This was a fabulous event and I am continuing to hear compliments and praises about how well things went. Numerous individuals talked with me about how well this conference was planned and provided many positive comments about 4-H and its role with CHARACTER COUNTS! Virginia 4-H is being recognized for its commitment and dedication to the CHARACTER COUNTS! movement throughout the Commonwealth. The 200 plus participants in the Conference demonstrated the interest adults have with this character education movement in the Commonwealth. It also proved that the right decision was made to conduct this conference in Richmond. Many individuals from various organizations commented that their image of 4-H has changed from being an organization that works only with agriculture to one that also deals with real-life issues.
Michael Josephson was recognized on the Senate Floor with a proclamation honoring his work with CHARACTER COUNTS! Senator John Edwards, responsible for sponsoring the legislation that requires character education to be taught in Virginia's public schools, hosted Mr. Josephson on the Senate Floor, and spoke to our conference on Friday morning. Former Lt. Governor John Hager, and Maggie Hager, Honorary Chair of the 4-H/CHARACTER COUNTS! Program were guests of honor and assisted Mr. Josephson at the conference and Senate Floor.
As one of the planning committee members stated, The CHARACTER COUNTS! movement is very powerful and we in 4-H need to continue our strong role as the leader of this framework throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Definitely, our statewide staff development sessions, partnering with local schools and communities, and our statewide conferences have greatly contributed to our credibility with the State Department of Education, the General Assembly, local school systems, and the community. CHARACTER COUNTS! is becoming one of the strongest areas of the Virginia 4-H program.
As we deal with tight budgets and reduced resources, not of our doing, let's remember and focus on the great work that is being done in the lives of the youth, as well as the adults who work with these youth, through quality 4-H work. After all, this is our purpose and mission. The work you are doing with Virginia's youth will greatly impact the lives of others for years to come.
(Bob Meadows)
The State Fair is supporting the 100th Birthday Celebration of National 4-H in ways that tap our wildest dreams. The Commonwealth Building has been designated for 4-H Construction. As you meet with your committees, decide on the presence you want and keep Rita Schalk informed. She is working closely with the State Fair Committee to represent our creative efforts. I have reprinted the article from February 2002 Info Letter below. The message, I hope, will hit home and motivate committee support NOW!
The state fair will provide the Commonwealth Building to be developed into a 4-H town/city where each curriculum committee can come alive with experiential learning. The committees can choose to create a "store" that offers experiential activities, showcasing committee offerings. For example, the pavilion stage could be run by the Communications and Expressive Arts Committee with Share the Fun acts, karaoke, speakers, jugglers, etc. from youth across the state. This is only one suggestion - there are unlimited possibilities.
The outside of each conceptualized space will be created on movable canvas through Extension Media office; the inside of each space will be designed by the committee and have a budget for development. In addition there will be money for volunteer lodging, food, and travel to maintain the stores. Each participating committee has the opportunity to earn $10,000 to $15,000 for their endowment through an eleven-day fair participation and two additional showcase offerings. If you are interested in working with one of the ten curriculum committees on this project, please contact the committee chair. This is an excellent way to contribute your curriculum committee time if you haven't chosen a subcommittee for this year's work. Check out the following wesite for specific information and Committee Applications. http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/specialty/4h/main.html
(Kathleen Jamison)
(Kathleen Jamison)
Agents, please contact Curriculum Committee Chairs or myself with suggestions. The committees represent the voice of the field. http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/specialty/4h/handbook.html#L2 and/or jamisonk@vt.edu
(Kathleen Jamison)
I am still looking for business and industry support in publishing most needed, most frequently used publications. Let me know if you have specific ones you anticipate needing across the next year and how many.
(Kathleen Jamison)
The events of recent months has made many realize that it is critical that we understand and appreciate our nation's and the world's diversity. Influencing children's understanding and attitudes is particularly important since their attitudes about race and culture are often set at an early age.
