4-H NEWS

1- Call for National 4-H Camp/Conference Memories: Tell National 4-H Headquarters Your Stories!

Did you know that the first National 4-H Conference then called National 4-H Camp was in 1927 Delegates slept on cots in tents, supplied by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), on the National Mall in Washington, DC. From the earliest days, participants visited Capitol Hill as part of this annual event. In the 1940s and 1950s, the event was held at various locations around Washington where delegates no longer slept in tents. So, in 1957, National 4-H Camp became known as National 4-H Conference. Since 1959, the National 4-H Conference) has been held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center (operated by National 4-H Headquarters national private-sector partner, National 4-H Council) in Chevy Chase, MD.

In 2005, National 4-H Headquarters, located within Families, 4-H and Nutrition at USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), will sponsor the 75th National 4-H Conference!

To celebrate this historic moment, National 4-H Headquarters is collecting stories from past National 4-H Camp/Conference participants. Participants of all ages are invited to share their fondest National 4-H Camp/Conference memories. A selection of stories, with participants permission, may be shared on the National 4-H Conference website or in other Conference materials. Your contact information is requested for the sole use of National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA, for follow-up regarding your entry.

Share your stories at http://www.4-h.org/2005conf. Delegates of the 74th National 4-H Conference (March 2004) are also invited to visit http://www.4-h.org/2004conf to tell National 4-H Headquarters about delegates follow-up actions conducted back home as a direct result of National 4-H Conference. Stories collected so far include presentations to groups about lessons learned at Conference and efforts to replicate a program/process learned at Conference.

Please share this information with everyone you know who has ever attended National 4-H Camp/Conference! Questions? Contact Maria Parisi, National 4-H Conference Coordinator, at 202-720-8857 or mparisi@csrees.usda.gov.


Much has changed since the first National 4-H Conference, then called National 4-H Camp.
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2- Why Come to National 4-H Conference? Preliminary Registration Open!

The 75th National 4-H Conference, sponsored by National 4-H Headquarters, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is April 1-6, 2005. This year's theme is Build the Future Tag, You're It!

Why come to National 4-H Conference? We asked the youth and adults on the National 4-H Conference Advisory Committee, and here's what they had to say:

Learn about 4-H youth development programs in other states, territories and Canada
Share Recommendations for future 4-H youth development programming
Learn about the work of National 4-H Headquarters and USDA
Visit your senators and representatives on Capitol Hill
Enhance youth-adult partnerships in your state
Participate in professional workshops
Learn new skills to apply back home
Make new friends and have fun
Celebrate a 75-year tradition!

Excitement is high as planning continues for the 75th National 4-H Conference. Plans include round table discussions, where we'll collect delegates recommendations for future 4-H youth development programming, which will culminate in a town hall meeting. In addition to youth and adult-led workshops for youth, we're planning professional development workshops for adult delegates.

State and delegation Coordinators are currently submitting preliminary registration information to National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA. Each institution (including 1862, 1890 and 1994 institutions) may send a delegation including youth, adult volunteers and Extension professional staff to National 4-H Conference. Youth and adults from 4-H Military and Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) programs are welcome to contact their state 4-H program leader or delegation coordinator regarding their delegation selection procedures.

To learn more about the 75th National 4-H Conference, visit http://www.4-h.org/2005conf. Watch, especially, for a Call for Workshop Proposals for youth and adult-led, interactive workshops to be posted soon.

For general questions about National 4-H Conference, contact Maria Parisi, National 4-H Conference Coordinator, at 202-720-8857 or mparisi@csrees.usda.gov.


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3- Garfield Creator and 4-H Alum Entertains 4-H Staff at NAE4-HA Conference

Jim Davis, creator of Garfield, opened up the NAE4-HA Conference in Oklahoma City, OK, with many laughs. Davis, the keynote speaker, gave a slideshow presentation using examples from his comic strip to mirror the many stories he had growing up as a 4-H youth.

Davis started off with a little personal background, but instead of going into much detail about his world-famous comic strip (now in more than 2,500 newspapers), he flipped to a picture of his family growing up with 4-H in Muncie, IN. Each story that Davis told the conference attendees had a comic strip that went right along with it.

Davis father founded a 4-H club and the characters in Garfield are all members of his farm community growing up. Whether they were his family or friends in the program, everyone from Doc Boy to Old Man Yarber were intertwined with his personal 4-H experience.

We had 25 cats on my farm. Of course, we all know Garfield would not survive on the farm, Davis said.

