April Information regarding camper registration will be available after we have adult counselors for camp.

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1 4-H ECHO The source of 4-H news in Grant County 4-H GROWS LEADERS What s Inside Calendars Her of the Month... 3 Congratulations & Welcome... 3 Volunteer of the Month... 4 Club News... 5 & 6 Projects & Activities... 7 & 8 Announcements & Grant County Fair Communication Arts Day April 2018 Contact Us: Grant County UW-Extension Office 916 E. Elm Street, Suite A Lancaster, WI Fax Hearing Impaired Relay: Find Grant County 4-H on Facebook! Charisse Orth Interim 4-H Youth Development Educator charisse.orth@ces.uwex.edu 4-H Camp Adult Counselors Needed Camp dates for 2018 are June We are planning the traditional 3 1/2 day 4-H camp again this year, but in order to do this we need adult camp counselors. Adult Counselors need to be 21 years of age or older and certified as a 4-H leader. Adult Counselors work closely with Youth Counselors to guide their leadership. Upham Woods requires a 1:10 ratio of the adults to youth so we need your time and commitment to make this an educational and fun camp. Call the UW-Extension Office at with questions or to get an application. The application deadline has been extended to April 6. Application forms are available at the UW-Extension Office or on the website at Information regarding camper registration will be available after we have adult counselors for camp. 4-H grows confident, capable, and caring kids with the life skills to thrive in today's world and succeed in their boldest dreams for tomorrow.

2 April Happy Easter 1 DEADLINE to change projects for the Grant County Fair 2 Swine Barn Fundraising Pork Supper; 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 6 DEADLINE for Adult Camp Counselor Applications 6 DEADLINE Communication Arts Day Registration 7 Minecraft Day; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm; North Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 8 4-H Shooting Sports Practice; 1:00 pm; Tri-County Archery, Rewey 8 Horse Riding Clinic & Meeting; 1:00 pm; River Ridge Ranch - Potosi 8 The Nature of the Beef Beast Seminar; 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm; Livestock Pavilion, Fairgrounds 10 Rabbit & Poultry Skillathon; 7:00 pm; South Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 14 Robotics Meeting; 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm; South Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 15 YQCA Seminar; 10:00 am -11:30 am; UW-Platteville *See YQCA article for registration details 15 DEADLINE ECHO articles 16 Horse Meeting; 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm; North Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 17 Executive Board Meeting; 6:30 pm; Conference Room; UW-Extension Office, Lancaster 17 4-H Dog Information Meeting; 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, South Room; Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 18 Cat Meeting & Speaker; 7:00 pm; North Room; Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster Midwest Horse Fair 21 4-H Foods Open House; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; South Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 21 Cloverbud & Exploring Workshop; 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm; North Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 23 Jr. Leaders Meeting; 6:30 pm; Conference Room; UW-Extension Office, Lancaster 23 Out of State Meeting; 7:30 pm; North Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 29 Communication Arts Day; 2:00 pm, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster May DEADLINE Dairy ID for Grant County Fair 1 DEADLINE Horse ID for Grant County Fair 5 Sheep & Goat Weigh-in and Id; 9:00 am - 11:00 am; Livestock Barn, Fairgrounds, Lancaster 5 Horse Bowl & State 4-H Hippology Contest 6 4-H Shooting Sports Practice; 1:00 pm; Tri-County Archery, Rewey 8 4-H Countywide Leader s Meeting; 7:00 pm; South Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 12 Horse Meeting; 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm; North Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 15 DEADLINE ECHO articles 15 Executive Board Meeting; 6:30 pm; Conference Room; UW-Extension Office, Lancaster 22 4-H Dog Practice; 5:30 pm & 7:00 pm; Open Show Barn; Fairgrounds, Lancaster 21 Jr. Leaders Meeting; 6:30 pm; Conference Room; UW-Extension Office, Lancaster 28 Memorial Day UW-Extension Office Closed 28 Out of State Meeting; 7:30 pm; North Room; Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster 29 4-H Dog Practice; 5:30 pm & 7:00 pm; Open Show Barn; Fairgrounds, Lancaster 31 DEADLINE Swine ID for Grant County Fair April 1 - Deadline To add or change 4-H projects in order to show at the Grant County Fair. 2

3 4-Her of the Month Gwen Vosberg Thousand Hills 4-H Club My favorite 4-H project is clothing simply because it is a skill that I can use practically. I have had few recent awards, although I did help our club win dairy herdsmanship for small clubs at the 2017 Grant County Fair. I am currently president of the Thousand Hills 4-H Club. My favorite part about 4-H is being able to participate in the county fair. I joined 4-H to follow my father's example. 4-H has taught me many valuable life skills which benefit me now and will benefit me in the future. Congrats & Welcome Congratulations to the Grant County 4-H Skillathon teams as they competed in the State Competition held on Saturday, March 3 at UW-Madison. The Junior Team, pictured on the left, took 1st place in the competition. Team members were (left to right): Cameron Patterson, Libby Vogt, Jessica Patterson, Leah Patterson and Luke Patterson. The Mixed Team pictured on the right, took home 2nd place. Team members were (left to right): Alayna Barth, Elliott Thornton, Madelyn Thornton, Kendra Jentz and Hannah Nusbaum. Also congratulations to those who placed in the Top 10 Overall Individually: 1st place Junior - Jessica Patterson, 6th place Junior - Luke Patterson, 4th place Mixed - Hannah Nusbaum, 5th place Mixed - Kendra Jentz, 9th place Mixed - Alayna Barth. New Office Support at the UW-Extension Office Please welcome Karla Witzig to the UW-Extension Office! She will be helping the office and the 4-H program part-time. If you have any information for the ECHO please it to her at karla.witzig@ces.uwex.edu and charisse.orth@ces.uwex.edu by the 15th of each month. 3

