talents to our 4-H Fur & Feather and Quality Livestock Auction on Saturday, August 21st. We are truly grateful for their generous support of the 4-H program in Winnebago County! Also we would like to acknowledge and thank Eickman s Processing for donating their award winning summer sausage that sold for over $500 at our auction! 2010 HAZZARD AWARD WINNERS 1. New England Banner $ Seward Determination $75 3. North Main Rustlers $ H BANNER CONTESTS (Banners were hung in 4-H Building during Fair) First place: Harrison Hotshots 2nd Place: Seward Determination 3rd Place: North Main Rustlers PEOPLE S CHOICE AWARD Northern Stars ~THANK YOU NOTES ARE IMPORTANT~ If you haven t written a thank you note to your auction buyer or trophy donor, you need to do so right away. These thank you messages mean so much to our trophy sponsors and auction buyers. It is important that we don t forget their importance to us and the 4-H program. While you are writing, you should also thank your hard working 4-H Club Leader for all of the time and energy that they put into making your club and 4-H experience so wonderful all year round! 4-H Premium Checks Premium checks have been mailed out. Please make sure you cash your check by November 13, A complete list of Champions, Reserve Champions, and Class Winners from the 2010 Winnebago County 4-H Fair can be found online at our website under County Fair Information. RATE OF GAIN WINNERS: 1. Rachel Wishop North Main Rustlers (3.49) 2. Raegan Wishop North Main Rustlers (2.98) 3. Bailey Brauer New England Banner (2.97) 4. Alyssa Brauer New England Banner (2.93) 4-H PROGRAM FEE The annual 4-H Program fee of $20 per member will be applied to all members of community clubs, Cloverbuds and special interest groups. $14 will stay locally and be used by our program to help support 4-H costs. $6 will be forwarded to the State 4-H program to provide educational, technical and marketing support to maintain the 4-H program on all levels. Winnebago County is offering a sliding scale for families with multiple members in 4-H. Please see your Leader for more information.

4 University of Illinois Extension -Winnebago County F A L L Page 4 STEPS IN CHOOSING 4-H PROJECTS It s that time of year again when 4-H ers begin thinking about choosing 4-H projects for the new year. Here are a few guidelines to help make the selection process easier. 1. Review the Illinois Clover. At one of your fall meetings you will receive the Illinois Clover. It has more than 175 project units to choose from. Ask your family and 4-H leader for help in selecting your projects. 2. Eliminate project areas that don t interest you. If you are a first or second year member, limit yourself to 3-4 projects per year. This will give you time to enjoy working with and completing each project for the 4-H fair. 3. Consider how much time you have for each project and what your previous experience is. If you have no experience at all in woodworking, please don t enroll in level III just because the suggested project age is how old you are. The suggested ages are listed as suggested only. 4. Look at a past year s Fair Program Book to see the specific criteria needed to show that project at the 4-H fair. 5. Think about awards. If you are interested in receiving additional recognition for your projects, please talk to some older 4-H members or your leader to find out what kind of records you should be keeping from year to year to help you fill our your Illinois Award Application. The only limits in 4-H are limits you set for yourself, so please try new projects and experience all 4-H has to offer. KEEP IT GREEN RECYCLE YOUR MANUALS The Extension Office provides project manuals to 4-H members which sometimes end up not being used. These manuals can be re-used if they are in good condition and are still current. Please consider recycling your unused project manuals by turning them into your leader or