Announcements

Parking in Lot G for 4-H Events

We have received new parking instructions from The Ranch for 4-H events. Please see the map and the details below.

All visitors coming to The Ranch for 4-H events should park in Lot G and walk from Lot G to the North or South Hall glass door entrances of the First National Bank of Omaha Building. Leaders may unload/load from the permit parking lot next to the First National Bank of Omaha Building, but will need to move vehicles to Lot G for the duration of the event. 

* ADA can park in the permit-only parking lot on the west side of the First National Bank Building. Parking in the 4-H/Lot H is very limited and may be difficult to access with the traffic flow of people arriving to get in the vaccine queue.

Visitors attending events in the MAC Arena or Pavilions: If you cannot find parking next to the MAC Arena and Pavilions due to various reasons such as no available parking or the vaccination queue, park in Lot G. The Ranch anticipates heavy traffic with the vaccine lines.

* The Ranch has no A-frame signage to assist with 4-H event routes and parking at this time, so please pass on this information to other 4-H members.

Photography Key Leader / Jenelle Kemper

We are happy to announce that our club photography leader, Jenelle Kemper, is now the key leader for photography in Larimer County. Jenelle is an experienced photographer whose work you may have seen if you are involved in Shooting Sports. This is Jenelle’s second year with us in Larimer County. She previously volunteered with Plumas County 4-H in California for four years. 

There will be county workshops coming up. In the meantime, if you are enrolled in the Photography project, please feel free to reach out to Jenelle via email with questions.

New 4-H Livestock, Horse, Shooting Sports Extension Agent

Bailey Schilling, a Colorado native, grew up in Larimer County where he was an 11-year 4-H member. Bailey showed goats, lambs, cattle, and participated in archery during his 11 years. He was also a member of the Livestock Judging Team from 2012–2014 and represented Colorado at the National Contest in Louisville, Kentucky in 2013. Along with operating Schilling Boer Goats, Bailey credits the 4-H judging program for setting the foundation of his success. It taught him valuable evaluation techniques, quick decision-making skills, and the experience in public speaking that enabled his success in numerous opportunities he encountered. 

Following judging in 4-H he received scholarships to begin his collegiate judging career at the junior college level where he accepted an offer from Illinois Central College. After two years of being in the midwest, he returned home to judge for the Rams. Bailey graduated CSU with a B.S. in Animal Sciences in 2018, and then an M.S. in Animal Sciences in 2019. Before deciding to start a career in extension Bailey coached the Livestock Judging Team at CSU for two seasons. He is excited to help progress various programs by adding additional educational opportunities to allow for better understanding amongst members in their respective projects. 

Watch for Email from info@hch4h.org

The GOOD news is that we have so many wonderful 4-H families, leaders, and supporters!

The BAD news is that our email list was a little overwhelming.

We’ve streamlined it and our High Country Handiworkers club communications will be coming from info@hch4h.org. Please watch for emails and tell your spam filter that you want to receive them in your inbox!

“Train the Agents” Meeting

Now that your Larimer County 4-H Extension team is fully staffed, we invite you to “Train the Agents.”

During this event, you will have the chance to share your valuable feedback on our county’s 4-H program and help to guide the future of our program.

Please register before Monday, March 15 to attend. We will send out some information to prepare for the meeting to all who register.

We will offer other opportunities for feedback from those who cannot attend this session, and we look forward to spending the evening with those who can attend!

Best,
Katie Daywalker and Bailey Schilling
Your Larimer County 4-H Agents

4-H Livestock Extension Agent, Bailey Schilling

Bailey Schilling has been named the 4-H Livestock Extension Agent.

Bailey comes to us from Colorado State University where he worked as an Instructor in the Department of Animal Science and as the Livestock Judging Coach.

Growing up in the Larimer County 4-H Program, Bailey showed meat goats, lambs, and steers at the county, state, and national levels. He was also a member of the Livestock Judging and Quizbowl Teams and competed in Shooting Sports. Bailey continued his education in junior college at Illinois Central College, and then attended Colorado State University where he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, with a certificate in Meat Science and a Master of Science in Animal Science. 

We are excited to have Bailey join our 4-H Team on February 22, 2021.

Important Update About 4-H In-Person Programming

We are happy to share good news with you! 

We have officially received approval from Larimer County and CSU to begin holding in-person events at The Ranch! We are currently approved for scheduled events through February and we will reapply on a monthly basis. 

