Wednesday, December 31, 2008

"What 4-H Means to Me" speech at Achievement Night

If you did not attend Achievement Night in October 2008, you missed a fantastic little speech given by 9-year-old Stephanie entitled "What 4-H Means to Me". The story along with the speech was submitted to all the Douglas County hubs on www.yourhub.com.

Here's a link to one of them: http://denver.yourhub.com/LoneTree/Stories/Goings-on/Story~563434.aspx

I hope you take look. She did a good job.

Crystal Darkness Event

On Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 the broadcasters of Colorado are teaming together to air a Telly and Emmy Award winning documentary called Childhelp Crystal Darkness aimed at fighting back against the scourge of crystal methamphetamine. Nearly every broadcaster in the state will be participating and they will be pre-empting all programming to air this in unison. It's an unprecedented event in the history of the state.

Thanks to the generous donated participation by local broadcasters, the program airs at 6:30 p.m. on nearly every TV station in Colorado! Several radio stations will be airing an audio version at the same time. There is also a Spanish version of the documentary that will air on Spanish TV stations at 5:30 p.m. that same day.

It’s VERY important that you make this the top priority for you and your family to watch this historic program. Invite neighbors and friends to watch it with you. Meth is a drug that is tearing apart families and communities and your children are being targeted. It’s time for Colorado to fight back!

The documentary was filmed in Colorado at the end of October and features interviews with Governor Bill Ritter and the First Lady Jeannie Ritter as well as Attorney General John Suthers, and dozens of community leaders, law enforcement officials, recovery specialists and local recovering meth addicts.

During the airing of the program, a call center will be set up with local recovery experts with about 80 phones lines ready to answer the calls for information and help. People will be able to call in on the 211 phone number to get assistance.

This original posting is located at http://www.crystaldarkness.com/. Please check this site for further information.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Wanted: leaders and lima beans

What do those two things have to do with each other? We'd like more leaders and canned food items coming to the monthly Leader's Council meetings. We love seeing all the leader "regulars" at council. We'd be ecstatic to see all you irregulars there too :)

But seriously, issues are discussed, decisions are made, remedies are sought, friendships are forged, crises are averted, and sometimes Mary Baldwin does a tap dance routine. See what I mean?

It is incredibly important that all 4-H leaders get involved, not just organizational leaders. We really encourage all leaders to come to the next Leader's Council meeting on Monday, January 5th at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office in a downstairs conference room. We'll be planning 2009 in more detail and want ideas and input from leaders. After all, a new agent will be coming on board some time in the near future, and wouldn't it be great if we had some fabulous plans in place. If you are a project leader, there's information you especially need to hear.

And what do lima beans have to do with anything? This year, the council's community service project is to donate canned food/pantry items to local charities at every council meeting. So bring that can of fruit cocktail or the whole wheat pasta your family can live without and let's get down to business.

See you there!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Seeking Douglas County 4-H videos

Hello DC 4-H members,

In looking forward to our new year in 4-H, I'd like to jazz up the blog and really use all the capabilities available to us. One way to do that is to post 4-H related videos, which must be uploaded to youtube first and then embedded into our site.

I am looking for videos on every 4-H subject we can think of: cake decorating demonstrations, interviews of award-winning judging teams (i.e. our meat judging national champs), various animal shows, activities like the Fashion Revue, community service events, instructional videos for new 4-H members, fun stuff like the holiday dance, officer training, Leader of the Year interview, etc. The list is almost endless.

I found one 4-H blog that has lots of videos you can check out: http://www.4-hnews.blogspot.com/

Please contact Melody at the 4-H office ASAP to discuss ideas, make plans, and get going! The number is 720-733-6940 or by email at mjones@douglas.co.us.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Opportunity for DC 4-H member to run a booth and earn some cash at NWSS

One of our 4-H parents, Mona Kail, is running a booth at NWSS showcasing natural and healthy products for dogs and horses. She is offering an opportunity for a 4-H member to help run the booth and earn 25% of all sales made by the 4-H member. The booth runs from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., but work hours are flexible. She is also offering food and drink allowances, and may be able to offer carpooling.