dropping them off at the Extension Office. YES we are still collecting plastic/paper bags for the Rock River Valley Pantry. Drop them off at the Extension Office Monday-Friday, 9-4 pm! PARENT INVOLVEMENT SUGGESTIONS FOR 4-H CLUB ACTIVITIES Because boys and girls gain the most from 4-H when their parents take an active role, we ask parents to: Encourage and support your 4-H er and leaders. Help your member select, finance and manage their projects. Encourage your children to complete what they begin. Work cooperatively with other parents to assume one or more responsibilities in the 4-H club if possible. Your family may possibly be asked to provide refreshments for one meeting during the year. Check the 4-H Calendar for events and assist 4-H members in keeping a 4-H family calendar to remind them of important dates and events. Phone the leader of the club if there are any questions or problems to help clarify the situation. Make sure to read the quarterly 4-H newsletter that comes from the Extension Office. There are important dates and guidelines to be aware of. Check out the 4-H blog online for info too! Encourage your child to attend all club meetings and 4-H activities. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings and events with their children. NEW 4-H PROJECTS: Food & Nutrition 4-H Cooking 401 UPDATED 4-H PROJECTS: Food Demo (DVD available by special order) Interior Design (New project book) Leadership 2 (updated publication) Robotics 1-3 (updated resources) DISCONTINUED 4-H PROJECTS: Food Heritage International Foods (These projects are incorporated into 4-H Cooking 401)

5 University of Illinois Extension -Winnebago County Illinois Farm Bureau 4-H Premier LCP Award This awards program is open to older members age 17 by December 1, Each county may submit 2 applications to the state selection committee. NOTE: CHANGES have been made to both the deadline AND the location to send the applications. Applications are now due with our State 4 -H Award Applications, postmarked by January 5, 2011 and should be sent to the State 4-H Office. Applications can be found on the following website: recognition_awards.cfm. 4-H AMBASSADORS 4-H Members years old are encouraged to apply to become a 4-H Ambassador. Applications can be found online at and are due to the Extension Office by October 15, CHARLES DOW MEMORIAL CEREMONY A special celebration was held on the opening day of the Winnebago County Fair in the 4-H Building to honor the memory of a long time 4-H Friend, Charles Dow. His family was in attendance and spoke about his love of 4-H and the many years he spent as leader and volunteer. The 4-H Office was able to purchase a brand new portable counter display with the money from donors in his memory. This counter display will be used at future 4-H events and will be a great asset in promoting the 4-H program. Thank you to all that attended this event and to those that made a donation in Charles Dow s memory. FALL 2010 Page 5 NATIONAL 4-H WEEK October 3-9, 2010 is National 4-H Week. This is an ideal time to publicize and promote 4-H in your community. Clubs in Winnebago County will be decorating windows and bulletin boards in our community to help promote 4-H PROGRAM BOOK COVER DESIGN CONTEST Entries for the 2011 Program Book Cover are now being accepted. The 2011 theme is 4-H is Taking the Lead. Artwork must be printed darkly in black ink on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper. Please leave a 1 margin on all sides. The artwork must be done in a vertical orientation and must include the words 2011 Winnebago County Program Book. Your name, age and club should be on a separate piece of paper clipped to the back of the entry. Do NOT write your name on the front. ENTRIES ARE DUE BY FEBRUARY 1, IF you have a phone number, address or change, please notify the Winnebago County Extension Office right way so you don t miss out on important 4-H Info!

