Thursday, May 27, 2010

Douglas County 4-H Contests

Hello and sorry for the long absence! It's been a little crazy here at Douglas County 4-H.

But in the midst of it all, we have completed several contests including Cake Decorating, Speech and Demonstration, Performing Arts, and Creative Cooks. Placings have been uploaded to the Douglas County Extension web site.

Press releases were written and submitted to local papers for all of them and three were successfully uploaded to www.yourhub.com. See links below.

Cake Decorating Contest press release
Performing Arts Contest press release
Creative Cooks Contest press release

Monday, March 1, 2010

Community Service Makes 4-H Great


One of the greatest parts of being a 4-H member is the community service in which 4-Hers become involved. In a recent study, 64.3% of Colorado 4-H members were involved in a project to help others as compared to 47% of non-4-H youth. These projects help 4-Hers to feel more connected to their communities.

In Douglas County there are many community service projects through clubs and the county council. One was recently highlighted in Your Hub of the Denver Post. Another will be completed before Easter.

The D.C. Dallys 4-H Club has been making much needed lap robes for veteran patients at the VA Medical Center in Denver for the past two years. The lap robes are an annual project of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The skills of the Dallys was much appreciated and the club's members were honored on February 20th by the Smoky Hill Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Chairman of Youth Services to Veteran Patients, Marilyn Kardell, made the presentation.

The Rising Stars 4-H Club had a difficult time choosing from so many needs within the community, but finally decided to make thirty Easter/spring baskets for the Ronald McDonald House in Denver as just one of their projects. Their leader says not only did they feel good about their contribution, but they learned valuable life skills in planning the service project.

Congratulations, Dallys and Rising Stars, for a job well-done. More congratulations to every Douglas County 4-H Club for their many and varied ways of serving the community.

Thanks for reading.

Mary Baldwin










Friday, February 19, 2010

Discounted tickets for 4-H members for Colorado Mammoth

Douglas County 4-H families,

4-Hers have the opportunity to see the Colorado Mammoth at a discount price. They are having a Wild West Night and have invited 4-H to attend with discounted tickets.

February 27 is the Wild West themed night. They will have Mutton Bustin’ during halftime along with other Wild West themed activities throughout the evening.

For information and tickets, log on to this web site or contact Christina at 303-405-1688 or chengst@pepsicenter.com.

Teen writing contest in Castle Rock, CO

Douglas County 4-H members,

I know there are a few writers among us. See details below on an upcoming contest!

"Castle Rock teens ages 12-18 are invited to submit an original piece of writing inspired by the town of Castle Rock.

The My Castle Rock Teen Writing Contest, sponsored by Philip S. Miller Library at 100 S. Wilcox St. gives teens an opportunity to express themselves and tell the community what Castle Rock means to them. Registration for the contest runs through March, and submissions will be accepted through April 1.

Poems and essays will be judged by a library panel and via a public online voting process. Voting will be open April 3 through April 17. Contest winners will be announced April 26."

For more information, log on to the Douglas County Libraries web site.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

4-H Project Display Board Tips

Douglas County 4-H members,

Some of you may already be thinking about or working on your 4-H display boards for fair (good for you!). The state office has a link on their web site that contains tips for creating the best display you can.

Take a look here.

Don't forget: you can purchase display boards at the Douglas County Extension Office for $3.50 each! We are located on the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, CO. The address is 410 Fairgrounds Road.

2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest

Douglas County 4-H members,

Here is a fun poster contest to enter. The deadline for Colorado is March 5, 2010.

The theme is Trees are Terrific...and Energy Wise!

Join over 63,000 fifth grade classrooms in learning about the importance of trees in our world! Don’t miss out on this engaging and impactful opportunity to teach fifth grade students about the important role trees play in the production and conservation of energy! Download your free 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest materials http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/index.cfm and help foster the next generation of tree stewards.

For more information contact:
Donna Davis, Coordinator
208 Santa Fe Avenue, Suite #21
La Junta, CO 81050
Phone: 719-384-9087
Email: dodavis@lamar.colostate.edu

Douglas County, join the Colorado 4-H STEMtv Team!

Douglas County 4-H members, here's an exciting opportunity! It would be great if Douglas County were represented in the Colorado STEM initiative. See details below.

Be on the cutting edge and join the Colorado 4-H STEMtv Team! This team consists of 30 youth throughout the state who are interested in developing leadership skills through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge.

