4-H News:

National 4-H Leadership Trust Hosts Reception for PILD Lay Leaders

Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD) lay leaders learned more about the National 4-H Leadership Trust and its members at a special reception hosted for them by the Trust on April 19 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center.

PILD is a yearly public issue advocacy and leadership development conference in Washington, DC, organized by the Joint Council on Extension Professionals. Its lay leaders are from JCEP's member organizations: National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, National Association of County Agricultural Agents, National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals and Epsilon Sigma Phi.

The reception kicked off the Trust's quarterly meeting. It was a wonderful opportunity for PILD lay leaders to meet Trust members and learn more about the role of the National 4-H Leadership Trust as the deliberative body that crafts and implements a unified voice and a national presence for the stewardship of 4-H youth development as supported by the Cooperative Extension System and its partners. PILD lay leaders learned how the Trust offers a voice at the table for all 4-H partners and the individuals they represent and works to identify and promote action on emerging issues within the 4-H youth development movement.

In addition to good food and fellowship, PILD lay leaders were treated to a special performance by the Wisconsin PILD lay leaders and tours of the National 4-H Youth Conference Center, the premier meeting and conference center in the Washington, DC, area designed especially for youth.

To learn more about the National 4-H Leadership Trust, visit www.4hleadershiptrust.org. Go to www.jcep.org to learn more about the Joint Council of Extension Professionals and the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference.


Members of the National 4-H Leadership Trust met for their Spring 2005 quarterly meeting at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. Trust representatives and guests are front row from left: Susan Holder, Mississippi, Southern Region State 4-H Leader Representative; Joy Sparks, Delaware, Northeast Region State 4-H Leader Representative; Susan Halbert, National 4-H Council; Amber King, National 4-H Youth Directions Council Representative; and Jennifer Zaniewski, National 4-H Council; second row from left: Cathann Kress, National 4-H Headquarters at USDA; Don Floyd, National 4-H Council; Sharon Anderson, National 4-H Council; Jo Turner, Missouri, National State 4-H Leader Chair; Mary Williams, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Representative; and Lisa Lauxman, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Representative; third row from left: Dan Miller, 4-H Volunteer Leaders Representative; Dyremple Marsh, Delaware, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions Representative; Greg Hutchins, Wisconsin, North Central Region State 4-H Leader Representative; Gina Eubanks, Louisiana, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions Representative; Johnathan Despain, Wyoming, Western Region State 4-H Leader Representative; and Nancy Swanson, South Dakota, State 4-H Foundations Representative. Not pictured are Andrew Dunckelman, National 4-H Youth Directions Council Representative, and Ivory Lyles, Arkansas, Extension Directors Representative.
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4-H Community ATV Safety Program 2005 Youth Grant Program

Funding provided by American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America to create or enhance youth-lead local/state ATV safety projects

Grants of $7,500 each
Application Deadline: June 3, 2005

Since accidents happen to people riding ATVs, all riders (in particular youth) and parents need to be educated about safe operation of ATVs before they climb on board. The 4-H Community ATV Safety Program 2005 youth grant program will provide community action grants of $7,500 to create or enhance local or state ATV safety projects which provide opportunities for young people and adults to take action on the issue of ATV safety to influence the behavior of people throughout a community. Youth are expected to lead in the design of the project, the proposal writing process, the implementation and the evaluation of funded projects. Adults work with youth, providing guidance and support. A 50 percent match of the grant request in cash and/or in-kind contributions is required.

Projects must support achievement of Program goals:
to educate and inform pre-teen, teen, and adult ATV riders about safe riding techniques and practices;
to help pre-teens and teens increase their critical thinking and life skills as well as enhance their abilities to assess risk and solve problems regarding the use of ATVs by youth under the age of 16 years;
to educate parents and other caregivers to protect young riders through supervision and monitoring; and
to help communities address issues related to safe use of ATVs.

Proposals must detail:
evidence of youth/adult partnerships in designing and implementing activities that foster the Essential Elements of 4-H in youth: belonging, mastery, independence and generosity;
how sites will use the ATV Adventures! Fit To Ride leader's guide and other Program educational materials in conducting their project; and
expected youth/adult/community reach and impact for educational sessions in three timeframes: less than one hour, one to four hours, and more than 4 hours.

Grants are offered only to 4-H/Extension Programs in the United States and its territories. If you are not a part of 4-H, we encourage you to contact your local Cooperative Extension office and become a project collaborator!

The RFP and information on the Leader's Guide, other educational materials and the Essential Elements of 4-H can be found at www.atv-youth.org. Completed applications are due on Friday, June 3, 2005. If you have any questions, email Sheila Chaconas at schaconas@fourhcouncil.edu.

