July 2, 2009

Greetings!

2009 Henry County 4-H Fair Results

I would like to thank all of the exhibitors at the 4-H division of the Henry County Fair this year. There were many wonderful projects. Each of you should be proud of your work. As people came and left the exhibit hall there were many compliment in regard to your projects.

A special thanks to all of the leaders and parents that contributed to the success of so many great projects. If you were unable to pick up your entries this past Thursday you find them at the Henry County Cooperative Extension office. Don’t forget to ask for your prize money when picking up projects.

All class champions are eligible for the Kentucky State Fair in August.

CLICK HERE FOR FAIR RESULTS

4H ARCHIVES
4-H NOTES

Barn Quilts Tour

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Dog Club Leader and
ATV Safety Program.

Sincerely,

Cathy Toole
Henry County Extension Agent for 4 H

4-H  STATE TEEN CONFERENCE
Guys waiting for Style Revue to begin.	Henry County Delegates from Henry County enjoyed a fun filled 4-H State Teen Conference. From left to right: Jordan Campbell, Taylor McCleary, Connor Toole, Sarah Lineman, Clint Diven, and Cathy Toole.

Exciting leadership opportunities exist for 4-H’ers

Our young people are the future leaders and decision makers of the nation. 4-H offers youth a prime opportunity to explore and engage in leadership roles. By participating in a leadership role in organizations like 4-H, young people have the opportunity to develop critical thinking, communication and life skills that will aid them in making crucial future decisions.

Many leadership experiences are geared toward older youth, but younger youth also have the opportunity to become leaders early in their 4-H career.

Two of the most prestigious leadership roles include becoming a delegate to either the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. or the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta. At the National Teen 4-H Conference, youth join extension professionals and adult volunteer leaders to discuss ways 4-H can better serve young people on local and national levels. Recommendations from the conference are shared with the Secretary of Agriculture, national extension leaders and those involved with 4-H programming. Four delegates from Kentucky are selected every year. During the National 4-H Congress, delegates learn about cultural diversity and serving others and their communities.

Many leadership opportunities also exist at the state level including becoming a member of the State 4-H Teen Council or a State 4-H Officer. State 4-H Teen Council is comprised of youth from across the state. These young people learn about leadership and communication as they serve as liaisons between local, district and state 4-H programs. State 4-H officers serve as ambassadors for Kentucky 4-H. 4-H members elect state officers each June during State Teen Conference and those officers serve until the end of the next year’s conference. 4-H officers serve in leadership roles in State 4-H Teen Council, and past members often are invited to serve as advisors to the following year’s council and officers.

Teens interested in leadership opportunities in 4-H also can attend the 4-H Issues Conference and the State 4-H Teen Conference. At the issues conference, young people from across the state meet to discuss issues affecting young people and their communities. Youth discuss ways in which they can have a positive impact on community issues and develop plans that they will implement when they return home. Young people who attend the 4-H Teen Conference can participate in a wide range of activities designed to help improve their leadership and communication abilities including workshops, tracks, tours, college visits and issues seminars.

4-H has many clubs and groups in which young people can assume leadership roles. Youth can get their first taste of leadership roles beginning as a junior 4-H member by becoming an officer of a county 4-H club or attending 4-H Summit. Summit is a three-day, two-night event where sixth through eighth graders get to meet their peers from across the state as well as State 4-H Teen Council members. During Summit, participants learn about leadership opportunities that are available to them when they become senior 4-H’ers.

4-H has many leadership opportunities available for youth. For more information on how you can get involved with these and other 4-H activities, contact your Henry Cooperative Extension Service.

6/10/09

4-H builds self-confidence in young people

Whether it’s landing a dream job, delivering a presentation or implementing community change, self-confidence is an extremely helpful personality trait for youths desiring success. Developing self-confidence from an early age helps young people exhibit more positive behaviors and can lead to positive career and life choices. For years, 4-H has aided thousands of young people in developing self-confidence through positive youth development programming.

From speeches to gardening, 4-H offers hundreds of programs, projects and club activities that strive to build self-confidence in youth by building on their strengths and assets. With so many opportunities, young people can find an activity or program that is most suitable for their age, while also revealing newfound interests and strengths for them to explore. For instance, as 4-H’ers engage in project work, they develop a sense of accomplishment in a job well done, and they learn to overcome challenges using problem-solving skills.

4-H offers many exciting leadership opportunities that help build self-confidence. Young people often get their first taste of leadership through 4-H clubs that boost confidence by allowing them to serve as officers. During their 4-H career, young people may have opportunities to step into leadership roles on community projects, serve as a youth representative on community advisory boards, or petition local government officials about youth-related issues.

