Not wanting to write on a negative topic, I decided to at least inform everyone of what I know. Some good news has helped lift our spirits. Several counties throughout the state have decided to fully fund 4-H agent positions for at least one-year in what is labeled as 'Restricted' positions. These positions are subject to renewal by the county if funding allows. To date, the following units have agreed to fully fund their respective 4-H agent position in this manner: Madison, Culpeper, Louisa, Nelson, Greensville/Emporia, and Henry. Others are being discussed and there may be a possibility of having vacant positions filled. The City of Chesapeake agreed to fully fund the 4-H agent position with the part-time 4-H agent who had previously been employed on city funds. This means that this unit will now have a full-time 4-H agent employed. So, among the budget woes and poor financial status of our great state, there are some bright spots.
During this time of stress and grieving over our recent retirees, lost revenues, and cut-backs, current staff members are experiencing difficult times with rumors and mixed messages circulating among field staff Agents are experiencing what I predicted would come about soon after their colleagues left the system-STEALTH DAMAGE. Rumors and misinformation are widely circulating, but the truth will prevail. Now is not the time to quit. Rather, now is the time to focus on the good work we do.
External Factors-ones for which we have no control-have greatly impacted VCE and 4-H. These factors have greatly impacted how we do business. Keep in mind: We Still Have a Job to Do! We need to focus on WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT! Youth throughout our great state continue to need our programs, even more so now that we are faced with increasing problems in society. I look forward to working with you and will be visiting with many of you in the days ahead. This year, our 100th year of 4-H, and the years ahead will impact thousands of Virginia youth by preparing them with the life skills to succeed as caring adults in American society. Our work is to making the best better for the youth and adults who still work with our youth in the Virginia 4-H program.
(Bob Meadows)
(Laura Phillips Garner, National 4-H Council)
In order to have broad input from the 4-H and FFA organizations, an on-line survey was created and placed on the 4-H public web site. The results of the survey were reported to the State 4-H Leadership Council.
Based on the input from Agents, FFA advisors and volunteers from both programs, the decision has been made to not hold the two events concurrently.
Therefore, 4-H State Congress will be held the 3rd week of June, Tuesday through Friday, June 17-20, 2003.
FFA Convention will be held during the 4th week of June.
Please pass this news on to volunteers who had an interest in this issue.. Thanks for your input into the decision-making process.
(Joe Hunnings)
(Bob Meadows)
(Barry A. Garst))
Each track will consist of 16 or more hours of programming designed to provide not only a solid knowledge base, but also to include an element of practical application of that knowledge based in the "real world" environment. For more information about Master 4-H Training, look for additional information through emails and in upcoming 4-H Newsletters. If you have questions about this event, contact Barry Garst at bgarst@vt.edu or (540) 231-6373.
(Barry Garst)
There will be live entertainment, games and activities for the kids, vendors, food, arts & crafts. The evening program will feature folk artists from throughout Hampton Roads and Richmond. Some of the artists include Kim Kalman, Zendiva, the Runaway String Band, Narissa Bond to name a few.
Cost: $10 adult, $5 kids 3-10 years of age, under 3 free.
(Elizabeth Chisolm, Development Director)
The contact for the show is Gwen Anderson. You may email her at gma0920@att.net or call (804) 328-3774. All questions should be referred to her. Just a few of reminders
(Rita Schalk/Lloyd Hicks)
Go to http://www.character.org/ for complete information.
(Joe Hunnings)
Virginia 4-H has participated in the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) since 1949 and in the 4-H Japanese Exchange for 22 years. The FLEX exchange program is a newer program that involves young people from the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union. The exchange programs emphasize global education through host family living experiences for young people ages 12-30. Participants spend from one month to a full year living with a host family and learning about culture, language, customs, and family life.
Besides learning more about the world's cultures, the Assistant Coordinator would be provided an expense paid trip to the Exchange Coordinators
National Conference held this year in Oregon, November 14-17. Serving in this role also makes you eligible to visit Japan for 4 weeks in the summer as a National 4-H Exchange Chaperone.
General responsibilities for the Assistant Coordinator are:
As one of the International Program Assistant Coordinators you would assist our State International Program Coordinators in program promotion and management. The State Coordinators are:
For more information and to apply for the Assistant Coordinator position contact any of these people by September 16, 2002.
