4-H Project Display Board Tips

Douglas County 4-H members,

Some of you may already be thinking about or working on your 4-H display boards for fair (good for you!). The state office has a link on their web site that contains tips for creating the best display you can.

Take a look here.

Don't forget: you can purchase display boards at the Douglas County Extension Office for $3.50 each! We are located on the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, CO. The address is 410 Fairgrounds Road.

2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest

Douglas County 4-H members,

Here is a fun poster contest to enter. The deadline for Colorado is March 5, 2010.

The theme is Trees are Terrific...and Energy Wise!

Join over 63,000 fifth grade classrooms in learning about the importance of trees in our world! Don’t miss out on this engaging and impactful opportunity to teach fifth grade students about the important role trees play in the production and conservation of energy! Download your free 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest materials http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/index.cfm and help foster the next generation of tree stewards.

For more information contact:
Donna Davis, Coordinator
208 Santa Fe Avenue, Suite #21
La Junta, CO 81050
Phone: 719-384-9087
Email: dodavis@lamar.colostate.edu

Douglas County, join the Colorado 4-H STEMtv Team!

Douglas County 4-H members, here's an exciting opportunity! It would be great if Douglas County were represented in the Colorado STEM initiative. See details below.

Be on the cutting edge and join the Colorado 4-H STEMtv Team! This team consists of 30 youth throughout the state who are interested in developing leadership skills through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge.

Workshops, tours, and service learning opportunities empower youth who have an interest in STEM related projects. Team members can learn, teach, volunteer, and report STEM news from their respective counties and regions.

The Colorado 4-H STEMtv Team workshops are open to 4-H members (13-19 years of age) who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math. Team members must re-apply every year. Applications are being accepted for youth members and adult volunteers. E-mail Willa Williams, 4-H Youth Development Specialist STEM and K-12, for an application at willa.williams@colostate.edu.

2010 Shooting Sports Family Campout

Douglas County 4-H shooting sports members and leaders,

As always, the popular Shooting Sports Family Campout will be held in Victor, CO. Dates are June 18-20 and the brochure and registration form are now available on the state web site.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Rick Romanin at (303) 761-5651 or by email at rlromanin@netzero.net.

CSU president speaking at Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture

Douglas County 4-H,

As we all know, 4-H is the Youth Development component of CSU Extension services. You may be interested to know that CSU is participating in the upcoming forum on agriculture in Colorado. See information below.

State and national leaders in the field of agriculture, including Gov. Bill Ritter, Commissioner of Agriculture John Stulp, Colorado State University President Tony Frank and CSU Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences Craig Beyrouty, will speak at the annual Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture on Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St.

Colorado State University President Frank will discuss the many ways that CSU connects with farmers and ranchers across the state. Colorado State is involved in a variety of interests from wheat research to livestock production including emerging markets, such as organics. Colorado State researchers are helping to answer questions surrounding food availability, food affordability and food safety.

CSU College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Beyrouty will detail some of the emerging and strategic research initiatives that are being developed hand-in-hand with the agricultural industry in the state.

Deadline for early registration is Feb. 8. The cost is $100 or $45 for students. After Feb. 8, registration is $120 or $50 for students. To register, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/forum or call (303) 239-4100.

2010 Fifth Annual Dutch Anderson Memorial Gymkhana

Hosted at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, this show is open to anyone, not just 4-H members. In fact, adults are encouraged to participate!

Here are some details from the flier:

SAT, JAN 30TH
Event starts 10am SHARP! Office opens at 8:30am
Entry Fees: $30 for all events + $5/horse/person County office fee, or,
$8/event + $5/horse/person County office fee
Daily High Point & Reserve in each age division – all events count
Age determined as of 01/01/10


For more info:
Denise Anderson 303/660-0794 or Andersonsfarm@aol.com
Debbie Mills 720/231-5657 or MillsFamily@aaahawk.com
Andrea Green 303/884-7663


Douglas County Fairgrounds – I-25 to Exit 181 Plum Creek Parkway go east. Fairgrounds are on the north side of Plum Creek Parkway…In case of bad weather…if I-25 is open, we are ON!

