Fruit Pick Up 3/4 at Auditorium

Please plan to pick up between 9-5 pm! If you are available to unload the truck, please meet at the auditorium at 7:45 am for the 8 am drop off. Many hands make light work! If you can’t make it by 5, reach out.

Virtual Fair Book

The digital version of the club show rules will be posted soon (Mid-March). There are just a few more finishing touches. Website. Printed fair books should arrive by early April for those who requested one.

View details about upcoming programs/events

The Youth Programs website has been updated! Easily find information about a ton of 4-H (and non-4-H) events that have been in the newsletter or on our social media.

Congrats to our top five sellers!

Congratulations on a great MinnTex order for 2024!! $28,676 of fruit, meat, and cheese was ordered by 85 members. Over $7,000 in profits will be distributed to clubs and the Foundation.  

Special congrats to our top five sellers:

1. Trinity Tague—$1,427 (Equine Fever)
2. Maddox Drummond—$1,283 (Orange Future Leaders)
3. Wyatt Easterday—$1250 (CW Jr. Ag)
4. Brant Bennis—$1231 (Delmar Hot Shots)
5. Caleb Kruse—$905 (DeWitt Hustlers)

Dog Orientation Meeting

Who: 4-12^th grade 4-H/FFA members

When: Feb 20 at 6 or Feb 25 at 3

Where: Fairgrounds Auditorium

Cost: $0

Register: Email clinton4h@iastate.edu

About: The Dog Committee invites you to attend a “Showing Dogs 101” meeting. This meeting is essential if this is your first year showing dogs. If you’ve shown before, you are still welcome to attend. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their youth. 

Dog Workshops Begin 4/1

Who: 4-12^th grade 4-H/FFA members

When: Mondays at 6:00 pm

Where: Fairgrounds

Register: 4-H, none. FFA, email clinton4h@iastate.edu please.

Cost: free 

About: The dog committee will start dog obedience workshops on Monday, April 1! Workshops will continue every Monday (except Memorial Day) until county fair. Showmanship and Agility workshops will begin a few weeks after April 1. This makes 15 training class opportunities. Exhibitors must attend at least 8 classes to be eligible to show. Please review the fair book for additional rules.

Iowa 4-H 202 Document Updated

Animal Identification, Weighing, and Exhibiting Requirements for County, State and Interstate Shows has been updated! Please review if you exhibit animals at the county or state fair.

4-H Foundation Scholarships

Who: 12^th grade 4-H/FFA members

When: Due April 1

Where: Extension Office or email clinton4h@iastate.edu

About: Scholarships are due April 1 Please drop off, email. or postmark by 4/1. Applications available online:

Four opportunities are available:

• A)  Clinton Co. 4-H Foundation
• B)  Tom Olson Memorial Beef
• C)  Iowanna Juniors
• D)  Chuck Goddard Memorial 

Behind the Scenes of the Iowa State Fashion Show

Who: 9-12^th grade youth

When: April 19, all day

Where: Iowa State University

Cost: $10

Register: Email clinton4h@iastate.edu for transportation details. If you want to attend on your own, visit the website.

About: Are you interested in fashion or want to pursue a career in the industry? You’re invited to attend Behind the Scenes Day for the Iowa State Fashion Show! During this event, youth will engage in hands-on activities and speak with current students. At the end of the day, students are invited to sit in the front row of the final dress rehearsal of the Fashion Show. Clinton County is working with Linn County to coordinate transportation. If you are interested in attending with provided transportation, please reach out by April 1!

4-H Static Judge Training Opportunities

Who: Adults

When: Mar 21 or Mar 26, 6:30-8 pm

Where: Zoom

Cost: $0

Register: Online

About: If you want to help youth grow and learn while setting your own schedule, becoming a 4-H static exhibit judge is a great opportunity in the summer! You'll select areas that interest you and give feedback to 4-12th grade youth who have made exhibits in a variety of project areas. Anything from quilts to computer science to woodworking or even canned goods can be brought to judging day. We need your help to provide feedback to youth. Please share with adults who want to work with youth!

