Check out our County Calendar here!

 Chickenque 

Chickenque is this Sunday! Don't forget to buy your tickets now. 
Sunday May 6th, 2018
11:30am-4:30pm
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
Tickets $13
Click on the link to buy tickets:http://ucanr.edu/cqtix

 4-H Summer Camp

We are in need of chaperones! If you would like to be a chaperone for camp please complete the enrollment packet. 

We are also looking for a camp nurse and archery leader. If you are interested in any of these positions please contact Lisa Bianchi: lisalilou@yahoo.com 

2018 California 4-H State Field Day

State Field Day Event page

Register by May 14

Pre-registration is required for the following events by May 14, 2018:

• State 4-H Presentation Day
• State 4-H Fashion Revue
• Interview Contest
• State 4-H Photography Contest
• 4-H Robotics Competition
• State 4-H Film Festival

Please see the page links above for more details about each event and to register for each.

 California 4-H State Horse Classic

Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA

State Championship Horse Show: 4-H riders have this opportunity to compete at a level beyond local, county or regional events. Participants must pre-qualify at qualifying horse shows. 

Educational contests: Educational contests allow members to showcase their equine knowledge. Contest offered include: Hippology, Horse Judging, Horse Bowl, and Public Speaking.

For more information, please visit the Horse Classic event page

For more event information, please visit the CA 4-H Horse Classic website or you may contact:

• Show Manager: Shauna Bond,  hangemhigh3@gmail.com, 530-260-3277

State 4-H Liason: Jessica Bautista,  jbautista@ucanr.edu, 530-750-1341

2018 State Leaders' Forum 

November 9-11, 2018

Crowne Plaza San Diego-Mission Valley

2270 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, California, 92108...More information coming soon.

 CFDA - Melatonin in Market Lambs - Do Not Do It 

Summary

• Melatonin is not approved for use in food animals in the U.S.
• Using melatonin in food animals violates federal food safety regulations
• Using melatonin never qualifies for legal extra-label drug use
• Penalties and incarceration are possible when food safety regulations are violated
• It is critical for food animal producers to use credible sources to thoroughly investigate the legality of any products they use in or on their livestock
• Use of unapproved medications threatens the reputation of all youth-grown food animal products, risks exclusion of youth market animals from processing plants, and endangers the future of youth livestock market sales

From the 4-H Youth Development Advisor, Steven Worker

 Presidents Letter - Naomi Edwards

Hello Sonoma County 4-H!!

The hills are alive in bloom!

Fashion Revue was April 21st and was an amazing!!! The 5 ladies on the committee held an amazing county event. Super Heroes was the theme and the youth of Sonoma County were Super Sewers! Those in attendance witnessed a Super Fashion Show. 

Our Final CCC meeting this 4H year is May 1. Our board is fun, creative and is always looking for fresh faces and new ideas so please consider joining us! We will be asking for volunteers to join our county committees. New volunteers = New ideas!! Join anytime in the year!

How has your club been volunteering this year? Please have a youth write into the office so it can be shared with all of us via this newsletter.

Warmly, Naomi

Earth Day Adventures- Penngrove 4H Healthy Living Hike, Earth Day

Jessica Waterman

Penngrove 4H

 None at this time

Recycled Art for Earth Day, April 22 or Every day

Although Earth day has come and gone this is a great project for our youth. Youth will use the engineering process in this activity to design, draw and build using recyclable materials to create works of art. Use this activity to let their imaginations run wild! For examples, please see the PBS learning media website.

STEM events from April to June 2018

List of family STEM events in California for the months of April, May, and June

These are great opportunities for 4-H parents, volunteers, and youth to participate and get excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)!

They can be an opportunities for STEM-focused field trips, projects and programs.

You can also find this list on the state 4-H STEM home page.

4-H does not endorse  any person in the community who make requests. As always, please use caution when contacting someone. 4-H members who accept listed jobs are doing so as an individual, outside of the scope of the 4-H program.

Community Service Opportunity for a fire victim

I am a former 4-H community club and project leader for Wild Oak 4-H. I lost my home and farm in the fire in October and am looking for a youth organization or individuals to help us construct a vaux swift nesting tower on our farm to replace the chimney they were nesting in the past few years. I have a book and set of plans and a location picked out. I can provide some or all of the materials if necessary but I don't have a work shop or tools to construct it.  I realize that you are nearing the end of the year and we are in a time crunch on this because the swifts have arrived and will start nesting next month. I hope you can find a club that is willing to take this on. 

