Staff News & Notes - Week of 3.17.2008
Dear Colleagues:
It appears that warmer weather is finally on its way! We know that this is a busy time of the year for each of you as programs are implemented, training conducted, and committees are meeting!
Each of you is aware of what we are attempting to accomplish with our design features in the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. We have very intentionally focused efforts on energy conservation, recycling, and water use reduction. We are pleased to be seeing announcements and programs being conducted locally that focus on the environment, energy conservation, recycling, and similar efforts. This week we want to highlight two efforts (1) the Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair at the OSU Wooster Campus; and (2) overview of what Rhonda Williams, Darke County 4-H Educator, is promoting through newsletters and other promotional efforts.
We know that there are a lot of things happening that relate to environmental sustainability. We would love to hear about them so that we may highlight them on our website!
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Ryan & Vicki
Interim Co-Assistant Directors
4-H Youth Development
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Invitation
We would like to invite each of you to the April 4, 2008 ribbon cutting ceremony to be held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center at 2201 Fred Taylor Drive. The open house will be held from 3:00-5:00pm and we ask that you RSVP by calling or emailing Amelia Brashear (614-247-6904) with the names of individuals attending. When calling or emailing, please be sure to mention that it is for the ribbon cutting on April 4, 2008!
All donors will be receiving an invitation to the ribbon cutting ceremonies in the upcoming campaign update that will be mailed soon!
Your Input Wanted - Risk Management Survey
The 4-H policy workgroup is interested in your feedback related to risk management and policy issues. We would invite each of you to spend approximately 15 minutes to complete this brief questionnaire. Please let Ryan Schmiesing know if you have any questions.
Achievement and Scholarship Award Winners
The list of winners is now posted at www.ohio4h.org/aauck. Next week Allen will be sending out letters to the winners in each category notifying them of being a state winner. You may contact your 4-H members that have been selected, notifying them of their success. Thank you for your cooperation in submitting the applications on time.
Win Money For Your 4-H Program! Attend the OSU Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray & Green Fair
On April 22, 2008 the OSU Wooster Campus will host a Scarlet, Gray & Green Fair to promote and highlight environmental responsibility. As a part of the fair, county 4-H programs will have the opportunity to win money to promote environmental programs/projects! To learn more about how your county can win money, please see the flyer!
4-H Space Adventure Camp
4-H Space Adventure Camp is planned for June 10 – 12, 2008, at Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio. The camp is designed for students who are currently in grades 5 – 7. They do not need to be current 4-H members in your county program. Participants will live on the Marietta College campus and explore the world of flight with the help of college faculty and trained 4-H camp counselors. It’s three fun-filled days of rockets, computer simulations, hot air balloons and more. The cost of $175 includes housing, meals, and all program materials. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Space is limited to 36 campers and is designed as a one-time experience.
Camera ready materials that can be used to promote the camp to science teachers or to 4-H members have been posted with “Events and Opportunities” on the Ohio 4-H website. http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/EventsandOpport/index.html Included is a cover letter to teachers, press releases for media and newsletters, teacher recommendation form and financial nomination form, all in pdf format. Questions? Contact Amanda Forquer at 614-292-6942 or Vicki Schwartz via schwartz.4@osu.edu.
More on Social Networking!
As you know, one of the teams that was organized in Ohio 4-H is focused on Emerging Technology. A couple of weeks ago, in the 4-H News & Notes introduction, there was information shared about Facebook and other social networking strategies that have emerged in our society. This week, we share the document below that provides additional insight into social networks and the work of the Emerging Technology Team.
Arts and The Sciences: 4-H Project Mini College
Hold the date! May 3, 2008 is sure to be an exciting day at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center!!! Ohio 4-H will host the 4-H Project Mini College that will feature hands-on educational programs, tours, and expert speakers in a variety of subject matter, including photography, creative arts, communication & technology, and theater arts. We will have the registration brochure available next week; registration fees will be $10.00 per person and will include materials, tour transportation, and lunch. For more information, please contact Patty House.
Promotional Flyer (black and white)
Call for Proposals - CARTEEN Workshop
Please consider submitting a proposal for a session at the October 16 CARTEENS conference. Information may be found at:
http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/carteens.html
College Planning Materials for your 4-10th Graders
The Economic Access Initiative, part of Academic Affairs at Ohio State, would like to share our new college planning tip sheets with 4-H Staff for use in your camps or other activities. Our office's goal is to increase access to education beyond high school, particularly for first generation and low income students. We have three publications, all titled "Making College Happen"; one is geared to 4 through 6th graders, one is for 7th and 8th graders and the last targeted to 9th and 10th graders. A sample of the tip sheets is available online here. We would be glad to provide large quantities for your use this spring and summer. Just email Laura Kraus or call 614-292-3343 with the number and grade level of the publication(s) you would like along with a mailing address. And thank you for your role in educating the children of the state of Ohio!
