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180 Milan Ave. Phone: 419-668-8219 Fax: 419-663-4233
September 2003
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Dear 4-H
Volunteer,
Thank you for your tireless efforts to Make the Best Better for the youth of Huron County. The Huron County Fair was a highlight of the summer for many of our 4-H members, parents, advisors, and friends. Your work paid off with many positive youth development opportunities throughout the year and at the fair. We couldn’t do it without you! Sincerely, Bonnie
Malone Kris Simpson Completion Packets Ready on October 16 Completion packets, containing recognition certificates, pins, leftover fair papers, etc. will be available for pickup, starting Thursday, October 16. Each club organizational advisor should receive a check for club premiums, with a break down of how the money is to be distributed, in early October. You are encouraged to schedule an end of the year recognition event for your members. It is important that members receive recognition (and premium money) in a timely manner. Members should not have to wait until the club reorganizes in the spring to receive rewards they earned this summer.
September 1 ~ Labor Day, Office Closed 2 ~ Frozen Food Orders Du 3 ~ 4-H Committee Summarize Frozen Food Orders, 5:30 p.m. 3 ~ Beef Fair Evaluation, 7:30 p. 4 ~ Senior Fair Board, 7:30 p.m., Fairgrounds 8 ~ Goat Fair Evaluation, 7:30 p.m. 9 ~ Miscellaneous Fair Evaluation, 7:00 p.m. 10 ~ Swine Fair Evaluation, 7:30 p.m. 15 ~ FCS Fair Evaluation, 7:00 p.m. 15 ~ Left Over Project Pick Up, 7:30-7:50 p.m., Jr. Fair Office at Fairgrounds 15 ~ Sale Committee, 8:00 p.m., Fairgrounds 16 ~ CARTEENS, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 17 ~ Frozen Food Delivery, 3:00-5:00 p.m. 17 ~ Sheep Fair Evaluation, 7:30 p.m. 18 ~ Senior Fair Board, 7:30 p.m., Fairgrounds 19 ~ Celebration of Youth Event, Columbus 22 ~ Poultry Fair Evaluation, 7:30 p.m. 24 ~ Horse Fair Evaluation, 7:30 p.m. 30 ~ CARTEENS, 6:30-8:30 p.m. October 1 ~ Letters Requesting Completion Grades Due 1 ~ Rabbit Fair Evaluation, 7:30 p.m. 2 ~ Senior Fair Board, 7:30 p.m., Fairgrounds 5-11 ~ National 4-H Wee 6-26 ~ Quarter Horse Congress, Columbus 7 ~ 4-H Committee, 7:00 p.m. 13 ~ Columbus Day, Office Closed 14 ~ CARTEENS, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 16 ~ COMPLETION PACKETS READY
Clubs Scheduled for Audits this Year All 4-H clubs are "audited" every three or four years. The audit looks at secretary’s and treasurer’s books to see that: 1. An accurate treasurer’s report is given at every meeting. 2. All club expenditures are approved in the minutes with a motion, second and passing vote. 3. All fund raisers are approved by the club with a motion, second and passing vote. 4. A summary of all fund raisers is recorded in the minutes. 5. The treasurer’s book and secretary’s book have matching information. The following clubs are scheduled for audits of their 2003 secretary’s and treasurer’s books: Busy Needles, Clover Power, Desperadoes, Flashes, Hartland Scramblers, Huron County Explorers, Krafty Kids, Misfit Farmers, Monroeville & Country, Norwich Fun Bunch, Peru Pioneers, Ridgfield Country Kids, Rocking H, Sherman Shamrocks & Wakeman Hi-Rollers. Secretary’s and treasurer’s books must be turned in by November 15. They may be turned in any time prior to the deadline.
