Office Closed

The Extension Office will be closed January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Livestock Rules are Posted for County Fair

The Extension Council has approved the livestock rule portion of the club show rule book. Please review the livestock rules and summary of changes to see what is new for 2024! Families are responsible for following all rules. Contact the office with questions!

Market Beef Exhibitors – do not forget!

The market beef identification deadline is January 31!  4hOnline for 4-H exhibitors and FairEntry for FFA exhibitors. Find help sheets online.



Fair Book Survey

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts about the printed fair book by Feb 1 with this quick online survey: https://go.iastate.edu/PCETJR

Market Beef Identification Due 1/31!

Weigh in sheets and a help sheet were mailed to 4-H members if you did not receive it, contact the office!

4-H members must identify market beef in 4hOnline by 1/31/24. FFA members must identify market beef in FairEntry by 1/31/24.

2^nd Year bucket bottle MARKET heifers or steers must be identified too (last year’s ID does not count.)

NEW – purebred animals must have a breed listed by 1/31.

NEW – If you’re not sure if a heifer will be market or breeding, include a secondary form of ID (tattoo, registration #, calfhood vaccination #.)

Clinton 4-H Club Officer Training

Who: 4-H Club Officers

When: January 21^st from 2-4 pm

Where: Extension Office

Register: 4hOnline

Cost: free 

About: This workshop is for any club officer and leaders who want to attend. It could be your first year or fourth year! We’ll learn about parliamentary procedure, team building activities, and your officer position. If a parent wants to attend with their youth, email clinton4h@iastate.edu so we can have materials printed for you. 

Club Spotlight: Minnehaha & Mohawk Angel Tree Shopping

A few clubs go shopping for Angel Tree gifts each year. We know the community is grateful for your generosity! Minnehaha/Mohawk is one club that has participated for years! Members gathered to purchase gifts. The club also had a holiday party in December!

Looking for Camp Counselors

Who: 4-H members 16+

When: Jan 26-27 or June 4-6th

Where: DeWitt or Solon

Cost: Free

More Info: 4-H members aged 16+ who are interested in overnight camp opportunities like Winter Plunge and Junior Camp can still attend camp as a camp counselor! Primary duties are to help supervise younger youth and participating in activities as a role model. Reach out to Amanda at clinton4h@iastate.edu for more details.

Looking for Assistant Superintendent

The horse committee is looking for a volunteer to be the assistant superintendent. You’ll be on the committee helping plan the horse show for the Clinton County Club Show. You’ll also be a resource for families & Amanda to ask questions to. Reach out today if you are interested! Clinton4h@iastate.edu or 563-659-5125.

Meals from the Heartland

If your club is interested in organizing a Meals from the Heartland event, please reach out to Austin at austin.stubbs@mealsfromtheheartland.org or 515-273-9530. They are interested in hosting an event with one or multiple 4-H clubs. Learn more here.

Clinton Livestock Rules Posted

Find the livestock rules on our website along with the summary of changes document. Non-Livestock rules will be posted in March.

Club Enrollment Summary

We’re asked about club member totals sometimes. In case you’re interested, here are the totals as of 12/3/23.

• CW Jr. Ag - 33
• Charlotte Jr. Producers - 15
• Delmar Hot Shots - 17
• DeWitt Hustlers - 52
• Equine Fever - 28
• Goose Lake Jr. Feeders - 50
• Iowanna – 19
• Livestock Judging Teams – 15
• Minnehaha/Mohawk - 11
• Orange Future Leaders - 15
• Welton Jr. Farmers – 16



Fair Book Survey

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts about the printed fair book by Feb 1 with this quick online survey: https://go.iastate.edu/PCETJR

Club Enrollment Summary

We’re asked about club member totals sometimes. In case you’re interested, here are the totals as of 12/3/23.

• Cal-Wheat - 20
• Delmar - 16
• DeWitt - 56
• Elk River Eagles - 21
• Goose Lake - 24
• Grand Mound - 5

Save Those Art Projects!

Clover Kids members can bring an art project from school to Conference Judging Day at the Clinton County Fair. This is one of the many activities specifically for Clover Kids. No write-ups are needed for K-3 graders. Youth will talk with an adult though about their exhibit and receive a participation ribbon. Exhibits will be put on display in your club’s booth for the duration of the county fair. Remember to label your items with your name and club! Save the date – July 12 – for this fun event. The Clover Kids portion is in the morning.

Present at Legacy Awards Gala

Who: 4-H members

When: Due Jan. 15

About: The Iowa 4-H Foundation is seeking 4-H’ers to present an educational display at the 2024 Iowa 4-H Legacy Awards Gala on Friday, February 23, at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. Selected 4-H’ers (and a parent) are invited to showcase during the reception and then attend the remainder of the event. Deadline to apply is Monday, January 15.

Pioneer Seed Club Grant Applications Open for 2024

Who: all 4-H clubs

When: Due Jan. 16

About: Have a club project idea needing financial assistance? $50 - $500 is available to 4-H clubs for their community improvement projects through our Pioneer Seed Money grants. Applications are due to the county offices by January 16. For application materials, tips, and more info, check out the website. 

