What is 4-H?

4-H is a community of young

people—boys and girls getting

together across America who are

learning leadership, citizenship

and life skills. 4-H is a fun

educational program where kids

“learn by doing”.

4-H Pledge

I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking

My HEART to greater loyalty,

My HANDS to larger service,

My HEALTH to better living,

For my club, my community, my country & my world.

A GUIDE FOR NEW 4-h CLUB MEMBERS

We are excited to welcome you as a new member of the Independence County 4-H. In 4-H you will meet

new friends and gain lasting memories! With any new adventure there are always many questions. We

hope this guide helps answer some of your questions and directs you along the way.

4-H MOTTO

“To make the best better”

4-H Colors

Green—symbolizes life, springtime & youth

White—Symbolizes purity.

What age can join 4-H?

Anyone 5-19 can join 4-H

Members are placed into 3 different

categories:

Cloverbuds 5-8 yrs old

Juniors 9-13 yrs old

Seniors 14-19 old

What is a 4-H project?

A topic that a member chooses to

work on in a 4-H club. Members

can select from many different

activities from the 82 project

areas. A 4-H project is selected by

the 4-H’er and is an area they are

interested in. A 4-H’er will have

one main project and could have

several other projects. What is a Club?

A 4-H club is a group of kids

working with adult volunteers

toward common goals. The club

meets once or more each month

and the members elects officers to

lead the meeting.

How much does it cost

to join 4-H?

Participation in 4-H is FREE!

4-H Slogan

“Learn By Doing”

Independence County

Cooperative

Extension Staff

1770 Myers Street

Batesville, AR 72579

870-793-8840

4-H Program Assistant

Linda Latus llatus@uaex.edu

CEA Staff Chair

Stan Carter scarter@uaex.edu

CEA—Family Consumer Science

Julian King jmking@uaex.edu

CEA— Agri / 4-H

Nathan Reinhart nreinhart@uaex.edu

Admin Office Supervisor

Sharon Lillard slillard@uaex.edu

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year Arkansas 4-H youth

receive more than $80,000 in

college scholarships at the state

level for their 4-H work. If you

are an active 4-H’er in Independ-

ence County you could receive the

J. W. Collier Scholarship.

Competitive Activities

Competitive events contribute to

the goal of developing life skills so

4-H’ers can become self-directing,

productive and contributing

citizens.

Welcome to

Independence county 4-H

Newsletter

CLOVERPATCH

Buzz-z

4-H Year October 1—September 30

Independence County Fair—any entry into the fair (July)

Project Fair—Review of 4-H Projects on project board (October)

B-Day—BB Shooting, Bicycling, Bait casting, and BBQ (October)

Talks and Demonstrations—(November)

Performing Arts—Dance, Vocal, Instrumental and Club Skits (February)

Fashion Revue—Purchased or Constructed (March)

Activity Night—Seeds, Ornamental Horticulture, Forestry, and Dairy (April)

Doing 4 of the 7 activities earns you 1/4 off the 4-H summer trip.

Turning in Record book is another 1/4 off.

Each activity earns points for the 4-H’er and their club.

The 4-H emblem is a four leaf

clover with the letter “H” on

each leaf. The letters in the

emblem stands for Head, Heart,

Hands and Health—the

foundation of all 4-H programs.

The mission of 4-H is to provide

opportunities for youth to

acquire knowledge, develop life

skills, form attitudes, and

practice behavior that will

enable them to become self

directing, productive, and

contributing members of society.

4-H MISSION 4-H EMBLEM 4-H MONTH

Any items entered into the fair gives you credit or a point for the first activity of the year.

Fiscal year for 4-H is October but the first activity begins with the fair.

EXAMPLES of items you may enter:

Crafts, art, photography, sewing, wood working, vegetables, flowers, preserves, etc.

Livestock—cows, horse, swine, chickens, goats, sheep, etc.

All Star Steer Program (contact Nathan Reinhart for more information)

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY FAIR JULY JULY

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY 7 ACTIVITIES

Page 2

Each club participates in constructing an Educational Booth in the

Blanche Crain building and works one shift at the 4-H Food Booth.

1st

October is National 4-H Month

4-H’ers can do the following:

Wear their 4-H t-shirts!

