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Table of Contents
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Focus on Youth News for OCES staff working with youth. 4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. October/November, 2006 Dear Extension Educators,
Our program of innovation featured in this issue comes from Comanche County but is not limited to just that one county. The program is the 4-H/Military Program which involves the Air Force, Army, Guards, Reserves and 4-H clubs. Alan Vandeventer has been our state contact for the 4-H/Military project for several years, and he has worked with other county educators in Comanche, Pittsburg, Jackson, Garfield, and Oklahoma County to provide programs, support and collaboration with our military installations and families. The purpose of this program is to provide educational experiences, to help develop life skills and to conduct project work, teach leadership skills, and instill a sense of community pride to military youth. Projects are conducted worldwide on all Army and Air Force installations, regardless of where the parent is transferred. It helps provide a sense of belonging to youth in military families. This program has been in place for seven years and is currently reaching about 500 4-H members enrolled on installations in Oklahoma and a known 195 enrolled in clubs off installations. The two Oklahoma Army installations report contacting a combined number of 1,240 youth for educational experiences. This innovative program has been supported by several grants, which over the past three years has amounted to over $89,000. Grant proceeds have financed the hiring of a program assistant, provided educational and promotional material for youth services, and supplied training for leaders working on installations. One of the most current projects is a communications program in which the county office serves as a resource for linking military personnel with their families back home via digital camera and the computer. So, how could this program be implemented in your county? Every county has a national guard armory or families with members in the military. Your local 4-H clubs can adopt service men and women or provide resources to families who are here at home while family members are away defending our freedoms. If you have new program, a new twists on an old activity or a tried and true "best practice" we would like to share it with your peers. You can submit your programs via your District 4-H Program Specialist, or your program may be selected from monthly narratives and other reports. Sincerely, Charles Cox |
Application for Trip ChaperonesAttached is the form to be completed by educators and/or volunteers who are interested in chaperoning an upcoming 4-H out-of-state trip. All applications must be sent through both the county and the district offices. The applications are due to the District office by December 14, 2006. |
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CWF Program AssistantsPlans for this summer’s Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) are currently underway; however, a major factor to the success of the program is the Program Assistant (PA) staff. National 4-H Council is looking for bright college-age students to facilitate the program. If you know someone who would be an excellent PA, please let them know that applications are due by January 27, 2007. The application form and additional information can be found at http://www.4hcwf.org/programassistant.aspx |
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4-H Enhancement GrantsWe are pleased to announce that the Hille Foundation in Tulsa has renewed their support for the 4-H Enhancement Grant program. Now that we have our major sponsor secured, I am pleased to announce that we will continue the grant program and encourage everyone to consider applying. I know that in the past couple years we have not been able to fund all the proposals, and we cannot make any guarantees but we are closer to being able to fund more of the applications. We will try to update the files in the next couple weeks, so you should be able to begin preparation of your 2007 applications soon. The applications will be due January 15 and awards will be announced by February 15. |
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4-H Clover ClassicThanks to all the staff, officers and ambassadors that supported the 4-H Clover Classic in some way. This year’s event was a success and we appreciate what so many different people and groups did to help out this year. The event raised over $11,000 that will go toward general support for the Foundation. This makes it possible for us to continue supporting enhancement grants, scholarships, outreach activities, and all the other direct support programs. Thanks again to all that contributed in some way. |
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Congratulations Mr. Ray ParkerWe are very pleased to announce that Mr. Ray Parker has been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Mr. Parker was nominated by the 4-H Foundation and the 4-H Department, and even though he was not able to attend the event, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame during 4-H week. The National 4-H Hall of Fame is a “virtual” hall. To see Mr. Parker’s entry in the Hall, go to the following web site: (http://www.nae4ha.org/hof/rparker.html) and take a look at his materials. If you want to send Mr. Parker a note of congratulations, his address is 2112 North Husband, Stillwater, OK 74075. We are also accepting donations in honor of Mr. Parker, and all contributions will go into a fund being established to honor all retired state and district 4-H specialists. |
