Happy New Year
Kind of strange to hear those words this time of year, but for those of us who live in the 4-H World, October 1 is the beginning of
the new year. It is also one of the busiest times of the year as we are consumed with State Fair, the start-up of new clubs, member
enrollments, local achievement programs, new officers' training, and new leaders' orientation. It can all be very overwhelming.
Through all this business, please take the time to reflect on why we go through this craziness. Undoubtedly in each of your units
there are kids who are becoming members for the first time and new adult leaders whose lives will be forever changed because of
4-H. It's an awesome thought, but at least for me, it's the inspiration that makes our work so much fun and exciting.
It is my sincere hope that this new 4-H year will provide you many opportunities to celebrate many achievements in the lives that you
touch. Thanks for all you do and Happy New Year!!!
(John E. Dooley, Associate Director
4-H & Family & Consumer Science)
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Why We Need To Continually Display And Use The 4H Emblem
The following story reminded me why all of us need to be proud to display and promote the use of the 4H emblem. In today's society,
with many states and even the National 4-H Council showing evidence of, dare I say, 'embarrassment' over using the 4-H emblem (i.e.,
the smallness of the 4-H clover on our recent ad campaign--"are you into it?" not emphasizing the 4-H name; etc,), we need to
re-examine the fact that the 4-H emblem is the third most recognized symbol in the United States. Folks may not know what the "H's"
stand for, but they know that the four-leaf clover with "H's" on each pedal stands for 4-H-something good, wholesome and worthwhile
and that youth benefit form involvement with this program.
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A Coca-Cola executive in Texas once stated that a certain percentage of each bottle of Coca-Cola sold is spent for advertising.
Another kidded him about having to advertise such a well-known product. This person mentioned to the executive that he had once seen
13 Coca-Cola advertisements in a small town in Texas, and thought this was overdoing it. The executive said, "Not so!" Then the
executive asked him, "when was the last time you saw a can of Arbuckle coffee?" The man replied that it had been a popular brand when
he was a boy, but had not seen any lately. The executive responded, "They thought that they did not need to advertise.
(Bob Meadows)
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Become a Tree Steward in Your Community
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK
VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN
OCT. 4-10, 1998
National 4-H Week is celebrated annually the first week of October. 4-H clubs and members are encouraged to conduct a community
service activity during the week to promote both 4-H and community service. This year the challenge will be for 4-H members to become
tree stewards in their community. (Brian Calhoun)
Tree stewards "adopt" a tree or trees in their community and care for that tree over an extended period of time. In
this campaign it is suggested that 4-H members first contact a local official who may know of trees that need attention. Potential
tree steward activities would include: watering newly planted trees, applying mulch to the base of a tree, planting protective ground
covers, fertilizing, pruning dead branches, monitoring general health, taking measurements for base-line data, and promoting general
public awareness.
Tree stewardship is important, especially where people and trees come into close contact. Too often this need is ignored. 4-H members
who promote and become tree stewards will be providing a valuable community service. Every community has trees that need care
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NCI 4-H Coverlets - THROWS
These coverlets, better known by most folks as a "throw," is approximately 4' x 6' and will be in six colors. The coverlets make
ideal gifts, wall hangings, and covers while you watch TV or read your favorite book. The proceeds from the sale of these coverlets
will help provide funds for the National Camping Institute-V event.
- Advanced Orders: The cost is $42.00 each if paid for by October 31, 1998 Checks or money orders must be mailed by this
deadline date.
- After the deadline date of October 31, 1998, the cost is $50.00 each (November 1 and later until all are sold).
Make your check or money order to:
NCI
Send your check or money order to:
107 Hutcheson Hall
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0419
Attention: Bob Meadows
Your coverlet will be sent to you in early November. Don't delay-get your order in today! First come, first served.
(Bob Meadows)
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4-H/DSWC Mini-Grants
Funds are again available to support the 4-H mini-grant program in non-point, water quality education. A maximum of $300 is awarded
for each successful proposal. Allowable expenditures include: transportation, program fees, supplies, educational materials and
equipment, and educational incentives. Of particular interest are proposals that get youth and/or adults involved in water-related
clean-up, monitoring, BMP's, protection and other grass-roots efforts. Your proposal should contain an "action" component that is
integrated into the "educational" component. If interested, please submit a proposal of no more than three (3) pages with the
following:
- Project Title,
- Project contact (name, address, phone, FAX, email),
- Goal/objectives,
- Project description,
- Expected outcomes,
- Time frame,
- Amount requested.
Submit your proposal by October 15, 1998 to:
Barry Fox, Extension Specialist,
4-H Marine/Aquatic Education,
Box 9081, Virginia State University,
Petersburg, VA 23806
If you have at any questions, contact the Specialist at 804-524-5848, FAX - 5057, or bfox@vsu.edu.
