4-H Email List Addresses:
4h-professionals@ag.osu.eduohioblueribbon@ag.osu.edu
Subscribe to the Ohio 4-H email lists:
 |
4-H Professionals |
|
Ohio Blue Ribbon |
Subscribe to the OSU Extension Email List.
|
All Extension |
Staff News & Notes - Week of March 22, 2010
Hi,
“Let’s make an exception to that rule.” I do not know one single thing that is so easy to do, with the sole purpose of making things better for someone else, yet which causes us much grief, as making an exception to a rule.
Several years ago, I was approached by a parent of a first-year 4-H member who wanted to know if their child could get a replacement market hog. Our fair’s deadline for having the market hogs was May 1, and it seems that this 4-H member’s market hog project was killed by a dog on May 20. I knew this family was not the type to be classified as a “market animal jockey”, they were looking for the all the other experiences involved with the 4-H project and 4-H club experience. The kicker was that the dog which killed the 4-H market hog project was a 4-H dog obedience project. I said “OK”.
No problem, right? Well, for that year there was no real problem. Actually, it was two summers later when I was approached by a parent of another 4-H market hog project member whose hog had died, this time about the first week of June. This parent could legitimately be classified as a “market hog jockey”, so I cited chapter and verse of the junior fair book which prevented the replacement of that dead market hog. You guessed it. That parent already knew about the situation from two years before, and wanted an explanation of why it was allowed before, and not now. Not a pretty situation, especially for me.
First, I really did not have the authority to approve the first situation, but it sure seemed like the “right” thing to do. Second, perhaps there would have been other valid alternatives that went unexplored, because I wanted to get this issue resolved and out of the way. The vast majority of these “exceptions to the rule” situations relate to exhibition and not 4-H. I know we are in positions that can influence such competition rule interpretations, but I would recommend against it.
I also firmly believe that we should minimize any barriers to the 4-H experience. But every once in a while, 4-H Professionals will be asked to make an exception to a 4-H rule. It is like watching a train wreck – we know the potential consequences, but we watch anyway. I think there are times when exceptions to rules are appropriate, we just need to think about potential consequences, explore all possible alternatives, and then be prepared to defend our position.
Thanks,
Tom
Moving Ahead 2010: Sustainable Transportation
Please consider registering for the Moving Ahead 2010 Conference in Columbus, May 2-4, 2010. Moving Ahead 2010: Sustainable Transportation Solutions for the 21st Century is your opportunity to map the steps we must take to keep us moving forward through the next 100 years.
The Administration of the College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) think it is important enough for Extension personnel to be involved with this conference that CFAES Administration will be supporting the registration fee.
For more information about this conference see: http://www.movingahead2010.com/unite/
- The Moving Ahead 2010 Conference will feature:
- More than 65 speakers, including innovators in automobile, freight and aviation technology
- Networking with key policy and government thought leaders
- Opportunity to test drive the latest “green” vehicles in the “Advanced Technology Vehicles Ride-and-Drive”
- In depth discussion on the latest trends and technology in sustainable transportation
- Ideas for turning sustainability into economic prosperity
Anyone interested in attending should get back to their Assistant Director – 4-H Personnel contact Tom Archer by March 31. Assistant Directors must submit names to Keith Smith’s Office by April 1, 2010.
Ohio 4-H Camp Directors Training
In light of the new Administrative Cabinet policy and in order to protect 4-H members, camp counselors, Extension staff, volunteers, our 4-H camp facilities, Extension and OSU, this Camp Director training has been planned. We want to make sure that all staff and volunteers directing camp are trained in areas related to risk management, camp standards, and camp program management. No matter how many years you have directed camp, the planning committee believes that you will gain something you can use and find out something that you did not know before!
This training is required by camping season 2010 for all volunteers or employees hired to direct 4-H camp, and all Extension Educators with 5 or less years of experience in serving as a director of a 4-H camp program. Those who direct all overnight camps fit this category. Day camp directors would also benefit. All others you direct county 4-H camp programs must participate in the training prior to the 2011 camping season.
Cost is only $18.00 and is being supplemented with 4-H cost recovery dollars. The registration includes morning refreshments, lunch, afternoon refreshments, and copies of materials.