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Congratulations Muskogee CountyDavid Adams, Muskogee County Urban 4-H Youth Development Educator has just been awarded a $7,500 grant from the National 4-H Council as part of the “Real 4-H! Community Grants sponsored by Coca-Cola. The grant will allow Muskogee County 4-H to implement many new and expanded water quality programs. The program will engage youth and adults as partners to work with schools and community agencies to engage and educate citizens about current issues related to water quality. This is just one of many grants that are available from the National 4-H Council. For more information about future grants, go to the Council’s grant website and register. The web address is: http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/GrantsProgram.aspx |
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20th Year for Ronald McDonald House Fund RaiserFor the past 20 years, Oklahoma 4-H members have raised money to help support both the Ronald McDonald House and 4-H. Information was recently sent to all County Extension Offices, and this week letters will be sent to those leaders who have participated over the past two years. Last year less than half of the counties participated and many counties that did participate had only one or two clubs that joined the effort. A full one third of the money collected stays in the county to be used by the club or county 4-H Program, so there can be big rewards for those who participate. Over $3,000 in prizes will be distributed to the members and clubs, and anyone who collects at least $25 will receive at least one prize. For the 20th year we would like to have a strong showing for 4-H. If you have questions about the program, please feel free to contact me soon. Clubs are asked to register with your office by December, and all campaign materials will be mailed out by mid-December so the campaign can begin on January 1st. All the campaign information will soon be updated on the state 4-H web page, so you can also check there for copies of all the materials. |
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2006-07 State Service Projects UpdateThe state officers have chosen to continue the Dime Drop/Roll of Dime project for Habitat for Humanity (goal $4000), Pop-Tab Collection for Ronald McDonald House and to reinstate the “Each One Reach One” program. All materials and forms are posted on the Oklahoma 4-H Web Site under “Service.” http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/service.htm “Each One, Reach One” is simple. If every current 4-H member recruited and enrolled one new member in their local club, Oklahoma's 4-H enrollment doubles. The program was started by State 4-H President Natalie James in 1988. One goal of the 2006-07 State 4-H Officer team is to revive the “Each One, Reach One” project. We want to increase enrollment along with the retention and participation of new 4-H members. To participate in “Each One, Reach One,” an enrolled 4-H member recruits one “new” member into the local club and mentors that person during the first year of enrollment. Mentoring means you will help the individual and family to understand 4-H and encourage their attendance and participation at club meetings, activities and 4-H events. During the first year of enrollment you will also provide the new member with the leadership and guidance necessary to plan and carry out project work in one 4-H project area. Our goal is “Quality vs. Quantity.” We want you to make an investment in the individual so the new member becomes as passionate about 4-H as you are! It is important to understand that participation, cooperation and self-determined goals are just as important as participation in peer competition in the retention of new members during the first year. Please assist the state officer team in promoting and encouraging participation in each project. Hailey Burch, SE District State Vice President, Service Project Coordinator |
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Promotion with a PumpkinLocated 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. |
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State Volunteer Board Leadership PositionDo you have volunteers who have developed the 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 districts who serve a three year term. 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 online at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/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. Liz Taylor, State Volunteer Board President |
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Local Club Officer TrainingThe following 4-H curriculum was revised in 2005 and is available on the Oklahoma 4-H web page, http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/. The materials can be printed in Word or PDF formats. These materials will no longer be available on the literature order form once all Secretary Books are out of stock. 4-H Club President Planning Guide, Lit. 435 4-H Treasurer's Record Book, Lit. 438 4-H Secretary's Record Book, Lit. 31 Officers and club leaders should feel free to download and keep their records electronically. Located at the same web address club leaders will find the On TRAC planning forms, Activity and Event Intent Form, and Treasurer Report Forms. Please be sure and share these valuable resources with club leaders. Sometime in November a revised 4-H Officer Team Guide – for Reporter, Recreation/Song Leader and club Teen Leader and general information about starting a 4-H Club E-Scrapbook will be posted at the same web address. |