Honor Club Deadline is November 17 Clubs trying for Honor Club status must submit all required materials to the Extension Office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17. All clubs will be expected to have completed programs included on the Honor Score Sheet. (Planned recognition events are no longer accepted for points.) Clubs must apply to become an Honor Club on the buff colored 2003 Huron County 4-H Honor Score Sheet. The sheet has been revised since last year. You must use the current form for submission. The sheet is two pages, stapled together. They were distributed in the club enrollment packets in February. Extra forms are available from the Extension Office. All forms will be scored by 4-H Committee members. Materials will be returned with Enrollment Packets, unless needed earlier.
Incomplete Projects Have Completion Options Many members, who were unable to attend regular judging, took advantage of absentee judging days to complete their projects. Other members went through a project interview with a superintendent at the fair to earn their completion grade. If you have a member who went through an interview, but still ends up listed as incomplete in your Completion Packet, please call the Extension Office. We will contact superintendents about the interviews. A last resort for members who have not yet completed their projects is to write a letter to the 4-H Committee. The 4-H Committee has the power to grant completion grades due to extenuating circumstances. Letters should be written by advisors for members that moved away or "disappeared" prior to project completion. The 4-H Committee will review all completion requests received by October 1. All letters should be sent to the Extension Office.
Project Completion Certificates Available FREE! Free certificates are available for advisors to recognize members for completing specific projects. The certificates have blanks to fill in the member’s name, the name of the project and the advisor’s signature. There are certificates for Beginning Level, Intermediate Level, Advanced Level, Leadership Projects, Self-Determined Projects and Discovering Projects. Certificates may be picked up at the Extension Office. Take advantage of this opportunity to give your members some well-deserved recognition.
All leftover projects not picked up from the fair are locked in the Junior Fair Office at the fairgrounds, with the exception of clothing projects, which are in the Extension Office. All leftover projects will become the property of the Junior Fair Board and will be disposed of on September 16. The Junior Fair Office will be open from 7:30-7:50 p.m. on Monday, September 15 for leftover project pick up.
National 4-H Week Celebrated October 5-11 National 4-H Week is October 5-11. Take advantage of this special week to promote 4-H in your schools and communities. Let everyone know that we are proud to be a part of 4-H!
Prices Increase for Project Books & Materials Over the past two years Ohio State University Extension has received budget reductions of over $3 million dollars. The decision has been made to continue maintaining and expanding high quality programs, rather than cut back on opportunities for youth and adults across the state. A cost recovery plan has been implemented. In order to maintain and improve 4-H project offerings, the cost of 4-H project books has increased from $2.00 to $5.00. (The cost had been scheduled to increase to $3.00 on July 1.) Resource guides and other more expensive publications will also increase in price. Please inform your members about the price increase. This could affect the number of projects each individual signs up to take.
Don’t Let Members Forget to Say Thank You Junior Fair exhibitors who received awards at the fair need to send thank you notes to their award sponsors. Livestock exhibitors who benefited from premium bids through a livestock sale need to thank their buyer(s). It is important that our members thank their benefactors. Here are two good reasons why: One is that sponsors want to know that the money they spent was appreciated. Second is that writing thank you notes is one of the life skills we try to teach our members. The Extension Office has 4-H thank you notes available for purchase. Advisors need to follow up with members to assure that proper thank you notes are sent. This should be taken care of at home, but sometimes reminders are needed.
New Cloverbud Activity Leaflet Great for Fall All clubs with Cloverbud members should have received a new activity leaflet on apples in their enrollment packet. The leaflet is sponsored by Ohio Apple Growers and is a perfect fit for Cloverbuds, especially this time of year.
Project Changes Scheduled for 2004 Projects to have new books include:
All New 4-H Volunteers Must Be Approved All new 4-H volunteers must be approved through the new process implemented in 2003. The process includes: Filling out an application, providing information on three references, being fingerprinted, providing a $15.00 money order to have fingerprints processed, attending a two hour training/orientation, signing a Volunteer Standards of Behavior form, being interviewed by Kris & Bonnie, and signing a 4-H Volunteer Job Description. Training/orientation dates have not been established at this time. Volunteer applications may be picked up at any time. Fingerprint cards and instructions are included with the applications.
