4-H Families & Supporters, When did July get here? Sorry this newsletter is a couple days behind schedule. The 50th Annual BBQ was a busy week of getting prepared, but it was a hit! This newsletter contains very important information you need to know for upcoming workshops and fairs. Your handbook is also a great resource for information on classes, requirements for miscellaneous projects, and much more! July will be busy so make sure to stay up-to-date on your deadlines!
Jaylynn Maxey Cumberland County 4-H Program Coordinator UPCOMING DATES: July 4—Office Closed for Independence Day July 4–Facebook Live Video of winners and BBQ goal, 8:30 PM July 10—Sheep Showmanship Workshop, 6:30 PM July 12—General Project Show and 4-H Cookout July 14—Fair Clean-up, 9 AM July 14—Federation meeting following fair clean-up July 16—Dog Obedience Workshop, 6 PM July 19-24—Livestock fair, Coles County Fairgrounds July 19—Fair Weigh-in 6:30 PM All beef moved in 7 :00 PM All goats moved in 7:30 PM All sheep/llamas moved in 8:00 PM All pigs moved in July 27—Poultry Cookout, 6 PM August 9-19—Illinois State Fair August 11—Cumberland County 4-H Day at State Fair University of Illinois * US Department of Agriculture * Local Extension Councils Cooperating College of Agricultural, Consumers, and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected under federal statute Title 18, U.S. Code 707. Your family's 4-H membership records are confidential; U of I Extension does not sell, rent or trade email addresses.
Neoga Days held their parade on Saturday, July 16. 4-H members from across the county joined the Work & Play 4-H Club to represent Cumberland County 4-H in the parade. Members, volunteers, and parents passed out candy and postcards advertising the 50th BBQ that was coming up. Thank you to all who helped represent Cumberland County 4-H!
On Friday, June 15 the Volkswagens rolled into Greenup for the VW Festival sponsored by the Greenup Chamber of Commerce! Busses, bugs, and other VW vehicles paraded through town to show off their vehicles. 4-H federation members volunteered at the festival by directing traffic and the parade along the streets of Greenup. Thank you to the members who helped!
Jordynn Rowlee of the Springpoint Rebels 4-H Club went to the State Public Speaking Contest on Saturday, June 9 in Decatur. Jordynn gave her illustrated speech on cheerleading. Members who participated presented their speech to judges and a panel of peers. By learning and growing together, members will accomplish more. Way to go Jordynn! Pictured right is Jordynn with her bag of 4-H gear she received for participating in the contest. Pictured left is Jordynn as she gives her speech to the judges and audience.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the BBQ! It was a giant success because of all your hard work. I will be doing a LIVE Facebook Video on the 4th of July around 8:30 PM to announce how many meals were sold, the winners of the flyer and ticket sales contest, and more!
July 14, Saturday July 19, Thursday July 20, Friday July 21, Saturday
LIVESTOCK SHOW SCHEDULE 9 AM Fair clean-up at Charleston 6:00 – 8:00 pm Livestock weigh-in 5:00 pm Rabbit Show 7:00 pm Poultry Show 8:00 am Swine Show 11:00 am Sheep Show 3:00 pm Beef Show 6:00 pm Rocket Launch 6:30 pm Family Fun Night 12:00 pm Goat Show
July 22, Sunday
3:00 pm Cat Show 5:00 pm Small Pet Showcase
July 23, Monday
LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS: Fair clean-up will be Saturday, July 14 at the Coles County Fairgrounds. Bring rakes, shovels, wheel barrows, and your family to help us get all the pens set-up for the shows.
6:00 pm Master Showmanship 10:00 am Dog Show 2:00 pm Llama Show 6:00 pm Carcass Show, Hartrichs – St. Marie
July 24, Tuesday
9:00am Horse Show
5:00 pm General Projects Silent Auction 6:00 pm Auction
**NEW THIS YEAR** Livestock Move In Times
Have a question about what you should exhibit for your project? Check out your 4H Handbook for all the rules and exhibit guidelines about what your project requires! If you have questions, contact Jaylynn at jmaxey2@illinois.edu or call the office at 849-3931.
To help keep the weigh-in an efficient process, this year move in times will be implemented. All the animals of that specie must be moved in by the designated time below. Animals can be moved in any time before the time listed below, but MUST be present on the fairgrounds by designated time. 6:30 p.m….…………………………………...All beef moved in 7:00 p.m…………………………………….. All goats moved in 7:30 p.m………………………………Sheep and llama moved in
8:00 p.m. ……………………………………All swine moved in
PAY ATTENTION! ATTENTION
Livestock exhibitors must bring livestock records for each specie, health papers for animals (see Handbook if you are unsure if you need health papers), and registration papers for purebred classes.
