The focus of recent celebration is on the fantastic State 4-H Congress that we experienced here on campus June 17-21. Indeed, the 82nd annual 4-H Congress will go down as one of the best. It was the best in my years associated with this premier teen event. What made this different from those we have had in recent years? In my observation, the quality of leadership and involvement of 4-H teens and adults who served as chaperones for this year's Congress seemed to be the major highlight. Even though we had a major increase in numbers--the largest since the 1980's-- everyone seemed to be committed to being involved in educational seminars, service learning, and the multiple variety of fun learning opportunities that were afforded to each who attended. Our number of participants this year was 859. I thank each of you who contributed by recruiting teens and adults to attend this year's 4-H Congress, those who served as agents and volunteer leaders for the event, and those who contributed all the behind-the-scenes support which contributed to the success of the 2002 State 4-H Congress. The evaluations are very good and we will be sharing these with you in the future. Joe Hunnings will again be serving as Director of the 2003 State 4-H Congress.
The focus of the sadness comes from losing so many great 4-H agents, district directors, and one 4-H specialist through retirement that took place July 1. Our 4-H department experienced a 30% reduction of 4-H agents. One-half of our six district directors retired, and we lost the leadership and experience of Dr. Jim Gardner, 4-H Specialist, who served as liaison to the six 4-H educational centers. These will be sorely missed. It is my hope that our state's economy will pick up in the future to once again be able to provide its share of cooperative support for Virginia Cooperative Extension. With our sister and brother departments of Family and Consumer Sciences and Agricultural and Natural Resources agents, VCE lost over 3000 years of experience with this early retirement plan due to severe budget cuts by the state. For those of us left to do the work, we have much to do and the youth of our state need our services even more.
On a lighter note, keep in mind that this is our 100th year of 4-H. It is my hope that each of us will commit to making the best better for the youth and adults who still work with our youth in the Virginia 4-H program.
(Bob Meadows)
(Billie Cline)
We hope you will plan a local event, as many of you do every year. Our hope is that 4-H will be even more visible in the Commonwealth during that week because of the 100th anniversary.
Please continue to display the Celebrate poster with the forms to collect the names. Some of your summer events might be good places to find alumni.
(Mary Ann H. Johnson)
"Expanding Afterschool Opportunities" and "Promoting Youth Participation" were sent via email to 4hlistserve on July 25. Hard copies can be ordered by calling 202-626-3014. Other titles include: Protecting Children and Youth Helping Working Families Improving Public Schools Please feel free to forward these kits to your colleagues!
(Angela J. Huebner)
Always an exciting educational experience for volunteers as well as 4-H agent. Go to the following website formore information and a registration form that must be returned to the State 4-H Office by August 15. http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/volunteers.html (go to Southern Regional Forum) . For more information email bcline@vt.edu.
(Bob Medows)
(Jeff Kirwan)
The Board of Directors of the 4-H Center decided last year that the current facilities were not adequate for the Center to continue to provide quality year round programming to youth and adults in the 22 counties in the northeast district service area. Proposed upgrades include basic amenities such as heat and air conditioning and a modernized kitchen preparation area to name a few. "As the national 4-H prepares for its 100th Anniversary this year and Jamestown 4-H prepares for its 75th anniversary in 2003, our programs and services should demonstrate the wisdom and commitment to our youth that has carried us this far, but our facilities must match the challenge and technology of our progressive culture" The 4-H Center is asking the community to help secure their challenge grant by contributing to the dining hall/recreation hall project.
As Jamestown 4-H prepares for its 75th birthday next year, an anniversary committee is being formed to coordinate the celebration. Former campers, parents, grandparents and volunteers are asked to contact the 4-H Center at 253-4931 and become the Big Chief for their camp county or year. All are welcomed to participate.
(Elizabeth Chisolm)
The Curriculum Event will be for the entire membership committee of each curriculum area, both old and new members. If you are interested in participating on a specific committee, please contact the committee chair. New membership will be announced to the system on or around August 25th.
I know September is a busy month and there has been some confusion regarding dates: The Norfolk 2002 dry run is September 4-5th and the Curriculum Event is September 16-17th.
(Kathleen Jamison)
Deadline for livestock entries is August 15. This year there is a newly designed entry form for beef cattle, sheep, and pigs. It is located in the back portion of the Youth Livestock Competition Handbook, on pages 61-62. This handbook also includes all rules, classes, and premiums offered for each of the youth shows. If you need a copy of this handbook contact the State Fair at 804/228-3200, or better yet, go online at www.statefair.com. The entire competition handbook is available for viewing on line or downloading so you can print the section you desire.