4 4-H Volunteer of the Month Karen Vesbach Blockhouse Builders 4-H Club This year is my 25 th year of being an adult leader/project leader for Blockhouse Builders. Having grown up being in 4-H in Richland County, I always knew that my children would be involved in 4-H as soon as they were old enough to enroll. When my oldest son joined 4-H is when I became an adult leader. I felt it was very important that if my children were going to be involved, than I was going to be involved also. So I jumped right in with both feet and I am very happy that I did. I enjoy helping with community service activities/projects. It is so important to teach our young people the benefits of volunteering in the community. Whether it is helping one person, many people or helping with a cause, there are so many opportunities to do good work within the community. I feel that the sense of pride and accomplishment they feel when helping with community service activities will stay with them their whole lives. And hopefully they will pay it forward and they will continue to be active in their communities as adults. I also enjoy being a co-leader of the horse & pony project. Horse crazy kids are definitely right up my alley! My co-leader, Melissa Puetz, is a wonderful person to work with. I love being able to help our youth form a better partnership with their horse. The smiles on the faces when their practice and hard work is paying off and they are seeing progress and result with their horse is priceless. I love seeing their eyes light up when their horse is finally getting what they are trying to ask it to do. Patience, and take baby steps are words you would be hearing me say over and over again. My favorite part of volunteering with 4-H is the friendships that I have made. Both adults and youth. I know that I have wonderful people watching my back and willing to help me or my daughter in any way that they can. I know that there are great people that I can contact for information and they will gladly help me. That is a great feeling! We are just one big 4-H family that helps each other, encourages each other, leans on each other, vents to each other and listens to each other. All for the goal of providing the best experiences for our kids that we can. Not just for our own kids, but everyone s kids. 4-H families are very willing to share their knowledge, all you have to do is ask some questions. 4-H families will pitch right in and help where help is needed. 4-H teaches kids so many things such as responsibility, accountability, social skills, public speaking, community service involvement, officer s duties and recordkeeping skills. They learn and witness firsthand the circle of life through animal projects. 4-H teaches kids how to win and how to lose, both with humbleness, dignity and grace. 4-H kids learn kindness and compassion through competing against their friends. There is nothing about 4-H that is not a benefit! 4

5 Club News Busy Badgers 4-H Club by Alexis Brandemuehl We met on March 12 at the Youth and Ag Center. Meeting was called to order by President Camryn Updike. Secretaries report given by Alexis Brandemuehl. Treasurer s report given by Madisynn Ihm. Old business: Discussed project day and any changes for next year. Talked about the outing we did in January at the waterpark in Dubuque. Continue to discuss possible fund raisers. New business: Plan Easter egg hunt for our next meeting in April, discussed donations for Operation Easter Bunny, begin planning Bingo at Atruim, flower planting in May, Minecraft day, and deadline for fair registration. Our next meeting is April 9th at 6 pm at the Youth and Ag, North Room. Dairyland Diamonds 4-H Club by Courtney Spease Our last meet was at Rainbo Palace, the Plum Valley Boosters joined us skating. We brought food for operation Easter bunny, we will be going to a fighting saints game on March 24. Our next meeting will be April 6 where we will be having open gym. Feel free to bring a friend. Happy Clovers 4-H Club by Madyson Schmidt On Sunday March 4th we had our Spring club fun day at Vertical Jump in Dubuque, with a meeting directly after. On March 24th we will be volunteering to help the Potosi Lion's Club with their annual Easter Fun Day at the Catholic School in Potosi. We will help run games and Easter egg hunt. Our club is having a fundraiser selling Papa Murphy's coupon cards until our next meeting. Our next meeting will be held Sunday, April 8th at 6pm, in the Potosi Public School Cafeteria. Hazel Green Clever Clovers 4-H Club We held a meeting on March 11. We began our meeting by having a food collection around town to help families in need. The club was able to collect 320 lbs. of food and $58, which was all donated to the local food pantry. We held a short meeting afterwards and discussed upcoming fundraisers and events. In May, we agreed to hold a pizza fundraiser and will also be making a wooden toolbox as a woodworking project. In June, we will be taking a club trip to the Dells. Our next meeting is April 8th, and we will have a police dog presentation from a local police officer. Congratulations to our very own, Ray Runde, as being chosen as January s 4-Her of the Month! Mt. Ida Hilltoppers 4-H Club by Mariah Kopp The Mt. Ida Hilltoppers held our March meeting, March 4th. At our meeting, we discussed many events that are coming up in the next couple of months. Some of these topics include, April 1st being the deadline for changing or adding fair projects to your list, Jr. Fairest of the Fair applicants wanted, and 4-H Grant applications which were due March 9th. We also handed out our fundraisers which we will be selling until our April meeting. Mackenzie Kopp did a demonstration on how to make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars and Dawson Cole did a demonstration on different types of baseball pitches. Our next meeting will be April 8th starting at 5 o'clock p.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore. Grant County Horse & Pony Project by Arik Puetz At our March meeting we had a guest speaker for our fall fundraiser. We also had a ground work clinic focusing on handling our horses safely in and out of the show ring. Thank you Jenny Harms. We have been practicing every other week for the State Horse Bowl and Hippology Contest at UW Marathon County in Wausau. April practices will be held April 5, 16, 26, and 30 at the North Room at the Youth and Ag Center at 6:00 pm. We will have a clinic at 1 pm on April 8th at River Ridge Stables in Potosi with Stephanie Staner. All horse project members are invited to attend, ride or audit (watch). We will have our April meeting directly after the clinic. 5

