May 15, 2013

2013 State Fair 4-H 101 Webinar Set!

The update webinar for the 2013 Illinois State Fair Jr. Department General Exhibits has been set for Tuesday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. (Some of you may previously had this down for June 4; Yes, the date has been changed!)

The webinar will be especially helpful for those of you responsible for sharing information with your 4-H exhibitors and families who will be bringing exhibits to the Illinois State Fair August 9-12. This webinar will not cover information related to the State Fair animal shows - it is strictly for the general 4-H exhibits. New Extension Staff (Educators and Program Coordinators) will want to participate so you understand how we arrange exhibits at the State Fair, judging procedures, locations, etc.

Informational pieces will be posted to the 4-H Contacts Portal at various times over the next few weeks. (Events = Statewide = Illinois State Fair = SF Spring "Mailing").

Please register by Friday, June 8th to attend this session at the following site: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/default.cfm?RegistrationID=8420. An email will be sent to those registered on Monday, June 10th with details on how to connect to the webinar.

Posted by Debra Stocker at 4:40 PM | Permalink |
Categories: State Fair

May 10, 2013

Illinois 4-H Robotics Forum

An Active Board forum similar to the 4-H Shooting sports forum has been set up for 4-H robotics leaders and teens in robotics clubs.

http://illinois-4-h-robotics.activeboard.com/

The forums should be a good way for leaders to provide technical support to leaders of other clubs, especially leaders who are new to robotics. The forums are also a way to coordinate activities between clubs and to facilitate trainings and events for various clubs and regions.

Five different sub forums have been set up: General 4-H robotics, FTC/FRC, FLL, LEGO Mindstorms NXT and EV3, and Other robotic platforms; members can read and post on any forum. The registration process requires e-mail confirmation but will not require approval.

Posted by Robert Smith at 3:16 PM | Permalink |
Categories: SET, SPIN Clubs

May 3, 2013

2013 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award Contest

Superior Young Dairy Producer Award – August 17

This is a great opportunity to win a $1,000.00 scholarship and have fun doing it at the Illinois State Fair. The contest will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2013.

Eligibility: Any Illinois 4-H or FFA member who is a current dairy project member in their local
4-H club/FFA chapter and 14 years or older, as of September 1, 2012, is eligible to participate in the 2013 Illinois State Fair Superior Young Dairy Producer Award (SYDPA) program. Remember, you do not need to be a State Fair Jr. dairy exhibitor to participate.

Awards: The top five youth with the highest point scores in the total contest will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship and plaque. A plaque will also be presented to each of the "top three" phase winners in the individual phase competitions. All participants will be recognized and the overall winners will be announced on Saturday afternoon, August 17th following the contest.
Contest Format: The contest will be held at the Illinois State Fair in the Livestock Center (open show ring) on Saturday, August 17th with registration check-in from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The contest will consist of 3 phases.

8:40 a.m. - Phase 1 - Management Test: A 25 question written test relating to any aspects of dairy management and related facts. Study resources include 4-H dairy project manuals and the dairy portions of Livestock E-Quiz (both dairy levels) located on the web site at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/equiz/.

9:10 a.m. - Phase 2 - Skillathon: This will involve a series of three learning stations with specific tasks and questions for participants to answer, such as "identifying dairy feeds", "identifying dairy equipment", and "herd health" or "dairy management".

10:00 a.m. - Phase 3 - Dairy Judging: Six classes, of four animals each, will be placed by the participants based on type conformation. Oral reasons are not part of this contest.

This program is coordinated and conducted by Dave Fischer, U of I Extension Dairy Educator-Retired. Registration forms are available at your county Extension Office or your FFA Adviser or Dave Fischer via e-mail at dfischer@illinois.edu. Registrations are due to Dave Fischer, 901 Oak Hill St., Trenton, IL 62293 prior to the IL State Fair SYDPA contest

Posted by Daniel J. Jennings at 11:08 AM | Permalink |
Categories: Contests, Livestock , State Fair

May 3, 2013

2013 Illinois State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest

The Illinois 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest will be held on Saturday August 17, 2013 in the Livestock Center at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois. (Please Note: this is the State 4-H Contest and any 4-H member is welcome to participate. There will be no dairy judging contest held in June at University of Illinois dairy farm).

State Fair Passes: Check with your local Extension office to purchase advance fair passes and parking permits for entry into the fairgrounds.

Participation: All contestants must be current 4-H members and a record of their enrollment

must be on file in the respective Extension office. There is no limit on the number of participants

per county. Contestants need not be enrolled in a dairy project, however, this state 4-H dairy

judging event is used to support the county/club 4-H dairy curriculum.

Contest Information:

1. Contestant registration is to be made on the day of the contest at the site of the contest.

2. Registration will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. in the Livestock Center (open show ring) on the IL State Fairgrounds.

