1625 Adventureland Drive Suite A, Altoona, Iowa 50009 | 515-957-5760 | Monday—Friday 8:00-5:00

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

1625 Adventureland Drive Suite A, Altoona, Iowa 50009 | 515-957-5760 | Monday—Friday 8:00-5:-00

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/POLK

CLOVER POWER JUNE 2015

POLK COUNTY EXTENSION

Headliner: Top 10 to-know list for Polk County Fair Rookies

KATIE BEARY County Youth Coordinator kbeary@iastate.edu (515) 957-5771

CARLA VANDERHEIDEN Youth & Nutrition Internal Coordinator carlav@iastate.edu (515) 957-5763

MARCI VINSAND County Youth Coordinator vinsand@iastate.edu (515) 957-5770

10. There are three first aid stations at the fair: one in the 4-H office at the north end of the 4-H Building; one in the Fair Board office at the east end of the livestock barn; and one in the horse barn at the Horse Superintendent's stall (at the southwest corner of the horse stall barn). 9. The 2015 Poultry Show is cancelled. No birds are allowed on the fairgrounds. 8. Livestock is released from the fairgrounds at 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 26. See page 3 of the Fairbook for details. 7. 4-H Building exhibits are released from the fairgrounds at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 26. This is also when clubs clean their booths, taking all projects with them and throwing away all decor, including any staples! 6. Club booth décor and setup must be done by 12:00 pm on Wednesday, July 22. 5. Clover Kid judging is show-and-tell style when they meet with their judges. 4. 4-H exhibits must have a goal sheet and entry tag attached before meeting with the judge. 3. Know when your club is scheduled to be judged in the 4-H Building; see page 28 in the Fairbook. Also know that you check-in at the front desk to receive your entry form, and then you sign up at each project area to be judged. 2. Polk County Produced Cattle Affidavits for cattle are due July 1 to the Polk County Extension Office ℅ Marci.

1. Fair Entry forms and money are due July 1 to the Polk County Extension Office.

*When in doubt check the Polk County Fair website at polkcountyfairiowa.com or call the Polk County Ex-tension Office at 515-957-5760 and ask for Carla, Katie or Marci.

I-80 EXIT 142 EASTBOUND CLOSURE

Focus Due to road construction, the eastbound on-ramp at exit 142 is closed until mid August. For eastbound traffic leaving the Polk County Extension Office, please follow the blue route posted below; it is the 143 exit.

TERRARIUM WORKSHOP

events

NEW FAMILY OPEN HOUSE WITH THE COOL CROWD

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (GDMBG) is hosting a 4-H Terrarium Workshop on Monday, July 6 from 6:00-7:30 pm at the GDMBG. Space is limited to fifteen 4-H members and the cost to attend is $15. Please register using the link: http://goo.gl/forms/VSlFxnjnmY If you want to take your terrarium to the Polk County Fair, be sure you submit the entry form by July 1!

Are you new and wondering what to do for the 2015 Polk County Fair? Stop by the Extension Office at your leisure on Thursday, June 11 from 3:00-6:00 pm or Tues-day, June 16 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm and chat with Mar-ci and Katie. Please bring your questions and relevant information with you, as this is a Q&A opportunity ra-ther than a presentation.

Want to hang out with Marci and Katie and work on your record book? The room next to Marci and Katie’s desk is available for you to work on your hard copy or digital record book from August 3-6! There will be more opportunities to hang with the cool crowd prior to Octo-ber 1, the day record books are due!

YUM! PIZZA

spotlight

CATTLE FITTING CLINIC

Johnston Forevergreens joined the Pizza Ranch staff one evening in May, bussing tables and collecting tips. They sup-ported their club well in those snazzy green shirts! Thanks for your hard work, Forevergreens!

The Bondurant Go-Getters held a cattle fitting clinic for the club over Memorial Day weekend and it was a success! Youth learned a lot about how to properly fit cattle as well as showmanship.

