4-H News:

4-H Member on Friday’s Martha Stewart

(Springboro, Ohio)—4-H member Brian Kessie, 12, will share all he knows about bugs on the Friday broadcast of "Martha," the new Martha Stewart show.

Kessie is a member of the Sparks 4-H Club in Warren County, Ohio. He was chosen by the show’s producers from about two dozen possible 4-Hers suggested from around the country.

This past summer, Brian’s insect collection won the top prize at the Ohio State Fair in the advanced division of "Exploring Our Insect World," a category normally entered by 4-H members 14 or older.

"He started in 4-H with a fishing project five years ago, but started collecting insects when the fish weren't biting," said his mother, Sally. An older 4-H member mentored him, teaching him how to prepare a collection and mount insects. Since then, Brian has collected six boxes of insects, which are traveling with the family to New York City for the show.

Brian has loaned his collection to high school biology classes, an after-school art class and local park programs. Last week, he shared it with the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton for a possible showing in the spring, his mother said.

Brian is the son of Sally and Andy Kessie of Springboro, and he and his twin sister, Rachel, are home-schooled. He has been a member of 4-H for five years, and has taken projects in natural resources, electricity, and aerospace.

Over the last four years, Brian has taken nine projects to the Ohio State Fair and all have been awarded “Outstanding of the Day” ribbons and six have received first place in their category.

“It has truly been a wonderful experience for him,” Sally said.

To find out when “Martha” airs in your area, visit www.marthastewart.com.

Brian Kessie the morning of his Martha Stewart show taping with L to R: Gwyn Donohue of National 4-H Council, his mom and 4-H club leader Sally Kessie, his twin sister and fellow Sparks 4-H Club member Rachel, and his dad Andrew.
Return to top

National 4-H Council Announces Youth in Governance Grants Opportunity

National 4-H Council announces the availability of federal grant funds and requests applications from land grant university 4-H/youth development programs to launch an innovative Youth in Governance program.

Youth will be engaged in decision-making processes and develop leadership skills by preparing them, in partnership with adult leaders, to meet immediate needs and improve the quality of life in their communities. Engaging Youth Serving Community year four is a competitive grants program focused on rural communities, supported by national training, to provide state/local training and development, implementation and evaluation of community based issues forums and action plans.

Up to 16 grants of $25,000 each will be awarded. If federal funding continues, it is expected that university grantees (and associated local sites) will be funded for up to three years total. Universities are welcome to submit applications individually or in collaboration. Universities do not need to have participated in EYSC 1, 2 or 3 in order to qualify.

The two documents needed to apply for funding, the EYSC4 Request for Applications and EYSC4 Application Form, can be downloaded from the National 4-H Council Web site at http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/RuralYouthDevProgram.aspx. Applications and all supporting documentation (an original and five sets of copies) must be received by Sally Miske at National 4-H Council by 5 p.m. EST Friday, November 11, 2005. Faxed and e-mailed versions are not acceptable.

A technical support conference call is scheduled for potential land-grant university applicants on Friday, October 21,2005 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST to answer questions about the program design and application process. Those wishing to participate in the call need to register by e-mailing Joanne Leatherman at jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu by Thursday, October 20. The call-in number and pass code will be emailed back. Questions also can be asked of Sally Miske at the National 4-H Council exhibit at the NAE4-HA Conference in Seattle, WA Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 2005. Otherwise all land-grant university applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact Sally Miske at smiske@fourhcouncil.edu or (301) 961-2904.
Return to top

Check Out the Latest from the National 4-H Supply Service

The National 4-H Supply Service has a wide selection of great items that are sure to meet the needs of your 4-H office or club. Visit the 4-hmall now to browse these selections, plus hundreds more:

1. Click here for 4-H Halloween bags and candy. At our new low price, the 4-H Halloween bags are sure to be a part of your party/event planning.
2. Click here for John Deere 4-H items. Two American legends, 16 cool products.
3. Click here for Ty 4-H Beanie Babies Collectible Bear. See our exclusive version of this bear and get yours today.
4. Click here for 4-H wristbands. These have proven to be effective fundraising items and also nice giveaways.
5. Click here for 4-H scrapbooking supplies. Check out our new 4-H scrapbooking paper, stickers and note cards.

Make sure to check out www.4-hmall.org regularly for new products!

Return to top

Four Receive NEAFCS National 4-H Afterschool Award of Excellence

(Philadelphia)—Four 4-H Afterschool educators are the recipients of the NEAFCS National 4-H Afterschool Award of Excellence, sponsored by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund.