Thanks, 

Janet Leisen -Leisen's Bridgeway Farms
leisen.janet@gmail.com 

Fire victims in need of a new home! 

          These sheep have been on quite the long journey!  Originally displaced by the Sonoma County Firestorms, these 13 fire victims came to stay at Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue temporarily while their owner could find alternative pasture.  After 3 months at our facility, they outgrew their pasture here, and went to go and stay temporarily with one of our dedicated volunteers, Cheryl Burner.  Because this herd is a mixture of ewes and rams, Cheryl now has a herd of 20 sheep including rams, ewes, and lambs.  Needless to say, she feels quite overrun!  We need to find permanent placement for 16 of these sheep.  These are Barbados Blackbelly sheep, a breed of domestic sheep from the Caribbean island of Barbados. They are grazers and great at clearing land!  If you are interested in this displaced herd, please contact Cheryl Burner at (707) 664-0626.  Thank you!  

Looking for cows to graze in my field

Hello, I am looking for someone who would be interested in having there cows graze in my field. I have 4 acres of land all fenced in with water available. I am located on Bennett Valley Rd in Santa Sosa. I have attached a photo of my property. Anyone interested can email or call for more information.

Contact: Lilly lilly@rocknlilly.com

3 Acres available for grazing in Rincon Valley

If you have goats or sheep that you would like to send over to graze. Please contact John Bloom at 707-888-1234.

Check out our County Calendar here!

April

From My Heart to Yours...

After spending years working as a teacher, a curriculum editor and a consultant for National Geographic, I was excited to have an opportunity to dive into a new world of dedicated, passionate volunteers and youth who were making a difference in the world. I have been extremely proud to be a part of Sonoma County 4-H, and cannot say enough about the greatness of the program we have here. I also cannot stress the extent of how the youth of this program are helpful, civic minded and innovative. It is so true that 4-H teaches youth, not what to think, but how to think.

As I look toward my upcoming retirement, I feel like a 4-H'er must feel as she gets ready to age-out of the program.

The adult volunteers seemed more near and dear as I attended my last monthly Council meeting. Any petty differences or friction over unfinished paperwork quickly slipped away. As I looked at everybody through green-colored glasses, I thought about things that I had learned from them. In my career, I had never before been exposed to such a dedicated group of people. They give their time, their energy and most of all their hearts, to help make the 4-H experience all that it was meant to be, for the youth of our county. Many, if not most of these folks have full time jobs. But they tirelessly give up their evenings, give up their weekends and even give up their summer vacations in order to craft this program to reach its fullest potential, so that the youth will have the opportunities to do the same with their lives.

The success of this youth program is largely due to the families, the volunteers and the members themselves. It is also due to the encouragement, support and wisdom from the Board of Supervisors, the County Director, the office staff, the state and from our community at large. Without all of our partners working together there would be no 4-H program in Sonoma County.

I challenge all of our youth to continue to set high goals for their lives, and to work hard to achieve those goals. Trite but true, anything can be done that you set your mind to, with hard work and determination. Look to your role models for inspiration. And I know our adult volunteers will continue to do what they do best, which is use their creativity, their patience, their insight and their love to keep this county program going at the level of excellence it is at and to grow beyond. It is certainly true that all of you bleed green!

“Graduating” from 4-H and moving into retirement is exciting for me to begin, however, I will certainly miss my co-workers, 4-H members, their families as well as miss working with so many wonderful people across Sonoma County.
Thanks for all the support and memories!

All Star Ambassador Application Now online

4-H All Star County Ambassadors are role models for their fellow 4-H members and their community. 4-H All Star County Ambassadors assist with county events, develop plans of action, and perform service projects. This esteemed position keeps older members involved by providing them with leadership development through goals to strive for as they serve as leader role models for younger members. Learn more at http://cesonoma.ucanr.edu/4H/For_Youth/Ambassador/

• Applicant must be between 14 – 18 years old by May 1, 2018.
• Applicant must have completed at least one year of membership in 4-H.
• Applicant must have demonstrated leadership experience and skills.

Completing a 4-H Record Book is not an application requirement.

