MAHASKA COUNTY ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH MARCH 2017 Youth Staff Amy Brainard County Youth Coordinator Codi Voss Educational Programs Coordinator Kim Kuester 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. Friday, March 10 6:00-8:00 PM Extension office Auditorium A meal will be offered for free will donations. A Silent Auction and Pie/Cheesecake Live 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 auction items, please call 641-673-5841 or email us at vermeera@iastate.edu by March 6th. Mahaska County 212 North I Street Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577 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, 515-294-1482, 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.
FIRST LEGO League Jr. FLL Jr. is a program for Kindergarten-3rd grade children. We have 4 teams in Mahaska County this season. FLL Jr. teams will take part in a FLL Jr. Expo Poster Showcase during STEAMfest on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from Noon-3:00 PM in the Musco Technology Center at William Penn University. Please stop by to learn more about FLL Jr. and beginning engineering! Kids in the Kitchen Day Camp We will hold a Kids in the Kitchen Day Camp on March 13-15 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, Fruits, 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 is available at the Extension office and on our website. Camp is limited to the first 24 to register & pay. Please visit www.extension.iastate.edu/ mahaska/4h for more day camp information and a registration form once it is available. Clover Kids Clover Kids Summer Fun Day will be held on Saturday, June 3 from 9:00-11:00 AM in the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. RSVP with Codi at cvoss@iastate.edu or call 641-673-5841. 2017 Southern Iowa Fair Theme The 2017 Southern Iowa Fair Theme is, Christmas in July. Please make sure that when planning your booth and barn decorations that you do not take away from the displaying of exhibits and animals. 2 New Volunteer Training March 4 Who: Organizational & Project 4-H Club/Clover Kids Leaders who have volunteers for 3 years or less, or who did not complete yearly training in 2016. When: Saturday, March 4 Time: 9:00 AM-Noon Where: Mahaska County Extension office Registration: www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/trainingregistration-new-volunteers Online Training: Videos must be watched via 4hOnline PRIOR to the face-to-face training. Contact Amy for more information about accessing the 4hOnline video trainings. 4-H Awardrobe Clothing Event May 11 Anyone interested in taking part in the 4-H Clothing Event must register by Tuesday, May 2. Registration forms are at the Extension office and on our website at: http:// www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/news/4-h-clothing-event. This event includes Clothing Selection (purchased garments), Fashion Revue (hand-made/sewn garments), and $15 Challenge (purchased garments from consignment, Goodwill, garage sales, etc. for under $15 must include receipt!). Judging will take place on Thursday, May 11 between 4:00-8:00 PM at the Extension office. A set judging schedule will not be created this year. You will sign-in when you arrive and wait for your name to be called. Junior 4-H Trip to Omaha in May! A Junior 4-H Trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha on May 19-20 is being planned for Region 14 (incl. Mahaska, Marion, Jasper, & Poweshiek counties). There are only nine slots available for each county. Cost to attend this trip is $125.00. Participants will hike around the zoo, spend the night at the zoo, and spend the second day hiking and watching an IMAX movie! Register ASAP, slots will be provided on a first registered basis! Full details are at the MCEO and http:// www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/news/omaha-zoo-jr-4-htrip. 11
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 2018. We will have six 4-H buckets and six FFA buckets available again this year. Distribution date is TBA. STEAMfest FREE Event 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: - be creative with the 4-H Maker Space - 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 http:// www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/news/steamfest-youthfamilies-event-april-8. 10 4-H & FFA Swine Weigh-in Anyone planning to exhibit swine at the Southern Iowa Fair must have animals weighed in on Saturday, March 25 between 8:00-10:00 AM in the Maintenance Shop at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds. Participants may weigh up to six pigs, but are only eligible to exhibit up to 3 at the fair. Maximum weight for the March weigh-in is 60 pounds. If you have any specific questions, please call a Swine Superintendent listed below. Kenny Wanders 515-321-1232 Collin De Bruin 641-295-1911 Brian Meinders 641-660-0734 Joel Van Gilst 641-673-8981 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 http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ mahaska/page/livestock-exhibiting-information. More details in February newsletter. 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. Heifer Tattooing - Saturday, May 6 8:00-9:00 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. March Advanced Cattle Feeders If you are interested in weighing in cattle for the March class of Advanced Feeders, please call the Extension office at 641-673-5841 before March 24 to discuss weigh-in options. 3
