Clover Connection 4-H Newsletter

Order a Linn County Fair Book Today!

NEW!! This year you will only receive a paper copy of the 2025 Linn County Fair Book if you request one! Please fill out the request form below by March 18th, 2025. (Limit one per family.) A digital copy of the Linn County Fair Book can be found online. The year will read 2025 when the updated Fair Book is available.

4-H Alumni Event

Calling all 4-H Alumni! No matter your county or state you are invited to join Linn County 4-H for a pop-up Alumni Event! We want to connect with any recent and not-so-recent 4-H Alumni! March 20th, 6-7PM at Aunt Dharma's in Troy Mills, Iowa. All who attend and sign-up for our new alumni database will receive a coupon for food at Dharma's on March 20th! Following the conclusion of our event, Dharma's is hosting trivia!

Junior 4-H Camp 2025: Get Ready for an Adventure!

Join us for Junior 4-H Camp at Camp Wapsi near Coggon, IA, from June 3-5!

Campers (4th-6th graders) will enjoy exciting activities like campfires, swimming, archery, air rifles, rock wall climbing, games, crafts, cabin skits, and much more! Campers will arrive at 1pm on Tuesday, June 3, and will be picked up at 4pm on Thursday, June 5. Do not miss out on this fun-filled, unforgettable experience— registration is limited! See flyer for pricing and more details.

Sign up through 4-H Online today!

Calling All Camp Counselors for Junior 4-H Camp 2025!

Are you ready to make a difference at Junior 4-H Camp? We are looking for enthusiastic and responsible counselors to join us for camp at Camp Wapsi from June 3-5, 2025! Counselors will help lead activities like team building, crafts, games, and more, all while making lasting memories with campers! To serve as a counselor, you must be at least 16 years old by June 1, 2025.



If you are ready for an exciting and rewarding experience, apply today by filling out the application! Submit your application by emailing it to linn4h@iastate.edu or dropping it off at the Linn County Extension Office.

Attention Nurses!

We are looking for a nurse to assist with administering medications and ensuring the safety of our campers at 4-H Camp, held June 3-5 at Camp Wapsi in Coggon, Iowa. If you are a nurse with a 4-H member attending camp, we are happy to waive the cost of their registration! Your help would be greatly appreciated as we strive to make safety a top priority for all our campers.

Interested? Please reach out to linn4h@iastate.edu for more details!

Thank you for helping us make this camp experience safe and enjoyable for everyone!

No School? No Problem!

Does your child have the day off of school on Tuesday March 18th? Are you looking for something educational for them? Look no further! Linn County 4-H is hosting a "No School? No Problem!" Day Camp!

From 9 am- 3 pm join us for a fun filled day of art, science, and games. The Location is 1770 Boyson Road Hiawatha (The extension office)

Please bring a lunch but snacks will be provided.

Cost is $30 per participant.

Sign up on Jotform.

Read Across Iowa: Bring the Joy of Reading Home!

Make reading a fun family tradition!

Check out the March Read Across Iowa Home Activity Calendar for book lists, activities, and fun ways to join the celebration!

Let’s read, explore, and grow—one page at a time!

LEGO Robotics 2-Session Workshop

Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! Register now for this upcoming 2-session LEGO Robotics Workshop with 4-H STEAM Club teen members! Work in small groups to design, build, and code a LEGO robot to complete challenges!

Workshop sessions are open to all 4th-8th grade 4-H members in Linn County and will take place on Saturday, April 5th and Sunday, April 13 at the Kirkwood Linn Regional Center from 1-4pm.

Session 1 will focus on robot-building strategies. Session 2 will focus on coding robots. It is recommended that participants register for both days, however, participants can attend either Session as a single workshop option.

No previous experience is necessary. Space is limited! 

The cost to participate is $10 for each Workshop Session. Register through 4-H Online (https://v2.4honline.com). Contact Linn County 4-H or the office with questions, linn4h@iastate.edu; (319)-377-9839

Brand new Horticulture Contest for Linn County Fair!

Join Master Gardner's and fellow 4-H members and learn about the new Horticulture Contest happening at the Linn County Fair this year. We will be going over rules, and plant ideas and answering any of your horticulture questions! Participants will be able to walk aways with free seeds to get started! 

• When: April 10th 5:30-6:30pm
• Who: K-12th grade youth and their adults
• Where: Linn County Extension Office

ISU Fashion Show Behind the Scenes Day

One of the largest student-run fashion shows in the nation happens right here at Iowa State – and you’re invited! April 11, 2025, is Behind the Scenes Day – we can’t wait to see you!

