Hello Families,

Spring has sprung and the countdown until fair is on! There are lots of exciting opportunities coming up and important deadlines approaching so please mark your calendars so you don't miss anything. 4-H members planning to exhibit at the summer 4-H shows must be enrolled by April 15. All project selections and changes must be made by this date as well. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.  

Jessica Jaffry
4-H Youth Development Educator
Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties
jjaffry@illinois.edu
618-498-2913 

LIVESTOCK WEIGH-IN DATES
Mark your calendars for the following livestock weigh-in dates. 

All weigh-ins will be held at 31056 Old Fidelity Road, Jerseyville, IL 62052. 

YQCA TRAINING
4-H members exhibiting a live animal at the 2024 4-H shows in one of the following project areas are required to complete this training each year: Beef, Goats, Sheep, and Swine.

Deadline to complete certification: May 1, 2024

YQCA training can be completed online at the link below. Once training is complete, please email your certificate to Jessica via email (jjaffry@illinois.edu).

QAEC Update
The QAEC training can now be accessed in the Clover Academy section of the ZSuite Enrollment System. Families can access directions for completing the course below. This document is linked on the Animals Science page on the Illinois 4-H website and appears in the resource library on that site.

Youth that have already completed this training before or on the old site are grandfathered in and do not need to retake it.

4-H Community Service: Blankets 
Hosted by: Jersey County Youth Leadership Team

Make fleece blankets for displaced youth!
Open to youth in Jersey County between the ages of 5-18.

Participate in two ways!
Donate Material: New fleece material can be donated for the blankets. Material MUST be new, it can be dropped off at the Jersey County Extension Office March 11 - April 19. Pieces of material must be at least 1 yard in length!
AND/OR
Help make the blankets: Sunday, April 28 at 5PM. Must be registered to attend!

Register by April 19, 2024!

Spring Photo Contest
Take a photo with a Spring theme! The photo MUST be taken by the 4-H member.
Submit your winter photo to Kate via email at harding@illinois.edu by May 1.

3 Age Categories: Cloverbud 5-7 | 4-H member 8-13 | 4-H member 14-18

Please email your photo as .jpeg or .png format with name, county, and 4-H age of member. Winners will be announced in the 4-H newsletter & on Facebook - only one entry per member.

Livestock Show Clinic
Join us for a morning of fun, education, food and more! Learn from local livestock professionals and prepare for a successful show season ahead.

Saturday, May 18, 2024
9am - 12pm
Jersey County Fairgrounds - 100 W. Fairgrounds, Jerseyville, IL 
Open to youth ages 8-18 
No cost to attend

Register by May 4!
Do NOT bring animals. Professionals will have livestock on hand to demonstrate.

Congratulations to the 2024 Public Speaking exhibitors! Jersey County 4-H members showcased their public speaking skills on Thursday, March 21 at Farm Credit in Jerseyville, IL. Participants included Carson Beckman, Formal Speech; Brenna Shoemaker, Illustrated Speech; Daphne Slusser, Oral Interpretation; and Dinah Slusser, Formal Speech.

Best of Show Junior: Brennan Shoemaker
Best of Show Senior: Dinah Slusser

State Fair Delegates:
Brennan Shoemaker
Daphne Slusser
Dinah Slusser

State Fair Alternate:
Carson Beckman

State Fair Delegates will compete at the Illinois 4-H Public Speaking Contest on Saturday, April 27 at Parkland College.

Career Exploration

Eighteen 4-H youth from Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties took part in an environmental science career exploration trip and tour with the Army Corps of Engineers and Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, IL. Youth toured the facilities at Melvin Price Locks and Dam on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Youth participants met with environmental science professionals for career advice and discussion. Presenters included Corrinne O’Brien, Natural Resource Specialist; Travis Smith, Park Ranger; and Tom Lytle, Mechanical Engineer. Each professional shared their position duties and responsibilities, education and experience requirements, career pathways and advancement opportunities. Other career opportunities within environmental science and positions available at Melvin Price Locks and Dam were shared as well. 

Following the career discussions, youth participated in a tour of the facilities. Rising 80 feet in the air, 4-H members learned how the river flows, the role of the locks and dam with navigation and preserving wildlife, water, and the surrounding community. Park Ranger, Travis Smith, shared the integral work each staff member performs while operating the dam. Youth got to see this work in action while observing a commodity barge maneuver through the system. 

The purpose of the career exploration program with 4-H is to spark new ideas, explore pathways, and identify career opportunities. 

2024 Jersey County 4-H Show Schedule

CJMM Unit 4-H Horse Show - June 8
Fair Clean Up/4-H Club Games - July 5
Cat and Dog Show - July 5
Rabbit and Poultry Shows - July 6
General Show - July 6
Livestock Weigh-In - July 7
Master Showmanship Contest - July 7
Livestock (swine, sheep, goats and beef) Shows - July 8
Foundation Appreciation Meal and Livestock Auction - July 8

Horse Show Paperwork was sent to all members enrolled in horses earlier this week. All paperwork is due to the Macoupin County Extension Office by May 1. No exceptions!

FairEntry will open for project registration on May 15 and close on June 12. More information and instructions on how to register will be emailed to families the week prior to open registration.