Last few days to sell fruit!! All sales must be made by March 4th! 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.

To sign up for March and receive a 4-H apron sign up by March 1!

If you missed the deadline by March do not worry you can still sign up for April just follow the link in the QR code in the flyer!

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!

Entries due April 12th!

The National 4-H Youth in Action program amplifies the diverse stories and leadership of 4-H

youth who are making a difference in their communities every day. It is a premiere community

of 4-H’ers who are preparing for their future while showcasing how 4-H changed their lives and

equipped them to change the lives of others. Teens aged 14-19 are encouraged to apply to the

4-H Youth in Action Program for the chance to tell their 4-H impact story and win a $5,000

educational scholarship. The deadline to apply is April 1st at 11:59 p.m. PST. To apply for the

National 4-H Youth in Action Program, please go the link below

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, link below.

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

All of these scholarship opportunities are due by April 1st.

The SD Association of Weed & Pest Boards will once again be providing their SD Weedfighters

Scholarship. Applications are due by March 31, 2024. Please see the attached application for

more information.

The 4-H YPA's of Brookings, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Marshall, and

Roberts counties will be hosting a 6-week virtual babysitting preparation series, Kid Kare,

starting March 18. Kid Kare is designed for youth ages 9 and older that are interested in

babysitting responsibilities. The online, interactive series will address topics that include

Understanding Kids, Caring for Children, Safety First, Nutrition, Fun Activities with

Kids, and Babysitting as a Business.

The Kid Kare program will feature a weekly live presentation; however, a recording of each

session will be available on demand if participants are unable to join the workshop during the

scheduled time. The 2024 Kid Kare dates are: March 18, March 25, April 8, April 15, April 22,

and April 29. All live presentations will take place from 4 - 5 pm CST. The program fee is $20 per

participant.

Registration is open to the first 100 youth or March 7, 2027, whichever comes first, and can be

completed at the link below. Program materials and course access/log-in information will be sent prior to March 18.

The Communications Committee is looking for new volunteer members to help us provide

positive youth development opportunities to those that participate in the 4-H Communications

project area throughout the 4-H year and during the South Dakota State Fair. Please consider

joining one of the following teams:

- Action/event team: Members of this team only meet on average 2 times throughout the

year via Zoom as their main task is to assist at State Fair during the event. Tasks include

but are not limited to; running check-in, organizing score sheets, helping with results and

communicating with youth, families and the judges to create a fun and well organized

event. Youth volunteers serving on this committee cannot participate in the 4-H

communications project area.

- Education team: Members of this team meet roughly 3-4 times a year via Zoom as their

main tasks include creating new ideas and opportunities without having to help at the

event in person. Tasks include but are not limited to: helping to create new ideas for the

committee (this includes making new project areas inside Communications, creating

workshop ideas for counties to educate youth on the project area, or being a resource to

help further the youths experience), members of the education team make edits and

changes to current contests to insure that the experience is beneficial to youth, update

scoresheets, rules and the contestant packet.

Service on both teams is a great way for adults to get more engaged with the 4-H program and

youth to gain valuable life skills. If being part of either of these teams is something you are interested in, you can express your interest or direct questions to regina.bakley@sdstate.edu

Are you on a 4-H Leaders Association board? Are you the leader of your counties 4-H JR leaders

group? Do you want to learn more about the SD 4-H Legislature Program? We want to join you

virtually! The SD 4-H Civic Education team is excited to join your county 4-H leaders association

or JR Leaders meetings to give a brief presentation about the SD 4-H Legislature Program. Our

hope is that if 4-H club leaders are more informed about this program, you can help us in

recruiting more potential candidates and/or 4-H Legislators through your club meetings.

Ideally, you would have functionality to allow us to join via Zoom, but if that is not feasible we

are happy to join over speaker phone. To request a member of our team to join you virtually,

simply email Hilary Risner (hilary.risner@sdstate.edu) with the following information:

• 4-H County

• 4-H Leaders Association Meeting OR JR Leaders Meeting

• Email for Lead Contact Person of Group

• Date AND Time of Meeting

• Zoom OR Speaker Phone

The South Dakota Chapter of Soil and Water Conservation Society is selling soil painting kits for

clubs or counties interested in teaching youth about soil. The kits include five separate samples

of soil with different texture and color from across South Dakota. Please visit this link for more

information on how this kit can be used: https://sdswcs.wixsite.com/website/soil-color-painting-

kits.

