MARCH

• March 1: Deadline to Apply for Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship & Legacy of Leadership Scholarship
• March 1: Registration opens for Illini Summer Academies
• March 3: Vermilion Co. 4-H Bowling Party @ Lincoln Lanes (Danville), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• March 4: Champaign Horse Workshop @ CCFB Auditorium 1:00-3:00 pm
• March 6: Champaign Co. Livestock Judging Practice @ CCFB Auditorium, 6-7:30 pm
• March 9-10: Explore ACES @ University of Illinois
• March 13: Vermilion Co. 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting @ Vermilion Co. Extension Office, 7 p.m.
• March 16: Deadline to Register for the 4-H Public Presentations & Food Demonstrations Contests
• March 17: 4-H Meal Packaging Event @ Danville Area Community College, 10 a.m.
• March 18: Tractor Driving Clinic (Hosted by Jamaica Flatlanders), 2 p.m. (Location to be determined)
• March 20: Vermilion Co. 4-H Livestock Judging Practice @ Oakwood Ambulance Garage, 6 p.m
• March 20: Champaign Co. Livestock Judging Practice @Champaign Co. Extension Conference room, 6-7:30 pm
• March 21: Vermilion Co. 4-H Federation Meeting @ Vermilion Co. Office, 6:30 p.m.
• March 24: 4-H Beef Clinic @ Buddy Edenburn’s Farm, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• March 28: Champaign Co. Dog Obedience Class Orientation @ Champaign Co. Extension Auditorium, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

APRIL

• April 3: Champaign Co. Livestock Judging Practice @ CCFB Auditorium, 6-7:30 pm
• April 4: Champaign Co. Livestock Committee Meeting @ Champaign Co. Extension Conference room @7 pm
• April 6: Deadline to Submit Beck’s Hybrids Educational Scholarship Applications
• April 7: Public Presentation Contest for Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion Co. 4-H Members @ Tony Noel Center – Parkland College @ 9 a.m.
• April 7: Foods Demonstrations Contest for Champaign & Vermilion Co. 4-H Members @ Tony Noel Center –Parkland College @ 1 p.m.
• April 7: Regional Horse Bowl & Hippology Contest @ Casey Church of the Nazarene, Casey, IL
• April 7: 4-H Rabbit Workshop @ Crescent City Grade School, 1-3 p.m.
• April 11-22: Spring Paper Clover @ Danville Tractor Supply Co.
• April 13: New Member & Project Add/Drop Deadline
• April 17: Champaign Co. Livestock Judging Practice @ CCFB Auditorium, 6-7:30 pm
• April 18: Vermilion Co. 4-H Federation Meeting @ Vermilion Co. Office, 6:30 p.m.
• April 21: State 4-H Horse Speaking Contest @ U of I Campus
• April 28: National 4-H Day of Service (service projects can be done anytime during the month of April)
• April 28: State Horse Judging Contest @ Black Hawk College, 11 a.m.

MAY

• May 16: Vermilion Co. 4-H Federation Meeting @ Vermilion Co. Office, 6:30 p.m.

JUNE

• June 1: Deadline for 4-H Members to Complete Animal Ethics Course (QAEC)
• June 9: Vermilion Co. 4-H Clothing & Textiles and Fashion Revue Show @ Danville Area Community College, 10 a.m.
• June 15: Champaign 4-H Dog Show @ Dog Training club of C-U, 6 p.m.
• June 19-23: Vermilion Co. 4-H Fair
• June 27: Champaign 4-H Clothing & Textile Show @ Savoy United Methodist Church, 1 p.m.
• June 24-28: Illini Summer Academies

JULY

• July 20-28: Champaign Co. 4-H Fair
• July 20-21: Champaign Co. 4-H Project Expo @ Champaign Co. Fairgrounds
• July 26: Champaign Co. 4-H Livestock Show @ Champaign Co. Fairgrounds
• July 27: Champaign Co. 4-H Horse & Pony Show @ Champaign Co. Fairgrounds

The Illinois 4-H Foundation provides two scholarships for active 4-H members who are seniors in high school or freshmen in college.

• A $1,000 Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship is available to 1 or 2 members who have demonstrated mastery in the livestock area and plan to continue their education in the area of agriculture. Members must have been involved in the livestock project a minimum of three years. You must have been a 4-H member for at least 5 years and attending either a 4-year university, community college, or trade school. Applications are due March 1. Download the application @ illinois.edu/4Hscholarships.
• Eight $1,000 Legacy of Leadership Scholarships are offered to members who have demonstrated overall mastery and leadership in the 4-H program. You must have been a member for at least 5 years and attending either a 4-year university, community college, or trade school. Applications are due March 1. Download the application @ illinois.edu/4Hscholarships. Finalists must submit a video of your 4-H accomplishments.