4-H Foundation Cake Auction

The Cake Auction will be held at 12:30 on March 16^th at Central-DeWitt High School. Clubs who want to donate a cake, please let Amanda know at clinton4h@iastate.edu. The office can pay for the cake ahead of time if we have a funds request form filled out! Members can also make/decorate their own cake. This year’s 4-H theme is “Spy Your Potential” if you want the cake to reflect the theme. (It does not need to!)

4-H Foundation Basketball Tournament Registration and Reminders

The 4-H Basketball Tournament registration is available now! It is also on the website.

Players must be 4-H members in Clinton County. They can play up a division (9th grader can play with seniors).

Please have your teams ready by 3/11! I will verify players attend at the tournament and we'll transfer money after the tournament. I must have a funds request to do this.

Remember to approve expenses at your February club meetings! (like a cake, registration fees, shirts, etc.) Facebook event to share.

Derby Swine Weigh In

Who: 4-12^th grade 4-H/FFA members

When: Mar 30 from 9-10 am

Where: Central DeWitt Bus Barn

Register: NA

About: Those planning to exhibit derby swine must attend this weigh in. If you have questions, reach out! Please email clinton4h@iastate.edu if you plan to attend!

Club Spotlight: CW Jr. Ag

Lots of great presentations at CW Jr. Ag 4-H Club meetings! A wide variety of topics are covered too. Great work to this club for encouraging youth to talk in front of their peers.

Junior 4-H Camp slots open

Who: 4-6^th grade 4-H members

When: June 4-6th

Where: Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca near Solon

Register: via 4hOnline

Cost: see website

About: Campers arrive by 1pm Tuesday and camper pick up is 4pm Thursday. Camp includes campfires, swimming, horseback riding, archery, time at the pond, cabin skits, and more! Check out the promotional flyer.

“Success in 4-H” Workshop Series

Who: 1^st year 4-H members (or anyone looking for a refresher)

When: see schedule

Where: Extension Office

Register: email clinton4h@iastate.edu

About: To help our first (or any) year 4-H members be confident in their 4-H experience, Amanda is hosting a “Success in 4-H” series. You don’t have to attend every workshop. Choose the ones that you need. This series is highly recommended for 1^st year 4-H members! The workshop dates and agenda are:

• Mar 17 at 2-3 pm: Mid-Year Check In
• Talking about the cub experience
• What to expect at club meetings
• Answering your questions
• Exhibit you’ll leave with, food and nutrition highlight
• April 28 at 2-3 pm: County Fair Preview
• Opportunities at the fair
• Deadlines
• 4hOnline vs FairEntry
• Where to find resources
• Exhibit you’ll leave with, Communications Poster
• June 6 at 9-11: Exhibit Prep Day
• How to fill out a goal sheet
• Write Up help
• Covering what the judge is looking for (rubrics)
• How check-ins work at the fair (both livestock and non-livestock)
• Exhibit you’ll leave with, photography
• Aug 13 at 6-7 pm: Celebration and Record Books
• Overview of record book options
• Time to fill out and ask questions
• Celebrate a successful 4-H year!!

Summer Discovery Coming Soon

As a reminder from last month.... We know many families are planning out summer activities already! We will have summer day camps for K-3^rd grade youth ready for registration by Mid-March. Clover Kids members get early access before the registration is open to the public. Be sure to watch your email!

Please remember youth attending our day camps must have completed K-3^rd grades. Youth don’t have to be members to attend summer camps.

Read Across Iowa this March!

Read Across Iowa is organized as a collaborative effort between the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Iowa 4-H. This program is dedicated to help motivate kids to read! The theme is Food Science.

Mark your calendar for when these pre-recorded virtual events go live: 

• March 2 @ 9:30am: read Bread Lab with Abby Brown through Facebook Live  
• March 5: explore the Bread Lab with the author Kim Binczwinski in a special prerecorded Read Across Iowa video 
• March 12: read along with Meg and the Eggstraordinary Egg 
• March 18: visit a dairy farm in this Read Across Iowa exclusive virtual tour and read along with My Family's Dairy Farm
• March 20: read along and make Ice Cream in a Bag 

Find all resources online.

Clover Kids Fair Activity Highlight

Clover Kids members can participate in a ton of different activities at the Clinton County Fair. One is the fashion show! 