6 University of Illinois Extension -Winnebago County F A L L Page 6 4-H HORSE BOWL OPPORTUNITY Do you love horses? Do you want to know more about horses? Do you have a horse? Do you wish you had a horse? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then HORSE BOWL is the perfect outlet for you! Barb Frampton is willing to lead a team of Winnebago County kids to the Winners Circle of horse knowledge. Practice will be starting soon and the team meets at the Cookhouse at Lockwood Park on Saturdays. If you want to learn more or have questions about joining the team, please contact either the Extension Office at (815) or Barb Frampton directly at (815) Attention ALL 4-H Horse Project Members: We are looking to start up a Winnebago County 4-H Drill Team for All riders 8 18 years old as of September 1, 2010 that are interested in joining, please contact Susan Laird at (815) The 4-H Dog Show Committee would like to thank Rick & Mona Lilly for all their hard work with the kids and dogs. They have gone above and beyond for the 4-H dog project this year. We also gratefully acknowledge the Forest City Dog Training club for their generous use of their facility to hold our show. Thanks also to the dog show judges, Lisa Pruka and Pat Nordenberg for donating their time. Thanks so much to all the volunteers and parents especially Lisa Warren, Mona Barker, Jenny Fingland, Brooke Lyford, Vicki Lyford, Warren Lyford, Mary Pierce and the 4-H Dog Superintendant, Barb Madison. The 4-H program sincerely appreciates your dedication and support! 4-H BEEF PROJECT REMINDER ABOUT WEIGH-IN February 5, 2011 will be weigh-in for all market beef animals and those participating in the rate of gain contest. This will be held at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds from 9-11 am. If you have additional questions please contact Ralph Koning, Beef Superintendent at (815) The 4-H Cat Show Committee would like to thank the Cox family for setting up and the Baird & Laird families for helping with tear down on the day of the show. Chloe Madison was a great help with the cage cleaning! We would also like to thank TOWER SOUND for the use of the audio equipment. SEARCH FOR OLD TROPHY Deb Carlson is looking for a chicken trophy that said In Memory of Darrel Miller. If you know where it is, please call Deb at (815) QUESTIONS ABOUT LIVESTOCK PROJECTS? CONTACT YOUR SUPERINTENDENT! Beef Ralph Koning (815) Cat Mary Ann Arenson (815) Dairy Cattle Bob & Sue Kinney (815) Dog Barb Madison (815) Goat Crystal & Kayla Cox (815) or (815) Horse Lori Chappell (815) Poultry Deb Carlson (815) Rabbit Jeanne Walton (815) Sheep Kathy Koning-McClure (815) The General Projects Committee is looking for volunteers who have an interested in 4-H and would like to serve on their committee. This committee helps make recommendations to update the 4-H Program Book every year and also assists in General Projects Judging Day. Committee members include 4-H Leaders, past 4-H leaders and older 4-H members. If you would like more information, please contact Stacy at (815) Swine Amanda Lower (815) SPRING GENERAL PROJECTS WORKSHOPS In place of the January Project Workshop Day, we will be hosting a variety of mini-workshops held on Saturday mornings throughout the spring. Sign up for these workshops will begin in February This will be a great time to practice your project skills and learn new techniques. Please watch your and/or check with your 4-H Leader to get more information at that time.

7 University of Illinois Extension -Winnebago County F A L L Page 7 UPCOMING LOCAL FOODS DINNER Join us on Saturday, October 23 for a five-course Harvest Dinner featuring the autumn bounty of the local fields. This event, the last dinner in our 2010 series, will be hosted by Kiki B's, 1641 North Alpine Road, Rockford, Illinois. Cocktails begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. To learn more about Kiki B's, visit Cost is $55 per person (includes tax and gratuity); coffee, tea, soda and water are complimentary, and there will be a cash bar. Harvest Dinner menu: Caramelized Onion and Amish Swiss Cheese Tartlette with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Mixed Baby Greens with Pear, Candied Walnuts and Crumbled Mindoro Bleu Cheese Roasted Vegetables, Fingerling Potatoes, and Coffee Rubbed Beef Brisket or Root Vegetable Paella (vegetarian) Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Cheesecake The menu may change based on availability of the locallygrown and produced ingredients. To register for this dinner experience go online to our website: MASTER GARDENER TRAINING TO BE OFFERED Interested in becoming a MASTER GARDENER? Training for 2011 will begin in January in Freeport, IL. Please check back to our website often for more information and registration forms. or ANNIE S PROJECT Farm management training for women Offered in by U of I Extension-Winnebago County for the first time since Winter, Will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning on Tuesday, November 16. Local experts from Extension, First Farm Credit, Soil and Water Conservation District, Country Insurance and other agencies will present material relevant to farm management for all types of operations. Ruth Fleck Hambleton, former Extension Educator and creator of Annie s Project (Annie Fleck was her mother) will present one of the sessions. Cost will be $50.00 for the 15 hours of instruction and materials. Winnebago County 4-H & Extension Foundation cordially invites you to its 2010 Fall Kickoff Dinner & Auction on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 Midway Village & Museum Center 6799 Guilford Road Rockford, Illinois 5:15 p.m. Hors d oeuvres & Silent Auction 6:15 p.m. Dinner 7:15 p.m. Live Auction $17 per person or $120 per table of 8 Kindly RSVP by October 4, 2010 to or Winnebago County 4-H & Extension Foundation, Inc South Meridian Road Rockford, Illinois The Winnebago County 4-H & Extension Foundation raises funds to support and promote 4-H, Horticulture & Master Gardeners, Family Nutrition, and other Extension programs. All donations are tax deductible and matched by the University of Illinois.

