Staff News & Notes - Week of 3.24.2008
Dear Colleagues:
By now, we hope that you have had an opportunity to view the most recent Extension video communique’. We have heard from many of you that you desired more information about plans that are being made by Administrative Cabinet and we hope that this video communique’ began to help answer some of your questions. We know that there are additional questions to be answered and more information will be released in the coming weeks. With that in mind, we want to share the following as updates regarding the 4-H Youth Development program:
(1) Jermaine Kennedy has been hired as the Program Coordinator for Operation:
Military Kids; Sarah Leidheiser (Program Assistant) has accepted another position with her last day being Wednesday, March 26, 2008; Bill McCleery (4-H Campaign Director) is transitioning to a 75% appointment and expanding his focus to Extension/College priorities, including 4-H.
(2) Each office should have received a full color brochure highlighting the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. We are pleased that several county Extension educators have utilized the facility, including Becky Cropper (Brown County), Greg Siek (Cuyahoga County), Beth Boomershine (Franklin County), and others. Please contact Allen Auck to reserve your free space for 4-H events/activities!
(3) As you heard in the video communique’, the three established Extension Centers will no longer be operational, effective July 1, 2008. Please know that Bill Harris, Niki Nestor McNeely, and Lucinda Miller will continue with their current responsibilities at their current locations. Each of them is an important part of the 4-H team and we are pleased that they will continue in their roles.
(4)
Several 4-H Teams are moving forward and meeting! Teams that are focused on animal sciences, emerging technologies, research & evaluation, among others are moving forward with their work! As we indicated previously, please convene your teams! Additionally, under the leadership of Jane Wright, several curriculum writing teams are beginning their work on priority project books.
(5) Work continues by Vicki and others to finalize information that will be shared regarding the cancellation of the 2008 Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference and Bob Evans Farms Recognition Luncheon. Once all costs are finalized, information will be shared.
We are sure that there are things that you want to know! So, please share your questions with us by emailing Ryan (schmiesing.3@osu.edu) and we’ll answer them in the weekly update.
Have a great week!
Ryan & Vicki
Interim Co-Assistant Directors
4-H Youth Development
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.
Shooting Sports Adult Volunteer Leader Training
Just a reminder to counties that the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Spring Adult Volunteer Leader Training Workshop scheduled for May 2-4, 2008 at 4-H Camp Whitewood is coming up soon. Registrations are due by April 6, 2008 at $50.00. After April 6. Registrations are $105.00. Attached is the registration form for the spring workshop. Some of the discipline areas are already getting close to being filled. Please ask for volunteers in your county area to get their registrations in as soon as possible. Note: we offer only the basic disciplines at the spring workshops. Due to the 4-H camps lack of needed classroom and safe shooting areas. Disciplines offered are as follows: Archery, Coordinator, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Living History, we also offer the Hunting and Muzzleloading disciplines. The hunting and muzzleloading disciplines require certification in the beginning level of a firearms discipline. Contact Larry Harris.
4-H Camp Palmer Counselor Training
4-H Camp Palmer is hosting a Camp Counselor Training day on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. If you have youth you would like to send we would be glad to host them. The agenda may be found here! The cost is $5.00 payable to 4-H Camp Palmer and teens need to bring their own soft drink and sack lunch. Dress for the weather as some of the programming will be outside. Please have them arrive between 8:30 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. so we can begin on time.
Please RSVP to Jill Stechschulte, stechschulte.23@cfaes.osu.edu
Photography Contest
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (March 17, 2008) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture is encouraging Ohioans to dust off their cameras and begin capturing “Life on the Farm” for a 2008 photography contest geared to feature the state’s unique agricultural resources. The contest, which runs through October 2008, will allow photographers to feature the sights of agriculture in every season.
“Life on the farm means something different to everyone,” said Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs. “This is an opportunity to tell the story of agriculture and to look at the industry through different eyes. I look forward to seeing the images and excitement tied to our great agricultural heritage.”
The department will establish a panel, headed by Director Boggs, to judge images submitted by amateur photographers. Director Boggs will invite winning photographers to join him for a gallery unveiling of their photos. All other entries also may be used by the department for educational or promotional initiatives.
General photography contest rules:
- Entrants must be at least 16 years old and the original photographer.
- Amateur photographers only.
- Color photos must be taken in 2008; Entries postmarked by Oct. 6.
- No more than five photos per household.
- Photos may be submitted as 5x7 prints or digital images burned to a CD.
- No computer-aided adjustments to photos.
- Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi and in jpg or tif format.
- Each photo must be accompanied by an entry form, complete with signature.
- Photographer must obtain written parental permission for photographed children under 18.
To enter the contest, send images and a signed permission form, available at the department’s Web site, to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Office of Communication, 8995 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 43068. For additional information about the contest, a permission form, or for a complete copy of the rules, go to www.ohioagriculture.gov or call 614-752-9817.
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.
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)
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!
Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment
Recently Jim has received several calls about changing the label font size when printing labels from the member query. He have set up a WebEx on Wednesday, March 26 from 2-3 PM to demonstrate how to change the label font size. If you are unable to participate in this WebEx program Jim would be happy to discuss the process that you need to go through to change the font size when printing labels from any of the queries in Youth Enrollment. Contact Jim Elder on information to participate in this WebEx.
Presidents Council on Physical Fitness & Sports
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is launching the first-ever National President's Challenge, a six week physical activity challenge to get America moving. The Challenge is designed to help people live healthier and get fit by finding activities they really enjoy. Registration is open until April 3.
Each of us plays an important role in getting the word out and encouraging Americans of all ages to get up and move more! To help spread the message the President's Council invites you to visit www.presidentschallenge.org to view and download campaign materials and resources including:
* Fact sheets for individuals, schools, businesses, and states
* A newsletter blurb that can be dropped into company and community newsletters
* Web buttons to post on your site so your viewers can click from your site directly to the Challenge
* FAQs that outline individual and group registration and participation information
* Downloadable posters to help promote the Challenge
* Media and Partner materials
* A downloadable certificate of completion
Register today at www.presidentschallenge.org and join the nation in getting fit!
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.
Town Hall Meeting
You are invited to Town Hall that the Adjutant General for the State of Ohio National Guard will be having on April 1, 2008 at Owens Community College. The purpose is to gather people who are interested in providing a pathway for assistance to military families in need and to provide a structure method for individuals or organizations to support the home front by supporting our military families. Please feel free to pass this flyer along to anyone you believe may be interested in attending. Hope to see you there!!! Click here for more details.
OSU’s Food Science Program Featured on the Our Ohio Television Series
Tune in to learn how much thought, planning, trial and error goes into making food taste good, and the process behind it all at The Ohio State University. Our Ohio talks with Sarah Herringshaw, an OSU food science student, who discovered her interest in food development years ago through her 4-H nutrition club. Also, learn about the Institute of Food Technologists Product Development competition and why OSU has a good chance of winning this year with its “Fruitsickle” product.
The Food Science segment is scheduled to appear on Sunday, March 23 at 11 a.m. on public television station WOSU.
For show schedules and stations in other viewing areas, click here.
Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
Be sure to check out the Ohio 4-H Calendar:
March
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