Virginia 4-H offers several programs that give young people hands-on international learning experiences by hosting or being hosted by, someone from another country. Young people who participate in international exchange programs:
Virginia presently has 4 exchange programs:
In 2001, more than 50 Virginia families directly hosted 4-H exchange students. Is your Unit part of the world of International 4-H programs? If not, contact one of our volunteer International Program Coordinators or me.
(Joe Hunnings)
The first step in the Japanese Exchange Program is to host a young Japanese student. The homestay is for one month, running from the third week of July till the third week of August. After hosting, the American host family's teenager has the opportunity to visit Japan for a similar one-month stay.
Japanese students range in age from 12 to 18, are eager to learn about life in America and have prepared well for their trip by studying English and American culture. The students have their own medical insurance and spending money.
Host families can be from rural areas or cities. All that is needed is a willingness to open their home and hearts. Japanese students are placed with families that have a child of the same gender and are close in age. No special activities need to be planned to host a student. The students are here to be a part of the host family's normal summer routine.
We are presently seeking 20 Virginia 4-H Host Families for Japanese exchange students. We also need two host families for the adult chaperone. If you know someone who would possibly like to host a student, have them contact Judy Ann Fray, Coordinator of the Japanese Exchange Program (1-888-259-4272 + pin #7916) or Joe Hunnings at 540-231-6371.
(Joe Hunnings)
All it takes is a warm heart, an open house, and a zest for international family living experiences. Being a host family... An experience that will last all your life.
We will need at least 4 host families for each of the following delegate for periods of approximately 3 weeks. Delegates arrive in Virginia on June 25th.
Jenny Vargas, age 25, from Costa Rica, is a law student and active in youth politics. She enjoys animals, horseback riding, reading, jogging and white water rafting. She has one sister and two brothers. Her father has a farm with flowers and cattle.
Claudine Marine Beckford, age 25, from Jamaica, is a teacher, married with a five-year-old child. She is a 4-H leader and a computer trainer. She was raised on a five-acre farm raising tomatoes, melons, and sweet peppers, cows and goats. She wants to learn about teaching methods, nutrition and recreation. She enjoys music and singing.
Niels Christian Krabbe, a 19-year-old boy from Denmark, is a high school grduate who wants to attend medical school. He has no farm experience but enjoys all kinds of sports, especially golf, basketball, handball, volleyball, tennis and soccer. He is very social and hopes to have host families with children. He loves to play piano.
For more information about the IFYE program go to the following web site http://www.ifyeusa.net/ or contact Dottie Nelson, 4-H Volunteer IFYE Coordinator 304-327-8193 or Joe Hunnings.
(Joe Hunnings)
(Frank Sweet)
Heated bunkhouse lodging with baths is available for only $9.50 per person. Breakfast will be available for only $4.50 per person on Saturday morning.
Then the real learning begins...
Saturday is a full schedule of concurrent classes for participants to enjoy.
Here's just some of what's in store for you:
So, don't delay. Reserve your spot ASAP! Cost for Saturday is only $15.00 (includes dining hall lunch and afternoon snack)
Call 434-248-5444 or e-mail mhayslet@vt.edu your reservation to hold your spot. Please let me know if you plan to join us on Friday evening. A complete listing of class selections and other details will be sent to you.
(Michael S. Hayslett)
(Michele Adcock)
The best way to conduct a PLT workshop is to contact your school system science supervisor or principal about possible dates and location. When you have this, contact Jeff Kirwan (Va Tech) or Lisa Deaton (Va Dept. Forestry). We will then locate facilitators who will conduct the workshop for you, and provide you with informational and logistical support. With advance notice we can also help you design a 4-H/PLT Project Book designed especially for your city/county.
Jeff Kirwan 540-231-7265 jkirwan@vt.edu
Lisa Deaton (804) 328-3031 deatonl@dof.state.va.us
Website: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/plt/
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeff Kirwan)
Congratulations to the fine individuals.
