In This Issue...
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The Virginia 4-H Information Letter is produced monthly to disseminate important 4-H information. This is the on-line version. Attachments which are referenced in this newsletter are not available electronically. To obtain copies of the attachments, contact Billie Cline at the address listed below.
Faculty Advisor: D. Brian Calhoun
Submissions to be included in the newsletter
should be sent to:
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Virginia 4-H Addressing Risk Factors and Building Assets for CHILDREN, Youth and Families-At-Risk
Virginia began addressing youth risk factors about seven years ago when we received the first Youth at Risk Grant.
Virginia Coop Extension received a USDA "State Strengthening Grant" on June 1, 1996, totaling $150,000 a year for five years. One-half the funds were to be divided among the four targeted communities of Fairfax County, City of Alexandria, Brunswick County and Arlington County. Funds were also available to provide computer connectivity in targeted communities including the former youth at risk sites of Norfolk, Giles, and Fairfax.
From lessons learned on collaboration within these early projects, Virginia Cooperative Extension recently secured an Americorp Grant in the amount of $247,000 to provide three sites with eleven workers each and one site coordinator. These forty Americorp workers will serve as staff to help implement the plans in Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria over the next year.
"Bridging the Gap of Isolation" technical support grant for the community of Sandy Level in Henry County and a "Workforce Preparation Technical Support Grant" for Bailey's Crossroads in Fairfax and Campostella in the city of Norfolk.
The local extension leadership council provides the leadership and facilitates the process of developing the collaborative process. The design team provides technical support as well as looks for resources to help implement site specific programs and efforts.
WHY ARE WE INVOLVED?
Units interested in this approach should contact Dorothy Freeman (540-231-9410). It's not about "Talking the Talk"; it's about "Walking the Talk" together! (Dorothy Freeman)
Tips for Adults Partnering with Youth
Curriculum Notes......... from Beth Atkins 4-H Curriculum Specialist
4-H Pet Program
Phil Clauer, Extension Specialist, Poultry & Animal Science, recently agreed to assume leadership of the 4-H pet projects. Currently, Phil is assembling a team of agents, volunteers, youth & professionals who will plan the direction and focus of this program area. For information about the 4-H Pet Program or resources specific to different species of pets, checkout Phil's webpage at http://www.apsc.vt.edu/faculty/clauer/
A copy of the aforementioned webpages are included in the attachment section of this letter.
Curriculum Committees
The 10 curriculum component committee's are currently involved in a number of projects designed to bring Virginia 4-H into the 21st century. Each committee has been asked to complete the following.
1997-98 Curriculum Committee Chairs (and Chairs Elect)
Food/Nutrition/Health .............. Elaine Rhodes (Glenda Snyder)
Family/Consumer .................... Ardis Stephenson (Betsy Campbell)
Animal Science ........................ Jimmy Osborne (TBA)
Citizenship .............................. Lloyd Hicks (TBA)
Express Arts ........................... John Tiggle (Earline Jeanes)
Leadership ............................. John Blankenship (Linda Robinson)
Environmental ........................ Mike Clifford (Jason Fisher)
Plant/Soil ................................ Brenda Taxeras (Ellen Powell)
Careers .................................. Gary Larrowe (Alice Joyner)
Science/Technology ............... Ron Sanderson (Carol Byrd)
Educational Design Team
During their October meeting, the Virginia 4-H Educational Design Team formulated four standing committees to address the following areas:
Some of the issues addressed by these committees included: standardization of state/unit awards; educational programs offered during State Congress; procedures and timelines for publication orders/distribution; and procedures for proposals and formatting of January inservice.
If you have ideas that would assist us in "Making the Best Better" send them via email or phone mail to Beth Atkins. (540-231-9411) or beatkins@vt.edu
1998 Virginia-Costa Rica 4-H/4-S Exchange
Applications for the 1998 Virginia -Costa Rica 4-H/4-S Exchange are now being accepted. Any high-school aged youth between the ages of 14-19, with an interest in the environment, is encouraged to apply. Youth are expected to attend State 4-H Congress at Virginia Tech, June 16-19, 1998, and to host a 4-S delegate in their homes the following week. Virginia youth will travel to Costa Rica in the summer of 1998, and live with 4-S members in their homes for approximately 10 days. Youth will be expected to pay their own way, approximately $600 (airfare from Washington-Dulles).
The purpose of the exchange is to learn more about tropical and temperate forests and their resources. The exchange is sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Va. Tech's College of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Fundacion Nacional de Clubes, 4-S.