Interested 4-H members need to contact Ms. Kail directly at 303-972-9260. You can also check out her products at www.mnmdistributing.com.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

We want your opinion, Douglas County 4-H

Please check your email for an important survey on the issue below. I do not want to post the survey here as we don't want the whole world voting on this issue!

As we plan for the 2009 Douglas County Fair and Rodeo, we are seeking your opinion.

Some Douglas County 4-H members have expressed the desire to wear, use, or exhibit fair awards during the fair rather than receiving awards at the end of fair at the Ice Cream Social. There are differing opinions among 4-H'ers, parents, and superintendents about whether to continue showcasing 4-H fair award recipients at the Ice Cream Social (started in 2003).

We will collect votes until January 12, 2009. Votes cast after that date will not be counted.

Again, check your email. The survey was sent around 11:00 a.m. Thursday December 18.

Attend this upcoming Agritourism workshop

For those interested in agritourism, read on. The registration form is posted on the bulletin board at the 4-H office.

The Agritourism team at CSU-Extension and the Colorado Department of Agriculture is hosting an upcoming workshop “Agritourism: Is it for Your Farm or Ranch?” to be held in Byers at May Farms on January 30, 2009 from 8:30 to 4:30. This workshop will cover the fundamentals of operating an agritourism enterprise and provide participants with the tools to evaluate their own business, management, and marketing potential.

What: Agritourism Conference
When: Friday, January 30, 2008
Where: May Farms
64001 US Highway 36
Byers, CO 80103
Cost: $30.00/person or $45.00/couple

The registration fee includes lunch
and a workbook on Colorado agritourism
business development.

Please RSVP by January 23, 2009 to:
Wendy White, Colorado Department of
Agriculture, Markets Division
700 Kipling Street, Suite 4000
Lakewood, CO 80215
Ph. (303) 239-4119
Fax (303) 239-4125
wendy.white@ag.state.co.us

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports Updates

Below are three updates to the Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports Program. These updates are available on the Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports web site http://www.co4hshooting.org/ and the Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports blog site http://co4hshooting.blogspot.com/

1. Freddie Kiefer has posted the list of 2009 4-H SS Teams representing Colorado at the 4-H National Invitational Shoot this summer in Grand Island, Nebraska. The list is not totally complete just yet, and the state will be updating the list as they get more info. The link below goes direct to the list:http://www.co4hshooting.org/2009_national_teams.html If you have questions, please contact Freddie at: (970) 568-0635 (evening) or by e-mail at:fkiefer@earthlink.net .

2. Jim Hamilton has posted the list of the 2009 SS Leader Certification Workshops to be held around the state. The state will have registration materials for these nine workshops from the State 4-H Office soon. They will be poste to the SS web site. The link below goes direct to the Workshop listing:http://www.co4hshooting.org/article12212005.html If you have questions, please contact Jim Hamilton at (719) 846-7403 or by e-mail at:jim.hamilton@colostate.edu .

3. Jim has posted this request for help for the 4-H Shooting Sports booth at the 2009 International Sportsmen's Exposition which will be held in Denver. The link below goes directly to the posting which gives more explanation and a listing of times and dates when we will be needing help:http://www.co4hshooting.org/2009_ise_show_help.html Let Jim know ASAP if you or your 4-H group will be willing to help. If you have any questions, let Jim know: (719) 846-7403 or by e-mail at: jim.hamilton@colostate.edu .

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Society for Range Management (SRM) Masonic-Range Science Scholarship

Information pulled straight from the state's 4-H blog:

This scholarship offers financial assistance and recognition to a high school senior, college freshman or college sophomore planning to major in/presently majoring in range science and/or a closely related field. The recipient of the scholarship must be planning to attend or be currently in attendance at a college or university with a range science program.

Applicants must be sponsored by a member of the Society for Range Management (SRM), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), or the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). The scholarship is awarded by the Masonic-Range Science Scholarship Committee (MasCom), which is a subcommittee of the SRM Student Activities Committee.

