Hello 4-H Families, 

Happy New Year! Thank you for an incredible 2023! We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday season. 

As a reminder, if you submitted your re-enrollment AFTER the December 1, 2023 deadline, please submit your enrollment fees to the Extension Office. New members will have their enrollment fees waived. 

Please note that individuals enrolled in animal projects will receive mailings this month. This mailing will include important dates and requirements for the upcoming show season. 

Project selections for 4-H exhibit eligibility are due by April 15. Make all add/drop changes within ZSuite by this deadline. 

Thank you!

Jessica Jaffry
4-H Youth Development Educator
Serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties

4-H SHOWBOOK COVER CONTEST
Entries are due Feb. 7 to the Extension office.

Calling all artists! Create a design for the chance to be featured on the cover of the 2024 Jersey County 4-H Showbook. Entries are due February 7 to the Jersey County Extension office or email jjaffry@illinois.edu. For your entry to be considered, please follow all of the requirements listed below. All entries will be included in the showbook with the winner on the front cover and second place featured on the back cover. 

Entry Requirements:

• "Jersey County 4-H Showbook" and the year "2024" must be shown somewhere in your design.
• Use any 4-H fair or project theme.
• Must be a 4-H member. This includes Cloverbuds.
• Your artwork must be drawn or printed in black ink only.
• Your entry must be on white unlined paper.
• No entries with trademark characters/symbols other than the 4-H clover are accepted.
• Put your name and club on the back of your design in pencil.
• Design must be vertical.
• One entry per person.

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. If dates or times need to change due to weather, families will be notified via email and information will be posted on our Facebook page.

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.

Members can complete this training online or in-person. Jersey County is offering two in-person training sessions this Spring. Members can attend any one session. All session will cover the same topics and material. Members must be present for the entire training and pre-register in order to receive certification. Attending an in-person training does count as attending a workshop for youth enrolled in beef, goats, sheep and swine. 

Deadline to complete certification: May 1, 2024

Training available in Jersey County at the Extension Office on March 8, 2024 at 3:00pm and on March 28, 2024 at 10:00am. Cost $3. Coupons are available to cover the cost of in-person sessions. Please email Jessica for a coupon code.

For more information about YQCA trainings and to view other training dates available, check out the flyer below. Youth who complete the training online will need to either upload their certificate or email to Jessica. 

WINTER PHOTO CONTEST
Take a photo with a Winter theme! The photo MUST be taken by the 4-H member.
Submit your winter photo to Kate via email at harding@illinois.edu by February 23.

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.

JERSEY COUNTY 4-H PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST
March 21, 2024 at Farm Credit Jerseyville, IL
Check in: 5:45pm - Presentations starting at 6pm
Deadline to register is March 14.

There are two age divisions: Jr. age 8-13 as of Sept. 1, 2023 and Sr. age 14-18 as of Sept. 1, 2023.

Exhibit Guidelines: There are four divisions in this year's contest. Each division offers options that the presenter may choose to make their presentation unique. 

Enrollment in the Public Presentations project is required to participate. No live animals are allowed in speeches. Not enrolled in Public Presentations? Add it to your enrollment in ZSuite or email Jessica. 

4-H COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Jersey County Extension Office at 6 PM
Join us to plan for the upcoming show season and the remainder of the 4-H year! Open to all youth, families, and community members interested in creating a positive program experience for the youth of Jersey County. The goal is to have at least two representatives from each club to attend. Please RSVP to Jessica via email. 

4-H LEADER MEETING
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Jersey County Extension Office at 7 PM (immediately following 4-H Committee)
Open to 4-H club leaders - at least one leader from each club is required to attend. Leaders will discuss 4-H shows, members in good standing and pick up fair materials. Leaders need to RSVP to Jessica via email.