A couple of changes from last year will be noticed. First of all, Beef Cattle show entries are to be mailed to Dr. Mark Wahlberg, APSC 0306, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Youth Sheep show entries need to be sent to Dr. Scott Greiner, APSC 0306, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Market Hog show entries are still sent to the State Fair at PO Box 26805, Richmond, VA 23261-6805. There is a $7.00 participation fee per exhibitor that is to be paid only one time for the shows and contests held on the fairgrounds at the same time. Finally, a new premium schedule has been developed for Breeding Cattle and Breeding Sheep. It is a sliding scale schedule, with higher premiums awarded for larger class sizes.
The Stockmens Contest entry deadline is later. Those entries must be postmarked by September 13. The entry information will be mailed to FFA teachers and Extension offices directly. It is a different form than the one in the State Fair Competition Handbook. A copy of the 2002 entry form is included in this newsletter, and available at the 4H Livestock website (see below). There are no changes in the contest format from last year. A $7.00 participation fee is required for each contestant that has not already paid this fee for another show that occurs at the State Fair at the same time.
Information that will be helpful in training for the Stockmens Contest, as well as entry information, can be found at the 4H Livestock website. The site address is http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/livestock.
Another excellent Stockmens Contest is held in conjunction with the Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE). This event is always scheduled to include the first Saturday in October, and the 2002 dates are October 2-7 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. On the last day, Monday, October 7, will be a Stockmens Contest for contestants who are at least 13 but not yet 19 as of January 1, 2002. Detailed information can be obtained from the Chariman, Linda Spahr, Penn State Extension, 112 Pleasant Acres Road, York, PA 17402-9041 or from the KILE office at 2301 North Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408. The website for the KILE is http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Agriculture/bureaus/farm_show/kile/index.html. This event is under the guidance and leadership of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, whose website is www.pda.state.pa.us.
(Mark Wahlberg)
Senior age members judged the same 8 classes and answered the same questions, however they gave oral reasons on 4 different classes. Augusta County also won the senior division, represented by Sarah Heizer, Isaac Swortzel, Cole Heizer, and Jonathan Coleman. Sarah took the first-place honors as an individual judge. Rockingham County had the second place team.
Eight of the high-placing individuals will compose the State 4H Livestock Judging Team that represents Virginia in regional and national competition. The team membership is not yet finalized. Members will train for a week in August, and compete in three contests this fall. The first is the Eastern National contest in September, then comes the Eastern Invitational, followed by the National Contest in November. In addition, a county team will represent Virginia in both the Keystone International and American Royal contests.
Details of the results for the 2002 State 4H Livestock Judging Contest can be found at the 4H Livestock website, available on the internet at http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/livestock/results.html.
(Mark Wahlberg)
To reserve an exhibit: Contact the Extension Distribution Center at 540-231-1322. You will need to indicate the number of computers you want, and the dates you need the exhibit for. You will receive an email confirmation after you reserve the exhibit. The exhibit includes instructions on how to set up the computers (basically plug them in and turn them on!)
The Exhibit is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be reserved up to six months in advance. The Virtual Farm Exhibit can be checked-out for a maximum of two weeks at a time. Exhibits are shipped via UPS to the requesting office. The Distribution Center will arrange for UPS to pick up the exhibit when you are finished with it. On campus personnel must make arrangements with the Distribution Center to pick up and return exhibits.
Contact hunnings@vt.edu for more information.
(Joe Hunnings)
Intermediate Division
1st place - Paula Craun, Rockingham County
2nd place - Brendan Oudekerk, FrederickCounty
3rd place - Jessica McGregor, Appomattox County
Honorable Mention - Jaynie Leffingwell, Henrico County
Senior Division
1st place - Mary Breault, Buckingham County
2nd place - Amelia Ledford, Greene County
3rd place - Robin Rinker, Frederick County
Honorable Mention - Maria Ashmann, Shenandoah County
A total of 118 posters were submitted for judging at the state level. All posters will be returned to unit offices. A PDF file containing pictures of the top 3 posters in each age category can be found at the following URL: www.dasc.vt.edu/youth/jdmpc02.pdf
(David Winston)
Avian Bowl Team Results:
1st Place team - Rockingham
2nd Place team - Fairfax 2
3rd Place team - Fairfax 1
Teams consisted of:
Rockingham: Laura Ford, Ashley Good, Whitney Meyerhoeffer, and Marshall Runioun
Fairfax 1: James Galante, Monica Ganley, and Preston Hansen
Fairfax 2: Laura Galante, Charolotte Hansen, and Sara Lily.
The Rockingham team will be traveling to Louisville, KY to compete at Nationals.
