Backyard Poultry Workshop March 12th– register by March 4th
The Delaware Department of Agriculture is hosting a workshop on March 12, 2013 at the Hartly Fire Hall from 6:00-8:00 pm for backyard poultry flock owners. Topics to be covered include raising backyard flocks and recognizing and preventing common poultry diseases. Presenters are from the University of Delaware, University of Maryland and USDA. The program includes a free roast beef buffet dinner but preregistration is required by March 4th. To register, please call Lawina Slaubaugh at (302) 698-4561 or email lawina.slaubaugh@state.de.us
Spring 4-H/FFA Dairy Show- entries due March 8th
The Spring 4-H and FFA Dairy Show will be held on April 6, 2013 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. Entries are due to Charmayne Busker by March 8, 2013. The show is open to all Delmarva Residents who are owners of Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Brown Swiss cattle. The show will include both a Junior Division (age 21 & under as of January 1, 2013) and an Open Division which will run concurrently. For show information and entry form please visit the state 4-H website. http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/
Delaware Livestock Exposition Benefit Dinner and Auction – March 9th
Mark your calendar for the 2013 Delaware Livestock Exposition, October 12-13 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. The show is a junior breeding show for beef cattle, sheep, swine, and boer goats and is open to exhibitors from across the country. Entry and registration information will be available in the summer. Premiums will be paid to the top placing animals in each class. The show committee is hosting a benefit dinner and auction on Saturday, March 9th in the Exhibit Hall on the Delaware State Fairgrounds. Tickets are $25.00 each or a table of 8 for $175.00 and are available for purchase at the Kent County Extension office. You may contact Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or Kristin Cook kristin@udel.edu to purchase tickets. All proceeds will be put towards Livestock Exposition expenses. Please join us for a fun filled evening of food, fellowship, fundraising and dancing!
Upcoming Poultry Online Learning Opportunities
There are some great upcoming eXtension webinars related to raising backyard poultry and participating in 4-H poultry related events at the national level. Please visit the Poultry Community of Practice website on eXtension at http://www.extension.org/poultry for more information on the following upcoming webinars:
Coaching a 4-H Poultry Judging Team- March 27, 2013- 2:00 pm EST
Producing Poultry Meat on Pasture- March 28, 2013- 7:00 pm EST
Raising Exhibition Poultry- May 21, 2013- 7:00 pm EST
Preparing Poultry for Show- June 4, 2013- 7:00 pm EST
Archived versions of past webinars as well as useful information and videos demonstrating a wide range of topics related to raising poultry are also available on the site and would be great poultry project group meeting activities.
Invitational 4-H Schooling Horse Show and Showmanship Clinic-March 29th
The Holler-N-Hooves 4-H club is hosting a horse show for horse minded 4-H members and friends. Join Friends 4-Horses from 9 to 11 on Good Friday, March 29th at Annett Farms in Greenwood for a 2 hour Combined Riding & In hand Clinic. Open to all breeds and ages. Clinicians from Maryland & Delaware will cover the basic s to advanced. Cost is only $10.00. Call 398.9518, Facebook “Friends 4-Horses” or www.annettfarms.com Schooling Show to follow!! Clinic support provided by the Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee.
Genetic Edge Livestock Sale
The Genetic Edge Sale will be held on Saturday March 30 at Dill’s Auction. Preview will begin at 9:00 a.m., there will be a short seminar at 11:00 a.m. and the auction will begin at 12 noon. Project animals including pigs, goats and sheep will be sold at the auction. If you have any questions, please contact John Tigner at 492-8794 or Tignerfarms@yahoo.com
Delaware 4-H at the Delaware Horse Expo- April 6th and 7th
Do you LOVE 4-H? Do you LOVE Horses? Join us April 6 & 7 to help promote the Delaware 4-H Horse Project activities and events. There is something for everyone. Please email Christie Little christie.e.little@gmail.com for more details on how you can help and get involved.
PQA Certification
There are two options for obtaining PQA certification. The class certification option is open to any age but youth under the age of 8 (computed as of Jan 1 of the current year) must have a parent attend the class with them as national program guidelines do not permit a child under 8 to hold their own certification. Certification received through the classroom option is valid for one year.
Youth over the age of 12 (computed as of Jan 1 of the current year) have the additional option of taking a multiple choice test in lieu of attending classroom training. The benefit of the testing option is that certification may last for longer than one year, depending on the age of the youth at test time. Youth must score 70% or better to pass the test and can take versions of the test up to three times in one sitting to pass. Youth only need to complete one of these two options for obtaining certification- not both.
