4-H clubs can raise funds by selling 2010 wall calendars

The State 4-H office has posted a fund-raising opportunity for 4-H clubs.

"4-H clubs and members now have the opportunity to sell 2010 wall calendars to help support their local 4-H. Many other groups like swimming clubs and mustang clubs have successfully raised funds through this creative initiative. The 12×12 calendar has several colorful images that highlight the many sides and faces of 4-H. 4-H members and clubs may purchase the calendars at 50 percent off the suggested retail price of $13.99 and can receive an extra discount if orders are placed by Aug. 15. The calendars are ready to ship immediately by Time Factory Publishing, the officially licensed source of the 2010 4-H Wall Calendar.

CALL or email NOW to get your club involved in this great fundraising opportunity, contact Shawn Dickensheets at sdickensheets@tfpublishing.com or 317.290.1333 extension 24."

CSU freshmen can be 4-H Scholars, receive stipend

Douglas County 4-H members, if you will be a CSU freshman this year, you can apply to be a 4-H Scholar and get a stipend. Read on for more information straight from the State 4-H blog.

4-H’ers who are attending CSU as freshmen can apply to be a 4-H Scholar. The Scholars promote the positive experiences they had in 4-H and spend up to 20 hours a month representing 4-H at key activities, speaking at public events, and meeting with stakeholders and donors.

For their efforts, each Scholar receives training, public relations support materials, reimbursement for expenses, and a $1,500 annual stipend toward college expenses. The person selected is eligible to continue to serve as a Scholar throughout their college career – advancing with each grade level – as long as their grades and activity commitments are met. The freshmen applicants must be willing to make a four-year commitment.

To apply, interested persons enrolled at Colorado State University must submit the following to Gary Small, 106 University Square, Fort Collins, CO 80523-4050 by Oct. 1, 2009.

• Complete résumé that includes 4-H experiences, years in projects, leadership and speaking experiences and skills, community service activities, work-related experiences, awards and special recognitions.
• A (draft) letter of thanks to the Colorado Farm Bureau thanking them for their contribution and funding support for the 4-H Scholars Program.
• A short paragraph (100 words or less) explaining why they wish to become involved in the 4-H Scholars Program; a personal statement of desire for the Scholar position.

Individuals applying will make a 10-minute presentation before the selection committee on “the scope of 4-H today and what 4-H has meant to them.”

Please direct questions to Gary Small at 970.491.1537 or Gary.small@colostate.edu.

2009 Douglas County Fair and Rodeo 4-H contest results posted

Hello Douglas County 4-H Community,

What a great fair this year! We hope everybody had fun, saw some old friends, made some new ones, completed all their 4-H projects, and had lots of fair food.

Results for various 4-H fair contests are now posted on the website under the Contest Results tab located on the main 4-H page. Take a look.

See you at next fair!

Two Opportunities: Youth Advisory and Youth Congress

The Douglas County 4-H Office recently received two opportunities that might appeal to older 4-H members interested in the political process. The first is the Colorado Youth Advisory Council. Basically, the purpose of the council is to allow Colorado youth to have a voice in the legislature. The youth meet with senators, debate important topics, create bills, and focus on trying to help or alleviate critical issues facing children and teenagers. For example, this past year, a bill was passed by the Education Committee that focused on having a more environmental curriculum, such as a walk/bike to school day or a science class that focuses more on how to keep the planet healthy.

Some requirements for Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) include:

*Applicants must be 14-19 years old. They may be attending a Colorado junior high, middle or high school (including on-line school), be home-schooled, participate in a GED program, or have obtained a high school diploma or GED.

*There are 17 different vacancies in senate districts (for specifics on which senate districts are open you can check the website), and it is preferred that applicants be from the open senate districts. However, if an applicant's senate district is already filled, but he/she is still interested, the applicant can request an at-large spot. (Note: At-large spots are much more competitive).

*Only four meetings are held during the year so it is important that applicants be available to come to these meetings.

More information is available at http://www.civiccanopy.org/

Another opportunity is right in Douglas County. It is presented by the Partnership of Douglas County Governments and is a free day of learning and networking with other kids and elected officials. The contact information is listed below; for further information, contact Carla Turner at cturner@douglas.co.us.

4-Hers are famous for getting involved in their communities. If you are interested in political science, these are great opportunities.

Get involved!

Thanks for reading,
Mary Baldwin

Give input on rural land use at Douglas County Open House August 5

Douglas County 4-H community, many of you enjoy a rural lifestyle. You may be interested in this upcoming meeting. See information below straight from the county website.

"Public input on rural land use and lifestyle values is welcome as part of a Douglas County-hosted open house on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Hearing Room of the Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.

Prioritizing rural land use and lifestyle values in the County is a goal of the recently-formed Douglas County Rural Framework Ad Hoc Committee, whose members have been evaluating the County’s rural land use and lifestyle policies and regulations throughout June and July. The open house is designed to report Committee progress to date, as well as provide an opportunity for the public to comment on Committee accomplishments.

“Public input is a valuable part of this process to ensure that the revised Rural Framework meets the needs of the Douglas County community,” said Commissioner Steven A. Boand.
The goal of the Committee is to provide the Board of Douglas County Commissioners with recommendations on possible changes to the Comprehensive Master Plan policies and/or zoning and subdivision resolutions pertaining to rural land use in October 2009.

For more information, please visit www.douglas.co.us/commissioners/adhoc/Rural_Framework_Committee.html and subscribe to receive updates on project progress and upcoming meetings, or contact Principal Planner Jeanette Bare at 303-660-7460."