Put up flyers to promote 4-H.

Talk to a class or civic club about 4-H.

Put up a 4-H welcome sign in your

community. Web Page

http://www.kidsarus.org

Project Fair is where a 4-Her

creates a project board—similar to

a science fair board with

information about their 4-H

project or activities they have

participated in since they have

been a 4-H member.

The boards are viewed at the

Independence County Annual

Farm Bureau meeting. The

boards are usually viewed by

approximately 500 Farm Bureau

Members to promote 4-H in our

County.

Boards should only include photos

and flat information. NO trophies

or other personal items.

Every Project Board is different

and shows the interest and project

of the 4-H’er who designed it.

The Extension Office will have

Project Boards available to purchase.

PROJECT FAIR OCTOBER

This activity is held on Saturday at the Independence County

Fairgrounds. 4-Hers can compete anytime during the two hour allotted

time. B-Day activities are judged with first, second, and third place

ribbons award. Any 4-H’er who did not place will receive a

participation ribbon. You can compete in all four activities or just one if

you prefer.

Bait Casting

BB Shooting

Bicycling

Broiler BBQ

B-DAY OCTOBER

Page 3

Example of a board.

3rd

This is a participation only activity. There is no judging involved.

Bait Casting BB Shooting Broiler BBQ Bicycling

Each contestant will be

judged on accuracy in

casting. You will get four

casts to determine your

score.

At county you must use the

fishing poles provided.

20 pt

10 pt

5 pt

Each contestant will have

two targets provided on the

same score sheet. The first

is a practice target and the

other is the competition

target. You will get 5 shots

on each target. Shots

touching a scoring ring

receive the higher value,

shots outside of the scoring

ring are scored as missed.

You can do any of the

following positions: Sitting,

Kneeling, Standing or Prone.

BB Guns are provided.

Demerits are given for touching

feet or cones and not

following the path.

To compete in Broiler BBQ

you must provide all need-

ed equipment and supplies

to cook.

You will receive two 1 1/2

lbs broiler chickens to

cook. You will be allowed

30 minutes to start your fire

then another hour and a half

to grill. Points are given on

starting and controlling

your fire, timing, appear-

ance of chicken, doneness

and taste. The top five

winners will advance to District

Broiler BBQ.

The object for this

activity is for the rid-

er to complete the

course in the quickest

time with perfect con-

trol of their bicycle.

Pass on the left side

of the first object and

stagger by others.

Turn around when

you pass the last cone

and return .

2nd

4-H illustrated talks and demonstrations are “show-n-tell” presentations to teach useful information to others. Which one

you choose depends on your audience, where you will be giving it, the topic you have selected and your access to visu-

als and equipment .

Performing Arts includes vocal, instrumental, dance and club skits.

4-H’ers should be prepared to introduce their number by giving the title of the piece they will perform.

PERFORMING ARTS FEBRUARY

ILLUSTRATED TALKS AND DEMONSTRATION NOVEMBER

Page 4

5th

4th

DEMONSTRATION

Focus on DOING

You SHOW HOW to make something by

using ingredients and equipment.

“How to Make Trail Mix”

Audience can see, taste, touch, feel or test the

FINISHED PRODUCT.

Your goal is to encourage your audience

TO GO AND DO what you have shown.

ILLUSTRATED TALKS

Focus on TALKING

You TELL HOW something is done by using

models, real objects, posters, power point etc.

“Healthy Foods in Trail Mix”

There is NO finished product for the audience.

Your goal is to share knowledge for your

audience TO IMPROVE

Cloverbud (5-8 yrs) talks are 1-5 minutes

Junior (9-13 yrs) talks are 2-5 minutes

Senior (14-19 yrs) talks are 5-8 minutes

Parts to your Talk or Demonstration

Introduction

Body

Summary

The categories are:

Agribusiness Public Speaking

Animal Science

Citizenship

Consumer Economics

Environmental Stewardship

Health

Human Development

Entomology

Horse

Public Speaking

Vet Science

Pet Care and Training

Food Fair: Breads, Eggs,

AR Foods, Healthy Snacks,

Fruits and Vegetables

VOCAL

Vocal may consist of solo,

duet, trio, etc. but NO panto-

mimes will be allowed. Please

note that disks or tapes with

vocals are allowed but should

not overpower the voice of the

performer. If, in the opinion

of the judges, the vocals are

overpowering the performer,

they will be penalized.

