GROWS

This month we shine the spotlight on...

Kris Walker: Cass Red Cardinals Leader & 2017 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee

How many years have you been a club leader? Since 2010.

Were you in 4-H yourself? If so, what were some of your projects? You bet! Way back in my day, Cass was split between boys and girls-I was a Cass Red Pepper. Then the clubs merged and I came out a Cass Red Cardinal. As for projects, my interests varied from visual arts and sewing to pets (had quite the prolific guinea pig herd), dogs, and horses.

What if your favorite thing about being a leader?The kids & families! While the fair is a labor of love, the very best thing is sharing stories of growth with the kids & watching them interact with their fellow 4Hers, the judges, their buddies, their families, the general community, and complete strangers. Kids truly become our very best ambassadors for our program.

Of the 4 H’s; (head, heart, hands, and health), which one resonates with you the most and why?Probably our Hands...it is the part of the pledge where we get all rowdy and show the world what we can do. Our hands reach out to the club, community, country and world to strut our stuff.

@hamiltonco4H

@hamco4h

Enrolling in 4-H

Starting September 1st you will need to enroll or

re-enroll in 4-H using 4-HOnline. Need help? Use

the help sheet (extension.iastate.edu/4h/

page/4honline-information-families-and-leaders) or

give us a call at 515-832-9597.

Clover Kids After School Program

Clover Kids is a FUN 4-H program for kids in

K-3rd grade. Children participate in hands-on

activities designed to build lots of different life

skills! We will have programs in South Hamilton,

Northeast Hamilton, Stratford & Webster City this

school year. More information is coming soon!

Extension Office Closed September 4

The Extension office will be closed in observance

of Labor Day. We will resume regular office hours

on September 5. Send the summer off safely!

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Ross Wilburn, Diversity Officer, 2150 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, 515-294-1482, wilburn@iastate.edu.

After Fair Evaluation

Please help us make the best better by

completing our after Fair evaluation. You can

find it on our website (extension.iastate.edu/

hamilton/news/2017-hamilton-county-fair-

results-and-evaluation).

Record Book Due Date

Record books need to be completed and into your club leaders in the first week of September (check with your leaders for exact date). All forms you will need are on our website (extension.iastate.edu/hamilton/news/4-h-recordkeeping). Officer books are due to your leaders or the Extension Office by September 15th.

4-H Back to School Bash

Thank You Cards

A little thank you can go a long way! With that in mind, we have thank you postcards that can be sent to mentors, club leaders, trophy sponsors, livestock buyers, etc. Pick them up at the Extension Office and let us know if you need help finding addresses!

4-H Calendar

We have added a new calendar to our website that will only list 4-H events. This will hopefully make it easier for everyone to stay up to date on what’s happening in our county! We will list club meetings, project meetings and even service projects that may come up. If you or your club has something they would like added please email Leah (lcfeltz@iastate.edu) or Stacie (siles@iastate.edu) and we will get it added! The calendar can be found at extension.iastate.edu/hamilton/page/projects.

Intermediate & Senior Awards

When you turn in your record book you will also need to turn in award forms. More information bout major awards and all of the application materials can be found at extension.iastate.edu/hamilton/news/county-4-h-award-forms. There is also information on that site about State awards.

Fair Results & Show Books

Fair results can be found on our website at extension.iastate.edu/hamilton/news/2017-hamilton-county-fair-results-and-evaluation. If you would like a blank copy of any of the livestock show books for your records please let Leah or Stacie know and we can send you copies!

Fair Premium Checks

Reports have been run and finalized so we are expecting premium checks to be delivered to us soon! They will be mailed to your club leader as soon as we get them and distributed by your club treasurer.

Regardless of our love, protection, wisdom and effort, our kids go through stress and difficult situations. Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 helps kids ages 10-14 navigate that stress and handle those difficult situations. Research has shown that youth program participants:

• Increase their academic success

• Strengthen communication skills

• Gain tools that improve relationships

This FREE 7 week program will start September 11th

in Webster City with a free family meal served at 5:30 pm and program from 6-8 pm. Free child care is also provided for families in attendance. For more information, or to register, please call Susan Schmitz at the Hamilton County Extension Office, 832-9597. Families may also register online at: extension.iastate.edu/hamilton/sfp10-14.

Iowa 4-H Alumni Registration

Thanks to all the alumni and friends who visited the Iowa 4-H Foundation on 4-H Day at the Iowa State Fair! We had a great day, but the fun doesn't end there! Continue to encourage all 4-H alumni and friends to register through the Iowa 4-H Foundation at www.iowa4hfoundation.org/alumni. The competition is still on for the top three counties who register the most alumni to win money from the Foundation sponsored by DuPont Pioneer. This promotion runs through September 30!

State Fair Results

State Fair exhibits and judging results are available to pick up in our office. All results can be found at extension.iastate.edu/4h/node/11163.

National 4-H Week is the perfect time to spread the word about 4-H and encourage new members to join Hamilton County 4-H! It’s also a great time to thank those people or organizations that do so much to support 4-H in our county (like club leaders, parents, local business, etc.) If you would like locker signs, thank you cards or any other materials to help spread the 4-H love just let Stacie or Leah know and we will be happy to share materials with you and your club! If you have any creative ideas on how we can spread the word about 4-H in Hamilton County, we would love to hear it! Email or call us anytime!

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Are you a middle or high school student who’s making a difference through volunteering? In each state the top middle and high school youth volunteer will be named State Honorees and will receive an award of $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., in late April. Runners-up will also be selected in each state and named Distinguished Finalists, receiving a bronze medallion. Other state-level winners will receive Certificates of Excellence. All state-level honorees will be announced in February. During the trip, 10 of the State Honorees will be named America’s top youth volunteers of the year and receive $5,000 awards, engraved gold medallions, crystal trophies for their schools or organizations, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofilt charitable organizations of their choice. Local Honorees who qualify can also receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Apply before Nov. 7 at https://spirit.prudential.com/apply/2018

Or Current Resident

Hamilton County 311 Bank Street Webster City, IA 50595

September

1st Record Books Due to Leaders (check with leader for exact date)

1st Enrollment/Re-enrollment Begins (in 4-H Online)

4th Extension Office Closed (Labor Day)

9-17 Clay County Fair

10th 4-H Back to School Bash (5 pm, East Twin Park)

11th Strengthening Families Program Begins (Extension Office)

15th Officer Books Due to Extension Office