4-H News:

Going Places with 4-H
By Brian Kessie, Ohio 4-H Member

NEW YORK—Who would ever think that taking a 4-H project on insects would land me in New York City on the Martha Stewart Show! Certainly not me, but that is exactly what happened, and it is an experience that I will always be grateful for.

I have always enjoyed studying about insects, especially learning interesting and unique facts about specific insect orders. I also have found collecting insects an exciting hobby. In 2002 I took my first 4-H project, Fishing for the Beginner, and it was at the Warren County Fair that I met Christopher Skinner, an older 4-H member who had an incredible insect collection on display. After seeing what he had done, I knew that I wanted to do an entomology project. Lucky for me, Christopher volunteered to give me some pointers on collecting and preparing my insect collection.

Since then, I have been fortunate to place first in both entomology divisions at the Ohio State Fair over the last two years. But a unique experience that I will never forget is being a guest on the Martha Stewart Show in October.

I learned through working with four of Martha’s producers that she loves 4-H and had asked them to find a 4-H “bug expert” to be on a show she wanted to do on creepy crawlies. I was chosen to be that “bug expert,” and Vaia, one of the show’s producers, said it was not only because of my entomology knowledge, but also because of my communication skills! I guess I have to thank my mom for help in this area, as well as 4-H. My mom always encouraged my public speaking skills, and, through 4-H, I have had the opportunity to further develop my skills. I always have enjoyed discussing my projects with the judges at both the Warren County Fair and the Ohio State Fair. I think that is why I felt confident when I was talking to Martha on her show and not nervous. She just reminded me of one of the judges who were interested in my project.

Since the show I have received a lot of positive feedback from friends, families, 4-H members and even Extension agents from different counties in Ohio! It has also allowed me to tell other people about 4-H and all the various projects and opportunities that it offers its members. Most people are surprised to learn that I am a 4-H member who has never taken an animal project. So to borrow one of Martha’s favorite phrases: 4-H, it’s “a good thing!”

Brian Kessie and his family join Martha Stewart on the set following Brian's appearance on the show.
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Animals in Need Find Kansas 4-H Members With Caring Hearts
By Jessie Bullock, Kansas 4-H member

BASTROP, La.—Recently, my 4-H group had the opportunity to go on a trip to Louisiana to help out at an animal shelter affected by Hurricane Katrina. On Make A Difference Day, October 21-22, we went to Bastrop, La., and contributed to a local 4-H group’s animal shelter drive and delivered approximately five tons of supplies. Fourteen of us collected and delivered these goods all the way from Kansas.

Our 4-H group, KRYL, stands for Kansas River Youth Leadership. It is a leadership based group for high schoolers in Johnson and Leavenworth counties in Kansas. We meet about every once a month and develop our leadership skills through service learning in real life situations. We focus on a topic each meeting and explore this issue in numerous dimensions. Some things KRYL have done are sleep in a box for a night to raise awareness for homelessness, organize an event at a childcare center where English is a second language and visit with Kansas legislators. Through the KRYL program, I have many hands-on learning experiences, such as this trip to Louisiana.

The gratitude we received when we brought out supplies to the shelter was remarkable. The shelter itself was in very bad shape. They were overcrowded and used school buses as storage because “it was the cheapest they could find.” Along with the extra animals from Hurricane Katrina, the shelter desperately needed our help. When we started unloading our supplies, the owners and workers of the shelter were absolutely speechless.

All together, we collected approximately five tons of supplies. We collected 4662 pounds of dog food, 3151 pounds of cat litter, 977 pounds of cat food, more than 50 dog crates and kennels and 225 pounds of dog treats and bones. We also collected 579 towels and blankets, and many many smaller necessities like dog bowls, flea and tick medication and collars and leashes.

This experience was a very worthwhile. Not only did I get the pleasure of contributing to hurricane relief, but I got to experience it firsthand. I met 4-Hers from a different part of the country and learned about their lives. I personally collected and donated more than $300 of items to the animal shelter, and I got to see the joy we brought to some people’s lives. One man told us through his tears that he was so moved by our generosity, and he “had always seen things like this happen on TV but he never thought it would happen to him.” Meeting the people that we were helping had the most impact on me, and I never will forget this experience.
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A Familiar Face Leaves the National 4-H Youth Conference Center

CHEVY CHASE, Md.—Margaret Burris is a face many may recognize from the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. Margaret, who retired October 31, did far more than preside over the Campus Shop for 34 years. She was a friendly face to those who came to the 4-H campus for conferences and meetings. Many youth will not forget Margaret’s friendly manner as they visited the Campus Shop during their stay.

