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January 16, 2009
4-H Alumni Proves to be Great Example for Youth
Deemed as a trailblazer and a leader, Tamira Cole has distinguished herself among a new generation of young women that empowers youth.
As a Jackson, TN, native, Tamira was an active 4-H member for 14 years. She served as a youth coordinator for the Tennessee 4-H Foundation Board of Directors, as a petitioner for the 4-H Endowment Campaign, and as a member of National 4-H Council Board of Trustees in 2004. Currently, she is a member of Tennessee 4-H Alumni, Inc.
"4-H for me was an opportunity to meet new people, find lifelong friends, travel, learn, develop leadership and public speaking skills, find a family, and most importantly...grow as an individual with unique talents. Without 4-H, I don't think I would had ever became as confident as I am now," said Tamira.
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Posted in category 4-H Alumni at 4:49 PM
January 15, 2009
4-H Digital Mayhem Challenge
Youth were invited to participate in the 4-H Digital Mayhem Challenge sponsored by 4-H programs in Illinois and northeast Missouri. The challenge encouraged youth to build their technology skills and learn about the video, audio and graphic production process.
Many digital projects in the areas of photography, audio, video or mixed media production were submitted demonstrating their abilities with media of all kinds. Four winners received $100 Amazon gift certificates and top entries may be used in various promotional products throughout the region.
To view these projects, visit 4-H Mayhem Challenge.
Posted in category Activities and Competitions at 3:26 PM
January 13, 2009
2009 National Ag Day Essay Contest
By Erika Poppelreiter
McCormick Company
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., - The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) is calling on seventh- to 12th-grade students to submit an original essay of 450 words about the importance of agriculture. This year's theme is "Agriculture - Every Day in Every Way," and the deadline is February 9. Teachers are asked to encourage their students to participate.
This year, the theme highlights the importance of agriculture in everyone's lives. From the clothes you wear to the food you eat, agriculture is a part of every day for everyone. Though row crops and livestock are still very much a part of the foundation of the industry, agriculture today has multiple touch points in our daily lives and offers many career opportunities.
"CHS is pleased to help support this year's Ag Day essay contest and its theme of 'Agriculture, Every Day in Every Way,' " says Linda Tank, vice president of communications for CHS Inc. "We recognize the valuable contributions today's youth offer to help our nation's food, fiber and energy systems stay strong. We look forward to seeing the students' opinions and ideas about agriculture and the role it plays in our lives."
This year's national winner will receive a $1,000 prize and round-trip ticket to Washington, D.C., to be recognized during the March 12 Celebration of Ag Dinner held at the Whitten Patio. At the dinner, the winner will have the opportunity to join with industry representatives, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a celebration of agriculture. Statewide winners of the contest also will be selected. Each state winner will receive a $100 prize.
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Posted in category Activities and Competitions at 11:53 AM
January 12, 2009
4-H Projects Help Food Bank, Families
By Nancy Peterson
K-State Research and Extension News Media Services
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - A lucky clover might seem a good luck charm, but in this case, it´s the kids, all members of the Lucky Clovers 4-H Club in Wyandotte County, Kan., who´ve worked to make something "lucky" happen.
As part of a service project celebrating National 4-H Week earlier this fall, county 4-H clubs were encouraged to donate non-perishable foods for a local food bank, said Peggy Berrier Boyd, Kansas State University Research and Extension 4-H youth development agent in Wyandotte County.
Gathering non-perishable foods sparked 4-H members´ concerns about families with limited resources who didn´t have food to eat and prompted the 15-member Lucky Clovers 4-H Club into action, Boyd said.
The 4-H´ers asked permission to make a pitch for donations for the food bank at the Price Chopper Supermarket in Bonner Springs, Kan., Boyd said.
Working just one Saturday, the club members raised $500 in cash donations and gathered 650 pounds of food for H.E.L.P. 317, a local food pantry, said Judy Maxwell, a pantry board member.
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Posted in category Service at 11:16 AM
January 8, 2009
4-H and Nickelodeon Partner to Launch New Online Game
National 4-H Council has partnered with Nickelodeon's "Big Green Help" to create a brand-new, interactive online game-- "Flip N' Flow"--featuring the network's animated boy-genius Jimmy Neutron. The game is in support of 4 H's Science, Engineering and Technology communication campaign to spark youth interest in science and prepare one million new young people for America's technology workforce.
Nickelodeon's "The Big Green Help" is a kid-led movement that provides information and tools to help explain climate change to young people, and connects them to energy-saving and earth-friendly activities in their everyday lives.
The "Flip N' Flow" game is available online at 4-H.org. Youth can play the game and access materials to share with friends. Check out this fun activity which gives youth and mentors the opportunity to learn about water conservation and challenges them think about steps they can take to participate in going green!
Questions can be directed to Nancy Cole (301-961-2926) at National 4-H Council.
