Activities & Events

The 4-H Program year is now in full swing in most of your counties and the calls and emails keep coming….. The calls and e-mails have begun from parents, grandparents, and volunteers involved in our programs. Sometimes these messages come from “concerned citizens.” I always notify a county office when I get these calls --- so that I have some background (there’s always another side to the story), but also so that you know we are all in this together. Lots of times, the individuals who contact me just have a need to vent. There are other times when they do have a legitimate concern. Occasionally, these are individuals who have perhaps lost sight of the purpose of the 4-H Youth Development Program. Regardless of the emotions involved with individuals who question our policies, procedures, intentions, etc., I’ve always tried to keep in mind that we should be trying to do what’s best for the youth involved. More often than not, I will refer these folks back to the county office to talk with you. Occasionally, I’ll refer them to the grievance procedure.

Our role as we work through difficult local situations is to remember that we should be working toward a positive environment and experience --- not a negative, punitive one. This isn’t always easy to do (or remember). We can all start by trying to step back and take a look at the issue by attempting to remove the emotions attached to it. Do we view the situation differently when it’s not discussed “in the heat of the moment?” One of the beauties of the grievance policy is that folks have time to step back from the issue and have it reviewed by individuals who haven’t been directly involved – it should be easier for them to remain objective. Whatever the outcome, we have to remember that our job is to be certain that these folks remember that we are all working with a program that promotes a positive approach to youth development!

On another note, we are entering the time of year when we have lots of young people headed to camps, workshops, area events and activities. Please don’t forget to share and review behavioral expectations with delegates (see 4-H Policies and Procedures). Research shows that young people really do need to know “behavioral boundaries.” When these guidelines are clear, logical and fair, they are capable of monitoring their own behavior and can help reinforce each other’s positive behavior and monitor unacceptable behavior. I would also like to remind everyone that whether you, as a staff member, are chaperoning events (or you are sending a volunteer), “we” are all responsible for the safety and well being of these young people while they are with us. If we all keep this in mind, we have LOTS of successful experiences ahead.

- Renee McKee

Resource for Your 4-H Health Project Volunteers and Members
The Indiana University School of Dentistry host a website called the Smile Academy which provides educational information and activities on oral health to youth in grades 4-8. Please feel free to share with your 4-H members and families (particularly those in the health project).
http://www.iusd.iupui.edu/Depts/SA/SmileAcademy.aspx
- Renee McKee

Farm Service Agency Loans for 4-H Members
I thought I should share the following information from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) with all of you --- even though I’m not sure we need to broadly advertise. You may know of specific situations when this information might be helpful to a young person in your county program.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes operating loans to individual rural youths to finance income-producing, agriculture-related projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, and similar organizations.

Each project must be part of an organized and supervised program of work. The project must be planned and operated with the help of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan, and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience in agriculture-related skills.

Who may borrow? To qualify for a loan, an applicant must: comply with FSA's general eligibility requirements; be between 10 and 20 years old; reside in a rural area, city, or town with a population of 50,000 or fewer people; conduct a modest income-producing project in a supervised program of work.

What is the maximum loan amount? The maximum amount for FSA youth loans is $5000.

What may loans be used for? Loan recipients may use the money to buy livestock, equipment, and supplies; buy, rent, or repair needed tools and equipment; and pay operating expenses for running the project.

What size project can be financed? Only projects of modest size can be financed. A modest project is limited in physical size, capital requirements, and overall objectives.

What security is required? Applicants must sign a promissory note and be responsible for repaying the loan. In some cases, a cosigner may be required. Loan collateral normally consists of crops produced for sale, livestock, equipment, and other items purchased with loan funds.

What are the repayment terms? The repayment schedule will be worked out with FSA. Payments will be tailored to the type of project for which the loan was made. For example, if the loan is to raise livestock or crops, it would normally be paid when the animals or produce are sold.

For More Information
To apply or learn more about youth loans or other loan programs, please contact your local USDA Service Center.

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=dfl-yl
- Renee McKee

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

International 4-H Opportunities
Heifer International
As discussed at PDC, we are working to coordinate a group of Junior Leaders to visit the Heifer International farm in Perryville, AR. This trip will occur late September or October 2008, and would likely be a 2-3 day weekend event. If you would like to see more detail about Heifer’s youth on-site programs, contact me or please see their website at www.heifer.org If you think that you might have interested youth in your county, please let me know during the month of May. We will make the final selection of the date for the trip in early June. I will provide the Heifer program registration fee for interested youth. 
 