Throughout the day, you’ll participate in hands-on activities related to the fashion industry. The day ends with a front-row seat for the final dress rehearsal for The Fashion Show. This event is designed for high school students. Learn more and register to attend!

4-H Workshop Day

Join us Saturday, April 12th at the Linn County Extension Office for a morning of project workshops!

Session 1: Fair Approved Frosting Recipe and Piping Techniques

• 8:00-9:30 AM
• Participants will use the only fair approved frosting recipe to learn piping techniques and practice by decorating cookies!
• Cost: $10

Session 2: Woodworking and Staining

• 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
• Participants will learn woodworking skills like sanding and staining! They will wrap up with a writeup worksheet to feel prepared to show a static exhibit at the County Fair.
• Cost: $25

There will be a brief information session on the Wildlife Habitat Education Program between sessions!

Sign up for sessions on 4-H Online!

Graduation Honor Cords for Seniors in 4-H

We would like to recognize our 2025 graduating seniors with graduation cords for all the hard work you have put into the program these past several years! Please fill out this form by April 25th, 2025. Cords will need to be picked up at the Linn County Extension Office (1770 Boyson Rd. Hiawatha).

Note: Please check to make sure your school allows you to wear cords that they did not provide to you.

Senior Spotlight

We would like to recognize our 2025 graduating seniors at the 2025 Linn County Fair and all the hard work you have put into the program these past several years! Please fill out this form by May 31st, 2025.

Annual Volunteer Training and Reporting Hours

Are you a 4-H Volunteer?

Annual Volunteer Training is now open on 4-H Online! Club leaders, you should have received an email with more details in February.

Report you volunteer hours on this form each month. If you missed a month, you can still submit them!

Links to Linn County Livestock/Animal Facebook Pages

Stay in the know, ask committees your questions!

• Beef Facebook Page, Beef Band App
• Dog Facebook Page
• Horse and Pony Facebook Page
• Rabbit and Cavy Facebook Page
• Poultry Facebook Page

Careers in Agriculture Fair!

Thinking about the future? Wondering what jobs are out there in agriculture? Do you like to work with animals, people, crops, or numbers? There are so many options on how you can work in the Agriculture Industry! 

• When: April 5th at 1:00pm-4:00pm 
• Where: Extension Office Room 100 Use North Doors 
• Who: Any 4-H or FFA members thinking about a career in Ag. Clover Kids are welcome to attend this workshop, but it may be a long afternoon for them. 

RSVP for the Agriculture Career Fair through 4-H Online (https://v2.4honline.com). 

This workshop is open to all 4-H and FFA members and will count toward the Linn County All-Around Beef Exhibitor and Premier Swine Exhibitor Awards. 

• Example Careers: Vet—Animal Genetics—Agronomy—Seed Sales—Equipment Sales—Mechanics—Tech in Agriculture—Teaching—Locker

Breeding Beef Tattoo Reminder

ALL breeding beef need a legible tattoo in their ear that matches the tattoo listed in 4-H Online. Physically check the tattoo in the ear to ensure it matches with what is on the registration papers and listed in 4-H Online. It is not recommended to rely on what others have told you the tattoo is. Verify the tattoo yourself! If you need assistance reading your tattoo or getting a new tattoo put in, please contact Josh Langhoff, Beef Committee Co-Chair, and he will come to your farm to help. Fresh tattoos are not allowed at the county fair. Tattoo your heifer prior to May 15th.

Bucket Bottle Calves must have 840 USDA Tag or 4-H Tag!

New this year, Bucket Bottle Calves, including Clover Kids Bucket Bottle Calves, must have an 840 USDA Tag or a 4-H Tag! 4-H tags can be bought from the Extension Office, and an Alfex red tagger can be borrowed until May 1st. Please email linn4h@iastate.edu with any questions.

Dog Orientation!

Dogs learn obedience. 4-H’ers learn responsibility!

Note: Any 4-H or FFA Member wanting to exhibit dog at the 2025 Linn County Fair must attend at least one orientation!

March 25th: 6:00pm or March 27th: 6:00pm

People only in attendance at orientation (no dogs). Dog classes will start on Tuesday, April 15th, at the Linn County Fairgrounds.

New to the dog project area and have questions? Orientation is the perfect time to ask. Want to ask prior? Email linn4h@iastate.edu.

RSVP for Dog Orientations through 4-H Online

Horse Orientation

All 4-H and FFA Members interested in showing Horse/Pony at the Linn County Fair must attend one orientation! Each horse/pony planning on exhibiting at fair must attend one clinic.

Date: March 24 or March 26 Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Extension Office

Objectives: Learn about the horse project area and what to expect when attending Horse Obedience classes

Questions? Email linn4h@iastate.edu

Equine Extravaganza!

