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Table of Contents
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.
April/May, 2008
Dear
4-H Educators, Members, Volunteers and Parents,
Continuing
the Legacy
Over the past few months we have been doing a great deal of reflecting on the
past of the 4-H program, as we will soon be celebrating our 100th birthday. The
reality is that 4-H has been a success because of the Extension educators (agents),
volunteers and families who have contributed countless hours of time to the program. I
have a Norman Rockwell print in my office called the “County Agent.” The
photo shows the county agent interacting with a family as he handles a member’s
dairy heifer.
We need more folks who want to carry on a legacy of reaching youth and families
in agriculture. If you are a 4-H teen reading this newsletter this month,
a parent, or Extension educator, please consider the impact that you or someone
you know might have as a teacher. We need people to be formal teachers
in the classroom teaching agricultural education and also those who can serve
as non-formal educators working with volunteers and youth in 4-H and Extension.
While there are many other honorable professions related to agriculture which
would make good careers for older teens, there are few places or careers that
are more important than being an educator.
The following links provide some information about careers in education as an
Extension educator or as an Ag Ed Teacher.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2199497_become-h-extension-agent.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art
http://okcareertech.org/aged/aged_index.htm
If you would like to know more about careers in education please contact our
office, and we will connect you with someone who can advise and assist you
as you explore this career.
Sincerely,
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
Kansas City Global 4-H Conference
The date for the Kansas City 4-H Global Conference has been set for March 18-21, 2009. During this conference, Oklahoma joins Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Iowa for a fun, educational youth program. The focus of this conference is career preparation in a global world. Registration information will be posted in the Fall. If you have questions about this conference, please contact the State 4-H Office.
Money and Youth
Most young people want many things, and most of them cost money. Beyond asking their parents for a handout many youth today have limited skills when it comes to managing money. We are fortunate to have a great website through OCES that will help youth, parents and educators teach and learn more about money management. Visit this website to learn more: http://www.fcs.okstate.edu/money/youth/ Sissy Osteen provides leadership to this important program area is always happy to help people learn how to better manage their resources. She has many good tips and ideas for helping you deliver good education programs on this topic.
Statewide 4-H Family Horse Camp
Attached is information on the statewide 4-H Family Horse Camp. State 4-H Family Horse Camp is intended to educate youth and adults in camping with horses with minimal damage to land or water quality. This educational program will cover: safety, stabling, tying, environmental concerns, grounds keeping, trail riding, overnight camping, biodiversity, seed travel, happy watersheds, IPM concerns, photography and comradery.
It is scheduled for May 24- 26, 2008, at Indian Mounds Horse Camp, Clayton, OK. Registration is due May 12. If you have question, please contact Tommy Puffinbarger, Ext. Educator, Alfalfa County (580) 596-3131.
Spring 2008 Cassini Scientist for a Day Contest
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying Saturn. Participants are challenged to examine three target images taken by Cassini and choose the one they think will yield the best scientific results. This choice must then be explained in a 500-word essay.
The contest is open to all students in the United States from grades 5-12, working alone or in groups of up to four students. The essays will be divided into three groups: grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. All submissions must be students' original work. Each student can submit only one entry.
Deadline for Spring 2008 submissions is noon Pacific time (3 p.m. EDT) onMay 8, 2008 . For more information, visit http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientist/. If you have questions about this contest, please e-mail your inquiries to scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov.
NASA Discovery Scientist Challenge
Discovery Education and 3M are proud to partner with NASA for the 2008 Young Scientist Challenge. Currently in its 10th year, the YSC encourages the exploration of science among America's youth and promotes the importance of science communication at a critical age, when interest in science begins to decline.
The challenge sponsors are looking for a few great students and teachers who can inspire others with their enthusiasm for science and their ability to communicate. What does it take to be America's Top Young Scientist or America's Top Science Teacher? Students in grades 5-8 and teachers of grades K-12 are being asked to create a short (1-2 minute) video about one of this year's scientific topics, which all relate to this year's theme, "TheScience of Space." Participants should enter their videos online and will become eligible to win a trip to Washington, D.C., in the fall to compete in the YSC finals at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Science teachers who are interested in participating must be members of the Discovery Educator Network. Becoming a member is easy and registration is free. To become a member, visit http://community.discoveryeducation.com/about/become_discovery_educator.
Video topics and registration information can be found online at http://www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist.
Videos will be accepted through June 15, 2008. Finalists will be announced this summer, and the competition finals will take place Oct. 4-7, 2008.
For more information, log-on to http://www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist.
Questions about the competition may be sent to YSC@discovery.com.
Oklahoma 4-H (&FFA) Wheat Improvement Program and Show to 4-H and FFA
Nearly $2000 in cash prizes, plaques, trophies and $16,000 in scholarships are presented each year through this program. It is open to any 4-H or FFA youth who have planted five or more acres of hard red or white winter wheat. Each youth can have two entries if they are of different varieties. Attached is the information and report forms related to the program.