A maximum of 12 youth and three adults will be selected from the pool of applicants. The application is attached. If you would like more information, contact Jeff Kirwan by email: jkirwan@vt.edu, or phone: 540-231-7265. Special presentations to prospective families in your county can be arranged on request. Included with this letter is a questionnaire and fact sheet which can be used to spur interest in the program.
The following Virginia 4-H delegation is traveling to Costa Rica in December, 1997.
Mr. Barry Fox, chaperone and Extension Specialist, Marine Science
Mrs. Katherine Rhodes (chaperone and 4-H volunteer leader, Nottoway County
Britta Bielak, delegate from Loudoun County
Rosemary Martin, delegate from Loudoun County
Tim Miller, delegate from Clarke County
Sarah Rhodes, delegate from Nottoway County
| Their tentative Schedule includes | ||
| Dec. 26 | Arival at San Juan airport, travel to Ciudad Quesada, SanCarlos, reception in Coocique | |
| Dec. 27-28 | stay with host families | |
| Dec. 29-30 | group visit to Children's Forest* and Arenal Volcano The Children's Forest is featured in the new Scott-Foresman Science textbook, used by many counties in the 4th grade. The Children's Forest was purchased with money from a fund started by a Swedish 4th grader, who wanted to preserve the rain forest | |
| Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 | stay with host families | |
| Jan. 2 | Group visit to Venecia, reception and dinner at AguasZarcas High School | |
| Jan. 3 | Group visit to Nature Conservancy in San Carlos | |
| Jan. 6 | Return to San Juan airport*. | |
4-H Interstate Exchange Opportunities
Wyoming County, New York Located just a short drive from Rochester, Buffalo, Corning and Niagara Falls, Wyoming County is in the heart of rural Western NY. Wyoming County has approximately 90 4-H clubs, many special interest clubs and about 1200 4-H members.
Wyoming County has had an exchange program each summer since 1965. In the recent past they exchanged with Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Indiana. They are interested in visiting in 1998 and hosting a group in 1999, preferably in July. They usually send 10 4-H members, between the ages of 13 and 19 years, and 2 chaperones on an exchange. It is possible to be flexible with these numbers. Contact: Roxanne Dueppengiesser, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Cornell Cooperative Extension - Wyoming County, 401 North Main Street, Warsaw, New York 14569; Phone: 716-786-2251; Fax: 716-786-5148; E-mail: rdueppen@cce.cornell.edu
Larimer County Colorado is interested in a 4-H Exchange with a county in Northern Virginia. They would like to visit this year (1998) and host in 1999. Contact: Gary Small, Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development, 200 W. Mountain Avenue, P.O. Box 543, Fort Collins Colorado 80522; Phone: 970-498-7400; Fax: 970-498-5766; Email: larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
Forestry and Wildlife Weekend
Holiday Lake, Jan. 17-8 (contact Mike Clifford 804-645-9315)
State Forestry Judging Contest,
Holiday Lake, May 8 - 9 (contact C.J. Conner 540-694-3341)
An excellent beginning to the forestry judging "season" in your county. The January weekend is a good place and time to start with a new or returning team. Encourage your coaches to attend with the team. Youth will enjoy meeting "the competition" from around the state. After the January weekend is a good time to start regular team practices. Once a week practices are suggested until the state contest in May. Let me know if I can help. Don't hesitate to recruit a team before obtaining a coach- I can help you with that. Call me at 540-231-5843.
(Jeff Kirwan)
Eighteen Virginia 4-H delegates and two adult chaperones will be among 1,100 youth attending the 76th National 4-H Congress in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 28-Dec 2.
The Congress will provide an exceptional educational opportunity for the delegates, who will be arriving from 48 states and two territories.
Congress theme for 1997 is "Learning to Lead, Learning to Learn in a Diverse World. True to that theme, each delegate will attend educational seminars and participate in cultural events around Memphis. After returning from Congress, delegates will begin to share their experiences in order to create interest for others. Next year's Congress will be held in Atlanta, GA. Check out the Congress website at: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/events/DistEd/4hcong.html
(Billie Cline)
National 4-H Town Meeting Videoconference
American teenagers will discuss critical issues facing today's youth during a "Town Hall Meeting" on DECEMBER 2, at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. The one-hour teleconference will be broadcast live from 10:30 -11:30 am (eastern time) and will focus on how teens can address sex, crime, violence, drug and substance abuse through leadership and action. See attachment for details or check out the National 4-H Congress webpage at: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/events/DistEd/4hcong.html
(Billie Cline)
Each year the American BeeKeeping Federation, Inc sponsors an essay contest. Cash prizes of $250.00, $100.00, and $50.00 are awarded the top three essays. In addition, each state winner receives an appropriate book about honey bees, beekeeping or honey.
