4-H News:

Clover Corner News: Grants Edition About to Arrive

Clover Corner News: Grants Edition is about to arrive! The site will be a one-stop spot to check out which grants are available from National 4-H Council. Those who belong to the grants email listserve will be the first to know about grant opportunities.

To join the National 4-H Council Grants Announcement listserve go to: http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/pGrants.aspx and enter your email address. As grants are announced, you will receive an email link to the Clover Corner News: Grants Edition blog that will have the up-to-date information on available grants.

The bi-monthly issues of Clover Corner News will have a link to Clover Corner News: Grants Edition so you can continue to check out the latest grant news.


Clover Corner News: Grants Edition will be available for all those interested in receiving grants from National 4-H Council.
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MetLife Foundation Youth in Governance Grantees Awarded

National 4-H Council and the MetLife Foundation heartily congratulate the grantees listed below on securing grants to improve existing or increase new youth in governance work in twelve states. By December 2005, the grantees are expected to reach between 300 and 500 youth and adults through trainings and related projects. The overall goal of the grant program is to increase knowledge and activity relevant to youth in governance.

The people listed below are the youth and adult leaders on each grant.

Sabrina Balch and Evelyn Rachell - Alabama
Amy Adamcin and Lisa Lauxman - Arizona
Jennifer Washman and Steven Worker - California
Abigail Crawford and Wendi Zimmerman - Florida
Nekesha Randall and Kimberly Anderson - Georgia
Georgette Lopes-Liutolo and Christine Hanakawa - Hawaii
Michael Cooley and Brenda Allen - Iowa
Tess Ludwick and Justin Wiebers - Kansas
Jamie Lynn Lippy and Denise Frebertshauser - Maryland
Stephanie Schindler and Steve Henness - Missouri
Eric Larsen and Kirk Astroth - Montana
Kerry Nugent and Warren Crawford - Wyoming

Youth in Governance is one of the five national initiatives in the 4-H movement. The initiative ensures that young people and adults are given an equal voice in decision-making at all levels of programs, organizations and communities that effect youth. For more information on Youth in Governance grants, contact Karen Blaney at kblaney@fourhcouncil.edu or 301-961-2819.
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ATV Riding Tips for Safe Summer Fun

Washington, DC - Memorial Day weekend signals the start of summer fun for many people, a time for enjoyable outdoor activities such as riding ATVs (all-terrain vehicles). But ATV safety should never be taken lightly. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 125,500 people have been seriously injured in ATV-associated accidents since 1982, and more than 5,700 people have been killed. Children are at the highest risk, with the under-16 age group accounting for more than 31% of injuries in 2003.

The 4-H Community ATV Safety Program recommends these tips for ATV safety:
SELECT the right model ATV. Make sure it is right for age, size, strength and skill level. Kids under age 16 years should not be riding ATVs with engine size over 90cc and under age 12 should not be riding an ATV with an engine size 70cc or greater.
PROTECT your body. At a minimum, always wear a helmet, face shield or goggles, long sleeved shirt, gloves, long pants and leather boots. The helmet should be designed for motorcycle use, properly fitted and comply with current US Department of Transportation safety standards.
RESPECT yourself, proper use of roads and trails, other people and laws. The top risk factors involving ATV accidents include riding double and riding on pavement. Never carry a passenger or hitch a ride. Ride only on designated trails, never on or alongside paved roads. Be courteous to hikers, bikers, cars and other ATV operators. Supervise children riding ATVs at all times. Learn and follow your state's ATV operation laws and read the manufacturer's warning label on every machine.
INSPECT your vehicle. Maintain recommended tire pressure, make sure your brakes are adjusted correctly, check that fuel and oil levels are sufficient, ensure that all connections and cables are secure and test your headlights and taillights.
PERFECT your skills. Learn proper handling of your ATV by reading the safety manual that came with your ATV when it was purchased new and taking an approved safety course from a certified instructor.

The 4-H Community ATV Safety Program brings together youth and adults at local workshops to learn proper gear, rules and riding techniques. For more information, visit www.atv-youth.org. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. To become part of the 4-H adventure, check out www.4husa.org.
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Rep. Adam Putnam Featured In Roll Call

Rep. Adam Putnam, a former Florida 4-Her, was featured in the May 19, 2005 issue of Roll Call, a newspaper for Congressional news and information. In 1992 he was president of the Florida 4-H Foundation and had a chance to meet then-first lady Barbara Bush.