The Visual Judging will be held at a new location, the new Stillwater High School Vo-Ag Building at 148 N. Drury Street, Stillwater, Oklahoma, July 16, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. From the intersection of Hwy 51 and 177, go east 1.5 miles to Drury, then north .4 (Drury street borders the westside of the Eastern Villa mobile home park, between Jardot and Brush Creek Rd.). Wheat samples are due at the site of the visual judging by 8:30 am on July 18th.
IF exhibits are to be shipped for judging they should be shipped to Oklahoma State University Central Mailing, Attn: 4-H/FFA Wheat Contest, 120 Agriculture North, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, and must arrive by July 15, 2008 in the OSU Central Mailing Office.
Roundup District Spirit Contest
The State Officer Team encourages each county attending Roundup to support their district in the Spirit Contest. District Officer Teams will take the lead in creating the banner and chant. Individual counties can further support the district by getting behind the Service Projects.
District Banner 30%
District Service Project Participation 50%
Chant 20%
2008 Service Projects
Dime Drop/Roll of Dimes – 40 percent of the total points. As a reminder, the team has a simple plan that will involve half of the youth in our traditional club enrollment - approximately 15,000 of our 31,000 member - supporting this effort by saving 36 dimes or $3.60. This simple effort will complete the initial goal of $54,000! This would be a wonderful accomplishment and a substantial gift as we begin our 4-H Centennial Celebration in 2008. The following target amounts are calculated from the 2006 membership enrollment numbers.
NE- $17,188,
NW- $8,033,
SE- $16,579,
SW- $13,836.
Each One, Reach One will be 10 percent of the total points for the contest. District points will be determined by the total number of new members reported as having been mentored from club report forms returned by June 1. Form posted at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eachonereachone.htm
- Bonus points will be awarded to districts submitting promotional videos and commercials http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/scitech/video_contest.htm
Thanks for your support and we will see you at Roundup!
Stephanie Bowen, SW District State Vice President
Scholarships – 4-H Parent-Volunteer Conference
Oklahoma 4-H received a grant from National 4-H Council, in partnership with Monsanto, to underwrite our State Parent-Volunteer Conference for a second year
“4-H is supported nationwide by a dedicated network of volunteers who know the value of strong, positive youth development. Partners like Monsanto make it possible for 4-H to continue to build and sustain our volunteer base and ensure that even more youth enjoy fulfilling 4-H experiences,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and chief executive officer, National 4-H Council.
“Monsanto has a long-standing tradition of providing support for 4-H,” noted Jim Tobin, director, biotech business development, Monsanto, who presented the $500,000 training award to 4-H. “Many company employees were 4-H members, and tell us that they credit 4-H for many of the skills they use today to do their jobs—a real credit to the 4-H volunteer leaders who assisted them in their learning process.”
Our funding will be used for Langston University and Oklahoma State University to enhance our volunteer certification process by encouraging new volunteers to attend the conference. Up to 100 $30 scholarships will be awarded to “certified 4-H adult volunteers” applying to attend the conference for the first time.
To be eligible for the scholarships the volunteers must already be certified – paper work, screening and orientation completed prior to making application. The volunteer must complete the scholarship form and have it signed by the county educator/university representative prior to submitting the scholarship application. Scholarships will be dated as they are received in the state 4-H office.
If awarded a scholarship the volunteer is expected to do a presentation at his/her local club for parents/volunteers or at a county Parent-Volunteer Association meeting. Scholarships will not be awarded in counties where the 2007 reporting process was not fulfilled. Applications will be available after May 1.
County educators please be sure volunteers making application are committed to attending and returning home to share their experiences. We want all scholarships to be used the day of the conference. Anyone who chooses not to make use of his/her scholarship will need to notify the state office one week prior to the conference so alternates can be notified.
Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference
Sponsored by TENNESSEE 4-H
Sept. 4-7, 2008
Clyde M. York 4-H Center
Crossville, TN
Ages 14-18
$165 registration fee, includes T-shirt
Get connected – The Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference is the first of its kind, Multi-state 4-H Conference created to bring together 4-H teens and adults to empower and inspire them to make a positive change across the Southern Region through Youth-Adult Partnerships. Flyer attached or to go to www.SRTLC.com.
Parent-Volunteer Conference Share Fair
The State 4-H Volunteer Board would like to invite your county 4-H Parent-Volunteer Organization and/or local clubs to provide a Share Fair display at the State Parent-Volunteer Conference July 12, 2008, in Stillwater. Scholarships sponsored by Monsanto and National 4-H Council will be available for certified 4-H volunteers choosing to attend the conference for the first time. Registration materials are attached.