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Managing Chartered ClubsEstablishing 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 annual 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. |
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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 updated and return the list to Judy Talley before November 20, 2006. |
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2007 4-H Art of Leadership ConferenceThe purpose of Art of the 4-H Leadership series is to provide an environment for you to develop your executive leadership skills, build cohesion with your colleagues and participate in conversations on significant issues that will positively impact 4-H youth development in the future. February 20-22, 2007 – Tucson, AZ (3-day session) (Hotel information TBD) September 10-13, 2007 – Burlington, VT (4-day session) (Hotel: Inn at Essex, Essex, Vermont Costs and Registration Fee: Participants are responsible for their travel, lodging, one lunch, one dinner (Session Two only), registration ($150.00), assigned leadership book ($20), and incidentals. Costs are currently estimated at $1,200 for each session or $2,400 (over two fiscal years). This estimate includes all costs associated with the Art of Leadership participation. National 4-H Headquarters and National 4-H Council provides additional support for the presenters, assessment instruments, instructional materials and special events. Art of Leadership Registration Form |
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Service and Volunteerism – Current ResourcesThe following web sites have some excellent materials in support of Volunteer Development, Volunteerism and Teens. Most of the articles are brief followed by more in depth information. The recent study by the Corporation for National and Community Service on Teens volunteering twice as much as Adults. The complete study – “Youth Helping America – Building Active Citizens: The Role of Social Institutions in Teen Volunteering” can be found at http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/performance_research.asp. There is also information on Program Outcomes and Performance Evaluations for volunteers and volunteer programs from the Hands-On Network. That web site is www.handsonnetwork.org. Information on The Volunteer Management Report can be found at www.stevensoninc.com. |
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2006 Wheat Improvement Show ResultsSixteen thousand dollars in scholarship was divided between nine Oklahoma 4-H and FFA Youth at the Phillips Pavilion at the Governors Mansion in OKC on Thursday evening August 31st. Parents, family, event sponsors, dignitaries, educators and 4-H & FFA youth were in attendance at the award banquet to witness the presentation of premiums, scholarships, plaques, medals and trophies to the top placing youth in the Oklahoma 4-H/FFA Wheat Quality Improvement Program. |
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2007 In-service Opportunity - REAL Colors TrainingThe Real Colors Personality
Instrument is a simple, intuitive system for identifying the four
temperaments (Blue, Gold, Green, or Orange). It provides users with an
effective tool for understanding human behavior. Oklahoma City, Holiday Inn Airport OSU Extension Employees and Oklahoma Educators, $499 for registration and materials All others, $695 See attachment for details. |
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Eligibility: Citizens and permanent residents of Canada and the United States who are under age 25. Deadline: Dec. 1. Amount: Twelve BRICK Award winners receive $10,000. For winners age 18 and under, $5,000 will be awarded in a scholarship and $5,000 as a grant to support the winner's project or organization. For winners ages 19 to 25, the entire sum is given as a grant toward the winner's project or organization. Celebrity and Lifetime Achievement BRICK Award winners receive $25,000. Contact: www.dosomething.org/brick
Grant: NetAid Global Action Awards - For innovative, youth-led anti-poverty programs. Funder: NetAid. Eligibility: High school students. Deadline: Nov. 30. Amount: Up to $5,000 for the college or charity of the winners' choice. Contact: www.netaid.org/global_action_awards
Grant: Be The Change! - For youth-led, sustainable development programs that empower youth to, in Mahatma Gandhi's words, "be the change they want to see in the world." Financial support is offered for various types of projects in the United States and abroad, including renovating libraries, constructing bridges, restoring parks or raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Funder: Peace Child International. Eligibility: Teams of individuals under age 25 proposing projects that benefit an entire community. Deadline: Oct. 31. Amount: Up to $1,000 per award. Contact: www.peacechild.org