Additional scholarships are provided by partner organizations. See if you qualify for one of these scholarships.

• EXTENSION TO ACES SCHOLARSHIP
  Incoming freshmen and transfer students to University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences may apply for a NEW $2,500 scholarship. This year, 54 scholarships (two per each of Extension’s 27 units) will be awarded. To learn more @ aces.illinois.edu/scholarships/new-students. Click on “Incoming freshmen and incoming transfer students scholarship application.” In Step #2, select “Extension to ACES” scholarship. Questions? Your local Extension staff can help you! Just ask us.

• BECK’S HYBRIDS EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

One $500 scholarship is available for Vermilion County 4-H members who are 2018 high school graduates. Applications can be picked up at the Vermilion Co. Extension Office or downloaded from the website. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION. Applications are due April 6, 2018.

Who is eligible:

1. The scholarship is available to a 2018 high school graduate who has been actively involved in Vermilion County 4-H for a minimum of three years.
2. The applicant must have been accepted into and plan to attend a junior college, tech school, or a four (4) year university in fall 2018.
3. The applicant must have held a minimum of one club officer or leadership position during their 4-H career.

The Vermilion County 4-H Bowling party is Saturday, March 3 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Lanes (107 W. Harrison, Danville). Vermilion County 4-H Federation will provide unlimited games from 3:30-5:30, shoe rental, pizza, and one drink voucher per participant. Please bring money if you wish to purchase additional drinks.

This event is open to 4-H members, Cloverbuds, parents, leaders, and friends that are not already enrolled in 4-H to encourage them to join! Everyone attending is encouraged to wear a 4-H t-shirt or green shirt in support of 4-H. 4-H families can register online or contact your 4-H leader to register by March 1. Click HERE to register!

4-H members interested in learning more about horses. Please join us:

• March 4, 1:00-3:00 pm Workshop at the CCFB Auditorium.
• April 7, 1:00-3:30 pm Workshop and riding practice at Fox Hollow Farm.
• May 19, 9:00-11:30 am Workshop and riding practice at the CC Fairgrounds
• June 24, 1:00-3:30 pm Workshop and riding practice at the CC Fairgrounds
• July 15, 4:00-6:00 pm Riding Practice 
• July 27, 9:00 am County 4-H Horse Show

For more information, contact Amy at amycain@illinois.edu or 217.333.7672.

Archery: Monday evenings 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Hunters Haven (1040 W Bloomington Rd, Champaign). A $5 fee will be collected for each session; paid directly to Hunters Haven.

Mar. 5 &19

Apr. 2, 16, & 30

Air Rifle/Air Pistol:  Monday evenings 6:00-7:30pm at the Warehouse, corner of Randolph and John St., Champaign), white brick bldg. Look for the 4-H signs. A $3 fee will be collected for each session.

Mar. 12 & 26

Apr. 9 & 23

In order to participate, members must be enrolled in a 4-H Shooting Sports Club(s) of interest -Air Rifle, Arrowheads Archery, and/or Clay Busters Shotgun and then selected your projects- Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Archery, Shotgun. *(note- shotgun will not start meeting until warmer months of Spring/Summer) 

If you have any questions about 4-H shooting sports or would like more information on how to join one of these clubs please contact 4-H Program Coordinator Jen Odle at 815.268.4051 or jodle@illinois.edu.

Champaign Co. Livestock Judging Practices are Tuesdays: March 6 & 20, and April 3 &13, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Champaign County Extension Office (801 N Country Fair Dr., Champaign). For more information, contact Amy at amycain@illinois.edu or 217.333.7672.

Take a day and find out just what University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences offers students. March 9 is saved for prospective students and their families; March 10 is for confirmed ACES students. Learn more online @ exploreaces.org.

The Vermilion Co. 4-H Shooting Sports club will be meeting on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 p.m. The club plans to meet at the Otto Newlin Shooting Range (depending on weather). If the weather is unfavorable, the club will meet at the Vermilion Co. Extension Office. All currently enrolled Shooting Sports members or new/interested members should attend. For more information, contact 4-H Club Coordinator, Joshua Hayes at jwhayes@hotmail.com or 217.662.2704.