General Projects Show Thursday, July 12 Toledo Christian Church Beginning at 1 PM Public Viewing of projects begins at 5 PM Family Fun Night with games and meal following show! Bring the whole family for food, fun, and fellowship with other 4-H families across the county! Please let Jaylynn or the office (849-3931 or jmaxey2@illinois.edu) know if you intend to stay and eat. Casey State Bank has sponsored the meat, so every family is encouraged to bring a covered dish. Federation will be putting together games for all members to enjoy. This will be a night you don’t want to miss!
Mark your calendars! Betty Hargis of the Coles County Dog SPIN Club will be giving Cumberland County 4-H members a crash course in dog obedience on Monday, July 16 at 6 PM in the basement of Fetchers Pet Store in Charleston (320 6th St, Charleston, IL 61920) . This will be a trainer only workshop, so please leave your dogs at home. This will help members absorb as much information as possible for the show a week later on the 23rd. Please RSVP by July 12at the General Project Show. This is a great opportunity to learn what is expected of you in the dog show.
On Tuesday, July 10 there will be a Sheep Showmanship Workshop for member of all ages. This workshop begins at 6:30 PM. Please RSVP by July 9. It is a great opportunity for new members or experienced members to brush up on their skills - especially those hoping to compete for Master Showman. Ethan Smith will be leading the workshop. The location is his farm: 3174 East 825 north Road, Stewardson, IL 62463. Find direction below! Directions: As you are headed west out of the main road in Neoga towards Highway 32, at the first stop sign (Troll Bridge Rd) you turn right. Go one mile north and turn left onto 800. Follow this road till the end past the dead end sign. There will be signs, so be on the lookout!
This one is for the Poultry exhibitors and those interested in learning more about owning and showing poultry. On Friday, July 27 there will be a Poultry Tour and Cookout beginning at 6 PM. Please RSVP by July 23 to the Extension Office. This is a night for anyone currently taking the poultry project or interested in poultry as a project. Poultry superintendent Andy Potter has graciously invited any 4-H member with an interest in poultry to his 5-acre bird farm called Genesis Aviaries in Neoga. Andy and his family have shown in 4-H shows as well as many bigger shows around the state. Please bring a covered dish and we will have a cookout and watch the birds as the sun sets. Talk about a great opportunity to learn from some egg-sperts! The address is 3421 East 625 N Road, Neoga.
BBQ T-SHIRTS MONEY DUE If you have not paid for your BBQ t-shirt or picked it up, please do so by the day of the General Project Show. We are trying to finalize BBQ numbers for the report. Cumberland County 4-H is the flagship youth-development program of University of Illinois Extension. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event mentioned in this newsletter, or to unsubscribe, please email jmaxey2@illinois.edu or phone 217/849-3931. Visit the office at 102 S. Meridian, Toledo, IL 62468. Mailing address is P.O. Box 218. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.; Fridays are by appointment only.
The next Federation meeting will be Saturday, July 14 after fair cleanup. Members will meet after the clean-up to decide on a restaurant to eat at. Join us for a meeting and fun! Federation is an awesome opportunity to be involved at a county level. It also provides a means of communication between your club and the Federation members so that your club always is up-to-date on what activity will happen next. Not only does Federation plan county events, they do community service activities and go on a trip at the end of the year. Call the Extension Office (217/849-3931)
Volunteers are an important part of 4-H. Your 4-H club leaders are volunteers who help support you all year around. In each newsletter, you will see a leader highlighted. This month we highlight Jay Maxey. Jay has been the leader of the Raisin’ Kane 4-H Club for 4 years. Jay's favorite part about being a leader is being a positive influence to the youth. Jay is a farm laborer as well as the Union Township Supervisor and Secretary of the Greenup Area Fire Protection District Board. Jay’s favorite time of the year is fall because is it harvest time where he is able to reap what he has sewn. His favorite quote is “If you love your freedom, thank a veteran.” Jay said if he could be anyone for a day he would be Dak Prescott. Jay defines success as being able to go to bed and go to sleep with a clear conscious and no regrets. Her favorite place to eat is Taco bell. Something you might not know about Jay... He is the biggest Chicago Cubs and Dallas Cowboy fan on Earth. Thank you Jay for helping lead 4-H members and all that you do for our 4-H program!
Check out the masters at this year’s state fair Each county may send one entry into the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest. The contest begins at 7:30 PM Friday, Aug. 10. Exhibitors must be at least 14 and no older than 18 (as of 9/1/17). You need to supply your own animals for the contest, but may make arrangements to borrow animals from exhibitors at the fair. Top prize is $500. The contest is sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau and RFD Radio.
