My Vacation Is Over - The Steers are in Their Pen's

My vacation is over and the 2010 4-H season for me has started.

This means that my day just got longer, now I have to get up earlier, so that I can have time to do my chores between my school class.

I went and picked my steers on Sunday and got all the paper work in order so to be able to start keeping my books for this year.

I will start the ground work soon but for now my steers are getting use to their new home.

I will not  be posting any pictures of my steers at this time; I will post them after weigh-in.

For some 4-H is something you do in the summer but for me it is a year round lifestyle choice.

By the way I will be starting my other projects in the next few weeks.

Be sure to check in from time to time for updates, tips, and fun. Gee I love 4-H!

Of course the wether has changed and the wind is blowing with a chance of snow, fun fun fun!

Getting Ready for My 2010 4-H Market Beef Project

   This is the time of the year when I start to get ready for my new Steers. Before I can bring them home I must clean and repair the calf pens. When Cleaning my pens I remove all old poop clear down to the dirt; I like my steer to start the winter with a very clean pen.
   Last year was really cold and it snowed a lot. I was not quite ready for all that snow and had my hay stacked a long ways away from my calf pens. This year I have my hay right next to the pens to make it easier for me if it snows a lot this year. I also helped my Dad put tarps on all our hay to keep it dry so that we do not loose a lot of hay to mold.  I also helped my dad redo my calf pens and make them a little larger to give my steers more room this winter. 
   Next I check all the water hoses and place straw around our frost free water facet so if we have a lot of wind it won't freeze it up; this is just to be on the safe side.
   I have cleaned and repaired pens, good dry hay, I have winterized our frost free water facet and check all my hoses.

   I also make sure that I have a bloat kit on hand,  and set out mineral blocks.  
   Our horses are not a 4-H project; but I also helped  clean and ready them for winter. We stocked up on grain and gave them a mineral salt block.
   Well I think I am ready to go and pick my steers. I am sure my Dad will find something I forgot, just because that what Dad's do.
   I have already talked to the cattle producer that I get my steers from; Mr. Vos from the Clover Creek Ranch will call me when the calves are ready.
   Now the hard part; I wait for the call.

2009 Jr State Wool Contest Winner

This is my Wool Contest Story:
                                                    My Wool Contest Story

    Hello my name is Cora ; I am twelve years old and I live in  Idaho. I am a fifth year member of the Hodge Podgers 4-H club and this is my fifth year with a sewing project.

    This year my project level was Sew What unit 4. Requirements to complete this level were Collar or Cuffs, Set-in Sleeve, Waistband, Zipper, Pockets, Button and Buttonholes. My first year in Sew What (2008) I completed a wool jumper using the zipper, pockets, button and buttonhole. That is when I fell in love working with wool. Cutting, pinning and sewing wool fabric is great and when it is all done it looks so rich and nice. 2009 left me with waistband, set-in sleeve, and collar or cuffs.

    After reading the Style, Fashion, and Fad activity in my Sew What Member’s Manual I chose to make two garments. I am all about the country life wranglers and cowboy boots that’s me. Dresses are not my favorite thing to wear so I had to find my own style. I decided on a pair of slacks and a cute three-quarter-length sleeve jacket. The pattern for the pants is Simplicity 2860 and for the jacket it is Simplicity 3563.

    Picking the patterns was easy compared to finding the wool fabric in a color that I liked and would wear, I traveled from Boise to Burley. I was looking for a color other than black that could be worn on any given day that would be fashionable for many years, and that I could build my wardrobe around. I chose dark green 80% wool for the jacket and green gray 100% wool for the slacks. Both were on sale.

    There were a few new sewing challenges when it came time to make the jacket. The most difficult was the sleeves, I had to rip and sew one of the sleeves again. I don’t like ripping so I took my time on the other sleeve and used lots of pins. The shawl collar was another challenge easing is and art; my leader said easing takes years of practice, so I just used lots of pins on and took my time on this too. To finish my jacket I hand stitched the hem and added black and silver buttons.
  
    Wool fabric is expensive so I made a practice pair of slacks first out of denim to check for fit and made adjustments to the size and fit. Then I cut out and made my wool slacks; because denim is different from wool I still had to do a little more tailoring to the slacks. I turned them inside out and put them on, pinned and tailored them to fit better. I think the zipper was my most difficult to put in I tried my best and just took my time. It was a good thing I made a practice pair of slacks first the waistband and belt loops were new to me and I needed the extra practice.

    From cowboy boots to sling back shoes now that was a real challenge. I practiced walking in my sling backs for weeks before my county style revue. I even vacuumed the carpet in them.

    When it came time for the  County Style Revue. I was hoping for a cool evening; it wasn’t it was 102 that day. While trying not to sweat (not a good accessory) I tried to stay true to my own style. I added a silver western style necklace, earrings, bracelet, and clip for my hair.  

    At the county level I received a Blue ribbon in style revue and the Purple Rosette for my wool jacket and slacks sewing project.

    The District III Style Revue was held at the Twin Falls County Fair this year. It started at about 9:30 a.m. The weather was a little cooler that morning it even rained, but stopped just in time for the Revue to start. I love going to District it is fun to see what all the others are making and talk to them about their different projects. At District I received a Blue Rosette and the honor of being Intermediate Grand Champion.

    After it was all over I thought to myself; do your feet ever stop hurting when wearing sling backs and heels or is it something we just get use too.

The 2009 Gooding County Year End Awards

The 2009 Gooding County Year End Awards were held on October 10th 2009. There was a Great turn out this year. When I get the News letter with all the award winners I will post them all.












But for now I will let you know how I did.









I received the Top Achievement for: Food and Nutrition, Clothing & Textiles, Fashion Revue, Demonstrations, and Beef for these achievements I received a medals.
I also received the;
Outstanding Clothing Project - $15.00 Scholarship
Best 4-H Intermediate Market Beef Record Book - Plaque
And the
Outstanding 4-H Beef Project - Trophy

I had A Great Year and can't wait to start my next years projects.

Check back soon for the list of all the Gooding County 2009 year winners. I will also be posting more pictures.