Wyoming 4-H is offering a Virtual Career Night as an opportunity for young people to explore

their future and grow a career. This year’s speaker will be the Peterson Farm Brothers, who will

visit with youth about following their dreams and building a career. Additional speakers will

include how to find scholarships and preparing to find a career and course time to visit with

professionals in a variety of careers.

The event is scheduled for March 19th at 6pm MT/ 7pm CT, is FREE and open to anyone! Youth

are asked to register at https://wyoming4h.org/virtual-career-night/. Continue to check the website for updated presenter information.

• Wednesday – Check in Poultry and Rabbits from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
• Thursday – Large livestock check in from 7-11 am
• Companion Animal Show – Thursday morning at 10:30 am
• Poultry Show – Thursday at noon
• Goat Show – Friday at either 8:00 or 8:30 immediately followed by Sheep Show
• Rabbit Show – Friday at 2:00 pm
• Beef stay the same Saturday 9am
• Round Robin – Saturday at noon
• Buddy Show – Saturday at 1:00pm
• Fashion Revue – 3:00pm

Cloverbuds will be allowed to show a dog, with adult supervision. More information will be coming in the summer fair book.

• 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

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.)

3. This year you must send $20 fee to Finals secretary by May 1

The 2024 State 4-H Horse Show will be located in Huron. The event will run from July 8th -10th.

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.

Check out this years schedule:

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Arrival and Registration (group photo) *No need to bring livestock, livestock will be provided for judging and showmanship.

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Introductions, Livestock Judging: What You Need to Know

10 – 11 a.m. Livestock Judging, all participants

11 – 12 a.m. Session 1 (Group A: Fitting/ Group B: Feeding and Nutrition/ Group C: Showmanship) *Group B focuses on goats

12 – 1 p.m. LUNCH

1 – 2 p.m. Session 2 (Group A: Showmanship/ Group B: Fitting/ Group C: Feeding and Nutrition)

2 – 3 p.m. Session 3 (Group A: Feeding and Nutrition/ Group B: Showmanship/ Group C: Fitting)

3 - 3:30 Closing Remarks

New this year -

Youth do NOT need to bring livestock with

Their will be a goat tract tailored to those youth!

Judging session added!

The Clay County Leaders Association has agreed to cover the cost of this camp as a YLL for all Clay County Youth! To get this code call or email Raven or Lauren.

If you want to register now to secure your spot now follow the link below for more information, or check out the Showman's Best website!

If you are headed to the Mid-City Rabbit Club Show on Saturday, March 9th, take time to sign up

and attend a 4-H Rabbit Skillathon Educational Training while you are at the show. This is an

approved Youth Livestock Literacy Training. The training will be set up from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at

the show which is located at the Bon Homme County 4-H Center in Tyndall. The 4-H Center is

located at 1910 Birch Street Tyndall, SD. Register at https://forms.gle/DcRvySAhmvdxioMAA by

March 7, 2024, through this link. Since rabbit shows tend to be a bit hectic, youth will be able to

come and go from the training as necessary if they need to get their show rabbits to the show

table. This training is to help youth learn more skills for working with their rabbits as well as

become more comfortable with what a typical 4-H Rabbit Skillathon looks like.

Kent Feeds will be hosting a fitting and nutrition clinic at the SDSU Arena in Brookings on March

9th . This is a free event and will go over daily care and feed nutrition of beef, goats, sheep and

pigs.

*This event is not sponsored by SDSU Extension 4-H, but an opportunity we thought would be

valuable for 4-H youth members.

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 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

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 3 - Jr Ambassadors Meeting 1pm - Kitchen

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 12 - Meckling Livestock Meeting 630pm Kitchen

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 18 - Lucky Trailblazers Meeting 6pm Kitchen

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 24 - Burbank Feeders Meeting 5pm 4-H Center

March 26 - Fairgrounds Meeting Follow Up 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 1 - 4-H Scholarships & CCYTF Scholarships Due

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 5 - Fairgrounds Meeting Follow Up 12pm at 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 12 - T-Shirt Contest Entries Due

April 13 - 4-H Bee Class

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 20 - Sewing Class at 230pm

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