Douglas County 4-H members,
Information on an upcoming photo contest...
Do you photograph birds? If so, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection (APHSI) invites you to enter your best poultry or pet bird photos in the: BIOSECURITY FOR BIRDS Calendar photo contest.
APHIS is interested in photos of all kinds of birds – including poultry, game birds, wild birds, shorebirds, and pet birds. Photos should show the bird(s) in a clean environment and without people in the photo. People of all ages are encouraged to enter their photos. Photos should accurately reflect the subject matter. The main image should not be digitally altered beyond removing dust, cropping, cleaning up the background, and/or making reasonable adjustments to exposure, color, contrast, etc.
All photos will be credited with the photographer’s name. Maximum of three (3) photos per person will be accepted. Deadline for submitting contest entries is Jan. 31, 2010. Winners will be notified via e-mail by Feb. 28, 2010. The winning photo(s) will be featured in the 2011 Biosecurity for Birds calendar and the Biosecurity for Birds website (http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov) and may be featured as screensavers.
Entries can be submitted through the official online entry form: http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.
Please contact Trudy Dunham, University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development at 612-624-8181 or dunha003@umn.edu should you have further questions.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
2010 National 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Workshops
Douglas County 4-H Shooting Sports leaders and members,
Here is an announcement straight from the state.
These workshops are designed to prepare adult volunteers to teach other adult volunteers through state workshops. This is an excellent opportunity to expand or improve your state training team. Workshop participants share ideas and information about their state 4-H Shooting Sports programs while enhancing skills for teaching adults and volunteers in the use of the national curriculum.
Here is an announcement straight from the state.
The National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee is pleased to announce that West Virginia and Colorado will be hosting 2010 National 4-H Shooting Sports Workshops.
Dates and Locations:
- West Virginia – May 3-8, 2010 – Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp, Near Weston, WV
- COLORADO – May 10-15, 2010 – Grand Junction, CO
These workshops are designed to prepare adult volunteers to teach other adult volunteers through state workshops. This is an excellent opportunity to expand or improve your state training team. Workshop participants share ideas and information about their state 4-H Shooting Sports programs while enhancing skills for teaching adults and volunteers in the use of the national curriculum.
In order for a participant to attend a National 4-H Shooting Sports Workshop, he/she must meet the following guidelines:
- Have state level certification in the discipline in which they are enrolling.
- Have a minimum level of experience in the discipline to be determined by each discipline instructor(s).
- Have interest in 4-H and youth development.
- Endorse the train-the trainer concept in basic shooting skills.
- Must have previous experience teaching youth and/or adults in your respective state.
- Have current 4-H Volunteer status or Extension Faculty status in their state.
- Must be recommended by the respective State 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator.
We look forward to your state’s participation in the 2010 National 4-H Shooting Sports Workshop – EAST OR WEST. For questions about program content, please contact Conrad Arnold, National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, Extension Educator 4-H at 410-228-8800 or email carnold@umd.edu.
Happy Thanksgiving Douglas County 4-H
Hello Douglas County 4-H families,
'Tis the season to be thankful and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
As I consider what it means to be thankful, my mind wanders to two classmates from high school. I am thankful to have connected with these people through social networking because while neither was a best friend in school, I love knowing how they are doing and what's been going on for the last 20+ years.
And then one day recently, the husband of one of these friends contracted H1N1. He rapidly declined and was hospitalized. His kidneys started failing and he had to go on dialysis. In a few short days, he went from a healthy normal life full of the usual things to a sudden and unexpected passing. His wife, my classmate, was devastated and lost - and still is - yet she continued to thank those around her. Her family and friends were there every step of the way.
My other friend, a year younger than me, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on September 18. He died November 23, this week of Thanksgiving. When his friends learned of his diagnosis, what happened? They rallied around him and organized a fundraiser on his behalf, a fun day of bowling, live band music, laughing, hugging, and support - as it turned out, 8 days before he passed away.
