Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator
Junior and Senior 4-H’ers are required to submit a portfolio documenting their project work, leadership, community service and other 4-H activities throughout the year. Their portfolio will serve as their sign-up form for Project Achievement. The FINAL COPY of the DPA Portfolio is due in the county 4-H office by 4 PM on Friday, January 15. This deadline is firm. So 4-H members need to start working on their portfolio now. They also need to start working on their presentation now so they will have time to practice it and make improvements before the competition. We want each of our 4-H members to have a competitive portfolio and presentation so they have a good chance of standing on the stage receiving a first place award. Remember, the portfolio year is still January 1 through December 31, 2020.
NOTE: DPA dates have been changed from the previously set dates of January 29-31 to later in the year. The proposed options are either a regular DPA held on May 31-June 2 at Rock Eagle, or virtual demonstrations with some type of face to face celebration during the May 31-June 2 time frame, or all virtual competition. State 4-H Congress dates are July 20-23 in Atlanta or virtual if necessary.
Speeches for junior 4-H members can be up to ten minutes long and speeches for senior 4-H members can be up to twelve minutes long and their projects cover a wide variety of topics. There are also performing arts and cooking projects to choose from.
4-H members should call the 4-H office today to sign up for an appointment to work on their portfolio. 4-H staff members will be happy to help you get started and answer any questions you have as you work on your presentation.
COUNTY AND STATE MARKET HOG SHOWS
School Agriculture Teachers and County Extension Agents just completed tagging and registering 4-H and FFA member’s pigs for the County and State Market Hog Shows which are coming up in February. Students can enter up to five pigs in each contest but can only show two.
In the Coffee County Show, we have thirty students who have 105 pigs tagged and entered. This show is scheduled for Saturday, February 13, in the Billy Walker Livestock Arena at Coffee Middle School. The starting time will be set closer to the show day.
For the state show, twenty-nine students have 103 pigs entered. This show begins with weigh-in on Wednesday, February 17, showmanship on Thursday, February 18, barrows on Friday, February 19, and gilts on Saturday, February 20. It is held each year in the New South Arena at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.
Both of these shows are open to the public and there is no admission fee to watch. So mark your calendars and come support the youth involved in these livestock projects.
4-H FUNDRAISER
We need your help! Coffee County 4-H is offering Hog-N-Bones Boston butt tickets to sell to the public. The tickets sell for $25, a savings of $5 ($7.40 with tax) for these Boston butts. For 4-H members who are planning to participate in a 4-H competition or attend summer camp this school year, the profit of $4 per ticket from these ticket sales can be used to pay for your team registration fee or camp fee. Tickets are available now and a parent can come to the 4-H office to pick up tickets. The tickets can be used until January 1, 2021, to pick up the Boston butt at the Douglas Hog-N-Bones restaurant anytime during their normal business hours, but you do need to call ahead to reserve your Boston butt. Remember, this fund raiser is raising money to benefit YOU 4-H’ers! Take advantage of this great opportunity to earn camp or team fee credit.
If you would like to learn how you can become more involved with the Coffee County 4-H program, please contact the Coffee County Extension office at (912) 384-1402 or visit our website at http://coffee4h.org.