The subject of the 1998 Essay will be to report on the beekeeping activities in your community or state.
Essays are due in the State 4-H Office by February 1, 1998. See attachment for rules and regulations.
(Billie Cline)
The "new" 4-H Pigeon Resource and Project Manuals are now available through my office. These are the Indiana manuals approved for Virginia 4-H by the poultry curriculum committee. One free copy will be to leaders upon request. If members wish to have individual copies, they will be $4.00 each. This is to recoup the cost of publications used. Contact Phillip J. Clauer (540-231-9185) or email: pclauer@vt.edu for more information.
(Phil Clauer)
Wayne M. Keffer Memorial Scholarship
Two $600 scholarships are awarded annually to Va 4-H All Stars who are college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors or graduate students.. Scholarship applications may be obtained from the State 4-H Office, (Marjorie Wright) 540-231-6373. Applications are due January 1.
(Bob Meadows)
Virginia 4-H Team Sweeps Eastern Regional Poultry Judging
On September 27, five 4-H'ers represented Virginia at the Eastern Regional Judging Contest. The Rockingham County team was coached by Mike Wanger. Team members were Jennifer Pence, Jeff Heatwole, Kathryn Threewitts and Kristine Grayson. The Virginia Team Placed:1st place team overall ; 1st place team market poultry division; 1st place team production hens and oral reasons; 1st place team market egg division
Mike Dunlap competed as an independent individual and placed 3rd Overall.
In all, 15 teams from 9 states participated in the contest. Congratulations to all the Virginia youth on the fine job they did representing the State of Virginia. All five will be representing Virginia in the National 4-H Contest in November in Kentucky. The top teams placed as follows
1st - Virginia 4-H
2nd - Georgia 4-H
3rd - Georgia FFA
4th - Indiana 4-H
5th - Maryland 4-H
6th - Florida 4-H
7th - Virginia FFA
8th - Ohio 4-H
9th - Tennessee 4-H
10th - Ohio FF
State Fair Dairy Fitting and Showmanship Contest
Craig Houck of Culpeper County was crowned the overall champion in the State Fair of Virginia Dairy Fitting and Showmanship Contest on Saturday, September 27.. Zachary Stiles, was the reserve champion. Twenty-one youth participated in this year's fitting and showmanship contest. Mr. Jimmie Eustace served as the official judge. There were four preliminary classes in the contest prior to the selection of overall champion. The novice class was for those showing for their first year and who were 9-13 years of age. Youth in this division may have shown at a previous show during this calendar year, but not previous to this year. The junior class was for those who were 9-11 years of age. Intermediates were 12-13 years of age while the senior division was for those who were 14-19 years of age. The top two individuals from each class were invited back to compete for the overall championship. The top four individuals in each division are listed below.
| Novice Division | |
| First (Tie) | Katy Leonard Amanda Mackintosh |
| Junior Division | |
| First | Sarah Ann Leonard |
| Second | Daniel Hardesty |
| Third | Alex Kerr |
| Fourth | Megan Mackintosh |
| Intermediate Division | |
| First | Ashley Stiles |
| Second | Melissa Hope |
| Third | Ronnie Bull |
| Fourth | Andy Perrow |
| Senior Division | |
| First | Craig Houck |
| Second | Zachary Stiles |
| Third | Ashby Perrow |
| Fourth | Kelly Jo Forrest |
Congratulations to all participants on an outstanding contest.
The Junior Dairymen's Contest at the 1997 State Fair of Virginia was held on Thursday, September 25. One hundred and seventy-eight 4-H'ers and FFA members competed in the event. The contest consists of a 50 question quiz, four identification classes (cattle equipment, dairy equipment, feeds, and dairy products), and two judging classes with two sets of questions concerning the classes. There is a senior division in the contest for youth who are 14-19 years of age. The junior division is for those who are 9-13 years old.
Madison 4-H won the senior division contest. Team members were Clarissa Berry, Kaci Coppedge, and Stephen Tatum. Kaci Coppedge was the high individual in the division.
An outstanding team was responsible for conducting the contest. Johns Bailey served as superintendent of the contest with assistance from Charlie Stallings. Donna Kerr coordinated the registration table. Beth Dransfield was in charge of cattle selection for the judging classes. Bennet Cassell, Lonnie Johnson, Jerry Jones, and John Welsh were the official tabulators. Many other 4-H volunteers and FFA advisors assisted in making the event a success. Many dairy show exhibitors allowed their cattle to be used for the judging classes.