Original article located at http://blogs.douglas.co.us/newsroom/2009/07/16/rural-values-the-focus-of-aug-5-open-house/

4-H JC Penney Afterschool Fund First Robotics Team Opportunity

If you are interested in robotics, check out this announcement from the state office:

Announcing 4-H JCPASF FIRST Robotics Team Mini-Grants Funding Opportunity!

National 4-H Council is pleased to release the RFP for the 2009 4-H JCPenney Afterschool Fund FIRST Robotics Team Mini-Grants. To review the RFP and apply for funding, please visit our online portal at http://grants.4-h.org/.

If you are interested in this grant, please contact Connie Cecil at connie.cecil@colosate.edu or by calling 970.491.7883 ASAP.

Questions about these grants can be directed to 2009JCPFIRST@fourhcouncil.edu.

New Douglas County 4-H Blog Template

If you're reading this blog, you're seeing the fantastic new 4-H template we've uploaded! But we can't take credit for the new design. Douglas County 4-H member Jessica McKinney designed the template and generously offered it for the blog.

Next time you see Jessica, let her know what a great job she did!

2009 Horse Bowl and Hippology Team results

Congratulations to the following Douglas County 4-H members!

Coached by: Laura Jordan
Assisted by: Anastasia Kellogg

Hippology Team Problem
4th – Douglas County

Hippology Top Ten Individual Overall
3rd – Jennifer Jennings
5th – Tori Worley
6th – Sarah Tey

Hippology Individual Judging Top Ten
1st – Sarah Tey
9th – Jennifer Jennings

Hippology Stations Top Ten
4th – Tori Worley
6th – Jennifer Jennings

Hippology Examination Phase Top Ten
4th – Sarah Tey
8th – Tori Worley
9th – Jessica McKinney

Hippology Overall Team Placings
3rd - Douglas County

Horse Bowl Overall Individual
2nd – Jennifer Jennings
10th – Jessica McKinney

Horse Bowl Overall Team
2nd - Douglas County

2009 State Meat Judging Team results

Congratulations to these Douglas County 4-H members!

Coached by Paul Clayton and Terra Thorpe.

High Individual Retail ID
2nd – Jake Hutton
11th – Julie Collins
13th – Peydon Banister

High Individual Reasons
2nd – Jake Hutton
6th – Peydon Banister
10th – Julie Collins

High Individual Overall Placings
3rd – Jake Hutton
6th – Peydon Banister
10th – Julie Collins

High Individual Overall
2nd – Jake Hutton
10th – Peydon Banister
11th – Julie Collins

High Team Retail ID
3rd – Douglas County

High Team Reasons
2nd – Douglas County

High Team Overall Placings
2nd – Douglas County

High Team Overall
Reserve Champion Team – Douglas County

2009 Douglas County Creative Cooks Contest placings

Here's the press release:

Douglas County 4-H hosted their annual Creative Cooks Contest on June 2. Participants were encouraged to showcase cooking skills in creative ways while competing with others in similar age categories.

Creative entries included a Japanese theme featuring sushi, a patriotic theme titled "America's Birthday Picnic", and a colorful Fiesta spread showcasing a Red and Green Shrimp Enchilada entrée. Colorful table décor supported meal themes and all participants posted a menu plan for the judge to assess. Contestants earned placings and ribbons based on menu, nutrition knowledge, food safety and other scores.

Congratulations to these Creative Cooks Contests participants.

4-H Clubs 1st place - Rising Stars

Cloverbuds (ages 5-7) - Ruby Bithell and Meg Huber

Junior Individuals (ages 8-10) - 1st place - Kate Huber; 2nd place - Kiersten Lockwood

Intermediate Individuals (ages 11-13) - 1st place - Grace Bithell; 2nd place - Brett Randolph; 3rd place - Michala Lockwood

Intermediate Individual, Colo. Specialty (11-13) - 1st place - Capri Keeler

Intermediate Teams (ages 11-13) - 1st place - Alyssa Roth and Delaney Peterson

Senior Individuals (ages 14-18) - 1st - Hannah Baldwin

Senior Teams (ages 14-18) - 1st - Leah Huber and Emily Huber; 2nd - Hannah Osborn and Shelby Klepper

Family-friendly theater in the park

Since Douglas County 4-H is so family-oriented, I thought I would pass on information about fun and educational children's theater hosted by South Suburban's Science and Cultural Facilities District.

Here is a snippet from a recent press release: "South Suburban Parks and Recreation's Youth Children's Theater Production Class presents The Lady Bug & Butterfly and Ollie & Stanley, short family plays that impart messages while friendships are forged. Lily is a different looking lady bug who has trouble sharing the meadow with Bob, the arrogant butterfly, while Ollie and Stanley learn about loyalty in a forest fantasy. Both heartwarming plays will be performed FREE by youth ages 11 - 18 at 10 am in five South Suburban parks during the week of June 16-20."

For other details like location, times, etc. go to the original post at http://denver.yourhub.com/LoneTree/Stories/Goings-on/Story~622405.aspx

Discounted tickets available for 2009 Douglas County Fair and Rodeo

Hello Douglas County 4-H,

Discounted tickets for groups are available this year. Here is a message from the DC fair association:

"On behalf of the Douglas County Fair Board we would like to extend to you the opportunity to purchase group tickets for this year’s Douglas County Fair & Rodeo at a significant discount.

The discounted price is available for Friday's & Saturday's combination tickets (rodeo & concert). Tickets must be purchased prior to June 30, 2009 and purchased in minimum quantities of 10. There are no other restrictions on this offer.

For additional information on the Fair check out our web site at http://www.douglascountyfairandrodeo.com/."

This info was also emailed to the entire DC 4-H community on 6-1-09.