Clover Kids can strut their stuff and practice walking down a runway during the 4-H Fashion Show on Sunday, July 21.

Helpful Information: 

• Wear a favorite outfit (does not need to be 4H related!) to the 4-H Fashion Show. An example could be your first day of school outfit, something to wear to a wedding, anything really!
• Youth should be prepared to answer the following questions. Staff/Volunteers will read the answers as they walk down the runway.
• Youth name and club 
• Parent’s name(s)
• Where would you wear this outfit?
• Who helped you select this outfit?
• What do you like best about this outfit?

Food for Iowa 4-H Fairs Updated

Foods for Iowa 4-H Fairs – Quick Reference Guide (2024) is now available in the Extension Store. Updates include: two newly approved recipe sources, the approval of commercial seasoning packets, the Presto Precise Digital Pressure canner and steam canner.

Iowa State Fair Livestock Updates

Major changes or updates are addressed in the 2024 4-H Livestock

Fast FAQs document. This link will take you to a CyBox where you may view and download the FAQs document. The full Iowa State Fair Premium Book will be released later this spring. Additional information for 4-H members exhibiting at the Iowa State Fair can be found here. Entry information, exhibitor letters and stalling information will be added closer to fair.

Dairy Goat Share-A-Kid Opportunity

Who: dairy goat exhibitors 4-12^th grade

Deadline: Mar 15.

Cost: $0

About: Each year, the Iowa Dairy Goat Association coordinates the Share-A-Kid program that engages youth in the dairy goat industry. Youth applicants must submit an essay of 100 words or more telling why they are interested in the dairy goat project area and how they plan to care for the animal. Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2024, to be considered this year. Learn more about the program and application requirements on the Iowa Diary Goat website.

Dairy Goat Fitting & Showmanship Clinic

Who: dairy goat exhibitors

When: May 11 from 9-3

Where: Bondurant

Cost: $0

Register: Email jlnayeri@gmail.com by May 5

About: The clinic includes sessions on succeeding in the ring through showmanship, fitting tips and tricks, as well as a judging clinic. Goat ownership is not required, and goats will be provided by the clinic hosts.

Iowa 4-H Livestock Triathlon

Who: 4-12^th grade youth

When: April 13-14

Where: Ames

Cost: varies, see website

Register: Online by Mar 31

About: The Iowa 4-H State Livestock Triathlon combines the state 4-H livestock judging contest, livestock skillathon and livestock quiz bowl competitions in one weekend event. 4-H members in 4th-12th grades can test and demonstrate their livestock knowledge. Awards will be given in each contest, in addition to overall sweepstakes awards to the high point individual in all three contests.

2025 STEM in Motion Trip will be to Iceland!

Who: 8-11th grade youth

When: June 10-16, 2025

Where: Iceland

Cost: see website

About: STEM in Motion is a program geared towards 9-12 grade students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This opportunity incorporates travel with educational opportunities to interact in a real-world setting and career-oriented pathways. Students will also get the opportunity to gain 3-college credit in science for going on the trip and completing coursework upon return. College credit is offered through George Mason University.

Farm Safety Grant Application Open

Iowa's Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH) is funded by the Iowa Legislature. The mission of I-CASH is to lead statewide partnerships that promote agricultural safety and health. Each year, I-CASH designates funds for community grants to youth aimed at the prevention of farm-related injury. Applications are due April 1, 2024; funding announcements will be made by April 15, 2024.

Summer Citizen Science Project

Who: 4-12^th grade youth

When: May 15-July 30

Where: Your home

Register: visit the CitSci website, sign up for an account, and request to join the "Where the Grass is Greener" Project.

About: Iowa youth can be scientists this spring and summer by collecting data about their local soil and groundcover. Perennial groundcover is a new type of cropping system with many potential benefits. Youth in grades 4-12 are invited to help Iowa State researchers investigate perennial groundcover in their community from May 15 to July 30. Few supplies are needed, and data is easy to collect. Makes a great fair project!

Rabbit and Cavy Workshop

Who: 4-12^th grade youth

When: Apr 7, 12:30-4 pm

Where: Muscatine Ag Learning Center

Register: None, unless you want to build a rabbit carrier.