3. The contest will begin at 10:00 a.m. on August 17, 2013.

4. There will be six (6) classes of cows and heifers selected from various dairy breeds at the Illinois State Fair.

5. All 4-H contestants will be scored as a Jr. Division (13 years of age and younger as of January 1, 2013) or Sr. Division (14 years and older as of January 1, 2013) participant.

6. All participants will be invited to present oral reasons following the contest but it is not mandatory.

7. Contestants in the Jr. Division will be encouraged and offered the opportunity to give one set of written or oral reasons on a cow class. The Jr. contestants can read or recite from memory their reasons.

8. HOWEVER, contestants in the Sr. Division who will be considered for selection to the State 4-H Team will be required to give two sets of oral reasons on cow classes. Two (2) minutes will be allowed per class to give oral reasons to the judge.

9. Ten (10) minutes will be allowed for judging each class when no reasons are required; twenty (20) minutes will be allowed on reasons classes.

Illinois Team Selected for the National Contest

The state 4-H dairy cattle judging team will be selected from participants in this contest. To be eligible for selection, members must have been 14 years of age and not older than 18 years of age as of January 1, 2013. The selected 2013 Illinois 4-H Dairy Judging Team will participate at the National Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.

Results and Awards

The summary results from this dairy contest will be emailed within five (5) working days of the contest to the Unit/County Extension Office. Detailed results and ribbons will be mailed within 2 weeks of the contest. Individual contestants will be ranked in three groups with blue, red and white ribbons awarded. Team scores will not be a part of this contest and team ribbons will not be awarded.

Posted by Daniel J. Jennings at 10:36 AM | Permalink |
Categories: Contests, Livestock , State Fair

May 2, 2013

2013 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest June 17th

The 2013 Illinois State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest will be held Monday June 17th at the University of Illinois Stock Pavilion 1402 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL. Participants must be checked in and registered between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The contest will start at 10:00 a.m. There will be a $5.00 registration fee for each senior participant to cover his or her lunch.

All participants will evaluate 8 classes of livestock and answer questions on three sets of questions. Senior contestants will give 3 sets of oral reasons after lunch while the junior contestants are released. Each county may enter a total of three four-member teams plus three extra individuals. Those teams can be either two senior teams and one junior team or two junior teams and one senior team. This contest will decide the high county team which will represent Illinois 4-H at the American Royal Livestock Contest in Kansas City, MO. In addition, the top 20 overall seniors will be invited back to a special work out to select the State 4-H Livestock Judging Team. This team will represent Illinois 4-H in November by participating in the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, KY.

Click here for contest rules and info:

Click here for contest registration card:

Posted by Daniel J. Jennings at 1:36 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Contests, Livestock

May 2, 2013

2013 State Robotics Competition Results

44 teams competed in the 5th Annual State 4-H Robotics competition held on April 20, 2013. 36 of these teams were Junior teams comprised of youth aged 9-14 while 8 were senior teams with youth aged 14-18. The 44 teams represents more than 100% growth in the number of teams competing compared to the number that competed in 2012.

Teams were judged in three different areas: actual robot performance, technical design of the team's robot and teamwork.

Congratulations to all the teams for demonstrating 4-H mastery and excellence!

Award Winners for 2013:

Champion Senior Division - RoboStorms High School (Macon County) ($500 FIRST Scholarship)

Champion Junior Division - Power Surge (McLean County) ($350 FIRST scholarship)

Champion Junior Rookie Division - Thundercloud (Kane County) ($350 FIRST scholarship)

Most Creative Award - RoboStorms (Macon County)

Engineering Design Award - Insert Your Humorous Slogan Here (Macon County)

Programming Award - BRObots (McLean County)

Teamwork Award - Robotic Rovers Junior 3 (McHenry County)

Team Spirit Award - Cyber Warriors East (Madison County)

Judges Award - Monroe County Robotics Senior (Monroe County)


Outstanding Volunteer Award, Thank you for 4 years of support for Illinois 4-H Robotics - Sravan Suryadevara

Posted by Robert Smith at 12:01 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Contests, SET

May 2, 2013

Teens Needed for IFB Youth Education Committee

We are again seeking two interested 4-H members to serve on the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee as our 4-H Representatives for 2013-2014. Members must be 17-19 years of age; current 4-H members who will be "new" alumni next year would be eligible to apply. The term begins on July 1, 2013 and continues through a trip to Washington, D.C. in late June, 2014.

Members should have an interest in agriculture. They will network with various corporate representatives from the Illinois Farm Bureau and their various affiliate companies (i.e. GROWMARK, IAA Credit Union, etc.). Meetings are generally held in Bloomington or Springfield during the work week, so 4-H representatives must be able to be released from school/college for meetings and a couple of events.

The Committee information and application are now available on the Illinois 4-H website: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/leadership_ifbye.cfm. The application is due postmarked by June 15, 2013. The first meeting of the 2013-14 IFB Youth Education Committee has not yet been determined, but dates range from mid-July to early August. We hope to have that date to announce shortly.

