Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Dickinson County, 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake, IA | 712-336-3488 | Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/DICKINSON

MARK YOUR CALENDERS!

February 1 Poultry Picker Workshop, 10—noon

February 1 4-H Jewelry Making Workshop, 1—3 p.m.

February 7 New Member Meeting, 5:30—7 p.m.

February 8 4-H Sewing Workshop, 1-3 p.m.

February 12 Swine Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

February 22 STEM FEST, 9 a.m.—3 p.m.

February 23 Youth Council Meeting, 7 p.m.

March 7 Welding Workshop, 4—6:30 p.m.

March 8 4-H Pottery Painting Workshop, 10 – noon

March 8 4-H Sewing Workshop, 1—4 p.m.

March 18 Horse Committee Meeting, 7 p.m.

March 23 County Youth Council Meeting, 7 p.m.

March 28 FSQA Training, 5:30—7:30 p.m.

March 29 4-H Feathered Friends Workshop, 1—3 p.m.

March 30 Creative Spirits Painting Party, 1—3 p.m.

March 30 Horse Project Meeting, 3:30 p.m.

CLOVERLEAF CONNECTION IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION & OUTREACH DICKINSON COUNTY

1600 15th Street · Spirit Lake, IA 51360

www.extension.iastate.edu/dickinson

DICKINSON COUNTY EXTENSION

February 2014

County Youth Council

Bodi Rouse: President & Council Delegate

Liz Naviaux & Gabe Goehring: Vice President

Emily Resch: Secretary & Reporter

Alison Bueltel: Treasurer

Kristen Salzwedel: Historian

Olivia Albright: Parlimentarian

Andrew Carr

Lizzi DeNoble

Grace Goehring

Britt Hibma

Justin Jones

Tyler Krebs

Blake Mart

Brett Salzwedel

Abby Taylor

Cody Wernimont

Extension Council

Steve Brueggeman: President

Sue Boettcher: Vice President

Curt Smith: Secretary

Cari Wallace: Treasurer

Keith Brockmeyer

Ernie Cupp

Connie Purchase

Susan Reiser

Robert VonEhwegen

Extension Staff

Karen Byers: County Extension Director

Jessica Sander: County Youth Coordinator

Betsy Harwood: Ricochet Coordinator

Janet Neppl: Office Assistant

Barb Utech: Office Assistant

OUR VISION A WORLD IN WHICH YOUTH AND ADULTS LEARN, GROW, AND WORK TOGETHER AS CATALYSTS FOR POSTIVE CHANGE

4-H Jewelry Making Workshop

On Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1—3 p.m. we are making a bracelet, matching pair of

earrings, and a necklace pendant at the Jewelry Making Workshop at the

Extension Office. Beads, string, and hardware will be supplied. All you need is

charms to put on your bracelet and a pair of needle nose pliers. Jessica is lead-

ing the workshop and will have a few charms for sale as well. Cost is $5 for

4-Hers and $7 for non-4-Hers. Bring your family and friends and have fun!

Please call the office at 336-3488 to pre-register by Thursday, Jan. 30 and

ensure supplies. Make checks payable to Jessica Sander and drop off or mail

them to the Extension Office at 1600 15th St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360.

New Staff Introduction

4-H Poultry Picker Workshop

On Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10—noon is the 4-H Poultry Picker

Workshop at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds Show Arena in

Spirit Lake. Zach Westoff and Eric Bilney will have a large vari-

ety of baby chicks available for you to purchase for your 2014

poultry project. Be sure to bring a box or cage if you plan to

purchase any birds. The event is open to surrounding counties

and friends, so please invite them. Bring your questions about

raising chickens. If you have any additional questions, please call Kristi Peck at 260-3200.

Please join us in welcoming Janet Neppl as the new Office Assistant in the Dickinson County Extension Office. She will likely be the friendly voice you hear answering the phone and greeting you as you come into the office.

Janet has an Associate of Arts Degree in Sales & Marketing from Iowa Lakes Community College and 15 years of experience as an office assistant in the Lakes Region. She and her husband Mark reside in Spirit Lake and have three children and three and one-third grandchildren. (New grandbaby on the way in July.) Mark is employed with Kruger Seed Company. Janet’s interests include: painting, sewing, sailing, walking, water skiing, and reading.

Janet can be reached by email at jneppl@iastate.edu or 712-336-3488.

4-H PLEDGE

I PLEDGE MY HEAD TO CLEARER THINKING, MY HEART TO GREATER LOYALTY, MY HANDS TO LARGER SERVICE,

AND MY HEALTH TO BETTER LIVING, FOR MY CLUB, MY COMMUNITY, MY COUNTRY, AND MY WORLD.