6 Club News Plum Valley Boosters 4-H Club by Matthew Winch Plum Valley Boosters 4-H Club met on March 3, During the meeting we talked about that grant applications were due on March 9. Randy Winch gave an update about the Jr. leaders, and the club donated $50 to the operation Easter bunny. The club discussed that roadside cleanup will be on April 7, at 1pm. Also the club was reminded to pay their dues. The club did demonstrations and these are the people that did them. Kendall showed how to make a mermaid bracelet. Kenzy showed how to make a color changing volcano. Ruth showed how to make a bath bomb. Sara showed how to clip a goat for a fair. Gwen showed how to make edible slime. Riley showed how to make a lego race car. Evan showed how to clip a dog s toenail. Keely showed how to make a 3D snowflake. Natalie showed how to make a horse stable. Blake showed how to fold a bag into a triangle. Carter showed how to shoot a t-shirt. Matthew showed how to make a baking soda science experiment. Thousand Hills 4-H Club by James Puetz We have had a busy winter season. Our club is underway organizing a fundraiser for this fall. We have put together committees and will need all our members to help launch this venture, our goal is to make it an annual fundraiser. For fun, one of our parents secured us Fighting Saint hockey tickets. Those who attended watched an exciting game and afterwards, skated with the hockey players; making this experience more memorable. After our March meeting, we went to the Cuba City nursing home to play Bingo with the residents. Everyone had a good time. Town and Country Kids 4-H Club by Cal Reuter March 11, 2018 we held our meeting at Pioneer Lanes in Platteville. After our meeting we went bowling. In April we will be doing a scrap metal clean-up for a fundraiser. Elizabeth Anthony did a demonstration on gymnastics. Good job Elizabeth! Our next 4-H dance is Saturday, April 7th, at Cuba City Elementary School, 7:00-10:00 p.m. If anyone would like to chaperone the dance, please call Joyce. Our next meeting is Sunday, April 8th, at the Cuba City Elementary School, at 5:00 p.m. Attention club secretaries & reporters: Please remember to send your club news to karla.witzig@ces.uwex.edu or jenny.dixon@ces.uwex.edu. Join Jr. Leaders! Do you want to boost your 4-H leadership role? Or meet 4-Hers from other parts of Grant County? Consider joining the Grant County 4-H Jr. Leaders! Jr. Leaders is open to any 4-Her in 7th grade and above. Join us at any meeting to see what the group is working on including community service projects and recreational activities. The group usually meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 pm, see the calendar portion for more details or call the UW-Extension Office at

7 Projects and Activities Cat Project: The next Cat Meeting will be April 18th at 7:00 pm in the North Room of the Youth and Ag Center. This will be a fun night of learning games for the cat project members. A review for the fair. The Mock Cat show will be June 23 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Attached picture: right to left: Samantha Wubben with Dot, Mazie Lyght with Tinsle, Lydia Mason with Sugar Allen and Amber Stenner with Boots Samantha wrote about Dot: Dot is very confident and thinks she is the queen of everything. She is very smart and a great hunter while our other cat is not very smart and clumsy. Dot merely tolerates our other cat! Mazie wrote about Tinsle: Tinsle is a rescue cat. We/I got him on Christmas eve After he and 2 other cats were found in the middle of the road. His name is tinsel because I have 3 cats tutu, tommy and tinsel. The all start with a "T". Lydia wrote about Sugar Allen: We like to clean with the vacuum down where the cats stay. Well when you turn the vacuum on Sugar likes to run and hide. When you get close with the hose on where he is hiding he will jump out or flick his paw to try get it away from him. Amber wrote about Boots: Boots was rescued off the streets of Arizona. Pure bread snowshoe Siamese. He loves beef stew! I love his sky blue eyes. Are you ready to soar into the unknown! Do you love LEGOS, COMPUTER, and ROBOTS Are you age 9-14? Do you want to be on a team that has the potential to go back to the State Competition? We are LOOKING for you! NAME: INTO ORBIT THEME: Explore living in and traveling through space Gather your crew and get ready to explore, challenge and innovate in the demanding and inspiring expanse we call space! The 2018/2019 FIRST LEGO League season requires you to work together to break out of your earthly constraints. Do you have what it takes to go INTO ORBIT? Tentative Meeting Dates: April 14 3:00-6:00 pm Youth and Ag, South Room (notice time and date change) May 6 1:00-4:00 pm Youth and Ag, South Room June 9 1:00-4:00 pm Youth and Ag, South Room (notice date change) July 1 1:00-4:00 pm Youth and Ag, North Room We are looking for H youth to add to our team. To be considered for the 2018 team students need to attend at least 2 of these meetings and parents need to be willing to help and participate in planning meetings when we get closer to the start of the season. More meetings may be planned between these dates depending on interest. A mini camp is also being considered sometime in June. For more information or changes in dates contact Amy Brandemuehl at brandemuehlfarms@gmail.com or the UW- Extension Office. 7