Many 4-H staff members let out a laugh, knowing that Garfield's laziness would not survive anything 4-H. But Davis went on to explain that his creation of Garfield, named after his grandfather James Garfield Davis, represents something that people see in themselves as being true. That is what makes a comic strip funny. It pokes fun of the normal everyday tendencies. With Garfield he found he had all the human failings being a little overweight, a little lazy and liking to sleep in. But Garfield was happy with himself, and that is something we all need to be you have to like yourself first.

The benefit of 4-H is that instead of competing with others, you found how to compete with yourself, how to make the best better. That is what it was all about for me growing up. Davis concluded, Thanks for the 4-H experience.

Click here to read more about Jim Davis's background. You can also enjoy the Garfield 4-H products by clicking here.


Jim Davis with his well-recognized friend, Garfield.
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4- Marketing Team Members Reminisce about Their 4-H Pasts

What an amazing week at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) Conference in Oklahoma City! As we the newest members of the National 4-H Council Marketing Team flew back from Oklahoma, there was a renewed excitement for the 4-H movement in the air. As past 4-Hers, we were able to experience 4-H from the professional side for the first time and were we impressed! The dedication and enthusiasm that buzzed around the Cox Convention Center, site of most of the conference activities, was contagious. We were able to see many faces and link them to an e-mail or voice we had heard on the other end of the phone. And the stories! They just kept coming. For those that were unable to attend the NAE4-HA Conference, we wanted to take a moment to invite you to join us in our adventures!

This was our first NAE4-HA Conference and the first time we were able to see the big picture. Growing up in 4-H, we always knew our county 4-H educators worked hard. We would see them at seven o'clock in the evening in the County Extension Offices knowing that they had been working there since seven o'clock in the morning. And although these dedicated 4-H professionals could have left early and enjoyed dinner with their families, they opted to stay so that they could be a part of one of the many county 4-H club meetings.

Well this is our chance to say thank you, and it couldn't be a more appropriate time than after NAE4-HA. Now working for National 4-H Council, we are able to give back to 4-H all that was given to us. Here is a rundown of who we are and what we do:

Gretchen Hilburger, New London County, CT, 4-H: Gretchen was involved with 4-H through her camp for six years. She graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in Communication Studies, Spanish, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies and moved back home to Connecticut. But she couldn't stay away from 4-H for too long and soon moved to Washington, DC, to start with National 4-H Council. Her 4-H marketing communications work includes advising the 14 talented young people who make up the 4HUSA Web Crew as they create 4HUSA.ORG. She enjoys working with youth and being a part of such a great movement. Thanks to her past camp director, 4-H volunteer Dan Holdridge, who suggested that she apply for this position. It has been nothing but fun! Contact Gretchen at ghilburger@fourhcouncil.edu

Allyson McMahan, Cumberland County, NJ, 4-H: Growing up in Southern New Jersey, Allyson was involved with 4-H for 10 years. Her parents decided to get Allyson and her sister, Myriah, involved with 4-H to meet others in their area and to give back to their community. It was her 4-H experiences that brought her to where she is today. Being a part of the Are You Into It? National design team and attending National 4-H Conference and Citizenship Washington Focus at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center led her to major in marketing and government at The College of William and Mary. She graduated in 2003 and immediately gave back again as an AmeriCorps member. After a year of service, Allyson has joined the Marketing Communications Team at National 4-H Council, doing what she loves best promoting 4-H. Thanks Jeanette Keywood and the New Jersey 4-H staff for making my NAE4-HA experience so great! Contact Allyson at amcmahan@fourhcouncil.edu

Amee Patel, Raleigh County, WV, 4-H: A West Virginia All-Star, Amee has not stopped moving with 4-H excitement. A 4-Her since 1991, she served as a camp counselor at her local county camps and attended Alpha II State 4-H Camp at Jackson's Mill for eight years. Amee found herself with National 4-H Council after graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in marketing and international business. Her enthusiasm has spread to the entire department with new ideas and visions for 4-H. During NAE4-HA, Amee was found catching up with past West Virginia 4-H staff members as well as meeting new agents from around the country. Thanks to all the fabulous county agents, state 4-H leaders and gracious volunteers who made NAE4-HA an incredible experience! It was so inspiring to interact with the folks that are the backbone of the 4-H youth development movement. Contact Amee at apatel@fourhcouncil.edu

We have enjoyed working with the other members of the National 4-H Council Marketing Communications Team, David Henderson, Laura Phillips Garner and Kathie Cox, to spread the message that 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

Allyson, Amee and Gretchen agree that we wouldn't be where we are without 4-H, so on behalf of all past and present 4-Hers, a special thank you to all of our state and county 4-H staff for all of your hard work. It makes a difference!