Meiji Gakuin Japanese Homestay
We are still searching for approximately 10 families for the MG summer home stay program. The program operates from July 23 – August 16. MG youth will travel to Indiana from Tokyo, spend 2 days at Purdue for orientation, and then spend the remainder of their visit with Indiana

4-H host families
We have applications and color program brochures available upon request. This is a great complimentary program for youth already studying in one of Indiana’s many high school Japanese language and culture programs. Please contact me at 765-496-3585 or lstanish@purdue.edu, if you have any questions, or know of families that might be interested.

- Lee Stanish

Shooting Sports Education
We had another great shooting sports workshop this spring at Ross Camp with a wonderful group of volunteer leaders. The list of newly certified Shooting Sports Education instructors is available here. Remember, these instructors must meet all county volunteer requirements and are only allowed to teach youth in their area of certification. Other adults can help (and are encouraged to) but a certified instructor must be present at any activity where shooting occurs. Resources for certified instructors are available on-line at
www.four-h.purdue.edu/shooting_sports/.

- Natalie Carroll

Poultry, Shooting Sports, and Wildlife
Note that special permits are required for the possession and sale of game birds (from the IDNR) and migratory (from the National Fish and Wildlife Service). Additional information is available at:
www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/Projects/wildlife/ and
www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/Projects/shootingsports/.

- Natalie Carroll

Purdue Collegiate 4-H
The Purdue Collegiate 4-H Club is pleased to announce the 2008-2009 Officer Team:

President – Keith Carrell
Vice-President – Ellen Knapke
Secretary – Amanda Armstrong
Treasurer – Julia Wickert
Social Director – Michael Wood
Service Director – Jerry Weber
Publicity – Ashley Broady
Historian – Kala Hash and Kala Nicholson
Ag Council Representative – Aaron Birge
Technology – Tyler Cotterman
Regional Coordinator – Adam Wright

You can learn more about the Purdue Collegiate 4-H activities by visiting their Web site:
http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/collegiate4h/.

- Steve McKinley

Operation: Military Kids
Please see the articles below for information related to Operation: Military Kids (OMK).

Highlights of “Supporting Children of Military Families” Training
All materials from the “Supporting Children of Military Families” training are posted on the OMK web site: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/omk under the heading MCEC training. The information is available through the power point slides that were used or through the videotaping that was done in 3 segments. Knowing that there is a great deal of information listed, Steve and Judy thought it might be helpful to note some highlights that could be particularly helpful in working with military children and their families.

• The “Mobilization Alert Order” could be used in an activity to help non-military adults and youth better understand and appreciate what individuals experience when they receive this order and everything they must think about in planning ahead for their absence from their families.
  
• In “One Force-One Family 101” military terms are explained, particularly those terms related to the Indiana National Guard. The 9th slide in this series might be helpful in planning OMK events. The slide shows the total number of soldiers deployed from each county in the state as of March, 2008. Obviously those numbers vary from time to time, but it would be an indication of the number of families impacted by deployment and therefore the extent of the need for community support.
• “MCEC – Family Assistance Centers” list the various services offered to military families, office locations throughout the state, and the contact person’s name and phone number. This information could be helpful in making referrals if military families need services other than what is offered through OMK or the local Extension programs.
  
• Under “Military Life Consultant…” there is practical information on common emotions experienced by military children and activities and programs that can be helpful to them.

Ideas for including OMK in 4-H Activities
There are a number of ways to include OMK in existing 4-H activities. Listed below are a few of these.

• Filling Hero Packs can be incorporated as a 4-H Camp activity. Quotes from 4-H members who have done this activity indicate they valued the experience as much as the military children valued receiving the packs. This can be a way to incorporate service learning into an existing program that only involves getting bags and some items to put in them from us at the State office and submitting a county proposal for $500.00 to cover the purchase of additional items. Some camping groups have combined their funding requests to create sufficient funds so there are enough supplies for all the campers to participate in the activity.
• The Mobile Technology Lab (MTL) is a fun and meaningful activity to have available at fairs, summer festivals, and other community events. Just contact Steve or Judy to reserve the lab for particular dates. We can provide training on the use of the lab for local volunteers. We can provide limited staff support from the State OMK office. The calendar is filling up quickly so let us know as soon as possible if the MTL could be a positive way to show community support for our military children and their families.
  
