Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Butler County ISU Extension and Outreach | 319-267-2707 | OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm PO Box 368 320 N Main St. Allison, IA 50602 http://www.extension.iastate.edu/butler/4h

Deadline Reminders ---------------------------------- page 2

FSQA ------------------------------------------------------ page 2

Weather Related Announcements ---------------- page 2

Animal Locations --------------------------------------- page 3

Swine Exhibitor Meeting ----------------------------- page 3

4HOnline/Fair Entry Deadlines --------------------- page 3

Leaders’ Updates -------------------------------------- page 3

Thank You ----------------------------------------------- page 4

Weigh-In Dates ----------------------------------------- page 4

Scholarships --------------------------------------------- page 4

Recognition Opportunities --------------------------- page 4

Beef Conference --------------------------------------- page 5

Mark your Calendars ---------------------------------- page 5

Legislative Trip------------------------------------------ page 5

Species’ Updates -------------------------------------- page 6

Calendar -------------------------------------------------- page 7

WHAT’S INSIDE:

4-H Families,

Thank you for the great turn-out at Awards Program! All of our 4-H’ers did a wonderful job this past year and I know

we will have another great year. Let’s not forget our club leaders and volunteers! Thank you, volunteers, for all you

do!

It is past time to enroll or re-enroll for the 2015-2016 4-H year. Complete your 4HOnline enrollments as soon as

possible so you don’t miss anything. If you are a returning member and you have not re-enrolled in 4HOnline, you are

now responsible for a $20 enrollment fee. New members’ fees remain at $15.

With the new year, we begin new things. Make sure you pay attention to these newsletters, your email, and

information online so you don’t miss any opportunities. Coming up already is the recognition opportunities and

scholarship deadline on February 1. Be thinking about

your goals for 2016, what project areas you want to

explore, and what exhibits you hope to take to the 2016

Butler County Fair.

Holly Merritt

Butler County Extension

County Youth Coordinator

hmerritt@iastate.edu

2

Who: All Beef, Sheep, Dairy/Dairy Goat, Swine, Meat Goat, Poultry, and Rabbit exhibitors. This is a

REQUIREMENT, if you don’t get certified—you do not show.

Grade 4-6: must attend training each year.

Grade 7-9: can attend training each year OR complete the intermediate test.

Grade 10-12: can attend training each year OR complete the senior test.

What: Food Safety Quality Assurance training and testing dates. Choose one date to attend. All attendees will

participate in a variety of FSQA training sessions. Those who choose to test may do so at the training location or

set up an appointment with Holly to take it at the Extension Office.

Where: Hawkeye Community College Farm, Fennemann Center (north of campus

at 5503 Hammond Ave. Waterloo, IA 50701)

When: Dates for FSQA training include:

Monday, March 28—6:30-8:00 pm

Saturday, April 9— 9:00-10:30 am

Monday, April 11—6:30-8:00 pm

Saturday, April 23—9:00-10:30 am

Why: In today's world, food safety is one of animal producers' biggest

responsibilities. With over 15,000 Iowa 4-H'ers enrolled in livestock projects, about 17 million pounds of meat is

produced each year. The goal of this program is to help youth and their parents better understand what they

can do to produce the safest food possible.

RSVP: Please RSVP at least two days prior to the event to the Butler County Extension Office.

Phone: 319-267-2707

January 1 ........................................................................ Club Officer Training Due January 1 ................................................................. Early Re-enrollment Deadline January 15 .............................. Iowa Youth Beef Conference Registration Deadline January 15 .............................................................. Club Enrollment Checks Due February 1 ........................................................ Market Beef Verification Deadline February 1 ...................................... State 4-H Scholarship/Recognition Deadline February 10 ......................................................... Legislative Trip Registration Due

For any cancellations/postponements of Butler County 4-H activities due to bad weather, listen to:

Radio Stations: TV Stations:

KLMJ, Hampton KIMT, Channel 3

KQCR, Parkersburg KWWL, Channel 7

KCRG, Channel 9

4-H PLEDGE

I PLEDGE MY HEAD TO CLEARER THINKING, MY HEART TO GREATER LOYALTY, MY HANDS TO LARGER SERVICE,

AND MY HEALTH TO BETTER LIVING, FOR MY CLUB, MY COMMUNITY, MY COUNTRY, AND MY WORLD.