These are both devastating and shockingly sudden situations. And yet I witnessed profound thankfulness and gratitude during these hardships. Both classmates held strong to optimism even in their sorrow, drew their friends and family closer, took the time to tell these people thank you, and caused those around them to join together as one strong and gracious and connected group.
I can ask for no better reminders that focusing on gratitude, and indeed making it the very foundation of my life, will bring only the most positive and profound results for everyone around me.
So I say to you, be thankful. Be thankful for your parents, even if you're grounded - because they love you. Be thankful for your grandparents every day you have them - they may be with you only a short time. Be thankful for your kids, even when their boundless energy wears you out - because it's good to remember that we too had boundless energy! Be thankful for your coworkers - because variety really is the spice of life and the challenges they present make you grow. Be thankful for paperwork (this is a hard one for me!) - because that's what makes your paycheck happen, your insurance pay your medical costs, and your kids to be enrolled in 4-H.
Thank you all.
Melody
'Tis the season to be thankful and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
As I consider what it means to be thankful, my mind wanders to two classmates from high school. I am thankful to have connected with these people through social networking because while neither was a best friend in school, I love knowing how they are doing and what's been going on for the last 20+ years.
And then one day recently, the husband of one of these friends contracted H1N1. He rapidly declined and was hospitalized. His kidneys started failing and he had to go on dialysis. In a few short days, he went from a healthy normal life full of the usual things to a sudden and unexpected passing. His wife, my classmate, was devastated and lost - and still is - yet she continued to thank those around her. Her family and friends were there every step of the way.
My other friend, a year younger than me, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on September 18. He died November 23, this week of Thanksgiving. When his friends learned of his diagnosis, what happened? They rallied around him and organized a fundraiser on his behalf, a fun day of bowling, live band music, laughing, hugging, and support - as it turned out, 8 days before he passed away.
These are both devastating and shockingly sudden situations. And yet I witnessed profound thankfulness and gratitude during these hardships. Both classmates held strong to optimism even in their sorrow, drew their friends and family closer, took the time to tell these people thank you, and caused those around them to join together as one strong and gracious and connected group.
I can ask for no better reminders that focusing on gratitude, and indeed making it the very foundation of my life, will bring only the most positive and profound results for everyone around me.
So I say to you, be thankful. Be thankful for your parents, even if you're grounded - because they love you. Be thankful for your grandparents every day you have them - they may be with you only a short time. Be thankful for your kids, even when their boundless energy wears you out - because it's good to remember that we too had boundless energy! Be thankful for your coworkers - because variety really is the spice of life and the challenges they present make you grow. Be thankful for paperwork (this is a hard one for me!) - because that's what makes your paycheck happen, your insurance pay your medical costs, and your kids to be enrolled in 4-H.
Thank you all.
Melody
Friday, November 20, 2009
Congratulations to the new Douglas County 4-H Ambassadors
Hello Douglas County 4-H,
We recently established a brand new ambassador program with expanded duties, training, and term limits. If you see any of the following 4-H members, congratulate them on being chosen as our first bunch of ambassadors!
We recently established a brand new ambassador program with expanded duties, training, and term limits. If you see any of the following 4-H members, congratulate them on being chosen as our first bunch of ambassadors!
- Kimberly Talbert - two year term limit
- Victoria Worley - one year term limit
- Julie Collins - two year term limit
- Casey DeVol - one year term limit
- Hannah Ochoa - one year term limit
CSU Extension has a Facebook page
Hey Douglas County 4-H,
For those of you using Facebook - and I know there are quite a few! - you might be interested to know that CSU has their own Extension Fan Page on Facebook.
If you are already a Facebook user, it's easy to become a fan of the their page. Then you'll get all kinds of state extension updates, be able to see event and people pictures, and see links to interesting information.
Check it out.
For those of you using Facebook - and I know there are quite a few! - you might be interested to know that CSU has their own Extension Fan Page on Facebook.