Apply HERE for 4-H All Star County Ambassadors - Deadline Extended

Complete application (including this form and the components listed above) are due to the UCCE Sonoma County 4-H Office postmarked by April 30, 2018. Incomplete applications will not be considered for evaluation. Send applications to either: cesonoma4h@ucanr.edu or by mail to:

UCCE Sonoma 4-H
ATTN: Jesenia Mendoza
133 Aviation Blvd, Ste 109
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-8279

New Adult Advisor: Heather Borck

Heather Borck is the new 4-H All Star Advisor. She recently returned to her hometown of Santa Rosa after spending 10 years in Nebraska. While in Nebraska she competed a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture economics and a Master of Science degree in agriculture education. She worked as a county 4-H Extension Educator and then on the Nebraska 4-H State Staff. She is excited to be continuing her career in agriculture and youth programs as the Sonoma County Fair Exhibits Coordinator. As a Gateway 4-H Club and Santa Rosa FFA alumnus, she showed rabbits as well as market lambs and hogs. She is extremely excited about meeting this year's all star team and planning a great year!

Teen Career Exploration

 Our 3rd Exploration is coming up! Don't forget to sign up now. 

Click here to sign up.

From the Chickenque Committee 

The 57th Annual 4-H Open House and Chicken BBQ is 30 days away! May 6^th will be here in a blink. The committee has been fine-tuning details and we're excited for the day to arrive.  Many thanks to Clubs, Chickenque Reps, County Office staff and many other who are working hard to bring this event to our community.

If you have the opportunity, please share our open house flyer. You are welcome put it out while selling tickets or ask if your local school will include it in their newsletter or family folders.

PROJECT BOOTHS: We would like to encourage your club and project leaders to organize one or two project booths.  We want visitors see all that 4-H can offer to their family. Plus, there is a $50 per booth incentive (up to two booths) per club!  DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR BOOTH SPACE IS APRIL 20^TH  BY 4PM. DEADLINE EXTENDED

Please fill out and return to:

4-H Office Attn: ChickenQue Booth
133 Aviation Blvd, Suite 109, Santa Rosa CA 95403-1077 
Email to cesonoma4H@ucanr.edu
or fax to (707) 565-2623

 BOOTH INFORMATION
 BOOTH APPLICATION

PARKING will be free for ChickenQue.  Go to the Brookwood lot and tell the attendant you are coming to ChickenQue.

DESSERTS can be dropped off SUNDAY ONLY.  You may drop the cake at the drive thru or at the cake booth from 8AM – 11AM. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ITEMS DELIVERED AFTER 11AM. We encourage clubs to “carpool” with cakes:  Have one family deliver more than one cake to the drive thru on SUNDAY MORNING.  Drive on access may not be available.  A quick note from the cake booth, please do not bring pies or cakes that require refrigeration.  

Desserts must be signed in, under your club name, in the binders provided.

DESSERT FLYER

CAKE JUDGING FLYER

VOLUNTEERS:  Thank you to everyone who has signed up to volunteer… we couldn't put on this event without you!  If you haven't had a chance to sign up yet, please go to the following link and look for volunteer shifts that say “WE NEED MORE HELP HERE!”

 VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

Visit   www.sonomacountychickenque.com above for information, online ticket sales, flyers, applications for booths, cake judging, mini-gardens.

Online ticket sales are a convenient way for people to get their ChickenQue tickets.  Go to www.sonomacountychickenque.com  Remember that if tickets are purchased online, there is a dropdown menu with club names so club credit is received.If you need more tickets, text Stefanie Stornetta at 707-477-3071

If you have any questions or great ideas, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Fred Frey, fred@vintagetreecare.com                               Nell Western, nkw161@gmail.com

 2018 State Archery Match 

This year the 2018 State Archery Match will be hosted by Nevada County. The match is a postal match where you receive your targets through the mail and shoot them in your home county. The results are compared to shooters across the state. The entries are due to Nevada County by April 20th. Rules and copies of the entries are were sent to all county 4-H staff so contact your local office if you need them. For questions regarding payments or entries contact Jill Simmons UCCE Nevada County 530-273-4769 or jcsimmons@ucanr.edu For questions regarding rules, targets, scoring, awards, etc. contact jeanette Oliver at 530-575-9572 or email jlo63@comcast.net  

Backyard Poultry egg

It is our pleasure introduce you to Dr. Maurice, otherwise known as the Chicken Whisperer. Maurice has a great opportunity for egg-loving citizens to have backyard chicken eggs tested for FREE.

