Are you ready to start babysitting for your family, neighbors, or friends? Then don't miss this class designed to help you learn numerous babysitting basics! Register through 4hOnline. Cost is $20 to cover workbook, lunch, snacks, and other resources. Class is limited to 20 youth!

Learn to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. This training provides adults who work with youth the skills to reach out and provide initial support to youth (ages 6-18), and help connect them to the appropriate care. This training is free thanks to the RAGBRAI Community Impact Grant and USDA-NIFA. Register by Feb 13 online.

Exhibitors interested in learning more bout bucket bottle calves can register for the workshop on February 28 at 6 pm at the Extension Office. The intended audience is 4-H members with a parent. RSVP through the "events" tab in 4hOnline. This workshop is free.

To help all 4-H members prepare indoor exhibits, we will be hosting a project extravaganza on May 21. Even though you should be working on your project areas throughout the year, we hope this day will give you at least one exhibit to bring to the county fair.

Please help us decide which project areas you are most interested in by filling out this survey before March 1.

Save the date! March 19, 2022 at Central-DeWitt High School. Teams must be registered by March 8. Find the registration form and rules on the 4-H Foundation website. Brackets will be sent out to club leaders/volunteers soon after.

NEW for 2022: Clubs are asked to provide a volunteer referee for the junior/intermediate games. Volunteer refs will not ref their own club. We NEED more help. The committee cannot have the same three referee's all day for all of the junior and intermediate games - they get tired :)

Clubs who would like to donate a cake - please remember to fill out a funds request form with signatures! The office can directly pay for the cake instead of re-imbursing a club leader. We just need to know ahead of time.

Join us on a charter bus trip to ISU as we tour the meat lab and teaching farms! Open to all youth 7-12th grade. Cost is $30 for Clinton County 4-H members. Lunch is included. Youth can receive their YQCA certification for free with coupon code thanks to Megan Fuglsang - Farm Bureau Financial Services.

Fruit orders are due February 14 by 5 pm to the Extension Office. Fruit will be picked up on Friday, March 4! Correction from the selling sheet - you WILL be able to pick up fruit after 11 am. Watch for an email closer to delivery day!

Livestock skillathons are a great way for youth to share their knowledge of animals and learn in an experiential learning environment. Topics include anatomy and breeds of an animal, feed used in an animal diet, wholesale and retail cuts of meat derived from an animal, and production and management of animals. Livestock studied in skillathons includes swine, sheep, poultry and beef. The competition is April 9 at Iowa State University. If your child is interested in participating, email [email protected]. We will keep in touch when practices are scheduled!

July 20-24, 2022 are the announced dates for this year's Clinton County Fair.

This year's theme will be "Find Your Spark." This was the National 4-H Week theme and we will be continuing to use it for this year's club show.

Exhibitors who have not picked up their premium checks received an email from Kathy. Check your spam if you didn't receive one. PLEASE pick up your checks!

All exhibitors must deposit/cash their checks before May 15, 2022. Please reach out to Kathy at [email protected] if you have any questions.

This is the most up-to-date list we have. Please check with your club leader or club Facebook group for more information!

Cal-Wheat Clover Kids - Feb 19

DeWitt Clover Kids - Feb 13

Elk River Eagles - Feb 3

Goose Lake Clover Kids - Feb 9

Grand Mound Clover Kids - Feb 17

Low Moor Clover Kids - Feb 3

Yes! Youth can still join 4-H or Clover Kids until May 15. The full $30 enrollment fee is still charged for Clover Kids ($45 for 4-H). Families can enroll through 4hOnline or by calling the Extension Office. Youth must be enrolled by May 15 to participate at the Clinton County Fair.

to children and having books in the home is one of the strongest predictors of school success. Children who read and listen to books hear a greater variety of words - up to 40% more - leading to a better vocabulary than those who watch media. All March long, we will be celebrating with Read Across Iowa! More information next month.

Activity: Calming Glitter Jars

Supplies: bottle, glitter, beads/confetti, clear glue, (or substitute items!)

Related topics: Healthy Living

Background: When we understand our emotions and learn to be mindful of the way our body feels as we experience emotions, we equip ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves! This short activity will give you a new tool to add to your mindfulness toolbox: a calming glitter jar. Keep the jar nearby to help you stay calm and mindful throughout the day.

Link: Extension Store (it is free!)

This month's recipe is White Chili. Find the recipe on Spend Smart. Eat Smart.

Access, Equity, and Belonging Champion Groups are looking for 4-H youth interested in leading and supporting the efforts alongside Iowa 4-H Staff and members of community organizations. By being a member of a champion group, youth would share their perspective and offer advice. Please complete the AEBC interest form.

Five Champion Group options:

Iowa 4-H is hosting four brief Zoom sessions to help 4-H leaders. The rest of the webinars are:

Join the Lunch & Learn Zoom for all webinars. Be reminded with the Lunch & Learn Facebook Event.

Please remember to check with Amanda before ordering 4-H apparel for your club! Designs must follow Iowa 4-H and NIFA guidance as stated in the club charter agreement.

Who: 8th grade and up

When: June 28-30

Register: Opens in March via 4hOnline

Cost: $180 (funding available)

About: Every June, approximately 700 teenagers converge on the campus of Iowa State University for 3 days full of speakers, workshops, mixers, dances, a banquet, and service-learning activities. Check out this Youth Conference YouTube video.

All 4-H and Clover Kid Leaders who did NOT attend the in-person annual leader training in September MUST take the class through 4hOnline before July 1. Packets were mailed to all who need it in late January. Follow the directions mailed to complete this 30 minute, required training.

Are you interested in learning more about the State 4-H Recognition Day Process? Sign up to help as a volunteer! Ways to help include:

Once a month, Amanda is visiting 1st graders at Eagle Heights Elementary for Pick a Better Snack lessons. In January, students tried garbanzo beans as hummus and learned how seeds grow into plants. This program is possible thanks to a grant from the River Bluff Community Foundation. If this is something your classroom is interested in, reach out to Amanda at [email protected].

Beginning in January, staff started recording a Monday Message that is aired on Monday’s at 9:05 am on KROS FM 105.9 & AM 1340. Each week, you’ll hear about upcoming programs for that week, news from our colleges on campus, a Spend Smart. Eat Smart. recipe, and parenting tips. It will be added to your favorite podcast app soon.

Farmers wishing to maximize the profits from their fertilizer dollars will want to attend Soil Testing Interpretations and Recommendations: Maximizing Return on Investment. This series will address the profitable management of soil fertility in Iowa, as conditions continue to change with increased fertilizer input costs and a rising demand for nutrients from higher-yielding crops. An in-person workshop will be held in Tipton on Feb. 24 from 9-12:30. Register by calling 563-886-6157 by Feb. 17. An online option is also available Feb. 22-25.

Food processors in Iowa are essential not only to increasing the quantity and diversity of food in their areas, but also in creating employment opportunities for members of their communities. However, to be successful, they must pay attention to food safety, sanitation and preparation. A new online training program from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will help Iowa’s food processors meet these goals. Learn more about the Food Safety, Sanitation and Preparation class.

Who are Master Gardeners?

We are looking for volunteers who:

We welcome participants with all levels of gardening experience! Interested? Contact

Sam Genson at [email protected].

Thoughts of giving up and suicide can be frightening. Not taking these kinds of thoughts seriously can have devasting outcomes. Did you know...

If you are concerned about suicide and don't know what to do, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Save this number as a contact in your phone!

Information from the National Alliance on Mental Health.