(Joe Hunnings)
First, we will make quilts which children (and adults) will design squares with crayons when they visit the exhibit. Cindy Barnett sent muslin squares to President and Mrs. Bush asking for their signatures, which will be used as centerpieces for a quilt. The quilt will be raffled with proceeds to benefit the FS Curriculum Committee. Additional quilts will be given to shelters as a community service project. We need teens or adults who can sew and help the children as they come through the booth.
Secondly, we will have a 4-H Fashion Revue on Stage. Agents must have pre-viewed and signed off on the garment to be worn. Our committee reserves the right to refuse a youth to cross the stage if the garment is not appropriate to the image of 4-H , the participant's family, or to themselves. Once we know who is interested in participating, I will mail you and the participant a letter with the guidelines from the Fashion Revue curriculum
We need persons to help with the set design, announce, control the music, and do lots of background work. Please let us know of interested youth and or adults in your unit. For more information and to volunteer send an email fecampbe@vt.edu .
(Betsy Campbell)
(Dorothy Freeman)
(Barry Fox)
The Virginia Association of Science Teachers will be conducting its annual conference in Richmond on November 7 - 9. Numerous field trip and concurrent session opportunities will be available. For more information, go to: www.VAST.org.
The 4-H members wrote a rural management plan for wood duck, beaver, mallard and muskrat; and an urban plan for hummingbird, butterfly, fox squirrel and cottontail. They also had to identify wildlife foods, interpret habitat from aerial photos and more. Teams from 26 state competed in the contest.
Congratulations to coaches Ann Gallus, Loudoun 4-H Volunteer, and Jenny Mercer, Augusta County 4-H Extension Agent.
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Barry Fox)
The top 20 academic campers were recognized at the end of camp. These campers scored the highest on comprehensive exams given last day of camp and would make excellent teen leaders for county 4-H programs.
Top 20 Academic Campers, Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, 2002:
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Dorothy Freeman)
Captain Planet Foundation Grants
Committed to supporting hands-on environmental projects for young people, the Captain Planet Foundation provides grants from $250 to $2,500 to school and community groups. Kids' gardening and composting programs are well represented among their grantees. The next deadlines for quarterly submissions are September 30 and December 31. For guidelines and a proposal form, visit http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/
(Joe Hunnings)
Before a site can be approved by Science NetLinks, it goes through an extensive vetting process by Science NetLinks staff and is then sent to an outside reviewer, who reviews the site based on a strict set of criteria. If the reviewer finds that a site meets those criteria, then that site is included on Science NetLinks.
The 4-H Virtual Farm is also being used in one of the AAAS science lessons to support standards-based teaching and learning. AAAS's goal is to offer teachers easy access to unique and timely supplemental resources, and to highlight the types of exemplary resources available on the Internet. This "deep" linking significantly decreases the time required for searching the Internet. See how the 4-H VF is featured in the Science NetLinks lesson called: Modern Technology and Farming http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=3&DocID=248
Please pass this information on to teachers to encourage greater use of 4-H Virtual Farm. Remember too that 4-H VF bookmarks are available through the Distribution Center.
(Joe Hunnings)
The deadline for student essay submission is November 1, 2002. The 500-word essays should be submitted online http://www.cast-science.org./ Winners will be recognized at the school, Congressional district, state, and national levels. The national winner, along with his/her parents and a teacher, will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, March 20-23, 2003, during National Agriculture Week. The winner will also receive a $3,000 savings bond.
Topics for the competition are available along with more detailed information about the contest on the website.
For more information, contact JAMIE MISHLER (phone 202-675-8333, ext. 10).
(Bob Meadows)
The Virginia 4-H Foundation's focus is universal programs for all Virginia's 4-H youth, especially programs to keep youth in 4-H through their teen-age years. An example is partial scholarships for youth that attend the Virginia 4-H Congress at Virginia Tech each June.
The six 4-H Educational Center (camps) focus primarily on the needs of youth within their geographical area (Virginia is divided into six regions). Their primary focus is to provide unique educational services for youth that attend their programs as well as raise capital funds for facilities to house these programs.
The counties and cities are divided into 107 units; a 4-H Extension Agent represents each unit. These 4-H Extension Agents are raising funds for their particular programs. Within these 107 units there are many clubs who also raise funds, usually for community service and leadership programs.
In addition to these units, various curriculum specialists from Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension who have 4-H responsibilities raise money for individual programs. An example would be our Forestry curriculum.