The 2002 4-H/NRA Postal matches are presently being formed. For information on these contact Dian Coleman at (1-877-672-2000 ext. 1482).
(John Venskoske)
New 4-H participants of this event need to attend a qualifying event (training session/ event prep) which will be conducted by me to be eligible to compete. Past participants can also attend, but the new kids need to attend the qualifying event. The qualifying events will be held in March and beginning of April this year in four different areas of the state (Grayson, Fairfax, Charlotte, and Rockingham). Please contact the 4-H agent in those counties if you are interested in attending.
I have sent this information out to a list of past coaches/leaders that I had from last year. I figured I would send this out to you incase I missed someone.
I am also in the process of updating old web pages to contain this year's information. The information will be available on my web page now.
If you have any other questions, let me know. http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/animalsci.html
Also http://ulisse.cas.psu.edu/Nat4hpoultry/Default.html
(Curtis Novack)
(Bill McKinnon)
As in previous years there will be three age groups in the contest: junior, intermediate, and senior. Every entry will receive a participation button. First, second, and third place winners will receive ribbons at the local level. Each unit may submit the top three posters in each age group for further competition to the state contest held at State 4-H Congress in June. State winners in each age category will receive cash prizes (first = $30 and an engraved plaque, second = $20, and third = $15). Those receiving an honorable mention will be awarded a rosette ribbon.
The flyer is available on-line in color at the following web address: http://www.dasc.vt.edu/youth/poster.pdf. To order buttons and ribbons needed for the program in your unit, please complete an on-line request form at the following web address: http://www.dasc.vt.edu/forms/posterform.html The deadline for ordering contest supplies is May 15.
Encourage your young people to display their posters in prominent locations to promote June Dairy Month. I look forward to seeing outstanding posters from your unit at 4H Congress in June. Please let me know if you have any questions.
(David R. Winston)
The National 4-H Dairy Conference is for 4-H members ages 15-18 who are interested in the dairy industry and who carry out dairy and dairy-related projects under adult leadership in their community. This event is conducted annually in Madison, Wisconsin, in conjunction with World Dairy Expo. The 2002 conference will be held on September 29 - October 2. The conference offers young dairy leaders an opportunity to interact with young people from the US and Canada, corporate representatives, and dairy specialists. The educational objectives of the conference are to help selected 4-H youth:
Two delegates from Virginia will be selected to attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference. Delegate travel, lodging and conference fees will be paid from the Virginia 4-H Foundation dairy account. To be eligible a youth must be enrolled as a 4-H member in Virginia; be 15 but not more than 18 years of age as of January 1 of the year of selection; and have participated in 4-H dairy projects and activities for a minimum of three years.
Interested youth must submit an application to me postmarked on or before April 15. A selection committee consisting of the extension dairy youth specialist, another faculty member in the Department of Dairy Science, and a member of the state 4-H staff will screen applications and interview candidates. The committee will select up to six candidates to be interviewed during State 4H Congress. The following points system will be used in the selection process:
This conference is a wonderful opportunity for our youth. Eric Paulson from Rockingham County and Renee Sine from Shenandoah County represented Virginia last year and had an awesome experience. Please encourage your youth who qualify to apply. Applications may be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.dasc.vt.edu/youth/ndcapplc.pdf. Please let me know if you have any questions.
(David R. Winston)
(Chrystal Gates)
Goals:
For more information go to: http://fourh.ucdavis.edu/4hntc/
(Joe Hunnings)
(Billie Cline)
You will notice quite a few changes in this year's Congress program and the registration process. More details are found in the information packet. A few of those changes are:
All of us on the State 4-H Staff are excited about this year's event!
Please contact Joe Hunnings (hunnings@vt.edu) or Tracy Sebring (sebring@vt.edu) if you have any questions about 4-H State Congress or if we can be of any service to you to make this year's Congress the best ever for your unit!