Past 4-H members, (from left to right) Allyson McMahan, Gretchen Hilburger and Amee Patel, have recently joined the National 4-H Council Marketing department.
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5- National 4-H Annual Report Showcases 4-Hers

The 2003-2004 National 4-H Council Annual Report, with stories of 4-Hers making a difference in their communities, debuted at the National Association of 4-H Agents Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. You can check out it out online by clicking here.


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6- Clover Corner News Winners Announced

Congratulations to Richard Parrish of San Marcos, TX, and Eva Weber of Elyria, OH, who received $50 gift certificates to the National 4-H Supply Service and 4-hmall.org. Their names were randomly selected as the winners of the subscribers promotion for Clover Corner held in the exhibit hall at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Conference in Oklahoma City.

Thanks for all who took part in the promotion, and remember to get other 4-Hers to subscribe to Clover Corner News your national online 4-H newsletter. Also, don't forget to send us those stories of 4-Hers in your community to clovercornernews@fourhcouncil.edu.
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7- Blast Off: 4HUSA.ORG Launches

4HUSA.ORG, the website for, by and about youth, launched October 29, 2004, creating an interactive community for the more than seven million young people who are involved in the 4-H Youth Development Program.

With nearly 1,000 links to almost every 4-H website on the Internet, 4-HUSA.ORG creates one central internet site for information about the 4-H youth development movement.

The 4-HUSA Web Crew - 14 talented young people from across the United States created 4HUSA.ORG. The Web Crew's work reflects a significant part of the 4-H experience the partnership of youth and adults in learn-by-doing activities. The crew built the site through a series of conference calls, instant messenger chats and a face-to-face meeting. They were instrumental in every stage of the process, from initial brainstorming sessions to final approval.

Now, because of 4HUSA.ORG, 4-Hers can see what's happening in states they've never even visited before, said Emily Cox of Indiana, the youngest member of the 4-HUSA.ORG Web Crew.

Demonstrating the depth and breadth of 4-H, the site is a one-stop website for everything 4-H. Success stories flash across the screen and highlight how 4-H has touched the lives of young people, and how they, in turn, have touched their communities, while a photo gallery streams dozens of pictures of the 4-H experience. State 4-H news links and a 4-H calendar of events informs visitors of the latest 4-H happenings. Young people can post their thoughts, questions and ideas via the 4-H message board.

4HUSA.ORG is the largest, most extensive 4-H website to date, and it contains features for youth by youth, resources for leaders, current news headlines and contact information for local 4-H clubs, said Web Crew Member Jared Coleman Pickens of Tennessee.

Though the site is up and ready for visitors, the Web Crew's work is far from over. The youth are responsible for promoting the site and updating its content. Phase two of 4HUSA.ORG will add more interactivity as 4-Hers will be able to create e-mail aliases and personal weblogs.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Experience the 4-H adventure online at www.4husa.org.


The new 4husa.org site features top 4-H stories in every state along with a calendar, photo gallery, message boards and much, much more!


The 4-HUSA Web Crew.
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8- Enter the 4HUSA.ORG Win-an-iPod Promotion!

The National 4-H Council will award a sleek new green iPod Mini to a current 4-H youth member or any youth who is within the age range to be a member of 4-H. It's easy to enter -- when you log on and become a registered online user of 4HUSA.ORG (www.4husa.org), you are automatically eligible for this random prize.

The promotion winner will be randomly chosen by the National 4-H Council and announced at noon eastern standard time on Monday, December 20, 2004.

So get involved. Check out all the exciting new features on 4HUSA.ORG, the online interactive community of youth people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills in 4-H.


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9- Rural Youth Development Pre-Conference

The Rural Youth Development (RYD) Pre-Conference Workshop was held on Saturday, October 30, 2005, at the NAE4-HA Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. State 4-H Leaders were invited to this special workshop, along with those who were project directors for RYD 1 or RYD 2 grants. Over 50 4-H leaders were able to attend the educational pre-conference.

The workshop focused on the unique needs of rural youth as well as assessing the achievements in the Rural Youth Development program during its first year of funding in three initiative areas: Youth in Governance, 4-H Afterschool and Professional Development.

Proceedings from the pre-conference are available. Email Joanne Leatherman at jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu for more information.
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RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

10-Mini-Grants Available for National Youth Service Day 2005

Youth Service America, the U.S. Department of Justice and National Partners announce the availability of over 400 mini-grants in support of National Youth Service Day 2005, to take place April 15-17, 2005.

