Monthly Archives: September 2015

2015 4-H Insect Collection Contest @ Hokie Bugfest

Good Morning Everyone,

It’s time to start collecting insects for the 2015 4-H Insect Collection Contest @ Hokie Bugfest. This year Bugfest will be held on October 17th, at the Inn at Virginia Tech. We encourage you to make an insect collection with your 4-H club and bring your collection for judging at Hokie Bugfest. A flyer is attached will full details about the contest. Prizes will be offered! Join us for a fun-filled and unforgettable day at Hokie Bugfest!

Thank you,

Stephanie

Stephanie L. Blevins
Consumer Education Project Manager
Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs
Department of Entomology
302 Agnew Hall (0409)
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
P: (540) 231-6543 F: (540) 231-3057

4-H Insect Collection Contest_Hokie Bugfest 2015

Director’s Update

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all of the outstanding opportunities you have provided for your members and volunteers this summer. I hope that you have also taken time for yourself and your family. Our family had a great beach vacation and I am grateful that the entire family could be there most of the week. As we conclude the 4-H year and prepare for the new one, I thought it would be appropriate to bring your attention to a few items.

If you have not visited 4-H.org lately, I would encourage you to check out all of the fabulous resources available to you to promote your program locally. In preparation for National 4-H Week, take a look at this site: http://www.4-h.org/resource-library/4H-marketing-online-resource-center/4H-campaign-assets/ . Here you will find high quality photos, posters, ads and other resources. Once you register, you can download materials.

Please take a few minutes to look at your data in the 4HOnline system. It is important that all youth and adults are enrolled. This data produces your unit ES237 report, the official record of the program that you provide leadership for at the unit level. It is very important that it is correct. If at all possible, individual member information is preferred so that you may use the information to market your programs, track member involvement over time, collect forms on-line, etc. If you did not open up for families to enroll last year, please consider doing so this year. Once the family is set up, the re-enrollment process will alleviate a lot of work for your UAA and members can track their projects and awards. Should you have questions or need assistance, please contact Tonya Price.

I know many of you are preparing for the State Fair. Don’t forget the new contest we are piloting at the Fair – The 4-H Lawn Tractor Safety Contest. I have attached the information. Registration is due September 12. Should you have questions, please contact Andy Seibel or Dan Swafford.

On a personal note, I sincerely appreciate your support this year with the passing of my parents and most recently with the car accident that my son and I were involved in. The notes, cards, and words of encouragement have been so uplifting. It is rewarding to work in an organization where folks care for and support each other.

Have a great week,

Cathy

Virginia 4-H Foundation – Chair’s Update

Dear Friends,

In a recent conversation with a young professional from Blacksburg, I mentioned that I was on the Virginia 4-H Foundation Board. She was quick to say, “I’m an All Star and I love 4-H!” As I shared with her our foundation goals she said the magic words, “I want to be involved, I want to give back. 4-H was so important to me. How can I help?”

Thank you, Heather! What a great response from a young adult who knows that 4-H made a difference in her life. The truth is, there are so many Heathers who feel the same way, and I want Mary Millerto let them know that it is easy to support the program that supported them.

Over the past few years I have tried never to miss an opportunity to speak to the breadth and depth of our programs, our outstanding professionals, and our volunteers who do so much. I am certain that, dollar for dollar, no better leadership development program has ever existed, and I want every young person in Virginia to have an equal opportunity to experience the benefits.

 Your Virginia 4-H Foundation Board has a new strategic plan, and we invite you to learn more about our work. I am proud to promote giving. I dream of a program that is not limited by resources, and I know I am not the only one. We are working to build a sustainable future for our programs, and we invite you to engage with us to make it happen.

I am so pleased to report that our goal to work with agents across the state to establish local endowments is having an impact. If your county does not have a local endowment, we would welcome an opportunity to discuss this opportunity with you. An agent, a volunteer, a parent, or a friend of 4-H can take the steps to establish an endowment — and we can help.