Congratulations to all participants on a great contest.
(David Winston)
| November: | ||
| 17-19 | National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest (for state teams only) (Louisville, Ky.) (Mark Wahlberg) | |
| 19-20 | National 4-H Poultry & Egg Conf, Louisville, KY (Phil Clauer) | |
| 19 | Summer 4-H Camp Staff Recruitment Day at Virginia Tech (Bob Meadows) Sponsored by the Collegiate 4-H Club of Virginia Tech, to provide an awareness of job opportunities for summer employment at the six 4-H educational centers for the 1998 summer 4-H camping season, and to recruit quality students for programming responsibilities. | |
| 21-23 | State 4-H Ambassador Meeting (place TBA) (Bob Meadows/Dorothy Freeman) Planning and training for 1998 4-H Events/Programs | |
| 28 - Dec. 2 | National 4-H Congress (Memphis, Tenn.) (Billie Cline) Senior 4-H members are selected from submission of 4-H Resume and interviews to participate in this national event. 1000 4-H members from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands participate in seminars, cultural events and fun activities. | |
| December: | ||
| 2 | Unit All Star Nominations to District Events Coordinators | |
| 3 | Summer 4-H Camp Staff Recruitment Day at Virginia State (Bob Meadows) This event is designed to provide an awareness of job opportunities for summer employment at the six 4-H educational centers for the 1997 summer 4-H camping season, and to recruit quality students for programming responsibilities | |
| January: | ||
| 20-23 | State 4-H Inservice Week (NOVA 4-H Center) (Bob Meadows) For all Extension 4-H Agents and specialists. Specific training will be provided in the area of 4-H programming | |
| 24-25 | Aerospace Weekend ("Space Quest") (Airfield 4-H Center) (Marvin Heimbach/Joe Hoffenberger) | |
| February: | ||
| 4 | Four-H Day at the State Capitol (Richmond) (Rudy Powell) The purpose of this program is to expose 4-H members to state Government and to help expand youth horizons. 4-H'ers increase their knowledge by touring the Governor's Mansion; touring the Capitol; speaking with Delegate and Senate Pages and Legislative Assistants; and meeting new friends. For intermediate age 4-H members. | |
| 6 | 4-H All Star Executive Committee Meeting (Staunton) (Bob Meadows) | |
| 7-8 | 4-H All Stars Midyear Conference (Staunton) (Bob Meadows) | |
| 6-7 | 4-H/FFA Dairy Management Workshop(Virginia Tech) (David Winston) | |
| 6-8 | Winter Cloverbud Weekend (Airfield 4-H Center) (Marvin Heimbach/Peggy Emory) | |
| 10-11 | Virginia 4-H Foundation Meeting (Richmond) (Brian Calhoun) | |
| 11 | 4-H Legislative Reception (Richmond) (Brian Calhoun) Opportunity to meet and talk with members of the Virginia General Assembly, and to Promote the efforts of the 4-H program. | |
| 11 | 4-H Ambassador Day at State Capitol (Richmond) (Rudy Powell/Bob Meadows/Dorothy Freeman) For Senior youth to gain the experience of telling the 4-H story to legislators and learn how state government affects their lives in communities. Youth have an opportunity to tour the Capitol, visit with the Governor, visit with Senate and Delegate pages, visit Delegate Assistants, and meet new friends. Ambassadors are the 4-H cabinet youth and other senior 4-H members in leadership roles in their communities. | |
| 12 | Virginia 4-H Leadership Council(Richmond) (John Dooley) | |
| 14 | VSDA Dairy Youth Committee Meeting, (Harrisonburg) (David Winston) | |
| 15 | 4-H LABO Exchange applications due State 4-H Office. International Exchange with Japan. Virginia needs host families for Japanese youth age 12-18. Also, Virginia youth age 13-18 are selected to visit Japan. Exchange occurs during summer months (Judy Fray) | |
| 19-21 | Host Weekend By the Collegiate 4-H Club of Virginia Tech (Bob Meadows/Brian Calhoun) (Virginia Tech Campus) This event is for high school students and is designed to give them a taste of college campus life. Students will be housed with Collegiate 4-H Club members, be involved in campus activities and programs, and learn about Virginia Tech. | |
| 20-22 | Winter 4-H Horse Camp (Airfield 4-H Center) (Marvin Heimbach) | |