4-H also helps build self-confidence by pairing young people with caring adults in a positive environment. In 4-H, hundreds of extension personnel, adult volunteers and peer mentors are committed to providing young people with the attention and guidance required to help them achieve their goals. These relationships help young people further build self-worth, which in turn allows them to become more secure in themselves and their abilities.

For more information on getting involved in 4-H programs in your area, contact the Henry Cooperative Extension Service.

4/29/09

Go green with 4-H

As the month for Earth Day and Arbor Day, April is filled with activities and events that celebrate and call attention to the natural environment. Naturally, it is a time when many people turn their focus to improving the environment around them. While many environmental activities may seem more geared toward adults, there are numerous ways young people can get involved and live green, or more environmentally friendly. Now is a great time to learn more about the natural environment and ways young people can help preserve it.

4-H offers a number of different programs that can increase environmental awareness in young people. 4-H’ers can develop an appreciation of the natural world through 4-H environmental camps. In these camps, young people can learn about the importance of conservation and preservation of nature through many hands-on activities. They will have the opportunity to learn about many different topics including insects, animals, birds, animal tracks, hiking, soils and water.

4-H’ers can explore many different aspects of the environment through various programs including entomology, forestry, geology and water. Also, 4-H gardening projects give youths a first-hand experience with locally produced foods and sustainability.

In addition to 4-H programs, there are several ways young people can live more environmentally friendly at home and at school. Many of these steps are simple, easy activities that can be implemented every day. Some of ideas for going green are listed below:

• Turn off televisions, video game consoles and computers when not in use.
• Walk, bike or carpool to school when possible.
• Conserve water by turning off the faucet while brushing teeth.
• Recycle paper, plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

Young people can make a lasting impact on their communities by practicing green living. Ask the county 4-H agent about ongoing community projects in which young people may be able to participate. Also, environmental events and activities from across the state are listed on the University of Kentucky’s see blue. go green Web site and the Environmental Education in Kentucky Web site. See blue. go green is available at http://www.ca.uky.edu/gogreen/index.php, and the Environmental Education Web site is located at http://eeinkentucky.org/. For more information on going green or 4-H environmental programs, projects, camps and clubs, contact the Henry Cooperative Extension Service.

4/21/09

4-H Communications Event Held

The Henry County 4-H Communication Event was held on April 2nd at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 7:00 pm. The event started off in the dark with a power outage. Using what little light was available speeches were given by Cameron Sanders on “Basketball”, Colt McQuire spoke on “Foaling”, Meghan Owen on “Choosing a Pet” and Dillion Owen gave a speech on “Chickens as Pets”. Each of the participants received a blue and three were chosen to go on to the district event, they are : Colt McQuire, Meghan Owen and Dillion Owen.

Just as a decision was being made as to whether to cancel the rest of the evening or try and wait out the electricity shortage, fortunately the power came back on. The evening continued with the Variety Show Acts. In the Vocal category Blake Owen sang “I’d Do Anything”, Renee Toole sang “Word of God Speak”, and Lily Tipton san “Part of Your World”. All of the participants received a blue with Lily being chosen as champion. In the Instrumental category Noah Foree played “Mystery Movie” on the piano and Sarah Foree played “Tarantella” on the piano. Both received blue ribbons and Sarah was chosen as class champion in the junior division. Sara Browning also played the piano and she received a blue and champion in the senior division. In the Physical Skills category Cameron Sanders displayed his basketball skills to music, Colt McQuire showed us how to use a bullwhip, and Dustin Case-Love put on a Magic Show. Each participant received a blue with Dustin being chosen as champion. The two acts of the evening that were chosen to represent Henry County at the district competition were Sara Browning and Lily Tipton.

Demonstrations were given in several categories. In the Horse category Colt McQuire showed everyone “How to Saddle a Horse”. Colt received a blue and champion. In the General Purpose category Dustin Case-Love showed us “How to Perform Magic Tricks”. Dustin received a blue and champion. In the Cooking category Lily Tipton made “Momma’s Mud Pie”, and Jakob Beckely showed everyone “How to Make an Omelet”. Both participants received blue ribbons with Lily being chosen as champion.

Congratulations to all of the 4-Hers for their hard work, it paid off. The 4-H Council has awarded each participant a $10.00 gift certificate to attend 4-H Camp for each performance of the evening. Good luck at District #3 competition!

4/15/09

Members of the 4-H Horse club enjoyed a morning of riding and games at the Fairgrounds. The club open to any new members. For information on how to join, call the Extension Office at 845-2811.

4/1/09

4-H Camp will be Out of This World

4-H Camp will be held from July 13^th 16^th at the Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp.  We will be camping with Shelby County and Oldham County.  The theme for this year will be “4-H is Out of This World” as well as celebrating Kentucky’s 4-H 100^th Birthday!  Campers will be taking classes in rocketry as well as archery, rifle, swimming, cave exploration, canoeing, fishing, high ropes, low ropes, crafts and nature hikes.

