With the success of the recent 85th State 4-H Congress here on campus, it is exciting indeed to be involved with so many dedicated and committed teens. These 4-H'ers demonstrated their commitment to serving others by collecting and distributing nearly one-half ton of personal items and gifts to soldiers serving in Iraq. Under the Operation Citizen Soldier Campaign, over 50 boxes were sent by mail on the last day of Congress as a result of teens bringing these items. In addition, nearly 30 boxes of gifts for children of soldiers were collected and sent to Fort Pickett for distribution to these children. These boxes were of various size and weights. Additionally, through the Dreams for Dimes project, they collected and brought dimes to donate to the 4-H Foundation to support 4-H programming. This year's delegates contributed a total of $1,263.44.
With an anonymous donor providing a dollar-for-dollar match up to $1,000, the total contribution for this year's event totaled an outstanding figure of $2,263.44! The success of two projects clearly demonstrates that we should never underestimate the power of youth to be excellent contributors to serving others. Indeed, 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
Four-H youth are engaged in learning and creating memories of a lifetime. As our nation and state changes, 4-H changes in order to better meet the needs of youth it serves. The quality 4-H programming in which they are involved this summer contributes to the mission of helping youth, and adults working with these youth, to realize their full potential-becoming effective, contributing citizens through participation in research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences.
As I finish my 5th year as State 4-H Leader for the Virginia 4-H program the end of June, I am reminded that there are far too many youth who are not being reached with 4-H. Our challenge is to help reach and involve these youth so that they too may become our nation's future leaders. Let's work together to reach out to youth not being presently served.
Bob Meadows
President Sarah Lyons
Vice President Kristen Blevins
Secretary Stephanie Crites
Reporter/Historian Katie Eide
The Ambassadors elected were as follows:
| Northern District | Northeast District |
| -Kimmie Bass | -Jessie Crabtree |
| -Caitlin Flathers | -LaRae Johnson |
| -Carly Hudson | |
| Northwest District | Southeast District|
| -Josh Salatin | -Heather Moseley|
| -Rachel Pennington | -Brandon Pierce|
| Southwest District | Central District|
| -Brad Copenhaver | -No Available Candidates|
| -Joshua McCann | |
| -Brandy Scott |
Congratulations to these outstanding 4-H members for their accomplishments. ( Bob Meadows)
Congratulations to these outstanding 4-H members for their accomplishments and success. (Bob Meadows)
Under the service project of Operation Citizen Soldier, 4-H teens collected and distributed nearly one-half tons of personal items and gifts to soldiers serving in Iraq. Over 50 boxes were sent by mail on the last day of Congress as a result of teens bringing these items. In addition, nearly 30 boxes of gifts for children of soldiers were collected and sent to Fort Pickett for distribution to these children. These boxes were of various size and weights.
The second major project focused on Dreams for Dimes. Individual 4-H teens saved, collected, and brought their dimes to State 4-H Congress to be used as a gift to the Virginia 4-H Foundation. The monies collected help support 4-H Foundation projects, scholarships, and programs throughout the state. The State 4-H Cabinet, made up of teen officers and district ambassadors, committed to raise $1,000 a year for ten years as a 4-H Centennial Club member. Amazingly, this year's delegates contributed a total of $1,263.44.
With an anonymous donor providing a dollar-for-dollar match up to $1,000, the total contribution for this year's event totaled an outstanding figure of $2,263.44! The success of two projects clearly demonstrates that we should never underestimate the power of youth to be excellent contributors to serving others. Indeed, 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. (Bob Meadows)
The theme for this year's Forum is " Golden Opportunities: A Call to Action"
Two main components of the theme are "golden" and "action".
The "golden" will reference Rock Eagle's 50th Golden Birthday and will also be used as a pirate's buried treasure. The "Action" will refer to what can be accomplished through the workshops and service back at home. We hope the "Golden Opportunities" of this year's Forum will translate into Action and Service back at home. "Turn Golden Opportunities Into 4-H Action".
We hope to have a good delegation from Virginia. Registration form is attached. August 30 deadline is approaching ---- Conference dates, registration, and more information will be in August Information Letter....(Bob Meadows)
The cost for the weekend is $53.00 per participant which includes meals, lodging, and program activities. All interested individuals should contact Andrea Carson at the Airfield 4-H Center at 757-899-4901. The registration deadline is September 30, 2005. (Andrea Carson)
Scott Count 4-H Lamb Show
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Malone Horse Farm
Weigh-in - 8:30-10:30 a.m.