Here's the UC ANR and the UC School of Veterinary Medicine video that CropMobster pitched in on.

Request: If you have egg laying chickens this is the project for you. So watch the video and send in your eggs! And we'd LOVE it if you would spread the word to anyone and everyone in the great state of California! 

Enjoy folks and share if you have an extra moment. Yes, with your help, we will change the world one egg at a time. 

UC Backyard Chicken Egg Study

Californians are invited to participate in a backyard chicken egg study! The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is testing eggs from backyard chickens in California for free. UC Cooperative Extension poultry specialist Maurice Pitesky describes the project in a video by UCD SVM, UC ANR and our friends at CropMobster.

• Share the UC ANR Facebook Post >> https://www.facebook.com/ucanr/videos/10155332262636899/ 
• Retweets the UCANR Twitter Tweet >> https://twitter.com/ucanr/status/978736489088430080
• UC ANR Youtube Post >> https://youtu.be/3ZlytlUIS3I

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

 Swine Exhibitions

 Measures to Minimize Influenza Transmission at Swine Exhibitions, 2018

 Minimizing Influence Transmission during Exhibitions - Checklist for Protecting Guests, Exhibitors, and Pigs

 Thank you, Jessica Bautista, PhD

National DNA Day

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project. To commemorate this milestone, National DNA Day will be celebrated on April 25. It will focus on key genomic advances that have occurred over the past 15 years and the increasing importance of genetics and genomics in people's lives. This project is coordinated by the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

Additional activities will be held throughout the year. For more information, including hands-on activity ideas, visit https://www.genome.gov/10506367/national-dna-day/.

If you would like some DNA “Did You Know” visuals that could be used at 4-H meetings, workshops or fairs, please email Jessica Bautista.

From the 4-H Youth Development Advisor, Steven Worker

 Presidents Letter - Naomi Edwards

 I am happy to see the rain bringing beautiful flowers all over our hills. 

 We are having to say goodbye to Judy Ludovise after 17 years of dedicated work. We will miss her relentless spirit of helpfulness, championing for more enjoyable projects and keeping the program moving forward. We will miss her!!!

 Sonoma County 4-H will soon be upon us! The 57^th Annual Open House and Chickenque will be May 6th, 2018 "4-H is Sonoma County Strong".  Please help us show the public how great the 4-H program is by setting up 2 booths for every club showing your activities, projects, or community involvement! Thanks to our terrific CQ committee for working so hard to create a wonderful event for everyone. The enrollment system for signing up for jobs is up and running!  Thank you to all of you that have signed up for Fair Appreciation Day!   Your hard work and dedication is essential to make this event the best and show the Sonoma County Fairgrounds how much we appreciate their support.  Remember that tickets are now available for purchase online and there is the option to purchase directly in support of a particular club.  Spread the word!   

  All of you will soon be very busy with camp, fair and other summer activities so there's no better time than the present to catch up on those record books before time gets away from you.  Don't wait till the last minute – start working on those books as your events happen!  

 We have two more CCC meetings this year and we will be electing a few new council positions this year.  If you are interested in any position on the board, please email me and we can make sure to get you on the ballot! Our board is fun, creative and is always looking for fresh faces and new ideas so please consider joining us!

 Clover Day was attended on March 17 and enjoyed by Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties. 

 How has your club been volunteering this year? Please have a youth write into the office so it can be shared with all of us via this newsletter.

 Warmly, Naomi

 4-H Accident/Sickness Insurance

Fees for accident/sickness insurance are included in the annual 4-H program enrollment fees. Members and adult volunteers are provided limited accident coverage when taking part in or attending an approved, regularly supervised 4-H activities. They are also covered while traveling directly between home and a 4-H meeting place for a scheduled activity. The policy limit is $10,000 and is secondary to members and leaders own private medical insurance. More information. 

California 4-H will no longer accept grants from the NRA Foundation

UC ANR (the home organization for California

4-H) will continue to support our 4-H Shooting Sports program while also joining with the many sporting goods stores, corporations, and school systems that are rejecting ties to the NRA. Going forward, ANR will not apply for any such grants from the NRA Foundation. More information.

