As I write this letter, I will put one rumor to end. I am not leaving my post as Associate Director, 4-H. Even though I have worked in three separate state 4-H programs, I have only 17 years of completed state service with VCE, and am therefore not eligible under the current system. Additionally, I am not ready to retire and am looking forward to working with each and everyone as we serve the 4-H program throughout our state. The youth of our great Commonwealth need us even more at this critical time when so many of our experienced and hard working 4-H agents, Center staff, State Staff, and District Directors are eligible to go out on early retirement. As stated previously, through no fault of our folks, we are in severe budget crisis and must retire our experienced folks in order to keep from laying others off from their work. At this time, I now have at least 27 possibilities of open 4-H positions, counting those that are currently vacant and are frozen, and those who are eligible to retire. This is staggering when you take into consideration that we will not be able to fill these, position for position, until the economy picks up in our state. It is unfortunate that our state cannot afford quality youth development programming.
Many excellent events and quality educational programs are on the horizon with the upcoming summer season. State 4-H Congress, 4-H camping events at our 4-H educational centers, 4-H All Star Summer Conference, 4-H exchange trips to and with some unit 4-H programs, and others to name a few. The annual Summer 4-H Camp Staff Training is scheduled this year for May 22-24 at the Northern VA 4-H Educational Center. This provides a quality pre-camp staff development experience for all six 4-H educational centers' summer camp staff. Additionally, each 4-H center has scheduled a week-long pre-camp staff development experience that will prepare respective programming staffs to work with the thousands of youth and adults who will participate in this summer's 4-H camping season. Our 4-H camping program is the nation's leader in many ways. A month ago, we hosted a delegation of Kentucky 4-H staff who were here to study our 4-H camping program, and this week, we are hosting a delegation of Florida 4-H staff who are doing the same.
Best wishes to you. I look forward to a successful summer season, even though we will be under-staffed with the loss of so many colleagues. Let's work together to make the best better for the youth of our Commonwealth.
(Bob Meadows)
For more information about the Great Summer Showcase, contact Barry Garst at bgarst@vt.edu
(Barry Garst)
(Bob Meadows)
Every night we will have a float in the parade to commemorate 100 years of 4-H. We would love your input on who will ride on this float. (Clubs, individuals, 4-H Alumni ???)
Many of you have expressed high hopes, dreams and ideas for our 4-H City. This year we will use an abbreviated form to showcase to corporations our full-fledged plans for the future in 2003 and 2004. We have decided to have a smaller version in which curriculum areas can rotate days and showcase three or four areas each day.
The many reasons for downsizing include manpower- 4-H agents retiring, our 2002 NAE4-HA Conference that will be held in Norfolk October 27 -31 and corporations and businesses having already committed their budgets for 2002.
The State Fair Committee will meet on May 22 to plan what we are capable of doing this year for your "4-H City." Please keep your dreams intact, as they will become a reality in the future year or two. (Bob Meadows, Cindy Barnett, Kathleen Jamison )
CELEBRATE!
A Birthday Bash To Honor The Centennial Celebration Of 4-H!
Virginia will celebrate this "once in a century" happening at the annual State Fair of Virginia with its 11-day run in Richmond, September 26 through October 6. 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 Amphitheatre. (Bob Meadows)
CELEBRATE! A BIRTHDAY BASH TO HONOR THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF 4-H!
Virginia will celebrate this "once in a century" happening at the annual State Fair of Virginia with its 11-day run in Richmond, September 26 through October 6.
4-H has always had a major role in the State Fair of Virginia. Many 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 was 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 Amphitheatre. 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.
(Bob Meadows)
This is an exciting, staff development opportunity. Virginia always has a good delegation and we look forward to another great group of attendees this year. Please share the dates and the agenda with others in your unit and make plans to attend. Registration should be returned to me in the State 4-H Office. More information will be on the volunteer website after June 1. http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/volunteers.html
(Bob Meadows)
(Barry A. Garst)
(Barry Garst)
(Barry Garst)
(Barry Garst)
Spaces are limited, so please encourage your members to register early. Camp cost is $120 and includes all meals, activities, and transportation to various farms. Once registered, campers will receive a final packet with directions, things to bring, a health form..
Please contact me if you have any questions. 540-672-1361
(Kaci Coppege)
Cloverbud camp is designed to offer five to eight year olds the opportunity to experience the excitement of overnight camping. This camp is designed to give a younger child the opportunity to spend a night away from home, meet new people, learn new things, and mot importantly, have fun. Camp fee is $26. For more details contact Southwest 4-H Educational Center http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/southwest/
(Chrystle Gates)
Working at Camp Fantastic can be a life-changing experience as young people learn the value of helping others less fortunate and seeing firsthand the courage and determination exhibited by our wonderful campers. No medical experience is necessary as our intention is to give these kids a normal (albeit filled with extra special fringes) week of camp. You can find out more about Camp Fantastic and its sponsor, Special Love, Inc., by visiting our website at www.speciallove.org.
If you have a teen leader who has exhibited strong skills at your county camp and would like them to be considered for a role at Camp Fantastic, please contact Tori Stay at tstay@visuallink.com or call 1-888-930-2707 for more information.
(Dave Smith, Executive Director, Special Love, Inc.)
Congress Duties: Competitions
If you are assigned to assist with a competition area at Congress, please make sure that you have indicated this on your registration form. Joe Hunnings needs an accurate count of who is available to help with activities other than competitions. I also need an updated list. Please email me with your name and any area you have signed up to assist in competitions.
Curriculum Guide and Newsprint
Specialists, Curriculum Committees, Agents, and Volunteer Leaders: Please look over the current list of projects listed in Extension Guide to Virginia 4-H Projects and Curriculum handbook and on the intranet. Send updates to me and copy Billie Cline. We will be revising the guide within the next month and need new curricular materials added, corrections made, and other updates.