National Youth Court Center at the America Probation and Parole Association and the U.S. Department of Justice

The National Youth Court Center will award up to sixty mini-grants of $250 each for the purpose of providing youth court programs with funds to conduct a service project in support of National Youth Service Day on April 15-17, 2005. Fifteen of the mini-grants have been designated to fund projects that are related to traffic safety issues (including underage drinking). The remaining forty-five mini-grants will be awarded for any project that meets a community need. For more information, please visit www.youthcourt.net. Applications can be downloaded at http://www.youthcourt.net/NYSD/2005_NYSD_info.htm.

Phi Alpha Delta Public Service Center Mini-Grants

The Phi Alpha Delta Public Service Center invites Pre-Law and Law School Chapters to participate in National Youth Service Day, April 15-17, 2005. As a National Youth Service Day Partner, Phi Alpha Delta Public Service Center will sponsor twenty-five mini-grants of $200 each to support violence prevention. For more information about this grant and how to apply, please visit www.pad.org and click Public Service Center.

The Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago Mini-Grants

The Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) and The Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago (CRFC) invites middle and high school classes across the nation to participate in peer-to-peer learning through the Second Annual Constitutional Rights Foundation Teach-In. One-hundred and fifty grants of $150 each will be available to middle and high school classes to develop a lesson that focuses on curricular devoted to security, justice, liberty, and equality in coordination with National Youth Service Day, April 15-17, 2005. Applications can be downloaded at http://www.crfc.org/yfjteach-in2205.html

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Mini-Grants

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc. (FCCLA) and FCCLA STOP the Violence program will support National Youth Service Day by offering one hundred and twenty-five grants of $200 each to FCCLA local chapters to support STOP the Violence projects on National Youth Service Day, April 15-17, 2005! For more information, please visit www.fcclainc.org and information about this grant will be located under the STOP the Violence resource section.

Disney Hand Minnie Grant

Grants of $500 each are available to engage young people between the ages of 5 and 14 to plan and carry out service projects for National and Global Youth Service Day 2005 that respond to community needs. We encourage and welcome projects where children and youth work with adults (parents, coaches, teachers, youth leaders, etc.). By working with their family, school, friends, and neighbors, youth can solve community issues. DEADLINE: Monday, December 20, 2004 Click here for more information. The application is here.

Youth Venture Grants

Youth Service America and Youth Venture are teaming up again to make every day National Youth Service Day! In conjunction with NYSD, April 15th-17th, we're offering funding to enable young people to engage in community service and make a difference in their world. Ten awards of up to $1,000 in start-up funds will be available to young people (ages 12-20) who want to create sustainable new, civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses (Ventures). These Ventures must be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community. YSA Youth Venturers are required to host a NYSD event. Applications are available at www.youthventure.org. DEADLINE: Monday, November 22, 2004

Youth Leaders for Literacy

Youth Leaders for Literacy, a joint program of the National Education Association and Youth Service America encourages, celebrates and honors youth-led reading-related service projects. Twenty $500 grants will be awarded to applicants who are conducting literacy, service projects during a seven-week period starting in early March (Read Across America Day) and culminating on April 15-17 (National Youth Service Day). Application information available at http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/youthleaders.html. DEADLINE EXTENED: Friday, November 26, 2004

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11- Germany Youth Exchange

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals is a federally funded scholarship exchange to Germany and a unique opportunity not only to study but also to work in a foreign country. The one-year cultural exchange is designed to give 75 Americans an understanding and knowledge of everyday life in Germany by living with a host family, studying at a German university, and working in a German company or organization.

For more information on this program, click here.
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12- Do Something Grants Available

Do Something awards $500 grants to change-makers and potential community leaders age 18 and under who identify problems in their communities, and then create game plans to do something to change their world. Young people can apply on their own behalves, or on behalf of a group or team. Our Youth Advisory Council reviews grant proposals twice each year and awards 10 grants every fall and 10 grants every spring. A total of $10,000 is given in grants annually. For more information, click here.
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13- Neighborhood Action Kit Available

The Points of Light Foundation is pleased to bring to you the Neighboring Action Toolkit, a new online resource for increasing your effectiveness in meeting community needs. Accessible through http://www.PointsofLight.org/Neighboring, this free online action kit is designed to help organizations and communities leverage the greatest resource for strengthening families and building healthy and connected communities ... its people.
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