ISU Extension Clay CountyDecember 2012

The Spark-

Lives of great significance begin with a SPARK, a nudge, a gesture...

Greetings!

 

There are a lot of exciting things happening in Clay County 4-H!  Be sure to visit our website and "like" our Facebook page to be kept up-to-date on all the happenings in Clay County.  
 
Did you recently attend a 4-H event or want to check out pictures of the Clay County Fair?  All photos taken are posted here.  This is a safe, private site for 4-H members and their families to view pictures from all Clay County 4-H events. 


General Information

 

Enrollment

Exciting changes, medical forms and code of ethics are online.  Click here to enroll today!

 

Committee Members: You also need to enroll in 4-H Online! 

 

If you have forgotten which email address you use to log in, do not create a new log in, email xclay@iastate.edu.

     

 

Enrollment Help Nights:

It is time to enroll/re-enroll in the Clay County 4-H Program. 

 

Enrollments must be done in 4-H online and if paid before February 1st are only $25.00 thanks to our sponsors: Max Yield Cooperative and Clay County Extension Council. 

 

If you would like help enrolling or re-enrolling in the Clay County 4-H program, please attend one of our Enrollment Help Nights.  We can help with log in issues, help choose project areas or just familiarize you with the 4-H online enrollment system. 

 

Enrollment Help Nights will be held January 17th and 31st from 5pm-7pm at the Clay County Extension Office. 

 

Can't make it to one of these nights?  Feel free to give our office a call at 712-262-2264 or stop in during normal business.  Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm.

 

Youth Council

Applications for the 2013 Clay County 4-H Youth Council are due by February 1, 2013.  Visit this webpage for more information!   

 

Attention 6th-8th Graders!  

 

 The Intermediate PLUNGE! Adventure to the Iowa 4-H Camping Center is for 6th - 8th grade youth from Region 1 in Northwest Iowa who want to build friendships, strengthen their leadership skills and have fun!   

We will board a chartered bus on April 26th after school and return home on Saturday night, the 27th. 

 

When we reach the Iowa 4-H Center at  Madrid, Iowa,  we will start our adventure with a night hike, go on a nature adventure, scale the high ropes course and experience the thrill of the zip line!  We will also have a chance to work with college role models and participate in a service project at the camp. 

 

Have a blast... make a difference with your friends... PLUNGE into leadership!  Join us for the Intermediate PLUNGE! Adventure!

 

Livestock Project Areas

 

Scramble Calf Sign Up

 

It's time to enroll in the 2012-2013 Scramble Calf Project.  The purpose of the Scramble Calf project is to provide an educational beef production experience for beef project members and to also provide a mentoring opportunity.  4-H & FFA beef project member guidelines for the scramble calf program can be found in the 4-H & FFA Fair Book. To sign up for the scramble calf project, simply call 262-2264, email ajepsen@iastate.edu or stop in the Extension Office located at 110 W 4th St, Spencer.


Beef Weigh In

Market Beef Weigh In will be held on December 29th from 9:00am to 12:00 pm at the Spencer Livestock Sale Barn.  This year there are no limits on scramble calf.  If you cannot  come to this weigh in, please contact the Clay County Extension Office for a list of other counties weigh in dates.   Please call 262-2264 for an appointment.  Eartags are $1.50 and Ak-Sar-Ben and State Fair verification is $5.00 per head.

Clay County Seniors  

 

Are you planning to continue educational opportunities following high school graduation? We would like to encourage you  to apply for scholarships sponsored by the Clay County 4-H Youth Council and Clay County Bankers Association. 

 

The Clay County 4-H Youth Council and the Clay County Bankers Association are pleased to be able to offer scholarships to Clay County 4-H members. 

 

You do not have to be a member of the Youth Council to apply for this Scholarship.

 

An interview, 4-H recordkeeping system, and the written application will be used in the selection process.  The interviews will be held in late February at the Clay County Extension Office.    

 

County Scholarships 

Clay County 4-H Scholarship applications are due by February 1st to the Clay County Extension Office 110 West 4th Street, Suite 100 Spencer, IA  51301

Application is available at this site.

 

State Scholarships 

State scholarship opportunities are available at this site.  

 

Hixon Scholarship 

Attending Iowa State??? This site has information about Hixon Scholarship opportunities

 

Volunteering Opportunities


Volunteers are needed for 4-H Find Out Day!  Youth can volunteer with their clubs or if they would like to volunteer by talking about a project area they are passionate about, they can do that as well.  If they want to help with their club, they would need to contact their club leader.  If they want to help with project area, contact Anissa. We would need to know by December 31st if youth are planning to volunteer, e-mail Anissa if you would like to volunteer!  

 

County & State Recognition  


Record Books:


Clay County Extension encourages 4-Hers to be creative with their record keeping systems.  You DO NOT have to use the forms provided on the Extension website and we ENCOURAGE originality when it comes to sharing your 4-H experience!   Recordkeeping info is available for download on the Clay County Extension website and record keeping worksheets and materials are also available at the Clay County Extension Office.  Check with your clubs for deadlines, record keeping systems are due to the Extension Office by January 4th, 2013, so it's a good time to be working on them. 

4-H Awards Program:

The 4-H Awards Program will be held in early March 2013 to recognize the achievements of Clay County 4-Hers.  More information will be posted as it becomes available.
 
State Recognition and Trips:
Visit the Iowa 4-H Website to see all of the exciting State Recognition Opportunities!

 

If you would like to apply, a packet of information is available online or at the extension office.  The state selection process for the above opportunities will involve:

  • completing an application form including 5 short answer questions;
  • gathering and putting together 2 pages of written support material (see the application for format);
  • an interview at the state level.

The application deadline is February 1.  The interviews will be tentatively scheduled for March 25. 

 

Stop by the extension office and pick up an application packet!
Remember, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the 4-H program, deadlines, requirements or exhibit and project help, please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you and making this the best 4-H Year Ever.
  
Sincerely,


Anissa Jepsen

ISU Extension Clay County  

 

 

Clay County 4-H
Youth Coordinator

Anissa Jepsen
712-262-2264

In This Issue
Enrollment & Fair Results
Livestock Project Areas
Clay County Seniors
Leadership
County Recognition

Find us on Facebook


Resources

Shooting Sports Informational Meeting January 10th

Clay County 4-H Shooting Sports will be holding an informational meeting for all youth, grades 4th - 12th to learn more about the Shooting Sports Program.  January 10th, 6:00 at the Spencer Community School Administration Building.

Help Wanted!

We are looking for Intermediate and Senior 4-Hers to volunteer for a new Clover Kids program this winter as well as various SpIn Events!  Call our office at 262-2264 with any questions.

Looking for a Poultry Producer?

4-Hers interested in showing exhibition birds who are having trouble locating show quality stock may contact Zachary Westhoff at 712-540-4233 or at aoccl@iastate.edu.  He also answers questions about meat & layer pens.


Thank you to
 Max Yield Cooperative for being a
4-H donor!



4-H Swimming/Ice Skating Party

Sioux, Lyon, Osceola, O'Brien, Clay & Dickinson  

Thursday, December 27, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sioux Center All-Season Center

Join other 4-H youth from around the area for a fun day of swimming, skating, food, friends and fun activities!