8 Projects & Activities Minecraft Day: April 7 th 1:00-4:00 pm Youth and Ag Center, North Room Do you have a child that is obsessed with Minecraft? If so come and join us in an informational day on how to bring their love of Minecraft to the Grant County Fair in August. If your child has a laptop with Minecraft on it feel free to bring it, tablets are also welcome. Parental involvement is highly recommended. Any questions contact Amy Brandemuehl at brandemuehlfarms@gmail.com or the UW-Extension Office. Cloverbud and Exploring Day: April 21, 1:00-3:00 pm in the North Room, Youth & Ag Center, Lancaster The theme of the workshop is Summer Fun. A small fee of $5 will be collected at the time of the workshop. A light snack will be provided. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Contact the UW-Extension Office to pre-register by Monday, April 16. Save the Date Explore 4-H Day Saturday, October 13 Grant County Fairgrounds, Lancaster What better way to end National 4-H Week, than to come and explore all the projects 4-H has to offer?! This will be an opportunity for current 4-Hers to learn about new projects and open to anyone to come learn more about Grant County 4-H! We are still working the details of the event but want you to get the date on your calendar now. The committee will be reaching out to clubs and project leaders for help in facilitating the event (ex: project booth, activity station, etc.) Shooting Sports Practice: 4-H members enrolled in Shooting Sports are invited to practice Air Rifle and Archery. Practices will be at the Tri County Archery, 9145 Co. Line Rd, Platteville. If you have your own equipment bring it along, if not we will provide it for you. All shooting sports members must attend two practices to participate in competition shoots for the fairs. Scheduled practices: April 8 and May 6 at Tri County Archery at 1:00 pm June 14 - Fun Shoot for all shooting disciplines at Bloomington Area Sportsman's Club at 4:00 pm July 5 - Blake s Prairie Fair Competition Shoot at Bloomington Area Sportsman's Club at 4:00 pm August 9 - Grant County Fair Competition Shoot at Bloomington Area Sportsman's Club at 4:00 pm For more information contact Dave Vosberg at or Rhonda Hughey at

9 Announcements Livestock Auction Seminars: Anyone planning to sell an animal in the 2018 Grant County Junior Fair Livestock Auction must attend an educational seminar as a condition of sale. Seminars are open to the public so anyone (youth and adults) can attend as they choose. We also encourage you to attend a seminar related to your project and NOT TO WAIT until the last seminar. It is important that you check this page each month for updated seminars. Swine exhibitors are required to be YQCA certified. You MUST pre-register for the seminars by calling the UW-Extension Office at Seminars that do not have enough pre-registered participants will be cancelled. Below is a list of past and upcoming Livestock Auction Seminars for 2018: Saturday, February 3 - State Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest, UW-Madison Saturday, February 17 - State 4-H Meats Judging Contest, UW-Madison Saturday, March 3 - State 4-H Livestock Quizbowl and Skillathon Contest, UW-Madison Sunday, April 8 - The Nature of the Beef Beast Seminar, 3:00-5:00 pm, Livestock Pavilion, Grant County Fairgrounds, Lancaster Tuesday, April 10 - Rabbit & Poultry Skillathon, 7:00 pm South Room, Youth & Ag Center Sunday, April 15 - YQCA Seminar, 10:00 am - 11:30 am, UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm *PRE-REGISTRATION via is required Thursday, June Badger Dairy Camp, UW-Madison Friday, June 29 - Area Animal Science Day at Lafayette County *See YQCA article for more information/how to register/updates All swine exhibitors must be YQCA certified in order to show and/or sell at the Grant County Fair and Wisconsin State Fair FFA EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS - The following educational seminars will also be offered to FFA members in order to qualify to sell livestock or cheese at the 2018 Grant County Junior Livestock Auction. FFA members must attend at least one of these seminars or one of the educational seminars offered by the Grant County UW-Extension Office. Agricultural/FFA Instructors will be required to submit a list of FFA members who have attended these seminars to the Grant County UW-Extension Office by May 15. Participate in a Dairy, Livestock or Meat Evaluation Contest at one of the area FFA skills contest. March 16 Janesville March 22 UW-Platteville March 24 UW-Riverfalls April 6 FVTC April 27 State FFA Competition *Check calendar for important animal identification deadlines for the Grant County Fair. 9