4-H Market Lamb Show 12:00 (Noon)
Rules and Regulations
List of Classes
Senior Showmanship - Exhibitors age 14-18
Junior Showmanship - Exhibitors age 9-13
Novice Showmanship - First-time exhibitors only
Market Lamb Singles
**** For each of the above categories, youth will participate according to their age the day of the show.
Awards and Premiums
All singles
1st - $12
2nd - $10
3rd - $8
4th - $6
5th - $4
6th-10th-$2
Showmanship - Belt Buckles
Grand and Reserve Champion single
Grand - Trophy and Banner Reserve - Trophy and Banner
*****If you plan to show lambs or have questions, please contact Patty Collier at the Scott County Extension Office by Wednesday, August 10 at (276) 452-2772 or fax 276-452-4772 to register.
****Bring a comfortable chair. Directions: Traveling from Weber City turn left in front of Burgers R Us onto State Road 707 travel 1 mile and road 707 will bare left *Tan metal building is on your left. Traveling from Kingsport on 23 north turn right in front of Burgers R Us onto State Road 707 (car wash Magic Wand is on your right.
Jr. Novice Individuals - Overall
1st place - Brieanna Richards, Fluvanna Co.
2nd place - Caitlyn Snoody, Fluvanna Co
3rd place - Lucinda Worrell, Carroll Co.
Jr. Individuals - Overall
1st place - Kelly Arbogast, Rockingham Co
2nd place - Cayle Coburn, Giles Co.
3rd place - Erin Beach, Lee Co.
Jr. Teams - Overall
1st place - Gloucester County
2nd place - Giles County
3rd place - Lee County
Sr. Novice Individuals - Overall
1st place - Raty Syka, Albemarle Co.
2nd place - Lindsey McWilliams, Fluvanna Co.
3rd place - Candice Johnson, Fluvanna Co.
Sr. Individuals - Overall
1st place - Marilea Showalter, Rockingham Co.
2nd place - Caitlin Flathers, Madison Co.
3rd place - Lauren Delaney, Clarke Co.
Sr. Teams - Overall
1st place - Madison Co.
2nd place - Rockingham Co.
3rd place - Hanover Co.
Marilea Showalter - Rockingham
Danielle Minnick - Rockingham
Lindsay Bishop - Hanover
Leighann Smith - Hanover
Claye Paca - Hanover
Margaret Paca - Hanover
Caitlin Flathers - Madison
Maggie Gregg - Virginia Beach
I also want to acknowledge those individuals who were eligible for the State team but due to other obligations were not able to accept a slot on the team. They too should be congratulated for their efforts and for their ability to make such a tough decision based on their responsibilities.
Lauren Delaney - Clarke Co.
Erin Murray - Madison Co.
Lindsey Williamson - Madison Co.
The results of the 2005 State Horse Judging Contest are posted under June 29, Horse Judging Results on the 4-H Horse website http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/horse/events.html (Celeste C. Crisman)
Junior Livestock Judging Contest included 33 contestants from 7 different teams
First place team -- Rockingham County
Chelsea Ellington
Lacey Koontz
Meg Liskey
Meghan Nicholson
Second place team -- Augusta County
Laura Kate Reeves
Katie Jo Reeves
Bly Patterson
Brian Cromer
High Junior Individual -- Bobby Strecker -- Rockbridge ,
Second High individual -- Katie Jo Reeves -- Augusta,
Third place -- Meg Liskey -- Rockingham
Contests was held at the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena on the VT campus on Saturday, June 25 Complete results may be found at the following website. http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/livestock/results.html. (Mark L Wahlberg)
| MONTH | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan/Feb | SW | SK | HL | NOVA | JT | AF |
| Mar/Apr | NOVA | HL | NOVA | JT | AF | SW |
| May/June | HL | NOVA | JT | AF | SW | SK |
| July/Aug | SK | JT | AF | SW | SK | HL |
| Sept/Oct | JT | AF | SW | SK | HL | NOVA |
| Nov/Dec | AF | SW | SK | HL | NOVA | JT |
I recommend not using the membrane and ionized probes due to their sensitivity and need for frequent calibration. Contact Barry Fox (bfox@vsu.edu. 804-524-5848) for more information. I also have a set of Vernier probes and data logger for comparative demonstration. Thanks to Dr. Jeff Kirwan (VA Tech) and Dr. Albert Essel (VA State) for providing the probeware. (Barry Fox)
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO OFFER THIS TRAINING IN YOUR UNIT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE!
I am available to offer training from late August through November, 2005. The training takes approximately 2.5 hours. Most school systems will give teachers continuing education credits, if you, as Agent apply for them. I have some money in the 4-H foundation to offset the cost of kits. Therefore, I can offer them to you for $100/each. However, to offer them that inexpensively, I must place a group order so that I order in large volume.
If you think this training will support your local program, and you want to conduct it, here is what you need do:
1) Work with your school system to arrange a date for training between August 22 and November 18, 2005. You may also want to invite someone representing the home-school community.
2) Confirm the date with Billie Cline, State 4-H office, who will be maintaining my calendar.
3) Order kits for the training ($100/each) BY AUGUST 1, 2005. Kit order is also through Billie Cline. Possible sources for dollars for kits include school systems, school PTA's, local electric utilities/electric cooperatives or electrical contractors.