Applications are due Jan. 15, 2009 and must be postmarked by the deadline. The MasCom will select and announce the recipient(s) at the SRM annual meeting held in February.

Further information may be obtained through http://www.rangelands.org/education_masonicscholarship.shtml or by contacting:
Society for Range Management
10030 W. 27th Avenue
Wheat Ridge CO 80215-6601
Phone: 303.986.3309Fax: 303.986.3892
Email: vtrujillo@rangelands.org

Douglas County 4-H member published in newspaper

We're all about passing on good news here in Douglas County. A 4-H member and one of our ambassadors, Selena Giers, had an article entitled "Stock show's impact no bull" published in the Rocky Mountain News yesterday.

"Since I can remember, the National Western Stock Show has been something I have looked forward to each year. But I never realized just how great an impact it has not only on the rural way of living, but also on Denver.

According to the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo Web site, 2008 had huge attendance numbers..." for the rest of the story, please go to this link: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/10/giers-stock-shows-impact-no-bull/

Good job, Selena!

Writers, earn a $250 prize in a literary contest at ACC

I've noticed that several 4-H members are also writers. I came across a press release from Arapahoe Community College about their 5th Writers Studio Literary Contest open to all Colorado residents. Categories are fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.

According to their article "the deadline for entries is Feb. 2, 2009.

First place winners in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction will each win $250, publication in ACCs literary magazine, Progenitor, and will be distinguished guests at ACC's Spring Literary Festival in April, where they will read their winning pieces.

All entries will be read by preliminary judges, and the finalists for each category are sent to outside judges. The contest is open to ACC students, faculty and the Colorado community. All entries are considered for publication in The Progenitor.

For more information visit the website at http://www.arapahoe.edu/deptprgrms/eng/writerscontest.html, call the Writers Studio at 303.797.5815 or e-mail at writerstudio@arapahoe.edu."

To see information on the judges and the original article, go to http://denver.yourhub.com/HighlandsRanch/Stories/Education/College/Story~557563.aspx

Volunteer for the Castle Rock Teen Court

Douglas County 4-H'ers, here's a chance to improve your public speaking skills and add to your college resume. The Castle Rock Teen Court is seeking volunteers age 12 to 17 to serve as bailiffs, attorneys, and jurors.

According to their press release, "Teen Court is a community-based program for first-time, nonviolent, misdemeanor juvenile offenders. At Teen Court, community youth determine the appropriate sanctions for those charged.

The program holds offenders accountable and provides educational services to offenders and youth volunteers to promote long-term behavioral change that leads to enhanced public safety."

If you are interested in joining Teen Court, you are encouraged to attend a one-hour orientation beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Town's Municipal Court, 100 Perry St.

**Please preregister by Friday, Jan. 16, by contacting Teen Court Director Sandra Gutierrez, 303-663-6136 or sgutierrez@CRgov.com.

Original yourhub article: http://denver.yourhub.com/CastleRock/Stories/News/General-News/Story~556620.aspx

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Enrollment and some project deadlines

I knew something would come to me to post on the blog! The following information direct from the world of Kathe Jackson, also included in the newsletter, is worth repeating.

"Thank you 4-H Organizational Leaders for getting re-enrollment information in by November 15th. It is past the enrollment deadline for re-enrollments, but WE WILL ACCEPT your forms. You must pay $40 instead of the regular $35 enrollment dues. The deadline for all new project enrollments is MAY 1. NOTE: There are specific project deadline dates. Members who enroll in the following projects after those deadline dates may not compete at the D.C. Fair or State Fair for 2009."

  • Beef – February 27, 2009
  • Shooting Sports - April 1, 2009
  • Poultry & Rabbit – May 1, 2009
  • Sheep, Swine & Goat – May 1, 2009
  • Horse – May 1, 2009
    (Horse ID sheets and signed Rules and Reg’s must be on file in the office.)
  • New Members in all other projects - May 1, 2009

Ramblings on being thankful

I seem to be suffering writer's block this week, so I decided I can always talk about being thankful for you all.

Even though Thanksgiving is over, being thankful for the Douglas County 4-H Program members and staff isn't.