10 Announcements YQCA UPDATE: This year Wisconsin has replaced the MAQA (Meat Animal Quality Assurance) program with the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) national program. This new and interactive program provides youth a number of options for an annual quality assurance certification. YQCA was created for youth in the Beef, Dairy, Goat, Poultry, Rabbit, Sheep, and Swine projects. This new program gives families more flexibility in acquiring this much needed information which trains youth in improving the care of food animals and promoting a higher level of consumer food safety. The livestock industry and businesses are constantly striving for high quality, wholesome products; therefore, youth in food animal projects should assist in this effort. Please go to in order to register for either online or instructor led courses. Registration is required prior to attending an Instructor-Led training. If you are a 4-H member, please log in through the 4hOnline system on the left. If you are an FFA member or other organization affiliate, please sign in through the independent system on the right. You will create an account followed by either completing a sign up for an instructor led meeting or online/web based modules. Upon signing up for a course, you will then pay for that course with a credit card. Please help@yqca.org for any assistance you need in creating or signing up in the YQCA system. Two types of YQCA training will be available in Grant County: Instructor-Led Training ($3.00/youth) This type of training will take about 1.5 hours. One is currently scheduled for April with additional trainings to be scheduled in May and June. Keep watching your ECHO and for additional dates. You MUST pre-register prior to attending the training. No cash payments will be accepted at the door. Those who do not register for the training will not be able to enter the training. Online Training ($12.00/youth) This type of training is at your own pace. The Grant County Livestock Auction Committee voted to purchase coupons for all swine exhibitors and any State Fair exhibitor (regardless of species) to complete either the Instructor-Led training ($3 value) or the Online training for YQCA ($12 value) in Contact Grant County UW-Extension Office about the coupon before registering for an event. The first batch of coupons will be available around April 4 and will be ordered in batches as needed. If you know what type of training you would like to attend, please call the office or Charisse at charisse.orth@ces.uwex.edu to ensure we order the correct amount of coupons. Reminder: Wisconsin State Fair and other national exhibitions will require certification in YQCA for participation for 2018 events and beyond. Continue to monitor the Wisconsin YQCA website for helpful information: If you have additional YQCA questions please Charisse at charisse.orth@ces.uwex.edu or call the UW-Extension Office at

11 Grant County Fair 2018 Changes for Grant County Fair The following have been approved by the Grant County Fair board and will be changes in the 2018 fair book. Fair book will be available online by May 15. Goats: Add the additional time of check in of 9-11am on Wednesday Add under rules All does over 24 months must have kidded to be shown Under class 3 add: Other market breeds Jr Doe Kid less than 6 months Other market breeds Sr Doe Kid at least 6 months but fewer than 12 months Other market breeds Yearling Doe at least 12 months but fewer than 24 months Other market breeds - 2 year old Doe at least 24 months but fewer than 36 months Other market breeds - 3 year old Doe at least 36 months but fewer than 48 months Other market breeds Mature Doe 48 months and over Under class 3 remove the word Pigmy lots entirely Under class 4 change pigmy to other market breeds Beef: Change the tie outs on Thursday night to 8pm but leave Friday and Saturday to 9pm Sheep: Under the market ewe lambs change the weigh in times from 12-2pm to 12-1pm Clothing: Changes to the following in all classes: Adding shorts with pants and capris Adding romper with split skirts (removing shorts from this lot) Changes to class 10 and 11 only Adding garment made by exhibitor with creative stitchery Clothing Revue: Changes to the following: Adding shorts with pants and capris Adding romper with split skirts (removing shorts from this lot) Computer: Add to each class (three classes total) Any other computer generated item Robotics: Add the following to robotics Robot built at a lego camp or using a loaner robot. Show robot doing a task autonomously (by itself) including any props used to demonstrate robot doing a task. Explanation card must be included with how to run, task that is being shown, and any special attachments to the base robot that you have made. Demonstration during judging is encouraged. Video showing a autonomous run of a First LEGO league robot that they programmed themselves to complete a FLL challenge. Entrant must show challenge that they are demonstrating along with explanations of jugs/attachments or challenges they encountered also include any help you received from teammates and/or mentors and coaches when programming or building the robot or attachments. Contact current Robotics coach for additional details. MUST BE ON A USB DRIVE OR A LINK TO A VIDEO SITE (YouTube) (continued on next page) 11

12 Dogs: Add a class for pet costumes Grant County Fair Grant County Fair Changes Continued Cavies: Add a male and female cavy class with ages 6 months and over 6 months Food & Nutrition: This department has made multiple changes with adding Gluten free baking and other baked goods to each class. They also changed the quantity of what you need to bring in certain lots. Foods Revue: Added a beef award to the top beef recipes in each class Added a peer choice award voted on at foods revue Vet check in times has changed. Please see information printed in bold under each department for your respectable times to check in your animals. Wanted: Junior Fairest of the Fair for the Grant County Fair, August 12-19, 2018 Contest Rules: Contestant must be in 7 th, 8 th, or 9 th grade in school. Complete the essay question below in 150 words or less. If selected, contestant can no longer seek the role of Junior Fairest of the Fair. If for any reason there is not a Fairest of the Fair selected that year there will be no Junior Fairest of the Fair for that year either. Grant County Fair Board members will select the finalist. Number of finalists based on number of applications received by deadline: April 6, Applicants will be notified by April 16 th of their status. The finalists will introduce themselves and be interviewed with brief questions regarding promoting the Grant County Fair on May 3, The winner will receive $ plus an all event ticket into the 2018 Grant County Fair. Call the Fair Office at for an application or go online at to download an application. 12