Workshops, tours, and service learning opportunities empower youth who have an interest in STEM related projects. Team members can learn, teach, volunteer, and report STEM news from their respective counties and regions.

The Colorado 4-H STEMtv Team workshops are open to 4-H members (13-19 years of age) who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math. Team members must re-apply every year. Applications are being accepted for youth members and adult volunteers. E-mail Willa Williams, 4-H Youth Development Specialist STEM and K-12, for an application at willa.williams@colostate.edu.

Friday, January 22, 2010

2010 Shooting Sports Family Campout

Douglas County 4-H shooting sports members and leaders,

As always, the popular Shooting Sports Family Campout will be held in Victor, CO. Dates are June 18-20 and the brochure and registration form are now available on the state web site.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Rick Romanin at (303) 761-5651 or by email at rlromanin@netzero.net.

CSU president speaking at Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture

Douglas County 4-H,

As we all know, 4-H is the Youth Development component of CSU Extension services. You may be interested to know that CSU is participating in the upcoming forum on agriculture in Colorado. See information below.

State and national leaders in the field of agriculture, including Gov. Bill Ritter, Commissioner of Agriculture John Stulp, Colorado State University President Tony Frank and CSU Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences Craig Beyrouty, will speak at the annual Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture on Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St.

Colorado State University President Frank will discuss the many ways that CSU connects with farmers and ranchers across the state. Colorado State is involved in a variety of interests from wheat research to livestock production including emerging markets, such as organics. Colorado State researchers are helping to answer questions surrounding food availability, food affordability and food safety.

CSU College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Beyrouty will detail some of the emerging and strategic research initiatives that are being developed hand-in-hand with the agricultural industry in the state.

Deadline for early registration is Feb. 8. The cost is $100 or $45 for students. After Feb. 8, registration is $120 or $50 for students. To register, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/forum or call (303) 239-4100.

2010 Fifth Annual Dutch Anderson Memorial Gymkhana

Hosted at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, this show is open to anyone, not just 4-H members. In fact, adults are encouraged to participate!

Here are some details from the flier:

SAT, JAN 30TH
Event starts 10am SHARP! Office opens at 8:30am
Entry Fees: $30 for all events + $5/horse/person County office fee, or,
$8/event + $5/horse/person County office fee
Daily High Point & Reserve in each age division – all events count
Age determined as of 01/01/10


For more info:
Denise Anderson 303/660-0794 or Andersonsfarm@aol.com
Debbie Mills 720/231-5657 or MillsFamily@aaahawk.com
Andrea Green 303/884-7663


Douglas County Fairgrounds – I-25 to Exit 181 Plum Creek Parkway go east. Fairgrounds are on the north side of Plum Creek Parkway…In case of bad weather…if I-25 is open, we are ON!

2010 Douglas County Buckle Series Horse Shows

Hello Douglas County 4-H,

We've been spreading the word about the 2010 Buckle Series Horse Show. The showbill and entry form were included in your Dec/Jan newsletter and will be included in the February edition as well.

Both the showbill and the entry form are also posted on the web site.

Below are a few details:

Douglas County 4-H Horse Show Buckle Series
Five 2010 shows for overall high point!
~PAC/RMQHA Outreach approved shows~
Douglas County Fairgrounds at 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock, CO 80104
Feb 7 & Feb 27 – Indoor Arena
May 8, June 12 & June 26 – Outdoor Arena

Registration: 8:00 am
Reg. ends 15 mins. before class begins.
Show starts: 9:00 am

Office Charge: $ 6.00 (one time/show)
Entry fee: $ 6.00 (per class)
All day fee: $50.00 (1 horse, 1 rider)

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Free Small Acreage Workshop March 6 in Elbert County

Douglas County 4-H community,

Thought some of you might be interested in this upcoming workshop.

You are invited to a free Small Acreage Workshop on Saturday, March 6 at Elbert Elementary School from 9-11:30 am.

Ben Berlinger from Natural Resources Conservation Service will offer an insightful look at animal grazing behavior. He will discuss how social behavior can influence food selection, what types of forage animals prefer, nutritional needs, toxins and aversions.

Next, learn from local expert Michelle Oldham of El Paso County Noxious Weeds about how to identify, control, and prevent weeds on your property.

Additionally, there will be various vendors and informational booths with representatives from local Conservation Districts and Division of Wildlife. Coffee and donuts will be served.

RSVP by February 26 to Elbert County CSU Extension office at 303-621-3162.