Ohio 4-H Center Plans Unveiled A scale model of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center was unveiled on July 31. Currently, $9.5 million of the $12 million needed to build the center has been raised. A statewide goal was set for 100% of members and volunteer to donate. Donations are still being accepted. The 4-H Committee has donated $500 toward the Center and will give an additional 10% of profits from the sale of cookbooks, over $500.00.
National 4-H Council Source Books have Arrived The 2004 Source Books (National 4-H catalogs) have arrived. They contain several new clothing and promotional items. The books will be distributed in enrollment packets next spring, but they may be picked up now by advisors or parents who want to order Christmas presents, etc.
Shooting Sports Training Workshop October 3-5 The Ohio Shooting Sports Workshop will be held the weekend of October 3-5, 2003 at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp in Jackson, Ohio. Volunteers must attend a workshop to become certified shooting sports instructors. One discipline must be selected. Interested persons should contact the Extension Office for more information. Registration deadline is September 20. Persons interested in 4-H shooting sports should visit the following web site: http:// www.ohio4hshootingsports.org/stateleadership.htm
Collectible 4-H Critters Still Available Collectible 4-H animals are available. They are updated from the ones available last year. Species includes bear, rabbit, sheep, hog, horse, goat, chicken, cow and dog. A free Li’l 4-H Ornament comes with every Cubby bear purchase. Animals may be viewed at www.glorybe.com . Cost of the animals is $10.00 each. Contact the Extension Office to order.
Conservation Tillage Essays for Scholarships College scholarships totaling $5,000 will be awarded to three students who write essays on the benefits of conservation tillage. Phoenix Rotary Equipment is sponsoring the scholarships for the third year. Entry deadline is November 14. Contact the Extension Office for complete details.
Photos for National 4-H Calendar Contest Sought County and state fair winning photographs are being sought for the National 4-H Photo/Calendar Contest. The National 4-H Council needs winning photos from 1997-2003 to create the 2006 4-H calendar. Thirteen photographs will be selected. Contact the Extension Office for complete details.
Kids Safety Round-up in Carroll County A Kids Safety Round-up will be held at the 10th Annual Country Living Field Day in Carroll County on September 27, 2003. The Round-up will feature fun and education for kids and teens of all ages. A flyer is available from the Extension Office.
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program recognizes individuals in grades 5-12 solely on the basis of their volunteer activities. If you have a deserving member in your 4-H club, contact the Extension Office for more information. Entry deadline is October 31, 2003.
Midwest Festival of Fibers: "A Wool Gathering" The Midwest Festival of Fibers will have their annual "A Wool Gathering" on September 20-21. It will be held at Young’s Jersey Dairy, south of Springfield. There is no charge to attend. More information is available on their web site at: www.awoolgathering.com.
State 4-H Office Close-out on Centennial Items The following 4-H Centennial items are being offered at close-out prices:
Work Study Students Need in State 4-H Office The State 4-H Office wants to hire work study students starting Fall Quarter with a maximum of 20 hours per week. Hours are flexible. The jobs require a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. This job includes office clerical work and assisting with day-to-day activities. If you know any potential employees, have them contact Linda Rice at 614-292-6944.
2003 Ohio State Fair Winners from Huron Co.
Megan Hunker, Lyme Producers, 1st Place Market Lamb Showmanship, 9 year old Christopher Jeanchild, New London County Line Kids, 2nd Place Breeding Sheep Showmanship, 9-10 year old Sheep Outstanding Market Exhibitor Program
Congratulations to all of the above members who placed at the Ohio State Fair. Congratulations also to those members who qualified for state fair, but did not place. Being selected to represent Huron County at the Ohio State Fair is a great accomplishment. Thanks to everyone for making the Huron County Fair a showplace for our member’s accomplishments!
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All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L.
Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or
614-292-1868
Updated: September 2003