As the newest member of the team, I've had a lot to learn about how 4-H works - and I'm still learning! Just when I think I know something, I find out I don't. I appreciate the ongoing patience of the 4-H staff and all 4-H families as I continue forward.

Thank you to...

Kathe Jackson, knower of all things 4-H. Without her, where would I be in my 4-H learning curve.

Mary Baldwin, dedicated 4-H Agent. Without her keeping the 4-H ship afloat along with Kathe, where would the whole office be, much less me.

4-H members, the reason we all do this. I have had the opportunity to get to know a few of you and it makes me realize how much I enjoy working with youth. You guys are wonderful.

4-H parents and volunteers, without whom there would be no 4-H. I've also had the opportunity to get to know a few of you as well. Thank you for making me welcome this last year and a half.

I'm sure the muse will visit me soon, and I'll have more to post on the blog later this week!

Melody

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Oh, the weather outside is frightful…

Information you gotta have...

4-H Inclement Weather Policy

‘Tis the season when bad weather can shut down the entire county. The policy for county 4-H activities, committee meetings and events when the weather is bad is as follows: when Douglas County shuts down county offices, all county 4-H events or meetings on that date will be cancelled. Call the Extension Office (720-733-6940) if you question whether or not an event has been cancelled. We will leave a message on our voicemail confirming the cancellation. Re-scheduling (if possible) will be done at the 4-H office. Each 4-H club is urged to decide what to do when bad weather happens and how to communicate that decision to everyone in the club.

Got pics?

Has your club been involved in fun and interesting activities recently? Or is scheduled to do something cool? Take pictures and then...

Send me pictures! (oh, this is Melody) I'll post what I can here on the blog, so make sure any pics you send me can be posted on a public site. In other words, parents of all kids in all pictures must be okay with it!

Thank you, Douglas County 4-H families.

For those interested in agriculture - 2008 Farm Income Forecast

I know several 4-H'ers are studying agriculture, so I am passing on some information.

"Net farm income is forecast to be $86.9 billion in 2008, little changed from the record $86.8 billion farmers are estimated to have earned in 2007, and 42% above the 10-year average of $61.1 billion. Net cash income, at $90.7 billion, is forecast to be $3.3 billion (4%) above 2007 and 33% above its 10-year average of $68 billion. Net cash income is projected to rise more than net farm income because of the carryover of 2007 crops, which are being sold in 2008. "

For the rest of the article, go to this link on the USDA website: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/FarmIncome/

Teen book club at Castle Rock library

Thought I would pass on information I found in the Douglas County Library District newsletter about a teen book club (ages 12 - 18) that meets in Castle Rock.

Date: 1/3/2009Start
Time: 1:00 PM
End Time: 2:00 PM

Description:
Do you love to read, but are tired of people telling you what to read? Join other teens for meaningful discussion about the books you loved or hated.

Library: Philip S. Miller - Castle Rock in the CR Bank Room West

Registration Ends: 1/2/2009 at 8:45 PM

Contact Number: 303-791-READ

Link for information: http://host.evanced.info/douglas/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=32194

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Role Models Roll Up Their Sleeves

What better way to show the world the value of 4-H than to be a good role model? Everyday we have 4-H members and leaders volunteering their time to make the communities we live in better places.

I received an email just the other day from a parent I didn't even know. It told me of two of our 4-H members who had made a difference by reading to school students and telling them about the 4-H program. Those two young ladies, Selena Giers and Natalie Roberts, are the 2009 4-H Ambassadors for Douglas County. Although most of their duties center around the Douglas County Fair, they have taken it upon themselves to be Ambassadors throughout the year.

Of course you don't have to be an Ambassador to make a difference. Our clubs do community service projects all the time. As individuals, every age of 4-Her helped with our recent Cloverbud Fun Night. We have amazing kids in our program (and adults too) and I hope that all of you will "toot your own horns" about how you are getting involved in being good role models.

It's great to be part of the 4-H program!

Thanks for reading.

Mary Baldwin (4-H Youth and Outreach Agent)