Directions to the range: Head West on W. West St. from the square (where Subway is) in Georgetown and go about 3/4 of a mile to County Rd. 1520 East. Then turn South and go about 1 1/4 miles. The entrance to the range is on the left. If you curve to the right onto County Rd. 600 North, you have gone too far. Range Address: 6137 County Rd 1520 E, Georgetown, IL 61846

The Vermilion Co. 4-H Livestock Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Vermilion Co. Extension Office. Any 4-H volunteers, members, or parents are welcome to attend.

March 28 @ Champaign County Extension Auditorium, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Please contact Libbie Brandt at h2olabs@aol.com with questions you may have. Do not bring your dogs to this meeting.

4-H members in Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties who are enrolled in the communication project, Public Presentations, are invited to take part in the Public Presentations Contest Saturday, April 7, 2018. It will be held at the Tony Noel Center at Parkland College, Champaign. Check-in starts at 9:00 AM and presentations will begin at 9:30 AM. 

Presentations will be judged for ribbon placings as well as awards for class overall winners.  Selections will also be made for county representatives to advance to the state 4-H public presentation contest June 9. Members may choose to present in more than 1 class. Detailed presentation requirements can be found in your local county show book (handbook). 4-H members can register online, or contact their local office to make their entries. CLICK HERE TO MAKE ENTRIES. Entries must be made by March 16.

Champaign Co. 4-H Public Presentations Guidelines 

Vermilion Co. 4-H Public Presentations Guidelines

4-H members in Champaign and Vermilion Counties who are enrolled in a Foods Project are invited to take part in the Foods Demonstrations Saturday, April 7, 2018. It will be held at the Tony Noel Center at Parkland College, Champaign. Check-in starts at 1:00 AM and presentations will begin at 1:30 AM. 

Demonstrations will be judged for ribbon placings as well as awards for class overall winners. Members may choose to present in more than 1 class. Detailed demonstration requirements can be found in your local county show book (handbook). 4-H members can register online, or contact their local office to make their entries. CLICK HERE TO MAKE ENTRIES. Entries must be made by March 16.

Champaign Co. Food Demonstrations Guidelines

Vermilion Co. Food Demonstrations Guidelines

4-H members in Vermilion County are helping feed families in need by hosting a Meal Packaging Event on Saturday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Danville Area Community College’s Bremer Center. 4-H volunteers form assembly lines, and the separate ingredients are combined in plastic bags and sealed for distribution to local food pantries and agencies in need. We have reached our quota of 40 volunteers but need help to find places interested in taking the meals to distribute!

If you know of a food pantry, community agency, church, etc. that might be interested in taking some of the meals for distribution, contact Kristin at knblock2@illinois.edu or 217.442.8615.

The Jamaica Flatlanders 4-H Club is hosting a 4-H Tractor Driving Clinic on March 18; the location will be announced soon. All 4-H members enrolled in the tractor project or interested in finding out more about the project are encouraged to attend.

The clinic will prepare 4-H members for the Vermilion Co. 4-H Tractor Driving contest and the State Tractor Driving Contest. Topics will include: safety, part identification, and members will get a chance to practice driving a course that will be similar to the county contest.

Champaign & Vermilion Co. members are welcome to attend! More information and a registration link will be available soon. Questions should be directed to B.J. DeAth at 217.474.4199 or ilfarmin@hotmail.com.

*If it rains, the event will be rescheduled for March 25.

4-H Livestock Members: The next Vermilion Co. 4-H Livestock Judging practice will be on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the Oakwood Ambulance Garage (102 Lake Bluff Drive. Oakwood, IL 61858) Interested members should plan to attend! Please contact Aaron Wetzel for more information aaron.wetzel1@gmail.com or 815.631.1439.

Starting seeds at home can be a great way to stretch your gardening dollar and grow cultivars you might not find in garden centers.

Join Master Gardeners Pat Sollars and Rose Gates on March 20 from 6-7 p.m. at the International Greenhouse Company (70 Eastgate Dr. Danville). They will demonstrate seed starting techniques, discuss potting mixtures, light and temperature requirements, watering needs, transplanting, and ways to avoid disease and insect issues. 

This class will help you turn your plans of homegrown vegetables and a lovely flower garden into a reality.

To register, CLICK HERE or call 217.442.8615. There is no charge for the class.

Champaign County

Champaign Co. 4-H Federation will be meeting TBD, see next newsletter for the March date. All high school age 4-H members are invited to attend. Federation is planning a countywide community service project as well as some fun events for all 4-H members this year. If you want to have a part in planning these events, join Federation! For more information, contact Amy at amycain@illinois.edu  or 217.333.7672.

