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

YORK COUNTY 4-H NEWS 

Our York County 4-H Website!
York County Extension is now online – we have a new website!  This is a great place to go if you are looking for information on any of York County’s extension programs: 

• 4-H and Youth

• Farms and Gardens

• Nutrition and Food Safety

• Families

We are still “under construction”, but we do already have some great information on the site.  In the area of 4-H we have:

• Past and current issues of the newsletter

• “Meet York County’s 4-H Clubs” feature

• Photos of Acton Fair

• Vaughn Island online registration

• Resources for 4-H Leaders and volunteers

• Valuable links to other sites

 Check us out at: http://www.umaine.edu/umext/york/4H.htm

Save Trees: Receive this Newsletter on line
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.

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

• June 28– Aug 11:  3 and 4-day overnight camping trips with environmental education focus at Vaughn Island, Cape Porpoise Harbor, Maine

• Space is limited.  Pre-registration required

• Program fee $125-$165; Scholarships are available; just ask!

• Call the Extension Office for a brochure and application.

 Animal Approval Form Deadline

June 30 is the deadline for animal approval forms to be submitted to the extension office.  If you plan to participate in any Maine fairs this summer, this form must be signed by your leader and educator.

Without it you will not be able to participate in fair shows.  To obtain a copy, call the extension office.

York County 4-H 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 planning Acton Fair clean-up day, and discussing emerging opportunities for 4-H clubs.  See you there!

Learn about Healthy Eating In Eat Well Program
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension's Eat Well Program is planning a summer program for children who will be in grades 2-5.  There will be four fun -filled weekly classes packed with new experiences including learning about nutrition, preparing healthy snacks, touring the Extension gardens and learning first hand about growing and cooking healthy fruits and vegetables.

 The classes are free, but space is limited.  Classes will be held on four consecutive Thursday, July 29-August 19.  For more information contact Sharon Hinkley or Diance Qualey at the Extension office. 

York County to Benefit From After-school Funds
After-school programs in Kittery, Eliot and South Berwick will benefit from grant funds from the National 4-H Council, through the JC Penney Afterschool Grant program.  The grant award was announced in May, 2004.

Research has shown that students in quality afterschool programs have better academic performance, behavior, school attendance, and greater expectations for the future.

Maine 4H Afterschool will provide 4-H curricula and training to afterschool sites throughout Maine, including the three sites in York County, where the program is partnering with the Community Assets Builders program of the KEYS Community Wellness Coalition.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support existing afterschool programs with an infusion of funding and staff training.

Ossipee Valley Fair
Open 4-H Horse Show
Tails and Trails 4-H Horse Club from Hiram has organized an Open 4-H Horse Show at Ossipee Valley Fair, Sunday, July 11.

• Riders must be age 9 or older and show 4-H approval form, negative Coggins and rabies certificates.

• Hard hats and boots for all riders.  Western hats acceptable for classes 3-5.

• No chaps in Western Equitation.

• Fitting and Showmanship required to participate in 4-H show.  Those not entered will not be included in high point awards.

• High point Championship and Reserve given in three categories.  Walk, trot, novice canter and advanced for classes  3-20.

• Sportsmanship trophy awarded to youth demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship qualities.

 Entry fee: $3.00/class or $20.00 for the day.  For more information contact: Sherry Valente, 207-625-4304

Acton and Ossipee Fairs
It's not too early to be working on your fair project exhibits and signing up for Acton Fair food booth!  To sign up for the food booth contact Diane Qualey at 793-4843.

STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS
Maine 4-H Teen Conference Cancelled
Maine 4-H 2004 Teen Conference is cancelled for lack of enrollment. Maine 4-H Teen Council will be looking at how to make next year’s event a successful one that meets the interests of our 4-H teens.  Stay tuned!

4-H Curriculum: Learn About Money and Yourself
The 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System has published a wonderful youth guide for learning about money.  It’s part of the “Financial Champions” series published through Pennsylvania State University.  Here are some descriptions of each of the parts:

Part One – Money Fundamentals: “No matter what you choose to do with your life, you will have to learn to manage money to be successful.  This series will help you discover and apply sound money management principles while at the same time helping you learn more about yourself.

Money Fundamentals will help you think about money as a “tool” to use in achieving your goals.  You will use what you have (money, time, talents, etc.) to get what you need or want (goals.)

Knowing your money personality is the basis for learning to distinguish between needs and wants. $3.95

Part Two – Money Moves: You will continue to learn new skills to help you become a successful money manager.  All of the activities will help you learn how to acquire and evaluate information.  In addition, you’ll learn how to predict outcomes and analyze your own finances.

The activities will help you think about money as a “tool” to achieve goals.  Money should not be the goal, but rather a way to get where you want to go!  Think about money as the foundation on which to build your goals. $3.95

Helper’s Guide: The experiential learning model is the basis for Financial Champions activities.  The steps in this model are specific and sequential.  Experiential learning encourages youth to try to do the activity before being told or shown how.  Reflection and application questions ask youth to share what they did, process what was most important about the experience, generalize the life skill and personal financial skill to their own lives and think through how they could apply the skills to a new situation.