If you, or someone you know, are looking for more grant opportunities, make sure to stay posted for news on the new National 4-H Council Grants Blog...coming soon! Information on current grant opportunities will remain posted on the grants blog until application deadlines close.


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Senators Join Together to Support 4-H

(Washington, DC) Recognizing the importance that youth groups play in shaping tomorrow's leaders, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has joined with Senators Conrad Burns (R-MT), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) in establishing the Senate 4-H Caucus. With more than seven million school-age participants, 4-H is the largest non-school youth organization in the country. Senator Harkin and his colleagues appreciate the role 4-H plays in promoting leadership among rural, urban and suburban youth from every state in the nation and are seeking to give 4-H a stronger voice in Congress.

We have a responsibility to provide every child the best opportunity to succeed, and 4-H is a tremendous example of the right way to go about it, Harkin said. From the farm to the city, school-age kids across the country are benefiting from the life skills 4-H teaches. I am honored to join with my colleagues to form a coalition that will give a voice to the needs of this valuable program in Congress.

More than a century ago, the first 4-H clubs were formed to promote the importance of agriculture. While agriculture and rural values remain a large part of 4-H, the organization has grown to include young people from all backgrounds and types of communities. Through after-school programs, bilingual projects, technology clubs, partnerships with the military and many other innovative approaches 4-H remains contemporary and relevant to children, their families, and their neighborhoods. 4-H stands for "head", "heart","hands", and "health".

The Senate 4-H Caucus will not only serve as an advocate for 4-H but will directly support the 4 H youth in governance initiative. This important initiative helps provide greater access to and understanding of the democratic process. Senate support for this grassroots effort is an important opportunity to encourage and mentor tomorrow's leaders.

The value of organizations such as 4-H cannot be overstated, Harkin said. I hope that many other senators will join with Senators Burns, Dorgan, Bayh, Conrad and me to support this worthwhile group and actively work to provide young Americans the tools they need to succeed.

The group of five senators is currently circulating what is known as a Dear Colleague letter asking other senators to join the Senate 4-H Caucus.
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Arkansas 4-H Teaching the Power of One

Combining technological learning and expertise with community service, the attendees of the first-ever Arkansas 4-H Technology Conference confidently clicked, edited and programmed their way through three different technology projects global positioning systems (GPS), robotics and digital filmmaking and, most importantly, learned the true Power of One.

This phrase served as the theme for a conference designed to inspire the participants from from Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana and South Carolina to take what they learned back to their communities and share with fellow 4-Hers. Our goal is for you to be able to take your knowledge and teach what we're teaching you here to your county and other youth. You are all the seed, said 15-year-old Elise Snoddy, one of the teachers of the digital filmmaking track.

The 30-member-strong Arkansas 4-H Tech Team seamlessly planned and executed the conference, which was held at the C.A. Vines 4-H Center. Team Advisor Willa Williams was proud of the dedication that the team put into the conference. This is really cool because I feel like I expect a lot. I was surprised at how responsible they were and how much they really care about doing a good job they're an exemplary group of kids, Williams said.

Conference attendees selected the track they were most interested in and were led through activities and lessons by the Tech Team members themselves.

Traipsing through the pristine Arkansas wilderness, GPS teams snapped pictures and marked way points along the trails of the Gillam Park area near Little Rock, AR. The GPS track worked with the local chapter of the Audubon society to begin to map the area, located in a historically minority neighborhood in Little Rock that has fallen into disrepair. The youth in the track were tasked with mapping trails, taking photos and linking the data from the natural areas to the local Audubon website, marking natural areas, glades, ecosystems and any evidence of animal movement with digital cameras and GPS devices. This information was then uploaded to the Audubon website for the public to view. The meticulous concentration of the GPS track members as they completed the project will make their contributions invaluable to the future of Gillam Park.

Gillam Park is an important area to reclaim historically, environmentally and ecologically, said Elaine Snoddy, 4-H volunteer and parent of two tech team members.

The robotics track worked with Robolab software from Carnegie Mellon University to learn how to program and operate Lego robots. The track members applied practical concepts from science, engineering and mathematics to program the constructed robots to perform particular tasks and respond to touch and light sensors. Their goal was to increase proficiency in working with the robotics software and equipment by collaborating in teams to share tips as they tested their robots on activities in a trial-and-error fashion.

The digital filmmaking track applied their skills in every aspect of filmmaking, storyboarding, editing and working with audio and lighting to participate in the Library of Congress? Veterans? History Project. They first worked with the State Extension office to learn the tricks of the trade and created several short film interviews for practice before tackling the major task of documenting the memories of seven veterans.

John Gallagher, 17, of Illinois was pleased with the skills he picked up in just a few days of filmmaking. I learned how to position the camera, how to edit and capture video and working with the lighting of the person, John said, emphasizing how this proficiency would help with future videos he plans to produce.