Grant: Youth-Directed Service-Learning Action - Grants to service-learning projects in disaster preparedness, driver safety, financial education and access to higher education. Funder: State Farm Youth Advisory Board. Eligibility: Educators teaching in public K-12, charter or higher education institutions; school-based service-learning coordinators whose primary role is to coordinate projects in a public, charter or higher education institutions; and nonprofits that can show plans to actively engage K-12 students. Deadline: Nov. 15. Amount: $5 million in total, for grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Contact: www.statefarmyab.com/page1.php
Grant: Clay Aiken Able-to-Serve Grants - Youth work together on community projects that culminate on National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. Projects can address the environment, homeland security, public health and awareness, disaster relief, community education, literacy or other youth-identified community needs. Funder: The Bubel/Aiken Foundation and Youth Service America. Eligibility: Youth ages 5 to 25, teachers, youth leaders, youth-serving organizations or organizations that serve people with disabilities. Deadline: Nov. 30. Amount: $1,000 per award. Contact: www.ysa.org or e-mail, abletoserve@ysa.org
Grant: Youth Leaders for Literacy - Helps youth plan and implement reading-related service projects that begin on Read Across America Day, March 2, 2007, and culminate on National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. Funder: National Education Association and Youth Service America. Eligibility: Youth or groups of youth age 21 and younger. Deadline: Nov. 24. Amount: 20 grants of $500 each. Contact: www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/index.html
Education *Grant: ING Unsung Heroes - Awards for innovative classroom projects. Funder: ING. Eligibility: All full-time K-12 education professionals or classified staff who are employed by an accredited K-12 public or private school in the United States. Deadline: April 30, 2007. Amount: 100 finalists will receive an award of $2,000. Of the 100 finalists, three will be selected for additional financial awards: first place, $25,000; second place, $10,000; and the third place, $5,000. Contact: www.ing-usa.com/us/aboutING/communityconnections/ineducation/unsungheroes/index.htm
*Grant: Special Projects in the Humanities - For public discussion forums, hands-on learning experiences, discussion series based on viewing films or reading, and multi-faceted conferences or symposia that take place at diverse venues, including community centers, places of worship, 4-H clubs, neighborhoods, parks, visitor centers, workplaces, state fairs or in fields under tents, and in front of audiences that include youth. Funder: National Endowment for the Humanities. Eligibility: Nonprofits, state and local governments, and tribal governments. Deadline: Jan. 23, 2007. Amount: Up to $300,000 for 24- to 36-month projects. Contact: www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/implement-special.html#program
Grant: Thinkquest International 2007 - Invites students and teachers to take part in collaborative projects to promote cross-cultural learning by encouraging youths to team with peers in other regions to build educational websites. Funder: Oracle Education Foundation. Eligibility: Youths ages of 9 to 19 and their teacher-coaches. Deadline: April 16, 2007. Amount: Laptops and $1,000 school grants for the top 10 teams in each age division, travel to the ThinkQuest Live event for the top three teams in each division, and digital cameras for the team that receives the Global Perspectives Award. Contact: www.thinkquest.org
Grant: Youth Organization for Disaster Action - Supports regional projects to connect disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to classroom curricula. Funder: The Institute for Global Education & Service-Learning. Eligibility: Schools in Alabama, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Deadline: Oct. 26. Amount: Up to $10,000 each. Contact: www.igesl.org/html/yoda_mini_grants.html
Grant: Healthy School Communities - Pilot grants to create healthy school environments. The program promotes a "whole-child" approach to learning where achievement is measured not solely by tests but by the extent to which youth are emotionally healthy, civically engaged and ready for the world after formal schooling. Funder: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Eligibility: K-12 public and independent schools, and school communities throughout the United States and its territories, Canada, the Caribbean and the Asia Pacific region. Deadline: Nov. 15. Amount: $10,000 to each pilot school community. Contact: www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd (click on Healthy School Community under "Getting Involved")
Juvenile Justice *Grant: Justice and Mental Health Collaborations - To facilitate collaboration among criminal justice, juvenile justice, mental health treatment and substance abuse systems to increase access to treatment for mentally ill offenders. Funder: U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance. Eligibility: States, units of local government, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, which must apply jointly with a mental health agency. Deadline: Dec. 12. Amount: Planning, implementation and enhancement grants from $50,000 to $250,000. Contact: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/JMHCprogram.html