• April 12-13, 2025
• Location: Ellsworth Equestrian Center, Iowa Falls, IA
• Audience: Youth in grades 4-12
• Cost: $40/team or $10/individual for Horse Judging, Quiz Bowl, Hippology | $10 for Model Horse Show | $8/entry for Horseless Horse Events (Financial assistance available for youth registration fees.)

Equine Extravaganza provides opportunities for all youth in grades 4-12 to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. Depending on the event, youth can participate both as an individual and as part of a team.

For more information visit the Iowa Equine Extravaganza Webpage!

Poultry Fair Prep Workshop

Learn how to get your birds ready for county fair and what to look for when selecting which birds to show.

• Who: Clover Kid, 4th-8th grade members. Highschool welcome!
• When: May 10th, 10:00-11:00 AM
• Where: Linn County Extension Office (1770 Boyson Rd, Hiawatha)

Pullorum Typhoid Testing for Poultry

All poultry are required to be Pullorum Typhoid (PT) tested prior to fair.

Linn County will be offering PT Testing on May 31st at scheduled times in the morning. Reserve your time slot today! https://go.iastate.edu/MQX8GM

Rabbit/Cavy need a tattoo or tag for County Fair

All rabbits must have a tattoo in their ear for identification to exhibit at the county fair. Cavy (guinea pigs) must have an ear tag. Families can schedule a time with the rabbit committee to accomplish either of these two identifications. Email dunlha00@gmail.com and/or christophe3.16@gmail.com

Iowa State Rabbit Breeders Workshop

Each spring, the Iowa State Rabbit Breeders volunteer to organize two area-wide workshops for youth wanting to raise and show rabbits for 4-H and FFA. The dates for 2025 are Sunday, March 9, at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax, and Saturday, April 5 at the Muscatine Agriculture Learning Center in Muscatine—more information to come. Contact Lynne Rechterman with questions.

Rabbit School and Show

Join 4-H and FFA Members for a fun ½ day of Rabbit and Cavy learning and a practice show! Sign up for either the morning or afternoon session. This will count as a Rabbit Orientation or Workshop for Linn County Fair!

An event for Iowa 4-H and FFA youth involved in rabbit and cavy projects, offering educational experiences and participation in the American Rabbit Breeders Association showing.

April 13th 8:30am - 12:00pm 

Amana RV Park & Event Center 3850 C. ST. Amana, IA 52203

Learn Grooming Welfare, Breed ID & Showmanship, Tattoo & Tagging, Sports, Toys, and Treats. Also get the chance to show your rabbit or cavy!

Learn more and register at 4-H Online

Rabbit Hopping 101

What is rabbit hopping? What equipment do you need? What can you do at home to practice?

When: May 17th, 9-10:30am

Where: Extension Office Room 100 (Use north doors)

Register at 4-H Online.

Sheep and Goat Weigh-In

When: April 27th 12:30-2:30pm 

Where: Linn County Fairgrounds, Beef Ring

Who needs to come?

• All market lambs and commercial ewes must attend weigh-in.
• Only Market Meat Goats need to attend weigh-in.
• AOB Goat MUST have a Scrapie Tag but do not need to attend weigh-in

Questions: Email otter@iastate.edu 

Tag Cost: $4 per tag State Fair Sheep & Goats will cost: $9

Swine Tags

We do not host a weigh-in for hogs. Instead, families need to stop by the Extension Office and purchase ear tags for their hogs. Ear tag numbers need to be entered into 4-H Online by May 15^th for the Animal Identification deadline. If you need assistance with tagging, let extension staff know, and we can get a committee member to help you. Swine ear tags are USDA Sheild EID ear tags. If you already have these or similar tags, please email otter@iastate.edu prior to purchasing tags. 

Swine and Dairy Goat Show Changes at County Fair

This year the Swine show will take place on Thursday, June 26th. The Dairy Goat show will take place on Sunday, June 29th. Dairy Goats will check-in and show on the same day.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certifications are due May 15th, 2025 for those 4-H and FFA exhibitors wanting to show the following species at the Linn County or Iowa State Fairs.

Pigs—Beef Cattle—Sheep–Dairy Cattle— Goats—Rabbits/Cavy—Poultry

You will need to have YQCA completed prior to registering in FairEntry.

To complete YQCA follow the steps below:

Video Directions

1. Go to YQCAProgram.org
2. Sign-in or create an account
3. Select the member taking the course.
4. Select age of youth in 2024
5. Pay and take the course.
6. Take post test!
7. Save the certificate and certificate number. Email photo or PDF of the certificate to JD at otter@iastate.edu