If members have questions regarding this position, they may contact Deb Stocker at dstocker@illinois.edu or either of the current two 4-H Youth Representatives: Jaylene Jennings (DeKalb County), jaybuckeye4@yahoo.com, Emily DeSchepper (Knox County), emmy-sue-3@hotmail.com.

Posted by Debra Stocker at 9:20 AM | Permalink |
Categories: Teens

April 23, 2013

Dates for All Staff & YD Team Meetings

The schedule for regular All Team and YD Team Meetings was disrupted with the Galaxy Conference being held in mid-September. That set off a domino-like effect on the remaining meetings for the year. We've put together a schedule that may not fall on the normally assigned dates for these meetings, but they have been discussed and approved by the Admin Team to try and avoid any scheduling conflicts. Please take a few minutes and add these to your calendar and hold the dates as priorities.

August 204-H All Team Call
(Educators and Program Support)
September 17-20Galaxy Conference
October 29-304-H All-Team Meeting
(Educators and Program Support)
This will include Share Fair and concurrent sessions
November 12-14Annual Extension Conference - 3rd day for Team Meetings
December 174-H YDE Call
January 14-154-H All-Team Meeting
(Educators and Program Support)
February 184-H YDE Call
March 18-194-H YDE Team Meeting
April 154-H YDE Call
May 204-H YDE Call
June 174-H YDE Call
July 154-H YDE Call

Posted by Cathy Warmbier at 8:08 AM | Permalink |
Categories: Staff Development, Team Meetings

April 19, 2013

2013-15 Youth Leadership Team Application Available

The Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team is starting to recruit applicants for our 2013-2014 Team. We're looking for 4-H members and/or recent 4-H alumni who are 16-19 years of age as of 9/1/2013 to apply and interview for a 2-year term starting September 1.

We're looking for top youth leaders who are interested in giving back to the Illinois 4-H program. YLT members plan and conduct the Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference, design and teach the Speaking for Illinois 4-H program, and help with various statewide 4-H events, including but not limited to: Illini Summer Academies, State Fair, Legislative Connection, ACES Connection, Salute to Ag Day and more. Representatives from the Team also serve on the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors and the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee. YLT members have the first opportunity to apply for trips to National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.

The application is available on the 4-H website (http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/members/leadership_sylt.cfm) and on the 4-H Contacts portal (Youth & Adult Volunteer Opportunities = Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team). Applications are due postmarked by June 15 for interviews to be conducted June 23-25 at the Illini Summer Academies or August 1 for interviews to be conducted August 8-13 at the Illinois State Fair.

Help us recruit the best teen 4-H leaders in the state to help us continue to conduct our statewide 4-H programs!

Posted by Debra Stocker at 2:26 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Teens, YLT

April 17, 2013

Does Your County have a Local County Foundation? If so, Nominate an Outstanding Fundraiser!


Do you have a local volunteer that has served on your local foundation board and has been instrumental in developing fundraising ideas to support 4-H?

Do you know of a volunteer that has been key in raising funds to support 4-H?

Do you have a local person that is not afraid of asking others to support 4-H?

If so, your help is needed...but you might not have to do all the work yourself! Read on...

The Illinois 4-H Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2013 Larry Fischer Leadership and Spirit Award! Learn more about the award and who Larry Fischer is by visiting: http://4hfoundation.illinois.edu/larryfischer/intro

You could:

  • forward this information to your local Foundation members and encourage the Foundation board to select a nominee and complete the application
  • brainstorm potential county nominees at a staff meeting and identify someone (staff or volunteer) to complete the application
  • share the information with other (4-H) committees in the county such as 4-H Youth Committee, Expansion & Review Committee, etc. for potential nominees and assistance in the process

This award was created to honor an individual that has significantly contributed to the local county and/or local county foundation's fundraising success!

Nomination Information:

Nominations Due: **Extended to May 15 (disregard the May 1 deadline on website and forms)**

Nominees must have served on the county 4-H or Extension foundation board or in a similar volunteer role as a fundraiser for county 4-H or Extension programs.

The person nominating the volunteer should print and complete the following application (Larry Fischer Application) and return it along with the following:

  • A letter of nomination, which includes the nominee's:
  • Significant contributions to the county's 4-H and/or Extension fundraising efforts
  • List of outstanding professional accomplishments
  • Notable contributions in citizenship and community service
  • Other notable honors, special recognitions, civic and volunteer activities, and philanthropic interests
  • Three (3) letters of support that focus on the individual's fundraising activity and successes
  • Biographical sketch/description of career accomplishments (a résumé or curriculum vitae are also acceptable)

This award will be presented on campus on September 6 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center. Thanks in advance for your consideration! We hope you will nominate a deserving individual!

Posted by Angie Barnard at 5:29 PM | Permalink |
Categories: 4-H Foundation, Volunteers