Wilbanks Accepted to Virginia 4-H All Stars

Congratulations to Haley Wilbanks, Livestock Club member and 4-H Camp Counselor, who has been accepted into the Virginia Chapter of 4-H All Stars.  Haley (known as Texas at 4-H camp) is hard working, personable, friendly and helpful to all.  She has volunteered at Cloverbud Day Camp, competed in state level stockman's events, attended 4-H Congress and delivered several presentations and speeches.  Haley showed cattle, raised money for the local food bank via the Kiss-a-Cow contest and has continued to be actively involved in Orange 4-H while attending school out of state.  Haley, we are proud of you!

County Contests Blue Ribbon Winners Announced

Congratulations to tonight's blue ribbon winners in the County Presentations and Public Speaking contests.  Jason Woolfrey, Adam Woolfrey, Eryn Connell, Matthew Miller, Gordon Cowan and Catherine Wheeler all earned blue ribbons in the presentations category.  Topics ranged from robotics to sustainable farming to DNA and RNA.  In the public speaking division, Julia Weaber, Zachary Swope, and Andrew Miller earned blue ribbons.  Their topics included Belted Galloway cattle, the impact of John Deere, and biofules in racing, respectively.  Both Millers and Swope plan to advance to the district contests on April 21st.  Way to go, 4-H members!

Horse Camp Planned for Members and Their Horses

BYOH!  Bring Your Own Horse to a special camp for equine enthusiasts, July 29-August 2, 2012, at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center.  Youth with any level of riding experience, ages 9-14, are encouraged to sign up for this camp which features both English and Western styles of riding.  Hands-on activities are a part of each event, and traditional camp components like swimming, canoeing and campfires are included.  Cost is $325 per horse and rider.  Check the Document Library under "blog post follow-up" for a flyer and additional information.

Fauquier Beef & Boer Club Hosts Beef Day Camp

Fauquier County's 4-H program will host a Beef Day Camp on Saturday, June 9, at Whitestone Farm in Aldie, VA.  The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include a skillathon, showmanship, animal health and nutrition, and Beef Quality Assurance training.  Visit our Document Library for a brochure and registration form.

Northern District Horse Show - Front Royal Location - Packets Available

Information was released today about the Front Royal Northern District Horse Show.  This is a qualifying event for the State 4-H Horse Show.  Please see the state horse page for details and other shows available.

Virginia Beef Queen Application Packets Available

Ladies ages 16-22 who wish to compete for the Virginia Beef Queen title may now do so.  Participants must be from a beef-producing family and present a 3-5 minute presentation on a positive aspect of the beef industry.  Applications are due April 15 and the contest will be held April 20 during the Virginia Beef Expo.  More information is available at www.vabeefexpo.org.

Block and Bridle Contest Results Announced

Congratulations to 16 Orange youth who competed with over 500 youth in the state Block and Bridle Stockman's and Livestock Judging Contests this past weekend.  Orange brought home another state champion:  Julia Weaber, who was first place individual overall in the junior non-reasons judging category on Saturday.

Friday's Stockman's Contest yielded the following results.  In the junior division, Blake Hopkins was 8th in Quiz & ID, 8th in judging, and 6th high individual overall.  The junior team of Blake Hopkins, Andrew Miller, Stella Bradford and Autumn Rogers placed 5th in Quiz and ID and 4th overall.  In the senior division, Robert Nixon was 9th in Quiz and ID and Elizabeth Nixon was 6th in Quiz and ID and 8th overall.  The senior team of Robert Nixon, Elizabeth Nixon, John Michael Knight and Garret Chambers placed 5th in Quiz and ID, 2nd in Judging and Questions, and 3rd overall.

Saturday's event was strictly livestock judging, and oral reasons for 8 of our team members.  In the advanced division (giving oral reasons), Marlaina Johnson was 6th in sheep and goats.  Blake Hopkins placed 6th in cattle, 4th in hogs, 5th in reasons and 5th overall.  The advanced junior team of Stella Bradford, Blake Hopkins, Garrett Hopkins and Marlaina Johnson placed 4th in cattle, 5th in swine and 4th overall.

In the junior non-reasons division, Julia Weaber placed 5th in sheep and 1st overall for the 9-13 age group.  Her team, which included Gini Bryington, Brice Norford and Natalia Seitzer placed 4th in cattle, 1st in sheep and goats, and 5th overall.

Congratulations to all of the team members who traveled to Blacksburg.  Their next contest will be State 4-H Livestock Judging in June.

Shenandoah Valley Lamb & Goat Show Open to Orange Exhibitors

On Saturday, June 16, there will be a Lamb and Goat 4-H Benefit Show at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock, VA.  Grand Champion Market Goat and Lamb will win $125 in premiums, and additional premiums are paid for classes.  Entry forms are due June 10.  Download rules packets online, click HERE.

Culpeper SWCD Scholarship Reminder

High school seniors, don't forget:  The Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District Scholarship applications are due April 13th.  Up to five scholarships will be awarded to students in this area who plan to pursue a career in a conservation-related field.  Applications are posted in the 4-H Document Library in the "blog post follow-up" folder.

Delaney O'Donnell Reports on Bit N' Bridle Happenings

On March 3rd, two members of the Orange County Bit N' Bridle club traveled to Ruckersville to compete in the District horse presentation, hippology, and horse bowl contests.