(Barry Fox)
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President Announces New Grant Program to Enhance Community-Based Youth Anti-Drug Efforts
In a press release issued by the Office of Justice Programs on September 12, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, more
than $ 8.7 million will go to 93 sites. The grants will fund coalitions made up of young people, parents, media, law enforcement,
school officials, and religious organizations, and other community representatives, that target young people's use of illegal drugs,
alcohol, and tobacco. The coalitions will also encourage citizen participation in substance abuse reduction efforts and disseminate
information about effective programs
More information about the Drug-Free Communities Support Program is available on the Internet at:
Through the mail and by phone, more information is available from:
- ONDCP: Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse, Box 6000, Rockville, Maryland 20849-6000. The toll-free number is 1-800-666-3332.
- OJJDP: Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse, Box 6000, Rockville, Maryland 20857. The toll-free number is 1-800-638-8736.
- Office of Justice Programs (OJP) bureaus and programs: www.ojp.usdoj.gov.
(Beth Atkins)
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1998 4-H Sports A Field Days.
Date: October 24-25
Where: Holiday Lake 4-H Center
When: Registration starts at 2:00 on Saturday, October 24. Program will end at 4:30 on Sunday.
Who: Anyone 9 or older, adults are encouraged to participate. Youth must accompanied by an adult
Cost: $22.00 for the weekend, includes supper, bed & breakfast, ammo and supplies.$5.00 for Sunday only, does not include
breakfast
Age: 9-19
Supervision: youth attending must have a responsible adult attending with them. Adults are encouraged to participate in all
activities with the youth. Note: this is not a 1:1 ratio. A club leader may bring several members as long as he/she is responsible
for the supervision of each.
To receive a registration packet: contact Jennifer Mercer at 540/245-5750
Registration Deadline: October 12, 1998
All ammunition and equipment is provided however participants should bring eye and ear protection.
(Jennifer Mercer)
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1998 State 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association Conference
FORT MAGRUDER INN CONFERENCE CENTER IN WILLIAMSBURG , VA
NOVEMBER 21-22, 1998.
The Planning Committee needs your assistance in informing volunteers of several opportunities relative to this Conference.
- On Saturday evening following the Banquet, the Committee is planning an "Idea Share". They would like for volunteers or agents
to share innovative or new program approaches that are being utilized in your unit to enhance 4-H member educational opportunities.
These are not formal presentations, but should be set up as exhibits with a person being present to discuss, with volunteers, the
programs that are being exhibited. This session will be from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. If you are a volunteer and are
interested, please send me a short description of the exhibit and the name of the person to "man" the exhibit by Friday, September
25, 1998, via email (rbooker@vt.edu).
- Attached is a Unit Representative Form for the Association. Each Unit can have two Representatives and two Alternates who can
participate in the business meetings and cast votes for your unit during business meetings. The alternates vote only in the absence
of the representative. The attachment is rather self-explanatory and identifies where the forms should be sent. This should be done
immediately so that that Unit will be represented at the State Meeting in November.
- Each year the Association recognizes the contributions of 4-H Volunteer Leaders who have died since the last Annual Meeting in
November of 1998. Please submit the names and a brief write up about the contributions of the person to 4-H. Be sure to include
date of death, years of service as a 4-H Volunteer and the unit or units that the person served as a Volunteer.
Please submit this information by October 23, 1998 to Richard Booker, via email
(rbooker@vt.edu)
Further details of the State Meeting along with Reservation Forms will be distributed prior to or
shortly after October 1, 1998. Thank you for your assistance.
(Richard Booker)
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4-H All Star Nominations
Due December 2, 1998
Recognize your outstanding senior 4-H'ers and volunteers for their accomplishments by nominating them
for 4-H All Star membership.
To be eligible for nomination a 4-H member must
- Have completed 3 years of 4-H work
- Be at least 15 by Jan 1 1999
- Be an active 4-H member and no more than 19 years of age as of 1999.
Each unit office was recently mailed a packet that contained nomination procedures for members and
volunteers, forms and eligibility. Information and forms can also be found on the 4-H Website
http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/allstars.html
(Bob Meadows)
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Statewide 4-H/FCS
In-Service Week
JANUARY 25-28, 1999
DONALDSON BROWN CONTINUING ED CENTER, VIRGINIA TECH
Mark your calendars. Each 4-H agent and/or 4-H program assistant in each unit is expected to attend
and participate in the In-Service, as is every FCS agent. Watch your email for more information.