STEM professional development for out-of-school time educators

Youth Development through Veterinary Science

4-H does not endorse  any person in the community who make requests. As always, please use caution when contacting someone. 4-H members who accept listed jobs are doing so as an individual, outside of the scope of the 4-H program.

Free Cabbage cores for feed

Contact Bobby Anderson at 707-494-5327

Free Equestrian Items for 4-H

Here is a list of items that I would like to donate to 4H:

 6 - Saddle Blankets

2 - Saddle Pads

3 - Cinches

3 - Halters with lead ropes

1 - Curb Bit

1 - Bridle

1 - Reins

1 - Brush

2 - Leg Wraps

1 - Plastic Grain Bucket

1 - Saddle Rack

Steve Carlton

707-303-7600

slcmes@aol.com

Check out our County Calendar here!

Clover Day 

 4-H Adult Volunteer Event
For Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties

March 17, 2018 @ Youth Ag & Leadership Center
6445 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Register $10 by March 5 at http://ucanr.edu/cloverday/

All Star Ambassador Application Now online

4-H All Star County Ambassadors are role models for their fellow 4-H members and their community. 4-H All Star County Ambassadors assist with county events, develop plans of action, and perform service projects. This esteemed position keeps older members involved by providing them with leadership development through goals to strive for as they serve as leader role models for younger members. Learn more at http://cesonoma.ucanr.edu/4H/For_Youth/Ambassador/

Qualifications

• Applicant must be between 14 – 18 years old by May 1, 2018.
• Applicant must have completed at least one year of membership in 4-H.
• Applicant must have demonstrated leadership experience and skills.

Completing a 4-H Record Book is not an application requirement.

Apply HERE for 4-H All Star County Ambassadors

Complete application (including this form and the components listed above) are due to the UCCE Sonoma County 4-H Office postmarked by April 2, 2018. Incomplete applications will not be considered for evaluation. Send applications to either: cesonoma4h@ucanr.edu or by mail to:

UCCE Sonoma 4-H
ATTN: Jesenia Mendoza
133 Aviation Blvd, Ste 109
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-8279

Presentation Day

Teen Career Exploration

 Our 2nd Exploration is coming up! Don't forget to sign up now. 

Click here to sign up.

March Chickenque updates

ARE YOU READY FOR CHICKENQUE?

March Fair Appreciation Day

The Sonoma County Fairgrounds has long been a supporter of the 4-H experience here in Sonoma County. In appreciation and recognition of this special 57-year relationship, we want to give back to the Fairgrounds and the Fair Board by holding a workday. There will be organized projects for all ages.  The workday will be at the fairgrounds on March 11, 2018. Our workday will start at 9:00am and conclude at 12:00 with lunch.

Please sign up to volunteer online: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=24007

If you have the opportunity, please share our open house flyer. You are welcome to put it out while selling tickets, share it with friends or ask if your church or local school will include it in their newsletter or family folders. CHICKENQUE FLYER

All T's, child and adult will be $10 (XXL $12) Return this form and payment to the March 15^rd  Chickenque Rep Meeting or to the 4-H office by 3pm on March 23^rd T-SHIRT ORDER FORM

POSTER CONTEST:  Help us promote Chickenque! All 4-H members are encouraged to make a poster.  Adult entries are welcome!  Posters will be judged at the club level in March and winners for each category will be selected at the April CCC meeting!  POSTER CONTEST FLYER

ONLINE VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS: Online sign-ups will be available March 15^th.  We will email every family a link to the sign-ups.  Sign-up early if you are particular about where you want to work as spaces are limited and fill quickly.

PROJECT BOOTHS:  We would like to encourage your club and project leaders to organize one or two project booths.  We want visitors see everything that 4-H can offer to their family. Plus, there is a $50 per booth incentive (up to two booths) per club!  DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR BOOTH SPACE IS APRIL 13^TH  BY 4PM.

Please fill out and return to:
4-H Office Attn: ChickenQue Booth
133 Aviation Blvd, Suite 109, Santa Rosa CA 95403-1077 
or fax to (707) 565-2623

CLUB BOOTH INFORMATION                      CLUB BOOTH APPLICATION

The next Chickeque Rep meeting is March 15^th, 7pm at the 4-H Center. 
We will be collecting all club t-shirt order forms.