Margaret’s tenure began in November 1971 when she joined the housekeeping staff. Since then she has worked at the front desk and bookstore. The bookstore eventually became the Campus Shop. Today, the Campus Shop sits near the recreation center giving young people a place to get a snack, a trinket from our nation’s capital or a 4-H shirt.

4-H became part of Margaret’s life early on. She grew up in Campbell County, a scenic area rich in history located in south central Virginia. In seventh grade, Margaret was named president of the Campbell County 4-H Club.

Margaret’s departure is a loss for National 4-H Council, and those who attend the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. Margaret will miss working with the groups of young people and adults.

Thanks Margaret for all you have done for young people over the years!

Margaret stands in the Campus Shop before retirement from National 4-H Council after 34 years of service.
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Award-winning Cowboy Poetry Curriculum by MSU Author Spurs Culture in Kids
By the MSU News Service

BOZEMAN, Mont.—The Montana 4-H Cowboy Poetry Project by Kirk Astroth received the American Folklore Society Dorothy Howard Folklore and Education Prize, which honors works that encourage the study and use of folklore in education. Already found in 4-H programs, public schools, museums and bookstores in several western states, the project has also received mention in magazines like “Montana” and “Western Horseman.”

Like many 4-H experiences, the cowboy poetry project encourages kids to dive into public speaking, but this project does it through a fusion of cultural history and creative expression, said Astroth, director of the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development at MSU-Bozeman. While they practice lassoing the basics of rhyme and meter, kids in the project get a dose of history, discuss stereotypes, and get the chance to find out more about their own communities and families, among other things.

In addition to the obvious benefits of writing, thinking and public speaking skills, Astroth said he hoped the experience of writing cowboy poetry can help kids experience a sense of validation.

“I had seen research that shows kids in rural areas experience lower self confidence and are made to feel that their lives aren’t as meaningful as people who live in urban areas,” he said. “I wanted to help kids come to the realization that their experiences are as valuable as anyone else’s.”

Lane Krutzfeldt, aged 10, and his brother Levi, 13, took the project last year as members of the Powderville Pioneers club in Custer County. But both Krutzfeldt boys said they enjoyed listening to Montana poets on the audio CD that came with their 4-H Cowboy Poetry project books. The CD, produced with help from a Montana Arts Council grant, includes performances and instruction from Montana poets, Mike Logan, Gwen Petersen and Paul Zarzyski.

The Montana 4-H Cowboy Poetry Project book and CD are currently stocked by the Museum of the Rockies and the Gallatin County Pioneer Museum in Bozeman. To make a credit card order directly from MSU Extension Publications, call (406) 994-3273. The booklet, which includes the CD, costs $10. For further information on the 4-H Cowboy poetry curriculum contact the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development at MSU-Bozeman at (406) 994-3501.

Historic cowboy photos for MSU Extension author Kirk Astroth’s award winning “Spurrin’ the Words” Montana 4-H Cowboy Poetry Project book were provided by the Gallatin County Pioneer Museum in Bozeman. (Jay Thane photo)
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National 4-H Hall of Fame Inducts 20 Laureates

CHEVY CHASE, Md.—Twenty significant contributors to the 4-H youth development movement were inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame October 3, during a ceremony at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md. The laureates were honored for their lifelong dedication to 4-H during which they led state organizations, created innovative programming and developed and implemented new initiatives, among many other accomplishments.

Candidates were nominated by The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents; National 4-H Headquarters, USDA; National 4-H Council and state 4-H programs across the nation. A committee consisting of past 4-H Hall of Fame Laureates and representatives from NAE4-HA, National 4-H Council, National 4-H Headquarters and the National 4-H Youth Directions Council selected this year’s honorees.