Performers must provide

their own equipment,

instruments, props and

accompanist.

INSTRUMENTAL

Includes all types of music. No singing or vocals

will be allowed with instrumental. Other accompaniment is

allowed; however, this must assume the pure character of

accompaniment. The test is whether the performance would

stand alone if accompaniment were removed.

CLUB SKITS

Skits go no further

than county so the

rules are a little

different. Skits need

to follow 4-H theme

and be no more than

6 minutes long with

2 minutes for set up

and 2 minutes for

take down. One skit

per club—all ages

can be involved—

no limit on the num-

ber of 4-H’ers in the

skit.

DANCE

All types of dance will be allowed including tap,

ballet, square dance, modern, clogging popular dances

modern jazz and break dancing. Not allowed: acrobatics,

gymnastics, martial arts or baton twirling.

A talent act is limited to five minutes and can have up to

eight 4-H members in the same age division. A piano will

be available for vocal and instrumental acts.

NOTE: NO live animals permitted!

FASHION REVUE MARCH

ACTIVITY NIGHT APRIL

Page 5

6th

CONSTRUCTED or PURCHASED

Contestants will be judged on:

Knowledge of fabric characteristics, uses and care.

Ability to evaluate garment quality and apply knowledge.

Appearance, fit and fashion ability.

4-H’ers will start out by presenting a

short, 1 to 2 minute commentary. It

should include detailed information on

cost, fabric, fibers, care and why the

garment was chosen. 4-H’ers will be

using a microphone and should speak

without notes. After the presentation,

4-H’ers will informally model the

garment.

4-H contestants should be prepared to

answer judges questions about how their

outfit was purchased or constructed and

information about accessories worn.

DIVISION and CATEGORIES

PURCHASED—Casual & Dressy

CONSTRUCTED—Causal & Dressy

Contestants may have one entry in Constructed

and one entry in Purchased.

Dresses that are more than a hand above the knee with be disqualified. NO Formal Gowns or Swim Suits.

7th

SEED Identification:

4-H’ers will identify 20

seeds out of a variety of

47 standard common

seeds.

ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE

Identification:

Identify common ornamental horticulture plants.

Garden flowers, foliage plants, landscape plants, and

trees could be included for identification.

TREE Identification:

A total of 20 trees will

be identified. A study

book is available at the

County Extension Office.

The last of the seven 4-H activities for individual points is Activity Night with 5 activities to choose from.

There is a CD study guide for the above 3 contests available at the Extension Office.

You need to bring a blank CD to trade.

ENTOMOLOGY

4-H’ers can become better acquainted with the insect

world by participating in the entomology collection

activity.

Collections will be judged on insects collected, specimen

quality, pinning technique, labeling, identification and

general appearance of the collection.

DAIRY FOODS CONTEST

Participants must be 4th-12th grade.

This contest will consist of two cat-

egories: Party Ideas and Main Dish,

but you may enter only one category.

Bring one copy of your recipe and the

dish prepared by the 4-H’er. Entries

are judged on the use of milk and dairy

foods, originality of recipe, clearness and accuracy of recipe,

ready availability of ingredients, and original ideas for serving.

First place winners will receive a GIFT from Farm Bureau.

Rules can be picked up at the Extension Office.

Cloverbuds—minimum of 10 adult insects from a minimum of 3

orders.

Juniors—minimum of 15 adult insects from a minimum of 5

orders.

Seniors—minimum of 25 adults insects from a minimum of 9

orders

Beekeeping Essay Contest—February

Ross Photography—March

Pumpkin / Watermelon Contest—March

Poster Art Contest—April

Other Competitions

Information on all competitions

are included in the monthly

newsletter

CLOVERPATCH Buzz-z

Page 6

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Independence County Champion 4-H’er

The 4-H’er who has accumulated the most county activity

points in the 4-H year will be awarded Champion 4-H’er

and a trophy. Two 4-H’ers are selected from each cat-

egory—Cloverbud, Junior and Senior.

Individual Activity Award

This award is for any 4-H’er who completes 5 to 7 county

activities during the 4-H year.