(Curis Novak)
Intermediate Division
TOP TEAMS:
1st Place team - Loudoun Co. 2523
TOP INDIVIDUALS:
| Name | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st -Stephen Sides | Madison | 956 |
| 2nd -Sara Dunlap | Loudoun | 901 |
| 3rd -Robbie Hilton | Madison | 832 |
| 4th -Colleen Cook | Loudoun | 822 |
| 5th -Kelby Senapiehl | Loudoun | 800 |
Senior Division
TOP TEAMS:
1st Place team - Loudoun Co. 2715
2nd Place team - Charolotte Co. 2560
TOP INDIVIDUALS:
| Name | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st -Tim Dunlap | - Loudoun | 943 |
| 2nd - Megan Schreiber | Charlotte | 914 |
| 3rd - Daniel Koranok | Madison | 895 |
| 4th - Dane Wence | Loudoun | 889 |
| 5th - Michelle Jenkins | Loudoun | 882 |
| 6th - Nadia Dzyndra | Charlotte | 854 |
| 7th - Amanda DeMuth | Charlotte | 791 |
Loudoun Co (team) and Daniel Koranok (individual) will be representing Virginia at Nationals in Louisville, KY.
Charlotte Co will be eligible to attend the Southern Poultry Judging event held at the University of Georgia in September.
(Curtis Novak)
(Joe Hunnings)
I encourage 4-H Agents to contact their local high schools and facilitate watershed education programs that can be conducted at the 4-H Centers. Please call (804-524-5848) if you have any questions.
(Barry W. Fox)
We are pleased to announce there is now a web version of the most popular activities at the Wood Magic Show. The Wood Magic Kid's Section http://www.woodmagic.vt.edu/kids/ is set up so that youth can participate on-line, and adults can use it to see how they can implement wood magic activities into their own programs.
Wood Magic is a unique way to teach science standards of learning that deal with cells, natural resources, force, motion, energy, matter and scientific reasoning. Wood science is also a rewarding and often overlooked career choice. For help implementing wood magic activities in your county, please
Contact: Audrey Zink-Sharp, Associate Professor, Department of Wood Science agzink@vt.edu 540-231-8820
(Jeff Kirwan)
Units may send a note to vdow@VT.EDU to receive a copy of the program including a list of events, courses of fire and rules along with registration information in the beginning of August.
(Jinx Baney)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeff Kirwan, Ph.D.)
(Cindy Barnett)
Some of the easiest and most popular are described below. Others include: gifts of real estate, appropriate gifts of personal property, a revocable living trust, a charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust, a charitable lead trust and retirement assets.
Please contact Cindy Barnett, Executive Director, VA 4-H Foundation for further information.
Telephone: 804 662-7290
Email: fourhbarnett@vt.edu
Address: 5601 Cary St. Road, Richmond, VA 23226
(Cindy Barnett)
Dominion Virginia Power
Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance and the Virginia Corn Growers Association
Thirty -five mini-grants were awarded to Virginia 4-H clubs, units and educational centers. These were funded by our many donors as well as partial scholarships for youth to attend Congress.
The partner in Virginia 4-H was awarded to
The 4-H Alumni Award was presented to
(Cindy Barnett)
(Cindy Barnett)
Highlights from the YouthLearn Website Using the Right Techniques with Different Age Groups --This page is a great resource for helping you plan developmentally appropriate activities, tailoring your projects to the age group you are working with. http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/planning/ages.asp
Using Lessons Plans Found on the Internet -- This newsletter contains many links to online lesson plans and ideas. Come to this page for help with making use of these resources in your program. http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/planning/internet.asp
This newsletter is produced by the YouthLearn Initiative at EDC especially for members of the YouthLearn discussion group. To subscribe or unsubscribe: Go to http://www.youthlearn.org/join/subscribe.html
To send a message to the YouthLearn discussion group: Send an email to youthlearn@mail.edc.org
To write to us: To receive future issues of this newsletter in plain text format or to write us with other comments or questions, send an email to info@youthlearn.org
(Peter Laws)
The pin is approximately 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" and has a gold background with a blue silhouette of Virginia, a green and white 4-H emblem, and a red, white and blue United States flag. It is a very beautiful design and commemorates the 100th birthday of 4-H this year.
Each pin sells for $7.00. VAE4-HA is to receive $2.00 and the local unit keeps $2.75 for each pin sold. The balance is to pay for the cost of the pins including shipping. Checks should be made to VAE4HA and sent to the VAE4-HA Treasurer.