The purpose of the Share Fair Display is to showcase interesting and innovative local club or county projects/activities/events. We want to make this a learning experience and provide an opportunity for 4-H volunteer and parents to get some great ideas for use in their clubs. These exhibits are not intended for individual 4-H members to showcase project work. We want the display to showcase efforts of a local or county 4-H group.
It is the responsibility of a volunteer attending the conference to set up the display and be available to answer questions during breaks.
If you have any questions please call or e-mail Debbie Wilson, (580) 892-2679, dwilsonfarms@yahoo.com or Karla Knoepfli, (405)744-8891, karla.knoepfli@okstate.edu
Debbie Wilson, SE District Representative, State 4-H Volunteer Board
State Parent-Volunteer Conference
"Celebrate the Oklahoma 4-H Tradition" is the theme of the 2008 State Parent-Volunteer Conference. The conference is schedule for July 12, in Stillwater.
Conference program, workshop descriptions and enrollment form will be available online after May 1 at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm. For the second year, Monsanto scholarships will be available for certified volunteers attending the conference for the first time.
The program and enrollment form will be mailed directly to 700 volunteers whose name and address were submitted to the state office as club leaders of “chartered” clubs. Please assist the State 4-H Volunteer Board in promoting the conference to all other parents and volunteers in your county.
Track one will be devoted to sharing events and activities planned for the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial celebration – July 2008 through December 2009. Thirty other workshops are sure to motivate the first time volunteer, as well as challenge the veteran volunteers/educator.
The conference will include door prizes, as well as a silent and live auction. Lisa Totty, Okmulgee County Volunteer has designed and constructed a quilt for the live auction. This one of a kind quilt is in celebration of the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial Celebration. Proceeds from the live auction will go towards the endowment of a Volunteer Development Scholarship with the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.
During the luncheon Oklahoma 4-H will recognize volunteers who have been selected by their county for Volunteer of the Year and Life-Time Service awards and announce the District and State award recipients.
The early bird enrollment fee of $30 and enrollment form are due on or before June 20. Any enrollment postmarked after June 20th will be responsible for the full enrollment fee of $40.
Ann Knopfel, State 4-H Volunteer Board President
4-H Centennial Road Trip
Each district will host two site trainings on August 16, 2008. A live telecast will take place from Stillwater. Two trained teams from within each district will facilitate the on site training.
Purpose - 4-H members will become more knowledgeable of their 4-H heritage and geographically acquainted with the state through the act of planning a Road Trip.
Objective - Encourage and promote Youth Empowerment, as well as Youth-Adult Partnerships through the process of planning and organizing a 4-H centennial road trip.
Project Goals:
- Involve all 77 counties in the identification of a site(s) in their county with 1) historical significance to Oklahoma 4-H, 2) geographical or geological interest or 3) social/recreational interest.
- Partner with other state agencies – State Chamber of Commerce, Centennial Commission, Wildlife and Fisheries, Tourism and recreation, DNR, OIPA, etc.
- Train teams of youth and adults to plan, conduct and evaluate a Centennial Road Trip. Team will begin with planning a day trip, and then possibly follow with the planning of an overnight and/or multi-day trip.
- 100 clubs/teams plan and conduct a minimum of one Road Trip in celebration of the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial.
Please work with your Parent-Volunteer Organization and Teen Leadership groups to identify the sites to be registered as part of the Centennial Road Trip project.
More details will be available after May 1.
FSA Loans for Youth
From time we get inquiries about loans for 4-H members who want to be involved in some kind of agricultural enterprise.
FSA makes operating loans to individual rural youths to finance income-producing, agriculture-related projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America, and similar organizations.
Each project must be part of an organized and supervised program of work. The project must be planned and operated with the help of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan, and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience in agriculture-related skills.
To qualify for a loan, an applicant must comply with FSA's general eligibility requirements; be between 10 and 20 years old; reside in a rural area, city, or town with a population of 50,000 or fewer people; conduct a modest income-producing project in a supervised program of work.
The maximum amount for FSA youth loans is $5000.
Loan recipients may use the money to buy livestock, equipment, and supplies; buy, rent, or repair needed tools and equipment; and pay operating expenses for running the project.
Only projects of modest size can be financed. A modest project is
limited in physical size, capital requirements, and overall objectives.
Applicants must sign a promissory note and be responsible for repaying
the loan. In some cases, a cosigner may be required. Loan collateral
normally consists of crops produced for sale, livestock, equipment,
and other items purchased with loan funds.
The repayment schedule will be worked out with FSA. Payments will
be tailored to the type of project for which the loan was made. For
example, if the loan is to raise livestock or crops, it would normally
be paid when the animals or produce are sold.
To apply or learn more about youth loans or other loan programs, please contact your local USDA Service Center.