2018 March Hare

Judging Schedule Showroom Opens at 7:30 AM

Judging Begins with Rabbits at 8:30 AM

Showmanship Begins at 9:00 AM

Breeders Classes follow selection of BIS

ALL ENTRIES DUE:
Postmarked by Tuesday – March 20, 2018

SEND TO:
Kelly Hinde
PO Box 12233, Santa Rosa, CA 95406

Emailed by midnight Monday – March 26, 2018 sequoia4h@gmail.com 

Learn more and Register Here

Sonoma County Youth Poultry Showmanship Showdown 

April 7, 2018

This event will include:
Showmanship & Educational Clinic
Art/Photo Contest
Knowledge Quiz
Obstacle Course

Sign up HERE!

Attention 4-H Fashion Super Heroes!

Remember: You do NOT need to sew or be in a sewing project to participate in Fashion Revue! See the Fashion Revue website http://cesonoma.ucanr.edu/4H/Events/Fashion_Revue/ for information about the 10 different entry categories.

Entry Forms: The Fashion Revue entry forms are available at the website. Each participant needs to submit an Online Participant Entry Formwhich is due by midnight, Friday March 30, 2018. For each category entered, participants need to submit a set of Printed Category Entry Forms  which are due by 4:00pm at the 4-H Office, Monday April 9, 2018.

NEW:Members who are unable to attend the morning evaluations can participate in the afternoon Fashion Show! These members will not be eligible for awards, but they can join our fun show and show off their creations. Submit all entry forms to be eligible.

Returning: High point participant award, the Fashion Design Contest, and the Knowledge Contest

Lunch will be available to purchase. Please submit your lunch reservations and check with your category entry forms.

Volunteers: We are still looking for evaluators and other volunteers to help the day of the Fashion Revue. Please contact the committee if you can help.

We will continue to update the website with more information. Email the committee if you would like to be on our email list to receive news and reminders.

If you have any questions or need more information about the 4-H Fashion Revue, please email the committee: 
Heidi: hmlavell@gmail.com; Diana: hamptond@mac.com;
Naomi: weloveusa@comcast.net; Krista: kjwizner@comcast.net;
Caroline: sohappy689@gmail.com; 

Hoard's Dairyman Cow Judging Contest

Four cash rewards are made to the winning 4-H clubs. Members may enter with their clubs and also with their families. the official placings and reason will be published in our April 25th issue as well as on our website www.hoards.com/cjc2018. Winners will be announced in the May 10th issue. 

If you are interested in learning more about this Judging project see the information on the website. 

Hi 4-H Team!

 I'm a former equestrian 4-H participant and now I work for local environmental non-profit Daily Acts.  We are excited to be hosting our 2nd annual Sustainable Equine Management Workshop, coming up March 3 & 4 in Petaluma. I wasn't sure who exactly who to send this to from your team, but I am looking for help in spreading the word about this workshop to 4-Hers in the region. 

Participants will learn practical strategies for sustainable equine management that can save on vet bills, improve horses' mental & physical health, and make chores easier while helping fight climate change and stormwater pollution. Topics will include small acreage pasture management, manure and mud management, natural pest control, chore efficiency, and wildfire planning. 

We are flying in Alayne Blickle as our speaker. She is an equine property consultant and founder of the internationally acclaimed program Horses for Clean Water. She's also a life long rider and has worked for the NCRS  for many years helping horse and livestock owners. Alayne will also be offering farm consultations, and participants have the opportunity to audit for free. 

 The webpage is here, plus there is a Facebook event page here .

National DNA Day

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project. To commemorate this milestone, National DNA Day will be celebrated on April 25. It will focus on key genomic advances that have occurred over the past 15 years and the increasing importance of genetics and genomics in people's lives. This project is coordinated by the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

Additional activities will be held throughout the year. For more information, including hands-on activity ideas, visit https://www.genome.gov/10506367/national-dna-day/.

If you would like some DNA “Did You Know” visuals that could be used at 4-H meetings, workshops or fairs, please email Jessica Bautista.

4-H Animal Science Symposium 

From the 4-H Youth Development Advisor, Steven Worker

 Presidents Letter - Naomi Edwards

Livestock Judging was a huge success thanks to Diana and her team.
Bay Coast Summit was attended by 6 youth that gained key leadership skills to use in their clubs, school and the future. 

Clover Day is just around the corner, March 17. Please come learn new skills or sharpen some old ones. It is free to all Sonoma County leaders.