There are also occasions in which Virginia Cooperative Extension will host National Conventions. At these times everyone in 4-H is involved in raising funds.
All of the funds raised by each group are used for youth educational purposes, either programs or facilities to house these programs or volunteer education to administer these programs.
If you are presently giving to local units please continue to make this a priority
(Cindy Barnett)
(Cindy Barnett)
4-H has always played a major role in the State Fair of Virginia. Generations of 4-Hers have participated at the State Fair over the years in competition, exhibition, and volunteer roles involving numerous project areas. For many, State Fair participation has been the culmination of an entire year's project work, an event bringing together 4-Hers from all parts of the state, in an environment of fun, learning, and club teamwork.
Although 4-H will be highlighted throughout the entire Fair's duration, with a special float in the daily parade, 4-H memorabilia competition and displays, flags and banners from the 100-plus 4-H units in Virginia, a unique 4-H exhibit showcasing 4-H curriculum areas, a specific day has been set aside for the 4-H 100th Birthday Party.
The birthday party will take place Friday, September 27, with featured entertainment in the Classic Amphitheater. Country performers Lonestar, winners of numerous Academy of Country Music and Billboard awards and rising star, Blake Shelton will entertain at an evening concert. 4-H friends, alumni and members will be invited to participate by purchasing various levels of an "all-inclusive" ticket that includes Fair admission, concert ticket, reception, keepsake and a "meet and greet" session with the musicians following the concert.
State "Share-the-Fun" talent winners will be featured on the MusicFest stage and 4-H will receive added emphasis in all areas throughout the Fair on that Friday.
The entire day, Friday, September 27, will be designated as the 4-H 100th Birthday Party. 4-Hers, past and present, will want to be sure to mark their calendars now to plan to attend this once-in-a lifetime celebration, homecoming and reunion. See the attachment for tickets.
(Cindy Barnett)
Check out their website for more information and see if it can fit your needs. http://www.twfound.org/charity/grants.sps?section=charity&sid=941&lid=1&gra=0
(Angela J. Huebner,)
(Cindy Barnett)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeff Kirwan)
Young MacDonald's Farm is an excellent opportunity for 4-H'ers to participate in the fair and experience working with animals. Teams should arrive 15 minutes early for orientation with the Superintendent, James Paul.
When submitting your group's time preference, please be prepared to leave the following information:
Let's keep up the 4-H image-- everyone last year did a great job! Let's strive for another outstanding job again. (Cathy Corker)
Daily Schedule Young Mac Donald's Farm - State Fair Of Virginia.
| DATE | TIME | GROUP |
|---|---|---|
| THURS, 9/26/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Friday, 9/27/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9-pm | ||
| Sat., 9/28/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Sun., 9/29.02 | 10am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| 9/30/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Tues., 10/01/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Wed., 10/2/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Thurs., 10/3/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Fri., 10/4/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Sat., 10/5/02 | 9am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm | ||
| 5pm-9pm | ||
| Sun., 10/6/02 | 10am-1pm | |
| 1pm-5pm |
OTHER EVENTS AT THE STATE FAIR
Poultry Exhibition As a result of having no poultry exhibits at the fair, 4-H has been provided an opportunity to put an exhibit(s) together promoting the poultry industry. This can be in the form of a stationary exhibit, posters and/or a 4-H club exhibit. Therefore anyone interested please contact me immediately!
4-H Float
Each night of the fair, 4-H will have a float in the fair parade. The 4-H Foundation is responsible for the float decorations. However, we are in need of 4-H'ers and volunteers to ride on the float each evening. We need drivers and riders. Contact me ASAP if you can help.
(Cathy Corker)
To honor the memory of those lost in the attacks, and to celebrate America at its best, the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is coordinating service-oriented and character-building activities for American Character Week, September 6-17, 2002.
GET INVOLVED! See the attachment to access free resources to raise awareness and conduct activities during American Character Week.
CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition efforts to coordinate American Character Week (September 6-17, 2002) includes:
Here is some additional information that we hope will encourage you to participate fully and to communicate with us to let us know what you are doing.
1. OBJECTIVES. Our objective is to help schools, communities, police and firefighting agencies and others commemorate the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks in a manner that encourages community service and celebrates the countless acts of courage, compassion and commitment that showed Americans at their best.