2010 Douglas County Buckle Series Horse Shows

Hello Douglas County 4-H,

We've been spreading the word about the 2010 Buckle Series Horse Show. The showbill and entry form were included in your Dec/Jan newsletter and will be included in the February edition as well.

Both the showbill and the entry form are also posted on the web site.

Below are a few details:

Douglas County 4-H Horse Show Buckle Series
Five 2010 shows for overall high point!
~PAC/RMQHA Outreach approved shows~
Douglas County Fairgrounds at 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock, CO 80104
Feb 7 & Feb 27 – Indoor Arena
May 8, June 12 & June 26 – Outdoor Arena

Registration: 8:00 am
Reg. ends 15 mins. before class begins.
Show starts: 9:00 am

Office Charge: $ 6.00 (one time/show)
Entry fee: $ 6.00 (per class)
All day fee: $50.00 (1 horse, 1 rider)

Free Small Acreage Workshop March 6 in Elbert County

Douglas County 4-H community,

Thought some of you might be interested in this upcoming workshop.

You are invited to a free Small Acreage Workshop on Saturday, March 6 at Elbert Elementary School from 9-11:30 am.

Ben Berlinger from Natural Resources Conservation Service will offer an insightful look at animal grazing behavior. He will discuss how social behavior can influence food selection, what types of forage animals prefer, nutritional needs, toxins and aversions.

Next, learn from local expert Michelle Oldham of El Paso County Noxious Weeds about how to identify, control, and prevent weeds on your property.

Additionally, there will be various vendors and informational booths with representatives from local Conservation Districts and Division of Wildlife. Coffee and donuts will be served.

RSVP by February 26 to Elbert County CSU Extension office at 303-621-3162.

Community invited to Douglas County 4-H Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction

Please join Douglas County 4-H at the annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction event on February 5, 2010 in Kirk Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Dinner and the silent auction begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a live auction.

This annual event is the main fundraising effort of the 4-H Exchange Group. Every two years, Douglas County trades trips with another state, giving members the opportunity to learn about diversity, history and culture.

In July 2008, Douglas County 4-H Exchange members hosted a group from Sussex County Delaware. Then in 2009, Douglas County 4-H traveled to Delaware to reconnect with new friends, tour Sussex County, and learn about a different state.

Not only do Douglas County 4-H members and staff prepare and serve spaghetti and Italian fixings, but many fine items are available for bidding at the silent auction. Items include original art work, gift baskets, gift cards, rounds of golf, a well-stocked kid’s table with items as low as 50 cents, and more.

To purchase tickets, call the Douglas County 4-H Office at 720-733-6940. Tickets remain at 2005 prices: $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

For information on the Douglas County 4-H Exchange Program, or any 4-H program, go to the web site at www.douglascountyextension.org or call the office at the number above.

Creative Cooks Workshop in Adams County

Douglas County 4-H,

Here are details of an upcoming Creative Cooks Workshop.

Saturday, January 16, 2010
Would you like to learn more about the Creative Cooks Contest?
Are you interested in learning more about napkin folding and
garnish making? Do you need a refresher on nutrition?

When: Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 9:00am to 1:00pm

Where: Adams County Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton in the Extension Office Meeting Rooms (first building as you drive into the park).

Cost: The cost of this hands-on creative cooks workshop is $5 per person.

Please RSVP to Julia, with money, by January 14, 2010. Checks should be made out to Adams County 4-H Home Ec. Committee Participants are asked to bring a paring knife and cutting board with them.

Questions: Call Julia Hurdelbrink at 303-637-8108 or e-mail at jhurdelbrink@co.adams.co.us

A note about the Douglas County 4-H newsletter

Hello Douglas County 4-H,

Did you know...

In addition to emailing the newsletter to you all every month, it is also available on the web site. If you ever need to take a look and you lost that email, just go to the 4-H web site and take a look. There is a button at the top of the page labeled, well... newsletter.

The next one is February 2010 and will be emailed the first of February. Watch for it!

Douglas County Extension Office January closures

Douglas County 4-H families,

Just a friendly reminder that the office is closed Friday, January 1 and Monday, January 18 for county holidays.

If you need something from us, please plan ahead.

Happy New Year!