Saline County 4-H to host International Night
Join us for Saline County 4-H International Night on Monday, April 24, at Harrisburg First Church of God on McHaney Road. Set-up will begin at 5 p.m., followed by judging at 6 p.m.
Saline County 4-H clubs have chosen to study a country of interest, and they will prepare a table display and foods from that country. Clubs will then make a 5-10 minute presentation. State Fair and State Fair Alternate ribbons will be awarded.
Monetary prizes will be awarded for first-, second- and third-place winners. We will again be awarding certificates for clubs that want to participate in International Night, but do not wish to make an oral presentation.
At the conclusion of the presentations, all attending may sample the regional foods while the judges make their final decisions. Each participating club needs to supply drinks, cups and table service. Clubs are also reminded to bring along extension cords and coolers if needed.
We invite the public to attend 4-H International Night.
<strong>4-H Horse & Pony paperwork due by May 1</strong>
The Saline County 4-H Horse & Pony registration forms are due in to the Extension office before May 1. Copies of these forms are available at the Extension office.
4-H Horse & Pony exhibitors will need to fill out a Validation form and return it (along with photos of the horse if the 4-H member plans to exhibit at the Illinois State Fair) for each horse or pony they may possibly plan to exhibit at the July Saline County 4-H Horse & Pony Show.
The new 4-H Assumption of Risk and Release from Liability form that all 4-H members and adult volunteers now sign replaces the Permission to Participate form that Horse & Pony exhibitors and parents/guardians formerly signed.
The Horse & Pony Committee has a clinic planned for Thursday, May 4, and a practice show planned for Friday, June 2. Committee members and youth exhibitors are also currently selling ads for the back of the 2017 Saline County 4-H Horse & Pony T-shirt. The ads are $50 each. Ads, money and T-shirt orders are due by May 4.
<strong>Help celebrate 4-H volunteers in your life!</strong>
National Volunteer Week is April 23-29 and representatives of the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development program want to thank the more than 20,000 4-H adult and youth volunteers who guide and support the nearly 200,000 4-H participants in Illinois.
In Saline County, 65 volunteers are inspiring youth involved in county and local 4-H club programs.
National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It's about demonstrating that, by working together, communities have the ability to meet challenges and accomplish goals.
Illinois 4-H volunteers are empowering and preparing youth for success as 4-H members provide service to others and their community. Today's 4-H youth are engaged in learning activities as they are practicing skills employers want; growing and distributing food to communities in need; stewarding the natural resources; making a difference in local, state, national and global issues; and influencing positive choices for healthy living. None of that would be possible without our volunteers.
<strong>Tractor Supply Company Paper Clover Campaign returns</strong>
Dates for the Spring Paper Clover Campaign, held in conjunction with Tractor Supply Company and National 4-H Council, will run April 26 to May 7. During that time, patrons may make contributions to their local 4-H programs at any Illinois TSC store. The campaign runs twice a year. Last fall, more than $900,000 was raised nationwide for 4-H.