|
Westside Blue Ribbon Classes Offered
--Nancy Mordhorst
A Blue Ribbon software class is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, in the computer lab at the Snohomish County Office in Everett . The class will begin at 10am and dismiss by 4pm. It is open to any new personnel working with 4-H enrollment data, faculty or staff interested in the capabilities of the software, and those who want a refresher course on program features. Please contact me at nancym@wsu.edu if you or others in your office are interested in attending.
A Southwest District location is in the works for a similar Blue Ribbon class on Wednesday, May 16 . Watch for details.
Again, if you are interested in being included in either of these classes, please drop me an email, so I will know how many to prepare for.
Washington State 4-H WHEP Contest
--Pat BoyEs
Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program, WHEP, is a 4-H program that helps youth strengthen self-concepts and character through interaction with other young people from their own state and different parts of the country. It teaches essential life skills such as oral and written communication, critical thinking, teamwork and decision-making. WHEP fosters relationships between professional wildlife and fisheries biologists, volunteers, parents, youth, teachers, farmers and ranchers.
Washington State will hold there contest Memorial Day Weekend Friday, May 25 – Sunday, May 27, 2007 at Panhandle Lake 4-H Camp http://panhandle4-hcamp.wsu.edu/index.html.
4-H Foundation Grant Review Deadline Approaches
--Gayle Ashworth
The Washington State 4-H Foundation is now accepting applications for its grants programs. Applications must be postmarked or sent electronically to 4-hfound@wsu.edu by June 1. Applications are accepted twice in each twelve month period; due dates are June 1 and December 1, with funding approximately July 1 and January 1. Our goal is to have funding award notifications by these dates and our volunteer Board of Directors does its best to meet these deadlines, but it is not always possible. We ask that you plan accordingly.
The goal of the 4-H Foundation grant program is to fund worthy 4-H Youth Development Programs or Projects. The Harry Burcalow Endowment granting opportunity emphasizes short-term needs such as new, innovative programs, seed money, emergency or unanticipated shortfalls. Programs aimed at 4-H youth and/or adults who work with 4-H are eligible to apply for this grant. Grant awards are generally between $100 and $1,000.
Chevron/Texaco Community Pride grant requests are also available. This program is designed to recognize and reward youth for efforts that create positive benefits in their community, regionally, or on a state or national level. These grants are available in amounts up to $300 (although larger amounts can be awarded on special request) to supplement local funds for projects.
AmericanWest Bank grants are available to fund worthy 4-H Youth Development Programs or Projects with agriculture or livestock focus in communities where AmericanWest Bank operates. 4-H Clubs in the following counties are eligible for funding: Spokane, Lincoln, Stevens, Whitman, Franklin, Columbia, Walla Walla, Benton, Yakima, and Grant. Grant awards will have a maximum of $250 per group or club.
To obtain additional details on these granting opportunities and to download a copy of the grant applications and guidelines, visit the 4-H Foundation website, http://4h.wsu.edu/foundation/grants.htm.
Second National "Words That Shook the World" High School Public Speaking Competition and Scholarship
--Pat BoyEs and Karen Henry
High school students who participate in “Words That Shook the World” have an opportunity to win a full 4 year scholarship valued at $100,000. This year we expect over 100,000 competitors, drawn from 30,000 high schools across the nation in a "YouTube" meets "American Idol" meets "C-Span" competition conducted via the internet.
My daughter, Jessica Henry, was the third place winner last year ( http://one.revver.com/watch/138404/format/flv/affiliate/20123 ...click on site to view her speech) and I was so moved by the experience that I write to you now as The National Coordinator. I volunteered with this organization because I believe that, given the chance, our youth today do have a “Message for America ”, (the topic of the speeches) and that this is such a wonderful platform for them to share that message. With the horrors of the last couple of weeks shining a light on the troubled and disturbed youth of our country, I know that there is no better time for this competition!
The competition is completely free.
The History Channel is our "Historical Speeches Sponsor", C-Span will be there and HBO has already given the green light on a documentary.
Schools would have the benefit of receiving access to the training CD's from Richard Greene, author of “Words That Shook the World”; creator of the competition and training process, and the man Fortune Magazine quotes as, “one of the leading public speaking coaches today”.