Posted in category Partnerships at 4:24 PM
January 7, 2009
Make Personal Pledge for Change and Win Chance to Attend Presidential Inauguration
As we usher in this exciting new era of change we recognize that everyone can play a part. So, how will YOU commit to bringing about change in your neighborhood, your community or your nation? America's Promise and the Case Foundation invite people across the nation to join the "Change Begins with Me" campaign by sharing how you will contribute.
Share your commitment in 250 characters or less and enter for your chance to win two tickets to Washington, DC and be a part of the official inauguration and celebratory events, and participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 19. This day offers Americans the opportunity to unite as a country to build stronger communities and create a better nation. Find out how you can take action on this day by donating your time and efforts in honor of one of America's greatest leaders.
For more information and to submit your pledge, visit Case Foundation. Deadline for submission is January 12, 2009 AT 3PM EST.
Also, General Colin Powell and Alma Powell are featured in a public service announcement encouraging individuals and organizations to learn about service projects in their communities and lend time and energy to make the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. holiday a "day on" rather than a "day off." Visit, America's Promise and view the PSA, post it on your web site and social networking sites, and distribute to your network by email.
Posted in category Service at 6:32 PM
January 6, 2009
4-H Career Postings: January 2009
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Posted in category Careers at 1:09 PM
December 22, 2008
National 4-H Learning Priorities Webinar
The National Learning Priorities is proud to offer a Webinar focused on the 4-H PRKC core competency of Organizational Systems/Scholarship entitled...
Understanding our Field of Youth Development and Implications for the Future
The webinar will be broadcast on January 8, 2009 from 2:00 - 3:30pm ET (1:00 - 2:30pm CT; noon - 1:30pm MT; 11:00aM - 12:30pm PT respectively)
Keynote speaker is Dr. Dale Blyth, Associate Dean for Youth Development at the University of Minnesota and Director of the Extension Center for Youth Development. Dale will share his perspective of the field of Youth Development as it has developed and project some implications for the growth of the field into the future.
Dr. Lynne Borden, Extension Specialist, Professor at University of Arizona, will serve as host for a noted panel of Youth Development Practitioners and Scholars including:
• Pam Garza, National Project Director, Professional Development at National 4-H Council
• Dr. Roger Rennekamp, Professor, Department Head, and State 4-H Program Leader in the College of Education at Oregon State University, and
• Dr. Ryan Schmiesing, National Program Leader, Mission Mandates - CSREES, National 4-H Headquarters
For more information and to register, visit National Learning Priorities
Posted in category Curriculum and Tools at 1:28 PM
December 19, 2008
Prairie View A&M 4-H'ers Attend White House Roundtable
Gail Long, 4-H & Youth program specialist, left, is show with 4-H'ers, Russell Hebert, Ashley Jones and Sheldon Nixon, and Fort Bend County agent, Timothy Sandles, far right.
On Friday, December 5, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives convened a Compassion in Action Roundtable meeting titled, The Next Generation of Social Entrepreneurship. The panel included Russell Hebert, a member of Prairie View Cooperative Extension's All American 4-H Club in Fort Bend County and founding member of the All American Youth Rodeo Association in Fresno, Texas.
The Compassion in Action Roundtable spotlighted the innovative leadership of an emerging generation of social entrepreneurs in America. The event brought together young people from across the nation who are leading creative philanthropic efforts to address poverty, disease, and a range of other critical needs that are affecting not only individuals and communities in America but also individuals around the world.
"I had an opportunity to meet Russell and two of his friends from Fresno, Ashley Jones and Sheldon Nixon, as a result of their involvement in Cooperative Extension's Engaging Youth, Serving Community (EYSC) Project," said Gail Long, program specialist, 4-H & Youth, Cooperative Extension Program, who coordinates the EYSC at Prairie View. "This was truly an honor to be selected by the White House to participate in such a worthy cause. Being given an opportunity to dialogue with policymakers, government officials, philanthropists and faith-based organizations solidifies the fact that our youth are doing outstanding things in their communities."
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Posted in category EYSC at 4:09 PM
December 16, 2008
The Kids' Science Challenge
The Kids' Science Challenge is a nationwide competition for 3rd to 6th graders. Kids are encouraged to learn about four fun scientific fields and then submit a question, problem, or experiment to be solved, working together with a scientist or engineer.
The scientific fields are: flavor science, water quality, skateboard engineering, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Winners will receive a trip to visit the scientists to work collaboratively on their question, problem or experiment, and will be featured on Pulse of the Planet radio programs and podcasts.
The Kids' Science Challenge is providing a variety of educational resources to encourage kids to learn about the scientific fields, to help them in preparing an entry for the competition. The web site (Kids Science Challenge), includes scientific backgrounds, downloadable science projects, lesson plans for classroom or after-school use, fun videos and educational games. At imbee.com kids can sign up to join a group to discuss their ideas online, and at Whyville.net they can participate in live chats with the scientists and engineers. Links are provided on the Kids' Science Challenge web site.
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Posted in category Activities and Competitions at 2:21 PM