Darke County 4-H Going "Green"
In order to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and respecting our environment and to promote being “green”, the Darke County 4-H program is partnering with the Darke County Solid Waste District and a local company, Dickman Supply, in a variety of activities in the coming year.
Krista Fourman, Director of the Darke County Solid Waste District, is also a 4-H volunteer with the Fun Bunch 4-H Club. For the past two years, the Fun Bunch 4-H Club has maintained aluminum can recycling bins during the Great Darke County Fair. The club painted special barrels with both the 4-H and recycling logos and placed them around the fairgrounds. Club members and their parents are responsible for emptying the barrels several times a day during the fair. The club then takes the collected cans to the recycling plant. The money earned from this endeavor is used for their community service project each year.
Coming in May, the Solid Waste District is sponsoring a “Trash Bash”. 4-H clubs and other community organizations are being recruited to form teams of four to participate in the clean up of over 200 miles of Darke County roadways. Teams will be rewarded $3.00 for each bag of recyclable trash and $1.00 for each bag of non-recyclable trash picked up during the three hour clean up on May 17.
Other recycling events include an Electronics Recycling Day in May. County residents have the opportunity to recycle computers, televisions, printers, VCRs, small kitchen appliances and more. This prevents several tons of electronic goods from making their way into our landfills.
Alkaline household battery collection is an on-going process. There are several drop-off points in the county where AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt batteries can be recycled throughout the year.
Another 4-H volunteer, Angie Parker is employed by Dickman Supply in Greenville. Dickman Supply is encouraging local residents to make the switch from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs. For more information about this environmental effort, visit www.energystar.gov.
The Darke County 4-H program is pleased to partner with both of these organizations to raise environmental awareness and to promote being “green”. If you have questions about our partnerships, contact Rhonda Williams, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development at williams.418@osu.edu or 937.548.5215.
Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment
With Spring just around the corner work loads in the office will continue to increase. I want to remind you that backing up your Youth Enrollment data is very important on a regular basis. Backing up your data can save you valuable time if something happens to your computer. Also there are many help sheets on the Ohio Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment web page. These help sheets are designed to walk you through a variety of processes and answer questions that my arise. Jim always welcome calls or emails if you need any assistance.
Curriculum Information
Family Guides
Media Distribution has plenty of the 2008 Family Guide in stock. These can be put to good use in your county as promotional and recruitment pieces. And they’re free! Please don’t hesitate to order as many as you need through eStore.
Goat Project Enrollment
Those of you whose 4-Her’s do specialty goat and market doe (breeding) projects might have trouble using the simplified categories that appear on the front cover of the Goat Project and Record Book. Sorry for the inconvenience. Please set up whatever unique enrollment procedures you need for your county while I continue to work with Jim Elder in setting up categories that make sense for enrollment and reporting purposes. You might consider using this idea from one county educator—she plans to create a sticker to be placed on the front of every book. The book cover may be amended at the next printing. Please contact Jane Wright at wright.646@cfaes.osu.edu or 614.292.0909 with questions and comments.
Engineering & Technology 4-H Project Mini College - Clark County
Clark County 4-H will be hosting the E2D2...Engineering and Technology 4-H Project Mini College on April 5. This is a great opportunity for your 4-H engineering project members and those who have an interest in 4-H engineering. In addition, it will be a great way to connect 4-H members to careers that require technical school training - which can be a jump start for college or a jump start for a professional trade. We are working on some great door prizes for this event as well and have secured local sponsors for the t-shirts. It should be a great project experience for members, parents and volunteers. If you have questions, please contact Patty House. I appreciate your help in sharing this opportunity with your 4-H membership and volunteers. Note: Those that register for this event, must also complete the emergency medical form and permission form and submit with their registration.
Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
Be sure to check out the Ohio 4-H Calendar:
March
22 Registration due for State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
26-30 Buckeye Leadership Workshop – Delaware, OH
29-April 3 National 4-H Conference – Washington, DC
29 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Leader Training – 4-H Center, Columbus
29 4-H Youth Poultry Clinic – Fisher Auditorium in Wooster
29 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, Voinovich Arena, Ohio State Fairgrounds -- Columbus
April
4 Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
7 Pre-registration due for 4-H Dog Expo
9-12 National Service Learning Conference – Minneapolis, MN
12 State Horse Bowl Contest - OSU, Columbus
10-13 Equine Affaire – Ohio Expo Center