Apply to be an America’s Promise youth leader
America’s Promise is looking for two young people (age 16-22) to serve on the Board of Directors for this national organization supported by National 4-H! Youth will attend annual meetings in Washington DC, have full voting rights on the leadership board, and play a valuable role in shaping the group’s strategic direction. Learn more and apply online before July 20 @ http://www.americaspromise.org/
Shooting Sports volunteer training on target for Oct. 13-14 Adults interested in teaching the shooting sports to young people should attend the fall adult volunteer certification training for the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program Oct. 13-14 at 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age. Cost is $125. Volunteers must register through their local U of I Extension office. Volunteers must be present for all hours of the training to receive their certification. There are six concentrations of study, and volunteers must choose only one discipline to attend per session. These include archery, rifle, shotgun, pistol, and hunting and wildlife, as well as the overall county coordinator training. Remember, volunteers will work with their local Extension 4-H staff to establish or add to an existing shooting sports program in the county. Learn more about the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program at: https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/programs/shooting-sports . Registration opens in September.
College isn’t the end of your 4-H career If you are a 4-H’er or know a 4-H’er heading to University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana campus OR University of Illinois, Springfield campus, check out Collegiate 4-H! Collegiate 4-H (C4H) is a registered student organization with clubs that provide opportunities to continue strengthening your leadership skills and be engaged in service to others. In addition to the leadership and service benefits, C4H also creates an opportunity for positive social engagement with other college students who, like you, have been a part of 4-H. If interested, contact: University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana, Collegiate 4-H Club President – Cara Thiems @ illinois4H@illinois.edu University of Illinois – Springfield, Collegiate 4-H Club President – K’Lynn Brown @ sang4hmetro@gmail.com
National 4-H Week theme announced! Illinois will be joining 6 million other 4-H members in celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 7 -13 using the National 4-H Council theme: Inspire Kids to Do. Start those wheels turning as you consider how to incorporate that into your celebration.
Making the best in each of us better Making the best in each of us better PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, EMOTIONALLY & PHYSICALLY Young children experience their world through their relationships with parents and other caring adults. When those relationships provide safe and caring environments, children are more likely to thrive socially, emotionally and physically. But, what happens when these essential relationships are not safe and caring? We all can think of long-term impacts living in negative environments can have on a child’s development. Harmful childhood experiences put youth at risk for poor healthy development, which can lead to chronic diseases, depression and other mental health issues. Without question, every child enrolled in 4-H should experience a safe and caring environment. As a 4-H volunteer, family or member, safety is your #1 priority. This is the most basic need for healthy youth development. Youth participating in 4-H clubs and activities should not fear physical or emotional harm whether from the club’s learning environment itself or from adults, other club members, or spectators. 4-H programs need to be free from physical danger to the best extent possible, and adequately equipped for the activities taking place.
The 4-H environment needs to be emotionally safe so 4-H members are not afraid they will be made fun of, insulted, bullied or threatened. Simple steps to take to ensure emotional and physical safety in a 4-H club include:
Prior to any program, consider possible risks involved and eliminate or manage those risks. Do not tolerate bullying, cliques, threats, ever, under any circumstance! Stop put-downs, insults, ridicule immediately! Be consistent in how you deal with misbehavior. Make sure all adults assisting with the club are trained in safety and child protection. Talk to club members about ways to improve the club environment to ensure every child feels included and safe. Periodically go over the behavior guidelines and explain these are in place to keep everyone safe. It’s Time to Start Bragging on Yourself I know, I know – we’re always taught to be humble, but when it comes to 4-H award applications, you need to brag on yourself a bit and tell us what you’ve accomplished over the past 4-H year! Whether you are a first-year 4-H member or tenured member with seven or more years under your belt, the end of the 4-H year is right around the corner. It’s time to focus on pulling together information for your 4-H award applications. Even younger members can submit the 4-H Experience Application and be eligible for 4-H recognition. Older members can submit both the 4-H Experience Application and the Illinois 4-H Award Application to be eligible for state recognition, scholarships, and/or trips. The Illinois 4-H Experience Award Application focuses on all of those events and activities that you have experienced during the 4-H year in four areas: Participation, Community Service, Leadership, and Project Learning. Depending upon the type and number of experiences you can report on, members can receive recognition on the Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond or Emerald Clover Award level. Your family calendar, 4-H notes or county summary, checkmarks, and a few written details are all that’s needed for even the youngest members to submit this application. This application can be found @ https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/members/awards. Also found at that link is the Illinois 4-H State Award Application, the application for statewide competitive awards. Many counties also use this application for their county 4-H awards; check with your 4-H leader or local Extension office to check on your county’s requirements. This application is also used for our state 4-H Award selection process, so those members who are 15 and above by September 1 are encouraged to check out this application. Members may apply in any or all of the five award categories: Communications, Community Service, Leadership, Personal Growth, and/or Project Mastery. State winners in these categories can receive educational scholarships or trips to national events.
Several other 4-H award applications are also posted on that webpage; many for older members. Check them out and contact your local Extension office for local deadlines and information. Each 4-H member has a story to tell and are eligible for our 4-H awards program – tell YOUR stories and see where they take you!