3

Thank you to those of you who attended the Mandatory Volunteer Training on November 12! Those that missed,

please watch for information about how to make it up online.

Please turn in all enrollment fees by January 15. Remember—any returning 4-H’er who did not have their 4HOnline re-

enrollment completed by January 1 owes $20. Please include a list of members your checks are paying for and the

amount it is paying for each member.

Winter Sports Waivers are required BEFORE you do any winter activities. Some winter activities require additional

insurance. Let me know if you plan to do any winter sport activities (sledding, skiing, ice skating, etc.) http://

www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/4-h-risk-management

Leader’s Pre-Fair Meeting—April 19 (tentative)

State Volunteer Retreat. Feb. 5-6. FREE! In Ames. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/state-volunteer-retreat

Any member who is keeping his/her livestock at a place other than home needs to notify the Extension

Office by May 15th. Email me at the office telling us where the animals are located. NO phone calls

please, we need written documentation. **If a spot check is made and animals are not at home and we

have no written documentation of where they are, those animals will not be eligible

to show.

What: Swine Exhibitor Meeting

When: January 18 at 6:00 PM

Where: Butler County Extension Office

Why: There is a new Breeding Swine Division for the 2016 Butler County Fair. This division has the non-terminal option. We want to share the rules and requirements of the revised Swine Show.

RSVP is recommended but not required. Please email Holly or call the office to let us know of your intent to attend.

4HOnline: https://iowa.4honline.com

February 1—Market Beef Verification Deadline

May 15—Identify all animals not attending a weigh-in and verify information on all market animals that attended a weigh-in. Help sheets can be found on our website or at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/4honline-information-families-and-leaders

Fair Entry: butlercounty.fairentry.com

May 20—Fair Registration Opens

May 30—Livestock Fair Registration Deadline

May 30—Fashion Review, Clothing Selection, $15 Challenge, and Share-the-Fun Registration Deadline

June 14—Static (non-livestock) Fair Registration Deadline

4

Swine Weigh-In: March 12 from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Butler County Fairgrounds. Attend the Swine Exhibitor

Meeting on January 18 for more information.

Sheep/Meat Goat Weigh-in: April 23 from 9:00-11:00 AM at the Butler County Fairgrounds. All market lambs,

commercial ewes, and state fair sheep, as well as all meat goats must attend this weigh-in.

Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarships: Seniors planning to attend college are encouraged to apply for

scholarships! The Iowa 4-H Foundation offers 82 scholarships totaling $75,350. Online applications and

materials are available at www.iowa4hfoundation.org/scholarships. Deadline February 1. Only ONE online

application is required for all state 4-H scholarships! The scholarship website also lists other scholarship

opportunities.

Butler County 4-H offers up to $500 in scholarships! Visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/butler/4h

for the application. Deadline April 1.

Butler County Pork Promoters: The Pork Promoters offer a $500 scholarship to a youth whose parents are

members. Deadline May 1.

Butler County Cattlemen Scholarships: The Cattlemen offer a $250 scholarship to a youth whose parents

or grandparents are members. Deadline May 1.

**Contact the Butler County Extension Office for more details on scholarship opportunities.**

4-H members who have parents that are members of Butler County Farm Bureau need to write Farm

Bureau a thank you for paying the $15 enrollment fee. Thanks yous can be sent to:

Butler County Farm Bureau

PO Box 248

422 N Main St.

Allison, IA 50602

Exciting opportunities are available for 9th-12th grade 4-H members to be recognized. Opportunities include

National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, State 4-H Council, and State Project Awards. For more

information, materials, and the online applications, visit the Iowa 4-H Recognition Opportunities website: http://

www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/recognition-opportunities State Recognition Day will be April 2. Interviews

will be held that day. Award recipients are recognized at the 2016 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference in June.

**Contact the Extension Office for more information.**

The deadline to apply is February 1, 2016!