• Create a special community event honoring military families such as a picnic with some fun activities for all ages. This can be a great opportunity to partner with other local service organizations such as the American Legion/Auxiliary, Extension Homemaker Clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis, and other service organizations; church groups, youth clubs and organizations like 4-H, Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YWCA/YMCA groups; PTA/PTO groups, student service clubs, and sports groups.

Funds to Support County OMK Events
We still have funds available to support County-sponsored OMK Events. Examples of these events include a Hero Pack project, supplies for a Family Readiness Group event, etc. Information on how to apply for these funds is included on the U:/ drive in the State YDAE - OMK file folder. You may also find links to this information on the Indiana OMK Web site at: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/omk/countyevents.html

- Judy Hauser and Steve McKinley

“Mission: Leadership” - 77th State 4-H Junior Leader Conference
Registrations continue to arrive for the 77th State 4-H Junior Leader Conference to be held June 17-20, 2008 at the University of Indianapolis. The registration fee of $150 per person is due by May 15. Again this year all registrations may be completed electronically via ED.

Please make checks payable to Purdue University and submit payment to: State 4-H Junior Leader Conference, 615 W. State St., AGAD 226, West Lafayette, IN, 47907.

The Wednesday morning keynote speaker will be Aric Bostick. Aric will share with the delegates information from his Success Training, Inc. series. For more information about Aric, visit http://aricbostick.com/.

Delegates should be Junior Leaders who have completed grades 9-12. More information about the conference is available at: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/sjlc/index.html Thank you for your assistance with recruiting participants for this excellent leadership development experience!

- Steve McKinley

2008 State Fair Horse and Pony Show Reminder
Reminder – For the 2008 State Fair Horse and Pony Show, exhibitors will be required to present the yellow copy of their enrollment form when they check-in. They will not receive a stall assignment, or their number, without it. This is not a new policy, but we will begin enforcing it more closely. Please help get the word out to the potential exhibitors.

- Colleen Brady

“Strength Through Unity…Together We Can Accomplish the Fantastical!” - Indiana State Fair Youth Leadership Conference
Registrations are due by July 1st for the Indiana State Fair Youth Leadership Conference to be held August 3-9 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Registrations are $125 per person and may be completed electronically through ED. Please make checks payable to the Indiana State Fair and submit them to: ISFYLC Registration, 615 W. State St., AGAD 226, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
More information about ISFYLC is available on the conference Web site: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/isfyl.....

- Steve McKinley

Indiana 4-H Youth and Adult Congress
4-H Members, Adult Volunteers, and Extension Educators will once again be invited to attend Indiana 4-H Congress. Congress will be held on Saturday, October 11 at a Central Indiana location to be determined. Monsanto and 4-H Council funds will once again provide the opportunity for us to offer an adult track at 4-H Congress.

More information will be available in the coming months regarding 4-H Congress!

- Steve McKinley

2008 Indiana State Fair
4-H Animal Enrollment Due Dates
The following state 4-H animal enrollment forms are due in your office by May 15 and the State Office by June 1.

Forms
Beef Heifers
Dairy Cattle
Horse and Pony
Goat
Swine
Sheep

• Alphabetize each of the six groups of forms separately by 4-H member's last name.
• Please go ahead and send the sheep and goat enrollment forms as soon as they are complete. The retinal scans are due on the “W” drive by July 1st.
  
• Photos for horses/ponies must show all four feet and the face. In regards to photo quality, a reasonable person should be able to see the horse well enough in the picture to tell if the same horse is standing in front of them. Color copies of photos are acceptable, as are photos used in previous years (as long as the horse looks the same).
  
• Please don’t use old enrollment forms because crucial information on the back side of the forms has changed. Use only the 2008 4-H enrollment forms.
  
• Please check to insure the appropriate signatures are in place, so we don’t have to send forms back to you.
  

Rules for State Fair Entry
Large Animals:  Beef, Dairy, Dairy Steers, Sheep, and Swine

Read the rules for State Fair entry on the back side of the livestock enrollment form - your blue copy.

