Fruit sale information was sent out a couple weeks ago. If you didn't receive anything let the office know. If you need any extra fruit forms they are available at the office, 4-H center or in the kitchen if your club meets there. Reminder we give away prizes for top 3 fruit salesman!!

• All fruit must be entered online by March 4th!!

• Order confirmations will be sent out 3/5 and must be approved by 3/7 at noon.

• Fruit arrives March 21st.

• Money is due to club leaders by March 29th.

Get those creative juices flowing and create the next design for the 2024 Clay County Fair T-Shirts!! The winner will receive a cash prize and their design featured on the 2024 Fair shirts as well as the 2024 Summer Supplement book cover! See the below flyer for more details!

THANK YOU THANK YOU to all of you 4-H families for going out and selling the 4 of Clubs bundles with your efforts the pot was able to start at over $15,000 and after week one drawing the pot is already over $19,000!!

The Vermillion Sunshine Eagles Auxiliary & Aerie #2421 are promoting an Oratory Competition for students ages 10 to 15 called God, Flag & Country. “The Purpose of this program is to instill in our young people a deeper understanding of God, Flag and Country in our common lives and to make them aware of their heritage and to make it more meaningful to them in the world today.”

The Clay County Youth Trust Fund Scholarships are out now. You can get them from your school guidance counselor, at the Extension Office, or on the county website.

Also the South Dakota State 4-H scholarships are out now you can access them at the link below.

• DNA collection will be requirement for the 2024 State Fair for all Market animals. DNA envelopes will be available for pickup at the Extension Office for $1/envelope.
• 4-H Green tags will still be available at the office for $1 each.
• Poultry bands will be available at the office for $0.50

The Poultry Committee invites anyone interested in learning how to become a 4-H poultry judge

to a judge’s clinic on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 2-4 p.m. at the Brookings County Outdoor

Adventure Center. Wayne Fischer will lead the clinic. Anyone 17 years old and older is invited to

attend. Sign up is required at https://www.lincolncountysd.org/FormCenter/4H-7/4H-Poultry-

Judges-Clinic-97 by Feb. 5.

All of the new rodeo documents have been updated on the extension website. This includes

1. 2024 Contestant Packet (Due May 1)

2. Insurance declaration form (due to 4-H Office, not sent to the finals secretary.)

We will again be using the Youth Livestock Literacy (YLL) and Youth Horse Literacy (YHL) programs for this 2023-2024 4-H year, the YLL program is a way to enhance and expand the opportunities offered to our 4-H members to complete the YQCA requirement each year. A YLL or a YQCA certificate will be a requirement to show livestock at the county or state fair in 2024 or a YHL certificate for county or state horse shows! There are many events that may qualify; we will share them here in the newsletter and on Facebook or you can always call the office and ask if we know of new opportunities. Below you can review the YLL program information sheets this lists the items that qualify to meet the YLL requirement. Any member is eligible to complete one of the alternative events; however, the YQCA option is recommended for the member’s first 4 years and may be required for some national level shows. To learn about Youth Livestock Literacy opportunities in your county and beyond, contact the Extension Office.

We have officially launched our 2023-24 statewide community service project, Clover Care Kits.

This is an effort to collect personal hygiene supplies to be donated to facilities serving resource

limited individuals. For now we have a drop box located at the office for any donations look for more information in the upcoming newsletters as we find ways to give back to this project!

Each year, South Dakota 4-H members have the opportunity to compete at National

competitions and attend National leadership opportunities. We are continuously looking for

talented individuals to coach teams and accompany youth on these experiences. Anyone

interested in these opportunities should visit https://extension.sdstate.edu/4-h-coach-and-

chaperone-application and complete the application. The office is currently collecting

applications for individuals interested in coaching or chaperoning 4-H members competing in

2024. We are also looking for folks to chaperone experiences such as Citizenship Washington

Focus, summer camps, Performing Arts, and SkillsX (formerly Teen Leadership Conference)

The South Dakota Ag Foundation is now accepting applications for two grant programs:

• The Building Rural Communities grant is available to 4-H Clubs and FFA/FCCLA

Chapters that wish to improve their communities through projects that demonstrate the

importance of rural communities and the value of the organization that works to improve

rural life.

• The Ag Innovators Youth Education grant is to support new approaches and creative

solutions to offer more agriculture-related innovation and leadership programs for South

Dakota’s youth.

Applications are due by March 1, 2024.

An overview and application for each of the grants is available on the SD Ag Foundation website under "grant programs."

The Black Hills Stock Show in partnership with Pennington County 4-H is hosting their 4-H/FFA

Youth Day on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at The Monument in Rapid City.