I invite you to join us by investing in 4-H. There has never been a better time to help us ensure a fulfilling future for our youth.

 I look forward to hearing from you.

 Sincerely,

 Mary Miller, Ph.D.

Chair, Virginia 4-H Foundation

4-H Foundation Summer Newsletter

Virginia 4-H Foundation, Hutcheson Hall (0419), 250 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 The Virginia 4-H Foundation is a division of the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., which has been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service. 

Local Program Endowments – Building Strong 4-H Programs, County by County

When you think of 4-H, other than the clover, what comes to mind first? Was it a best friend you made in your club? Was it the sense of accomplishment when you gave your first presentation? Was it your agent or your favorite volunteer, or all the fun you had at 4-H meetings? For many, it’s their local 4-H experience, one that often shapes a lifetime. For many donors, investing in local program endowments is a meaningful way to ensure 4-H is available for generations to come. While numerous programs currently benefit from local endowments, others are working on or would like to establish an endowment in the near future. To learn more about how you can ensure the 4-H legacy for your county program, contact the Virginia 4-H Foundation today.

4H MAP

4-H Foundation Summer Newsletter

Virginia 4-H Foundation, Hutcheson Hall (0419), 250 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 The Virginia 4-H Foundation is a division of the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., which has been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service.

John Riley’s Gift Perpetuates His Love of 4-H

John RileyThe late John Riley’s lifelong connection with Virginia 4-H began during his boyhood in Augusta County, remained strong throughout his lifetime, and — thanks to his foresight and generosity — will continue for generations.

After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture and applied economics from Virginia Tech and his doctorate from Oklahoma State University, Riley shared his enthusiasm for agriculture with others, first as a professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University and then as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee.

Riley passed away in 2013, but his love for 4-H continues to have an impact through the gifts he made during his lifetime and through his estate.

Read more about John Riley online

Your resource for information about supporting Virginia 4-H with an estate gift, or with any gift, is the development office for Virginia Cooperative Extension. Contact Ben Grove by phone at 540-231-7640, or email ben.grove@vt.edu.

4-H Foundation Summer Newsletter

Virginia 4-H Foundation, Hutcheson Hall (0419), 250 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 The Virginia 4-H Foundation is a division of the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., which has been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

 

Virginia 4-H Foundation Recognizes Farm Credit’s Investment in Virginia 4-H

Farm CreditFarm Credit has a long history of investing in and supporting our rural communities. For many years, this has included support of local 4-H programs through donations, sponsorship of events, purchasing of livestock projects, and providing meeting space for clubs and programs, to name just a few of the multiple ways Farm Credit helps. Additionally, many Farm Credit employees have volunteered as coaches, club leaders, and guest speakers for the 4-H program. Virginia 4-H thanks the Farm Credit Associations doing business in Virginia – Colonial Farm Credit, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, and Farm Credit of the Virginias – for their outstanding support of 4-H. “Farm Credit invests in 4-H because it provides sound leadership experiences for the leaders of tomorrow,” said Dave Lawrence, CEO at Farm Credit of the Virginias.

4-H Foundation Summer Newsletter

Virginia 4-H Foundation, Hutcheson Hall (0419), 250 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 The Virginia 4-H Foundation is a division of the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., which has been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Investing in 4-H through Scholarships

This year more than $45,000 in scholarships were distributed to help 4-Hers pursue their secondary education goals at the institution of their choice. These scholarships have been earned over many years of excellence in livestock and horse programs, leadership, milestone achievement, and service. One scholarship recipient said “receiving the Connie Collier Scholarship greatly eased the financial tension I was facing. Because of the funds received, I was Lexington Horse Showable to pay my first college payment. This scholarship is evidence that 4-H not only helped me grow during my years as a member, but also assisted me as I approached my future endeavors. Thank you!”

We, too, would like to express our appreciation to the funders of our scholarships, who make possible initiatives such as the Adranetta Weimer 4-H Incentive Fund, Connie Collier 4-H Scholarship Fund, Farm Credit Associations and Regions Banks Scholarship Fund, Virginia AGvocates Scholarship Fund, Virginia Junior Livestock Scholarship Fund, and Wayne Keffer Virginia 4-H Foundation Fund.