Join us Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. for the Swine Committee

Meeting at the Extension Office. We will be planning the swine

identification and weigh-in process, as well as educational opportu-

nities during the year. Though the committee members are the

ones to make any voting decisions, the meeting is open to anyone

interested in the project area. If you have questions, please contact

the office at 336-3488. We’ll be glad to help.

Swine Committee Meeting

4-H Sewing Workshop

On Saturday, Feb. 8 from 1-3 p.m. we have a Sewing Workshop to learning

how to fold, cut, pin, and sew a pillow case. Please bring fabric, thread, sharp

scissors, sticky notes, and a sewing machine if you have one. For fabric you will

need 3 different lengths:

3/4 yard for the main part of the pillow case (light pink in the picture)

1/4 yard for the cuff( the dark pink in the picture)

and 2 1/2 inches for the cuff seam( white line in the picture).

Please pre-register with the office at 336-3488 or xdickinson@iastate.edu by Feb. 6. We encourage a

parent or adult to come along. NOTE: This workshop is in the community room.

New Member Workshop

Have you been a 4-H member, parent or leader for less than 2 years? If

so, please join us on Friday, Feb. 7 from 5:30-7 p.m. We’re holding a

workshop specifically for the newbies! This is a chance for new 4-H

members, parents, and leaders to get acquainted with the staff, other

new members, and leaders. Come learn what happens during the 4-H

year as well as the lingo of 4-H with 4honline, 4-H websites, Extension

Facebook page, ID sheets, kits, newsletters, record books, fair books,

projects, exhibits and more! Weather permitting, we’ll take a tour of the

fairgrounds and office area. Bring your questions and have some fun!

Newbie Night

4-H IS BASED ON RESEARCH

4-H Welding Workshop

Mark your calendars! Friday, March 7 from 4—6:30 p.m. is another 4-H welding workshop led

by Rich Martin at the Okoboji High School shop at 901 H Ave. Milford on the west side of the

building. Our project theme is Garden Stakes with 4 different projects to choose from. Watch

your email for a flyer with project details and sample photos. If you have any questions please

call Jessica at 336-3488.

Pre-registration and payment are due by March 4 so we have the needed materials. Make

checks payable to ISU Extension and drop off or mail to the Extension Office at 1600 15th St.

Spirit Lake. The cost of the workshop varies depending on the project you pick.

4-H County Youth Council Meeting

Our monthly Youth Council meeting is Sunday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Extension Office Conference Room.

If you have any questions or are unable to attend, please contact Jessica at 336-3488 or

jasander@iastate.edu.

STEM FEST 2014 is Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m.— 3 p.m. at Dordt

College in Sioux Center. This is a fun filled day of Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Math. Youth in grades 4th—8th are invited to

attend. There will be 4 sessions with many activities to choose from

including, Colors of Chemistry, Science of Music, Planet Hunter,

Prairie Patrol, Creatures from the Pond, Food Science and Animal

Anatomy, Electronics Lab, Bridge Designer, Engineer Student Design,

Rockets Away, Mysterious M&M’s, Submersibles, Aerodynamics, and

Designing Windmills.

For more information, check out the STEM FEST brochure or contact

the Extension Office at xdickinson@iastate.edu or by phone at 336-

3488. Registration deadline is February 14.

STEM FEST

4-H PLEDGE

I PLEDGE MY HEAD TO CLEARER THINKING, MY HEART TO GREATER LOYALTY, MY HANDS TO LARGER SERVICE,

AND MY HEALTH TO BETTER LIVING, FOR MY CLUB, MY COMMUNITY, MY COUNTRY, AND MY WORLD.

4-H Sewing Workshop

Horse Committee Meeting

On Saturday, March 8 from 1-4 p.m. join us at the Dickinson County Extension

Office conference room for a sewing workshop. This workshop is designed for

anyone who would like to be a part of a sewing service project. We are making a

lap quilt for a local wounded veteran to be presented at the fair. The veterans

names will be entered into a drawing to be held in July. The quilt will be judged at

the fair as a group community service project and presented to the winner of the

drawing at the awards program. Please sign up and help make this quilt for a deserving veteran.

The horse committee will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at the Dickinson County

Extension Office Conference room. The purpose of this meeting is to go over state rule changes, classes,

and rule book. If you are unable to attend contact Jessica at jasander@iastate.edu or 336-3488.

Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Training

Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. is a 4-H Pottery Painting Workshop at Kurio Kastle in Arnolds Park. Youth can pick an object in the store to paint in the $20 range. If you want something beyond that range, you can do so by paying the extra charge. We will help you complete a goal card and have a prize for each participant. The cost is $20 for 4-Hers and $22 for friends/family. Please pre-register with the Extension Office by March 5 to guarantee a spot. Payment is needed

with the registration. Make checks payable to Kurio Kastle and drop off or mail to ISU Extension Office at 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake, IA 51360. If we do not have enough pre-registrations, the event will be cancelled. Hope to see you there! NOTE: Kurio Kastle is located at 169 Okoboji Grove Rd/Hwy 71 North Arnolds Park.

4-H Pottery Painting Workshop

Food Safety Quality Assurance training is Friday, March 28 from 5:30—7:30 p.m. Anyone planning to exhibit

market or breeding livestock, poultry, or rabbits at the fair must complete this training or test out. (Does

not include dogs, pets, or horses.) All 4th—6th graders MUST attend the training. 7th—12th graders may

train or test out. Testing can be done the evening of the training or call the Extension office at 336-3488 to

set up a time for the test.

4-H PLEDGE

I PLEDGE MY HEAD TO CLEARER THINKING, MY HEART TO GREATER LOYALTY, MY HANDS TO LARGER SERVICE,

AND MY HEALTH TO BETTER LIVING, FOR MY CLUB, MY COMMUNITY, MY COUNTRY, AND MY WORLD.

2014 Important Dates

It seems like a long time yet, but we have some 2014 SAVE THE DATES for your calendars!

January 15, 2014 Market Beef Verification Due in 4honline system

May 15, 2014 All Animal ID’s (Identifications) Due June 24-26, 2014 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference

July 1, 2014 County & State Fair Entries Due

July 14, 2014 Static Judging Day for County Fair

July 19-24, 2014 Dickinson County Fair

July 24 , 2014 Clay County District Fair Entries Due

August 7-17, 2014 Iowa State Fair

September 6-14, 2014 Clay County Fair

4-H Painting Party Sunday, March 30 from 1-3 p.m. is a 4-H Painting Party at the Dickinson County Expo Center

Community Room. We will be painting “Horse of a Different Color” pictured at left. All supplies

are provided by Creative Spirits. Bring your friends and family and have some fun!

The cost for an 11x14 size is $20 for 4-H members and $25 for friends/family. The cost for a

16x20 size is $30 for 4-H members and $35 for friends/family. Please pre-register and pay by

March 27 to guarantee a spot. Make checks payable to Creative Spirits and drop off or mail them

to the Dickinson County Extension Office at 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake. Hope to see you there!

4-H Horse Project Meeting Sunday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. is a meeting for all horse project members and their families at the Extension Office.

Come to the painting party at 1 p.m. and stay for the meeting following! Bring your helmets, calendars, and fair books

as we will be going over rule changes, class changes, and practice schedules. We will check the fit and dates on the

helmets. Remember helmets can only be used for 5 years after the manufacturing date. You will need an ASTM ap-

proved helmet whenever riding at the fair grounds.

Saturday, March 29 from 1-3 p.m. is a Feathered Friends Workshop led by Wendell Hansen,

founder of Bird Haven. Learn about the local bird species and the foods they eat and make a bird-

seed wreath to hang at home and feed the birds (please bring a round mold or pan to make the

wreath). Also learn about the different nesting habitats and which birds use them and build a

wren birdhouse to take and hang up at home. Please pre-register and pay by March 21 to ensure

supplies. The cost of the workshop is $15, please make checks payable to Bird Haven and drop off

or mail to the ISU Extension at 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake. If you have any questions, please call 336-3488.

Feathered Friends Workshop

Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Dickinson County, 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake, IA | 712-336-3488 | Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/DICKINSON

Beef Bonanza Roundup

On Saturday, January 18 the Techno Indians

team from the Waverunners Robotics club

participated with 70 other teams in the Iowa

First Lego League Championship Competition.

The competition was held on the campus of Iowa State University’s

College of Engineering. The Techno Indians demonstration was an

Aqua Barrier, an innovative way to protect important buildings in an

earthquake. While on Campus, the students got to participate in vari-

ous STEM related activities. Some of the highlights were an infrared harp, Mars rover robot, and creative

chemistry. Each team had a student mentor from campus for the day, the Techno Indians mentor was Me-

teorology Major and storm chaser. The Techno Indians will be showcasing their experience on February 8 at

the Sheldon High School from 1-3 at the Sheldon Robotics Showcase. Sponsored by Iowa State University

Extension and Outreach!

Sixty-nine Northwest Iowa 4-H

and FFA youth became Certified

Youth Beef Producers at the first

Northwest Iowa Beef Bonanza

Jan. 18 at Iowa Lakes Community

College - Emmetsburg Campus.

