4-H Update
July 1, 2010Volume 14, Number 11
Reminders:
• July 8: National 4-H Congress application deadline extended
• July 15: State Fair Teen Clerk application deadline extended
2010 National 4-H Congress Application Deadline Extended
Applications for county delegates planning to attend National 4-H Congress are due in the State 4-H office by July 8, 2010. Counties are to select their own delegates, as there is no further screening at the state level. A $75 non-refundable deposit is required, per person, when submitting your delegate submissions to the state office. For more information go to http://www.colorado4h.org/events_opportunities/nat_congress/
Applicants should check with school and/or employers prior to submitting their applications. The dates for this year’s trip are Nov. 26 – Nov. 30, in Atlanta, GA. We make no guarantees that late cancellation will be accepted without financial penalty. Please call our office should you have any questions. – Ellen Butler
Colorado State Fair Teen Clerks
Requests for State Fair teen clerk applications have been slowly trickling into the State Office. Given that, we have extended the deadline application to July 15. Thanks very much for your recruiting efforts on our behalf.
Please click on the following link for an application: http://www.colorado4h.org/events_opportunities/state_fair/packet/TeenClerkApplicationForm.pdf
- Sharie Harless
Horse Levels Training, Garfield County
On Wednesday evening, July 7, Garfield County will have a Rater’s Training introduction from 7-9pm; this is for adults who wish to become certified/re-certified to rate Levels 2-4 (reminder, raters must go through the Shadow process to rate 3 & 4). The second part of this Rater’s Training will take place on Thursday, from 9am until approximately 5pm, as we test and review the process with 4-H youth. (Note: for those who need to Shadow, we already have youth signed up to test for Level 3 in three disciplines, so this would be a good opportunity). The cost for this training for adults is $25. Please feel free to contact our office with questions about the venue, directions, etc.; please contact Dessa Watson at 970.878.9490 to sign up. Adults who need to Shadow, who also would like to confirm what disciplines/levels will be tested on Thursday, are welcome to call 970.625.3969 with their inquiries.
YOUTH wishing to take a riding test: Pre-enrollment is REQUIRED. To sign up for a youth riding test, contact JEN at the Garfield County Extension Office 970.625.3969. Jen is the person handling sign-ups for youth Levels tests for July 7 and 8 at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. All riders must be signed up through her for testing, thank you!
Priority will be given to 3 and 4 and particularly those who plan to go to State Fair. Youth must have passed their written test; we will need confirmation of this from your county before the event. There will be no written tests administered on the July 7 or 8. Youth will be charged a testing fee of $15. You are most welcome to contact me with any questions, 970.625.3969 or coopext_garfield@mail.colostate.edu. – Ellen Butler
2010-2011 4-H Afterschool Mini-grants: Creating After-School Slots for Youth
In 2010-2011 National 4-H Council is providing a minimum of 550 mini-grants totaling $250,000 funded by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund to county-based 4 H programs to increase access for youth currently not in after-school programs, or on the verge of leaving after-school programs due to a lack of funds. These 550 slots are for young people in kindergarten through 12th grade (ages five to eighteen).
FUNDING INFORMATION
• 550 mini-grants totaling $250,000 are available – the amount per slot will average $450
• A 100% cash match is required
• Grant checks will only be issued to 4-H Extension entities (Land-Grant Universities, 4-H Foundations, 4-H Councils, Extension Development Committees, etc.)
• Grants that are approved for funding will be distributed in the following manner:
- 75% of the total approved amount will be sent within 14 days of receipt of a properly executed Grant Acceptance Agreement (see attached sample)
- 25% of the total approved amount will be sent upon submission and acceptance of the Interim Report due December 3, 2010
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS must:
• Operate daily: Monday through Friday during the school year approximately August 18, 2010 – June 30, 2011 (funds cannot be used to support youth in summer programs)
• Operate within twenty (20) miles of a JCPenney Store or unit (such as a Catalog Center)
• Provide 100% cash match for the cost of each slot created or sustained
• Be a 4-H/Extension after-school program or a partner with 4-H
• Refill slots if initial recipient leaves the program (refilling slots should be tracked and submitted with interim and final reports)
• Recognize JCPenney Afterschool Fund as the funder of these grants; donor logos can be found on the 4-H BrandNetwork at http://4-h.org/d/Pages/Layouts/brandnetwork.html
• Use 4-H name and Clover emblem on all program-related promotional items
• Recognize the JCPenney Afterschool Fund on a social networking site like Facebook and/or on their local county website and other appropriate locations
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENTS WILL USE THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
- Application Deadline: July 16, 2010 (6:00 pm ET). Questions will be accepted up until 4:00pm
- Grant Project Implemented: During the 2010-2011 school year. Approximately August 18, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
- Interim Report due to National 4-H Council: December 3, 2010
- Final Report due to National 4-H Council: June 3, 2011
AWARD SELECTION
A 50 point scale will be used to select the winners.
