Focus on Youth
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News for OCES staff working with youth 4-H
is a community of young people across America learning
leadership,
citizenship and life skills.
http://agweb.okstate.edu/fourh
October, 2005
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Dear
Extension Educators, 4-H Youth Development:
On Friday, September 22,
Deputy Under Secretary Chuck Conner, representing
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, held a forum
on farm policy at the student center of OSU-OKC.
State 4-H President, Jered Daividson was asked to
present remarks on “How should farm policy
address any unintended consequences that discourage
the next generation of farmers from entering
production agriculture.” Jered noted that 4-H
is preparing youth through youth adult
partnerships, science and technology and promoting
healthy lifestyles. He also stressed that
maintaining a strong agriculture-based rural
community requires investments in community
development, youth development and opportunities
for families.
Several other 4-H officers and
4-H Ambassadors were present at the forum. Carrie
Highfill, Northwest District State Vice President,
led the Pledge of Allegiance, following the posting
of the colors.
Four-H was also highly visible
at SeptemberFest, held September 17 on the grounds
of the Governor’s mansion. Karla Knoepfli,
4-H assistant specialist, volunteer and leadership
Development; Jan Maples, Extension educator from
Okfuskee County; and Donna Miller, a 4-H volunteer
from Okfuskee County, along with several 4-H
members, state officers and ambassadors promoted
4-H and presented a variety of 4-H opportunities to
those in attendance.
We will be anxious to learn
how you are promoting 4-H throughout October during
4-H month.
Sincerely,
Lynda Harriman
Assistant Director
4-H Youth Development
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In recognition of National 4-H Week, ESRI
has announced it will offer a software grant program for US 4-H
clubs in 2006. Proposals will be accepted from 4-H groups to
conduct community mapping projects using GIS (Geographic
Information Systems) and GPS (Global Positioning Systems)
technologies.
Four-H members are preparing for 21st
Century careers. Many of these will be in geospatial
technology—identified by the US Department of Labor as
one of the fastest growing job categories in the US. Geospatial
knowledge will be essential for success in science, engineering
and technology careers. Many traditional 4-H programs are
beginning to integrate geospatial knowledge, building a strong
foundation for future learning.
ESRI will award grants of GIS club
software and learning resources to US 4-H groups whose
community mapping project proposals are approved. Since 2004,
44 states have been awarded ESRI GIS software grants for 4-H
clubs to carry out community mapping projects. These projects
apply spatial technologies to natural resource, agricultural
and community awareness 4-H projects in both rural and urban
neighborhoods. Four-H GIS/GPS community mapping projects have
contributed to their communities’ understanding of
biodiversity, climate change, deforestation, environmental
pollution, food production, freshwater supply, health and
disease, mountain development, poverty reduction, rural
development, tourism, urbanization and other key issues. More
about 4-H GIS/GPS projects can be found on the Web at .
Proposals for ESRI GIS software grants for
U.S. 4-H will be accepted from January 1 through March 30,
2006. Applicants will describe their existing GIS/GPS programs
and efforts, if any, and their plan for using GIS in their
local program for 2006. To register for notification of the 4-H
grant application and selection guidelines, p lease register to
receive an email notification from ESRI on 4-H grant
opportunities at http:
//www.esri.com/grants.
Located at the following address http://cals.arizona.edu/mohave/4h/pumpkin.htm you will find patterns and photo’s
of carved pumpkins being used to promote 4-H! Down load
and save for next year.
Do you have volunteers who have developed
leadership talents at the local and county levels and are ready
for the challenge of serving at the district and state level?
Consider encouraging them to continue their growth by serving
on the State 4-H Volunteer Board.
The board consists of three district
representatives from each of the four district who serve three
year terms. Elections are held during District Volunteer
Leadership Conferences. Each year there is a minimum of one
opening in each district. Duties include planning and attending
district and state conferences for volunteers, assisting and
advising district and state specialists, encouraging the
recruitment, training and utilizations of 4-H Volunteers and
promotion and visibility of Oklahoma 4-H.
A copy of the Position Description and
Application are posted on-line at http:
//agweb.okstate.edu/fourh/officers03/volunboard.htm. Applications are to be filed prior to the
election and are due to the District Program Specialist at the
time designated by the district.