Vermilion County

Vermilion Co. 4-H Federation will be meeting the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office (March 21 is the next scheduled meeting). All high school age 4-H members are invited to attend. Federation is planning a countywide community service project as well as some fun events for all 4-H members this year. If you want to have a part in planning these events, join Federation! For more information, contact Kristin at knblock2@illinois.edu or 217.442.8615.

Vermilion County 4-H Beef Superintendent Buddy Edenburn will be hosting a Beef Clinic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on March 24. Topics covered will include: washing, blow drying, clipping, and fitting your animal for show. Lunch will be provided. Please register by March 21 so there is an accurate count for lunch. Click HERE to register or call the office at 217.442.8615. All 4-H members, regardless of county membership are welcome to attend.

The Iroquois Rabbit Breeders Association is hosting a 4-H Rabbit Project Workshop and 1^st Year Member Rabbit Giveaway on April 7 from 1-3 p.m. at the Crescent City Grade School Gym.

The workshop will focus on helping 4-H members enrolled in the rabbit project for the first time but all 4-H members interested in rabbits are welcome to attend. Topics include: equipment needs, breeds of rabbits, feed, care of rabbits, tattooing, rabbit organizations, and showing rabbits at the fair. 

At the conclusion of the workshop, we will hold a rabbit giveaway. All first year rabbit project 4-H members are eligible to participate in the giveaway. Rabbits donated by members of our club will be given to 4-H’ers who don’t have any rabbits. Ford and Iroquois County members will have first choice.

If you have questions please contact Darrel Clatterbuck (Iroquois County) 815.486.7481 or Roger Wycoff (Ford County) 815.686.2555.

If you plan to exhibit sheep or goats at the Illinois State Fair, they must be tagged and weighed at one of the official locations. Please register by calling the number listed below if you plan to bring animals. The locations closest to Champaign & Vermilion Co. are:

• April 21: Ed Hanson Farm near Clifton, 3034 N. 700E. Rd., 815-545-7287, 9-11:30 a.m.
• April 28: McLean County Fairgrounds, 309-663-8306 , 9 a.m.-Noon
• May 5: Coles County Fairgrounds, 217-493-5005, 10:30 a.m.- Noon
• May 12: Illinois State Fairgrounds, 217-415-2924, 9-11:30 a.m.

 Click HERE for a full list of details.

All 4-H members enrolled in an animal project area are required to complete the online Quality Assurance and Ethics course one time in order to stay enrolled in an animal project area.

The certification must be completed by June 1 if you are enrolled in one of the following projects: beef, dairy, cats, dogs, goats, horses, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine, and small pets. Members who don’t complete the certification before the show will be removed from the project and not be allowed to show. Anyone who has already taken the certification does not need to retake the test. The local office has a list of those already certified. The website is located online at: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/qaec/. This rule applies to 4-H members who exhibit live animals AND poster exhibits.

4-H members enrolled in livestock projects can access the 4-H Livestock Ownership dates and deadlines online, click HERE. If you have questions, contact your local Extension Office.

4-H members enrolled in livestock project can access the health requirements provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture for Illinois county and state fairs on our website. If you have questions, contact your local Extension Office.

County Fair Requirements

State Fair Requirements

4-H members do service better than everyone else! Join us for National 4-H Day of Service Saturday, April 28. 4-H members and clubs are encouraged to help their community in any of these 10 areas:

• Animal Science
• Camping
• College & Career Readiness
• Environment
• Food Access & Gardening
• Global Citizenship
• Health & Nutrition
• Leadership
• Shooting Sports
• STEM & Robotics

Can’t make it April 28? That’s okay; plan something for any day in April.

Here’s how to participate:

1. Go to https://4-h.org/get-involved/true-leaders-in-service/ and register your event.
2. Go to illinois.edu/4Hservice and find helpful resources.
3. Do your event and promote on social media using #thats4H and #TrueLeaders.
4. Go to illinois.edu/4Hservice after your event and submit a report on what you did. We’d love to see your photos, too.

The goal of National 4-H Day of Service is to encourage 4-H members in every county to make a positive difference. Service projects can be done by individuals or as an entire county 4-H program. No matter what the project, this will be a day to make a difference.

Vermilion Co. 4-H clubs with a treasury are encouraged to apply for a 4-H Federation Club Grant if they are in need of funds for a club tour/trip, a community service project, equipment and supplies, or another educational club project. Application are simple to complete and can be found downloaded online. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION