Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

ISU EXTENSION & OUTREACH / CERRO GORDO COUNTY

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4-H FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Cerro Gordo County Extension & Outreach 2023 S Federal Avenue 641-423-0844 Open 8:00 am-4:30 pm www.extension.iastate.edu/cerrogordo Mason City, IA 50401

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

January 2014

Dear Families, Back to work and school we go. I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday

season and time off with family and friends, I apologize for the late newsletter, with all the holidays and workshops we had a hard time getting things done in the office!. I am very excited to start our new year and have a long list of 4-H resolutions that I want us to fulfill! As your schedules slow just a bit, remember to get your enrolments in and take advantage of some of the great family fun and workshops that we will be having. Don’t forget to invite your friends! In the newsletter this month, make note of all the scholarship options for those high school seniors. Also, just a reminder to those with Market Beef projects- make sure you check out the section on verification. Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you the best with those New Year’s Resolutions!

-Megan Hitzhusen 4-H County Youth Coordinator

COME JOIN US!

Ready for some Family Fun! Join us on Sunday, January 5, 3 to 5 p.m. at Mystic Lanes, Mason City for a fun night of bowling! We will receive a discount cost for $2 per game and $1 per shoe rental. We have reserved 6 lanes for the night so feel free to bring a friend if they are interested!

Sunday, January 5

3:00 p.m.

Mystic Lanes

$3.00 per game

Be there or be square!

WANT TO KNOW MORE? FIND US AT: EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/CERROGORDO/KIDSTEENS.HTM

Ice Fishing Day!

CONGRANTS ON A GREAT SEASON! Beef Conference Jan 25

Attention Beef Exhibitors!

ATTENTION BEEF EXHIBITORS! State Recognition-APPLY NOW!

Tags this year for all beef members weighing in market animals have been graciously covered by Randy Fischer. Randy and his family are longtime supporters of 4-H and the cattle industry here in Cerro Gordo County. I encourage you all to send a thank you to show your appreciation.

Randy Fischer 2320 Eagle Ave

Thornton, IA 50479

Thanks Randy and the Cerro Gordo County Cattlemen for all your help and support for our beef program!

The Newman Catholic Land of GiANTS would like to thank the following for a successful FIRST LEGO League season: TeamQuest, Cerro Gordo County Extension and Outreach, 4-H, Steve O’Neil, David Bernemann, Kevin Losee, mentors Nick Frey and Grace Pistek, and their families. FIRST LEGO League is a STEM initiative that teaches children robotics, innovation, and core values. The team received the Core Values award at the Marshalltown regional tournament on December 7.

SAVE THE DATE! The Annual Beef Conference will be held at Ellsworth Community College Ag & Renewable Energy Center on Saturday, January 25. Each year, an all-day program, lunch included, is put on for youth who are active in or wish to learn more about the beef industry. Topics for this year are:

Antibiotics – What are they & why do we use them?

Beef Processing – What happens to my calf after I’ve sold it?

Safe Handling of Cattle – Why does it matter if we “stress” our cattle?

Comparing Cuts of Meat- What’s the difference between rib eye steak and flank steak?

Verification of 4-H and FFA market beef information will be available after January 1!

All members who weighed in Market beef animals need to remember to verify them in 4-H online. It is your responsibility to do this before January 20. You will only get one reminder postcard from the office in mid-January. To verify, please log on to your member account, go to the correct name and press EDIT, go to the animals tab, select Market Beef, check the box and save. If you have questions, please call or email Megan at the office, mlhitz@iastate.edu or 641-423-0844.

Teen Council,

Intermediate

Council.

Do you think you qualify? The State 4-H Recognition Day will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014, on the Iowa State University campus. For information about the recognition opportunities, please visit the 4-H Recognition Opportunities website: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/recognition-opportunities. The 2014 Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarship applications are now available online and can be found at www.iowa4hfoundation.org/scholarships. There are four separate applications: Incoming Freshman, Current College Students, Hills Bank and Trust Company Leadership Grant, and Iowa 4-H Veterinary Medicine Scholarships.

Team members are Jon Andersen, Henry Determan, Alec Frey, Matthew Henrich, Peter Knipper, Erik Manness, Blake Pang, Lucas and Seth Pistek. The team is coached by Paul Pistek.

SCHOLARSHIP TIME AGAIN!

SpringFest- Just Around the Corner

4-H PLEDGE I PLEDGE MY HEAD TO CLEARER THINKING, MY HEART TO GREATER LOYALTY, MY HANDS TO LARGER SERVICE,

AND MY HEALTH TO BETTER LIVING, FOR MY CLUB, MY COMMUNITY, MY COUNTRY, AND MY WORLD.

Bored Over Break!

2014 Christina Hixson Award!

$10,000 offered annually ($2,500 a year)

1 Student from each County in Iowa

Must attend ISU, any major

Must maintain 2.0 GPA Selection is based on eligibility and potential as seen by the application, letter of recommendation, and financial analysis. Application deadline is February 1, 2014. More information can be found at: https://apps-dso.sws.iastate.edu/scholarship/hixson/app

Clover Cookie Factory!

State 4-H Scholarships More than 90 scholarships totaling nearly $100,000 will be awarded to 4-H’ers who are continuing their education in Iowa! Amounts range from $500-$3000. For more information visit: www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/grants.htm Applications to State Office by February 3, 2014. ISU attendees also check: www.ag.iastate.edu/scholarships/freshman.html

SPRINGFEST: SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2013!!

More announcements to come! SpringFest is an all-day event day dedicated to communications. Lunch is available. Participants can be chosen to attend the North Iowa Fair, Clay County Fair, and even the Iowa State Fair!

Members can: Participate in project challenge classes

Give an educational presentation

Make a working exhibit (designed to teach others HOW to do a hands on project)

Prepare their own speech on a topic

Read a story using dynamic vocals and expressions

Participate in a “share- the- fun” act (this can be anything from a solo to a skit.)

String Art!

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPRINGFEST

Challenge classes for this year are:

Container and plan for a container garden. (In hopes that members will then return in July and exhibit their container gardens at the fair!)

Photography of your pet or an animal

Ready to eat crock pot dishes (Because those of us that like to cook never get a chance to bring it to the fair!) Remember all challenge classes receive premiums and ribbons too! Look for rules and guidelines to come.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? FIND US AT: EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/CERROGORDO/KIDSTEENS.HTM

1/1 Office Closed 1/5 Bowling- Mystic Lanes, 3-5 p.m. 1/11 Intermediate Council- 9 a.m. - noon Learning Center 1/25 Beef Conference- Ellsworth College 2/1 Scholarship and State Awards Deadline! 2/3 Leaders Training- Learning Center, 7 p.m.

Like us on Facebook at Cerro Gordo County 4-H!

JANUARY CALENDAR

January quote:

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~Henry David Thoreau

Megan Hitzhusen Cerro Gordo Extension County Youth Coordinator mlhitz@iastate.edu 641-423-0844

NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 156 MASON CITY, IA 50401

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Cerro Gordo County Extension & Outreach 2023 S. Federal Avenue Mason City, IA 50401

JANUARY 2014 4-H FAMILY NEWSLETTER