Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Newsletter January 2011

January 2011


County Calendars
2011 Oktibbeha County 4-H Calendars are now available for pick up. Remember that dates are subject to change – so check your monthly newsletter to make sure dates have not changed.

4-H Day - MSU Ladies Basketball
4-H Day at the MSU Ladies Basketball game will be February 13, 2011. Tickets are $5.00 (for adults). Children under 18 are free when accompanied by an Adult! Please note that the deadline for ticket and t-shirt sales is February 1, 2011 by 5:00 p.m. Please mail your completed order form and payment to:
Mississippi State 4-H Department, Attention: Betty Rawlings, Box 9641, Mississippi State, MS 39762
Tickets and t-shirts are both available in limited quantities and must be purchased prior to the deadline. They will not be mailed out but available for pick up on game day at the 4-H table near the ticket office in the Humphrey Coliseum.

State 4-H Leadership Team Applications
If you would be interested in applying for the State 4-H Leadership Team, the applications are due January 25th. Applicants must be 14 years old as of January 1st. This is the public relations team for Mississippi 4-H. Information on how to apply is found at the following website or by contacting us at our office: http://msucares.com/4h_Youth/4hleadership/index.html

MS 4-H Volunteer Conference
The Mississippi 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Annual Conference, sponsored by Mississippi State University, will be held February 25-26, 2011, in the Bost Extension Conference Center. Our theme this year is "MS 4-H Volunteer Roundup." All delegates are asked to bring item(s) valued at a minimum of $15 for the Live Auction and Silent Auction fundraisers. The registration fee for full-time delegates is $85.00, and includes all activities, meals, banquet, and annual membership. Applications and money are due in our office by January 25, 2011. See attached sheet for other registration information.

Livestock Judging Contest
Anyone interested in participating in livestock judging, please contact our office ASAP! Junior judging contest is January 21 (dairy) and January 22 (beef, sheep & swine).

Land Judging Contests
If you are interested in learning more about the soils in Mississippi call our office with your name and ages and we will call you when the 1st practices begin. The State Contest will be March.

District & Dixie National Livestock Shows
Our livestock exhibitors will be participating in District and Dixie National livestock shows this month and beginning of February. We wish good luck to our youth livestock exhibitors.

Shooting Sports Begins!
An orientation meeting will be held January 24th at the Oktibbeha Co. 4-H office starting at 4 p.m. Practice dates will also be scheduled at this meeting. Rulebooks will be available at this meeting. Coaches please come if possible!

4-H Legislative Page Week
Legislative page week is March 10-14 in Jackson. This is when 4-H’ers who have applied and been approved, attend the Mississippi State Legislature. Applications are due January 25th.

4-H Beekeeping essay contest
The topic for the contest is U.S. Honey: A Taste for Every Preference. For more information go to the web site http://honeybeepreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2011-Beekeeping-Essay-Rules.pdf

Records/Visual Workshop
There will be a volunteer training workshop Records/Visuals Workshop – February 17, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. Come get some great tips on how 4-H’ers can keep track of all their 4-H activities. You will also learn tips in preparing for visual presentations (making posters, gathering information and delivering). Call the Extension Office to sign up for this workshop by Feb. 16, 2011.

SCHOLARSHIPS
We have had several scholarship applications come into our office. If you are entering college in the fall or are presently enrolled in college these are worth looking into. 4-H’ers interested in these scholarships must pick up an application from the Oktibbeha County 4-H Office. DEADLINE for applications to be returned to the County Extension Office is March 21, 2011. Applications are also online at:
http://msucares.com/4h_Youth/scholarships/index.html.

Records/Visual Workshop
There will be a volunteer training workshop Records/Visuals Workshop – February 17, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. Come get some great tips on how 4-H’ers can keep track of all their 4-H activities. You will also learn tips in preparing for visual presentations (making posters, gathering information and delivering). Call the Extension Office to sign up for this workshop by Feb. 16, 2011. It will be canceled if no participants.

All Star Applications & Scholarship
This is a great opportunity for 4-H’ers to qualify for All-stars you must be the following:
• 16 years of age or older (as of Jan. 1)
• active member for 3 years
If you are interested you must complete and submit a 4-H All Star Application. All information is available to pick up at the Oktibbeha Co. 4-H Office and must be returned by March 1.

SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES
The Junior Council suggested holding our County contests during Spring Break all during one day! The following are activities that will be taking place during spring break.
• County Judging Contest March 16 – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Public Speaking Contest March 16 – 2 p.m.
• Visual Contest March 16 – 10 a.m.
• Talent Show – March 16 – 5 p.m.

Congratulations to the following clubs for their award winning Banner Record Program:
Longveiw Disciples – Speaker of the House Award
Clover Dawgs – Achievement Award
Congratulations to both!

Thought for the Day
When one door closes, another one will open with something better behind it.
Making the Best Better!

LaTrell Stokes

Oktibbeha County

4-H Youth Agent

Thanks

Thank you to all volunteers and youth how man 2010 a success! here are some pictures frm the awards program.