(Bob Meadows)
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Feeding Kids
FEEDING KIDS is a free electronic newsletter with News & Views on Child Nutrition For Parents,
Educators, and Health Professionals by Connie Evers, MS,RD You can subscribe to this very
informative listserve or recommend it to teachers and parents in your area.. To subscribe, go to
http://www.teleport.com/~eversc/NFC.htm
and click on "Feeding Kids Newsletter." If you do not have access to the web, please send a brief
message to eversc@teleport.com.
Articles in the Sept/Oct issue include:
- School Lunch: Giving Kids Choices
- TEACHER TIP: Four Uses for a Blank Pyramid
- ASK CONNIE: Making Vegetables Appealing
- FOR KIDS ONLY: Make Food Group Brew!
- MOM'S CORNER: Healthy Halloween Tips
Check it out.
(Ann Hertzler)
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Consumerama
4-H members learn and use consumer skills in a fun and competitive setting. Comparison items for
1999 include Corless Telephones, Phone Cards, Fast Food and Sunscreens. A bibliography of support
materials is attached. Contat Irene Leech 540-231-4191 or email: ileech@vt.edu for information on
setting up your consumerama expereince. (Irene Leech)
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A Virtual Camp with an emphasis on Health & You!
for Youth ages 8 - 12
October 19 - October 30, 1998
http://cybercamp.unl.edu
Here's your chance to go to Camp during the school year - you don't have to wait for summer. The
online Health Cyber Camp will feature hikes through virtual woods exploring health topics, camping,
outdoor and environment issues; activities on fitness and foods to keep you healthy; and
opportunities to express yourself in positive ways and to relate to others. You virtually experience
campfires, cabin life and other traditional aspects of camp life.
Youth ages 8 - 12 are invited to join us at the Health CyberCamp October 19- 30. Campers may
register at
http://www.4-h.org/cgi-bin/camp/Registration/index.cgi (After completing the online registration
form, be sure to record your Camp Name and password. )
Want to keep current on future Camp offerings? Join CCAMP, an announcements-only listserv. To
subscribe: Send an e-mail message to:
almanac@extension.umn.edu. In the body of the message, type: subscribe ccamp
Health Cyber Camp is developed by CYFERNet and the National Network for Health. Cybercamp Counselors
and Instructors are Cooperative Extension System Educators from across the country. There is no
charge to participate in Cybercamp.
If you have any questions, please contact
CampDirector@cybercamp.unl.edu. (Beth Atkins)
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4-H Days at the State Capitol
4-H day at the State Capitol (Richmond, Va) will take place on Wednesday, February 3, 1999.
4-H Ambassador Day at the State Capitol (Richmond) will take place on Wednesday, February
10, 1999.
For more details contact Rudolph Powell at (804) 524-5965 or via e-mail. Also check the Revised
1998 Extension Guide to Virginia 4-H Projects and 4-H Curriculum.
(Rudy Powell)
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Bill of Rights for Young People in 4-H Competitive Events*
Young People participating in 4-H competitive events have a right to:
- Decide if they will participate
- Participate at a level appropriate to their maturity and ability
- Realistic preparations
- Have appropriate guidance by parents, volunteers and professional staff
- Have feedback from compassionate, competent evaluators who base decisions on predetermined standard
- Compete as a young person and not as an adult
- Share in leadership and decision making for competitive learning experiences
- Compete in a safe and healthy environment
- Equal opportunity for success
- Be treated with dignity
- Have fun
*Adapted from "Bill of Rights for Young Athletes" (Oregon State 4-H Newsletter).
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IFYE Reports
Karen Starks, Virginia IFYE, shares experiences from her second month as guest in a beautiful
farmland area of Norway.
Read also about the 7th World IFYE Conference held in Arlington, VA in September. Many former
Virginia IFYE's helped Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the IFYE program. Several of the pioneer
exchangees from 1948 shared some of their experiences.
(Dottie Nelson Ellis)
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Virginia Brings Home 1998 Quarter Horse Youth World Championships In 4-H Horse Judging
Virginia's State 4-H Horse Judging Teams traveled to the American Quarter Horse Youth Association's
World Championship in Fort Worth, Texas August 14 and 15, 1998, the largest all youth event in the
nation Of the approximately seven million horses in the U.S., three million are registered Quarter
Horses. This was the first time the teams competed at the World's since 1994. They were hugely
successful, returning with Grand and Reserve World Championships. Virginia's Judging Team is known
for its winning tradition at the Arabian Nationals. Since 1984, Virginia has concentrated on the
Arabians with excellent results, winning national championships all but two years.