5 activities—BRONZE Award—certificate

6 activities – SILVER Award—certificate

7 activities—GOLD Award—plaque

Record Book Winners

County Record book winners receive a t-shirt, project pin

and plaque at the awards banquet.

Blanche Crain Award

The 4-H’er who accumulates the most points in the

Blanche Crain Building at the Independence County Fair.

1st place—$30.00 / certificate

2nd place—$20.00 / certificate

3rd place—$10.00 / certificate

District and State O’Rama—1st place winners

District O’Rama - $25.00. State O’Rama—$50.00

CLUB AWARDS

100% 4-H Record Book

If a club has all members turn in their 4-H record book

they will be recognized with a plaque.

Membership Award

The club with the most members is awarded the

Membership Award and given a plaque.

High Point Club

The High Point Club Award is given to the club that has

accumulated the most activity points from active 4-H

members in their club. A plaque is awarded.

Club Activity Award

This award is given to the club with the highest average

of individual activity points per member. A plaque is

awarded.

Champion Club Award

The club with the highest percentage from record books

turned in and total club activity points is awarded the

Champion Club Award. A plaque is awarded.

County and State Clubs

Clubs who fulfill the required guidelines for County and

State will receive a plaque and a monetary award.

County Honor Clubs - $25.00

State Honor Clubs—$50.00

District O’Rama: First place winners of the county contests will get first

chance to go to District in their category. If the first place can’t compete

at District, the 2nd and then the 3rd place get a chance. Categories are

opened up after that and selected on a first come basis.

State O’Rama: 4-H’ers must compete at District O’Rama to continue on to

State O’Rama in Fayetteville.

State Spring Livestock Show—May

4-H District O’Rama—June

District Horse Show—June

Broiler BBQ District—June

Independence County Fair—July

Poultry Chain CHICKS—April / June

4-H State O’Rama– July

District Fair—September

State Fair—Arkansas State Fair 4-H Contest—Oct

Sew with Cotton—October

COUNTY AWARDS

ACTIVITY POINTS are awarded from the 7 county

activities as followed: 1st place—4 points, 2nd place—3

points, 3rd place—2 points and participation—1 point.

(1 point for fair, project fair and participating in club skit).

4-H RECORD BOOKS JANUARY

The Arkansas 4-H record book is one place to show others what you have done in your 4-H career.

Completing the record book is much like completing a portfolio. Through your record book, you show

your accomplishments and how you have developed responsibility by keeping records. Throughout

your 4-H career, you will find your record book useful in evaluating past achievement and in making

improvements in future plans.

4-H record report forms, instructions, tips, and how to add photography to your record book can be found on-line at

http://www.kidsarus.org/go4it/recordbook/Default.htm or contact the Extension Office for a copy.

Turning in a completed Record book counts as 1/4 of the summer trip.

LEADERSHIP

TEEN LEADER CONFERENCE

The Arkansas Teen Leader Conference is a three-day conference for 4-H

members ages 14–19. Each year the conference focuses on a specific

topic and helps to prepare teens for leadership responsibilities in their

local clubs and counties. The Teen Star Recognition and Hall of Fame

Induction will be conducted at the Teen Star/Hall of Fame Banquet held

during the conference.

TEEN STAR

The Arkansas 4-H Teen Star Program is a recognition program for

Arkansas 4-H members who have outstanding achievement in the areas

of 4-H projects and activities, leadership, and community service.

Must be 15 years old and no more than 18 as of January 1 of the current

year. Applications due February.

TLC SERVERS 12-14 years

This is a great opportunity to develop some leadership.

Volunteers will assist with setting the tables and serving at the

Teen Leader banquet in Ferndale— 4-H center.

AMBASSADOR

Arkansas 4-H Ambassadors are youth who can be called on to assist

with 4-H promotion at the county and state levels. Ambassadors duties

include: assisting with statewide programs, assisting with county

programs as requested, promoting 4-H at every opportunity and repre-

senting 4-H at various activities and events during the year. To apply, a

4-H member must be a 4-H Teen Star (must be 15 yrs by January 1st of

the current yr). 4-H’ers may apply for the Ambassador program the same

year they apply for Teen Star. Applications due May 1st.