1. Before June 1, go to the Indiana State Fair website and enter on-line at: https://secure.in.gov/statefair/fairentry/(lihkp5551x0cwhyggcfsvd55)/Default.aspx
   You can also obtain a “hard copy” of the 2008 Indiana State Fair 4-H Livestock Entry Form from the 4-H search page:http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/4-H_search/4h_search.cfm select the “State Fair” link in the black bar, select "entry forms" for a listing of all State Fair entry forms. The $15.00 fee is for each species you enter at the Indiana State Fair (Beef, Dairy, Dairy Steers, Sheep, and Swine).
2. By June 1, a 4-H member must enter on-line or postmark a “hard copy” of the entry form and send it along with a $15.00 fee to:
   
   Entry Department
   Indiana State Fair
   1202 E 38th Street
   Indianapolis, IN 46205-2869
   
   
3. It is strongly recommended that the 4-H member secure a certificate of mailing from the Post Office if they mail in a “hard copy” of the entry form. (See “For State Fair 4-H Entry,” on the back of the enrollment form.)
   
4. A late entry fee of $50.00 will be charged if the entry is postmarked (or submitted electronically) from June 2nd to July 31st.
   
5. After the county fair auction, the 4-H member needs to pick up the yellow copy of the enrollment form from the Extension Office. (Auctioned animals must have a line drawn through their information on the enrollment form.) Be sure auctioned animals dual enrolled by brothers and sisters are properly marked off of all forms.  Have your Extension Educator sign the form, and then hand-carry the yellow copy to the State Fair with your animals.
   
6. An Indiana State Fair 4-H Animal Affidavit form is required for each animal entered in the 4-H beef steer, dairy steer, market lamb, gilt, and barrow shows at the State Fair. The animal affidavit can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/4-H_search/4h_search.cfm or it can be picked up at the County Extension Office.  The animal affidavit must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public and hand-carried with you to the registration table on the day you check-in at the Indiana State Fair. 

Horses and Ponies

1. By July 1st, go to the Indiana State Fair website and enter on-line at:  https://secure.in.gov/statefair/fairentry/(S(ovgrdr45mx0n45mpbikbcrz1))/Default.aspx   or download the official Indiana State Fair Entry Form(s) from the 4-H website. Enter www.four-h.purdue.edu Select "State Fair" link from the black bar, then Select "Entry Forms", and a complete list of entry forms for all species will come up.
   
2. The entry form and a $15.00 entry fee per project must be sent by July 1. Late entry fees are $50.00.
   
3. Remember, 4-H members must be in the 4th grade or above to show in the State Fair Horse and Pony Show. Please refer to the premium book for more details about the number of classes youth are eligible to enter.
   

Small Animals:  Boer Goats, Dairy Goats, Meat Goat Wethers, Pygmy Goats, Poultry, Rabbits, Pigeons, and Waterfowl

1. By July 1st, go to the Indiana State Fair website and enter on-line at:  https://secure.in.gov/statefair/fairentry/(lihkp5551x0cwhyggcfsvd55)/Default.aspx  or download the official Indiana State Fair Entry Form(s) from the following website:  the 4-H search page:
   http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/4-H_search/4h_search.cfm Select the “State Fair” link from the black bar, select "entry forms" for a listing of all State Fair entry forms.
   
2. The entry form and a $15.00 entry fee per project must be sent by July 1. Late entry fees are $50.00.
   

Small Animals:  Dogs and Cats

1. Dogs – 4-H members choosing to exhibit at the State Fair Dog Show must enter by July 1st. Before July 1, go to the Indiana State Fair website and enter on-line at:  https://secure.in.gov/statefair/fairentry/(S(ovgrdr45mx0n45mpbikbcrz1))/Default.aspx   You can also obtain a “hard copy” of the 2008 Indiana State Fair 4-H Dog Entry Form from the 4-H website. Enter www.four-h.purdue.edu Select State Fair, then Select Entry Forms, and a complete list of entry forms for all species will come up. Fill-out State Fair entries. The entry must be accompanied by a check for $15 made payable to the Indiana State Fair. Exhibitors will receive confirmation of their entry, and show times in the mail.
   
