4-H News:

Essential Elements of 4-H Presentation Available Now

(Morgantown, WV) The Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development, the presentation by Dr. Cathann Kress, Director of Youth Development, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA is now available on DVD and VHS. The presentation, which was originally transmitted live via satellite to 4-H educators across the nation during a National 4-H Council Board of Trustees meeting at West Virginia University, also includes a full transcript of the remarks and PowerPoint slides.

The Essential Elements presentation will be a useful tool for your staff and volunteers as the full transcript of the remarks and the PowerPoint slides from Dr. Kress presentation accompany the DVD or videocassette.

The WVU Extension Office of Advancement will provide one VHS or DVD to you at no charge. Each additional copy is available for $10, which includes postage. Invoices will be sent, and only payment in cash or checks will be accepted.

If you would like to place an order, please reply to Mary Ann Barnes with the following information:

1. Number of Cathann Kress presentation (DVD format) desired:
2. Number of Cathann Kress presentation (VHS format) desired:
3. Complete mailing information for person receiving presentation:

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Grants Awarded to 23 Healthy Lifestyles Proposals

(Washington, DC) Congratulations to the 23 4-H organizations that have been awarded grants through the 2005 Healthy Lifestyles Grants Program administered by National 4-H Council with funding provided by Kraft Foods, Inc. in partnership with Cargill, Inc. A team of national judges evaluated the 113 applications. The recipients will implement new or expanded innovative and fun programs to help communities create educational opportunities and public awareness to confront and reverse the climbing trends of overweight and obesity. Successful programs will partner youth ages 5-12 with adults in activities promoting good nutrition, fitness and positive lifestyles.

The 2005 grantees are:

AR Little River 4-H
AR Pike County 4-H
FL Jackson County 4-H
IL University of Illinois, Ford-Iroquois Unit
KS Atchison County 4-H
KS Ford County 4-H Council
KS Gove County Extension Council
KS Stevens County Extension Council
ME Cumberland County, University of Maine
MD Carroll County EAC
MI Oakland County, The 4-H Collectors Club
NE UNL Extension- Colfax County
NC North Carolina State University
NJ Atlantic County 4-H Program
NY Cornell Cooperative Extension of Seneca County
OH Cuyahoga County, OSU Extension Center at Wooster
OH Trumbull County, Ohio State University
SD McPherson County, Miracle Makers 4-H Club
TN UT Extension Service Humphreys County
VA Northeast District, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
VA VCE-Patrick County
WA Okanogan County 4-H Leaders Council
WA Whatcom County Barnyard Kids 4-H Club

For more details on the program, click here.

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4-H Awareness Wristbands Going Fast!

Demand continues to be strong for the green 4-H awareness wristbands. These are great for fund raising, promoting 4-H or identifying yourself as a 4-H member or supporter. More than 60,000 have already been distributed throughout America.

Make sure to order now for spring and summer. The bracelets will not be available after June 1, 2005.! Proceeds from the wristbands will support the 2006 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents conference. Click here to get your wristband today!


Green 4-H awareness wristbands show off that 4-H Makes a Difference.
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Collegiate 4-Hers Share Ideas and Have Fun in Pittsburgh

(Pittsburgh, PA) Young adults from across America came together in Pittsburgh, PA, last week for the 2005 National Collegiate 4-H Conference. Close to 200 Collegiate 4-H members shared ideas and got to know each other during workshops and meetings.

It's nice to have something like this for those of us outside of the 4-H age range, said Becca Fint, a lifetime 4-H member and West Virginia University graduate student.

Mr. McFeely, from the long-running children's television show, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, spoke to the group at the opening event on Thursday, February 10. He stuck around to sign autographs and take photos as the attendees met each other and traded state pins. Each attendee was showcasing their college pride through sweatshirts, hats and more.

This definitely gives us a great break from mid-terms, said Brianne Allender, a student at Oregon State University. We get to come together, exchange ideas and find ways to make our Collegiate 4-H clubs better.

Conference attendees participated in a variety of workshops, a service project in the city and closed with a business meeting which discussed how Collegiate 4-H can become stronger.

For more information about Collegiate 4-H and how you can get involved or start up a club at your college click here.


Collegiate 4-H members join together for some fun times. From left to right: Michelle Craig, AL; Brent Helseth, SD; Corey Fortin, KS; Shannon Glaspell, WV and Sarah Edens, OK.
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4-H Member to Perform on PAX TV

(Gahanna, OH) Franklin County 4-H Member Chelsea Blamble is getting ready for her television debut. She will be performing with six other young people in PAX's America's Most Talented Kids Show, which will air at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, and replay at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25.

When Chelsea originally heard about the show, she knew trying out would be a learning experience in itself. Being chosen was beyond her wildest imagination, but her hard work paid off. Chelsea was one of seven young people chosen out of 1,000 to compete on the show.

Chelsea was then invited to Los Angeles in December to tape the show. Chelsea played a song for piano she wrote two years ago. She composed Indian Angel for her grandmother who was dying of lung cancer. Chelsea believed that writing the song would help her Grandma feel better in the hospital.

Chelsea believes that her work with 4-H in the Dream Achievers 4-H Club, especially her public speaking skills, attributed to where she is today as she was able to create her own 4-H project to expand her love and talent for music. 4-H truly has opened the door for Chelsea to use her talents and gain life skills, and she hopes to continue down this path into a music career.

Please check your local listings for definitive station times. Click here to learn more about "America's Most Talented Kids Show."


