4-H Update

Volume 14, Number 6

Reminders:

• April 13-15: CAE4-HA, Cripple Creek
• May 1: 4-H OnLine Youth Enrollment data due, Joy Bauder
• May 15: IFYE host applications due, State 4-H Office

ES237 Information Needed!

This is just a reminder that the May 3rd deadline is just around the corner!  The good news for all is that the only documentation I need from you is to fill out the form below, get the appropriate signature (s) and either email, fax or mail to me by May 3 (information listed below).  I will double check the totals within 4HOnline and then provide the information to the CSU Extension accounting office for invoicing.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND MONEY UNTIL THE INVOICE ARRIVES!

Additionally there are still a few remaining counties that haven’t begun entering any data into 4HOnline, please don’t delay!  4HOnline will be the only mechanism for the final ES237 reports that are processed in October.

Please click on these links: http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2010/enrollverification.doc, http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2010/enrollverification.pdf

ATTENTION: those with 4-H Shooting Sports Responsibilities

Several 4-H Shooting Opportunities have been posted to the Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports web site. Please pass this along to those members or families who may be interested.

-    2010 Douglas County Fun Shoot (4/25/2010)
-    2010 Flagler Lake YHEC Event (5/1-2/2010)
-    2010 Weld County Shotgun Invitational (5/22/2010)
-    2010 Weld County All Event Invitational (6/5/2010)

Here’s a direct link to flyers and information on all shoots:

http://www.co4hshooting.org/shooting_opportunities.html

A reminder … we are looking for dedicated 4-H Leaders who are willing to serve on the State 4-H Shooting Sports Training Team. We need Leaders willing to give their time to train other volunteers in 4-H Shooting Sports disciplines. With the National 4-H Shooting Sports training coming to Grand Junction in May, this is a perfect opportunity to join our Training Team! Interested? Contact Jim Hamilton (jim.hamilton@colostate.edu) at 719.846.7403. – Perry Brewer

2010 4-H National Science Experiment

On behalf of 4-H National Headquarters at NIFA, USDA, National 4-H Council and the entire 4-H SET Management Team, we are pleased to announce that North Carolina A&T has been selected as the leading university for this year’s National Science Experiment which focuses on water quality and climate change.

Using a three-tiered experiment model, the experiment engages youth of all ages to learn at the simplest level how carbon dioxide can affect aquatic animals, plants and other living organisms in lakes, streams, rivers and oceans. These activities help facilitators lead discussions to help youth better understand climate change. Using worksheets and online guides, the experiment will help youth take the activities and connect back to their lives by measuring their own carbon footprint, their family’s footprint, and estimate energy savings by looking at gas and electric bills.

Visit 4-H.org to find the full news release about this year’s experiment. We look forward to sharing the final experiment materials with the 4-H community in late May.  – Willa Williams

2010 Wild Bug Fish Camp and YHEC Information

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for – information on the 2010 Wild Bug Fish Camp! – The Wild Bug Fish Camp is designed to allow leaders and members to participate together in a learning experience focusing on natural resources and the environment. http://www.4hfishing.org/2010_wbf_camp.html

Do you enjoy hunting, shooting or just being outdoors? Would you like the opportunity to enhance your skills and learn more about hunting methods, game species, hunter ethics and safety? Then think about attending the 2010 Flagler YHEC Event.  http://www.co4hshooting.org/shooting_opportunities.html – Perry Brewer

4-H International Exchange Programs 2010

4-H/Japanese Summer Exchange
Japanese exchange students have 100 percent medical coverage and may participate in host family vacations. Teens from hosting families in Colorado are subsequently eligible to participate in an exchange program to Japan during any of the following summers until they are 21 years old.

Inbound -Host families are needed for approximately 75 Japanese boys and girls, ages 12-21. Japanese teens from the Labo and Lex organizations arrive in Colorado on July 21 and join host families on July 23 after orientation by 4-H staff. Teens from the Utrek program arrive in Colorado on July 21, joining their host families on July 25 after orientation and a camp in the mountains. Both groups return to Denver on August 18 and depart for Japan on August 19.

Outbound-The outbound exchange involves a family that acts as a host for a Japanese youth. This enables their son or daughter, ages 12-19, to apply to be a delegate to Japan for a four-week (July 7 – August 5) or eight-week (June 10 – August 5) homestay experience. Travel expenses are assumed by the traveler. (Application due 2-1-10)

4-H/Japanese High School Exchange
Inbound-Colorado will host 10 Labo, Lex, and Utrek Japanese high school exchange students, ages 15-18. These participants stay with host families and will attend Colorado high schools from July 2010 through mid-June 2011. They are proficient in English and will attend an additional intensive English language class before arriving in Colorado.  Families who host a high school delegate are eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship toward the cost of sending their son or daughter to Japan for four or eight weeks.

Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX)
Inbound-Host families are needed for FLEX students, ages 15-18. This program is funded by the U.S. State Department to instill democratic principles in exchange participants from the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union. FLEX participants come from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Colorado will host 10 participants  who will stay with host families and attend high school August 2010 through mid-June 2011.

International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE)
Inbound- IFYE delegates, ages 19-30, stay two to three weeks with several host families during their three-month stay in Colorado. IFYE’s come from many regions of the world: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia and Africa. They share information about their country, culture and the IFYE program with various community groups and travel throughout Colorado during their visit. IFYEs generally arrive in Colorado mid-June or mid-September.

International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE)
Outbound-IFYE delegates, ages 19-30, visit a foreign country for three or six months. The countries are located in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia and Africa. Six-month delegates leave the United States in late June and return in early December. Three-month delegates return in early September. The delegate lives and works with host families and gains a unique perspective about another culture. When delegates return, they travel throughout Colorado to share their experiences and broaden international awareness. The Colorado 4-H Foundation offers two full scholarships each year for IFYE representatives, (personal spending money excluded).

Click on these links for further information:  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2010/HostFamiliesNeeded-JapaneseSummer2010.pdf,

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2010/FLEX-RecruitmentRelease-2010.pdf

- Courtney Loflin, State Program Coordinator, courtney.loflin@colostate.edu, (970) 491-2711

New Everyone Ready Seminar

A new volunteer development seminar is now available: Bridging the Gap between Volunteers and zrmployees: Keys to Effective Partnership. One of the universal challenges in volunteer development is assuring that employees and volunteers who work together on a daily basis are enthusiastic and supportive of each other. This seminar examines the root causes of possible tension, analyzes the employee perspective, and discusses ways to improve attitudes and practices throughout the organization. Log in now! – Dale Leidheiser

Colorado Dairy Goat Association Award Available

The Colorado Dairy Goat Association(CDGA) has allotted a small amount of money to be divided across all of the Colorado counties that have 4H members enrolled in dairy goats.  In order to qualify for a small (but hopefully helpful) monetary award, you must 1) respond with the number of kids enrolled in the dairy goat project in your county and 2) give an estimate of the number of dairy goats you expect to have at your county’s fair!  Even if you only have one member entered, please respond to this opportunity.

There only request is that the award only be used within the DAIRY GOAT project! We would like to have your response by May 1.  Please include the contact name that the check should be issued to and the address you would like to have it mailed to. Thanks for all you do for your 4H members! – Greg Larson - vl.larson@juno.com

4-H Truck Raffle

Congratulations to Vicci Starkowski from Franktown, CO, who won the Colorado 4-H Foundation truck with ticket #25535. The winning ticket was drawn by Butch Stone of Stone Motors during the “Experience the Lighting of 4-H” Gala, held Saturday night (October 3, 2009) at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets. The raffle brought in over $57,000 for the Colorado 4-H program.

Volunteers Promote Truck Raffle in Douglas

Sunday was a beautiful day in Douglas County; temps in the 80′s and a nice breeze. Folks enjoyed live music, the Round Robin and the rodeo throughout the last day of the fair. Thanks to the tireless volunteers and Extension Agent Mary Baldwin, the ticket sales were brisk on the 4-H Raffle truck. In fact, there was a consistent stream of women selling the tickets, giving me a chance to wander the grounds. Wonderful exhibits in the halls, visiting with the locals, and learning of the history of Douglas County made for a very enjoyable day for me as well. Thanks, Douglas County 4-H volunteers for bringing this last day of my truck tour to such a sweet end. And yes, that is a crown on Mary Baldwin’s head. She is truly royalty!

Moffat County 4-H comes out in force!

Even as the weiner dog races took place (yes, that would be Dachshund racing!), the 4-H Council and other members were busy selling Raffle truck tickets to the folks at the Moffat County Fair. It was a nice evening with wonderful live bluegrass music from the Ackermans, exhibits, a clown on stilts and the truck! I had the pleasure of meeting many of the 4-H members and families gathered to admire the truck’s features. Thanks for a great evening in Moffat.

Gary Small, Executive Director of the Colorado 4-H Foundation took the truck to Boulder County today; tomorrow is one last appearance at Douglas. Watch for my closing thoughts early next week. And be sure to get your chances on the truck!

Rio Blanco means “White River”

The 4-H Raffle truck took a beautiful ride into Meeker this morning, along the open pastures and meandering White River. Winds were gusty at 30 mph, making it a real challenge to sell tickets at the Rio Blanco Fair. But folks watching the sheep show in the barn were supportive of the raffle sales. 4-H is strong in this county, where just about everyone drives a truck! The Ford F-150 pickup was admired by many. Thanks, Rio Blanco!