Thank you for investing in 4-H youth and their future.

4-H Foundation Summer Newsletter

Virginia 4-H Foundation, Hutcheson Hall (0419), 250 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 The Virginia 4-H Foundation is a division of the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., which has been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

2015 4-H Symposium and Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader’s Fall Conference

2015 Save the Date Symposium

The State 4-H Office, with feedback from the Virginia Association of 4-H Extension Agents and the Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders, has been planning the 2015 4-H Symposium and VAA4-HVL Fall Conference. We have great professional development workshops shaping up for our 4-H faculty, staff, and volunteers. Within this email you will find the registration information for both 4-H faculty/staff and volunteers. Please also review the tentative timeline below as we continue the planning process. We are still accepting RFPs for 50 or 100 minute workshops to be held on Saturday and Sunday until September 18. Please encourage your volunteers to submit a proposal to share their talents.

Symposium Call for Proposals 2015

New this year! To begin promoting teens as volunteers, we are encouraging districts to recruit (about 5 or so) teens to register for the 4-H Symposium and VAA4-HVL Fall Conference. Specific workshops are being planned to help provide teens with the tools and resources to help them support their local 4-H clubs.

4-H Symposium Faculty/Staff Professional Development – November 12 – 13
https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bEgiXpt5FOJQQIJ
Register using the link above, no later than October 1. Lodging and meals during the 4-H Symposium will be covered by the State 4-H Office for 4-H faculty/staff. Mileage, to and from, and meals, before or after, Symposium should be submitted to your unit travel budget. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Workshop highlights, full descriptions available within the survey, include:

• November 12: Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
o “Youth Mental Health First Aid” or “Natural Resources and Environmental Education: Land Judging/Homesite Judging, and Wildlife Identification.”
o Dinner Hosted by VAE4-HA
• November 13:
o Innovative Programming IGNITE Presentations
o Programming Team Update
o Workshop Sessions Conclude at 4:30 p.m.
 4-H Energy: Electric Challenge and Alternative Energy
 4-H Online
 4-H Mentoring – Youth and Families with Promise
 4-H Invention Clubs: Inquiring Minds Make our Future
o Dinner Provided for those staying for the weekend sessions
o Optional Evening Program – Drama of Creation and Tour Tickets available for $12

4-H Symposium and VAA4-HVL Fall Conference, November 14-15
• November 14:
o Three workshop opportunities – RFPs accepted until September 18
o Master Track Opportunities
 4-H Digital Media
 Animal Science
o 4-H Foundation Luncheon
o VAA4-HVL District and State Meetings
o VAA4-HVL Banquet and Silent Auction
o VAA4-HVL Evening Hospitality Room
• November 15:
o Workshop (50 minute)
o Brunch
o Installation of VAA4-HVL Officers and Conference Scholarships

Volunteer Registration
Have volunteers complete the registration application below and send to Nicole Martin at the address on the form, no later than October 28 to avoid a late fee.
2015 4-H Symposium and VAA4HVL Fall Conference Registrationfinal

4-H Symposium and VAA4-VHL Fall Conference Timeline
August 13 Request for Proposals for Workshops Released

September 1 Registration Opens and Master Tracks Announced

September 18 Request for Proposals for Workshops Due

October 1 Workshop Descriptions Posted on Registration Website

October 12 Hotel Block Reservations Close (for volunteers)
For reservations volunteers can call 800-533-1410 for the $83 rate.
Ask for the “Virginia Polytechnic Institute” block.
(4-H faculty/staff lodging will be made by State Office)

October 28 Conference Registrations Due to avoid late fee
Scholarship Applications Due

November 12 – 13 Professional Development for 4-H faculty/staff

November 14 – 15 Volunteer Registration and Workshops

Please contact Nicole Martin or myself if you need any additional information.

Thanks,
Jeremy