Youth learn best through trial and error and practice.  As they learn and discover new concepts and skills on their own, youth begin to feel they are competent.  The greatest gift adult leaders can give youth is to help them realize they are capable of mastering new skills. $4.25

For more information, to review or order copies of these materials contact the Extension office.  To review and order direct, visit http://www.n4hccs.org/shop/products.asp.

4-H Curriculum: Learn About Yourself through the Arts
Theatre Arts 1 – Play the Role
(40 pages) The activities in this first level are a wonderful introduction to the world of theater arts as the child and helper learn together in the fascinating world of make believe. Grades K-2.  $3.95

Theatre Arts 2 – Become a Puppetee
(40 pages) This guide is exciting and lots of fun for both youth and helpers. Youth create sound effects, make puppets and prepare a puppet skit.

Although acting is the primary subject matter, young people will practice and learn many life skills such as problem solving, managing feelings, decision making and communicating.  Grades 3-5. $3.95

Theatre Arts 3 – Set the Stage
(40 pages) Youth do improvisations, create disguises and design costumes. They learn how to express themselves clearly in the exaggerated manner that is seen on stage and screen. Other life skills practiced include problem solving, accepting differences, communicating, learning to learn and decision making. Grades 6-8. $3.95

Theatre Arts - Group Activity Helper's Guide
(40 pages) This guide assists the Helper to facilitate learning throughout this project. How the skills are addressed throughout the series is explained and the "Advice to the Helper," provides the valuable information about experiential learning.

The group activities reinforce the skills youth develop. Helpful hints throughout the guide aid the helper as the youth work through the four achievement programs of the theater arts curricula. $3.95 

For more information, to review or order copies of these materials contact the Extension office.  To review and order direct, visit http://www.n4hccs.org/shop/products.asp.

FAIR 2004 UPDATES 

Health Recommendations for Livestock Attending Maine Agricultural Fairs - By Kenneth M. Andries, Livestock Specialist

Every year hundreds of youth participate in livestock events at agriculture fairs in Maine.  These activities give youth the opportunity to show their skills in raising and caring for animals as well as learning lessons in responsibility and sportsmanship.  However, each year some animals return home from fairs with illnesses that reduce performance, may be expensive to treat and may spread to other animals on the farm. 

The following recommendations should help reduce the risk from these problems.

Everyone associated with the fairs and all exhibitors are concerned with animal health and welfare.  However, no one with the fair or any exhibitor can prevent animals from becoming ill.  The best thing to do is to protect your animals as best you can, follow the rules, and treat any illness properly and quickly. 

These recommendations are intended to help reduce the risk of an animal becoming ill, however no health program can guarantee animals will not become ill.  Be sure to read and understand all directions for administering products before you give anything.  Make sure all label restrictions are followed and be sure to check the fair rulebook before giving any medication to any animal.  Fairs are able to set their own rules so be sure to read the rules for all fairs you plan to attend.

A herd health program should be started a month or more before the fair.  This will give you time to give initial shots and boosters as recommended by the program and product you are using.  If this is not possible then start as soon as possible.  Consult with your local veterinarian for restrictions on products and recommended vaccinations for your animals.

Since we are talking about fairs you need to start by obtaining a rulebook for the fair(s).  Each fair in Maine is allowed to make its own rules and there is no set state rule on animal health.  The State does require that no animal with warts, ringworm, or other contagious disease be allowed on fair ground.  Warts are caused by a virus and ringworm is a fungus.  Both can be spread through contact with infected animals and other material that animals come in contact with.  Horses are also required to have a negative Coggins test.

Recommendations for a Healthy Show Animal
Start with a healthy animal.  Make sure that your animals are kept in a clean, healthy environment.  Keep the stall areas clean and make sure the animal has plenty of clean water and feed.  If you only have show animals, you still need to consult your local vet to develop a program for your animal.

Contagious infection such as cold, pneumonia, warts, ringworm or other problems need to be treated as recommended by your vet before the fair.  If the animal is fully recovered, then you can feel safe bringing it to the fair.  If there is not enough time for the animal to recover, you should be responsible enough not to bring it to the fair.

Vaccinations and other medications should be given according to the label directions or as recommended by your vet.  This includes vaccinations for preventable problems.  Show animals should be protected with the following vaccinations; this is not intended to be a complete list but indicates some of the major concerns:

• All animals: Rabies vaccination.

• Beef and Dairy: broucellosus, BVD, IBR, P13, BRSV, parteurell, lepto and vibreo.

• Horses: Tetanus, Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, Potomac Horse Fever, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis and Strangles.

• Lambs: enterotoxemia.

• All animals should be treated for external and internal parasites on a regular basis.  Be sure that the last treatment before the fair season will give protection during the fair(s) you will be attending. 

• Report any problem to the Fair Superintendent in charge of your specific species.  Never spread rumors or suspicions about other livestock.  Keep to the facts and help the fair officials as much as possible.

 After you return from the fair be sure to keep the show animals separated from other animals.  Clean and disinfect all materials used at the fair including show boxes, clippers, combs, trailers, shoes, feed pans, and water buckets.  This will help prevent you from transporting anything from the fair to your home herd.

 

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