If you are already a Facebook user, it's easy to become a fan of the their page. Then you'll get all kinds of state extension updates, be able to see event and people pictures, and see links to interesting information.
Check it out.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Douglas County 4-H projects: where to find the 2010 list and project descriptions
Douglas County 4-H,
We've all been madly re-enrolling for the last several weeks. Do you remember where to find the 2010 project list? Or how to get to the project descriptions on the state website? That information is on the website. Take a look at these links:
Project list: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/douglas/4h_files/projectinfo.htm
Project descriptions on the state website - scroll down to middle of page: http://www.colorado4h.org/project_resources/index.shtml
We've all been madly re-enrolling for the last several weeks. Do you remember where to find the 2010 project list? Or how to get to the project descriptions on the state website? That information is on the website. Take a look at these links:
Project list: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/douglas/4h_files/projectinfo.htm
Project descriptions on the state website - scroll down to middle of page: http://www.colorado4h.org/project_resources/index.shtml
Monday, November 16, 2009
“Colorado 4-H - Ready for Another 100 Years” Artwork Contest
Colorado 4-H members, we need your help! 2010 marks the 100th year of Colorado 4-H and we are looking for 4-H members to submit artwork that will be used to help promote 4-H throughout the year. The selected design will be professionally rendered as it will be used for 100th year celebration materials including brochures, promotion materials, etc.
Artwork Guidelines:
· Artwork must fit on standard size paper (8 ½ by 11)
· Artwork may have up to four colors
· Artwork must include the words “Colorado 4-H Ready for Another 100 Years”
· Electronic artwork (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher, etc.) is preferred, but hand drawn artwork will also be accepted.
Send your artwork to the State 4-H office, 2E University Square, 4040 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-4040 by Thursday, December 31, 2009. Please contact the State 4-H office at 970.491.1152 or ellen.butler@colostate.edu should you have any questions.
Artwork Guidelines:
· Artwork must fit on standard size paper (8 ½ by 11)
· Artwork may have up to four colors
· Artwork must include the words “Colorado 4-H Ready for Another 100 Years”
· Electronic artwork (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher, etc.) is preferred, but hand drawn artwork will also be accepted.
Send your artwork to the State 4-H office, 2E University Square, 4040 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-4040 by Thursday, December 31, 2009. Please contact the State 4-H office at 970.491.1152 or ellen.butler@colostate.edu should you have any questions.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Scholarship opportunity due January 11, 2010
The Chuck Urano Memorial Award, sponsored by the Colorado Farm Show, will be awarded to six deserving students who strive to leave a lasting impression on their community and the agriculture industry.
The Colorado Farm Show is proud to award six $2000.00 Scholarships, to help offset the increasing costs of attaining a Higher Education, to graduating High School Seniors declaring an Agricultural Major at a College or University of their choice.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Applicants must be graduating High School Seniors.
2. The Chuck Urano Memorial Award application, accessible in pdf format at www.ColoradoFarmShow.com, must be filled out by the applicant.
3. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and reside in Colorado.
4. Students must be pursuing a degree in an Agricultural related field of study at the accredited College or University of their choice.
5. A sealed, signed copy of the applicants Official High School Transcripts must accompany the scholarship application. Senior year classes must be listed if not included on transcripts.
6. One letter of recommendation from a High School official/teacher must be included with the application packet.
7. A one page essay outlining the applicant’s educational goals, chosen career plans, and any other information that the applicant considers pertinent must be included with the application.
8. Application must be legible (typed preferred) to be considered.
9. Complete application packet must be received in the Colorado Farm Show Office (received not post marked) by January 11, 2010.
10. Failure to submit a completed application, with all of the required materials in one packet, will eliminate your application.
Please return scholarship application and required materials to:
Colorado Farm Show
Attn: Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 670
Greeley, CO 80632
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 11, 2010
The Colorado Farm Show is proud to award six $2000.00 Scholarships, to help offset the increasing costs of attaining a Higher Education, to graduating High School Seniors declaring an Agricultural Major at a College or University of their choice.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Applicants must be graduating High School Seniors.