If you are interested in receiving the Official Invitation which will allow students to upload videos into the competition, please send us an email ASAP. The competition starts May 7. The finals will be held live in Washington, D.C. this summer 2007.
Please call Karen Henry, National Coordinator at 435-659-6840 should you have any further questions. More information can be found at www.wordsthatshooktheworld.com.
Colorado Invitation to Camp Round-UP
--Pat BoyEs
Camp Round-Up is coming up June 16-18, 2007. All backgrounds of youth ages 14-18 are invited to learn about Food-Animal Agriculture and Equine Sciences through participating in hands-on, science and math based activities with livestock, tours and state-of-the art facilities, and presentations by Colorado State University 's distinguished faculty and graduate students.
Lessons incorporate science, math and agricultural issues, while developing teamwork and friendship with fellow campers by encouraging a common interest in the livestock industry.
For more information please contact Jennifer Berg-Ramsey, Instructor (CSU Department of Animal Sciences) at Jennifer.Berg-Ramsey@colostate.edu or 970-689-1140. Visit the website www.ansci.colostate.edu and click "Camp Round-UP" in the quick links for more information.
USDA Mini-Grant
--Pat BoyEs and Dr. James W. Hilton, Associate Professor and USDA –CSREES Project Director
- Do you conduct an annual training program for 14 and 15 year olds who wish to work for hire in agriculture operations operating tractors and machinery?
- Do you currently teach a safe tractor and machinery operation program?
- Do you certify participants with a written, skills and driving exam?
- Do you issue the USDOL WH-5 Certificate of Training those who pass all exams?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions then you may be eligible for a grant to purchase supplies and educational materials to support your efforts.
- To learn more and to apply for support funds go to http://www.ystmomg.psu.edu
- To learn more about the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program go to http://www.nstmop.psu.edu
- To learn more about the Gearing-up Safe Tractor Driving Program go to http://www.gearingup.info
A letter from Bob Meadows, 4-H Program Director in Virginia , headquartered on the Virginia Tech campus.
--Pat BoyEs
I regret that I could not be with you during the time in Denver ; however, upon arriving in my room there, I received the awful news about the shootings here at Virginia Tech. This horrible tragedy has changed our campus forever.
Our College of Agriculture and Life Sciences lost four students and the wife of our Horticulture Life Sciences Department Head. Two of the students killed had been 4-H members. This week, we placed 4-H medallions on the Hokie Stones of these two students. A block of stone was placed for each life lost (in a semi-circle facing the front of the Burruss Administrative Building ).
It is my prayer that none of you will ever have to go through such a terrible and tragic experience. No one can imagine the impacts of such a tragedy. The media is everywhere and many have been shoving microphones in the faces of students, parents, faculty, staff, and whoever else they can and do approach. Virginia Tech has requested that all media leave campus, but cannot force them to do so. Media are never allowed in the classrooms without faculty permission. We have insisted that if anyone does not want to speak with the media then kindly decline their requests. The media will be as present as we allow them to be. I share this because this is what will occur if anything major takes place on your campus or facilities.
To remember those lost and to honor everyone who has been affected, we participated in a university-wide moment of silence on the campus Drillfield at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, April 23, 2007 (one week passed the shootings). The first ringing of the bell signified the beginning of the moment of silence. Afterwards, there were 32 additional tolls of the bell, accompanied by the release of a white balloon for each victim. Following the last toll, maroon and orange balloons were released to signify Hokie unity.
If there is one thing that we have realized in the past week and a half, it is the enduring strength of our Hokie community. While we will never forget April 16, 2007, we can only begin to heal with the support of one another.
hank you for your notes, cards, thoughts, and prayers. They are greatly appreciated.
Just a Reminder!
When you have new Extension staff that will be working in some capacity with 4-H, please let Nancy in the State 4-H Office know. They will be added to mailing lists, added to the 4-H Talk list serve, sent a 4-H Welcome Packet, and be assigned a state 4-H staff person as a point of contact, as appropriate. 4-H News is sent via the 4-H Talk list serve each week. Archived copies of previous weeks “Tuesday 4-H News” are available on the 4-H web site: http://4h.wsu.edu/. Please send submissions by Friday of each week to Tiffany Boswell, State 4-H Office, tiffany_boswell@wsu.edu. Detailed event information and registrations forms can be found on the 4-H web site.