MISSION STATEMENT 4-H EMPOWERS YOUTH TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH YOUTH-ADULT

5

Clothing Event and Share-the-Fun: Fashion Review/Clothing Selection/$15 Challenge judging and the

fashion show/Share-the-Fun will take place on Saturday, June 4. Registration will be on Fair Entry and will be due

May 30. Watch for more details.

Junior 4-H Camp: Scheduled for June 10-11. More details to follow.

Iowa 4-H Youth Conference: This is a great opportunity for youth who have completed 8th grade in 2016 to

network with 4-H’ers from around the state and explore things that interest them! Mark your calendars for June 28

-30 and watch for more information.

Omaha Zoo Trip: 6th-8th graders, mark your calendars for September 17-18, 2016. We are going to the Omaha

Zoo! We will campout under the sharks. Watch for more information.

Who: 6th, 7th, and 8th graders

What: Legislative Trip to Des Moines. Stops include the Justice Building, Capitol Complex, and Science Center of Iowa.

When: February 24, 2016

Cost: $40

Please contact Holly if you are interested to get your name on the list. More information and registration forms will be shared with those interested once available. Watch your emails and our website. Registration Forms will be due by February 10 to the Butler County Extension Office along with your fee.

Like us on Facebook! Find Butler County 4-H https://www.facebook.com/ButlerCountyIA4H

View our Website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/butler/4h

Join us, Saturday, January 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the beautiful Ellsworth Community College Agriculture and Renewable Energy Center, Iowa Falls. “S.T.E.M. in BEEF” is the theme this year! Youth will learn how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are involved with beef production. Cost is $5.00 per person, includes lunch. Qualifies as FSQA certification!

You don’t have to be a beef project member to come join the fun while learning more about raising and producing beef. Registration form is included in this newsletter or can be found at Franklin County Extension www.extension.iastate.edu/franklin/4h For more information contact Jackie Dohlman, CYC at jackied@iastate.edu or call 641-456-4811.

*Pre-register by January 15*

6

All 4-H/FFA animal exhibitors must be certified in FSQA, except those exhibiting only horse, pets, and/or

dog. This is required of exhibitors at county and state fair.

If you are a new swine exhibitor, you will need to get a Premise ID#. Contact the office for help.

NEW!! There will be a breeding swine division at county fair this year. The breeding swine division will be non -

terminal. Only the breeding division is non-terminal.

Please attend our Swine Exhibitor Meeting on Monday, January 18 at 6:00 pm. The meeting will take place at

the Extension Office.

Drug Affidavits are required for all swine. Remember to record all treatments given to your animals.

Weigh-In is scheduled for March 12. All derby pigs must attend. Market pigs may attend weigh-in or schedule a

visit by superintendents to supervise tagging and read ear notches.

Ear notches are required for all pigs.

Remember to Verify your market beef information in 4HOnline by February 1! If it is incorrect, I cannot change it

after this date and your eligibility may be affected.

Drug Affidavits are required for all beef animals. Remember to record all treatments given to your animals.

Breeding Beef must be ID’d in 4HOnline by May 15. If you originally weighed your heifer in as a market heifer, the

animal does NOT need to be ID’d again in 4HOnline as a breeding heifer. It just needs to be entered correctly for

the fair. All heifers MUST have birth dates listed. ALL HEIFERS WILL NEED TATTOOS IN 4HONLINE TO BE ELIGIBLE

FOR THE STATE FAIR—registered heifers must have registration number listed.

4HOnline ID required by May 15.

YOU MUST UPLOAD PHOTOS OF EACH HORSE.

The Market Lamb Pen of Three class has been changed to a Lamb Pen of Two Class.

Drug Affidavits are required for all sheep and meat goats. Remember to record all treatments given to your

animals.

Weigh-In is scheduled for April 23rd. Verify weighed animals in 4HOnline by May 15. ALL State Fair sheep (market,

commercial and purebred breeding) and meat goats (market wethers and breeding does) must attend weigh-in.

ID animals not attending a weigh-in in 4HOnline by May 15 (purebred ewes for county fair only—commercial ewes

must attend weigh-in).

4HOnline ID required by May 15.

4HOnline ID required by May 15. Pullorum testing required before fair.

4HOnline ID required by May 15. Tattoos required before fair. State Fair requires it in the left ear.

4HOnline ID required by May 15. Dogs and cats must have rabies vaccination records at fair.

OUR VISION

A WORLD IN WHICH YOUTH AND ADULTS LEARN, GROW, AND WORK TOGETHER AS CATALYSTS FOR POSTIVE CHANGE

7

January 1 Early Re-enrollment Deadline

Officer Training Due

5 4-H and Youth Advisory Committee Meeting—7pm @ Extension Office

6 Extension Council Meeting—7pm @ Extension Office

18 Swine Exhibitors Meeting—6pm @ Extension Office

20 Private Pesticide Training—1:30pm @ Christian Reformed Church

26 Radon Meeting—6:30pm @ Extension Office

February 1 Verify Market Beef on 4HOnline Deadline

State Scholarship and Recognition Opportunity Application Deadline

CYC Meeting—Holly Gone

Master Gardeners Winter Webinar on Hunger in Iowa—6:00-8:00pm @ Extension Office

3 Extension Council—7pm @ Extension Office

4 Private Pesticide Training—9:30am @ Extension Office

5-6 State Volunteer Retreat—Ames

8 Master Gardeners Winter Webinar on Working with Food Banks—6:00-8:00pm @ Extension Office

9 Commercial Ag Weed, Insect Training—1:30-3:00pm @ Extension Office

15 Master Gardeners Winter Webinar on Best Practices for Food Safety—6:00-8:00pm @ Extension Office

24 Legislative Trip to Des Moines

Seed Treatment Training—9:00-11:30am @ Extension Office

March 1-3 Hawkeye Farm Show—UNI

2 Ornamental and Turf Applicators Training—9:00-11:30am @ Extension Office

Extension Council Meeting—7pm @ Extension Office

8-9 Staff Conference—Ames

9 Certified Handlers—9:00-11:30am @ Extension Office

12 Swine Weigh-In

22 4-H and Youth Advisory Committee Meeting—7pm @ Extension Office

28 FSQA Training—Hawkeye Community College

An educational program sponsored by Iowa State University Extension & Outreach and Ellsworth Community College

for North Central Iowa youth who want to learn more about beef production will be held Saturday, January 23, at the

Ellsworth Community College Agriculture & Renewable Energy Center, south of Iowa Falls on Hwy 65 at 705

Ellsworth Ave. For a map and directions go to: http://www.iavalley.cc.ia.us/ecc/maps_directions.html. The program will

run from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM with registration beginning at 9:00 AM.

A variety of interactive workshops and sessions are being planned for youth 4th grade through 12th grade who register

for this event. Youth will learn how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are involved with beef production.

Qualifies as FSQA Certification for one year!

Cost is $5.00 per participant lunch included (Accompanying adult/s are welcome for $5 lunch fee). Please pre-register by

January 15 at your County Extension Office, or send to the address below. Registrations must include the Iowa 4-H

Medical Information/Release Form. For more information contact the Franklin County Extension Office at 641-456-

4811. Cancellation due to weather will be announced on KLMJ, KQCR, KGLO, KIAI, KLSS, KRIB, KQWC, KJYL,

and KIFG radio stations. Event must have a minimum of 20 participants to be held.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration Form North Central Iowa Youth Beef Conference January 23, 2016 – Ellsworth Agriculture and Renewable Energy Center,

Iowa Falls. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 15 with Registration fee ($5 per youth or adults attending) Fees are

non-refundable. Make checks to: Wright County Extension

Name__________________________________________________________ Grade in School______

Address_______________________________________________ County: _____________________ Street City Zip

Contact Phone Number__________________ Name of adult/s attending with you: ____________________________

Guardian Signature________________________________________________________

Return to: Franklin County Extension & Outreach Office

3 1st Ave. NW Or Call – 641-456-4811

Hampton, IA 50441 Or E-Mail – jackied@iastate.edu

Must include a copy of current Iowa 4-H Medical Information/Release Form!! Current enrolled 4-H’ers medical

form is on file in 4hOnline. Non 4-Her’s must fill out a non-member medical form, which can be found on our website

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/franklin/4h under Workshops or at your local Extension office.

The fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support the 4-H Youth Development County Extension Program. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach programs are available to all without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic

information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.