8 University of Illinois Extension -Winnebago County F A L L Page 8 WINNEBAGO COUNTY 4-H CALENDAR October 12, H & Ext. Foundation Dinner August 16, 2011 Winnebago County Fair Starts October 24, H Recognition Event 3:00 p.m. August 17, H Poultry, Sheep, Dairy & Beef Shows Dec 24-Jan 3, 2011 Extension Office Closed August 18, H Swine, Goat, Rabbit, Dairy Shows February 1, 2011 Re-Enrollments Due August 19, H Fashion Revue at Fair February 5, H Beef Weigh In Fairgrounds August 20, H Fur & Feather Livestock Auction April 1, 2011 New Member Enrollment Due August 21, 2011 Last Day of Fair Cleanup June 1, H FAIR ENTRIES DUE September 29, H Leader Open House July 12, 2011 Pub. Pres. / Perf. Arts Contest October 1, 2011 Year End Records & Award Apps Due July 15, H Clothing Judging & Fashion Revue October 23, H Recognition Event July 19, 2011 Cake Decorating/Food Demos July 20, 2011 July TBD July 25, 2011 July 29, 2011 July 30, 2011 August 6, 2011 August 14, 2011 August 15, 2011 August 15, H Banners Due at Extension 4-H Dog Show Forest City 4-H Building Setup at Fairgrounds Tentative 4-H GP Judging Day 4-H Cat Show Fairgrounds 4-H Horse Show Livestock Pen Setup at Fairgrounds 4-H Carcass Judging Eickman s 4-H Building Tidy-Up (Event dates may change Read 4-H Blog for updates.) 4-H CLUB KEY LEADERS Burritt Winners Laura Carlson (815) Centerville Knot Ketchers Tammy Wakeley (815) Guilford Gainers Alice Hallin (815) Harrison Hotshots Judi Schmeling (815) Stars, Stripes & Clovers Mary Ann Arenson (815) Suburban Challengers Ken Essington (815) Tri River Tryers Dana Schmidt (815) Winnebago Wide Awakes Shannon Lapp (815) Machesney Pilots Susan Schumacher (815) New England Banner Kathy Palmer (815) North Main Rustlers Janet Pollock (815) Northern Stars Cyndi & Mike Kmitta (815) Owen Blue Bonnets Betsy Carlson (815) Rockfordettes Kelly Schafer (815) Seward Determination Teresa Hill (815)

9 Winnebago County Office 1925 S. Meridian Road Rockford, IL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROCKFORD, IL PERMIT NO. 590 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION WINNEBAGO COUNTY ADDRESS: 1925 S. Meridian Road OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 am 4:30 pm (Monday-Friday) Rockford, IL PHONE: (815) FAX: (815) WEBSITE: 4-H EXTENSION STAFF: MARGARET LARSON STACY CWIKLO SANDY SWENSON MEGHAN BOWE CAROL ERICKSON ANDREA HAZZARD JACKIE de BATISTA EMILY HILTON County Director 4-H Program Coordinator Office Support Associate Horticulture & Natural Resources Program Family Nutrition Program Local Food Systems Coordinator Master Naturalist Program Extra Help 4-H & Office STATE LOCAL COUNTY GROUPS USDA COOPERATING The Extension Service of the University of Illinois provides educational programs and unbiased research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems by helping you put knowledge to work. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact us at (815) The Illinois Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programming and employment.