(Kathleen Jamison)
Rainforest Adventure
Come explore the temperate forest of Virginia and lean how it is both similar and different from a rainforest. Students will learn how to identify trees by their leaves, learn about biodiversity in the rainforest, and learn how to use the tools used by foresters to age a tree and monitor its health. Students will look at the layers of a forest from forest floor to the canopy. Students who learn to identify 10 trees during the week will receive a 96-page guide to the trees of Virginia at the end of camp.
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeff Kirwan)
You can use any of the activities found there and while there is never enough of anything for "one-per-participant" they can sometimes support these special efforts with a few posters or lithographs. Anyone wishing the limited quantities for pertinent events should feel free to contact Nancy Leon with information on the event and the number of participants expected.
Soon there will be a new activity available, Cloud Finder, that should be lots of fun and perfect for summer camps. Feel free to contact Nancy Leon at 818-354-1067 or at Nancy.j.leon@jpl.nasa.gov. Nancy Leo, Education and Public Outreach, NASA New Millennium Program
(Kathleen Jamison)
Our table sponsors included: American Electric Power, Atlantic Rural Exposition, Bruce and Jo Ann Nolte, C.L. Sigmon, Colonial Farm Credit, Virginia Farm Credit, Dominion VA Power, Mr. and Mrs. James Earwood, Markel Corporation, Old Dominion, Randy Cost, VA Farm Bureau Federation, VA Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.
The evening was a huge success with many donated "priceless" auction items including fishing trips on the Chesapeake Bay, candlelight dinners and a week stay at a Vineyard near Venice, Italy.
Golf Tournament
4-H Golf tournament at Draper Valley on April 11 was sponsored by Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance; they also had the winning foursome for the day. Marni Byrum, one of our Trustees, was a member of the 1st place team.
Hole Sponsors included: Farm Bureau Insurance, American Electric Power, Caroline Savings Bank, Cindy Barnett & Alma D. deLeon - In honor of 4-H agents & volunteer's countless hours for 4-H youth, Colonel Bill Billingsley - A VA State Champion Auctioneer, Dixie Watts Reaves - in memory of Doug Ward, Marni Byrum - 4-H Foundation Board Member, Mr. James Earwood - 4-H Foundation Board Member, Allen and Pam Melton - 4-H Foundation Board Member and Friend of 4-H, Rapoca Energy Company, Robert L. and Evangeline C. Swain -Friends of 4-H, The Sumner Family - Mark, Susan, Daniel & Sydney -Friends of 4-H.
(Cindy Barnett)
(Angela J. Huebner)
(Angela J. Huebner, Ph.D)
Since we do not have history from 100 years ago, I decided to choose two articles about Virginia 4-H that occurred 50 years ago. These were published in the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health in Virginia, Vol. 35, No. 4--April, 1952.
Virginia 4-H'er Takes Part in Presentation Ceremony
President Truman received in March a first edition copy of the new history of 4-H Club Work, "The 4-H Story," by Franklin M. Reck. The presentation, made for the 2,000,000 young people who are active members of the 4-H clubs, was made by two members, Elizabeth Ann Mason of Westmoreland county, Virginia, and Carl Baldus of Spring Hill, Charles county, Maryland. Elizabeth Ann has been a 4-H member seven years, carrying projects in food preservation and preparation, clothing, and home improvement. Carl, a 4-H member for eight years, has specialized in dairying, livestock production, and field crops.
The presentation was one of the features of National 4-H Club Week, which opened March 1.
The 4-H Story is the first official history to be prepared on this educational movement in which more than 15,000,000 youth have at some time participated.
Accompanying the 4-H club members were Secretary of Agriculture Charles F. Brannan; Director of Extension Work M.L. Wilson; Miss gertrude L. Warren, in charge of organization of 4-H club work for the Extension Service; Mrs. Betty Kyle, district agent, Virginia Agricultural Extension Service; William Garvey, La Plata, Maryland, county 4-H agent for Charles county, Maryland, and Mrs. Georgia Rucker, home agent, Westmoreland.
'On Her Own' She Donates to IFYE
A voluntary and individual contribution to the International Farm Youth Exchange [today, known as the International 4-H Youth Exchange] project has been received from Ruth Tyler Altizer of Shawver Mill. Here is the letter, which accompanied the donation:
State 4-H Club Dept.
Blacksburg, Virginia
Dear Sirs:
Enclosed is $1.00 donation for the International Farm Youth Exchange program. I am a member of the Clear Fork 4-H club in Tazewell county. I read the article in the 4-H club paper and wanted to help.
Sincerely,
Ruth Tyler Altizer.
(Bob Meadows)
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 commemo-rates the 100th birthday of 4-H this year.
Each pin sells for $7.00. VAE4-HA is to receive $2.00 for each pin sold; 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.
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. The pins should arrive around the end of May. Please call the State 4-H Office to receive the number of pins your unit wishes to sell. We have ordered 2,000 but can order more.
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.
(Bob Meadows)
(Bob Meadows)
(Bob Meadows)
The President's Student Service Award is available to all full-time students from kindergarten through college who contribute 50-100 hours of service to their community within a 12-month period. Those who complete the challenge will receive a silver or gold pin designed especially by the White House, a certificate, and a letter from the President of the United States.
For more information about this award, the Jefferson Awards, or the Presidential Freedom Scholarships, contact the American Institute for Public Service at (302) 323-9116 or visit http://www.aips.org./
(Barry Grast)
All Stars are encouraged to participate.
(Bob Meadows)
Director's Letter
Memorabilia Exhibit at VA State Fair 2002
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