Delaney received a blue danish ribbon in the senior category for her presentation on the history of the horse. Charlotte received a red danish ribbon in the junior division for her presentation on horse colors.

In hippology, Delaney placed 7th in the exam, 4th in stations, 10th in horse judging, and 5th overall. Competing with Warren county, her team was 1st in exam, 2nd in stations, 1st in team problem, 2nd in judging, and 1st overall.

In horse bowl, Delaney was the 1st place senior individual, and was on the 1st place team.

Charlotte, on a team with Albemarle county, was on the 3rd place team in horse bowl.

Robert Nixon Wins Big at MAJAC

Congratulations are in order for Robert Nixon, member of the 4-H Livestock Club, who was named Grand Champion Intermediate Showman at the Mid-Atlantic Junior Angus Classic Show in Harrisonburg, VA, this past weekend. Robert placed above more than 70 exhibitors from several states and competition was excellent. Way to go, Robert, we are so proud of you and happy that your years of hard work are paying off! Thank you for representing Orange 4-H!

Virginia Tech Collegiate 4-H Club Offers Host Weekend on Campus

Interested teens involved in Virginia 4-H are encouraged to participate in a host weekend at Virginia Tech, which will allow you to attend college classes, stay in a dormitory or apartment and network with collegiate 4-H members.  Guest speakers and current college students will share information about extracurricular opportunities, college life, college admissions, transferring, financial aid and much more.  The host weekend will be held April 12-14; registrations and a $65 fee are due March 23.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Blacksburg that weekend.  This is a great opportunity for 4-H teens!  Please contact the Extension Office for a brochure and more information.

Northern District Livestock Show Packet Now Posted

Information regarding the May 19th Northern District Livestock Show in Culpeper are now posted.  This show is for 4-H youth with swine, sheep or beef projects.  Entries are due April 10th to the county Extension office.  Download your packet from the Orange 4-H Document Library.

Orange 4-H Dairy Club Member and Virginia Dairy Princess Molly Elgin Reads to Students at Grymes Memorial School for National Agriculture Week

SFVA Inc. Converts from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

March 7, 2012 (Doswell, VA) - SFVA Inc., the not-for-profit organization that produces the State Fair of Virginia, today converted its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in Richmond District Court.  As a proposed resolution to emerge from the Chapter 11 process, SFVA offered to buy the 360-acre Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia from the lender group of secured creditors (made up of lead lender Arbor One, 13 farm credits and the USDA).  

On March 5, the lender group rejected the offer and refused requests to produce a counter-offer.  Because of the secured creditors’ decision not to accept the offer, SFVA Inc. was forced into bankruptcy. As a result of this action, there will be no further events produced by SFVA Inc., including the Strawberry Hill Races, the State Fair of Virginia and the Meadow Highland Games & Celtic Festival. Additionally the privately scheduled events at The Meadow Event Park will not be able to take place.

“As chairman of SFVA, I am deeply saddened and disappointed by the lenders’ decision.  We worked diligently with multiple parties to present the secured creditors with a reasonable offer to purchase The Meadow, and thus allow the 156-year-old tradition of the State  Fair of Virginia to continue.  Unfortunately, that offer was rejected.  Apparently, the secured creditors have other unknown plans for the property,” said G. William Beale, SFVA Board  of Directors Chairman and CEO - Union First Market Bank.

Since 1989, the State Fair of Virginia Scholarship Program has awarded 2,439 scholarships and has dedicated over $1.8 million to youth education.   It is SFVA’s understanding that these funds will, under the guidance of a bankruptcy court-appointed trustee, be sent to Virginia Tech’s foundation for administration and distribution.   SFVA’s scholarship funds were managed separately from the investment portfolio used as collateral to secure the loan to develop The Meadow Event Park.  

“While the outcome of this very difficult situation is extremely disappointing, I am heartened by the support we have received from thousands of well-wishers, Caroline and Hanover County officials, the dedication of our staff, and the partners who have stood by SFVA.  We worked hard to create a positive outcome in spite of trying economic times and a uniquely complex situation,” said Curry Roberts, President of SFVA Inc.  
The lender group opposed providing severance packages  to the remaining 17 SFVA staff members, and as of today, all SFVA staff have been removed from payroll and benefit plans.  SFVA Inc. requested the creditors release the rights to the State Fair of Virginia, Meadow Highland Games & Celtic Festival and Strawberry Hill Races.  The fate of these events and the property will be determined by the Chapter 7 process and ultimately up to the court appointed trustee.  

Crazy Pets Meeting Postponed

The Crazy Pets 4-H Club meeting scheduled for tonight is being POSTPONED due to illness.  Please contact Mrs. Peck to let her know if you prefer to reschedule Monday, March 12, or Tuesday, March 13.

Virginia Tech Hosts Dairy Judging Workshop

Information was released today regarding a Dairy Judging Workshop at Virginia Tech on Saturday, April 28.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event includes judging instruction and a practice contest with live animals.  Youth will also have a chance to deliver oral reasons and receive feedback.

Sullivan Show Supply Scholarship Available to High School & College Seniors

Graduating high school seniors and college students 21 years of age or less are encouraged to apply for 20 available scholarships from Sullivan Show Supply.  Complete information is available online.  Entries are due March 15, 2012.