Big Spotted Cow

Time Does FLY!

I see that our last post was on July 31st! Good grief. Life started moving so fast after that, and so many e-mails were flying that little time was left for blogging. But now we have fair photos to share!

Before I start adding them to the photo album though, I want everyone to know how much I appreciated all of your hard work and team spirit during the Island County Fair. You all took your responsibilities seriously (well, we may need to talk about 4-H Building barn duty, but later :) ), and pitched in whenever you were asked.

If you took any one element of the fair and really looked at all that goes into it, you'd see that each one of them is an accomplishment in itself. For instance, the Livestock Sale, Round Robin, Parade of Champions, Kitchen Contests, division competitions, etc., each require so much planning and attention to detail as well as support from all sorts of volunteers.

Now, roll them all together into one big event called "the fair," and you can begin to imagine all of the complexities and conflicts that can arise.

And yet we made it through them all with flying colors! You are a most wonderful group! Thank you for working with each other so well.

Can it be?

How did this happen? It's the last day of July! Oh my goodness! That means that all sorts of things must be done by today or tomorrow!

Wristband orders will be sent in from the 4-H Office. If you need to add someone, or change your club order in any way, now is the time!

Animal entries must be finalized today. Any animal entry that is not completed by tomorrow will not be eligible for premium points. Leaders, please check your e-mails. You will be sent at least one, if not two, report(s) of current entries so that you can verify that your club members are ready for the show.

Anyone wanting to participate in the Home Ec Contests needs to have their activity worksheets in the WSU Extension Office by tomorrow. Without these worksheets, Lois does not know how to schedule the events in the kitchen, and she does not know how many judges she needs. So please, make sure you are getting these forms in.

Performing Arts and Pre-Fair Public Presentations will be taking place tomorrow, Friday, in Oak Harbor. If you are wanting to participate in these opportunities, make sure you have done the on-line entry for them, and contact Kelly Hall and/or Leandra Reuble for schedule and location information.

Campground Applications. These do not come to the WSU Extension Office. BUT they are due to the Fair Office no later than tomorrow, August 1.

As all of this is happening, please be aware that we are peddling as fast as we can here at the WSU Extension Office. The Island County 4-H Fair is not the only thing requiring staff time right now. We're also co-sponsoring the Fair U, coordinating the WSU Extension booth for fair, working on the "Dance On The Prairie" and "Farm Tour" promotional pieces, gearing up for Don's retirement, and continuing our regular schedule of meetings, presentations, community partnerships, etc.

So the more lead time you can give us with your requests for help, the more successful we will be in getting you what you need.

It really is the last day of July. And we really will be at the Island County 4-H Fair in 12-13 days. What FUN!!!!!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Well, I'm still not convinced that we're in for a stretch of nice, warm, sunny gardening weather, yet what we have is what we've got!

My garden is growing nicely...but please don't tell the rabbits! So far, I've had a deer prune three of my broccoli leaves and a couple of nasturtiums, but that's all.

What have I learned by taking on this project? I've been reminded that lettuce seed is the first to come up, and the first to bolt (set seed itself). I've observed that location really is important, especially for tomatoes! I luckily put mine in pots, and after moving them three times seem to have found a spot that is sunny enough. But the biggest lesson I've learned is that if I could only eat what grows in my garden, I'd be a lot thinner! (And I'd probably figure out how to grow more things year 'round.)

How are YOUR Gardens doing? Are you getting ready to enter things at the Fair? Please help us fill the shelves in the Gardening & Environmental area!

 

Livestock Sale Committee Meeting Tonight

Just a reminder that our last meeting before the Fair is tonight, 7pm-8:30pm in the WSU Extension Conference Room.

Please bring any photos you'd like for me to post on the blog (on a data stick if possible) and I'll do that while you're working on the various decisions and plans that need to be made.

Just in case you haven't, check out our photo album by clicking on the appropriate icon on right.

Just A Reminder...

Have You Been Working On Your Record Book?

Remember, we have a new contest for clubs at the fair this year! One of the activities that will increase your club's score is progress toward a Record Book. Just in case you haven't started on yours yet, or haven't been keeping up with it, let this be your inspiration!

Also, if you need another copy of a Record Book, here' are two documents for you!

Download ICRecordBookCover.pdf

Download ic_pdf.pdf

Christian and Root Beer

My name is Christian and I am a member of the Whidbey Island Meat Goat 4H Club. This is my first year raising a goat. This is a picture of my goat Root Beer. He is a Nubian/Boer Cross. We weighed him four weeks ago and he now weighs 59 lbs. I am having alot of fun raising my goat and being in 4H. Christian U

Morgan and Comet

I just participated in my first goat show a couple weeks back at the Stanwood Fair Grounds. Comet and I placed 3rd in showmanship. I had so much fun and am really looking forward to the fair. Morgan U

Put Yourself Out There!

Have you noticed that it seems our community wants to support us in any way they can? One of those ways is by offering us space in various display windows. Take advantage of these opportunities! If you know of a business that will allow you to set up a display, create a visual experience of what your club is doing to prepare for Fair, and invite the public to come visit you at the fairgrounds in August.

This window was created by a very dynamic group of 4-H leaders from the various livestock clubs participating the in Livestock Auction. It's up in the library in Oak Harbor. If you get a chance, go check it out!

And be sure to thank the businesses that offer us this space :)

Goats! Check out these photos!

Members of the Whidbey Island Meat Goats have been busy! Riley says,"This is my market goat 'Lashes.' I will be auctioning him at the Island County Fair in August. He was born and is being raised on our farm, Monkey Rench Farm. I am learning a lot about the goats' anatomy and how to auction market animals. This is me and Lashes with the judges at the Star Spangled Boer Goat show. I placed second in showmanship."

Hannah says,"this is my goat 'Hamburger.' He is a Boer cross and is gaining really fast. He and I placed 5th place this past weekend at the 'Star Spangled Boer Goat Show' both in showmanship and in the market class. We are having lots of fun learning with each other. I am going to be auctioning him at the Island County Fair in August. See ya there!"