Sheryl A. Nolen of Conroe, Texas, Mary Ann Klinger Oyler of Chambersburg, Pa., Maisielin Ross of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Juanita O. Waits of Phoenix, Ariz., were presented with the award at the annual meeting of National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 28, 2005.

This award recognizes four members of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS), a Cooperative Extension professional organization, for excellence in development and implementation of after-school programming or for providing enrichment to ongoing programs through curriculum and/or training for staff.

4-H Afterschool trains after-school educators to develop quality programs and collaborate with other youth organizations to create safe after-school communities for children across America in which youth learn leadership, citizenship and life skills.

The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports programs designed to keep kids safely and constructively engaged during out-of-school time. The Fund’s contributions allow for the creation and continuance of Afterschool programs aimed at the academic, physical and social development of children throughout the United States.

Visit www.4husa.org or www.4hafterschool.org for more information about 4-H and 4-H Afterschool.
Return to top

Call for Proposals for 2006 CYFAR Conference

The CYFAR 2006 conference committee invites pre-conference workshop proposals and conference workshop, poster session, computer lab and program showcase proposals for presentations at CYFAR 2006. The conference will be held May 16-19, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Ga.

Individuals and teams with information that can help conference participants reach their CYFAR program and professional development goals are encouraged to submit proposals. Proposals for workshops, poster sessions, program showcase exhibits, or computer labs that address issues surrounding the sustainability of community-based programs and institutionalization of work with at-risk audiences are strongly encouraged.

Pre-conference proposals should be submitted by email as indicated on the pre-conference proposal form. You should submit your conference proposals using the online proposal submission form. Deadline for all proposals is November 14, 2005.

Click here for more information.
Return to top

Carve a 4-H Jack-O-Lantern This Halloween

4-H Jack-O-Lantern patterns are available for your pumpkin carving this Halloween. Four patterns are available. To download the patterns click here.

To help you in pumpkin carving, you can use tools available at most grocery stores, or use your own. A good how to guide is available at www.pumpkinmasters.com.
Return to top

This Edition's Top 4-H Headlines

As always, young people in 4-H are making headlines in newspapers across the country! Check out 4HUSA.org to read the following stories and more!

Michigan: Students Provide Hurricane Aid
Texas: El Paso 4-H Walks Across Texas for National 4-H Week
Ohio: Adams County celebrates National 4-H week
Massachusetts: Helping Hands from Jr Fair Directors

Return to top

Resources and Opportunities:

Learn More during National Disability Awareness Month

Take some time to learn more about living with a disability during October, National Disability Awareness Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sponsoring a Web site which helps young people and youth workers understand more about the experience of having a disability. Young people who visit the site learn with the help of KQ, the Kids’ Quest friend who leads them through their questions. Click here to visit the site.
Return to top

General Hugh Shelton National Student Leadership Scholarship

The General Hugh Shelton National Student Leadership Scholarship application is available for high school students. The scholarship is valued at $10,000 per year (and renewable), plus an annual $2,500 stipend for external leadership experiences such as study abroad.

Click here for a description of the scholarship, criteria and the application. The application deadline is November 5, 2005.
Return to top

National Science Foundation Funding Opportunity

The National Science Foundation is accepting proposals for youth-based projects which include activities (after-school and/or weekends) that focus on IT or IT-intensive STEM subject areas. Projects may include the creation of new instructional materials or may adopt or adapt existing curriculum materials and tools, including software, for use in an informal science education environment. Creation of innovative and creative models for engaging students in meaningful learning experiences is a priority. For the purposes of ITEST, the definition of informal learning is that it is voluntary, and primarily self-directed and independent learning.

Required preliminary proposals are due November 02, 2005, and the full proposal is due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time on February 24, 2006.

Click here for more information.
Return to top

Materials Available to Help Young People “Do Something” About Smoking

DoSomething.org has created a program to help young people lead the fight against secondhand smoke and cigarette use. The materials for Second Hand This! along with other engaging activities are available on the DoSomething.org Web site. DoSomething.org inspires, supports, and celebrates young people changing their world.
Return to top

Pathways to College Database Available

The Pathways to College Network has created a National Outreach Program Database which is an online resource for guidance counselors, students, families, outreach professionals and researchers looking for detailed information about specific programs and the services they offer. The database is available to all users without charge.

You may complete the online survey to add your program's information to the database. By adding your information, you will be helping students and families locate the programs that best meet their needs while building national awareness of college access programs and their vital role in preparing students for successful transitions into higher education.

Click here to add your program to the database.
Return to top