Category Archives: News

2014 4-H Foundation Innovative Programming Award Applications Being Accepted

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Each year, the Virginia 4-H Foundation awards $1,000 programming awards to agents who are developing or expanding innovative programs. Please consider submitting a proposal by filling out the application and returning it to cmsutph@vt.edu by June 11, 2014. Awards will be announced at State 4-H Congress. The application can be found on the Virginia 4-H Blog.

It addition, the Virginia 4-H Foundation will offer a Revolving Programming Award. This award will use the same application format but will be available in the event that a highly innovative program emerges during the 4-H programming year and there is a documented funding need to support the effort.

Application:

2014 4h foundation innovative programming award application

 

2014 4-H Center Upgrades and Renovations

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This summer when youth arrive at 4-H camp, they will find numerous improvements. Every center has been hard at work getting ready for more than 15,000 Virginia 4-H members who will attend one of the six 4-H centers this summer. Check out the pictures for a sample of the work.

Northern 4-H CenterNorthern 2014

Skelton 4-H Center
Skelton 2014

Airfield 4-H Center
Airfiled 2014 1

Southwest 4-H Center
Southwest 2014

Jamestown 4-H Center
Jamestown 2014

Holiday Lake 4-H Center
Holiday Lake 2014

Directors April Update

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Hi Everyone,

I hope your busy spring is going well. Your work is making a lasting impact on the youth engaged in your unit program. I appreciate your efforts in supporting our members and volunteers in the vast array of programming efforts that occur throughout the spring and summer!

I am writing to provide you with a few updates.

2014 4-H Symposium – Please hold the dates for our next Virginia 4-H Symposium scheduled for November 20 – 23 in Blacksburg. We plan to use a similar format as 2013 with agent professional development on Thursday and Friday, leading into concentrated tracts on Saturday in addition to our on-going partnership conference with the Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer’s Fall Conference on Saturday and Sunday. There will be extraordinary learning experiences for all!

Congrats to Holiday Lake 4-H Center staff, Board of Directors, and Agents for soliciting and receiving 4-H camp scholarships for all of the 19 units served by the center. As a result, 190 youth will have a positive camping experience next summer that may not have otherwise had the opportunity! This is a true testament to our commitment as a state of allowing every child the opportunity to experience camp.

4 for 4-H Runs – As you know each 4-H center is holding a 4 for 4-H Run this spring to raise funds for 4-H camp scholarships. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage youth, volunteers, and community members in a fun, family friendly activity that will result in positive outcomes for each Unit and 4-H Center.  I would like to challenge each Unit to raise funds for 1 full scholarship by means of these runs. $250 to support programming will be placed in the 4-H Foundation account of the Unit in each district that raises the most for their center run. Each district that has 100% participation by their units will also receive $250 in 4-H programming funds. Let’s all get on board to support our centers and promote Healthy Living!

Livestock and Horse Events – It was fantastic to see nearly 900 youth participating in the Block and Bridle Livestock events and the EquiSmartz Horse Competition Weekend. It was also nice to see the number of units participating that had not in recent years. I am constantly reminded of the energy and enthusiasm that you and your volunteers have for 4-H programming and I feel blessed to work in Virginia 4-H.

Virginia 4-H Strategic Plan – A huge thank you to everyone who provided input for the strategic plan that we have been working on over the past year. I want to thank the steering committee that spent significant time as a group and then collecting input from their colleagues. Please take some time to look over the document which will serve as a roadmap for our efforts. You can find the document at the following location: http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/4h/stratplan.html. This document was shared with the 4-H Positive Youth Development Program Team. As the team conducts their work, we will revise the document as needed.

State 4-H Congress – I am very excited about the 2014 4-H Congress. The workshop and competition workshops are shaping up to be the best ever. The Centennial Celebration will be a fantastic event with special guests that you will not want to miss. Please refer to the Congress website for more information. Last year, we saw significant increases in both the number of delegates and the number of units represented. Please let us know if we can assist you in recruitment and we look forward to seeing you and your teens in June.

Who Should I Contact? For camping and general risk management questions call Sandra (Sam) Fisher. If it is 4-H Horse related, contact Celeste Crisman. Anything to do with 4-H Livestock, call Paige Pratt. If your need is related to youth Dairy, call Dave Winston. Curriculum, After-School, or STEM? Call Kathleen Jamison. If you need information on teen programming, Character Counts!, 4-H Healthy Living, or the   4-H Ambassador Program, call Tonya Price. If it is a Congress question or 4-H Mentoring grant question, call Mike Martin. All things related to VCE volunteers, start with Jeremy Johnson. Let’s say you want to chat about 4-H international programs or new agent support, you will want to contact Glenda Snyder. Any event related question can be directed to Katie Lafon. If you have anything concerning the Virginia 4-H Foundation, you will want to direct it to Amanda Lucas. All program issues should be directed to me and if you have no idea where to start please contact Melissa Breen and she can direct you to the most appropriate person.

Please let us know how we can better serve you as we work to “Make the Best Better”.

