4-H Connections
A Newsletter for 4-H Volunteers and Families July, 2004

YORK COUNTY 4-H NEWS
 

 Do You Have Hidden Talent...Want to Perform?

Can you sing…act…dance… play an instrument… perform comedy?

The annual conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) will be held in Buffalo, NY in 2005.  This meeting will provide a unique opportunity for 12 to 15 4-H acts from the Northeast region.These acts will be chosen to participate in a talent revue that is a highlight of each NACAA meeting, and it is a chance for members to perform before a national audience of at least 1600 people!

Acts can be of any type - vocal, instrumental, comedy, dance, etc. The NACAA will pay for transportation, lodging, meals and entertainment to include a visit to Niagara Falls, for the selected talent acts.

Start planning now if you think you might be interested!

You can receive an Entry Blank from the Extension office, or by contacting Larry Hulle at: lrh6@cornell.edu or 845-344-1234.  Entries are due by January 3, 2005.

Save Trees:
Receive This Newsletter Online
Help save trees!  If you would rather that we not mail you a paper copy of the newsletter, we will email you a notice each time the newsletter is published on our website.  If you want to become an e-recipient of our newsletter, please send an email to jonp@umext.maine.edu

Thanks to all of you who already have responded and are now receiving the newsletter via our website!

Leaders Association Meeting - July 28
Attend our Leaders Association meetings!  They’re informative, fun, and a great place to network and learn from one another.  At the July 28 meeting we’ll be discussing and evaluating Ossipee Valley Fair and Horse Camp, and preparing for the upcoming Acton Fair.  See you there!

Acton Fair
Acton Fair Information Packets have been mailed from the Extension office.  All livestock youth have been mailed a packet, and each club has received one as well.

It's not too early to be signing up for Acton Fair food booth!  To sign up contact Diane Qualey at 793-4843.

Happy Birthday to…Special wishes to the following 4-H'ers who celebrated birthdays in July.

Vaughn Island 4-H Environmental Camp
Yes! - We still have a few openings left for this summer!  Take this wonderful opportunity to learn, make friends and have fun!

Call the Extension Office for a brochure and application, or visit our website to register.

 

Our York County 4-H Website!

Remember, York County Extension is now online – we have a website!  This is a great place to go if you are looking for information on any of York County’s extension programs.  So be sure to check us out at:

http://www.umaine.edu/umext/york/
 

4-H at the Heart of Ossipee Valley Fair

By all accounts Maine's friendliest fair was a success this year, and 4-H was at the heart of much of it.  Many 4-Hers showed their animals and the 4-H Exhibit Hall was full.

Participants had a lot of fun, and were able to showcase much of their 4-H activity.  Congratulations and thanks to all who participated this year!

STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS

Program Development Grants Available from 4-H Foundation
Program Development Grants are designed to increase the State's capacity to provide 4-H programming and resources and support new high impact, model programs.

Grants are awarded in the amount of $750 to $3,000 to support new 4-H K-12 or collegiate programs, enhancement of existing programs, development of existing programs in new geographic locations, and proposals to sustain highly effective programs.

Deadlines: March 12, June 11, and September 10, 2004.

These grants may be able to help support your club in its activities.  Contact Jon if you'd like more information.

4-H CURRICULUM: Learn About the Environment

The 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System has published a wonderful youth guide for learning about the environment.  It’s part of the “Exploring the Environment” series.

Youth will enjoy the challenge and excitement of exploring the ecology, science and technology of the environment. The materials present basic ecological concepts to help develop scientific thinking and processing skills.

Concepts include the four elements of life, connections among living things, and how all plants and animals are affected. Grades 4-12.

Here are some descriptions of each of the parts:

Environment 1 - Eco-Wonders
(60 pages) Youth discover how clean the air is, what wildlife managers do, how to turn waste into something valuable and how the food they eat and the clothes they wear affect the environment. Real world issues are investigated.

Youth use the scientific method to investigate what plants need, how the four elements of life interact, describe the food chain, measure the weather, make a compost file, how to clean an oil spill plus several bird and animal related activities. Grades 3-5.  Cost: $4.25

Environment 2 - Eco-Adventures
(68 pages) Youth discover how things in nature interrelate, what happens to garbage after it is thrown away, how farmers control pests and what resources for wildlife are found in their neighborhood.

Other activities explore watersheds, soil, pollination, classifying information using keys, pollutants, acid rain, seeds, birds and the M.A.D. law, animal tracks plus many additional current topics. Grades 6-8.       Cost: $4.25.

Environment 3 - Eco-Actions
(68 pages) Youth will readily accept the challenge of activities that relate to biochemistry, the biome, urban sprawl and wildlife and biodiversity. Each section focuses on an ecological concept and provides activities that help youth explain how the environment works Grades 9-12. Cost: $4.25.

Exploring - Group Activity Helper's Guide
(60 pages) Teens, volunteers and parents who support youth in this project will find useful information and activities to help plan, manage and teach an environmental education program and outdoor activities.