About: Speakers will discuss rabbit and cavy breeds and health. Youth are encouraged to bring their rabbits and cavies (purebred guinea pigs). Rabbit tattooing and cavy tagging will be available. Rabbits and cavies may be for sale. Youth can build a carrier by reserving supplies for a cost at Wolferabbit3@mediacombb.net or call Bill at 515-556-5123. There is no need to register and no cost to attend (except for those youth who purchase rabbits or cavies and /or build a carrier and/or purchase rabbit or cavy equipment). Youth will receive free tickets for drawings for rabbit and cavy supplies. More information online.

March

3/1: Request your free fair book deadline, https://go.iastate.edu/N3DSUK

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

3/4: Fruit Delivery Day, 9-5 pm

3/11: Deadline for Basketball Team Registration

3/16: 4-H Foundation Basketball Tournament and Cake Auction

3/21: 4-H Judge Training, zoom

3/24: Youth Council Meeting, 4 pm

3/24: YQCA Training, 5:15 pm

3/25: Keeping Your Private Well Water Safe program, free at 6 pm

3/25: Dog Orientation Meeting, 6 pm

3/26: 4-H Judge Training, zoom

3/29: 4-H Day with the Cardinals deadline for tickets

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

3/31: “Bake to Give” award, apply online

April

4/1: Dog Workshops begin weekly

4/1: Various 4-H Foundation Scholarships Due, application online

4/7: Rabbit/Cavy Workshop

4/11: YQCA Training, 6:00 pm

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

4/28: Youth Council Meeting, 4 pm

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)

5/15: YQCA Certification deadline

June

6/4-6: Junior Summer Camp 

6/23: Youth Council Meeting, 4 pm 

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

July

7/1: FairEntry Deadline

7/4: Office Closed

7/7: Performance Beef Show

7/8: Bucket Bottle Interviews

7/9: Fashion Event

7/10: Communications Pre-Fair (Educational Presentations, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Communication Posters)

7/12: 4-H Conference Judging Day

7/17-21: Clinton County Fair

August

8/8-18: Iowa State Fair

8/25: Youth Council Meeting 

Keeping Your Private Well Water Safe

Who: Private well owners

When: March 25, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Extension Office in DeWitt

Register: Emailing Smk@iastate.edu or calling 563-659-5125

Cost: Free

About: Did you know that you can test your well water for free? And that funding is available to help maintain your well? Did you know that the #1 responsibility of a private well owner is to test their well water quality once per year? If you’re interested in these questions join us for a one-hour information session on how to make sure your private well is keeping you and your family safe.

Home Gardening Webinars

Who: anyone  

When: Mar 5 or 12 at 6-7 pm

Where: online

RSVP: Register via Zoom  

About: There are two webinars left in the Home Gardening Webinar series.

March 05: How to Create an Out-of-the-Ordinary Theme Garden. This presentation will show how to add that extra spark to your landscape by designing a garden about anything and more importantly, about YOU

March 12: Smart Design Elements for Your Garden Whether you're looking to save money or simply trying to be less wasteful, this presentation will share tips on ways you can create a beautiful, budget-friendly garden.

Tips to Avoid Food Poisoning When Eating Out

• Check inspection scores. Check a restaurant’s score on the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals website. Inspections are a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection.
• Look for certificates that show kitchen managers have completed food safety training.
• Refrigerate your leftovers quickly. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of when the food was prepared (or 1 hour if the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F, like in a hot car or at a picnic). Eat leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Throw them out after that time.

Source: CDC Food Safety and Eating Out, www.cdc.gov

Iowa Landowners Sought for New Farmland Education Program

Who: Iowa landowners 

When: apply by April 19

About: The Landowner Education Program is intended for Iowa landowners who want to learn about soil health practices, understand relevant financial and legal considerations, and build a supportive network of peers and experts. Participants will be organized into small groups according to their awareness, motivations and challenges to conservation adoption. Each cohort will have the opportunity to attend six, in-person educational events taught by ISU Extension and Outreach specialists, with the goal of showing how conservation practices can be made viable on the Iowa landscape.

Learn more.