13 Grant County Fair The Grant County Fair is happy to announce that we are moving forward with the construction of a new swine barn this year. As part of the fundraising efforts to build this barn we are having a pork supper on April 2, 2018 at the Youth & Ag Building from 4:30pm to 8pm. For those families that are in the swine project I am asking for your help with this fundraising event. I will be looking for volunteers to serve, clean tables, and put carry outs together. I would also like to ask each family to make a pan of bars. Please consider donating your time and baking a dessert. This is a great opportunity to volunteer even if you re not in the swine project. Let s make this a great night for fundraising for our new facility. I made a sign up schedule for this event on Sign up Genius. Please go to and in the upper right hand corner click on the search button. Then under Search for a Sign Up you will type my address aolson@co.grant.wi.gov and proceed. Thank you in advance for signing up - Amy Olson, Grant County Fairgrounds & Operations Director Grant County Fair Poster Contest We are preparing for our 2018 Grant County Fair. This year the fair will take place August We are again offering students a chance to help us out. We would like to do a poster contest for students to participate in, in grades 7th, 8th, and 9th. If you choose to participate, all entries must be in to the Grant County Fair Office, 916 E. Elm Street, Suite B, Lancaster, WI no later than 3:00 pm on May 10, The sooner the better. No entries will be accepted after that date and time. Contact Amy Olson at aolson@co.grant.wi.gov for rules and entry form. The theme for the contest is Carnival Lights and Summer Nights. All entries will be judged by the Grant County Fair Board. There will be a first, second and third place winner. First place entry will receive 1 season pass and $ Second place entry will receive 1 season pass and $ Third place entry will receive 1 season pass and $ Also, in addition to a student being rewarded for their work, the instructor at the school or 4-H leader of the first place winner will receive an All Event Pass. This pass will get you into the gate and grandstand events during the fair. We will get in touch with the poster contest winners and the instructor/leader as soon as the posters are judged. Be creative and have fun with your students. Thank you and I look forward to seeing your work! Amy Olson Grant County Fairgrounds & Operations Director 13

14 Announcements V.I.P. - VOLUNTEER IN PREPARATION TRAINING (NEW LEADER CERTIFICATION) The weather has not been friendly to getting new 4-H leaders certified this year! I am still working to get those who want to be a volunteer trained. I will be doing one more training possibly two but hoping to find a date that works for everyone. If you are interested in becoming a certified 4-H leader please fill out the google form at this link: or call the office to share what dates you are available for a training. Deadline to submit responses is Wednesday, April 4. Trainings will be scheduled and those who submitted responses will be notified of the those dates. If you have new families in your club or families who have re-enrolled, encourage the adults to go through this training. The training talks through 4-H best practices, policy and gives information that can be implemented in to the club. The Nature of the Beef Beast - Educational Seminar Sunday, April 8 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Livestock Pavilion at the Fairgrounds in Lancaster Overview: Learn the basics of behavior, nutrition and daily tips to assist your at-home preparation of your beef project. Hands on opportunities available with live animals. This seminar counts as a livestock auction seminar. Instructors: Jake Adams will be the lead instructor and will be assisted by other alums of the Grant County Beef Project as well as the UW-Platteville Block & Bridle Club. Creative Youth Expo: Summer will be here before you know it, so mark your calendars for this year s Creative Youth Expo. The expo, open to children 8-18 years of age, will be held on Saturday, July 28th, in the Youth and Ag Center at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Lancaster. There ll be lots of fun and interesting projects to choose from in each of four sessions held throughout the day and children of every skill level are welcome. A variety of sewing, arts and crafts and cooking classes, as well as some fun extra activities will be available. The cost is $5 per child and a nutritious lunch is included. Adults are welcome to accompany their child, but must also register and pay the $5 fee. Class descriptions, photos and registration information will be available on the Grant County Extension web site at a later date. If you have questions, please call the UW-Extension Office at

15 Announcements ATV/UTV Safety Course: June 2, 8 am - 3 pm. Pre-registration required. Anyone who operates an ATV/UTV on public riding areas - e.g. trails, frozen waters, routes, permitted county and/or forest lands - who is at least age 12 years of age and who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must have completed a safety certification course. These ATV/UTV operators must carry their safety certification card and they must display it to law enforcement officers when requested. Anyone is eligible to take the class and receive a safety education completion certificate. For children under 12 years of age, the certificate does not become valid until the child reaches age 12. Students with special needs must contact the instructor at least two weeks in advance of the course to request special accommodations. All Wisconsin recreational safety students are required to obtain a Wisconsin DNR Customer ID Number when registering for a safety education class and must provide that number to their instructor. You can obtain a DNR Customer ID Number by calling the DNR customer service from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at or visiting The ATV/UTV safety class will be offered at the Youth and Agriculture Building on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 8 am to 3pm. Students must attend the entire class and pass the exam to become certified in ATV/UTV operation. There is an optional material pick-up day on June 3, 2018 at the Grant County UW-Extension Office from 8 am to 3 pm. The cost of the course is $10 per student, payable at the door. Registration must be done online at by clicking on Enroll and searching ATV and Grant County. Space is limited to the first 20 students to register. If you have questions about the ATV/UTV safety course, contact the UW-Extension Office at , or by at korystalsberg@hotmail.com Youth Leadership Derby: April 7-8 at Oregon High School, Oregon, WI Youth Leadership Derby is an experience for high-school students to explore potential agriculture careers through hands-on labs and interactive learning sessions. For more information and registration go to by April 1. $89 registration fee includes training materials, tour, transportation and meals. Youth Tractor Safety Certification: Classes start in June. Online preregistration is required. Limited space. Cost $ SWTC Area Animal Science Days Dates for 2018 June 14 Kewaunee County June 22 Clark County June 29 Lafayette County Thanks to these counties for hosting. Rules will be similar to last year. Complete rules and registration information will be available on the website at area-animal-science-days/ as they are completed. 15