2. Cats – Entries are due in the State Fair Entry Department by July 1. Before July 1, go to the Indiana State Fair website and enter on-line at: https://secure.in.gov/statefair/fairentry/(S(ovgrdr45mx0n45mpbikbcrz1))/Default.aspx  You can also obtain a “hard copy” of the 2008 Indiana State Fair 4-H Cat Entry Form from the 4-H website. Enter www.four-h.purdue.edu Select State Fair, then Select Entry Forms, and a complete list of entry forms for all species will come up. Fill out State Fair entries.    
   
3. Dogs and Cats - Both must be accompanied by a Certificate of Vaccination indicating that they have had the appropriate vaccinations.

- Clint Rusk and Colleen Brady

PROJECT CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES

4-H Natural Resource Project Pages
Resources for youth are available at the 4-H Natural Resource Project Pages (http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/4h.html). There is a page for each project that contains general project information, pictures of Indiana State Fair exhibits, Questions and Answers (FAQs), and useful resources, such as, the following:

• Beekeeping, www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/Projects/beekeeping/
  o 4-H 571-W, Understanding the Honey Bee
  o 4-H 586-W, Working with Honey Bees
  o 4-H 593-W, Advanced Beekeeping Methods
  
• Entomology, www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/Projects/entomology/
  o 4-H 15-20D, mounting card for 3rd graders
  o plans for boxes and spreading boards, Leader’s Guide,
  
• Forestry, www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/Projects/forestry/.
  o Parts of a Tree Diagram (Level 1, page 8), 4-H 641B, information, and answers
  o Leaf Machine (Level 2, page 8) equation
  o Identification resources: books, CD, and on-line.
  
• Geology, www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/Projects/geology/
  o Rock card, grade 3
  o Suggested label format
  
• Weather, www.four-h.purdue.edu/staff.home/natalie/Projects/weather/
  o Level 2, Grade 5, Weather Data Sheet
  o Level 4, Station model instructions

- Natalie Carroll

VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT

4-H Youth Development Master Volunteer Training
In February some of you attended the session led by Tony Carrell and me regarding the concept of 4-H Youth Development Master Volunteer Training in Indiana. With the assistance of a committee of Extension Educators, that concept will soon become a reality!

November 14-15, 2008 will be the first training held for 4-H Youth Development Master Volunteers and 4-H Youth Development Extension Educators in Indiana. This will be a pilot program designed for a maximum of 20 counties to participate, including one volunteer and one 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator from each county.

A 4-H Youth Development Master Volunteer will provide the opportunity for an Educator to identify a volunteer who has been successful in the 4-H program, but may be looking for a change or additional responsibility. Under the Educator’s guidance, the Master Volunteer would be given the opportunity to assume a larger role, such as coordination of a series of 4-H Project workshops; mentoring new volunteers in the 4-H Program; or reaching a previously untapped audience.

If you are interested in learning more about the 4-H Youth Development Master Volunteer program, the committee has set up two IP Video programs: Monday, May 12, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. (EDT) and Thursday, May 22, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. (EDT). Each program will include the same information, so you may choose the one most convenient for your schedules.

On the IP Video program, you’ll receive an introduction/overview of the 4-H Youth Development Master Volunteer Program; review a Master Volunteer Position Description; learn about the application procedures; review the training costs/funding sources; and see the Master Volunteer Training Agenda and projected timeline. There will also be time for questions and answers.

Electronic files of the materials are posted on the U: drive in the State YDAE – 4-H Youth Development Master Volunteers file folders.

To enroll your IP Unit, visit: http://1144sms/ipevents/. Look for program #1458 (Monday, May 12) or #1459 (Thursday, May 22). Remember that your unit must be enrolled by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 for the May 12th program and by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 19 for the May 22nd program.

We look forward to your participation!

- Tony Carrell and Steve McKinley

4-H Volunteer Vision
The May 2008 “4-H Volunteer Vision” is available here. Please share this information with your 4-H Volunteers in the method that works best for you.

- Steve McKinley

2008 North Central Region Volunteer Forum
The 2008 North Central Region Volunteer Forum will be held November 6-8, in Columbus, Ohio. Preliminary information regarding the Forum is located on the Ohio 4-H Web site at: http://www.ohio4h.org/NCRVF/index.html.
Registration information is expected to be available in May. A new information sheet on the Forum is available at: http://www.ohio4h.org/NCRVF/documents/NCRVFAprilUpdate.pdf

- Steve McKinley