How has your club been volunteering this year? Please have a youth write into the office so it can be shared with all of us via this newsletter.

-Naomi

Want to show at the fair? Learn about the requirements of showing
Learn more about showing at fairs and expositions and other sponsored events here. 

C. Eligibility to Show

4-H members must complete project completion requirements and additional requirements as determined by the county 4-H YDP. Notification of county 4-H YDP requirements must be given to the member at the time of enrollment. Exhibiting at the state fair, county fairs or other exhibition events may have certain entrance requirements separate from the 4-H YDP. See Steps to Success in 4-H and Steps to Success in 4-H FAQ. 

D. Ages to Show

4-H YDP age requirements as set forth in this Handbook are to be used for determining age requirements for fair participation. The levels of membership for 4-H are age based. Each level is defined as follows:

1. Primary Level: Must be five (5) years old by December 31st of the current program year to exhibit at fair. Primary membership ends when members qualify as junior members. Exhibitors who are under nine (9) years of age by December 31st of the current program year are not eligible to compete at California fairs. See also Primary_Member-Adult_Volunteer_Guide, Primary_Member-Fact_Sheet and Primary_Member Incentives and Recognition - FAQ.
2. Junior, Intermediate, & Senior Level: Must be nine (9) years old by December 31st of the current program year. Exhibitors are eligible to compete/exhibit through December 31st of the year in which they turn 19 years of age.

None at this time

4-H does not endorse  any person in the community who make requests. As always, please use caution when contacting someone. 4-H members who accept listed jobs are doing so as an individual, outside of the scope of the 4-H program.

Check out our County Calendar here!

The California Native Plant Society needs your help.

 Hoard's Dairyman Cow Judging Contest

If you are interested in the judging contest please send Hoard's Dairyman your address so that they may send you more information regarding this contest. For more information see the attached letter at the bottom of this months blog.

Equine Field Day 2018!

Equine Field Day 2018 will be at Modesto Junior College, the ACE Pavilion, on  Saturday, February 10, 2018 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM Modesto Junior College ACE Pavilion, 2201 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto

Who should attend?

4-H Horse Leaders, Volunteers, Members, Parents and all Horse Enthusiasts About this event

Sessions will include: gymkhana, showmanship, lameness, mini horses, driving, horsemanship, and educational contests.  Tour the equine facilities at Modesto Junior College. 

You do not have to own a horse to attend! This educational event is a fundraiser for the Statewide 4-H Equine Programs.

Let me know if you have any questions. 

DeAnn Tenhunfeld,  Animal Science Education State 4-H Office, 530-750-1340

Clover Day 2018
Saturday, March 17, 2018
9:00am – 3:00pm

For 4-H volunteer leaders in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties (not for 4-H youth members)

• Registration due by Monday, March 5, 2018
• Registration limited to 50 from Sonoma, 20 from Marin, 35 from Napa, 20 from Mendocino, and 20 from Lake.
• $10 registration fee (waived for leaders in Sonoma)

Clover Day: A one-day volunteer development event for 4-H volunteer leaders in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties. The focus is to support skill and relationship building between fellow 4-H volunteer leaders for both project-specific areas as well as other 4-H topics to help improve youth engagement and learning.

Register HERE

0% AG Loans for 4-H Youth

Community First Credit Union is proud to offer 0% AG loans to FFA and 4-H students who will be showing and selling their market animals at the local county fairs. Kids can borrow as little as $100 and as much as $2,500 to finance their market animal projects. Monies can be used to pay for the animal, feed, supplies, 4-H uniform, whites, and fair entries. All they need to do is fill out the application and return via email, fax, or drop off at one of our 10 local branches throughout Mendocino, Lake, Napa, and Sonoma County. All of the kids will pay back their loans at the end of the summer after all of the county fairs have taken place.

If you have more questions about this awesome program please feel free to call or email me and please let me know if you would like someone to come to your club to talk about the program to your 4-H kids. Thank you so much and have a fabulous weekend!

Rebecca Nystrom, Member Development Specialis
Community First Credit Union Phone (707) 543-2654  

JOANN Paper Clover Campaign

The whole month of February, $1 and $4 clovers are being sold at the register in JOANN stores nationwide.

• The $4 clovers include a coupon for $4 off their next purchase.