• All proposals MUST be submitted via National 4-H Council’s online portal at http://grants.4-H.org by Friday, July 16, 2010 by 6:00pm Eastern time.
• Tips on writing a successful proposal can be viewed at: http://4-h.org/grants/applyforgrants.html
• Winners will be notified via e-mail
- Willa Williams
Announcing ATV Safety Video Contest – $10,000 in Awards
The ATV Safety Institute (ASI) is sponsoring a “Do the Ride Thing” video contest from June 18 to September 6, 2010. Youth ages 6-18 may enter for a chance to win up to $2,500 of the $10,000 in total prize money. The winning 30- and 60-second videos will be used as public service announcements (PSAs) by the ATV Safety Institute.
To enter, youth create a 30- or 60-second video/PSA including one or more of the Golden Rules of ATV Safety, upload it to the official ASI YouTube page, and complete an official entry form found on the ASI website. A maximum of two video entries per person or team is allowed. Visit http://www.atvsafety.org/ATV_PSA_Contest/index.html for official video content requirements, contest rules, and entry forms.
Three winners will be chosen in each age category: age 6-10, age 11-14, and age15-18. First place winners will earn $1,100, second place receives $800, and third place receives $600. All age categories are also eligible to win the $2,500 Grand Prize.
There are nearly ten million ATVs in use across the United States, being operated by more than 35 million Americans. Many ATV owners share their ATVs and equipment, so it is essential that riders and non-riders alike understand the importance of safe and responsible use of ATVs.
Parental supervision is a key element to a child’s safety and children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times when operating an ATV. Nearly 90 percent of youth ATV-related injury incidents occur when a youth is operating an ATV manufactured and intended for use by an adult. Parents hold the key to their children’s safety.
To learn the eight Golden Rules of ATV safety and enter the Do the Ride Thing video contest, visit the ATV Safety Institute website at www.ATVSafety.org. – Willa L. Williams
4-H Involvement in United We Serve
United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move. 4-H Involvement
Summer is a time for fun – but it is also the time when many youth lose what they learned during the school year and pick up unhealthy eating habits. The United We Serve Let’s Read. Let’s Move. initiative was just launched to help solve these challenges – watch this video of First Lady Michelle Obama launching Let’s Read. Let’s Move. at a service event with members of Congress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZRwVqY5gnc
America’s youth are our nation’s greatest assets, and ensuring that they are on the path to success will require the work of all of us. United We Serve’s Let’s Read. Let’s Move. initiative needs your help. This is why 4-H is joining in the effort with United We Serve to fight childhood obesity and summer learning loss. Recognized as a leader in positive youth development and community building, 4-H is being asked to participate in this summer’s United We Serve activities.
4-H National Headquarters asks two things of 4-H programs. First, post related success stories at serve.gov/share. These stories will serve as a catalyst for other groups to get involved. Second, we ask that you promote some simple strategies to engage in this initiative through your communications channels.
These strategies will be distributed to mission mandate contacts in your state. Examples include:
• Identify local community gardens
o Volunteer to deliver produce
o Help at a farmer’s market
o Help to maintain the gardens
o Assist in harvest
• Gleaning of Produce
o Find a local organization that can use produce to serve those in need
o Set up a process to get leftover produce to the organization from fairs, farmers markets, festivals, etc
o Contact local produce farmers about gleaning their fields at the end of harvest
• Take the The President’s Active Lifestyle Challenge.
o Distribute The President’s Challenge to 4-H campers
o Encourage children and parents to download and complete the challenge
Partnering 4-H Science Efforts and the President’s “United We Serve” Initiative
This summer, by participating in activities like community gardening, 4-H’ers can engage youth in the President’s United We Serve initiative- helping meet our national need for volunteers during tough economic times- while simultaneously fulfilling a top 4-H priority by cultivating young people’s appreciation for the sciences through hands-on activities.
