This class is open to any adult foods project leader, any adult interested in becoming a foods judge and Butler County 4-H Foods Project Junior Leaders. This is not open to all 4-H members.
Category: March 2016
Important Dates
April 19th – Food Judges Workshop, 4-H Building at 5:30 p.m.
April 21 – Youth PQA Training (last opportunity), 7:00 p.m. at 4-H Building
April 29—Meat Goat and Market Sheep Tagging 4:30 pm-6:00 pm
April 30—Meat Goat and Market Sheep Tagging 8:30 am—9:30 am
May 2—Market Beef nominations due to be able to participate in State shows
May 2—Horse ID papers Due
May 24 – Mini-Fair
May 31-June 3—Discovery Days
June 1- Pre-Entry due for Spring Horse Show
June 3 – 4-H Camp Counselors go to 4-H Camp
June 4-7—4-H Camp
June 8-11 – K-State Animal Science Leadership Academy Session 1
June 11—Spring Horse Show
June 15—Dairy ID papers Due into Extension Office
June 15 – Commercial Heifer, Swine, Sheep, & Meat Goat Nominations Due to be eligible to participate in State Shows
June 29 – July 2 – K-State Animal Science Leadership Academy Session 2
June 29 – Registration deadline for poultry testing
July 6 – Pullorum Typhoid Testing for Poultry – REQUIRED to be able to participate in the Butler County Fair. (4:30 pm-6:00 pm at Butler Co. Fair Grounds). Registration required by 5:00 p.m., June 29
July 16—Fair Horse Show
July 23—Fair Fashion Review
July 29-August 4—County Fair
Leader’s Lounge
Calling all Community Leader’s!
Can you believe we are almost half way through the 4-H Year! We are in the 6th month and your clubs should be going strong!
Discovery Days
4-H Camp
4-H Camp Scholarship Applications are due into the Extension Office by May 2nd. All camp information can be found here: http://www.butler.k-state.edu/4-h/camp.html. Remember, you don’t have to be a 4-H’er to go to 4-H Camp! Have your 4-H’ers bring some friends along!
State 4-H Sewing Camp
Come join us for the 5th annual State 4-H Sewing Camp! It will be held on the K-State Campus in Manhattan. This year’s Specialty Camp is designed for youth that have mastered basic sewing skills and are ready to challenge themselves to learn new and more advanced skills. The camp offers 4-H members and their friends an opportunity to learn and build confidence in the Clothing and Textiles project.
Shooting Sports News
Shotgun Project: A weekend shotgun course is scheduled for Saturday, April 2. Minimum age for participation is set at 12 years, but if you are less than 12, but are large enough to handle your shotgun, you can still participate by getting prior approval from the lead instructors, Bruce McCune (775-0801) or Rocky Kasper (734-9323). Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, March 30, using one of the shooting sports enrollment forms in the shooting sports flyer, available at the Extension Office or online at the Butler County Extension Service website, www.butler.ksu.edu.
2016 Fair Changes & Information
The Butler County Fair Board is hard at work reviewing the Fair Book for the 2016 Fair. Here are a couple changes they have asked me to share.
Let’s Get Healthy With Herbs!
Let’s Get Healthy With Herbs! You can learn how to grow and use them! You won’t want to miss out on this fun and educational opportunity!
On Tuesday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Butler County Community Building, 200 N. Griffith, El Dorado, KS, Kay Neff, owner of Neff Family Farms, will share her vast knowledge of all things herbal. Kay will not only be giving tips on what herbs grow here and how to grow them, she will also be sharing recipes and have a good selection of herbs for sale for those in attendance.
Walk Kansas
Walk Kansas is Coming….Grab Your Walking Shoes and Let’s Go!
April 3 through May 28th
Do you want to feel better and have more energy? Maybe you need to blow off some steam after a stressful day or need to get better sleep? Regular exercise, along with healthy food choices, can help you do this. Join us for Walk Kansas 2016 and enjoy fitness, food and fun!
What Does a Ribbon Mean
In 4-H, we use the “Danish” system for ribbon placing. This means that exhibits are not judged “against” each other but rather they are evaluated according to a standard. In this system, judging begins at the white ribbon level.
4—White ….indicates average work. Project may need some work to be competitive.
3—Red….indicates average work, has a few weaknesses which need improvement. Project meets the minimum standards. It shows honest effort has been made.
2– Blue….indicates above average work, has minor problems. Project has exceeded minimum standards.
1—Purple…. indicates superior work, no serious errors. Project is outstanding on all standards.
Having one’s accomplishments evaluated can be motivating and educational for 4-H’ers. When judges critique their work or performance, it serves as a guide to further improvement. The judging process is probably more valuable than the award or recognition. To plan, practice, and present a finished product is to “learn by doing.” To graciously accept constructive criticism of one’s work is a real life experience. 4-H’ers learn quickly that judging results reflect a personal opinion, and that evaluation will vary among judges. (http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/pdfs/4h/e148/425-428.pdf)
Youth Pork Quality Assurance
SWINE
Youth PQA training has been scheduled and is required for all swine exhibitors. The second and final class will be held on April 21st at 7:00 pm. Class will be at the 4-H Building. Call into the Extension Office to RSVP.
If your 4-H age is 8 or older and you cannot attend one of these two classes, you can complete the training online. Information can be found here: http://www.butler.k-state.edu/4-h/pqa.html
It’s Time to Spring
Mother Nature continues to grant us gorgeous days to enjoy outside! I’m just as much ready for steady temperature days, the winds to vanish and the spring weather to stick around as many of you are as well! This time of year brings a new sense of happiness and refreshing feeling! What’s not to love about seeing baby animals running and playing, flowers blooming, green grass growing and children frolicking outside! In just a few short days we will Spring forward with time. Losing sleep is never a favorite of mine!
With Spring near by, it’s time to start springing forward with your 4-H projects and be thinking of what’s next around the corner….FAIR!!!
If you haven’t started springing forward, here are a few tasks you could get started on:
- Review Pin applications, start filling them out and see what else you need to do to reach that pin. There are some changes that will take place – however, there will be no major changes.
- Start working on your KAP now. It’s easier to do then wait until the last minute! Don’t forget to take pictures! Intermediate KAP’s will use the same form as the Senior KAP. They are basically the same form other than the Senior KAP is much more user friendly!
- Start working on projects that take time to complete for Butler County Fair (arts & crafts, leather, drawing, crochet, pictures, etc.)
- Spend time with your livestock project teaching them to walk/lead, set-up, etc.
It’s never too early to get started!
~Charlene