March 9, 2010
 The Noyce Foundation is expanding its support of 4-H’s Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) programming with a $1.73 million gift.
“We believe 4-H has the capacity to lead the way for youth development and informal science organizations across the country in developing the curriculum, professional development, multi-media web-based support, and evaluation tools that will engage thousands of young people from all backgrounds in the joys of science,” said Ron Ottinger, Executive Director of the Noyce Foundation.
The Noyce Foundation’s generous support will strengthen the 4-H SET infrastructure in several ways, including providing online professional development training, assistance with state and local SET implementation, incentives to recognize innovative local leadership and developing the capability to assess the SET impact.
“The Noyce Foundation continues to be a vital partner and advocate for 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology programming,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council President and CEO.
“Noyce’s investment will allow 4-H to expand state and county-level SET leadership teams which are integral to reaching our goal of addressing the nation’s critical workforce shortages by building the next generation of youth excited about careers in science, engineering and technology.”
This gift brings 4-H even closer to achieving the ambitious goal of engaging one million new youth in the fields of science, engineering and technology by the year 2013. The Noyce Foundation currently funds the SET Digital Storytelling Project and the Power of the Wind curriculum.
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March 5, 2010
The 4-H clover will begin a journey of over 1,000 miles across Alaska March 6, in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on the sled of Jeff King, champion dog sled racer.
“Jeff’s hard work and determination represent the ideals of 4-H,” said Deb Jones, Alaska 4-H Program Leader. “He found a passion in dog racing and is committed to setting goals and seeing them come to fruition.”
The race has been called the “Last Great Race on Earth.” Seventy one racers or “mushers,” will each travel 1,150 miles from Anchorage to Nome, each with a team of 12-16 dogs. The trip will take 10 to 17 days.
“He overcomes many obstacles,” said Nancy Graff. Graff is a parent of a 4-H’er, and helped coordinate the appearance of the 4-H clover on King’s sled. “I see a lot of kids do the same. You go through obstacles, and you may not always be a winner, but you learn from the experience.”
The Iditarod Trail is a National Historic Trail which began as a dog sled route for mining camps and remote communities, bringing in mail and supplies, and carrying out gold. In 1925, the trail served as a lifeline delivering serum to Nome residents battling a diphtheria epidemic.
King won the Iditarod in 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2006, and also won the Yukon Quest and other races across Alaska. In the last 20 years, he has journeyed more than 100,000 miles with his dogs.
Follow Jeff King and the 4-H Clover on the trail at www.iditarod.com.
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February 28, 2010
4-H’ers across the country recently received national recognition at the 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program that honors youth for their extraordinary efforts in serving others through volunteerism.
Ten 4-Her’s were selected as State Honorees, and each heads their own service projects. Vienna Schmitter-Schrier, from Soldotna, Alaska, participated in an eight-month volunteer “vacation” in El Salvador. She learned that most children in the country could not afford the bus fare, school supplies, and uniforms required to go on to the seventh grade. Vienna helped raise more than $5,000 to establish a scholarship fund so that underprivileged children in El Salvador could continue their education.
“I knew that they dreamed about getting a good education, but that money, not desire or ability, kept their dreams from coming true,” said Vienna.
Other State Honorees and 4-H members actively supported US troops overseas. Kenna Baker visited war memorials in Washington, D.C. on a trip from Oklahoma, and “felt a tugging at my heart to do something for the soldiers serving our country,” said Kenna. Over the last five years, she made more than 6,000 “cooling ties,” worn around the neck to keep American soldiers cool in the desert heat of Iraq and Afghanistan. She also conducted over 300 workshops to teach others how to make them.
In New York, Brianna Cart has shipped 270 boxes of snacks, toiletries and other items, worth more than $20,000 to 345 American soldiers serving overseas in the last four years. She currently spends 20 hours a week organizing the supplies and manages a core group of 19 youth and over 40 local organizations who help put the packages together.
“I’ve learned from the thank you letters how much the soldiers miss their homes and families, and I am grateful to be a part of a group that tries to show how much we appreciate their efforts,” said Brianna.
Six 4-Her’s were chosen as Distinguished Finalists and will receive an engraved bronze medallion. They also conducted some impressive community service activities. Sydney Swanson organized the “Coats for Kids” drive, and collected over 850 coats for children in need. Garrett Thompson, collected more than 9,000 CDs, DVDs and other items for American servicemen and women overseas, and Dustin Dixon created gardens that provided fresh produce for nearly 1,400 people in his community.
The awards program, now in its 15th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc., in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
In total, 102 youth volunteers - two from each state and the District of Columbia - were named State Honorees and 234 were selected as Distinguished Finalists. The 4-H’ers selected are:
State Honorees
• Kenna Baker, Okla.
