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4-H Tax Information -- Good News!
--Pat BoyEs
When the IRS didn't have the ePostcard online and available in time for the first possible filing deadline of January 15, National 4-H Headquarter as the parent organization for GEN 2704, negotiated other agreements for GEN 2704 subsidiaries.
There is also the potential for fewer 990-N issues if people file their 990-N AFTER we get our updated national GEN 2704 list to the IRS and the IRS updates their records, which will not be until sometime in April. Meaning, if a club files their ePostcard BEFORE we've added them to the GEN 2704 list by sending the national updates to the IRS, the clubs may have issues with the system recognizing them as a tax exempt organization.
Clubs operating on an October - September cycle will not need to file an ePostcard until 2009.
Wilson Creek Draft Horse and Mule Plowing Days
--Katrina Walker
The Annual Wilson Creek Draft Horse and Mule Plowing Days will take place on March 29 and 30 at the Bohnet farm near Wilson Creek, Washington. Draft teams from around the Pacific Northwest will be working in the field in a demonstration of old-fashioned farming techniques. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about pioneer history. Bring your camera! The Plowing Days are free to attend. There will be lunch available for purchase from the Wilson Creek FFA both days. For more information visit www.plowingdays.org or e-mail Katrina Walker at info@plowingdays.org.
Still Life Judges' Training
--Barbara Wollstein
Thurston County is sponsoring a still life judges' training to be held in conjunction with the Westside Super School sponsored by the Washington State Fair Association on April 5, 2008, at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Trainings will be offered for judges of 4-H Clothing & Textiles, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Educational Displays, and Public Presentations. Participants who complete the trainings will be included on the most current list of 4-H judges that superintendents may choose from for county fairs. Please share this information in your counties so that we may develop a large pool of qualified judges for our youth exhibitors.
For information or to register, contact the Thurston County 4-H Office at (360) 786-5445, ext. 7913 or e-mail TC4H@co.thurston.wa.us. An information brochure can be accessed at http://thurston.wsu.edu/4-H/calendar.html.
Camp Director Training
--Jana Ferris
Westside Camp Director Training will be held Saturday, April 5 at the Thurston County WSU Extension Office. The training will begin at 9:30 a.m., participants are asked to bring a sack lunch as we will work through lunch, and end at 3:00 p.m.
Eastside Camp Director Training will be held Saturday, April 19 at the Spokane County WSU Extension Office. The training will begin at 9:30 a.m., participants are asked to bring a sack lunch as we will work through lunch, and end at 3:00 p.m.
If you plan to attend, or send folks from your county, please contact me at ferrisj@wsu.edu.
There will be only be TWO trainings this year; one on each side of the state. Other trainings may be arranged at each individual county's expense.
Pacific Science Center's Camp In 2008
--Janet Edwards
Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 12 for the Pacific Science Center's Camp In 2008! Registration is due by March 28. Each county was sent copies of an information flyer. If your county needs more flyers, please send an e-mail to Tiffany Boswell or download and print them from http://4h.wsu.edu/conferences/campin/index.htm.
Rocketry Materials Available
--Janet Edwards
Through the National 4-H partnership with the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), National 4-H council is able to make NAR resources available to 4-H volunteers free of charge. The materials include the NAR Member Guidebook and two CD's on model rocket building and flying. To receive them, 4-H Volunteers should send their name, email address AND mailing address to GetSETInfo@fourhcouncil.edu.
More information about NAR can be found at: http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/nar.aspx.
National 4-H Curriculum Update
--Nancy Mordhorst
The following information will be of interest to counties or clubs anticipating the upcoming Pre-Press ordering period for National 4-H publications (formerly CCS). Please note the responses to these frequently asked questions.
This document can also be found at www.4-hcurriculum.org.
National 4-H Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a pre-press period in 2008?
Yes. The pre-press period for 2008 will be April 1st – 25th.
The curriculum catalog will be combined with the spring Supply Service catalog and will be mailed and also available online, in early March.
Will curriculum orders during the pre-pres period also qualify for Fair Share?
No. Curriculum orders placed during the pre-press period will include the 35% discount, but will not be included in the Fair Share program.
