4-H News:

Digital Camera Promotion on 4HUSA.ORG

Click! Snap! Flash! Say cheese! Participate in the 4HUSA.ORG digital camera giveaway promotion.

It's a snap! Register at 4HUSA.ORG (It's free!), upload your favorite photos of 4-H related activities into the photo gallery album with the 4-H Photo Promo icon, and you may win a Kodak digital camera in our random photo promotion. Upload as many photos as you wish. 4HUSA.ORG digital camera giveaway promotion ends at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2005. Showcase your snapshots here!

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4-H Afterschool Featured in April Better Homes & Gardens

If you see the April Better Homes & Gardens Magazine on the newsstand, make sure to pick up a copy. 4-H Afterschool is featured on Page 182 of this national magazine!

The magazine article recognizes that parents are worried about how their children are spending their hours directly after school. With youth crime statistics unfortunately on the rise today, this need for after-school programming continues to grow. But according to a recent study by the Afterschool Alliance, 4-H and other youth development organizations across the nation are helping to lower this statistic.

It is estimated that more than 14 million young people are left alone in the hours directly after school, and many times it's during these hours when youth get into the most trouble. Although 4-H has been helping to solve this problem with more than a century of educational programming, the need to target 4-H programs in those hours that are the most dangerous has risen and, in 2002, 4-H Afterschool was created.

Young people throughout the 4-H community are getting involved in 4-H Afterschool and spending their time after school in new and meaningful ways. Clubs like the 4-H Afterschool program in Goldsboro, NC, and 4-H Afterschool volunteers like Heather and Heidi Ziegenmeyer in Michigan enjoy learning and mentoring through the 4-H Afterschool curriculum.

Heidi recalls one student she has worked with in 4-H Afterschool. There was this kid named Jacob who had trouble with certain words, and when he would get a word right, he'd get this big smile on his face. I felt like I was really helping him.

If you or someone you know wants to get involved in the 4-H Afterschool program go to www.4hafterschool.org today!

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National 4-H Youth Conference Center Gets Ready for 75th National 4-H Conference!

The National 4-H Youth Conference Center is buzzing as preparations are underway for the 75th National 4-H Conference.

More than 300 youth and adult delegates will participate in this 4-H tradition, which starts on April 1, 2005. The conference started in 1927 and was then known as "National 4-H Club Camp." Delegates slept in tents on the national mall in front of the United States Department of Agriculture building. Held annually, except for several years during World War II, the camp eventually moved from the mall and became National 4-H Conference. It now convenes at its home since 1959, the National 4-H Youth Conference Center, just outside of Washington DC.

Since its inception, National 4-H Conference has engaged youth, 4-H staff and volunteers in discussions and captured recommendations to inform the Secretary of Agriculture and administrators about USDA's youth development program: 4-H.

Learn more about this year's conference "Build the Future Tag, You're IT!" on the 2005 National 4-H Conference Web site.

National 4-H Headquarters is collecting stories from past National 4-H Conference participants. Participants of all ages are invited to share their fondest National 4-H Conference memories. To send in your memory click here.

Learn more about the National 4-H Youth Conference center by clicking here.

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Link Your Website to 4HUSA.ORG

Have 4-Hers throughout America connect to each other at 4HUSA.ORG! The 4HUSA Web Crew has created buttons so that webmasters can link to this site for the community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. With blogs, message boards, the latest 4-H news and links to every 4-H website in the country, youth today are using 4HUSA.ORG to get involved and stay in touch with 4-H!

The buttons, seen below, are available to download here. There are seven versions of the buttons so find the one that matches your website today!

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Maine 4-H Alumnus Publishes First Book

Chevy Chase, MD 4-H alumnus, Matt Watier, has published his first children's book, A.N.T.S: Another Nice Tasty Sweet.