• Brianna Cart, N.Y.
• Amy David, Wyo.
• Rebecca Fawns, Mont.
• Bridgett McLean, Nev.
• Philip Moore, Del.
• Jaden Moore, Neb.
• Brandon Pettit, Iowa
• Kallen Rittberger, S.D.
• Vienna Schmitter-Schrier, Alaska |
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Distinguished Finalists
• Sydney Swanson, Neb.
• Garrett Thompson, Okla.
• Margaret Cody, Tenn.
• Matthew Ferguson, Ore.
• Dustin Dixon, Ark.
• Zachary Early, Ark. |
For more information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year’s honorees, visit Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
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February 26, 2010
When Shane McGregor joined 4-H at just 8 years old, he quickly saw the positive impact adult 4-H volunteers had on youth in the program.
In his first 4-H dairy cattle showing, Shane struggled in the cold and rain with the cattle that was reluctant to participate.
“I was moving the cattle with my hands, trying to get him to participate,” McGregor said. “Although this was not the way to properly present cattle, the judges were very encouraging, making sure to tell me what a good job I did and letting me know that they could see my hard work.”
It was the words from the judges that helped him improve over the years, and gave him the spirit of self confidence to stick with it. He remained in 4-H through the years because of the spirit of friendly competition, which inspired him to always strive to better himself.
McGregor decided to give back to the organization as an adult, and serve as a volunteer in South Dakota. He is now a dairy cattle presentation judge, offering 4-H youth the same positive reinforcement that was shown to him years ago.
“Being a volunteer and seeing the impact it’s had on youth makes me wish I could do much more with them. It’s very rewarding,” McGregor said.
While he was already a 4-H volunteer, his employer, Monsanto, is currently working with 4-H on a National 4-H Volunteer Initiative to increase volunteerism in 4-H clubs across the country. As a direct beneficiary of positive guidance from 4-H volunteers, McGregor understands how positive youth development programs can make a huge difference in the lives of youth.
Through the 4-H - Monsanto partnership, the National 4-H Volunteer Initiative will provide 4-H’s network of more than 51,000 existing volunteers with hands on training to ensure that they provide the best opportunities for youth to learn leadership, citizenship and important life skills.
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February 24, 2010
 Rebekah Diaz spreads mulch around a tree at the closing ceremonies of the NFL Tree Growalition Project. Florida 4-H’ers recently collaborated with the NFL for two exciting community events. Several 4-H youth participated in the NFL Tree Growalition project, an effort sponsored by the NFL to “green” Super Bowl and Pro Bowl Games host communities by planting trees at schools, parks, and public spaces.
The event took place on February 4, in advance of Super Bowl XLIV at North Trail Park in Miami, Florida. Five 4-H’ers assisted with the planting of 12 trees during the closing ceremonies of the NFL Tree Growalition project.
“This project has opened up doors for collaboration and expansion of the 4-H program,” said Alex Diaz, University of Florida Extension 4-H agent. “It showcases what 4-H kids are doing in the in the community. It worked out great.”
4-H’er Rebekah Diaz helped out by spreading the mulch around the base of the trees.
“It was really cool,” said Rebekah Diaz, a 4-H Member-at-Large. “There were three players from the Miami Dolphins who played in Superbowl VII. They were undefeated and were the champs that year.”
The players, Manny Fernandez, Marv Fleming and Dick Anderson made showed their support at the event, as well as one of their opponents from that game, Roy Jefferson of the Washington Redskins.
Since November, 175 native trees have been planted at 16 sites throughout South Florida through the Tree Growalition project. The trees planted at North Trail Park also count toward the 4-H Million Trees Project, led by 4-H’er Laura Webber.
The garden and healthy living program at Carol City Elementary School in Miami Gardens, Florida received grants from “Plant a Thousand Gardens” and the NFL Tree Growalition. In January, NFL players, University of Miami football players and 4-H’ers helped students learn about planting a garden, how seeds travel and grow, the importance of food safety and participated in games and activities.
Pioneer supporters of NFL Tree Growalition include Miami-Dade County District 12 Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, the Parks Foundation, Community Image Advisory Board, South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee, and the NFL Alumni Association.
 4-H’ers, NFL players, and University of Miami Football players, joined together at Carol City Elementary School in Miami Gardens, Florida. Return to 4-H News
February 22, 2010
 Laura Karr, 4-H Alumna and retired Dow AgroScience biologist, credits her years in 4-H for helping her career at Dow, and on her new farm. |
When Laura Karr joined 4-H at 9 years old, she had a love for the outdoors, took interest in animal projects, and became fascinated with the little things that would be the foundation of her career. The little tiny things, to be precise.