2. STRATEGY. The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition will coordinate the development and distribution of a wide array of resources and suggested activities to assure that the celebration of American Character Week is positive, constructive and educational. Everything will be posted at www.charactercounts.org/acw.htm and will be available for you to download and print at no charge.
We are in the midst of building a very full range of resources and you will get periodic updates from us as more material is available on our website: http://www.charactercounts.org/acw.htm.
You will note we have already posted a wide range of substantive materials to stimulate your thoughts and help you begin your plans, as well as FREE downloadable artwork for T-shirts, buttons, posters and other promotional items (details below). Our goal is to give you the freedom to use the available materials (including artwork) as you see fit and to get local merchants to make donations to cover production or printing costs.
4. FOUR CORE ACTIVITIES. American Character Week is built around the pursuit of four core activities:
5. THE EXTENDED WEEK. We have extended the period of celebration of American Character Week to September 17, to accommodate and take advantage of Constitution Day activities planned by the U.S. Department of Education. We are told that Constitution Day activities will include a Pledge Across America, a simultaneous, national recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by President George W. Bush at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The event is coordinated by Celebration USA. We think the Pledge is a perfect capper to the period of activities and hope you will participate. You can get more information at http://www.celebration usa.org/nsc.htm.
The period encompasses two Fridays and two Saturdays to provide greater opportunities for weekend community-service projects. The time frame also helps participating high schools to host one home football game during the period, with halftime and/or post-game American Character Week activities.
6. SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT ON THE WEB. If your organization has a website we ask you to display prominently (preferably on the homepage) an American Character Week icon or banner directing people to the American Character Week page (www.charactercounts.org/acw.htm). For information on setting up links and displaying an American Character Week graphic on your site, please visit this page:http://www.charactercounts.org/acw-links.htm
7. ENDORSEMENTS AND EVENTS. Endorsements of American Character Week and announcements of special events continue to pour in (see http://www.charactercounts.org/AmericanCharacterWeek-endorsers.htm). Of particular note is the very enthusiastic support of the U.S. Army, the FBI, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and scores of high-level political leaders. In Los Angeles, the heads of the major law enforcement and fire agencies in the city and county will hold a press conference on September 6, 2002, to kick off the week's activities.
8. ARTWORK AND BANNERS. Dynamic artwork, including an American Character Week logo that can be used on T-shirts, buttons and other promotional items as well as a series of banners and posters, is now available on the web site. To access these resources, please log in to the "FREE Tools and Resources" section accessible at: http://www.charactercounts.org/acw.htm.
You can download the artwork at no cost, but technical limitations require that the files be at lower resolution (150 dpi) than some of you may want.
9. ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES . Now, for the substance, the things you can do.
Remember, you can locate this section by going to http://www.charactercounts.org/acw.htm, then clicking on the red box that says, "FREE tools and resources available, click here." On the next pop-up box, if you are a return visitor to this section, simply enter your e-mail address. If this is your first time entering this section, begin with "First Time ACW Visitors Click Here." We ask for the e-mail address of those who enter the site so wecan provide updates.
The following activities and resources are now available for FREE in the activities section of the American Character Week website:
IDEAS FOR ACTIVITIES
1. Lesson Plans: 50 full lesson plans and activity ideas for young people (10 for each of five age groups)
2. Table Tents: color, formatted PDF files with hypothetical scenarios for young people to ponder and discuss
3. Activity Ideas for Community Groups (separate section for each):
4. Library of quotations organized and selected specifically for American Character Week
5. Service Learning
6. Audio files, downloadable from our FTP site, ftp://ftp.jiethics.org/pub/acw/
7. Publicity and Awareness
8. List of Proclamation Endorsers and Letters Make sure your community is represented. If it is not, please write your local representatives to encourage their formal endorsement of American Character Week.
9. Proclamation
10. Still to Come
Please e-mail us at americancharacterweek@jiethics.org to let us know what your community or organization plans to do for American Character Week.