A.N.T.S is Watier's first book as both an author and illustrator. It is the story of an insect community who finds the answer to a sticky problem by listening to their children. A giant sweet roll has dropped in their path. How shall they bring it home when it is beyond their combined strengths The answer and the moral are wrapped in a whimsical story and enchanting paintings.

The book is the result of many years of hard work. That work began in a very familiar place Watier's 4-H club where the 25-year-old Union, ME, native focused on art and drawing. As a child, he often found himself waiting for other classmates to finish their work during class. So Watier would draw to keep himself busy.

Beginning 4-H at five years old, Watier's first projects included helping his family raise sheep. But soon after, as he and his sister began to discover their individual skills, Watier turned to graphic design. His 4-H involvement and love for art won him a trip to National 4-H Congress. His art is also what gave him the chance to get involved with 4-H at a national level. His design for the 1994 National 4-H Conference logo was chosen, and from then he knew that he was destined for a career in art.

During college at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Watier continued to work with 4-H in designing the 4-H the Power of YOUth logo and one of the original site designs for www.4Hmall.org.

Watier drew his first illustration in sixth grade and later realized that illustrating children's books was his calling. I was in a bookstore once, and I saw a husband and his pregnant wife. The husband noticed a children's book on the shelf and immediately recalled the days of his childhood. The man told his wife, I want to get this for my son to read. It was then, Watier said, that I knew I wanted to create a children's book a book that will have that same impact on people.

Watier is thrilled that his first published book is a collaborative piece with his father, Roland Watier. My father approached me and asked if I wanted to illustrate one of his tales. He is a professional storyteller, and I naturally was excited about illustrating one of his oral stories. I wanted to pick a story that would stand out style-wise from my other books, so I picked the one called The Giant Sweet Roll, which through many editorial revisions is now called A.N.T.S, he explained.

A.N.T.S: Another Nice Tasty Sweet is available here. Keep an eye out for much more to come from this talented 4-H alumnus!

Maine 4-H alumnus Matt Watier has published his first book, A.N.T.S: Another Nice Tasty Sweet.


I can cut off a piece of the sweet roll, said Jules to the ants, a piece just big enough for me to carry over the log.
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Animal Safety Resource Materials Available for 4-H Educators

All About Animal Safety is an educational packet useful in numerous educational settings such as afterschool, school enrichment classes, farm safety day camps and 4-H club meetings. These resources are useful to pet owners, farm families who raise livestock and anyone who loves animals. Additionally, all children need to know how to act/react when near animals that exhibit signs of excitement or wild animals that may have diseases, etc.

How can we help youth avoid accidents, injuries and illnesses, Many 4-H/FFA members raise and show various species of livestock at county, state and national shows. They spend time daily with animals and must remain safety conscious. The lessons encourage safe practices through the use of hands on games and activities with evaluation tools to help children learn how to be safe around animals.

Click here for more information.

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Resources and Opportunities:

School Grants Available for Top Teachers

The MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award recognizes outstanding educators in the public school system. The 2005 award honors middle school, junior high and high school teachers who make extraordinary efforts to strengthen their schools and communities.

MetLife Foundation and the National Civic League understand the important role schools play in their communities. Research has shown an increased sense of alienation among students, teachers and parents at the secondary school level. Secondary school educators face considerable challenges in achieving a sense of community within their schools and extending that relationship to those who live and work in the surrounding area. We recognize those special individuals who are making an impact within and beyond their schools.

Please note, the 2005 program will include educators from middle schools and high schools in the listed school districts listed here. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2005. To nominate an outstanding teacher in your community click here.

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CAPCO Science Class Challenge

Attention all 4-H school groups! You can participate in the CAPCO Science Class Challenge and win $500 to $5,000 for your school. For grades 4-9, the competition is meant to encourage students and teachers to learn about the Earth's protective upper ozone layer, CFCs and the environment by using provided activities or their own creative methods.

The contest is open to teachers with classes in grades 4-9. The deadline is May 13, 2005. For more information click here.

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