“I’ve always loved the creepy crawly things,” Karr said. Her 4-H experience spurred an interest in entomology, which she studied through three degrees at Iowa State. She went on to become a research biologist in Insecticide Discovery at Dow AgroSciences.
“I would not have had such a successful corporate career… if it weren’t for 4-H,” Karr said. “The most important things my 4-H gave me were experience in project planning, knowledge and expertise in diverse areas - both scientific and artistic - and basic leadership and team building skills.”
Karr said she continues to support 4-H through the years because of all that she has learned from the organization, especially in her home state of Iowa, where the agricultural, science and technology focus is so strong.
Through her interest in science, she was able to obtain a number of patents from her research with the company, and even co-invented an ingredient in Dow’s Sentricon termite bait product.
Another skill she learned in 4-H is setting and achieving goals. During a training session at Dow, she was asked to write down a life goal. She wrote that she wanted to own a farm. Twenty years later, Karr retired from Dow; she traded in her fast paced life in Corporate America and is now Owner and Operator of KG Acres Farm & Featherwerks, a small direct-sales farm specializing in herbs, exotic and heirloom produce, and heritage poultry and poultry products.
The farm consists of non-commercial poultry, such as Royal Palm Turkeys, that breed naturally, and carry a different genetic pool from those most often found on the commercial market. Karr notes they grow slower, and they have a high disease resistance. She also uses the feathers from the birds to create various accessories.
“Now I realize shoes aren’t so important anymore,” Karr said of the vast collection she kept for work in the office. “Now my passion is birds. But I’m not giving up the shoes.”
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February 18, 2010
 4-H Youth eat a meal full of colorful fruits and vegetables. 4-H youth in 15 states across the country are taking strides to improve the lives of members of their communities through Youth Voice: Youth Choice programs, funded by a $1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation.
Youth Voice: Youth Choice encourages youth to develop community programs that help maintain healthy and active lifestyles by focusing on nutrition, physical fitness and safety through hands-on learning activities.
Six health leadership teams representing five Hawaiian Islands were trained by certified personal trainers and youth development specialists to design exercise programs for their communities that help create healthy exercise habits. The members of the leadership teams then created local “Get Moving for Health” teams, and shared their exercise plans that included intergenerational and culturally appropriate physical activities that increase health and well being.
“The program has been extremely successful,” said Gary Heusel, Hawaii State 4-H Leader. “Three of the six programs have exceeded the goal of reaching 200 people. The most common challenge we have had is that more people are interested than we can handle.”
Twelve daytime and overnight healthy living summer camps were held throughout Michigan in the state’s “Jump into Foods and Fitness” program.
“We had a huge response from counties in Michigan. Twelve counties participated, and over 1,000 youth were reached,” said B’Onko Sadler, Michigan State University Extension, Associate Program Leader. “We were able to form many community partnerships with colleges, health centers, and school districts that provided us with additional support for the program.”
Many older 4-H’ers campers served as mentors for younger participants, and guided them as they explored new and healthy foods, learned appropriate portion sizes and even took part in gardening activities. There were plenty of outdoor physical activities, including canoeing and biking, and other group activities.
Each of the 15 programs was awarded $50,000 to establish and run their Youth Voice: Youth Choice activities. So far, they have reached 14,000 youth and 2,300 adults nationwide.
The additional Youth Voice: Youth Choice programs are:
• Illinois: “4-H Health Jam”
• Iowa: “Food and Fitness Craze”
• Louisiana: “Fit 4 the Future”
• Minnesota: “Minnesota Stepping Out”
• New Hampshire: “4-H Youth Voice: Youth Choice Challenge”
• New Jersey: “Get Moving - Get Healthy with New Jersey 4-H”
• North Carolina: “Healthy Lifestyle Movement for Minority and Low Income Youth and Families”
• Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Clovers on the Move”
• Oregon: “Attitudes for Success - Healthy Lifestyles”
• Puerto Rico: “Route 4Healthy Living”
• South Dakota: “Living Lean”
• Utah: “TRY Teams for Healthy Living”
• Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Youth Voice: Youth Choice for Healthy Living”
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February 1, 2010
 Teens in the WSU 4-H Eco-stewardship program assist with spawning of chinook salmon at the Entiat National Fish Hatchery in Chelan county.jpg |
Washington State University’s (WSU) 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program has received a national award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and will be honored at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference on March 24.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education award was given to the WSU 4-H Extension in January. It recognizes outstanding 4-H program development, implementation, and evaluation in wildlife conservation and environmental education.
For eight years, the WSU 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program served over 18,000 high school and summer program youth from Chelan and Douglas counties.
“The 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program has a unique impact on young people,” said WSU Chelan County Extension director Ray Faini. “Youth work with forestry and wildlife experts to insure their efforts are accurate, reflect critical thinking skills and implementation. Teens stay in school and move into college or careers and have better chances for meaningful employment.”