Overall, these youth were unwavering in their belief that technology has a rightful place in the 4-H mosaic. More and more people have started doing illustrated talks and demonstrations with computers instead of displays and posters. It's a big project for people in 4-H now, 15-year-old David Phillips said.

Despite the fact that some may perceive this focus on technology as moving away from 4-H's agricultural roots, the tech kids are less quick to recognize this as a dramatic shift. 4-H is doing what we've always done, says John Wray, 18, a member of the Arkansas 4-H Tech Team. 4-H was started to train youth in the technology of the day for farming. What we're doing now is learning in the new fields: GPS, robotics, digital filmmaking.

As the conference came to a close, the positive buzz that kicked off the weekend had elevated to a comfortable chatter as participants traded e-mails no snail mail for these tech savvy youth?
and agreed that they were walking away with new expertise to share with their 4-H friends back home. I want you to use the information you've learned at the tech conference and be a leader, urged Conference Facilitator Stephanie Richey, 18. That is the power of one.


Participants in the 2005 Arkansas 4-H Technology Conference use their GPS equipment to map trails in historic Gillam Park.


4-Hers in the robotics track watch intently as their robot takes a test run.
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Montana 4-H Featured in Montana Kids Magazine

The Montana 4-H Youth Development Program was recently featured in the Montana Kids magazine. The article was a great way for Montana 4-H to show off their successes. Below is an excerpt from the story, which you can continue reading at www.4husa.org:

Sure, you've probably heard of 4H. But what's your image of 4-H? Cows and cooking? Sows and plows? Well, it may surprise you today, it's that and a WHOLE LOT more.

Montana 4-H offers more than 200 educational projects to youth ages 6-18 years of age. Working with a caring adult or parent, young people in this state can explore their own interests and build skills while learning leadership, citizenship and other critical life skills.

You had no idea you say? Well keep reading because you're about to discover more. For example, did you know that Montana 4-H has a skateboarding project? Or a cowboy poetry project to teach kids how to write their own original verse and perform it in front of audiences And 4-H has incorporated technology in lots of ways from digital photography, to computerized sewing machines, to GPS mapping and web page design. In 4-H, what kids can do is only limited by their imagination which means the sky is the limit.

Click here to continue reading this great story!
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Resources and Opportunities:

2005 National Youth Summit

The 2005 National Youth Summit is just around the corner. The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is hosting its next conference from July 28-30, 2005 in Washington, DC.

The conference, Youth in Action, Making a Difference, is open to all young people and adults who work with young people. Discussions will be focused around Youth and Public Policy, Youth and the Economy, Youth and Community Service and Youth and Creativity. Visit www.ncfy.com for registration and information.

The 2005 National Youth Summit is planned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Family and Youth Services Bureau in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of: Agriculture, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Labor, and The Corporation for National and Community Service and America's Promise.

To download a color copy of the Summit brochure, go to www.ncfy.com/Summit/Brochure2005.pdf
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Free Model Rocketry Materials Available

Free educational information for model rocket clubs are available at located at www.modelrockets.us. The site provides links to technical publications for educators and periodical articles on model rocketry. Pass the word!
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Arabian Horse Association Provides Opportunities for Young Riders

A variety of opportunities are available for young riders through the Arabian Horse Association. Check out the latest news at: www.arabianhorses.org. Upcoming events include the AHA's Creative Contest, a $2,500 Scholarship for youth who ride Arabian Horses, youth membership and the AHA Trail Ride Debut.
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Online Action Center Gives Youth a Platform on Policy Issues

More than 30 of the country's leading national youth organizations have joined forces for improving policies and programs for children and youth. The new, online Youth Policy Action Center, generously supported by the award winning technology of Capitol Advantage, will help youth and concerned adults contact elected officials about important programs and initiatives, especially in the critical days before votes in Congress. The Action Center gives young people a platform on which to stand and be counted in national debate and dialogue. It also gives youth organizations a way to act together and increase their effectiveness. For more information about this resource, or to sign up for bi-weekly updates, visit www.youthpolicyactioncenter.org.
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NetAid Looking for High School Students to Fight Global Poverty

NetAid is a non-profit organization that educates, inspires and empowers young people to take action against global poverty. The NetAid Global Citizen Corps (GCC) encourages student leaders to educated and mobilize their peers. GCC Leaders work with NetAid and each other to implement a series of Global Action Days at their school as in their communities.

The NetAid Global Action Awards are also available to recognize young people who have organized and led a project that has helped improve the lives of people living in poverty around the world, or has raised awareness about global poverty in their own community. Honorees receive $5,000 for college or a charitable cause of their choice, and a trip to New York City for the Awards celebration. To learn more or to fill out an application, go to www.netaid.org.
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