RSVP: 4-H—none needed! Sign in each week.

The dog committee will start dog workshops on Monday, April 3! Workshops will continue every Monday (except Memorial Day) until county fair. This makes 15 training class opportunities. Exhibitors must attend at least 8 classes to be eligible to show. (Rule 5 in Dog Section of the Fair Book)

4-H or FFA members planning to show broiler chickens must order them through the Extension Office on or before 4/20. Chicks are $2/each and will arrive on 5/30. Review the broiler letter for more information.

Each 4-H/Clover Kids family will receive a printed fair book again for 2023. Attend your club’s April meeting to pick it up. Read through it, mark it up, ask questions. This is YOUR fair book! It is also posted online. They are safety green this year so you can’t miss them!

4-H members must identify their animals (except poultry and rabbits) by May 15 in order to be eligible to exhibit them! Check out the help sheet on the County Fair website.

RSVP: none

What to expect: One of the organizers of the upcoming Cedar County Horse Invitational will be at the Clinton County Extension Office to answer questions and provide an overview of this new event. All 4-H and FFA members are welcome to attend. It’ll be a short 15-30 minute discussion!

New for 2023! Sheep and Goat members must bring their animals to the designated weigh in location. Committee members will NOT be visiting your farm. See letter for more information.

All 4-H members interested in the swine project received a letter mailed with additional in March. View online for a reminder!

May 15 Animal Identification Deadline is Almost Here

Animals that MUST be identified for 4-H/ FFA members include: beef, bucket bottle calf, dairy cattle, dogs, goats, horses, pets, sheep, and swine. FFA members—identify via Google Spreadsheet, ask your advisor. 4-H members– identify via 4hOnline. REMEMBER: This process only identifies the animal. You will still need to enter the animal in a specific class through FairEntry by July 1. Page 42 in the fair book explains it.

You MUST identify your animal FIRST and then sign up for classes through FairEntry. Need help? Visit the County Fair website.

2023 Clinton County Club Show FairEntry: https://clintoniowa.fairentry.com/

Please help us recognize outstanding volunteers by submitting a nomination form by May 15.

Hall of Fame inductees can be found here. Past Meritorious Service inductees can be found here. Award recipients are recognized at the Clinton County Fair on Thursday, July 20. We can keep a secret or share with them ahead of time!

As shared in the email to Clover Kids families… Unfortunately, Clinton 4-H will not host summer day camps for K-3rd youth this June. As Amanda shared in the March Newsletter, she am expecting her first baby in July and the Extension Office has decided to focus on fair preparations. We plan to return next year!

Clover Kids also receive a copy of the fair book. You can pick up yours at your next club meeting. If you also have a 4-H member, check with their club! Your family only receives one book.

Clover Kids members can participate in a ton of different ways at the Clinton County Fair. One way is at the Bucket of Blooms contest!

· Check out all five steps in the Clover Kids Fair Activity Guide online.

· Delightfully Delicious (minimum of three edible herbs or vegetables)

· Colors of the Rainbow (minimum of three colors)

· Fantastic Foliage (2 different types)

The weather is getting warmer and we’re dreaming of summer! Frozen pudding sandwiches come together in no time and make a fun sweet treat. Customize with vanilla or chocolate pudding today. Link to full recipe on Spend Smart. Eat Smart.

From Ohio 4-H   Download for free online.

Register: v2.4honline.com

About: 4-12th grade youth are invited to attend this beginner workshop focused on beef, swine, sheep, and meat goats. Youth will select two of the four species when registering. Check-In from 7:30-7:55 am. Lunch served at noon with a presentation. See flyer for more information.

Register: v2.4honline.com

About: Camp activities include fishing, hiking, water games, snacks and more! Plan to bring a sack lunch, water bottle, change of clothes, closed toe shoes, sunscreen and bug spray. See flyer for more information.

· Financial aid for enrollment fees

· Scholarships to attend state-wide events

· Support for State 4-H Conference

· Support for State 4-H Council

See the Count Your Clovers flyer for additional information.

Entry is now open for Market Broilers for the Iowa State Fair. Entries are due in FairEntry by May 1. Payment must be postmarked on or before May 1. Exhibitors must purchase 50 birds at a cost of $93.50. For families sharing the 50 birds, each 4-H member must make a class entry for the Market Broiler division, but only one 4-H member should indicate the bird order. Birds will be shipped from the hatchery contracted by the Iowa State Fair directly to the 4-H’ers on June 26. Participation is limited to the first 100 youth. FairEntry: https://fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/17953

The States’ 4-H Exchange International Program seeks 8 more 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. Deadline to apply is April 15, 2023. Japanese youth delegates will be assigned to a host family by June 1, 2023.

1. Complete "Evaluate, Educate, Encourage: 4-H Judges Training" for general knowledge about the role of a 4-H judge and expectations.

Evaluate, Educate, Encourage: 4-H Judges Training: April 13 from 6:30 pm - 8 pm. Register at https://form.jotform.com/230575628996170. This training will be offered virtually.

2. Complete the project area training offered. Many of these trainings are recorded and can be found on the Resources for Evaluating Exhibits webpage.

3. Complete the judges database form.​​​​​​​

The 2023 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference is a three-day event for high school youth. There is a specific Animal Science Roundup track too! Learn more on the Youth Conference website. Financial assistance is available. Past Clinton County attendees have really enjoyed their time at this event!

STEM in Motion 2024 is in Florida! The registration deadline has been extended until April 16. There will be a parent information meeting on April 5 at 6 pm. Information can be found on the “Beyond the County” side of the Youth Programs website.

Just over a month on the job, Samantha is the newest Clinton County Extension and Outreach team member. We are excited to have her here as the Office Coordinator! She will most likely be the first person you see when visiting the office or calling in. Help us welcome her when you stop in or call :)

Intended audience: Adults caregivers of children ages 0-18 years

Format: One 45- to 60-minute workshop

When: Wednesday, 5/3 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Where: Clinton Public Library

About: How do parents use research to help inform their unique parenting reality? If you are an adult caregiver of children or county Extension staff, this workshop will help answer this important question. You will be introduced to The Science of Parenting, learn about how parenting realities are different, and be introduced to five helpful tools and techniques. More information.

In order to help producers and custom operators examine the market, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publishes the Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey.

Read more about this report.

More information.

As the 2023 growing season approaches, Aaron Saeugling, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, discusses important considerations when improving thin or over-grazed pastures. A recent article written by Saeugling for ISU Extension and Outreach’s Acreage Living Newsletter highlights these considerations and provides resources for pasture improvement. Read more.