Green Acres 4-H Club

The Green Acres 4-H Club of Washington County met on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Ellie and Sophie Bell?s farm shop. Twelve members were present. President Baylee Stalder led the meeting. Maggie Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was "what do you love about 4-H?"

The secretary?s minutes were read and approved. Ellie Bell gave the treasurer?s report.

The 4-H Fire Up was held on Feb. 8. Members who attended talked about the experiences they had at this fun event for new members. Tanya Stalder, club leader, discussed grant opportunities to apply for as the club continues to work on club service projects.

Discussions were held about livestock club signs for the county and state fair livestock barns. Mike Todd will donate the wood to make these signs. Kerri Bell will donate the paint. Club members who exhibit livestock will paint their club signs to be ready for this year?s fair.

Three club members participated and paid their own way for the 4-H Dodge Ball tournament.

In new business, FSQA is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Washington County 4-H Office. Intermediate and senior members can take the FSQA test at any time at the 4-H Office. There is information online for livestock exhibitors. The bucket-bottle workshop was held on Thursday, Feb. 26, the poultry workshop was held on Saturday, Feb. 28, and the garden workshop was held on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Know-Your-Swine session is to be held on Wednesday, March 11. The swine weigh in is Saturday, March 21. The Ready, Set, Sew workshop is Saturday, March 28. The pancake breakfast is Saturday, April 18. Junior Camp at Crooked Creek is June 16-18.

Sophie Bell is to contact Amy Green about creating a club flower bed on the fairgrounds. The club members agreed to apply for a grant to help Donna Palmer, Open Class superintendent, with the old school house on the fairgrounds. Ava Wulf made a motion to apply for the grant, which was seconded by Bailey Rees. A committee of Sophie Bell, Ellie Bell, Baylee Stalder, Maggie Smith, and Ellie Todd are doing the application.

The meeting was adjourned and Ava Wulf led the 4-H Pledge.

After the meeting was adjourned, club members painted Green Acres 4-H Club trash barrels to place around the fair. Refreshments were served by Ellie and Sophie Bell at the conclusion of the meeting and painting project work.

The next meeting will be held on the fourth Sunday of the month, Sunday, March 22, at Fire Up in Iowa City where 4-H'ers will be making various types of pottery.