2. The Chuck Urano Memorial Award application, accessible in pdf format at www.ColoradoFarmShow.com, must be filled out by the applicant.
3. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and reside in Colorado.
4. Students must be pursuing a degree in an Agricultural related field of study at the accredited College or University of their choice.
5. A sealed, signed copy of the applicants Official High School Transcripts must accompany the scholarship application. Senior year classes must be listed if not included on transcripts.
6. One letter of recommendation from a High School official/teacher must be included with the application packet.
7. A one page essay outlining the applicant’s educational goals, chosen career plans, and any other information that the applicant considers pertinent must be included with the application.
8. Application must be legible (typed preferred) to be considered.
9. Complete application packet must be received in the Colorado Farm Show Office (received not post marked) by January 11, 2010.
10. Failure to submit a completed application, with all of the required materials in one packet, will eliminate your application.
Please return scholarship application and required materials to:
Colorado Farm Show
Attn: Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 670
Greeley, CO 80632
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 11, 2010
Post-Turkey Parents' Day Out in Parker
Douglas County 4-H families in Parker,
Here is an opportunity for your kids to do something fun and active the day after Thanksgiving: Post-Turkey Parents' Day Out! Parker Recreation often hosts events like this where kids get to play sports, use the climbing wall, do crafts, go skating, etc., giving parents a chance to get a few things done. This is hosted at the Parker Fieldhouse.
For details, read this article.
Here is an opportunity for your kids to do something fun and active the day after Thanksgiving: Post-Turkey Parents' Day Out! Parker Recreation often hosts events like this where kids get to play sports, use the climbing wall, do crafts, go skating, etc., giving parents a chance to get a few things done. This is hosted at the Parker Fieldhouse.
For details, read this article.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
4-H Lessons Learned - Part II
Here’s the second installation in the series of “4-H According to Mary.” This one comes from the “leader” standpoint.
As a young mother with no children in 4-H, I was asked to help a beginning 4-Her with a clothing construction project. As much as I disliked sewing, I felt I probably needed to take on the challenge to feel a sense of satisfaction in the small community in which we lived.
I remember the project was a poncho made out of light weight denim and it had white fringe on it. I was very patient with the little girl and she seemed to enjoy the project. She took direction well and in the end she won Grand Champion. She was happy, I was happy, and her mother was ecstatic. In the end, however, I was exhausted from the experience.
When my eldest daughter became 4-H age, it seemed that clothing construction would be an excellent choice as a beginning project. Yea, right! (Remember that I disliked sewing.)
During that first year I tried to impress upon this child the importance of sewing very slow and steady on the machine. So repeatedly I was saying to her, “Let up on that foot feed !” She began to show less and less enthusiasm for sewing, but I kept on with my comments.
She did very well at judging and of course, I was all smiles. The next year, however, when I suggested that she take clothing construction again, there was a resounding, “NO!” When I sat down with her and tried to better understand this reverse enthusiasm, I was told a story.
My daughter said that she had a nightmare the year before. In it I was yelling, “Get your foot off that foot feed!” When she did, the sewing machine only went faster. I continued yelling, but she couldn’t stop the machine. When I saw her distress at recalling the nightmare, I knew it was time to find a new sewing teacher and we did.
To this day, however, my oldest daughter will not sew.
MORAL OF THE STORY FOR LEADERS: If you want to positively impact the life of a child, teach what you love.
As a young mother with no children in 4-H, I was asked to help a beginning 4-Her with a clothing construction project. As much as I disliked sewing, I felt I probably needed to take on the challenge to feel a sense of satisfaction in the small community in which we lived.
I remember the project was a poncho made out of light weight denim and it had white fringe on it. I was very patient with the little girl and she seemed to enjoy the project. She took direction well and in the end she won Grand Champion. She was happy, I was happy, and her mother was ecstatic. In the end, however, I was exhausted from the experience.