The registration deadline is March 30, 2010 at 5:00 pm. Registration may be paid by org and fund transfers or by check. Please contact Lisa Jinks, jinks.2@cfaes.osu.edu, for registration information or Niki Nestor McNeely, mcneely.1@osu.edu, for questions on program or requirements to attend.
Register today at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22ACYKQQMUR
CORRECTION to 630 Safe Use of Guns
We’d like to clarify a paragraph in 630 Safe Use of Guns that says “Those who continue on a self-determined course should seek the help of a skilled marksperson.” Any member who completes Safe Use of Guns and is interested in going further is encouraged to begin work with an Ohio 4-H shooting sports instructor. All of the books in inventory at Media Distribution will get a correction label. If your county already has books in inventory, please place one of these correction labels over the third paragraph on page 3. You can access a sheet of labels under Publications on the Staff Resources page here. (It may be that no certified shooting sports instructor is available in your county, so the correction label also asks members to “please contact your county Extension office to see if a shooting sports instructor or club is available in your area.) Thanks to Union County for bringing this up! Questions? Please contact Jane Wright, wright.646@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.0909 or Amanda Forquer, forquer.13@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.6942. Thanks!
Youth Welding Workshop, April 24, 2010
Youth Welding annual workshop will be held April 24, 2010, Agricultural Engineering Bldg., 590 Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus. Encourage early registration because the last 2 years we have filled all available spots.
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/%7E4heng/Welding/youthweld.htm
This is the Saturday of the Spring Football game. Almost all of our participants arrive well before game time, so parking (and traffic) is not a problem.
Contact Randall Reeder, reeder.1@osu.edu, 614-292-6648
Lima Campus - Kids' College 2010
5th Annual Kids' College !!! Wednesday June 16th- Friday June 18
We would like to invite you to participate in the Kids' College camp at Ohio State University Lima campus this year. It is our 5th year !!!
We invite all community members to participate in various capacities such as assisting in the development, registration, workshop leaders, and during the day camp portion.
This year's theme focuses on "Getting Fit".
WE are as a committee looking at all aspects of "healthiness", so we are not limiting the workshop ideas to solely health related fields, but ANY connection to health and wellness. SO for example: Counting calories-we are considering the mathematics side of it as well as the nutritional side of it.
Workshop sessions are 1 hour long and you are provided at least one assistant.
Contact Lynn Trinko at ltrinko@lima.ohio-state.edu
http://lima.osu.edu/kidscollege/default.htm
Teens Against Chewing Tobacco in the Community
Looking for a new program to use at your 4-H summer camp - one that can help team members develop and implement a new community service project?
Integrate the Operation TACTIC (Teens Against Chewing Tobacco in the
Community) program into your camp schedule of activities and help your 4H members develop a program to educate others on the oral health risks from using smokeless tobacco.
Smokeless tobacco users put themselves at risk for tooth and gum decay, as well as oral and other types of cancer. The average age of first time use is just 10-1/2 years old, and in households where an adult uses smokeless tobacco, the incidence of youth beginning use is more likely.
Contact the Ohio Dental Association to learn more - and to order the program and schedule a volunteer dentist to help train the club members on how to educate others. For information, call Kathy L. Woodard at (614) 486-2700 or email kathyw@oda.org. Learn more on http://www.oda.org/gendeninfo/tactic.cfm.
Ohio Dental Association Offer to 4-H Clubs
The Ohio Dental Association offers 4-H clubs a special two for one purchase of its program that educates youth and adults on the risks of using smokeless tobacco. The program video tells the compelling story of an Ohio man who died of cancer in 2002 at age 31, after using smokeless tobacco since he was 13. To learn more or view a segment of the program video, visit http://www.oda.org/gendeninfo/tactic.cfm. To order the TACTIC program at the reduced price of $52 for two programs (the regular price is $62 each), call Kathy L. Woodard at (614) 486-2700 or email kathyw@oda.org.