Evening programs will include Water Olympics, which take place in the pool, Field Olympics, Talent/Untalented Contests, and Sally Down the Alley.

The age for campers is 9-14 or grades 4^th-8^th.  Camp forms are available at the extension office by calling 845-2811, as well as online at http://ces2.ca.uky.edu/henry.  The cost for camp this year is $140.00 and payment plans are available.  The registration form and $10.00 will hold a campers spot with the final payment being paid by June 30^th.

To help offset the cost of camp the Henry County 4-H Council is offering camp gift certificates to 4-Hers willing to participate in upcoming 4-H events.  The 4-H Communications Event is planned for Thursday, April 2^nd, at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service office at 7:00 pm.  Youth are encouraged to give a speech, demonstration or perform in the Variety Show.  For each category youth participate in the council will give them a $10.00 camp gift certificate, so on April 2^nd alone a camper has the ability to earn $30.00 toward camp.  For more information on any of the categories please call the office or look at the above mentioned web address for informational material and guidelines.

There is also a need for adult leaders to go to camp.  All adults go free of charge.  Teens are also needed to watch over campers and they too go to camp free.  If you are interested in being an adult volunteer or teen leader please call the office at 845-2811.   Teens may pick up forms at the high school offices.

If you would like to donate money to sponsor a camper, that would be great.  I have already received many calls from parents who would like to send their child to camp, but are currently struggling financially.  Please send a check to the Henry County 4-H Council for camp fund and we will make sure a deserving child benefits from your generosity.

3/10/09

Kentucky 4-H Celebrates Its 100th Birthday

Kentucky 4-H turns 100 years old this month and to celebrate a statewide birthday party was held this past Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington. The birthday celebration was the kick-off to many activities and events planned throughout the year. The day was crammed full of fun and fellowship celebrating our past and looking to the future of the nation’s oldest boys and girls club.

A special part of the day was the recognition of volunteers throughout the state that were inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. Each county was asked to submit a person for their commitment to the 4-H program in their county. In their honor a beautiful handcrafted tree was made and a brass leaf with each of the volunteers names engraved on it covered the tree. The tree will be housed at the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Center in Jabez. Henry County chose to recognize Carolyn Jeffries. Carolyn served as a leader while Steve was the 4-H agent in the county and I was a 4-Her. I personally want to thank Carolyn for her dedication since I benefitted first hand from her efforts. She was my first 4-H leader while I was a 4th grader at Pleasureville Elementary School and again at the Henry County Middle School. She continues today as a strong ally of the 4-H program and volunteers when called upon. The following is the biography that was submitted to the state office. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did. I want to thank Steve Moore for writing the biography.

The Henry County Kentucky 4-H Hall of Fame Honoree Carolyn Jeffries

It may be of note that Kentucky 4-H Hall of Fame Honoree Carolyn Jeffries was not born and raised here, yet has influenced Kentucky 4-H and Extension Programs in so many ways. Carolyn became a 4-H member as a 4th and 5th grader at her elementary school in El Paso, Texas, where she participated in cooking and sewing projects. As a 6th grader, she moved to a school without 4-H, so she organized a club and began the “can do” qualities of leadership she has exhibited throughout her adult life as a 4-H leader, parent, and grandparent.

Extension and 4-H still benefit from the lifelong devotion and leadership exhibited by this 4-H Hall of Fame Honoree. Carolyn has served many years as a Henry County Extension Council member, leading the council in projects such as WWII Remembrance, 100 Years of Education Program, and Second Wind Dreams which have garnered statewide acclaim as County Extension Council of the Year and University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Diversity Award Winner. She has served as County Homemakers Council President, Area Extension Council Delegate, State Extension Council Delegate, and recently was appointed to the Henry County Extension District Board.

2/25/09

Host families needed for 4-H International programs

This summer, 20 young people from Japan along with two adult chaperones will come to Kentucky to learn about American families and culture. A great way for you and your child to take part in this international experience is by becoming a host family for one of these students. Applications are now being accepted.

Not only do 4-H host families get to enjoy helping the Japanese 4-H learn about American families and culture, but they also learn about Japanese culture, customs and history. Many times, international bonds that last a lifetime are created.

The Japanese young people are from two different 4-H programs, Language Laboratory and UTREK.

Youths in the Language Laboratory, or LABO, program are between the ages of 12 and 15. These young people want to experience the life an average American family. They will spend July 22 through Aug. 18 with their host families. Host families must be able to pick up their new sibling on July 22 in Louisville and return them Aug 18 to the same location.