• Clovers will not be displayed in-store but include a craft idea for customers to take home.

• California will receive 70% of the funds raised! The California 4-H Foundation will distribute the funds to local counties. More information coming soon on how the funds will be distributed.

JOANN / 4-H In-store Service Project

Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 11am - 2pm

Local 4-H programs will partner with their JOANN's store to hand-make Valentine's Day cards. Supplies and space will be provided by each JOANN store.

Role of 4-H clubs and members:

1. Choose a recipient organization to receive the cards (e.g., nursing home, children's hospital, veterans home, etc.)
2. Spread the word to friends, family, and neighbors to join in on February 3rd to make cards for the recipient organization.
3. Participate in the card making on February 3rd in the store.
4. Deliver the finished cards to the recipient organization.
5. Share photos of the event and delivery on social media, and tag California 4-H!

Save the date and start planning your project to spread caring with those in need!

Need 4-H Projects to Test New 4-H Livestock Curriculum

UC Davis is looking for 4-H projects, particularly animal science projects, to participate in the testing of a new 4-H curriculum titled At the Interface between Livestock and Predators: Reducing Depredation through Livestock Husbandry, which was developed in response to a community need identified in California. The goal of the curriculum is that youth will apply the knowledge they learn in their communities to solve authentic community needs associated with predator depredation. There are five modules in the curriculum that include: biomes, the food web, predator identification, risk assessment and mitigation tools and opportunities for service-learning and community engagement. 4-H projects would be asked to test each activity from March to May 2018. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Colette Ankenman at cankenman@ucdavis.edu.

From the 4-H Youth Development Advisor, Steven Worker

Advisor Update January 2018 - Asking Questions
A critical component of the 4-H project leader role is drawing out young people's ideas. Asking effective questions (or prompts) will help build their understanding and promote reasoning and critical thinking.

 Presidents Letter - Naomi Edwards

What a beautiful time in our county. The leaves have fallen off all of the grape vines and fruit trees, the hills are green again and the bulbs are already starting to bloom.

The winter and spring are full new opportunities for us to encourage new skills and challenges in the youth of our fine county. We have leadership conferences, Presentation Day, livestock judging, rabbit and poultry shows, Fashion Revue, Chickenque, and fairs.

 Clubs have contests, project meetings, community service projects, and proficiencies. I know of 3 clubs that fund-raised, and provided food and gifts for firestorm victims. Clubs are visiting elder care homes playing games and leaving encouraging cards. County Youth volunteered at the Redwood Empire food bank that is supplying food for 200,000 people. Fashion Revue is joining the state in making pillowcases for kids with cancer. Our youth are changing our county, our country and our world, for the better!

Have a safe and enjoyable rest of winter as we prepare for Spring.

Warmly, Naomi

For adults who are still pending in the 4hOnline enrollment system

None at this time

4-H does not endorse  any person in the community who make requests. As always, please use caution when contacting someone. 4-H members who accept listed jobs are doing so as an individual, outside of the scope of the 4-H program.

4-H Horse Project - Community Service

Vintage Cutting Horse Association is a non-profit organization; , who hosts 4 to 6 cutting horse competitions each year; at the Petaluma Riding and Driving Club located in Petaluma.

We need volunteers to assist during our 6 annual cutting horse competitions. Beginning May 19^th, and the 3^rd Saturday of each month thereafter; ending September or October.  

We need volunteers to assist with running the Judge sheets and serving Lunch.  The time involved would be from 8:30am to 12:00-1:00pm.  Besides earning community service credits, it would provide educational awareness of another discipline within the horse industry.

I look forward to receiving the names and contact information for those 5 Club's project leaders, as well as getting this information posted on the 4-H blog.

Vintage Cutting Horse Association – A California Non Profit

The specific and primary purposes of the Association are to encourage the development of, and public interest in, cutting horses through promotion, presentation, and sponsorship of cutting horse competitions, educational clinics, and other events involving the use or exhibition of cutting horses in an effort to attract new participants to the sport of cutting.

Stacey Powers

Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Phone: (707)591-8017

 Free Engines for a 4-H Club

I have left over engines that I would like to donate to a 4-H Club. If interested call at 707-321-2708

Looking to buy a dwarf bunny 

Hi, I am looking for a dwarf bunny for my granddaughter. If you have one or know of a breeder please call Susan at (707) 827-3322