The following PQA class training dates have been scheduled for this spring:
- April 9, 2013 – NCC PQA Classroom Training- New Castle Country Extension Office 6:30-8:30 pm
- April 18, 2013 – Sussex County PQA Classroom Training-Carvel Center 6:30-8:30 pm
- April 20, 2013- Kent County PQA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office-9:00-11:00 am
- June 3, 2013- FINAL PQA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office- 6:30-8:30 pm
The following PQA testing dates have been scheduled for this spring (walk in any time):
- May 7, 2013- NCC PQA Open Testing- New Castle County Extension office- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
- May 14, 2013- Sussex PQA Open Testing-Carvel Center- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
- June 11, 2013- Kent County PQA Open Testing- Kent County Extension Office- 4:00pm-6:00 pm
You may attend class or testing in any of the locations. If you plan on attending any of these sessions, please RSVP to Susan Garey (302)730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu at least three days prior so that there will be adequate materials. Please contact Susan Garey if you have any questions or concerns in regards to PQA certification needs.
Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest
Calling all young artists! With categories encompassing painting, pastels, charcoals, photography, pencil, pen and ink and even crayons and markers for younger youth there is something for everyone in the Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest. Entries are due to county
offices on or before April 12, 2013 and will be put on display for the month of May at Chick’s retail store in Harrington, Delaware. Contest guidelines and entry information is posted on the State 4-H website. http://extension.udel.edu/4h/files/2012/02/2013-Delaware-4-H-Equine-Art-Contest.pdf
ABGA and Pygmy Goat Show in April
The Delmarva Goat Association is holding the 3rd Annual Delmarva Classic Goat show at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in April. They have added a pygmy show this year. On Friday April 19, 2013, there will be a Jr. Show of ABGA & Pygmy Goats starting at 6:00 pm. On Saturday April 20, 2013 there will be 2 Sanctioned ABGA Shows and 2 Sanctioned NPGA Pygmy Shows. Classes, Entry Forms, and show information can be downloaded from the association website www.delmarvagoat.com For additional information contact Sherry Blessing at (302)242-3464.
2013 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year
Is there a special horse or pony that has had an impact on your life or the life of someone else? Have you ever wished that you could have a model of your own favorite horse or pony to cherish forever? Here’s your chance! The Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee in conjunction with Peter Stone of Stone Model Horses is pleased to offer a new Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year contest. The contest is open to all traditional age 4-H members and you don’t necessarily have to own your own horse to participate. It requires an essay of 500-1000 words on the topic “My horse/pony has made my life and/or the lives of others BETTER by……” and the submission of several photos of the horse being nominated. The winner receives a customs painted model of their special horse. For complete rules and entry information, please click on the link below. Entry deadline is May 1, 2013. http://extension.udel.edu/4h/files/2012/02/2013-Horse-of-the-Year-Flyer.pdf
Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 1
2013 Delaware Youth Dairy Leasing Agreements must be turned in to county offices for county agent signatures or to Susan Garey by May 1. Copies of dairy leases will be forwarded on to the Delaware State Fair. The leasing agreement is posted on the state 4-H webpage under the “Dairy” heading. http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ This is the only version of a leasing agreement that is accepted for Delaware shows.
National 4-H Dairy Conference Applications Due May 1
The 2012 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 29- Oct 2, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. The conference is for 15 to 18 year-olds who have participated in the 4-H Dairy Program for at least three years, who are currently enrolled in 4-H and have an interest in the dairy industry. The Delaware 4-H Foundation provides funding for two delegates and one chaperone each year.
The conference will be held concurrently with the World Dairy Expo. National 4-H Dairy Conference delegates may not participate in the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest or exhibit cattle at the World Dairy Expo due to time constraints. You may not have previously attended National 4-H Dairy Conference. For more information on National 4-H Dairy Conference please visit http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/events/dairyconf/index.cfm The updated application is available on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage at http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ and is due to Susan Garey by May 1.
2013 Delaware State Fair Tagging Dates
- May 4, 2013- New Castle County- Cook Farm, Newark 9:00 am-12:00 noon
- May 4, 2013- Sussex County- REC Georgetown, 9:00 am- 11:00 am (no steers)
- May 11, 2013- Kent County- DSF, 9:00 am-11:00am
- May 17, 2013- Kent County- DSF (Jackpot and Kent County Show participants ONLY) 6:00pm-9:00 pm
- May 21, 2013- Kent County-DSF, Final Tagging 5:00 pm-8:00 pm