FEBRUARY

• February 19: Vermilion Co. Livestock Judging Meeting @ Vermilion Co. Extension Office, 6 p.m.
• February 20: Champaign Co. Livestock Judging Practice @ Champaign Co. Extension Auditorium, 6-7:30 pm.
• February 20: "Flock Talk" @ Prairieland Feeds, Savoy, 6-7 pm & 7-8 pm
• February 21: Vermilion Co. 4-H Federation Meeting @ Vermilion Co. Office, 6:30 p.m.
• February 24: Be a U of I Food Scientist workshop @ U of I, ACES, 1-5 pm
• February 24: Equine Tack Sale @ Champaign Co Extension Auditorium, 9 a.m.
• February 24: State Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest
• February 24-25: Junior Leadership Conference in Springfield
• February 25: Champaign Co. Federation Meeting @ Champaign Co. Conference Room, 4-5 p.m.
• February 28: Deadline to Apply for Farm Credit Illinois Scholarships & Club Community Improvement Grants

MARCH

• March 1: Deadline to Apply for Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship & Legacy of Leadership Scholarship
• March 3: Vermilion Co. 4-H Bowling Party @ Lincoln Lanes (Danville), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• 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 17: 4-H Meal Packaging Event @ Danville Area Community College, 10 a.m.
• March 21: Vermilion Co. 4-H Federation Meeting @ Vermilion Co. Office, 6:30 p.m.
• March 28: Champaign Co. Dog Obedience Class Orientation @ Champaign Co. Extension Auditorium, 5-8 p.m.

APRIL

• 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 @ Tony Noel Center –Parkland College @ 1 p.m.
• April 7: Regional Horse Bowl & Hippology Contest @ Casey Church of the Nazarene, Casey, IL
• April 11-22: Spring Paper Clover @ Danville Tractor Supply Co.
• April 13: New Member & Project Add/Drop Deadline
• 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

AUGUST

• August 12: State Fair Exhibit Day for Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion Counties

Vermilion County 4-H Livestock Judging Meeting Feb. 19

4-H Livestock Members: The first Vermilion County 4-H Livestock Judging meeting will be on Monday, February 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Vermilion County Extension Office. Interested members should plan to attend! Please contact Kristin if you are attending, so we know how many members to expect (knblock2@illinois.edu or call 217.442.8615).

Champaign County 4-H Livestock Judging Practices

Champaign Co. Livestock Judging Practices are Tuesdays: February 20, 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.

"Flock Talk"

Prairieland Feeds, 303 S. Dunlap Rt. 45, Savoy, will be hosting their FREE Annual Poultry Owners Workshop on February 20! Come join us for an evening full of helpful tips for your backyard chickens, educational learning topics, and a chance to win door prizes! Beginner class: 6-7 p.m., Advanced class: 7-8 p.m., check-in starts 30 minutes prior to classes. For more information or to RSVP call 217.352.2232, sign-up on Facebook, or in store!

Animal Ethics Certification Required for Members Taking 4-H Animal Projects

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 Livestock Birth & Ownership Deadlines

4-H members enrolled in livestock projects can access the 4-H Livestock Ownership dates and deadlines online, click http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/downloads/56282.pdf. If you have questions, contact your local Extension Office.

4-H Livestock Health Requirements for County & State Fairs

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: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/downloads/58687.pdf

State Fair Requirements: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/downloads/62926.pdf.

Equine Tack Sale

Champaign County Farm Bureau Equine Garage Sale 801 N. Country Fair Dr. Champaign, IL – Farm Bureau Auditorium, February 24, 2018, 9 a.m.– Noon. To reserve your 8-foot table for $10 fill out the registration form online www.ccfarmbureau.com. Any questions, contact David at CCFB office at 217.352.5235 or David@ccfarmbureau.com.  

Champaign County 4-H Shooting Sports Schedule

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.

Feb. 19

Mar. 5 &19

Apr. 2, 16, & 30

Air Rifle/Air Pistol:  Monday evenings 6:00-7:30 pm 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.

Feb. 26

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.

Vermilion County 4-H Shooting Sports March Meeting Set

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.

Calling High School Members for 4-H Federation

Champaign County

Champaign Co. 4-H Federation will be meeting Sunday, February 25 from 4-5 p.m. at the Extension Office Conference Room. (rescheduled from Feb. 11). 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 (February 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 Bowling Party-Register Today!

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 https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=18024 to register!

Explore ACES

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.

Hands to Larger Service

Join Vermilion County 4-H Federation in Community Service

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. In order to have a successful event, we need volunteers. Volunteering is open to anyone starting at age eight to adulthood. 4-H membership is not required to volunteer. To volunteer, register https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=18018. We will contact you with more details as the date approaches.

The face of hunger may surprise you. It’s the family of four where both parents work extra jobs to cover growing expenses. It’s the single dad trying to care for his children while attending night classes. It’s the senior citizen stretching his social security check to cover both medication and food. It’s the young high school graduate skipping meals to cover expenses of her first apartment.

Although Illinois is a leading producer of agricultural commodities, one in five Illinois children experiences hunger. 4-H is answering the call to help struggling families in their local communities through the 4-H Feeding and Growing program.

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.

Need Cash for College—We Have You Covered!

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.
• FARM CREDIT ILLINOIS SCHOLARSHIPS
  High school seniors planning careers in agriculture may apply for a $2,000 scholarship. Farm Credit Illinois will provide 30 scholarships to youth who live or farm in one of the 60 counties in their service area. The first $1,000 will be distributed for the Fall 2018 semester, and the second $1,000 will be applied during the Fall 2020 semester. Apply online at com before February 28. Are going to University of Illinois College of ACES? The college is MATCHING this scholarship, dollar for dollar! Double your money while getting a great ag education!

Step Up on National 4-H Day of Service

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.

JOANN Paper Clover in February

JOANN Stores will be hosting a Paper Clover event similar to Tractor Supply Co. during the month of February. There will be a choice of $1 or $4 Clovers at the register. Customers choosing $4 clovers will receive a $4 coupon for their next visit.

In-Store JOANN Event on February 3 - Thank you to everyone who helped make Valentine's Day cards.  They brightened Valentine's Day for those at Helia Nursing Home, Illini Heritage Nursing Home and Canteen Run, and members of the Stoney Creek Ramblers delivered Valentine’s Day card to several people in the communities they live in.