FOREVER BOOKS FOR KIDS

classifieds

IOWA STATE FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Fifth grader Kendall Twedt, Alleman Aces 4-H Club member, wants to make a difference in the lives of children of incar-cerated parents. Kendall joined efforts with Forever Books for Kids, one of the Ashcraft Library Projects, to collect books for the waiting room in the Polk County Jail. Kendall decided to make Forever Books for Kids a community service 4-H project for the 2015 Polk County Fair. In or-der to collect as many books as possible, he asked the Alleman Aces to help. In addition he wants to challenge all the other Polk County clubs to a competition. The Polk County 4-H club that collects the MOST books before June 30, 2015, will win a pizza and pop party provided by Kendall. Books can be dropped off at the Polk County Extension Office in Altoona until June 30, 2015. There will be a form at the donation site to indicate your club name and the number of books donated. If you have any questions regarding the book drive, please contact Cindy Twedt at 515-685-4433, or if you would like more information on Forever Books for Kids and how you can help in other ways (for example, build a bookshelf), please contact Joy Wehmas at 515-971-1323.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a fun, summer getaway that was also an opportunity to help others? You’re in luck! Indulge in the Iowa State Fair and volunteer in the 4-H Building this August 13-23, 2015. You can come for one day or stay for many! Volunteers will be given a free admissions ticket, meal vouchers, overnight lodging, and you get to spend time experiencing the Iowa State Fair! Volunteers will be assigned opportunities around the building and will have the chance to interact with other 4-Hers from all over Iowa and make new friends. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact 4hexhibits@gmail.com Volunteer Forms: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/content/state-fair-4-h-volunteer-form-0

SERVICE PROJECT FOR THE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE Celia Reece of the Levis ‘N Lace 4-H Club is making enrichment toys--containers with holes and treats inside that dogs roll around--for the Animal Rescue League (ARL). She is requesting the following supplies to make the toys: empty plas-tic containers with lids, peanut butter, wet dog food, and old baby food. If you can donate any of these items by June 30, please bring them to the Polk County Extension Office between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. To learn more about the ARL and to see a list of items that they are frequently in need of, visit: http://www.arl-iowa.org/get-involved/fetch-list-items-needed/default.aspx.

LAST CHANCE! MAKE-UP SESSION FOR FSQA TRAINING AND TESTING

POULTRY SHOW CANCELLED: COUNTY AND STATE FAIR

Animal & Livestock news

RABBIT WORKSHOP SERIES

Due to the risk of Avian Influenza, the 2015 poultry shows have been cancelled for all Iowa county fairs and the Iowa State Fair. There are other ways to present your poultry learning at the Fair; for example, Communications, Photog-raphy, etc. However, no birds are allowed on the fairgrounds. For more information, please read the State 4-H Office Press Release: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/exhibitions-birds-cancelled-2015-due-avian-influenza

All food-producing livestock exhibitors currently in grades 4-6 are required to attend FSQA training. 4-H’ers currently in grades 7-9 will be eligible to take the Intermediate Test, and 4-H’ers in grades 10-12 will be eligible to take the Senior Test. Eligibilities are no longer tied to the 4-Her’s age. This training includes exhibitors in Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, and Rabbit project areas; additionally, the train-ing includes breeding divisions of the above exhibits. Polk County will be offering a last chance FSQA Training from 1:00-3:00 pm on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. Contact Marci to reserve your place in the FSQA class.

Last rabbit workshop before fair! To register, please contact Rabbit Superintendent Bill Wolfe at (515) 556-5123.

• Sunday, June 7, 2015, 2:00-4:00 pm at the Polk Coun-ty Extension Office Topics: Carriers, Tattoos, Showmanship, General ques-tions

ATTENTION RABBIT EXHIBITORS All cages need to be cleaned and checked by the super-intendents before you leave the fairgrounds or you will forfeit your premium money.

HEALTH CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS FOR POLK COUNTY FAIR Cats and Dogs A vet will be at check-in, but a current rabies certificate is required upon arrival. A $1.00 fee will be assessed per dog. Rabbits A vet will issue a barn certificate for the rabbits and poultry. A $1.00 fee will be collected at check-in for each exhibitor in each division. Beef, Dairy Goats, Meat Goats, Horses, Sheep, and Swine The Fair Board will accept one health certificate for the entire family with multiple species listed on the certificate. Each superintendent will need to see the health certificate at check-in. *Animals not having health certificates will be excused from the fair and must be taken home.

AK-SAR-BEN The 88th Annual Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition will take place September 24-27, 2015 at the Centu-ryLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Entries are due to the Polk County Extension Office on August 11, 2015. Remember that all market animals must have gone through the verification process to be eligible to exhibit at Ak-Sar-Ben; contact Marci for more infor-mation or clarification.

ATTENTION HORSE EXHIBITORS All horse exhibitors will be required to wear ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear with chin strap and a properly fitted harness when mounted, riding, and driv-ing. Every time. Every ride.

CONFERENCE JUDGING DAY

2015 POLK COUNTY FAIRBOOK

POLK COUNTY FAIR

FORMS AND ENTRY TAGS

The fairbook and registration forms for the 2015 Fair have been updated and can be found at the Polk County Fair web-site www.polkcountyfairiowa.com. Most of the changes are highlighted in yellow. Some highlights for 2015:

NEW Pets class has been added All beef, meat goat, sheep, and swine are required to have health affidavits. They can be found at http://

polkcountyfairiowa.com/forms.html and are due at check-in. All Polk county produced cattle require an affidavit that can be found at http://polkcountyfairiowa.com/

forms.html and is due to the extension office by July 1. Digital Photography Class has been added Meat goat: market weather and market does can be exhibited Horses: new classes Sheep: all market exhibitors must have one scanned lamb Rabbit: added the Lionhead breed

Conference judging will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm in the 4-H Building. To find out the time your club is scheduled, check page 28 of the fairbook or ask your leader. No parents will be allowed in the judging area while their child is being judged. There will be staggered lunches for the judges and helpers, so expect judging to be very slow over the noon hour. We thank you ahead of time for your patience! If this is your first year exhibiting at the fair, ask fellow 4-H members or club leaders about the experience. Remember to check-in with the front desk just inside the main entrance to get your “Exhibit Building Sheet”. This is the sheet for judges to mark which ribbons you receive. It is very important to return your Exhibit Building Sheet to the information desk once your conference judging is complete – without it, you will not receive premium money after the fair.

Please read the 4-H publication “Inappropriate Food Exhibits for Iowa 4-H Fairs”, available from the Extension Office or the Polk County Fair website. These are the same rules that were instituted last year. If you are pre-paring preserved foods (canning) be sure you are using current and approved methods through the USDA guidelines by calling the ISU Answer Line 1-800-262-3804 for information.

FOOD & NUTRITION Entry tags are required for all exhibits in the 4-H Build-ing. They are available at the Extension Office. If you will be exhibiting photography, posters, or preserved foods (canning), there are specific forms or labels re-quired that can be picked up from your leader or the Extension Office. If you have old photography labels please do not use them; instead, use the updated labels found at Polk County Fair website: www.polkcountyfairiowa.com.

COPYRIGHT FORM As fair approaches, youth bringing building exhibits should be cautious when thinking about copyright/trademark is-sues. A sample letter for you to use to write to the copyright holder to get permission to use logos, trademarks, photo-graphs, etc. can be found at: http://polkcountyfairiowa.com/forms.html. The safest course of action: do not copy any-thing unless you have permission! Also, get permission prior to fair. Finally, Pinterest is creative but also tricky when it comes to copyright and permission: prepare carefully and completely.

COMMUNICATION EVENT

CLOTHING EVENT

POLK COUNTY FAIR Cont’d. Judging for the Clothing Event is scheduled for the morning of Saturday, July 11 at the Extension Office. The Cloth-ing Event consists of three divisions: Fashion Review, Clothing Selection, and the $15 Challenge.

Fashion Revue is a competition for youth who are modeling clothing they have made themselves.

Clothing Selection is a competition for youth who are modeling clothing they have purchased from a store.

The $15 Challenge is a competition for youth to choose an outfit from a garage sale, consignment store, etc. with a total cost of under $15.

Entry forms are in the downloadable Polk County Fair Entry Packet. Additional rules and regulations are in the fair-book; both of these can be found at www.polkcountyfairiowa.com. Tips for modeling and filling out reports are also available from the Extension Office.

The Communication Event will be Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Polk County Fair. This event is for everyone plan-ning on giving an Educational Presentation, demonstrating a Working Exhibit, or a senior 4-H member participating in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Communication Day entry forms can be found in the downloadable fair entry packet at www.polkcountyfairiowa.com on the same sheet as Share the Fun and Clothing Event. The deadline to submit entry forms is July 1.

Consider adapting a presentation you have done for your club. This event is a great way to share your interests and knowledge with others. Judges can select up to six Educational Presentations, four Working Exhibits and two Extem-poraneous Speakers for the Iowa State Fair.

In past years, Communication Posters have been judged on conference judging day, but this year they will be judged during the Communications Event. Please remind 4-H’ers that they will need to put Communication Poster entries on the Communications Event form, NOT the 4-H Exhibit Building entry form (the old blue sheet). The top two posters are eligible to go to the Iowa State Fair. This year’s poster themes are:

4-H is… (open to 4-H’ers interpretation) Join 4-H

Dare to Discover (The 2015 State 4-H Conference theme) 4-H, Nothing Compares (The Iowa State Fair theme)

COUNTY FAIR BBQ PANCAKE BREAKFAST The BBQ is on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 from 6:00-7:30 pm in the 4-H Exhibit Building. It is free-will donation to raise funds for the 4-H Advisory Board to help cover the cost of youth recognition and scholarships. Your gener-osity is very much appreciated! Natural Resources Con-servation Service will hand out scholarships prior to the 2015 King and Queen coronation beginning at 7:00 pm on the stage in the 4-H Exhibit Building.

The County Council is hosting a pancake breakfast for 4-Her’s and their families on Friday, July 24, 2015 from 7:00-9:00 am in the 4-H Exhibit Building. Plan to support the County Council by attending the breakfast and arrive hungry!

Clubs may decorate their club booths in the 4-H building on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 pm. All club booths are judged* on their decorations, which will take place on Wednesday after 12:00 pm. Removal of all booth decorating material is expected to be done on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 2:00 PM. *We know that not all 4-H exhibits will be back in the booth by judging time. Booths are not judged on quantity or quality of exhibits; rather, the theme and décor is judged.

EXHIBIT CHECK-OUT

CLUB BOOTHS

POLK COUNTY FAIR cont’d.

All static exhibits (aka 4-H building exhibits) are to re-main at the fairgrounds until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 26, 2015. Members are responsible for picking up their exhibits at that time or making arrangements for someone else to get them. It is not the responsibility of the Extension staff to take any extra exhibits back to the Extension Office.

SHAKE IT OFF, SHAKE IT OFF!

The County Council is hosting a dance for youth in grades 9-12 during the 2014-2015 school year. Dance the night away on Saturday, July 25 from 9:00 pm to 12:00 am (midnight) at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in the Annex of the 4-H Building. Admission is $5.00 or $3.00 with two canned food items.

CLOVER DASH 5K JOYFULLY MOVING WITH OUR HEAD AND HANDS FOR OUR HEART AND HEALTH

Join us for the first annual Polk County Clover Dash 5K. This race is in memory of Joy Niklasen, former Polk County Youth Coordinator. She was a caring adult who gave energy and sparkle to Polk County 4-H. An enthusiastic leader, Joy represented the Extension Office on the Polk County 4-H Advisory Board, planned different workshops for the county, and helped coordinate the Polk County Awards Ceremony. This race celebrates Joy’s involvement with Polk County 4-H by using the phrase “Joyfully moving with our head and hands for our heart and health.” Race proceeds will provide scholarships for Polk County 4-H youth to attend 4-H workshops, camps, and conferences. Invite your friends and family to run. Run with your club. Prizes will be awarded for age division winners as well as best club green-out attire, best individual costume, and most club participants. Early registration ends June 25, and the packet pick-up location on July 24 has changed to Fleet Feet Sports located at 521 E Locust in Des Moines from 4:00-7:00 pm. For more information: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/polk/news/1st-annual-clover-dash See you at the starting line!

DECORATE-A-BALE CONTEST

WANTED: NOTETAKERS

POLK COUNTY FAIR CONt’d.

Remember to decorate a bale for your club (or individ-ual) to have a chance to win the $20 grand prize! Cost is $1 to be paid at the time of judging. Judging will take place Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 10:00 am. Rules for contest are in the Contest Division in the fairbook.

ATTENTION: Parents, grandparents, leaders, teachers, or any friends of 4-H! On Wednesday, July 22, 2015 learn first-hand what a judge looks for in a particular project/exhibit area on Conference Judging Day by taking notes on judges’ comments. Blocks of time will be: 8:20-10:10 AM, 10:00-11:50 AM, 11:40 AM-1:30 PM and 1:20-3:10 PM please choose a time other than the period of time when club members you know are as-signed to be evaluated in the 4-H building. Help us out by encouraging other caring adults you know! Clover Kid parents and leaders are welcome as note takers, too, as it is a great learning opportunity about the different project areas. Here are the project areas to choose from:

· Ag, Animal & Natural Resources/Science, Engineering & Technology · Child Development, Consumer Management & Health · Clothing, Sewing, Needle Arts · Food & Nutrition · Home Improvement · Horticulture (vegetables & floral) · Music & Visual Arts · Personal Development · Photography

To sign up or ask questions, please contact Katie.

Help Needed—Youth Opportunity!

We are looking for youth to help in the 4-H building on

conference judging day. Jobs include helping with the

bake sale, running projects, helping set up displays and

other jobs on judging day and throughout the fair. Please

contact Katie.

ANYTHING GOES CONTEST The most wild and exciting competition of the fair! On Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 8:00 pm in the Horse Arena, clubs have an opportunity to compete for the $20 grand prize! Scoring is based on speed through a se-ries of challenging games. Entry fee is $1 per club. All participants must be enrolled in a Polk County 4-H club or FFA chapter.

KING ARTHUR CUPCAKE CONTEST King Arthur Flour will be sponsoring another Cupcake Contest at the county fair this year. First place in the adult cate-gory will receive a $75 gift certificate and the youth category will receive a $50 gift certificate. Rules are posted on the county fair website, www.polkcountyfairiowa.com.

GIFT BASKET SILENT AUCTION The Polk County Advisory Board will be hosting a Gift Basket Silent Auction. Gift baskets will be on display during the fair. Proceeds will provide funds that the Advisory Board uses to promote and grow our Polk County 4-H Program. Bas-kets can be provided by individuals, clubs, or businesses. Any individual or group interested in providing a basket must pledge their participation by June 15 by contacting Katie. So far, basket themes range from beach to breakfast!

WANTED: NOTETAKERS

NEW RECORD BOOK WORKSHOPS

Attention: leaders! Are you curious about the new record book rubrics and the new digital option? Join the Record Book Committee on Monday, June 15 from 6:00-8:00 pm or Saturday, June 27 from 9:30-11:30 am at the Polk County Extension Office to learn more! We will actively get to know the new rubrics and will break out into a few fun, techie sessions! Bring a tablet or laptop if possible, and be prepared to leave confident in your ability to explain the new rubrics! Please register: http://goo.gl/forms/m1bj6TB9Kd

ATTENTION: Parents, grandparents, leaders, teachers, or any friends of 4-H! On Wednesday, July 22, 2015 learn first-hand what a judge looks for in a particular project/exhibit area on Conference Judging Day by taking notes on judges’ comments. Blocks of time will be: 8:20-10:10 AM, 10:00-11:50 AM, 11:40 AM-1:30 PM and 1:20-3:10 PM please choose a time other than the period of time when club members you know are as-signed to be evaluated in the 4-H building. Help us out by encouraging other caring adults you know! Clover Kid parents and leaders are welcome as note takers, too, as it is a great learning opportunity about the different project areas. Here are the project areas to choose from:

· Ag, Animal & Natural Resources/Science, Engineering & Technology · Child Development, Consumer Management & Health · Clothing, Sewing, Needle Arts · Food & Nutrition · Home Improvement · Horticulture (vegetables & floral) · Music & Visual Arts · Personal Development · Photography

To sign up or ask questions, please contact Katie.

… and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

JUNE JULY AUGUST

Calendar 2014-2015 2 4-H Program Advisory Board 7:00 pm 3 County Council Meeting 7:00 pm 6 King/Queen Candidate Inter-

views 7 Rabbit Workshop 2:00-4:00

pm 11 New Family Open House 3:00

-6:00 pm 15-17 State Photography Camp 15 Silent Auction Basket themes

due to Katie 16 Leaders’ New Record Book

Workshop 6:00-8:00 pm 17 New Family Open House 9:00

am-12:00 pm 17-20 Region 13 Taste of Camp 17 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm 22-24 Intermediate Trip 27 Leaders’ New Record Book

Workshop 9:30-11:30 am 30- State 4-H Conference July 2

1 Polk County & Iowa State Fair Entries Due to Extension Office

3 Office Closed 7 4-H Program Advisory Board

7:00 pm 8 County Council Meeting 7:00

pm 8 Fair Board Meeting 7:30 pm 11 Clothing Event 22-27 Polk County Fair 25 Polk County Clover Dash 5K

3-6 Youth can work on record books with Marci and Katie

13-23 Iowa State Fair