Best of luck to you all in your efforts to make a difference! (Lori Marsh)
2005 NRCS Youth Environmental Awards
Grant Purpose: To support recognition and replication of innovative conservation and environmental stewardship programs and practices throughout the 4-H system.
Funded provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Awards of $7,500
Application Deadline: August 29, 2005 Awards will be announced September 16, 2005
Through the generous support of the NRCS, National 4-H Council will recognize three on-going (not new) exemplary programs through the NRCS Youth Environmental Awards Program with awards of $7,500 each. One staff member from each of the three programs chosen will be sponsored to attend the 2005 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) Conference in Seattle, WA, October 30-November 3 (http://nae4ha.wsu.edu). If attending NAE4-HA is absolutely not possible, attending one of the 4-H Regional Volunteer Leader Forums to conduct a program workshop/seminar will be the alternative choice. Recipients will receive the first $5,000 check at NAE4-HA. (Bob Meadows/Joe Hunnings)
Please contact me if you have additional questions regarding this project. Applications are due to me by August 1, 2005. (Clyde Jackson)
Service Learning is an important part of citizenship development. Completing a project that is meaningful and rewarding can have a lasting impact on the youth participating as well as the recipients. Participants at the 2005 Virginia 4-H State Congress did just that.
Operations Citizen Soldier and Military Kids are part of an ongoing effort to not only assist and encourage our troops deployed overseas but also their families. The focus of these projects is to help 4-H youth understand the challenges military families face when a member is deployed. A group of 25 youth participated in a 6-hour session that included information about the history, culture and geography of the Middle East. Participants heard from a parent, Susan Beckner, who has a son in Iraq and from Jim Atwell, Bland County Extension Agent, who recently returned from service in Iraq. Susan shared how difficult it has been as a parent of a deployed soldier while Jim shared some of his experiences while in service. A question and answer session gave Delegates a chance to discover things about the conflict that brought it to a personal level.
As part of Operation Citizen Soldier, the nearly 600 Delegates attending Congress were asked to bring items that could be shipped to Virginia military men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Delegates meant the call by bringing nearly one ton of items including snacks, candies, personal care items, books, CDs, DVDs and much more, valued at over $3000.00. Adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders Barbara Reese, Prince William County, and Renee Nixon, Hampton, were instrumental in helping sort the large quantity of items. The session participants were instructed on selecting approved items, packing procedures, and customs form completion. They then got to work, packing fifty, 15-pound boxes for shipment overseas.
Shipping this many boxes was no small effort. Knowing where and to whom to ship them was a major obstacle. Ms. Beckner's organization, Operation Military Parents (www.operationmilitaryparents.com), had all the contacts and shipping information. Only certain types of items can be shipped to the war zone due to customs/security regulations and the extreme temperatures combined with high-altitude flights. Items going into each box had to be listed on U.S. Customs forms and inspected. Tamara and Kalley Underwood, supporters of Operation Military Parents, assisted the Delegates and helped to coordinate packing. Items that could not be shipped (approximately one-half ton) were boxed, labeled and taken to the Army Reserve Center at Fort Picket near Blackstone. These items will go to military trainees preparing for deployment.
The second part of the project focused on the children of deployed soldiers. Operation Military Kids provides backpacks (Hero Packs) stuffed with items that will help these children keep in touch with their parent while deployed and provide some simple joys. Session participants packed writing materials, cameras, Web-mail information, snacks, stuffed animals, puzzles, games and helpful information into 100 backpacks. Clyde Jackson, Virginia 4-H Military Liaison, coordinated this part of the project. Operation Military Kids staff will distribute the Hero Packs to designated children of military parents deployed overseas.
Participants expressed feelings of satisfaction and relief when the last boxes were loaded for shipping. One Delegate expressed her feelings, "I wasn't sure we could get this all done. There was so much stuff. But I really feel good. We've helped someone who is in a strange land facing all kinds of danger."
As project co-director, this was one of the most satisfying experiences I have had in my professional career. Knowing that we've helped a child who is uncertain of their parent's welfare and have given a little comfort to a soldier overseas gives a deep feeling of involvement. Four-H is committed to youth development, and judging from the response of the 4-H Congress Delegates, we've certainly had a positive impact on these young people.
Two local news networks, Channel 13, WSET -Lynchburg and Channel 7, WDBJ - Roanoke, highlighted the project with film and participant interviews.
 Some of the items donated by 4-H Congress Delegates for Operation Citizen Soldier |  Sorting the items for Packing. |
 Packing a box for soldiers overseas. |
 Susan Beckner, Operation Military Parents, helps a 4-Her fill out a Customs form. |
 Stuffing the Hero Packs for Operation Military Kids. |
 Some of the 4-H Congress Delegates who assisted with Operation Citizen Soldier |
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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