Ohio Spot Breeders - 2010 Donor Gilt Program
The Ohio Spot Breeders, in order to promote the advancement of the breed, will give to 4-H or FFA members a Spotted gilt. Recipients of donor gilts must show the gilt at the 2010 Ohio State Fair in the donor-gilt class and in the Junior Spot Show. Recipients must also breed the gilt to a registered Spot boar for the first breeding and farrow at least one litter of purebred spots; this litter is to be registered with the National Spotted Swine Record. The Ohio Spot Breeders will try to assist any of the recipients with breeding, either by providing semen or breeding service when possible. If the student does not fulfill the contract, he will pay the donor $150. In order to show at the Ohio State Fair in the Jr. swine breeding shows, all youth must carry the swine breeding 4-H project (project # 140) in their county 4-H club regardless if the county has a Breeding Swine Project at their fair.
To qualify for a donor gilt, an applicant must be in 4-H or FFA and submit an essay on the topic "Why I want to own a Spot Gilt." Essay must describe the facility that the gilt will be raised in and the area where you plan to farrow the pigs. Please include pictures of your facilities. Essay should also give history of 4-H or FFA activities and accomplishments and any other extra curricular activities (school, church, social, etc.)
All essays must be received by April 2, 2010. Essays will be judged and the donor or a representative from the Ohio Spot Breeders will contact each possible winner. Final winners will be notified by May 1 and all gilts must be picked up by May 15. (It will be the responsibility of the student to pick the gilt up at the donor's farm.)
Donor gilts will be eligible to show in the donor-gilt class and the junior show as well the open spot show at The Ohio State Fair. Appropriate Ohio State Fair entries, http://ohiostatefair.com/osf/osf3.htm must be made by Donor Gilt award winner in order to show at the Ohio State Fair. Entries are due June 20th. Any offspring will be eligible to show in the donor-gilt class next year and all other related spot shows at the Ohio State Fair.
Recipients will receive a free membership to the Ohio Spot Breeders and the National Spotted Swine Record (junior membership.) This essay must be signed by the STUDENT, PARENT AND ADVISOR.
Contact: Ron Pierce, 1210 Highland Drive, Greenville, OH 45331 (937) 548-7909
Have you begun your County’s Paper Clover Promotion?
National 4-H Council is thrilled to announce that we will be partnering with the nation's leading rural lifestyle retailer Tractor Supply Company (TSC) to implement a national Paper Clover Promotion! The Paper Clover Promotion is a consumer-driven fundraising promotion where a retailer sells paper representations of the 4-H clover to their customers for $1 or more at the register. National 4-H Council has piloted this program with Southern States Cooperative (SSC) and AGWAY stores. Please see samples of the paper clovers and SSC promotional materials by visiting www.4-H.org/brandnetwork and clicking on “4-H Paper Clover.”
From March 26 to April 18, TSC will partner with Council to run our first national scale Paper Clover Promotion. Sixty percent of each paper clover sold/customer donation will go directly to the county 4-H program in which it was raised, 5 percent will go the 1862 state 4-H office/foundation, and 5 percent will go the partner 1890 institutions that have 4-H programs. For states where the partner 1890 institution does not have 4-H programming or there is no 1890 institution in the state, the 1862 institution will receive 10 percent of the funds raised. The remaining 30 percent will go to National 4-H Council to underwrite the cost of the program.
CLICK HERE for TSC Paper Clover FAQ
Publicizing locally is the best way of increasing results! National 4-H Council will be providing 4-H staff and volunteers several resources (template press releases, tip sheets, customizable posters, etc) via the 4-H Brand Network to promote your local TSC Paper Clover Promotion.
Please Share with Potential Beekeeping 4-H Members
The Ohio Department of Agriculture just contacted the State 4-H Office about sponsoring several “Start-Up Grants” of up to $500 for each 4-H member who is interested in Bees/Honey Production. This would be primarily to cover the costs of purchasing hives and basic equipment. Details have yet to be worked out, but we needed to get this word out, since most enrollment deadlines are relatively soon. Please share this information with your 4-H Advisors and 4-H Members as best as you possibly can. We know this is late notification, but if we can identify interested youth this year, and establish the procedures for application and distribution of the funds, we will be better prepared for next year. Please contact Tom Archer at Archer.3@osu.edu if you think you may have youth interested. The goal is to increase the interest in beekeeping in Ohio.