We will NOT yet have access to the McKee Building at least through March. We find out on a monthly basis whether we have access. Our staff and The Ranch staff have been working diligently to move events to other spaces at The Ranch on a monthly basis. 

What Does this Mean? 

  • Please look for communications from your club and project leaders regarding whether upcoming events will be in person or virtual. This may change on a month-by-month basis. 
    • Leaders have been notified about whether space is reserved for club meetings, workshops, and practices being hosted in February. We will continue to update on a monthly basis. 
  • All events will allow virtual access when reasonable and appropriate to do so. If you have questions about this, please contact your club or project leader, or our office. 

Health and Safety Guidelines 

We are excited to be able to begin meeting again, even in a limited capacity, as we know how essential in-person interaction is to 4-H programming and youth development. We also care deeply about the health and safety of our entire community. 

Leaders will share expectations regarding health and safety guidelines for in-person events in advance of the events, which follow state and county health guidelines. 

All Participants Must Follow these Basic Guidelines at Events:

  • Do not attend if you feel ill or are experiencing any symptoms of illness. 
  • Masks are required for all participants at all times, unless a safety exception is specified by your event leader (for example, masks can be removed on the firing line in shooting sports practices for safety reasons).
    • If you are unable to wear a mask or prefer not to wear a mask, we invite you to participate virtually in these events.
  • Wash your hands before attending, after the event, and as appropriate during the event.
  • Enter and exit through separate doors.
  • Each event space has its own bathroom facilities. Please only use the facilities designated for your event space.
  • Follow staff and leader guidance on the day of the event regarding additional health and safety guidelines.
  • Individuals not following these guidelines may be asked to leave or be removed from the event.

We look forward to seeing you at events and thank you in advance for supporting your leaders through this process and respecting these guidelines. This is a positive change and with your help, we can make it successful and hopefully continue to offer even more projects and programs in person!

If you have any questions about any of the above information or this transition, please contact Katie Daywalker.

Gauging Interest in Horse Bowl and Hippology

As we plan 4-H horse events for this year, we are gauging interest in Hippology and Horse Bowl. Please let us know if you or your club members are interested in participating in a Hippology or Horse Bowl Contest this year.  These events require many hours of planning and preparation.  If there is not enough interest this year, the Contest(s) will be canceled.

Hippology Contest

Hippology is an activity that can enhance learning for 4-H members by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a competitive setting. The term Hippology comes from the Greek hippo, meaning horse, and ology, meaning the study of. Participants will be able to demonstrate their experience and knowledge gained in horse judging, horse bowl, speeches, and practical horse management.
Hippology consists of four phases: Horse Judging, Written Examination and Slide Identification, ID Stations, and Team Problem Solving.

The Larimer County Hippology Contest will be Saturday, April 10, 2021. If you are interested in Hippology, please contact Debbie Dehn at rwdehn@aol.com.

Horse Bowl Contest

Horse Bowl is an exciting, fast-paced knowledge competition where teams compete against each other. There are junior and senior teams. The winning senior team will go on to the State Competition in June. Teams can be formed through individual clubs or members of different clubs can get together to form a team. This is a great way to prepare for the coming year and your next levels test. So, grab your Horse Manual and start studying! At this time, all club practices must adhere to COVID guidelines. Your key leaders are working to set up some countywide virtual practices beginning in February. If you would like to join a team, but your club does not have enough horse/horseless horse members to make a team, contact the Extension Office at 970-498-6000 for help with finding a team.

The Larimer County Horse Bowl Contest will be Saturday April 24, 2021. If you are interested in Horse Bowl, please contact Debbie Dehn at rwdehn@aol.com.

Officer Opening: Club Secretary

At our meeting on Monday, January 11, the club voted to retain the 2020 officers in their positions for 2021. However, our current secretary has chosen to step down and allow the position to be filled by another member.

The club decided to ask for member volunteers to run for this office. Then we’ll vote via online ballot.

The duties of the secretary include: 

  • Taking roll call at monthly meetings,
  • Taking detailed notes at monthly meetings,
  • Writing the monthly meeting minutes, and
  • Submitting the monthly minutes within two weeks be posted on the club website.

If you’re feeling unsure, remember that training will be provided.

If you’re interested in running for the office of secretary, click here to pull up the form and submit a short paragraph about why you would like to serve and why you would be a good fit for the job. Please visit the form by the Friday, February 5 deadline. Then we’ll post your paragraphs and ask club members to vote online.

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