(Joe Hunnings)
Cost is $27.00 for both days or $6.50 for those wishing to participate only in competition on Saturday.
If you would like a registration packet, please contact Janice Bryant, Central District Events Coordinator at jabryant@vt.edu or (434)352-7114. Registration deadline is April 25.
If you need additional information, please contact Jennifer Bowen at jebowen1@vt.edu or (434)392-4246.
(Jennifer R. Bowen)
March 25-28 Mandolin Making Workshop $ 475.
March 25-27 Harp Making Workshop $ 375.
April 22-25 Mandocrucian Boot Camp $ 375
(Lance Johnson)
Every three years a request for application is issued for Virginia's urban units to submit proposal for special initiatives to involve low-income and minority youth. Funding categories reflected initiatives of the state 4-H program, which are (1) youth of challenge, (2) teen involvement, and (3) character education. A call for applications will again be requested this year with a due date of May 30, 2002. See attachement for more information
(Dorothy Freeman)
VERY IMPORTANT- Submissions will only be considered if they meet these criteria:
We will return all submissions, if not selected, in late August 2002. Winning photographs will be returned no sooner than December 10, 2002. After final selection we will notify the winners and ask them for a signed release to use the photo for the 2004 4-H Calendar. Both the photographer and parent/guardian must sign the release. We will also request a second photo to be kept at the National 4-H Council. Please submit photos to:
2004 4-H Calendar
National 4-H Supply Service
7100 Connecticut Avenue
Chevy Chase, Maryland, 20815-4999
The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2002.
(Bob Meadows)
Grant consideration is limited to eligible organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit entity, with priority given to schools and community centers whose programs help enhance access to technology for traditionally under served communities.
Any organization interested in being considered must complete an online application; faxed or written applications will not be accepted.
The application will be posted on the web site from April 2 to July 31, 2002. If you would like additional information about Gateway's Olympics PCs Donation Program, when it becomes available in April, please submit contact information at this site:
http://www.gateway.com/olympics/donations.shtml
(Peter Laws)
Please take the time to think about your use of this publication. A short review of this topic by Dr. Meadows can be found by clicking on the "4-H For Life" image on the opening page of the 4-H Intranet site . His review discusses the purpose of the pub and a listing of who should be receiving it.
Most importantly, there is a link that will take you to a report form where each Unit and 4-H Center will report current use of the pub and to place orders for the next edition of "4-H For Life." ( http://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1015013673478). This form is to be completed after each edition, including the issue that was just released in March.
For more information contact the State Staff liaison for your district.
(Joe Hunnings)
(Cindy Barnett)
(Kathleen Jamison)
Forestry/Widlife Judging
The following website should be very useful to any of you & your volunteers working with forestry or wildlife judging, or envirothon teams: http://www.forestryimages.org/
Promotional Brochure For 4-H Camping
To reduce costs, the State 4-H Office is not printing hard copies. Please print your own copies as needed. (Barry Garst)
Poisons & Hazardous Situations
A link has been added on the VCE Intranet to the Blue Ridge Poison Center. This center covers 62 VA counties and Virginia Beach. Check their "education" section for printable fact sheets on various poisons and hazardous situations.
Cloverbud
Penn State site for Cloverbud program ideas http://pa4h.cas.psu.edu/Cloverbuds/default.html
4-HCentennial Website
The correct address is http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/centennial/ Please add it to your favorites and visit it often for new information on our 100 years of 4-H.
(Billie Cline)
Mentoring Program Help
The newly created web page for our mentoring program (Russel Co) called Kids' Cafe' is up and going!!! The address is :http://kidscafe.freehomepage.com
(Suzanne Potts)
Virginia 4-H Congress
Up-to-date information, schedules, etc. http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/congress/
(Joe Hunnings)
Virginia 4-H Curriculum
curriculum committees, programming ideas, new resources, committee members
(Kathleen Jamison)
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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