A Real Nice Problem to Have

Reflections on dealing with the challenges of a growing 4H club:

http://robtimmins.blogspot.com/2011/01/real-nice-problem-to-have.html

Iowa 4-H’ers Get Health Care Reform ‘Civics Lesson’ While Attending National 4-H Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Health care reform protests on Capitol Hill gave four Iowa 4-H’ers a live-action civics lesson and a glimpse of history being made. The youth, Iowa’s delegates to the 80th annual National 4-H Conference, observed Americans sharing their voices during protests on Capitol Hill March 20 prior to passage of the health care reform bill March 21.
“Being in Washington, D.C., during the passing of the health care bill was historic because it demonstrated our first amendment rights. It also showed that we, the people, have the civic duty to protest if we do not agree with the system,” said Iowa delegate Grant Bargfrede, 18, of Ankeny.

Added Sara Rockow, 18, of Fort Dodge, “I was able to observe this historic event because of 4-H. 4-H has given me many opportunities to grow as a leader and a citizen.”
The other Iowa delegates who attended the conference from March 20-25 were Emma Christianson, 18, Lake Mills, and Natalie DeBerg, 18, Burlington. ISU Extension 4-H Program Specialist Annette Brown accompanied the youth.

Christianson said, “Attending National 4-H Conference taught me a lot about citizenship. I learned how important it is to be an active citizen by voting, communicating with your legislators or doing service learning to better your community. If we as citizens can do this, we can really make a difference.”

DeBerg added, “I learned about the importance of citizenship and that contributing to one’s community and state is vital for the growth of Iowa 4-H.”

The Iowa delegates also had the opportunity to meet with their legislators to discuss state 4-H programs. They met with Sen. Tom Harkin, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Rep. Dave Loebsack and advisees for Rep. Tom Latham and Rep. Leonard Boswell.

Some 300 youth and adults representing 4-H programs across the country, Canada and Puerto Rico gathered to exchange ideas, gain knowledge to share back at home and develop recommendations to help guide the future of 4-H programs nationally and in the their communities, Brown explained.

This year’s theme, “.COM -- Citizens on the Move,” focused on citizenship and youth civic engagement, she said. Through conference sessions and facilitated discussions, delegates learned and shared information on current trends and issues relevant to 4-H and youth programs, building effective partnerships, creating innovative 4-H programs, expanding the use of technology, working with diverse groups and impacting community needs.

The conference delegates also discussed how 4-H programs could further engage in citizenship efforts and develop young people to meet the challenges of the future. The recommendations were delivered to U.S. Department of Agriculture and 4-H officials.

The Des Moines Register and Monsanto sponsored the Iowa youth’s trip.

Bunk Beds Needed

A family in Polk County has recently taken on a few new additions to their home. Apparently the kids have come from a pretty rough place, and this family is in need of some bunk beds in order to make room for all the kids that are now under their roof. If anyone has or knows of anyone who can donate some bunk beds please contact the family by the means listed below.

Thanks,

Phil

Bob and Connie Probasco are the couple looking for the bunk beds. Their email address is rjprobasco1951@yahoo.com. Home phone number is 2(eight)7-3531.

Clothing Selection Workshop

An opportunity has surfaced to assist our 4-Hers to better understand how they can make clothes work for them. We will be talking about styles, shapes, colors… all those things that can help a person emphasize the “good” about their body shape and de-emphasize the “not-so-goods,” which we all have. This is NOT a “sales event” but an opportunity to learn why some things look great on one person and not so good on another and options for what we can choose instead. We’ll have door prizes and other give-aways and lots of fun trying on clothes!

RESERVATIONS NECESSARY!!! Limited enrollment – so, make your reservation NOW!

Please pass this information on to all your Intermediate & Senior 4-H girls! (Sorry, the store doesn’t carry sizes for our younger 4-Hers or for guys. L)


Diana Sosalla
4-H Volunteer Coordinator
ISU Extension, Polk County
1625 Adventureland Drive, Suite A
Altoona, Iowa 50009
Phone: (515) 957-5772
FAX: (515) 967-6164
www.extension.iastate.edu

Internship Opportunity in Marion County

Good Afternoon,

I am sending you information about an internship opportunity with the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation District, Office of Surface Mining, and South Central Solid Waste Agency. Applicants must be fulltime college students that are freshman or sophomores working towards a degree in an agricultural or environmental field of study. The internship is through the Marion County NRCS office in Knoxville, IA. The job description and application are available on the Marion County Extension website: www.extension.iastate.edu/marion/news/nrcsintern.htm . Please share this information with anyone that may be interested.

If you have any questions about the position please contact Jay Jung at the Marion County NRCS Office:
Jay Jung, USDA-NRCS, District Conservationist
1445 Lake Dr.
Knoxville, IA 50138
641-842-5314
jay.jung@ia.usda.gov

Thanks!!!

Kim Davis
County Youth Coordinator
ISU Extension - Marion County

Valentines to Deployed Units

Friends,

If you have clubs asking for addresses to send Valentines to deployed units, go to http://www.iowanationalguard.com/PublicAffairs/Duty/DeployedUnitAddresses.htm for unit addresses.

Thanks!

Chris

Ms. Chris D. Gleason, MPA, CHES
4-H Program Specialist
AYDP State Military Liaison
Operation: Military Kids Project Director
Iowa 4-H Youth Development
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3630

Essay Contest

Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to pass along information regarding an essay contest that 4-H’ers from across the state might be interested in entering. The contest is a wonderful opportunity for 4-H youth to highlight their incredible communication/writing skills and their understanding of civic issues. For over 25 years the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, Iowa Department of Education, and the State Historical Society of Iowa have co-sponsored this statewide essay contest for 6-9 grade students.

Essay Focus:
Students are encouraged to choose a woman, preferably from Iowa, from any historical period, past or present, and write about the accomplishments of her life and how she has made a difference to the student and to society in the social justice and civil rights arena. Although Iowa women are preferred and encouraged, the subject of the essay may be a woman from another state or another country.

Timeline:
Essays and entrance forms must be e-mailed to women@iowa.gov no later than Friday, January 29th, 2010.

Awards:
Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winner in each of the 6-7th grade and 8-9th grade divisions (first place - $100, second place - $75, and third place - $50). Special awards are given to the best essays on women in science and engineering. All winners will be honored in a ceremony at the State Capitol and introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

For more information, please link to http://www.women.iowa.gov/about_women/womens_history/essay_contest.html

All the best!
Keli
***********************************************
Keli Tallman
4-H Youth Development Program Specialist
Iowa 4-H Youth Development
Extension 4-H Youth Building, ISU
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
ph: (515) 294-0688