Lola Thompson, State Volunteer Board
President
Establishing New Clubs - In establishing a
new community or project club, be sure to provide the form and
follow the procedures outlined in Appendix 1, page 31, of the
Club Management System Manual (CMS). The form is titled
“Request for Official Approval for Establishment of a 4-H
Club.” When the following criteria have been met:
1)Membership, leadership and basic structure are confirmed;
2)Civil Rights Compliance card is signed; 3)Volunteers have
completed the certification process; 4) Youth are enrolled (pg
17 of CMS); send as confirmation a copy of the Official
Approval Form to the State Office. The state office will issue
the Charter and letter from USDA.
Existing Clubs –A charter is
perpetual or until the club ceases to function, does not meet
the Oklahoma criteria for a “charter club” or the
USDA Secretary of Agriculture changes. It is the county
educator’s responsibility to annually review criteria
(using “Club Charter Renewal” form, pg 75, CMS) and
to document and file all counseling sessions conducted with
club leadership. If a club fails to meet the criteria after due
effort has been made to counsel, train and educate club
leadership and membership, the charter will then be revoked by
the state office.
Remember, only chartered clubs are
authorized to use the 4-H name and emblem. When a club is
dissolved, any funds held by the club are deposited with the
county 4-H program.
Each county will be receiving an
electronic list of charter clubs in your county registered with
the state 4-H office. An instructional cover letter will
accompany the Excel spread sheet. Please electronically update
and return the list to Judy Talley before November 21, 2005.
From time to time we get questions about
premium sale money and whether or not it is taxable. The answer
is “yes,” it is taxable income. The entity that
handles the funds should provide the 4-H member with a 1099
which shows the amount paid, if the premium is over $600. The
person who makes the purchase can claim the amount paid in
premium (less the market value of the animal if they obtain the
animal).
Families should report premium income on
Schedule F and may deduct the cost of feed, vet bills etc for
raising the animal.
Mark your calendars for February 11. We
are planning to hold a Science Leadership conference for teens
and volunteers who would like to explore curriculum resources
for science-based project clubs. Ideally counties will send a
team of youth and adult volunteers who would return to the
county and start a science project club based upon the training
they receive. This will be a multi-track program. Tentative
tracks are Biotechnology, Precision Agriculture and the New
Geology project (which includes lessons on water, soil and
other earth sciences). This program is still under
construction. If you have an idea for an additional track or
would like to help with the conference give me a call. This is
intended to be a preliminary announcement. Look for more
details as plans progress.
No. 117—Animal Science CD ($5 ea.)
includes Dairy Cattle Judging Oral Reasons, 4-H Leader’s
Resource Curriculum Guide, Quality Assurance & Animal Care,
Sheep Leader Notebook, and Dairy Food Science. The
material was provided from Land-Grant 4-H Cooperative Extension
Services such as Washington State, Ohio State, Kansas State,
and OSU Cooperative Extension. Each county and district
received one CD complimentary. Please call 744-8887 for
additional CDs.
No. 473—Animal Tracks Fact Sheet is
available to order in bulk from POD and print from OSUExtra; the
fact sheet will be available on 4-H Literature Online. The information explains how to cast animal tracks
for a display at county and state fairs.
Nos. 600-601—4-H Horses and Kids:
Safety on the Ground/Preparing to Ride Fact Sheets are
available to print from Literature Online “Horse
Project” and OSUExtra.
Counties can order in bulk from POD.
No. 540—4-H Horse Quiz Gram Fact
Sheet and No. 545—4-H Swine Quiz Gram Fact Sheet
are available to order by calling 405-744-8887. Also, the Swine
Quiz Gram may be printed from 4-H Literature Online, “Swine.” Both fact sheets will be
available on POD/OSUExtra. Quiz
Grams are very popular with 4-Hers.
No. 831—Let’s Sew Manual is
depleted from shelf but counties may order this manual
from National 4-H Catalog Supply and Nancy’s Notions.
This project is under review but a limited shelf supply will be
available to order Sets of Construction Cards and Leader
Manuals.
Electricity & Electronics Science
Technology material is available on the 4-H
website “opening”
E-Set Science for information on Simple Electric Circuits;
E-sets Series also provides information where to order Iowa
State Coop Extension 4-H Electric Manuals.
Rocket Science Technology on building,
designing, flying gliders and rockets is available on 4-H website “opening”
Science Technology “links.” 4-H members can learn
principles of flight, propulsion, rocket operation safety,
build and fly gliders, and design, test flight rockets.