Home Improvement Workshop Trio

Who: 4^th-12^th youth

When: Jan 18, Mar 28, May 2

Where: virtual

Register: 4hOnline

Cost: $0 – thanks Iowa 4-H Foundation!

About: Iowa 4-H is hosting a trio of virtual, statewide 4-H Home Improvement workshops for youth grades 4-12. Youth can sign up for one or multiple workshops in the series. Read about all three on the Clinton county fair resources website.

Seeking Host Families for Japanese Youth this Summer

Who: Youth ages 11-17

When: June 2024

Where: Your home

Apply: by Apr. 15 

About: The States’ 4-H Exchange international program seeks Iowa families to host a Japanese exchange student or adult chaperone for 3.5 weeks this summer. This program is designed to focus on daily life in Iowa households. Families who would like to host a youth should have a child in the home between the ages of 11-17. They are paired with a Japanese child of the same gender and within 3+ years of age. The deadline to apply is April 15.

Consider Applying for a Trip

Who: 9^th-12^th youth

When: applications due Feb. 1

Where: Ames, D.C, Atlanta, & more!

Cost: $0

About: This event provides young people with an opportunity to practice and grow leadership, communications, and college and career readiness skills through application and interview activities. Some will win project awards and others will get to take a trip!

“Do All the Good You Can” Challenge

We are excited to announce the State 4-H Council newest service initiative, Do All the Good You Can. Sign up with the link to receive bi-monthly service challenges to give back to your community! Your club or group will log hours or things donated. The counties with the most hours by Youth Conference in June will be recognized at the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference in

June.

January

1/15: Iowa 4-H Legacy Awards Gala Presentation Opportunity Deadline, apply online

1/15: Extension Office Closed

1/16: Pioneer Seed Grant Deadline, apply online

1/18: Virtual Home Improvement Workshop, learn more online

1/21: Club Officer Training from 2-4 pm, Link

1/21: Soup Cookoff Fundraiser, 4:30-6 pm, Clubs are encouraged to donate a soup. (Sign up here.)

1/22: Washington D.C. Trip deadline, register online

1/26-27: Winter Plunge Camp, see flyer

1/31: Market Beef Identification due in 4hOnline for 4-H and FairEntry for FFA

February

2/1: Iowa 4-H Trips and Opportunities Applications Due online

2/1: Fair Book Survey Deadline, online https://go.iastate.edu/PCETJR

March

3/1: Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarships Deadline, apply online

3/30: Derby Swine Weigh In, 9-10 am

April

4/15: Japanese Host Family Application deadline, apply online

May

5/4: Derby Lamb Weigh In, State Fair Sheep ID, and State Fair Goat ID, 8-10 am

5/15: Livestock & Animal ID Deadline (4hOnline for 4-H and FairEntry for FFA)

June

6/4-6: Junior Summer Camp, more info next month

6/25-27: Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, More info online



July

7/1: FairEntry Deadline

7/12: 4-H Conference Judging Day

7/17-21: Clinton County Fair

Space Available! Advanced Calving Clinic in Maquoketa

Who: Cattlemen

When: 01/15/2024 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Where: Jackson County Fairgrounds

Register: (319) 472-4739

About: This program focuses on preparing for the calving season to increase calves born alive and weaned. Topics include nutrition, calf care, calving distribution, working with your vet, and handling calving difficulties using a life-size cow model. Denise Schwab will be leading the clinic.

Farm Financial Planning Program

Farm Financial Planning is for anyone who wants to understand a complete picture of their farm financial situation. It helps take the guesswork out of whether a change would increase profitability and improve cash flow. Using FINPACK software, the analysis may provide a more in-depth evaluation of the farm business, which many lenders are requiring before they will extend further credit.

Eight associates make up the Farm Financial Program team with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Farmers can locate a Farm Financial Planning Program associate in their area by contacting their ISU Extension and Outreach county office or by visiting the Farm Financial Planning Program associate site.

A Journey Through Parkinson’s Disease

Who: Adults

When: Feb 5, 12, 19 at 10:00 am

Where: online. Three sessions

Register: online

About: If you’re struggling with Parkinson’s disease or know someone who is, it’s helpful to know where to find support on the journey. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments related to Parkinson’s disease. Learn more about this program.

CropsTV Returns for Season 4

CropsTV, powered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will return for a fourth season in 2024. This educational program delivers crop production information directly to farmers and agricultural service providers. It provides the convenience of crop production education at home, in the office or anywhere there is an internet connection. All episodes will be available for on-demand viewing, providing flexibility for busy viewers.

The Season Four program features 35 episodes with a variety of crop, pest, nutrient, and soil and water management topics. While some topics will be familiar from other programs, most are exclusive to CropsTV.

The first six episodes will be available for viewing beginning on Jan. 2, and new episodes will be released weekly through mid-February 2024. Subscribers will have access through April 5. Learn more about CropsTV.