Group activities include planning a year's program, participating in an environmental skillathon and quiz bowl, planning a tour, describing personal ethics, identifying environmental hazards, playing Environmental Bingo and Environmental Pyramid, presenting an exhibit and many others. Cost: $3.95.

Review and order direct at http://www.n4hccs.org/shop/products.asp, or call 612-624-4900.

4-H CURRICULUM: Gardening

Youth who like to work outdoors and get their hands dirty, plant seeds and watch them grow, will enjoy using these four activity guides.

The Helper's Guide contains additional background information, easy to use reference tables, group activities and solutions to the questions posed in the youth manuals. Produced by Purdue University. Grades 4-12.

Gardening - Group Activity Helper's Guide
(100 pages) This guide provides the helper with activities, ideas and content to help support youth growth and learning in a caring and supportive environment.

Included are easy-to-use reference tables, and group activities that can be done at club meetings, project workshops, or school and camp programs. Other features include solutions to questions posed in the members manuals, definitions of terms and resources. Cost $4.75.

Gardening A - See Them Sprout
(44 pages) Youth learn how to plan a garden as well as actually plant the seeds, use garden tools safely and harvest the crops.

Fun activities youth enjoy are autographing pumpkins, growing plants from roots, making a rain gauge and roasting pumpkin seeds. Life skills developed are decision making, communication, and wise use of resources. Grades 3-5. Cost: $3.95.

Gardening B - Let's Get Growing
(44 pages) Youth learn to use transplants in a garden, how to start seeds indoors, how plants respond to light, and how to grow new plants from plant parts. Youth have fun with a-maze-ing plants, making a worm box, freezing vegetables and making a compost pile.

Life skills are communications, decision making, wise use of resources and self-esteem. Grades 6-7. Cost: $3.95.

Gardening C - Take Your Pick
(56 pages) Youth learn to test and improve soil, extend the growing season, cross-pollinate flowers and assist others in garden projects. Youth also explore photosynthesis, plant, harvest, and dry herbs, and how to pickle vegetables.

Problem solving, leadership, self-esteem,

volunteering, communication, decision making, and wise use of resources are the life skills emphasized in this project. Grades 8-9. Cost: $4.40.

Gardening D - Growing Profits
(60 pages) Youth explore double crop planting methods, the effects of pollution on plants, plant genetics, pest management and starting a plant business.

Youth learn how to construct raised beds for planting, investigate hydroponics and spuds in space. Important life skills emphasized in this unit are communication, volunteering, leadership, community service, problem solving and record keeping. Grades 10-12. Cost: $4.40.

Review and order direct at http://www.n4hccs.org/shop/products.asp,     or call 612-624-4900.

4-H CURRICULUM: Arts & Crafts - A Palette of Fun

The 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System has published a terrific youth guide for Arts and Crafts, Arts & Crafts - A Palette of Fun (134 pages.)

Youth will have many artistic experiences with A Palette of Fun with Arts & Crafts: A Helper's Guide for Children's Art Activities. All activities focus on teaching the elements and principles of art and developing skills for a lifetime. Children learn art through cutting and pasting, painting, sculpting, drawing, printing, and construction with fibers and other materials.

A Palette of Fun connects the art experience to careers, culture, science, technology and more. This helper's guide can be used with groups of children in any setting, in and out of school. Grades K-6.  Cost: $15.00.

Review and order direct at http://www.n4hccs.org/shop/products.asp,     or call 612-624-4900.

Former 4-Her Reaches for Personal Best - Thanks 4-H!
Hannah Carter was the keynote speaker at the Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation's 2004 Annual Meeting. She exemplifies the values of 4-H.  Hannah is a 4-H alumni member and Ph.D candidate.  She worked at UMCE in Presque Isle for seven years

Hannah was the first youth to serve on the Foundation's Board of Trustees.  During her years in 4-H, she was active in the horse program, representing Maine on the Eastern States Horse Team for three years.  She was also active in public speaking and leadership development. 

Hannah represented Maine at Congress and Conference and was named Maine's 4-H Ambassador from 1991-1992.  As ambassador, she traveled around the state, speaking to groups about the importance of 4-H and raising awareness about the program.

In August, Hannah  will receive a Ph.D in Agricultural Leadership and will become a faculty member of the Department of Agrcultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida, with a joint appointment which includes becoming Director of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources and teaching classes in leadership development.

According to Hannah, 4-H taught her the importance of "living your personal best."  At a recent leadership workshop Hannah attended, she was asked to think of her top five "Personal best" moments.  Hannah says she realized that all five of her moments took place during her time with 4-H.

She experienced an increased level of confidence as she traveled as a member of the 4-H club and to statewide and national events.  "You become capable of dealing with people at all levels of life," Hannah says, adding, '4-H starts young people off with a network."

"4-H can also be one of the first lessons a young person gets in working within a group, including different leadership and personality styles, experiences, opinions, and so on," making it great preparation for team work later in life.

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