The pins have arrived!! Please help promote these to 4-H Alumni, 4-H All Stars, 4-H Center Board of Directors, 4-H members, 4-H volunteers, and 4-H supporters. Fill out the attached order form, or call the State 4-H Office to receive the number of pins your unit wishes to order.
Each pin sold will have a companion brief "4-H History in Virginia" card to be given with the pin. This should be a great fundraising project for us. All pins not sold prior to our NAE4-HA National Conference in Norfolk will be sold there for $10.00 with all profit going to VAE4-HA.
Virginia 4-H Centennial Pin Order Form
Send request to:
State 4-H Office
107 Hutcheson Hall
Va Tech (0419)
Blacksburg, Va 24061
Unit___________________________________________
Date________________
Name of Person Ordering Pins________________________________________________
Address pins should be shipped to ____________________________________________
Number of Pins Requested_____________
(Please include check, payable to VAE4HA with your order.
Check should be in the amount of $4.25 x number of pins ordered)
REMINDER: Each pin sells for $7.00
Your unit receives $2.75 for each pin sold
VAE4-HA receives $2.00 for each pin sold
Remainder is for cost of pin & shipping
Thank you! The pins will be mailed to your unit as soon as we receive this request form.
(Robert Ray Meadows)
I realize this is a long time in the future, but if you're like me, you like to know these things before you plan other 4-H events.
(Carol Nansel, All Star Liaison ))
High school seniors, high school graduates, and current college students who are legal U.S. residents (age 24 and under) are eligible for the scholarships. Applicants must enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study no later than the fall term of 2003-2004 school year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the U.S. (Previous recipients and employees of Target Corporation are not eligible. The program is not currently offered in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or outside the United States.)
Final selection of awards will be based on the following criteria: number of community volunteer service hours; applicant's list of volunteer leadership awards and honors; appraisal form completed by volunteer supervisor or leader; applicant's short essay on volunteer service; and a grade point average of C/2.0 level or higher. Preference in the selection of recipients will be given to students who reside in a community where a Target store is located.
The Target All-Around Scholarships Information Web page provides official rules and application forms. http://www.target.com/target_group/community/community_scholarships.jhtml
(Peter Laws)
The following link provides a 7 page summary of the 411 page book (I thought you might appreciate the cliff notes version!). Page four lists a set of 8 "take away" messages from the book. This type of information could go a long way in helping you to justify your programs or to use in grant proposals. http://www.forumforyouthinvestment.org/offtheshelf.pdf
(Angela J. Huebner)
Today was my second day with my host family. I must have still been suffering a little jet lag because I slept until 10:00am, when I could smell breakfast cooking in the kitchen. My host family had guests arriving sometime in the afternoon, and then we were going to spend the day at their summer cottage. The guests who were coming were old friends of my host parents. They were coming to visit at the summer cottage with us. All of us could not go at the same time because you had to take a rowboat to get to the summer cottage, which is on an island. Everyone arrived at different times. I came with Susanna and Petteri. When we arrived the rowboat was full of water and we used a bucket and a scoop to scoop the water out of the boat. While Susanna rowed the boat to the summer cottage I took pictures of the scenery, people who were spending time at their summer cottage, my host families summer cottage, sauna, and outhouse (restroom). Susanna started the fire for the sauna while Petteri rowed the boat back to the dock to meet my host parents, their guest, and Marika, my other host sister. Susanna went into the sauna and went swimming first, for she had to leave to meet with a friend whose birthday was today. The adults went next, and then it was my turn to go into the sauna and go swimming with Marika and Petteri. Just so you know everyone was wearing swimsuits. I enjoyed the sauna and went in and out four to five times. It took a while before I tried swimming in the lake. First I tried walking in so I could get a feel of the water. My host parents were telling me it was easier to just jump in, swim a little then go back into the sauna, for that is the easiest way to get used to sauna and swimming. Petteri was telling me that it was polite to jump in at least once. After going into the sauna again I jumped into the lake, swam to the ladder that is attached to the dock, and climbed up half way to then watch my host brother Petteri jump from the top of the jumping stand. Before my host parent¹s friends left to go home we all enjoyed eating cakes, rice pies, and apple pie.
The end of the day was drawing near and the sun was still shinning bright in the sky. I was having so much fun playing cards, listening to music, and getting to know my host brother and sister, that when I looked at the time I was surprised how beautiful it still looked outside and it was after 10:00pm. When my host parents returned we left to go back home. My host family makes me feel so at home. It is a wonderful feeling and I look forward to having a great time here with them over the next two weeks.
News Letters from Shawnda Gregory in Finland
(Joe Hunnings)
(Bob Meadows)
4-H Leadership Council, Committee Chairs
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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