4-H Hall of Fame laureates in the class of 2005 and their nominators are: James O. Baker, Delaware 4-H; Harold “Brownie” Brown, Maine 4-H; Glenn M. Bussett, Kansas 4-H; Bartley P. Cardon, Arizona 4-H; Sue Fisher, Minnesota 4-H; C. H. “Uncle Charlie” Hartley, West Virginia 4-H; Jesse Holloway, New Mexico 4-H; Stella Jones, Louisiana 4-H; Charles Dean McNeal, National 4-H Council; Cap E. Miller, Iowa 4-H; John T. Mount, Ohio 4-H; H. Joe Myers, Oregon 4-H; Jeanne Priester, National 4-H Headquarters; Leah Cox Hoopfer Ritchie, National 4-H Headquarters; James Taney, Utah 4-H; Nelson Trickey, Missouri 4-H; Hubert J. Wetzel, Illinois 4-H; W. Sherard Wilson, Maryland 4-H; Thomas L. Wilson, National 4-H Council; Mary Lee Wood, Idaho 4-H.

“4-H has a great legacy of dedicated and resourceful individuals who have joined together to make 4-H what it is today—a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills,” said NAE4-HA President Mary Williams. “We are proud to honor these 20 laureates and their contributions to the 4-H youth development program.”

American Income Life Insurance Company partnered with National 4-H Council to support the National 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony. Biographies, statistics, quotes and photos of the honorees can be found on the National 4-H Hall of Fame Web site at www.nae4ha.org/hof.
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4-H Extension Agents Better Their Best in the Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE—4-H professionals and Extension agents from across America gathered in Seattle to share ideas, learn about the latest trends in the 4 H movement and meet their colleagues at the annual conference of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) held Oct. 30-Nov. 4.

The NAE4-HA conference encouraged 4-H professionals to “Better your Best in the Pacific Northwest.” Through workshops and seminars, keynote speakers, exhibits and more, 4-H agents shared their best practices and learned from one another.

The 2006 conference will be held in Milwaukee, Wisc., from October 22 – 26, 2006. Proposals for presentations at the 2006 NAE4-HA Annual Conference must be submitted via the 2006 Conference Web site by midnight (CST) Central Standard Time, Saturday, January 15, 2006. Click here to view the 2006 NAE4-HA Conference site.

The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) is an internationally recognized, non-profit, non-partisan association of professional youth development educators. NAE4-HA is one of the largest professional associations for youth development workers with a diverse membership of nearly 3600 youth development professionals. To learn more click here.
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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!

California: A Whole New Perspective
North Carolina: N.C. 4-Hers Send 6,888 Hygiene Kits to Storm Zone
Tennessee: 4-H members Donate Food, Dollars to Local Food Ministries
Wyoming: 4-Hers Stare Down Impairment to Romp Through Life
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Resources and Opportunities:

CAPCO Science Class Challenge

Participate in the CAPCO Science Class Challenge and win $250 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. Teachers must be employed by a public or private school, or be a home school educator.

Deadline: May 8, 2006.

For more information visit: www.nocfcs.org/scc/scchome.htm.
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Calling All Heroes

Do you know a hero? If you do, consider nominating your hero for the Volvo for Life Awards, the nation’s largest annual search for and celebration of everyday heroes, with more than $1 million in financial contributions.

Now in its fourth year, the Volvo for life Awards honors individuals making outstanding contributions in the area of safety, environment or quality of life. Think you know someone who fits this description? If so, go to www.volvoforlifeawards.com to nominate a hero.

Nominations are due January 15, 2006. Volvo will select 100 semi-finalists in March, who will receive a Certificate of Merit to honor their accomplishments. From those 100 semi-finalists, Volvo will select the top three finalists in three categories: safety, quality of life and environment. From these finalists, celebrity judges –– including Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Caroline Kennedy, Maya Lin and Paul Newman –– will name one winner for each of the three categories. Winners will each receive $50,000 to be donated to the charities of their choice. The remaining six finalists will each receive a $25,000 charitable donation. The three category winners will be flown to New York to be honored at the Volvo for life Awards Ceremony, where an overall winner will be unveiled and presented with a Volvo car for life.

To learn more and to nominate a hero, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com.
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