The triad begins…Garfield, Rio Blanco, Moffat Counties

I am sitting in my comfortable motel room in Rifle tonight; the steady hum of traffic on I-70 as trucks downshift into the area, the beginnings of the mesa cliffs outside my window. I have one up on Kit Carson (the frontiersman, not the county); I am able to cross the state of Colorado from the Kansas border to the western slope in under 6 hours. Wouldn’t he have been amazed?

Bunnies is the word today, as the 4-H Raffle truck was escorted into the livestock barn at the Garfield County Fair. And what beautiful bunnies they are, as 4-H kids from around the county showed in every class, size, breed and purpose known to man for bunnies. What dedication from the leaders, volunteers, and parents as the hours passed and every bunny and youth had their chance.

Speaking of chances…do you have your ticket for the raffle truck? I think the 4-H Foundation is going to have trouble getting the key out of my hands. I am not only “Ford tough!” I am Ford convinced. What a vehicle! So, who needs a ticket? See your local 4-H clubs or any Extension staff for sales, through September.

The Spirit of Kit Carson lives on

I researched the life of Kit Carson, the frontiersman who led expeditions to the Rockies, had 3 Native American wives and numerous adventures as a scout and friend to the Indians. This county intrigued me when I first reviewed the schedule of the 4-H raffle truck route. But, no one prepared me for the treat I had in store! Thanks to Mick Livingston and Perry Brewer, as well as all the Extension staff and 4-H kids who served up a great day in Kit Carson County! First, these folks have a fairgrounds in a park. Not just any park; a park that hosts a National Historic Landmark, the most beautiful carousel I have ever seen. It’s a 104 years old and if you haven’t had the pleasure of riding it, add this to your list of a “1000 places to see before you die”. I was a kid again, anxiously awaiting my .25 ride: the camel? the giraffe? the tiger? I raced around the carousel searching for the perfect animal to ride. Folks, they don’t make anything like this anymore.

So, I won’t brag, but we all have our 2 1/2 minutes of fame, right? I was interviewed on the local radio station regarding the 4-H raffle truck. Within an hour people were at the table…”it’s Bridget!” I had to do a double-take, not realizing how quickly fame can spread in eastern Colorado.

Do I show favorites? I try not to, but Kit Carson you are leading my list of “best fair yet!” We had a stellar ticket selling day thanks to countless 4-H kids, their leaders and the folks who put 4-H values, family, and tradition first.  “The past, the present, the future”…what a fitting theme for the Kit Carson County Fair.

The road to Yuma is smooth!

I had a bit of a siesta as Gary Small, Executive Director of the 4-H Foundation was kind enough to take the truck to Larimer and Weld Fairs Sunday and Monday. Thanks, Gary!

But, back on the road again…the 4-H Raffle truck arrived in Yuma today for the Yuma County Fair. Heat returned to the plains, and things were toasty as we took part in the parade and headed out to the fairgrounds for a great day of ticket sales, rodeo and BBQ. The 4-H groups are many; 16 in all, and the youth were polite, prompt and extremely helpful in selling tickets all day.  Hey,I truly enjoyed spending the day with you all and hearing of your projects and involvement in 4-H!  Eldon Fisher, Extension agent arranged for the County Commissioners to ride in the raffle truck for the parade. These guys have a great aim, tossing candy along the route! Many folks applauded the commissioners…or was it the truck?! Kit Carson? See you Wednesday!

A Beautiful Evening in Bent County

Couldn’t have asked for a nicer evening as the Bent County Fair BBQ and Rodeo took place Saturday. Rolling in from Baca, I was received warmly by Kaye Kasza and Lacey Mann, Extension agents who helped to top off a long day with true hospitality in Bent. Folks gathered to enjoy the BBQ, conversation and a rodeo. Many admired the Ford F-150, taking their chance on the winning ticket and stopping by to introduce themselves. It was a pleasant evening and as I drove on to Pueblo, I reflected on the great day I had in Baca and Bent Counties. I appreciated meeting you all.

Now, for the northern part of the state! Larimer and Weld Sunday and Monday, then it’s back out east to the Yuma County Fair on Tuesday. I had a woman tell me in Bent that she saw the truck on the road that morning in Baca. Keep an eye out! This truck is hard to miss!

Baca County is Looking Fine in ’09!

What a great theme for a fair, and Baca County strutted their stuff as the 4-H Raffle Truck cruised the parade. Local 4-H kids rode in the back, and others followed on their own floats giving folks a real view as to just “how fine!” 4-H looks in Baca. It’s all about generations here, and many families gathered together to look over the F-150 Raffle Truck at the fairgrounds. Ticket sales were brisk and the BBQ was the best I’ve had yet! Nice to see our own State 4-H team member, Michael Macklin at the fair. Michael was raised in Springfield and made the trek back from Fort Collins to enjoy the weekend festivities with his family. All in all, Baca County is lookin’  mighty fine in 2009!