Japanese young people in the UTREK program are between 14- and 16-years-old. They are interested in learning about the natural environments of both the United States and Japan. They will arrive the same day as LABO participants but spend their first few days in the state at a local 4-H camp. There they will experience camp life and take day trips around the state. This year, UTREK host siblings are asked to stay with their Japanese sibling from July 24 to 26 at the 4-H camp. Both will return to the rest of their host families July 26. UTREK participants will stay with their host families until Aug. 18. Like LABO participants, host families must bring UTREK youths to Louisville at this time for their return trip.

There is no cost or language requirement to become a host family, but host families should have a child that is of similar age and gender as the international 4-H’er. Host parents should provide for the Japanese 4-H’er the same way they do their own children. International 4-H’ers should have their own area and bed, but can share a room with their host sibling.

Host families are encouraged not to plan extravagant trips or deviate from their daily routines. The Japanese youths bring their own spending money for any extras they may want to purchase.

Since the program focuses on American culture, the Japanese youths will not be placed in homes of families with the same cultural background. While in the United States, the international 4-H’ers and their host families can participate in 4-H programs at any level in which they are comfortable. However, the family does not need to be 4-H members, and 4-H participation is not required.

If you do not have a child but would like to participate in the program, you can become a host for one of the two group chaperones. The chaperones have good English-speaking skills and will stay with a host family for either a 2- or 4-week period. The chaperones’ main objective is to help with communication and facilitate problems any of the Japanese youths may have.

If you are interested in becoming a host family or receiving more information on international opportunities through 4-H, contact Mark Mains, 4-H International Program coordinator, at 859-257-5961, ext. 231 or mark.mains@uky.edu. Requesting information does not obligate families to host students this year. Biographies of the Japanese youths can be obtained after an application for hosting is submitted and approved. More information on 4-H International programs can be found at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service.

2/18/09

Recycling Fun Facts

November is National Recycling Month and I thought I would share some fun facts that were sent to me.
*In 2006, Americans produced approximately 251 million tons of garbage, and recycled 82 million tons of material.

• It takes 95 percent less energy to make aluminum cans from recycled cans than to make them from raw ore.
• In America, 100 million steel cans are used each day.
• The steel industry recycles about 630 cans each second.
• Recycling glass beverage containers can be used for roads, marbles, decorative tile, and surfboards.
• Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water.
• Recycling 5 plastic soda bottles can produce enough fiber for one square foot of carpet.
• According to the Kentucky Division of Waste Management, on average Kentuckians produce approximately 6 pounds of garbage per person per day.

In Henry County you may take your recyclable products to the Henry County Road Department on South Property Road. The dumpsters are available seven days a week any time of the day or night. The items that they are currently accepting are: any type of paper products, plastic, and aluminum. They do not accept glass at this time. The best part is that you do not have to sort the items. The recycling center has conveyor belts that will do that for you, so feel free to mix the allowable items into one bag. Let’s all do our part in recycling. Talk with your family and come up with a plan that works for your lifestyle. As consumers we can look for the chasing arrow symbol which means that the product or packaging is recyclable.

11/26/08

Folk Painting is fun painting

11/19/08

11/5/08

Shining Spurs Horse Club

The 4-H Shining Spurs Horse Club will be meeting Monday, November 3rd, at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service office at 7:00pm. This is a great time to join the club if you are interested in learning more about horses. The club meets monthly for a regular business meeting and educational program. The club also meets at other times throughout the year with horses. Club members do not have to have a horse to be a member. Club members make suggestions as to what they are most interested in learning and programs are usually designed around those interests.

10/29/08

Here are some things your might be interested in, remember to review the 4 H Notes Calendar below.

More 4H Links:  4HUSA.org

Kentucky Climate Summary from the UK Ag Weather Center

Henry County Equine Association
Did you know that there are more that 2 dozen breeders and sellers of horses already members of this new association? If you just LOVE horses, you'll be interested in this group.

• Kentucky 4H

• Kentucky 4-H - News

• National 4H Council

• IRS Farmer's Tax Guide

• MoneyWi$e

See Blue, Go Green

• Kentucky Department of Agriculture

• Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Service

• National Agricultural Statistics Service

• Agricultural Research Service

• @griculture Online -- Agriculture News

• The National Agricultural Library Homepage

• U S Department of Agriculture

• Agriculture Marketing Service @USDA

• Farm Journal Magazine Online

• Natural Resource Conservation Service

• Henry County Conservation District

• Family & Consumer Sciences - Resources

• Agricultural Economics UK - Publications

• UK Animal & Food Sciences Dept.

• UK Agronomy Publications

• University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture

• Biotechnology Research Education Initiative

• Ky Cooperative Extension Service County Listings

• Henry County Home Page: College of Agriculture

• Kentucky AgrAbility

• AGRIPEDIA Glossary

• USDA, Farm Service Agency

• KCA Home Page Kentucky Cattlemen's Asso.