This contest is open to teams or individual contestants. For more details

or to register, visit https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/events/free-events/other

The new 4-H year (2023-2024) begins October 1. Members can start re-enrolling in 4-HOnline 2.0 any-time after October 1. Members do need to re-enroll every year. Returning members– please do not set up a new profile! Call the office if you need help!

Club leaders & Volunteers– don’t forget to re-enroll, too! You do not have to complete a new volunteer application but do need to pay the $10 fee by December 15 2023. Checks payable to Clay County 4-H Leaders Association

February

February 1 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

February 2 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

February 3 - Farmers Market 4-H Center

February 3 - Youth Day at the Black Hills Stock Show

February 4 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

February 6 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

February 8 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

February 9 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

February 11 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

February 15 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

February 15 - SS End of Match 1

February 16 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

February 17 - Farmers Market 4-H Center

February 18 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

February 19 - Extension Office Closed - Presidents Day

February 19 - Lucky Trailblazers 6pm Kitchen

February 19 - Hippology Contest - Lincoln County - 2pm

February 20 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

February 22 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

February 23 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

February 25 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

February 27 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

February 29 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March

March 1 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

March 2 - Farmers Market in 4-H Center

March 3 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

March 4 - last Day to enter fruit sales!!

March 5 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March 7 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March 8 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

March 10 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

March 12 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March 14 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March 15 - 4-H Project Day - More details coming!

March 15 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

March 15 - SS End Match 2

March 16 - Farmers Market in 4-H Center

March 17 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

March 18 - State Match Registration Opens in FairEntry (12:01am)

March 19 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March 21 - Fruit Delivery Day - Member Pickup from 3-6pm

March 22 - Fruit pickup for members from 8-5pm

March 22 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

March 24 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

March 26 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March 28 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

March 29 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

March 31 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

April

April 2 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 4 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 5 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

April 6 - Farmers Market in 4-H Center

April 7 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

April 9 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 11 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 12 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

April 13 - 4-H Bee Class for information coming soon!

April 14 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

April 15 - SS End of Match 3

April 16 - Spring State Shoot Registration Deadline

April 16 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 18 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 19 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

April 20 - Farmers Market in 4-H Center

April 21 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

April 23 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 25 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

April 26 - Flyers Practice 4-8pm 4-H Center

April 28 - Flyers Practice 1230-5pm 4-H Center

April 26-28 Spring State Shoot - Ft Pierre/Pierre

April 30 - Dog Practice 7pm - 4-H Center

May

May 20 - Public Presentation entries due by 11:59pm in FairEntry

May 29 - Showman's Best

May 30 - Public Presentations at 6pm in 4-H Center

May 31 - 4-HOnline registrations due for 2023-2024 year

June

June 1 - DNA Envelopes Due to office, All animals must be entered in 4-HOnline, Youth Horse Literacy Deadline

June 3-5 4-H Camp Session 1

June 3-7 - SkillsX by 4-H

June 5-7 - 4-H Camp Session 2

June 10-12 - 4-H Camp Camp Poinsett Going Beyond

June 11 - Entries for County Horse Show due in FairEntry by 11:59pm

June 13 - Special Foods at Yankton County Extension Office 9am

June 15-22 - Citizen Washington Focus Trip

June 25 - Clay/Union/Yankton County Horse Show 9am and Donnelly's arena

July

July 1 - Youth Livestock Literacy deadline

July 15 - Fashion Revue 9am

July 24 - Project Entry for County Fair deadline in FairEntry at 11:59pm

At the March 2022 4-H Leader’s Association Meeting, the following policy was adopted in relation to charges made through the office regarding tags & other fair fees, food stand charges, etc. All 4-H families are permitted to charge a balance to the Clay County 4- H Leaders Association for reasonable and expected costs associated with membership, at the discretion of the Leaders. All 4-H families are also permitted to charge a balance to the 4-H Food Stand during the Clay County Fair. It is expected that any balance due is paid in full within 30 days of receipt of the bill from the 4-H office acting on behalf of the Leaders. One reminder will be sent following 30 days past due. Should balances not be paid in full by November 1 of each club year, 100% of any awards, premium money, fruit sale rebate, or other participation incentives will be withheld from all enrolled members of that family until the balance is settled. Should unforeseen financial circumstances prohibit a 4-H family from settling its balance owed, they must contact the 4-H office as soon as possible to identify a solution to reconcile the balance.

Office Hours Monday - Friday 8-5 (closed over noon hour)

Raven Davis

Secretary

Lauren Hollenbeck

4-H Youth Program Advisor

Email: clay.county@sdstate.edu
Website: https://www.claycountysd.org/extensionoffice4h.cfm
Location: 515 High Street, Vermillion, SD, USA
Phone: 605-677-7111
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/332499696769521