4-H News

July 17, 2014 by Staff Report

Geauga PrimeTime

Geauga PrimeTime 4-H Club met on June 17 to discuss preparation for the upcoming skillathon. There were 30-minute species meetings to help the younger and less experienced members learn what they need to pass skillathon. In addition, a committee was formed at the meeting to help find a gift for the buyers to go into the buyers’ packet for the sale.

Some members were at the Russell Farmer’s Market on July 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon to raise awareness of the livestock sale. There was also a car wash from 12-3 p.m. at the Middlefield Fire Station on the same day.

Members were reminded that 10 buyers’ letters were due at the July 15 meeting being held at 7 p.m. Pictures for the buyers board were also due at the meeting.

The livestock sale is on Aug. 30 with the small animal sale to begin at 2:30 p.m. and the large animal sale at 5 p.m. (By Jonathan Anderson, news reporter)

Geauga Caprine Kids

The Geauga Caprine Kids 4-H Club has been very busy recently. In April, the owner of the Mackenzie Creamery came to the meeting to tell the group all about how its dairy farm makes goat milk products and let members taste some of its desserts like goat cheese. He answered questions and the group even took a field trip to their nearest creamery for some first-hand experience. The group saw the goats that are used for milking and the little babies who would grow up to be milked themselves.

In June, the club did a car wash outside of Tractor Supply in Chardon, and in July, it started up its work meetings at the fairgrounds once again.

Fair time is fast approaching and the club members are all working very hard to get ready and their animals ready to show.

The next business meeting was scheduled for July 15 by the small grandstand at the fairgrounds. (Submitted by Justin, news reporter)

Geauga Dairymen

The Geauga Dairymen 4-H Club has been busy. The club had meetings on June 6 and June 30 at Hastings Dairy. Eight members, two advisors and parents attended these club meetings.

The club discussed the theme for the Geauga County Fair dairy basket, which will be “Dairy is Udderly Delicious.” Ideas about what to include in the basket were discussed.

Members reviewed T-shirt and sweatshirt designs and then decided to purchase the items with the club name to wear during the fair. They also discussed the booth decorations for the fair and writing letters to potential buyers of the dairy basket.

After the business meeting, club members worked on their project books and practiced for skillathon July 19. Club members interacted with heifers at the dairy and reviewed how to put on a rope halter.

The members spend time each week working with their dairy animals to prepare for the Geauga County Fair.

The next club event will be a family potluck, pool party and meeting July 19.

For more information about Geauga Dairyman 4-H Club, contact Emma Niehus at 440-221-3812. (Submitted by Garrett Hastings, news reporter)

Geauga Beef and Swine

Geauga Beef and Swine had a meeting June 8. The 4-H Captains game was canceled.

The board theme for the pig barn is fairytales. Pigs must be clean before members bring them to fair. Setup for the pig barn is Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. in the pig barn.

Buyer letters are due by the meeting on July 20. (Submitted by Haley Frank, news reporter)