(Julie Dwyer National Director, CHARACTER COUNTS! Coordinator, American Character Week)
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| 127,520 | 140,518 (10.19% increase) | 181,070 (28.8% increase) |
Minority Enrollment
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| 25% | 29% | 28% |
Male-Female Ratio
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| 52% Female; 48% Male | 52% Female; 48% Male | 51% Female; 49% Male |
Where 4-H Members Live
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| Farms 6% | Farms 6% | Farms 6% |
| Towns/Rural Under 10,000 38.7% | Towns/Rural Under 10,000 47% | Towns/Rural Under 10,000 45% |
| Towns/Cities 10,000-50,000 16.3% | Towns/Cities 10,000-50,000 23% | Towns/Cities 10,000-50,000 16% |
| Suburbs/Cities 50,000 + 39% | Suburbs/Cities 50,000 + 24% | Suburbs/Cities 50,000 + 33% |
Age of 4-H Participants
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| Cloverbud (5-8 year olds) 18.9% | Cloverbud (5-8 year olds) 28% | Cloverbud (5-8 year olds) 26% |
| Juniors (9-11 years old) 60.3% | Juniors (9-11 years old) 50% | Juniors (9-11 years old) 46% |
| Intermediates (12-13 years old) 11.5% | Intermediates (12-13 years old) 12% | Intermediates (12-13 years old) 13% |
| Teens (14-19 years old) 9.3% | Teens (14-19 years old) 10% | Teens (14-19 years old) 15% |
4-H Volunteers
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| 16,269 | 16,293 | 19,755 |
4-H Campers
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| 30,395 (373 sessions) | 30,209 (351 sessions) | 30,175 (417 sessions) |
State 4-H Staff
| (1999-2000) | (2000-2001) | (2001-2002 |
| 2 State Staff Employed/3 Vacancies | 6 State Staff Employed/1 Vacancy (VSU) | 6 State Staff Employed/Lost 1 Through Retirement July 1 |
ENJOYING TIMES WITH MY SECOND HOST FAMILY
What a marvelous time I am having. On July 16th my host parents took me to a concert where there were three performances at different times. The first artist was Laura , who gave a fantastic performance. She was great. What I liked most about this concert was how close you could stand to the front of the stage, that is if you were able to get a good place to stand for each performance. The second to perform was an older group of four men. The crowd enjoyed listening to them as they sang along to each of their songs. In between performances you could walk around, play games, get something to eat or drink, listen to music, and socialize. The last performer was YÖ who I enjoyed listening to, and the crowd was absolutely crazy about his music. My host mom and I tried to get as close as we could to the front, but we ended up like a can of sardines with people pushing each other, and almost everyone was drunk from drinking beer. The crowd wasn¹t too bad. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the performances. Having the last concert around 12:30am then the first concert started around 8:30pm could explain a little why the crowd was somewhat rowdy, but all ended well and we arrived home safely and tired from having a long night of fun.
Last Tuesday, July 23rd was my birthday and I had a beautiful, joyous day. My host mom Eija made me a birthday cake, her daughter Lisa and her friend made me a card, her two sons who were staying with there grandparents at the time sent me a birthday postcard which they signed along with other family members. Later on during the day after we ate birthday cake and ice cream and my host parents gave me their gift, my host mom took Lisa , her friend Hanna, and I went swimming at the swimming pool spa which is sort of like our YMCA. We swam for about an hour before leaving to go home. I really had a lot of fun. Later that evening I had a chance to call home. It felt good speaking to my mom and my sister for a short period of time while they wished me a Happy Birthday!. I look forward to these small talks everytime I get the chance. The next day we left to go to my host mom Eija¹s parents new home which was a two and a half hour drive from Nerkoo. We spent one night and a day there before going to their summer cottage to stay a few days. My host mom and I took my host brothers to their aunt Leila¹s house to spend the night, and ended up staying a while to help Leila with her strawberries. When we finished Leila had a surprise birthday cake with one candle in the middle and everybody started to sing happy birthday to me. I was certainly surprised for it was like a little birthday party just for me with her children, Eija's two sons, and Leila's husband Jan who recently had open heart surgery and was home recuperating. The next day we went sailing with Eija?s older brother Rami. This was a first for me and I had a wonderful time. Over the next few days I enjoyed fishing, sauna and swimming, hiking around the island, and getting to know my host family and their other family members at their peaceful summer cottage away from the mainland where the lake was surrounded by the beauty of the forest trees, flowers, and birds. I only have a week left before I leave to go to my third host family and I hope the rest of my stay is as pleasant as it is now. My second host family are being good host and I feel like I am part of the family. They like learning English everyday even when my host brothers are shy to speak at times. My host sister Lisa has only been learning English for a year. I learn something new everyday here in Finland . May you the reader learn as well
(Shawnda H. Gregory. IFYE Representative/USA/Virginia)
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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