The highlight of the day was a demonstration by Iowa State University Beef Center's Marshall Ruble on

teaching a calf to lead in 30 minutes or less! Youth also learned "When to call your Vet" from Dr. Dan

Berkland, Sibley Vet Clinic, and had the chance to take a calf's temperature, listen to its heart and stomach,

and get a fecal sample. In the "Cattle Care and Comfort" session with Gary Eckelberg, Ralco Nutrition, youth

had opportunities to eat food from clean or dirty plates and drink clean or dirty water. "Beefing Up

Mealtime" with ISUEO Nutrition and Health Specialist Holly Van Heel, gave youth an opportunity to learn

about various cuts of beef and how that affects preparation. Lastly, youth played a game in profitability

called "Show Me the MOO-La" with 4-H Youth Development Specialist Lisa Berkland, Ashley Madsen,

Kossuth County 4-H Outreach Educator and Beth Doran, ISUEO Beef Specialist. During the game youth

became beef producers trying to make a profit, manage their risk and make many decisions that beef

producers make every day. One youth commented that he learned, "my dad works really hard!"

Congratulations Techno Indians!

Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Dickinson County, 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake, IA | 712-336-3488 | Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/DICKINSON

Club Leader Volunteer

Wade Weber is a club leader for the Waverunners Robotics Club. Together with his

wife Caryn, they have 4 children, Cedric, Amelia, Lawton, and Josiah. Wade has been

the leader of the Waverunners for the past 4 years. His favorite fair activity is Confer-

ence Judging Day when the youth bring in all their projects and talk with the judges

about what they learned throughout the year. Wade was a member of the Rockwell

Rough Riders 4-H club in Cerro Gordo County as a youth and serves as a Regional

Youth Specialist for Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Sioux Counties.

Thank you for all of your enthusiasm and youth empowerment in Dickinson County!

Extension Council and Committee Volunteer

Sue Boettcher has been an Extension Council volunteer for 14 years and is very

active in the 4-H program. She served on the Iowa Association of County Exten-

sion Councils for 2 terms and was the President for 1. She is also a member of the

Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. Her favorite fair activity is visiting with “old” friends from

when she was a 4-H member and visiting with all the great community supporters

and the 4-H youth. She was a leader of the Diamond Lakers 4-H club. She was in

4-H as a youth with projects in horse, swine, sewing, food and nutrition, and

home improvement. She participated in Leadership Camp at the 4-H camp in Ma-

drid. “My 4-H leadership experience and experience speaking in front of my club

really helped me in my career.” Thank you for all of your continued support and

leadership of the local 4-H members!

We are continuing our Volunteer Spotlights as a way to say a big THANK YOU! to all

of our volunteers. They give of not only their time and effort, but also their vast store of

knowledge! We wouldn't be able to do as much as we do without them! Be sure to

thank them for helping “To Make the Best Better” in Dickinson County!

Volunteer Spotlights

Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Dickinson County, 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake, IA | 712-336-3488 | Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/DICKINSON

County Youth Council Volunteer

Justin Jones is a member on the Dickinson County Youth Council. He is a sophomore

at Spirit Lake Community School. His older siblings, Casey and Caila are both students

at Iowa State. He lives at Spirit Lake with his parents Carla and Jeff. Justin stays active

with school sports including football, baseball, soccer, and wrestling. He is a member

of the Superior Lakers 4-H club with project areas in beef cow and calf, and beef lead

calves. His favorite fair activity is the Farm Chore Olympics. Thank you for your Youth

Leadership!

Club Leader Volunteer

Julie Resch is the club leader of the Spirit Lakers. Together with her husband

Mike they have 3 children, Emily, Nicholas, and Jennifer. She has been involved

in the Dickinson County 4-H program for 6 years. Her favorite fair activity is

watching her kids show their livestock. She was a 4-H member as a youth with

projects in food and nutrition and home improvement. Thank you for your

continued support and leadership!

Committee Volunteer

Annette Eckert is a committee volunteer on our Dog and Pet committee. Together

with her husband, Dan, they have 2 children, Tony and Abby. Annette has been in-

volved in 4-H for 5 years with her daughter. She has assisted with the static judging

in the past. Her favorite fair activity is seeing the kids work together as well as have

fun together. She enjoys seeing the creativity of the youth in their static projects

and she also enjoys the dog obedience because her daughter has a passion for it.

She was a 4-H member as a youth and enjoyed doing community service projects.

Thank you for your help and dedication to the 4-H program and youth!

Volunteer Spotlights

Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Dickinson County, 1600 15th St. Spirit Lake, IA | 712-336-3488 | Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm LEARN MORE AT WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/DICKINSON