16 Announcements 28th Annual Monroe County 4-H Fur, Fin & Feather Show: April 14 th, :00 a.m. at the Sparta Barney Center, 1000 E. Montgomery Street Sparta, WI Pullorum Test Available. COME SEE WHAT 4-H KIDS HAVE TO SHOW! Ribbons will be awarded to all participants. Cat, small pet, pet poultry, and pet rabbit placing will be based on face-to-face judging. Rabbit and poultry breed classes will be judged according the Standard of Perfection. Champions will receive a trophy. Visit monroe.uwex.edu or call to enter or more information. Wisconsin 4-H & Youth Conference, June 25-28, 2018: Wisconsin 4-H & Youth Conference is a three and a half day Statewide Educational Experience. Youth from all over Wisconsin come to Madison, Wisconsin for educational seminars, assemblies, speakers, exploration, and fun on the UW-Madison campus! Youth Conference is made possible by contributions from our State Teams (Wisconsin Leadership Council, Drama Company, Art Team, and Communications Team), 4-H staff from across the state, and a planning committee made up of staff, volunteers, and youth. You will find highlights of the different parts of Youth Conference that come together to make it a wonderful Educational Experience and other information at fyi.uwex.edu/wi4hedopp/wisconsin-4-h-youth-conference/. Contact Charisse Orth immediately if you are interested in going. Registration is open April 2-15 via 4hOnline. Funding, provided by the Leaders Association, can be requested to help cover some of the cost. Wisconsin State Fair Info: Youth interested in showing market beef, sheep, swine, OR breeding stock commercial heifers/crossbred gilts/wether type ewes at the 2018 Wisconsin State Fair Junior Show will need to have their animal projects DNA and RFID identified by the State Fair eligibility deadlines. This identification system allows animals which are DNA and RFID identified through the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) County and State Fair program to meet State Fair Identification requirements if the process is completed (all forms returned and samples on file) by the Wisconsin State Fair identification deadline postmarks listed. Questions related to the DNA/RFID identification process contact: WLIC helpdesk@wiid.org Questions related to Wisconsin State Fair or entry procedures contact: entryoffice@wistatefair.com or

17 Announcements UW-Madison Saddle & Sirloin Badger Bonanza Lamb Show Mark your calendar for this year s Badger Bonanza Lamb Show on Sunday, April 29, 2018! This event will again be a double-header show that will take place at the Arlington Public Events Center (N695 Hopkins Rd., Arlington, WI 53911). UW-Madison Saddle & Sirloin Club annually hosts the Badger Bonanza Lamb Show, which draws in youth and their lambs from Wisconsin and the surrounding states. This show provides area youth a chance to get their lambs into the show ring early in the season. The Badger Bonanza is a sanctioned show by the Wisconsin Club Lamb Association (WCLA). The show is also open to non-wcla members. For more information on WCLA sanctioned shows and a list of their updated rules, please visit The UW-Madison Saddle & Sirloin Club hopes to encourage youth, teach them responsibility and generate interest in animal agriculture through hosting the show. The grand and reserve champion lambs from each show will be awarded cash prizes. Class payouts will be prorated as past years and showmanship classes will be offered with prizes awarded to the winners of each age category. For more information contact Caleb Novak at Cnovak4@wisc.edu or Badger Dairy Camp The 2018 Badger Dairy Camp application is now open. We will be accepting 100 youth to camp this year on June 7-9, Parents are able to mail in applications or complete the form online docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1faipqlsfy-3cfolkazskbxbixrjkw80xhaq4jlwlbz9jvjxv84aluaw/ viewform. Please contact Kalyanna Williams for any questions at or kwilliams32@wisc.edu Exhibitors Invited to N.E.W. High Protein Show The Northeast Wisconsin High Protein Show will be held on Friday, June 15-16th at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds in Seymour. The show is open to all breeders of Registered Dairy Cattle of the Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn breeds. This is a great opportunity for YOUTH EXHIBITORS and also the "Young at Hear" to bring your registered colored breed cattle out for some friendly competition. Festivities begin on Friday, June 15, dedicating this evening to the youth exhibitors. Junior Showmanship will at 6:30 P.M. followed by a sponsored pizza party for the kids to enjoy. The following day will be the dairy cattle show starting at 10 A.M. with spring heifer calves. The N.E.W. High Protein Show Board of Directors hope to provide a great experience for all! For more information, contact Kelly Holewinski at parkviewdairy@gmail.com or