Chelsea Blamble with some of her 4-H awards.
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Fulton 4-H Club First to Help Tsunami Victims

(Fulton, MD) The Fulton 4-H Club, in Howard County, Maryland, officially made the best better by pledging $400, the first generous donation to the 4 H Tsunami Relief Fund.

The club was spurred to action immediately upon learning of the late-December tsunami and subsequent disaster. We felt that the tsunami was devastating to the people there and we wanted to help out because they lost everything they had, including some of their only family members. We in the United States may be their strongest hope, said Kathy Thornton, recording secretary, Fulton 4-H Club.

The 26 members, ranging in age from 6-18, began to brainstorm ways to help the victims overseas. Because 4-H and our club are very involved in community services, we were immediately interested to know what we could do to help those whose lives were devastated by the tsunami, said Greg Parks, club president. When the club learned of the 4-H Tsunami Relief Fund, they voted unanimously to dip deeply into their club treasury to pledge $400 to the cause.

A calamity such as this cannot go unnoticed. Our 4-H club, with a common goal to improve community living, regardless of what nation, saw the devastation and wanted to contribute to help in any way we could, said Steven Thornton, club past president.

The generosity does not stop there. The club members expressed concern that the needs the tsunami victims would be forgotten and so are currently developing ideas for future fundraisers. Club member Brian Glenn's creativity inspired corresponding secretary Kayla Meier's suggestion toward the cause. [Brian] made these great soaps as gifts for my mom and the other leaders. I asked my mom [co-leader Mary Ann Meier] if our 4-H club could make soaps with hidden surprises in them to help clean away the hurt of the tsunami, Kayla said.

Whatever project the Fulton 4-Hers take on next, there is no doubt they will change lives along the way.


Fulton 4-H Club members take first step in helping Tsunami victims.
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Centennial Posters No Longer Available - Thank you for your interest!

We apologize, but we have reached our limit in availablility of the centennial posters. Thank you for your interest and stay tuned to Clover Corner News for other possible free give-aways.

Attention all 4-H members, volunteers, county agents and state leaders:

Need something to hang up in your office or home? How about the Power of YOUth 4-H centennial poster? National 4-H Council is giving away a limited number of free copies of the Centennial poster while supplies last. The poster (seen below) is 13x22 inches complete with the four H's, 4-H pledge and more. The poster was designed and created by 4-H member Megan Wolf from Plymouth County, IA, who was 13 at the time.

If interested, we will mail the poster at no cost to you. Just email us at clovercornernews@fourhcouncil.edu with your name and postal address.


The 4-H Centennial poster also includes the 4-H pledge and other artwork.
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Resources and Opportunities:

Wanted: Incredible Kids Doing Pawsome Deeds

Do you know children or teenagers who are making a difference in their communities? Build-A-Bear Workshop wants your help in finding them. The company is now taking nominations for its second annual Huggable Heroessm program, which recognizes everyday kids in communities all across North America who go to extraordinary lengths to make life better for others. From collecting food for the hungry to raising money to bring the arts to the elderly, from reaching out to assist animals to reading to children, kids are volunteering and making significant contributions.

Nomination forms can be found on the Build-A-Bear Workshop website and will be accepted through March 14, 2005. Those selected as Huggable Heroes will be featured in the Build-A-Bear Workshop 2006 Huggable Heroes Calendar and honored within their communities throughout 2005.

Please help us find Huggable Heroes in the 4-H community.

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Literacy and Language Program for Volunteers at MSU

Literacy strategies and oral language will be the focus of a March 8, 2005, program at Michigan State University (MSU) designed to help parents, educators, child care providers and volunteers learn new tools for promoting reading and writing in children and adults. The program is one of many that will take place during the 90th annual Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Week at MSU.

Former teacher and storyteller Jennifer Ivinskas Strauss will start the morning with a discussion of learning through storytelling. Sessions also include creative approaches to family literacy, preparation for kindergarten and adult literacy strategies. Speakers include MSU experts, MSU Extension parent educators and other literacy experts.

The registration fee of $65, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, parking voucher and materials, is due Feb. 23. For registration information and a schedule of sessions, contact Dawn Contreras at 517-353-3886.

For more information about ANR Week events click here www.canr.msu.edu/anrweek/ or contact Sandi Bauer, program coordinator, at 517-353-3175, ext. 217.

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National Youth Service Day Quickly Approaches

On April 15-17, 2005, young people across America, with the help of millions of volunteers, will address important unmet community needs through service-learning projects addressing literacy, hunger, public safety and the environment.

For more than 15 years, National Youth Service Day has brought together 28 million people in thousands of communities nationwide, mobilizing millions of America's youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through community service. For more information about National and Global Youth Service Day, please visit www.YSA.org.

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Home Baking Association Seeks Baking Educators

Innovative educators that teach baking have an opportunity to win $1,000 and a trip to Charleston, SC for the Home Baking Association (HBA) Annual Meeting in September. Each year the HBA has recognized outstanding educators for their creative programs to teach baking to youth.

The association has two categories for educators to enter. Category I is designated for Family and Consumer Science teachers that teach baking in the classroom. Category 2 is designated for educators that teach baking in community programs such as 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, Camp Fire USA and other after-school or community programs. Adult or youth leaders are encouraged to share successful community baking programs.

Additional information, an application form for the 2005 Home Baking Association Educator Award and previous award-winning lesson plans can be found on the HBA web site. The deadline for entries is March 31, 2005.


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