Cathy

CommonHealth-Five Diet Resolutions for 2014

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Are you making bold resolutions in the New Year to “eat right” – whatever
that means? Stop trying to overhaul your entire diet in a day! Resolve to
think small and you can reach any diet goal – one focused step at a time.
Why not start with these simple tips?

Resolution No. 1: Go Slow
Resolving to get more fiber in your diet this year? Maybe
more fish or fresh fruit? Any diet change is easier if you take
slow, small steps.

Resolution No 2: Water, Water, Everywhere
Water: It’s cheap, fat-free, and gives your body a quenching boost.

Resolution No. 3: Go for the Gold… and Red… and Purple
Colorful produce is packed with disease-fighting plant
compounds, so when you shop, reach for a rainbow.

Resolution No 4: Tackle Mindless Munching
You’re chatting with friends around the dinner table or
watching a DVD – and you just keep nibbling. Try these tips
to reign in the munchies:
ƒ*Pop a stick of gum or a sugar-free mint in your mouth.
*ƒBrush or floss your teeth.

Resolution No 5: Stack the Odds in Your Favor 
Don’t forget to help yourself succeed, and to reach out for
help when you need it.
Buddy up with a friend or family member with diet and
weight loss resolutions. Then share your ideas, plans,
and successes regularly.

Take enough steps and you’ll reach any goal. Resolve to
make a few small diet resolutions this year and then just
watch how far you’ll go!

For more in-depth information on how to make these resolutions work and other great tips check out the CommonHealth Compass
http://commonhealth.virginia.gov/documents/CompassWinter2014.pdf

Congratulations to the 2013 National 4-H Congress Delegation!!!

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4h_mark1

Congratulations to the 4-H members who will represent Virginia at National 4-H Congress in November! It is a great honor to be selected to attend this event.

Kipp Dunn (Prince William County)

Thomas Fleenor (Washington County)
Spencer Gee (Tazewell County)
Katherine Hankins (Washington County)
Aliyah Lambert (Surry County)
Ivana Marshall (Surry County)
Nicholas Poole (Prince William County)
Samantha Price (Rockingham County)
Taylor Reed (Henrico County)
Ryan Thies (Prince William County)
Eli Worth-Jones (Washington County)

4-H Foundation Board Member Inspires Camp Staff

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Mary Miller inspiring the Virginia Camp Staff of 2013

Mary Miller inspiring the Virginia Camp Staff of 2013

Mary Miller is president and founder of Interactive Design and
Development, Inc., a successful, award-winning information technology
firm in Blacksburg, Va.. She received both her master of information
science as well as her doctorate in instructional design from Virginia
Tech.   A Board member of the 4-H Foundation and strong supporter of the camping program, Mary  worked at camp at the Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center early in her career.  Her camp name was ‘Meatloaf’ Mary and she taught crafts and worked in the kitchen.

Mary served as the inspirational speaker for the 2013 State 4-H Camp Staff Training which encompasses all six 4-H Center staffs (over 85 total).  Relating to the role of camp staffer, Mary reiterated the importance of the journey they were about to embark on for the summer.   Sharing stories from her time on staff,  she recalled the faces, smiles, and laughter that to this day still bring her joy!

“You are so very special!  You have been given an opportunity that only a few are afforded, the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of children throughout the summer.  Some of these children have never been away from home, some have never swam in a pool, others will experience the pure joy  of play for the first time.  They will look to you, camp counselors, for guidance and  enthusiasm,” said ‘Meatloaf” Mary.

Camp Counselors do Make a Difference:

Thank you Mary Miller for sharing, caring and inspiring!

Win Iden is recipient of the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center’s President’s Award 2013

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Robert F. Kube, Board President of the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center presented Win Iden with the President’s Award for Excellence at the Annual Board Meeting and Banquet in April.

The President’s award was started by John Mayhugh several years ago when he was Board President to acknowledge outstanding service by a 4-H Center Employee.   The individual needs to show initiative and interest in the 4-H Center and a willingness to go the second mile of the way when needed.  The individual recognized needs to be cooperative, have good work habits, have a good attitude and be willing to work with all 4-H Center departments.

Win camped at this 4-H Center as a 4-H’er and also served as a teen leader for Warren County 4-H camp.  After graduation from college,  he  worked in the Warren County Extension Office as an Extension Technician from 2001 – 2005.  Win served as Program Director at the Southwest 4-H Educational Center in Abingdon from 2005 – 2010.  He returned to the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center to serve as Program Director in 2010.

Congratulations Win!

Photo: Win and his mentor, Sam. He won the President's award tonight and she was there to see it! :)

               Win with his mentor Sam Fisher at the Awards Banquet

 

National 4-H Congress

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National 4-H Congress 2013 will take place November 29 – December 3, 2013. It is a wonderful experience and an extreme honor to represent Virginia at National 4-H Congress. Please encourage your senior 4-H members to apply. Applications are due April 30 to the State Office. Interviews and delegate selection will take place during state congress on Tuesday, June 18 in Blacksburg.
For more information on this event, please visit the sites below.
General Information and Application Process: http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/4h/national4h.html
Sample Resume: http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/4h/exampleresume.pdf