During the 4-H Centennial, Rep. Putnam talked about what 4-H meant to him:

As a 10-year member, 4-H taught me the citizenship and leadership skills I use today and exposed me to volunteers and mentors who helped to mold me. I began as an 8-year-old showing a Hereford bull and worked up through the program to become president of the Florida 4-H Foundation. My experiences shaped my outlook on life and prepared me for the world way beyond county fairs and livestock shows. From public speaking to running an organized meeting, 4-H continues to instill a set of life skills in today's youth.

Putnam now represents the 12th District of Florida. He is currently in his third term and serves on the House Rules and Budget committees. Elected to Congress on November 7, 2000, Rep. Putnam is a native of Bartow, Florida and is a graduate of the University of Florida (BS, Food and Resource Economics). Prior to his election to Congress, he worked in his family's citrus and cattle business and served in the Florida House of Representatives. Putnam represented the 63rd District in the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000, serving as chairman of the Florida House's Agriculture Committee during the 1998-2000 term.


Rep. Adam Putnam (FL) pins a 4-H clover on former first lady Barbara Bush in 1992 at the Central Florida Fair in Orlando.
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Get on the 2006 Supply Catalog Source Book Mailing List

4-H Supply Service is working hard to produce the 2006 4-H Source Book. To ensure that everyone that needs a Source Book gets one, we are asking for you to now provide the addresses of everyone you would like to be included in our initial mailing this August.

You can have copies of the 2006 4-H Source Book sent directly to households on your mailing list and/or sent in bulk to your offices.

Please visit http://custom.4-hmall.org/catalogue/sourcebook.asp to submit your catalog requests online now or get more information.
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Kentucky 4-H Club Sponsors Crime Awareness Program

Parents learned about ways to be more aware of crime prevention during a community program in Hopkinsville, Ky. sponsored by the Christian County Extension Office and the Christian County Clovers 4-H Club. An FBI special agent, police detective and Kentucky State Police captain talked to parents and children about staying safe.

A FBI special agent, police detective and Kentucky State Police captain talked to parents and children about staying safe during a community program at the Christian County Extension Office.

FBI special agent Frank Charles, who is based in Christian County, gave the parents tips for keeping children safe:

1) Monitor your child's time online
2) Know who, what, where, when and why when they go out
3) Step in early to teach children about drugs

"If you suspect trouble, you've got to step up to the plate and be a parent," Charles said. "Kids may hate you for it now, but they'll love you for it later. You may be saving their life."

For more information on child crime prevention go to: http://www.fbi.gov/fbikids.htm
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Resources and Opportunities:

Graduate Student Fellowship Program Looking for Applicants

The Entomological Foundation announces the inauguration of the Pioneer Hi-Bred International Graduate Student Fellowship program to encourage an appreciation of the need for and the importance of the development and delivery of science-based solutions that make a difference in people's lives. More information can be found on their website. Applications are being accepted for the fellowship and must be postmarked by July 1, 2005. For a complete copy of the application guidelines write to the Entomological Foundation, Pioneer Fellowship Coordinator, 9332 Annapolis Rd., Suite 210, Lanham, MD 20706; call 301-459-9083; or visit http://www.entfdn.org/awards_education.php.

The winner will be selected by September 1, 2005.
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The Cool Spot for Youth to be Online

A new version of The Cool Spot (www.thecoolspot.gov), a youth alcohol prevention Web site, launched today. The site, aimed at 11- to 13-year-olds, was created by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The Cool Spot uses games, quizzes, and popular Japanese-inspired animation and graphics to inform middle school students about the risks of underage drinking and ways to resist peer pressure. A 10-question interactive quiz encourages students to glean some of the chief learning objectives. Middle school teachers, counselors, and after-school providers can have students complete and print the quiz to show they have grasped some basic prevention messages. For more information, call Maureen Gardner at 301-443-3860.
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Model Rocket Kits Available for 4-H Groups

For 4-H groups interested in building model rockets, Custom Rocket Company offers 4-H groups a discount. Visit their website to obtain information on all the products at: Customrocketcompany.com or write for free information at: Custom Rocket Company, PO Box 1865, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406-1865.
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Building a Youth Movement to Fight Global Poverty

NetAid Global Action Awards honor high school students in the U.S. who have taken outstanding actions to fight global poverty. Honorees receive $5,000 for their higher education or a charitable cause of their choice, and are recognized at an Awards celebration in New York City. High school students who are working to help the world's poor are encouraged to apply.

NetAid Global Citizen Corps trains and empowers high school leaders in the U.S. to raise awareness and take action to improve the lives of the world's poorest people. Selected students will have the opportunity to participate in an all-expenses-paid leadership summit in July with youth leaders from around the country.

Deadline: June 15, 2005
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