*Grant: Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) - To implement a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum designed to protect youth from delinquency, violence and gang membership. Funder: U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance. Eligibility: State, local or tribal jurisdictions or law enforcement agencies with an active GREAT program, and those committed to starting one. Deadline: Dec. 14. Amount: Up to $150,000 each. Contact: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/07GREATsol.pdf
Parenting Grant: Spank Out Day Mini-Grants - For educational events and programs about the effects of physical punishment on children and alternatives. Preference will be for programs for teens or young adults, grandparents raising children alone, adults with a high school education, men, mothers raising children alone, and teens and adults with backgrounds of abuse. Funder: The Center for Effective Discipline. Eligibility: Nonprofits, schools and churches. Deadline: Dec. 10. Amount: $250. Contact: www.stophitting.com/spankOut/2007USAMiniGrants.php
Recreation Grant: U.S. Soccer Foundation - For projects that develop players, coaches and referees in economically disadvantaged urban areas, focusing primarily on areas with populations of 100,000 or more. Funder: U.S. Soccer Foundation. Eligibility: Anyone with a soccer program or project that benefits a nonprofit purpose and meets the established focus areas. Deadline: Nov. 22. Amount: Maximum request is $100,000. Contact: www.ussoccerfoundation.org (click on "Grants" tab). Youth Development Grant: Lewis Hine Awards - For exceptional volunteer or professional service to young people. Funder: National Child Labor Committee. Eligibility: Five professionals and five volunteers. Deadline: Oct. 25, 2006. Amount: $1,000 each. Contact: www.nationalchildlabor.org/lewishine.html
Grant: Intervention Research To Improve Youth-Serving Organizations - For research to improve youth-serving organizations, such as schools and community-based organizations, or their subunits, like classrooms and after-school program sites. Projects should be targeted to those ages 8 to 25. Funder: William T. Grant Foundation. Eligibility: Influential mid-career practitioners, policymakers and researchers. Deadline: Oct. 30 for letters of intent; Feb. 22, 2007 for invited full proposals. Amount: Up to $1.5 million per project lasting two or four years. Contact: www.wtgrantfoundation.org/usr_doc/2006_William_T_Grant_RFP_for%20_Intervention_Research_Final.pdf
Grant: Distinguished Fellows Program - To increase the supply of, demand for and use of high-quality research for improving youth outcomes. Funder: William T. Grant Foundation. Eligibility: Influential mid-career practitioners, policymakers and researchers. Deadline: Nov. 3. Amount: Up to $175,000 for six months to two years. Contact: www.wtgrantfoundation.org/usr_doc/Final_RFP_Distinguished_Fellows_Cohort3.pdf
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Publications CornerNo. 435—4-H President Guide; No. 31—Secretary Book; No. 436—Treasurer Record Book are available on 4-H website www.clover.okstate.edu/fourh opening ‘Leadership Development’. These books contain information formerly in Officer’s Guide, Parliamentary Fact Sheet, and Committee Role Descriptions. F-802—Duties and Responsibilities of Elected County Officials FS is available from 4-H website ‘literature online’ opening www.osuextra.okstate.edu Dept. of Ag Economics Farm Management. Other fact sheets and information are available from same website for County Government. Nos. 102-106—Information Sheet, County Project Report Form, Oklahoma Report Form, Key Club Applications, Scholarship Application are available at www.clover.okstate.edu/fourh opening Awards and Recognition. Nos. 126, 127—Volunteer Participation and Leader Certificates are available on 4-H website opening Literature Online ‘Award & Recognition’. No. 424—Let’s Compare Dairy Goats & Cows FS available on pods.dasnr.okstate.edu; ‘literature online’ opening ‘Dairy’. Milk—A Dynamic Adventure is on 4-H website opening link ‘Virtual Farm.’ E-Set Science on oklahoma4h.okstate.edu contains information on ‘animal migration’ including ‘geese may fly’, wildebeests will run, lobsters will crawl, snakes will slither, frogs will hop, humming- birds will fly, and monarch butterflies will float. This site has a lot of 4-H project material from Iowa State University Coop Ext to utilize for Vet Science, Animal Science, and small animals such as dogs and cats. Oklahoma AITC oklahoma4h.okstate.edu has a lot of 4-H projects with lessons for beginners and intermediate youth to utilize by Extension Educators and volunteer leaders. One item in October is to apply electronically for OAITC/Oklahoma Pork Council Grants. Also, the Kerr Center Speaker’s Bureau has a list of Oklahoma farmers available to speak to classrooms, 4-H clubs, or host tours of their farms. Also available is Farm to School Farm Pen Pals. F-3501—Formulating Swine Rations (inter/adv) FS is available on pods.dasnr.okstate.edu. Basic Swine Manual ($1.00) is an excellent manual for beginner 4-Hers. AITC quote “In the early days, on Manhattan Island, New York, hogs rampaged through grain fields until farms were forced to build a wall to keep them out.” The street running along with wall became Wall Street! |
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