FRUIT/CANDY SALES
       The glossy pages of fruit order forms and candy order forms are enclosed with this newsletter.  We have already had lots of inquiries from 4-H families and buyers as to when the fruit will be sold and delivered.  Orders must be in by March 15 with delivery scheduled for Saturday, April 1.  This year will once again be at the same facility only now it has a different name, Dakota Bean Company. This definitely makes the job much easier.  Pick-up time will be from 8:15 am to 11:00 am sharp. Remember: If you can not be there during that time, arrange for someone else to pick-up your boxes of fruit and candy. Help is needed to manage all this fruit and candy (unloading, loading, sorting) so come early to help move boxes.  If you need any more forms, please contact the Extension Office.

MIDYEAR REPORTS
       To make pre-registration of 4-H exhibits and printing of exhibit tags a reality, mid-year reports are needed.  Your mid-year report is enclosed and is due back in the county extension office by March 15.  Members not enrolled by this date will not be eligible to participate in 2006 events and activities.  Please work closely with your leaders during this step.  If you have any questions feel free to contact our office.  In early May a pre-registration form will be sent to each 4-H member. This will then need to be returned by June 9 so your exhibit tags for the county and state can be printed.

SPRING COUNCIL MEETING SET
      The Spring Ramsey County 4-H council meeting will be held Monday, March 6 at the Ramsey County Courthouse Meeting Room.  We will begin at 6 p.m. with a light supper.   All interested leaders, parents and members are welcome.

EXTENSION YOUTH CONFERENCE
       The dates for Extension Youth Conference are June 19-22, 2006. Registration will be available from the Extension Office in March. Please remember that the Ramsey County 4-H Council does have funds set aside to help sponsor individuals to attend this conference.

ACHIEVEMENT DAYS
Ramsey County Achievement Days

Set for June 17, 28-29, 2006.

       The Achievement Day Horse Show will be held at Peterson Arena on Saturday, June 17.

       Everything else that is associated with 4-H Achievement Days will be held on June 28 & 29 at the Memorial Building and Bill Jerome Arena. Absolutely everything, including exhibits, expos, animals, horses, speech spectacular, fashion revue, etc., must be pre-registered by June 9.  Only 4-H’ers completing the pre-registration will be able to exhibit at 4-H Achievement Days so start that paperwork. This includes cloverbuds!

LIVESTOCK OWNERSHIP & LEASE DATES
       Following are the ownership deadline dates for animals.  All livestock except market beef will be MAY 1.  Market beef animals will be MARCH 1.

       All livestock & horse lease agreements must be on the enclosed form and turned into Bill by May 1, 2006. With the exception of market beef leases must be turned in by March 1, 2006

PROJECT DAY
      Project Day is scheduled for April 22.  Registration forms will be ready in early February. We are currently working on workshops. Give us a call if you have an idea. We are always in need of more ideas and presenters.

COMMUNICATION ARTS
      The Ramsey County Communication Arts Contest will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Thursday, May 4 from 4 to 6 p.m.  Awards will be presented at approximately 6 p.m.  At this time we do not know the topic for the theme categories but hope to know within the next month.

AMBASSADOR APPLICATIONS
      4-H members, 16 and older, are encouraged to apply to be a 4-H Ambassador.  The application form, available in the County Extension Office is due May 5^th for selections at Extension Youth Conference in June. Applications need to be mailed on from each County Extension Office.

BONE MARROW DRIVE
      Thank you to the clubs, leaders and members who helped make the third Marrow Donor Drive so successful, Thirty-one new names were added to the Marrow Registry. A total of 177 individuals from the Lake Region are now listed on the Marrow Registry thanks to the work of the Ramsey County 4-H Council. The representatives from the National Marrow Donor Center were very impressed with how well the drive went. Thanks again, to all who were involved.

Fairgrounds Development
      The Ramsey County Fair Board is in the process of creating an overall development plan for the fairgrounds. Possibilities include a large multi-purpose building, picnic area, more parking spaces and even a tree nursery. Peggy Langley has sketched several different plans which are available for viewing in our office. Stop in, take a look and express your opinion. The Fair Board is very interested in creating an area that will meet the needs of many different groups and welcomes your input.