Over thirty local, state, and federal agencies partner with the program providing guidance and direction in projects including restoration and maintenance of wilderness lakes, streams and trail systems. Teens monitor water quality and quantity in regional streams and rivers and work with re-vegetation efforts to reduce erosion and improve fish spawning habitat. Recycling programs in their schools reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on landfills.
“The youth in our program know they are making a significant difference in their community and the local environment,” said Kevin Powers, director of the WSU 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program. “They work directly with natural resource professionals assisting with the accomplishment of various monitoring activities and service projects that benefit watersheds, fish and wildlife habitat and the community for years to come.”
The recognition includes a $10,000 cash award, and it is a partnership between 4-H National Headquarters, Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
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January 28, 2010
 Kelcie Thomas participates in the Olympic Torch Relay for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. 4-H’ers Kelcie Thomas and Laura Webber were given the opportunity of a lifetime on Jan. 18. The two were selected to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.
“It was an amazing, incredible experience,” said Thomas. “You can’t take your eyes off the flame. It’s really emotional and makes you want to cry.”
They were among eight other youth, several Coca-Cola employees and Olympic athletes who were all selected by Coca-Cola to be Torchbearers based on their community involvement.
They each carried the flame 300 meters in Calgary, Canada. The morning of the relay, Thomas and Webber practiced the “kiss of the flame,” the moment when the flame is passed from one person’s torch to the next.
Thomas decided to carry the torch in a unique style, running, skipping and dancing down the road.
Her project, “Creating a Healthier You,” helped educate over 245,000 elementary school children about healthy eating and exercise habits. Relay organizers planned the course so that her relay segment extended an additional 100 meters in front of an elementary school, where many children watched the ceremony.
Webber was selected for her role in founding the 4-H Million Trees Project, which inspires 4-H youth members to plant trees to help combat global climate change. To date, over 25,000 participants in 42 U.S. states and Canadian provinces have planted over 70,000 trees.
When they weren’t carrying the torch, Thomas and Webber spent time with other Coca-Cola torchbearers, including Olympic gold medalists Steven Lopez and Shawn Johnson.
The Olympic Torch Relay, will last for 106 days, cover more than 27,000 miles and link together more than 1,000 communities and places of interest throughout Canada.
The Olympic Winter Games begin Feb. 12.
 Laura Webber participates in the Olympic Torch Relay for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. Return to 4-H News
January 25, 2010
When a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, no one could imagine the destruction that would be left when the dust settled. With so much needed to help repair the country, we wanted to know what 4-H’ers were doing to help.
The question was posted on the 4-H Facebook page, and the responses were impressive, yet confirmed what many in 4-H expected: 4-H youth nationwide used their citizenship skills and got to work.
4-H alumna Lacey Hewitt was in Haiti prior to the earthquake, helping the orphans at Ruuska Village near Port-Au-Prince.
Hewitt, 26, is a native of Kittson County, Minn., and has been working at the orphanage since August 2009. Reports indicate that she and the children are safe from injury, but in need of necessities.
Since she arrived, several children in her care have been taken into homes around the world. According to the Grand Forks Herald, Hewitt’s family is one several planning to adopt children from the orphanage.
Through her blog, www.laceyinhaiti.blogspot.com, it was learned that Hewitt’s father, Jim, has arrived in Haiti to help rebuild the village, and provide support to his daughter.
At home in the U.S, 4-H’ers are making taking on easy, community-related tasks that have a huge impact.
Joanna Stoops is taking advantage of Oregon’s bottle deposit refunds, and is collecting cans and bottles with her Dune Dogs 4-H Club.
“I actually got the idea from the 4-H Facebook page, and thought it was something reasonable to do,” said Stoops, a leader of the Dune Dogs.
She sends out emails to her club members to remind them to bring the bottles and cans to their meetings, and also works with her local church, friends and family for additional donations. Stoops plans to send the money collected to the local Salvation Army to support their work for Haiti.
Wyatt Wharton and his 4-H club, Barn Yard Bandits, are collecting jeans and donating them to their local Areopostale clothing store. The company’s national “Jeans for Teens” program is an annual clothing drive which encourages the public to bring in old jeans, which are normally sent to local homeless shelters. This year, Aeropostale has pledged to send the first 100,000 pairs of denim donated to Haiti, and they will match that with an additional corporate donation of 100,000 jeans, sending 200,000 to the country.
Simple efforts like these are taking place in clubs across the country. From the McLean County 4-H Alumni Association’s coin drive at Learn and Fun Day in Illinois, to Samantha Russo’s 4-H club bake sale in Virginia Beach, Va., 4-H’ers are doing their part to help those in need.
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