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. New Youth Program Specialist Kim Kuester is the new Youth Program Specialist in the South Field Team and began on February 14. Kim has been involved with Youth Administration and Development for 27 years working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America including Site Director and Director of Operations in Illinois. Her career started after receiving her degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Community Recreation with an emphasis in Youth Agency Administration. She has experience with youth program development and implementation; recruiting and working with youth from diverse backgrounds; staff and volunteer recruiting, training and development; and non-profit management. Kim stated, I ve been involved with youth development and programming my entire career. This is an exciting and wonderful opportunity for me to make a difference for youth and families. I m excited to join a fantastic team and work with the many dedicated individuals that make 4-H a great program for Iowa youth. We are excited to welcome Kim and look forward her extensive experience with youth development helping the youth and families in the communities she represents to reach their full potential. Kim will be serving as a point of contact for Jasper, Keokuk, Mahaska, Marion, and Poweshiek Counties and will be housed at the Jasper County Extension Office. We welcome Kim to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development community. 4 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 PM - 4-H & FFA Llama Check-in near Pavilion 2:00 PM - 4-H & FFA Llama Show in Pavilion 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 by 6:00 PM - Bucket/Bottle Calf Check-in at Stalls with 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, Share the Fun, & 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 1:00-3:00 PM - 4-H & FFA Bucket/Bottle Calf Interviews in DAV Bldg. 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 1:00 PM - 4-H & FFA Bucket/Bottle Calf 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, Rabbits, & Poultry) 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 This schedule is subject to change due to conflicts and weather. 9
State 4-H Youth Conference Start Your Future Here June 27-29, 2017 ISU campus - Ames 4-H & FFA Clinics & Workshops A current list of 4-H & FFA Workshops & Clinics is available on our website. Please bookmark this page: http:// www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/news/mahaska-county-4-hworkshops-clinics-classes. Anyone in 8th-12th grade (not just 4-H ers) is encouraged to attend the State 4-H Youth Conference in Ames. Visit http:// www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/iowa4hyouthconference to learn more and to access the registration information. Class Exhibiting Requirements The Mahaska County 4-H Youth Committee has set a policy for classes and shows for the county fair. In order to hold a show at the Southern Iowa Fair, we must have a minimum of 3 youth from 2 different families (4-H or FFA) registered to exhibit a particular species. Don t forget that animals must be registered in 4hOnline by May 15, 2017. Classes with fewer than 3 exhibitors from 2 different families will be placed on hold for the current year. Classes will be determined after all ID information has been received on May 15. If classes meet the minimum requirement by identification in May, the show(s) will be held. Exhibit Building Clean-up & Set-up 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 - 402-917-0533 Kenzie Gunter - 641-295-5973 Tia Campbell - 712-438-1441 We will clean the Exhibit Hall and 4-H Building on ENGLISH RIDING CLINIC OPPORTUNITY! Thursday, July 13 from 5:00-7:00 PM. Saturday, May 6 at 4:00 PM Clubs will work with Teen Council members to set up club Keith Equestrian Center Ottumwa booths. Booths are available on a first come, first reserved Free English Riding Clinic. Youth can bring horses and ride if they d like to. basis. We will NOT provide full booths or extra space in a RSVP by April 29 with Jennifer Fynaardt at 402-917-0533. booth just for decorations. The purpose of the exhibit booths is to showcase the exhibits the 4-H ers have worked on this If you have questions about the horse project area, please contact year, not the decorations. Setting up and decorating is a team a Horse Superintendent listed above. effort and we expect clubs to work as quickly as possible to place decorations on shelving units and getting them assembled This newsletter was prepared and written by so the next club can decorate and assemble their booth. Amy Brainard, Mahaska County Youth Coordinator. Shelves must be placed in the back shelving unit before the Amy can be reached by calling 641-673-5841 ext. 28 or by emailing vermeera@iastate.edu. next club can place their side wall, so please be patient with the process. Clubs will have an opportunity to decorate booths during exhibit judging on Monday, July 17 and must be complete and decorated by 8:00 AM on Tuesday. 8 5
4-H & FFA Workshops & Clinics 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 673-5841 or email vermeera@iastate.edu to RSVP. At least 5 RSVPs are required to hold this workshop. RSVP is required by Wednesday, March 1. 4-H & FFA Bottle Animal Q&A Workshop Tuesday, March 7-6:30-7:00 PM - Extension office 4-H Room Anyone with questions regarding the bottle animal classes is encouraged to attend this workshop. Cost to attend is FREE. Call 673-5841 or email vermeera@iastate.edu to RSVP. At least 5 RSVPs are required to hold this workshop. 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. At least 5 RSVPs are required to hold this workshop. 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. 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 Training & Testing 2017 Food Safety & Quality Assurance (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. FSQA is not required for Bucket/Bottle Animals, Pets, Dogs, or Horses. 7