When all the scores were totaled and the final overall placings were announced Virginia was 1st and
2nd in the contest. The Grand Champion team was made up of Kelly Pitts, Rebecca Vanderhoff, Jessica
Artrip and Emily Stowe. Kelly placed 6th overall and Rebecca was tied for 10th overall. This team
received plaques, trophies, special jackets and World Championship belt buckles. The Reserve
Champion team consisted of Cameron Nuckols, Jason Haynes, Kristen Grzech, and Nicole Long. Cameron
placed 5th overall and Jason placed 9th. Six out of eight team members placed among the top 20
individuals in the contest. More information is included in the attached release.
(Larry Lawrence)
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Virginia 4-H Forestry Judging Team Competes At National Contest
The Virginia 4-H forestry judging team competed at the National Forestry Invitational held at
Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp near Weston, West Virginia, August 3 - 6. Teams from throughout the
country competed at the four-day event sponsored by the International Paper Company Foundation.
Virginia finished 11th. Alabama won the contest for the 4th year in a row.
The Virginia team consisted of Heidi Clark and Becky Ford from Rockingham County, and Chris Chapman
and Mark Dingus from Scott County. All four youth were winners at the state contest held in May at
the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center. Heidi will be studying horticulture/environmental technology
at Blue Ridge Community College in the fall. Becky will be a junior at Turner Ashby High School.
Chris and Mark will be a sophomore and senior, respectively, at Rye Cove High School. The team was
coached by Wes Ford, a consulting forester working out of Mt. Crawford, VA; and Karen Hartsock, a
teacher at Rye Cove Intermediate School.
The team was sponsored by a number of forest related businesses, including Neff Lumber, R.S. Longer &
Son, Suter's Furniture, Friendly Forest Tree Farm, Augusta Lumber and the Virginia Forestry
Educational Foundation.
At the invitational, youth compete for team and individual awards in tree identification, tree
measurement, forest insect and disease identification, forest evaluation, and a forestry bowl. 4-H is
the youth education program of the Cooperative Extension Service. For more information, contact the
4-H Extension Agent in your county. (Jeff Kirwan)
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
| October: |
| 1 | Fall Teen Weekend (Airfield 4-H Center)
(Marvin Heimbach) |
| 1 | Units Begin All Star Nomination Process (Bob Meadows)
|
| 1 | Deadline for "4-H Alumni", "Parter in 4-H", & "Diamond
Leadership" Awards (Brian Calhoun) |
| 1-5 | Keystone International Livestock Exposition,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Mark Wahlberg) (Show contact - 717/787-2905) |
| 1-4 | State Fair of Virginia (continues),
Richmond
| -4 | State Junior Poultry Exhibition (Phil Clauer) |
| 2 | Junior Stockmens Contest (Mark Wahlberg) |
| 2-4 | Junior Livestock Weekend, Richmond (Mark Wahlberg)(Includes Junior Stockmens Contest, Youth Beef, Sheep, and
Swine Shows) |
| 3 | State 4-H Market Poultry Pen Show (Phil Clauer) |
|
| 1-4 | Southern Regional 4-H Leaders Forum (Rock Eagle
4-H Center, Georgia) (Bob Meadows) For adult 4-H volunteers and Extension personnel from throughout
the Southern Region of the United States. Conference features workshops, seminars and programs
providing up-to-date ideas on better 4-H programming |
| 4-10 | National 4-H Week (Brian Calhoun) |
| 24 | VT Dairy Science Recruitment Day (Virginia Tech)
(David Winston) |
| November: |
| 1-5 | NAE4HA (Louisville, KY)
National 4-H Horse Roundup, Louisville, KY (Larry Lawrence) |
| 6-7 | North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest,
(for State Teams Only) (Louisville, KY ) (David Winston) |
| 8-21 | North American International Livestock Exposition,
Louisville, KY (Mark Wahlberg) (Show Manager 502-595-3166) |
| 8 | North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging
Contest , (for State Teams Only) Louisville, KY (David Winston) |
| 13 | State 4-H Leadership Council Meeting,Albemarle
Ext Office, Charlottesville, (J Dooley) |
| 13-15 | State 4-H Cabinet Meeting (Smith Mt. Lake)
(Dorothy Freeman)
Planning and training for 1998-99 4-H Events/Programs |
| 16-18 | National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest,
Louisville, KY (state teams) (Mark Wahlberg) |
| 18-19 | National 4-H Poultry & Egg Conference, Louisville, KY
(Phil Clauer) |
| TBA | Summer 4-H Camp Staff Recruitment Day at Virginia Tech
(Bob Meadows) designed 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, |
| 21-22 | Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders
(VAA4-HVL) Fall Conference, For adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders or Extension Agents from throughout
the state (Ft. Magruder Inn, Williamsburg, VA) (Bob Meadows, Richard Booker)
|
| 27-Dec. 1 | National 4-H Congress ,(Atlanta GA)
(Beth Atkins) |
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