18 Projects and Activities The deadline for registrations is Friday, April 6. For a complete list of rules and entry forms for all contests check the website at or contact the Grant County UW-Extension Office at Members can receive fair premiums and are required to pay the one time only $3 fair entry fee. There is no fee for the Drawing and Painting Contest. Members will have the opportunity to schedule your own time slots by calling the UW-Extension Office. 18

19 Registration Forms 7th Annual Drawing & Painting Contest April 29, 2:00 pm, Youth & Ag Center Paper registrations will be taken until April 6. For a complete list of rules and entry forms check the website at or contact the Grant County Extension office at Entry Requirements: Participants must be enrolled in the Art, Arts and Crafts, or the Drawing and Painting project. Members are limited to presenting one piece. Exhibits must be the member s original work. Exhibits will be hung on the wall in the Auditorium, so exhibits must be ready for display. Your hanger must be sturdy enough to hang the exhibit. Exhibits must have been completed in this project year. Exhibits must be labeled with your name, club, grade, title or description of the exhibit. Exhibits must be in place by 1:45 pm, on Sunday, April 29. Ribbons and peer choice awards will be awarded during the Music Contest. Exhibits will be judged against other exhibits by grade categories: Cloverbuds (Kindergarten - 2 nd grade) 3 rd - 5 th grade 6 th - 8 th grade 9 th grade and over. Drawing and Painting Contest Entry Form due April 6. Please send form below to the Grant County UW-Extension Office, 916 E. Elm Street, Suite A, Lancaster, WI Name Grade 4-H Club Phone Category (include a simple description, ie, drawing, painting, etc.) 19

20 4-H Music Group, Vocal, Instrumental and Dance Contest Due April 6, 2018 Name Club Grade Selection title (Individual or Duet) Accompanist Duet Member Instrument/s Type of Dance Group Director Club members participating in Group Individual and duet members check appropriate box or boxes below. Entry fee: $3.00- individual $6.00 Duets Class 12 Grades 3-5 Lot 1 Vocal Lot 2 Vocal Duet Lot 3 Instrumental Lot 4 Instrumental Duet Lot 5 Dance Lot 6 Dance Duet Class 12 Grades 6-7 Lot 7 Vocal Lot 8 Vocal Duet Lot 9 Instrumental Lot 10 Instrumental Duet Lot 11 Dance Lot 12 Dance Duet Class 12 Grades 8-9 Lot 13 Vocal Lot 14 Vocal Duet Lot 15 Instrumental Lot 16 Instrumental duet Lot 17 Dance Lot 18 Dance Duet Class 12 Grades 10 & Over Lot 19 Vocal Lot 20 Vocal Duet Lot 21 Instrumental Lot 22 Instrumental Duet Lot 23 Dance Lot 24 Dance Duet

21 4-H Speaking, Demonstration and Illustrated Talk Contest Entry Form - Due April 6, 2018 Name Club Grade Team Member Club Grade Title Entry fee: $3.00 Individual $6.00 Team Members are eligible to enter each category, please check the appropriate box/boxes to make your entry. Demonstrations Class 11 Demonstrations Grades 3-7 Lot 1 Agriculture Individual Lot 2 Home Economics Individual Lot 3 General Individual Lot 4 Agriculture Team Lot 5 Home Economics Team Lot 6 General Team Class 12 Demonstrations Grades 8 & Over Lot 7 Agriculture Individual Lot 8 Home Economics Individual Lot 9 General Individual Lot 10 Agriculture Team Lot 11 Home Economics Team Lot 12 General Team Illustrated Talks Class 13 Illustrated Talks Grades 3-7 Lot 13 Agriculture Individual Lot 14 Home Economics Individual Lot 15 General Individual Lot 16 Agriculture Team Lot 17 Home Economics Team Lot 18 General Team Class 14 Illustrated Talks Grades 8 & Over Lot 19 Agriculture Individual Lot 20 Home Economics Individual Lot 21 General Individual Lot 22 Agriculture Team Lot 23 Home Economics Team Lot 24 General Team Speaking Class 15 Speaking Grades 3-7 Lot 1 Interpretive Reading of Prose & Poetry Lot 2 Original Speech Lot 3 Agricultural or Environmental Lot 4 Memorized Declamation Class 16 Speaking Grades 8 & Over Lot 5 Interpretive Reading of Prose & Poetry Lot 6 Original Speech Lot 7 Agricultural or Environmental Lot 8 Memorized Declamation

22 April H ECHO University of Wisconsin-Extension Grant County Extension 916 East Elm Street, Suite A Lancaster, WI Change Service Requested Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 89 Lancaster, WI An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. April Highlights 1 Happy Easter 1 DEADLINE to change projects for the Grant County Fair 2 Swine Barn Fundraising Pork Supper 6 DEADLINE for Adult Camp Counselor Applications 6 DEADLINE Communication Arts Day Registration 7 Minecraft Day 8 4-H Shooting Sports Practice 8 The Nature of the Beef Beast Seminar 10 Rabbit & Poultry Skillathon 14 Robotics Meeting 15 DEADLINE ECHO articles 21 4-H Foods Open House 21 Cloverbud & Exploring Workshop 23 Jr. Leaders Meeting 29 Communication Arts Day 22