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Weekly 4-H Update

Communications >> 4-H Update >>Volume 12, Number 19....................................... May 30, 2008

Attachments:

:: 2008 Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs Submission Form

NAE4-HA Urban 4-H Programming Task Force -
Survey for Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs

In 2006 the Programs Committee of NAE4-HA formed a task force to address issues related to urban 4 H programming. One of the first undertakings of this task force was to compile a directory of successful 4 H programming efforts conducted in the urban environment. In the first year of our urban task force efforts we received 42 submissions, of which 22 were selected by peer review to be included in the directory. In 2007 there were 19 submissions and 11 of those were selected to be included in the directory. To view the 2006 and 2007 submissions to the directory go to: http://www.colorado4h.org/urbanprogram/.

The attached survey will serve as the mechanism to add more of your educational efforts to the directory for 2008. The Urban Programs Task Force will present a board-sponsored seminar to highlight submissions to the 2008 Directory of Urban 4-H Successful Programs at the September 2008 Galaxy III Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

In order to encourage submission to this directory, the top 10 entries evaluated as the most innovative programs with significant impact will be recognized at the 2008 Galaxy Conference. In addition, the top submission from each region will be asked to present a 15-minute overview at the board-sponsored seminar.

To aid in the compilation of a directory with a uniform format, please do not alter the font size and space allowed for your responses in the accompanying document. Please submit your entry for the Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs to Ellen Butler at ellen.butler@colostate.edu.
Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2008.

I encourage all of you who are conducting high quality 4-H programs in the urban environment to submit your programs to the directory. — Jeff Goodwin

Host Families Needed – 4-H Japanese Exchange

Host families are needed for 65 inbound Japanese boys and girls, ages 12-21, coming to Colorado through the 2008 inbound Colorado-Japan Teen Exchange. Hosting dates are July 23 – Aug.18.

This program is coordinated through Colorado State University and has been running since 1975.

Host families do not need to be a member of 4-H and may reside in urban, suburban, or rural settings throughout Colorado. They may share a room with their host sibling. Matches are made on the basis of same sex and close in age, as well as some common interests. Note: Host siblings may be as young as nine to match with a 12-year-old Japanese participant.

All participants are 100 percent medically covered with 4-H insurance and may participate in host family vacations, camping trips, and youth camps. They are expected to become part of the family, including attending church, helping with household chores, following house rules, and participating in other aspects of US daily life. The program covers costs for the exchange. Each participant has his/her own spending money.

Japanese participants will attend an orientation in Denver before going to host families and a debriefing in Denver before returning to Japan. Carpools are planned to transport delegates to homes if host families are not able to pick up or return their exchange student. Orientation for host families is done in Denver. In addition, there will be a host family orientation in the Montrose/Grand Junction/Delta area.

Host siblings have the option of traveling to Japan to participate in a four or seven-week exchange while staying with Japanese host families and learning Japanese culture.

Experience shows that the greatest success occurs when families treat the delegates as a member of the family, rather than a guest. For further information please contact me at 970.491.2711 or courtney.loflin@colostate.edu.
— Courtney Loflin

Healthy Sprouts Awards

Statistics show that in many U.S. classrooms you'll find children who are overweight sitting next to others wondering where their next meal will come from; many are not getting the right balance of nutrients in their diets or enough exercise. Research conducted at Texas A&M University supports the connection between kids' food gardens and improved nutrition. Could a school garden be part of the solution to the diet- and exercise-related challenges children face? Many forward-thinking educators and parents think so, and have worked to create youth garden programs that focus on nutrition and hunger issues.

As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, NGA recognizes outstanding programs via the Healthy Sprouts Awards, sponsored by Gardener’s Supply Company. These awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States.

Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for the 2008 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2009 with at least 15 children between the ages of three and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and nutrition and hunger issues in the United States.

This year we will present awards to 20 schools or organizations. Each program will receive:

• gift certificates towards the purchase of gardening materials from our sponsoring company, Gardener's Supply Company. The top five will each receive a certificate valued at $500; 15 more will each receive a $200 gift certificate
• NGA's Eat a Rainbow Kit, chock full of engaging taste education and nutrition lessons
• 25 packets of seeds
• a literature package from NGA
• NGA Supporter benefits for one year

Reporting requirement: Grant awardees will be required to submit a year-end impact report. This will be a short survey directly linked to the level and extent of implementation of the program information and description stated in the original application. These reports help NGA determine the overall impact of the Healthy Sprouts Award program, and assist us in gathering ongoing support for the program. Programs that do not complete the final report will not be eligible to apply for future awards.

Applications must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2008. For more information please go to http://www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp.
— Ellen Butler

High Plains Range Camp

Have you always been interested in conservation, biology, plants, wildlife, livestock, and outdoors or land improvement but had nowhere to learn but the classroom? You should come to the Black Mesa Range Ecology Academy. While classroom learning is very important, applying these principles in an outdoor setting is critical. While in this outdoor classroom you will learn why conservation of our natural resources is so important for all of us.

Eligibility and Location
The Academy will feature 10 high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors from each of the following states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It will be based out of the Camp Billy Joe facility near Kenton, Oklahoma. This is beautiful country and features terrain and vegetation from the Rocky Mountain Foothills/Mesas and the High Plains. Tours of local ranches, dinosaur tracks, hikes to Black Mesa, and locally prepared food are some of the features.

Schedule
The Academy will be held Monday, June 16, through Friday, June 20, 2008. Participants will need to arrive by 2:00 p.m. (CDT) on June 16. The program will conclude at noon on June 20.

Application
The cost of attending the Academy is $75 per student for the entire five days. This includes lodging, food, entertainment, and all learning materials. (The Colorado Section of the Society for Range Management (SRM) is providing 50% of the cost for each participant to attend this valuable academy.)

The deadline has been extended and applications must be received by June 5, 2008. Mail your application form, letter of reference, and essay along with your check in the amount of $75 to: Baca County Conservation District, PO Box 398, Springfield, CO 81073. Make your check payable to the Baca County CD. Photocopies of this application form are acceptable. Visit the Colorado Section SRM web site at: www.highplainsrangecamp.net to download an application.

For further information please contact Ben Berlinger at 719.384.5408, Kimberly Diller at 719.275.4465 or Tim Steffens at 719.523.4522.
— Ellen Butler

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Updated Monday, June 02, 2008.