Will there be a price increase on the curriculum products?
No. The price for curriculum will remain the same for the 2008 pre-press period. The discount of pre-press sales will remain at 35%.
Will printed material continue to be available for sale?
Yes. Although we are exploring a combination of curriculum distribution options, printed books will continue to be sold.
Will we continue to have individual project materials?
Yes. Individual project materials are instrumental to 4-H youth programming and will not be eliminated from the curriculum materials.
Will all new products be SET materials?
No. Although the SET mission mandate is highly visible, we recognize the balance needed to support the other two mission mandate areas.
What new products will be available?
Photography (revised) and ATV Leader's Guide (revised) were released in the last quarter of 2007. Several new products are expected to be released in 2008: Computer Power Unlimited (new), Destination Success (new), Embryology (revised), Exploring Your Environment (revised), Food, Culture and Reading (new), Reading Makes Cents (new), The Power of the Wind (new).
Clover Country CD Update
As many of you know, National 4-H Council and EMI Music are producing a country music compilation CD called Clover Country—Songs From Famous 4-H Alumni. This innovative project, never before seen in 4-H's history, includes 11 hit songs from confirmed 4-H alumni who are all country music superstars. Artists include: Alabama , Luke Bryan, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Sugarland, and Grammy-award winning songwriter Hillary Lindsey---who recently recorded her new song “The Clown” just for Clover Country! You may preview the songs, cover art, and learn more about Clover Country at www.clovercountrycd.com.
The CD will be released March 25 and will be available in select retail outlets, at www.clovercountrycd.com, and through your county 4-H office should they choose to sell Clover Country as a fundraiser. Below are the most up-to-date details on Clover Country and how to participate.
Ways for County 4-H Offices to Participate
- Option 1: Buy a minimum of 1,020 CDs at the wholesale price of
- $5.99 + shipping and then resell each CD for the suggested retail price
- of $9.99. Your 4-H office can raise $4 per CD!
- Option 2: Buy fewer than 1,020 CDs for $9.99 + shipping by clicking on the Purchase Now button on this site and receive the Fair Share rebate of 10% of the entire order.
How to Participate
If you would like to order 1,020 or more CDs, you can access the CD order form on the 4-H Brand Network at www.4-Hbrandnetwork.org. In addition to the CD ordering and shipping information, the 4-H Brand Network includes the following templates and fundraising resources to assist you in promoting Clover Country in your communities:
- Web Banner
- Customizable News Release (Word)
- Customizable Public Service Announcements (60-seconds, 30-seconds, 15-seconds)
- Generic Flyer/Poster
- Custom Flyer/Poster
- Newsletter Ad
- Generic Postcard
- Custom Postcard
To purchase smaller quantities of the CD, click on the Purchase Now button on www.clovercountrycd.com which is linked to the 4-H Mall. Ten percent of the price of CDs purchased from the 4-H Mall are shared directly with the buyer's state 4-H program through the National 4-H Supply Service Fair Share Program.
Place your orders by March 14 to ensure that you are among the first to receive Clover Country when it is released!
Sherri Wright Announces Her Retirement
--Cathann Kress
Sherri Wright, National Program Leader at National 4-H Headquarters has announced her retirement planned for June 30, 2008. Sherri has provided leadership for the 4-H Military Partnership and the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) programs, including CYFERNet and has had a distinguished career at USDA. In 2006, she received the Air Force District of Washington's (AFDW) 2006 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award for fostering the development of a US Air Force and 4-H partnership. Two programs under her leadership have received the USDA Secretary's Honor Award, the highest honor within the department, CYFERnet was awarded the USDA Secretary's Honor Award in June 2003, and in 2006, the Army/4-H Youth Development Project also received the award.
Sherri has been instrumental in the growth and sustainability of programs which have been dedicated to creating access and opportunity for underserved youth and their families.
I hope you'll join me in wishing Sherri well as she transitions to retirement.
Job Opportunity in Colorado
The Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University has posted a position announcement for an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Fort Collins, County.
Job Opportunity in Maryland
The College Of Agriculture and Natural Resources at University Of Maryland Cooperative Extension has posted a position announcement for a 4-H Assistant Director – State Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development.
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.