When my eldest daughter became 4-H age, it seemed that clothing construction would be an excellent choice as a beginning project. Yea, right! (Remember that I disliked sewing.)
During that first year I tried to impress upon this child the importance of sewing very slow and steady on the machine. So repeatedly I was saying to her, “Let up on that foot feed !” She began to show less and less enthusiasm for sewing, but I kept on with my comments.
She did very well at judging and of course, I was all smiles. The next year, however, when I suggested that she take clothing construction again, there was a resounding, “NO!” When I sat down with her and tried to better understand this reverse enthusiasm, I was told a story.
My daughter said that she had a nightmare the year before. In it I was yelling, “Get your foot off that foot feed!” When she did, the sewing machine only went faster. I continued yelling, but she couldn’t stop the machine. When I saw her distress at recalling the nightmare, I knew it was time to find a new sewing teacher and we did.
To this day, however, my oldest daughter will not sew.
MORAL OF THE STORY FOR LEADERS: If you want to positively impact the life of a child, teach what you love.
Douglas County 4-H Cloverbud Fun Night in December
Just a reminder!
Cloverbud Fun Night is on December 3 in Kirk Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Members and non-members ages 5-7 are welcome. Pre-registration by November 24 is required, so call the office.
Have your Cloverbuds invite all their friends! Really! These are our future 4-Hers.
Cloverbud Fun Night is on December 3 in Kirk Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Members and non-members ages 5-7 are welcome. Pre-registration by November 24 is required, so call the office.
Have your Cloverbuds invite all their friends! Really! These are our future 4-Hers.
4-H Tax Exempt Status for clubs
Douglas County 4-H clubs,
Here are some reminders from the state 4-H office regarding your tax exempt status.
- New 4-H clubs must get an EIN.
- All 4-H affiliated clubs and organizations must file an e-Postcard by the 15 day of the 5th month after the end of their club fiscal year. For Douglas County clubs on an Oct. 1 – Sept. 30 year, that would be by Feb. 15, 2010.
- Failure to file (or attempt to file) could result in the loss of tax exempt status of the group.
- For clubs that try to file and get an error message from the IRS that they are not included under the 4-H Group Exemption Number, take note:
a) Keep a copy of the message as proof that they tried to file but were unsuccessful. b) Do not call the IRS to try and figure it out. More problems are caused by well-meaning volunteers calling the IRS about filing problems than are solved by the call. National 4-H Headquarters asks that individuals do not call the IRS. - National 4-H Headquarter is still working with the IRS to resolve issues with our GEN.
- County offices will still collect and keep track of club EIN’s.
- At some point in the future, the state will be notified by National 4-H Headquarters about adding new clubs and deleting defunct clubs from our state certified list.
- Please call Kathe Jackson at the Douglas County 4-H Office if you have questions or concerns about 4-H and your tax exempt status.
Operation Christmas Child: donate gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need
Douglas County 4-H members,
Here is a community service opportunity. You can help children across the world by donating shoeboxes filled with gifts as part of the international Operation Christmas Child. Last year, 8 million children in 110 countries received gift boxes from generous donors.
Drop off locations for Douglas County the week of November 16-23:
Here is a community service opportunity. You can help children across the world by donating shoeboxes filled with gifts as part of the international Operation Christmas Child. Last year, 8 million children in 110 countries received gift boxes from generous donors.
Drop off locations for Douglas County the week of November 16-23:
- Heritage Evangelical Free Church, 555 N. Heritage Ave., Castle Rock
- Cherry Hills Community Church, 3900 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch
- Pinecrest Community Church, 7165 N. Delbert Road, Parker
The website offers a way to follow your gift box and find out where it went. There are also other details such as packing instructions available on the website. Go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.
Original news article: http://denver.yourhub.com/CastleRock/Stories/News/How-to-Get-Involved/Story~685806.aspx.
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