STATE 4-H OFFICER

To run for a state office you must be a 4-H Ambassador for 1 year and at

least 16 yrs of age but not more than 18 during the current year.

Page 7

CLUB OFFICERS

In any club or organization it is important that members know how to

conduct a meeting. A 4-H club elects their officers to give training on

how to run and conduct a meetings. All age groups are eligible to run

for an office that is to their ability.

President—Conducts meeting.

Vice President—Assists the President and serves on committees.

Secretary—Keeps a permanent record of the club’s meetings.

Recreational Leader—Chooses activities or games that would be

interesting to the club.

Historian—Works with photographer/secretary/reporter to make a

yearly book of activities of the members and club.

Song Leader—Selects songs to sing at club meeting.

Photographer— Takes photos of club members at activities/meetings.

Reporter—Reports any news or activities the club is involved in to

local papers, etc.

A good 4-H club meeting gives its members a chance to think, plan and do things together.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

4-H Clubs offer community service learning for their members and decides what community service they want to

provide to their community. The 4-H clubs within our county are very active in helping others.

Examples: Humane Society, Christmas Brings Hope, Military / Veterans—writing Christmas & Valentine Cards,

Cemetery Clean up, 4-H Food Pantry, Help & Hope—collecting food, Angel Tree sponsors, marched in parades,

visit nursing homes and “One Day of Service” - (helped the needy, assisted Master Gardeners and county).

4-H CAMPS and TRIPS

Page 8

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY SUMMER CAMP

Independence County 4-H provides a 3 day trip to a selected location each year. This trip is usually scheduled the first week in

August. In the past, trips have been to Branson, MO; St. Louis, MO and Dallas, TX. If a 4-H member completes a 4-H Record

Book, they will receive 1/4 of the camp fee paid, and if a 4-H’er participates in 4 out of the 7 competitive activities, they receive 1/4

of the camp fee paid. If a 4-H’er does both a Record Book and 4 activities a total of one-half of their trip cost will be paid. 4-H’ers

travel by charter coach to the selected location with hotel and all activities included.

This is a great way for 4-H’er to make friends with others in our county.

STATE CAMPS:

4-H Adventure and Challenge Camp

Cloverbud 4-H Camp

Junior 4-H Camp

Entrepreneur Camp

Advanced Entrepreneur Camp

Equine Camp

High Adventure Program

Forestry & Wildlife Camp

National 4-H Conference—Washington, D.C.

National 4-H Congress—Atlanta, GA

Kansas City Global—Kansas City

Citizenship Washington Focus—Washington, D.C.

Independence County 4-H CLUBS

Batesville

Cindy Bunch – 799-3680

Candi Sikes—601-618-3391

Cave City

John & Kim Bridgers - 283-6349

Rita Gilliam— 283-5565

Cedar Ridge Livestock Pam McCoy – 613-1709

Laura Fitzgerald – 307-5331

Diamond T

Catherine Harris -264-3277

Lana Hightower – 613-3063

Kripple Creek

Karina Green – 799-9826

Traci Bowren 501-345-2584

L-U ARK

Ricki Gilbert – 612-0191

Livestock

Jeff & Jana Mead – 612-3504

Rebekah Reinhart—613-3063

Project Clubs

Horse

Rhea Jennings - 698-0349

Rachel Collins – 613-3447

Livestock Judging

Nathan Reinhart - 793-8840

Razorback

Extension Staff—793-8840

Shooting Sports

Mary Zirkle - 501-345-0367

Lisa Coles – 283.2232

Teen Club

Linda Latus – 793-8840

Julian King – 793-8840

Central Magnet Afterschool Southside Afterschool

Glenita Anderson – 834-4289 / 793-2498 Melissa Martin – 251-4016

Lisa Siler—501-472-1007 Dawn Jeffery – 251-4025

Sulphur Rock Afterschool

Pam Baxter – 799-3149

Lisa Siler – 501-472-1007

Riverbend

Philip Ives—384-0140

Judi Qualls—307-8395

Ruddell Hill

Ronda Griffis - 612-5078

Barbara Sweet - 793-5386

Southside

Pam Gramling - 251-3633

Casey Callahan - 793-4179

Community Clubs

Afterschool Clubs