Now is the perfect time to combine current 4-H efforts with the First Lady’s summer initiative called “Lets Read. Lets Move.” One of the 3 priorities identified by the First Lady for this summer initiative is providing access to healthy, affordable foods for youth. Volunteering in community gardens is not only a great opportunity to spark students’ interests in science ( a vital aspect to helping fulfill the 4-H campaign for “One Million New Scientists, One Million New Ideas”), but it also is a great way to positively contribute to your community.
How can you get involved?
• Visit http://serve.gov/toolkits/comm-gardens/index.asp for a community gardening toolkit that can be used to start your own or to improve an existing one.
• Learn more about USDA People’s Gardens at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=PEOPLES_GARDEN, of which there are now more than 400 across the country with at least one in every state. A USDA “People’s Garden” is simply any garden which meets 3 criteria:
1) Is Collaborative (between volunteers, neighbors, or organizations. Local partnerships can carry out the People’s Garden mission).
2) Benefits the Community (it can create public leisure or recreation space, provide grown produce to a local food bank, be a wildlife friendly landscape, etc.).
3) Incorporates Sustainable Practices (like composting, capturing rainwater in rain barrels, etc.) .
- Want to know if a People’s Garden one is located close to you? Check here: http://www.pubinfo.usda.gov/garden/Map_View.cfm
- Already involved in a garden that meets the “People’s Garden” requirements? Email: collaborate@usda.gov
• Lastly, be sure to report your stories to Serve.gov to let people across the country know about the important work 4-H’ers are doing this summer and to inspire and educate others who are also positively impacting their communities!
Partnering 4-H Citizenship Efforts with the President’s “United We Serve” Initiative
People involved in 4-H programs have long known about the personal and collective benefits of directly involving youth in programs to improve their communities. This summer presents a great opportunity for 4-H’ers to partner their volunteer and civic efforts with a national initiative called “United We Serve” which seeks to increase service activities across the country. One activity that fits well with the 4-H program is gleaning.
What is “gleaning”?
Gleaning is the process of going to places like nearby farms, farmers markets, or county and state fairs and collecting good food that would otherwise go to waste to instead be donated to a soup kitchen where it will be prepared and served to those in need. This simple act can help simultaneously address two important problems: while our nation produces enough food for all individuals, over 100 billion pounds of food are wasted in our country annually and nearly 50 million people in America were at risk of going hungry last year.
How can I get involved?
- Visit the website of the Society of St. Andrew’s – one of the most prominent national gleaning organizations- to learn about local volunteer opportunities and the impact of gleaning. http://www.endhunger.org/
- Find a farmer’s market near you and contact their organizer to see if you can begin gleaning: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/farmersmarkets
- Find a food bank near you which accepts fresh food donations from gardens and farms: http://www.ampleharvest.org/
- Visit http://www.serve.gov/healthyfoods.asp for more information on the summer “Let’s Read. Let’s Move” national initiative and for a forthcoming toolkit on gleaning.
- Lastly, be sure to report your stories to Serve.gov to let people across the country know about the important work 4-H’ers are doing this summer and to inspire and educate others who are also positively impacting their communities! – Ellen Butler
Healthy Living: Participating in the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge
4-H Clubs can help to keep kids healthy and active by participating in the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge. For detailed information on the Challenge, visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/active_lifestyle.aspx.
What is the President’s Active Lifestyle Challenge? The President’s Active Lifestyle Challenge is a “challenge for both children and adults to build healthy habits by committing to regular physical activity five days a week, for six weeks.” The Active Lifestyle program is ideal for 6-17 year-old children and adolescents striving to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity a day. The Challenge offers four categories of awards for individuals based on amount of points earned by taking part in physical activities.
What are the steps involved in the Active Lifestyle program? The Active Lifestyle Challenge is easy and fun. It consists of only four simple steps and can be tailored to activities that suit the group or individual’s needs.
• Step One: Choose an activity
• Step Two: Get active
• Step Three: Track your activity
• Step Four: Order your award!
Visit the website (http://www.presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/active_lifestyle.aspx) for more details about each step.
What kind of activities count towards the Active Lifestyle Challenge? When taking part in the Active Lifestyle Challenge, you’ll be surprised how much fun it actually is. Supported by the program are traditional activities such as cycling, aerobics, and organized sports, but also include innovative activities like sledding, fishing, and dancing. For more ideas, there is a list on the website of almost 100 different activities in which you and others can participate. For more ideas on activities, visit the website of Up2Us, a national coalition of Sports-Based Youth Development organizations, at http://www.up2us.org/ or call 212.563.3031. – Ellen Butler
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