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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Food Challenge Contest – Central District

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On Saturday, May 9, 2015, I had the privilege to attend Central District’s Food Challenge  Contest at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center.  Even though this was the first year this contest was offered in the Central District, the participation level was great, four senior teams and five junior teams!  Overall,  it was a great contest and a good experience for all who participated.  The evaluation data collected at the conclusion of the contest was very positive and 100% of the participants indicated that they learned at least one new skill as a result of their participation.  A special thank you to Amber Wilson, Chair of the contest, and all the other VCE personnel, volunteers and parents who helped to make this contest a success.  Also, I’d like to thank the agents in Northern District as they were instrumental in bringing this contest to Virginia and providing training in this area.  If your unit or district is not currently offering Food Challenge to your 4-H members, I highly encourage you to do so, as this contest is a great compliment to our healthy living initiative.  Not only do participants learn how to prepare and cook a dish, they learn about MyPlate, cost analysis, and develop a presentation that is inclusive of nutritional benefits and food safety.  We will be offering a Food Challenge contest and workshop during State 4-H Congress, but if you are unable to attend and would like to learn more about this contest, please don’t hesitate to contact me, tonyaprice@vt.edu.  

Director’s Update

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Hi Everyone,

 

Many thanks to all of you who have recruited and entered your teens for State 4-H Congress. The program is coming together nicely and we are looking forward to hosting your outstanding teens in June. 

 

I am anxious to visit with our Nutrition Program Assistants at the Multi-State Conference this week. I would encourage you to reach out to your program assistant to make sure that the 4-H members completing the Food Nutrition Program throughout the year are made aware of and invited to continue their 4-H involvement with other projects and delivery modes.

 

I have had a few questions about finding 4-H financial information. The 4-H Policy Handbook has been updated to include current information. You can find this in section 3.19 at the following link:

 

http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/4h/handbook/policy.html#3.19

 

You can also find the club agency fund forms, tip sheets, Livestock Auction fact sheets, and permission to purchase shooting education equipment form at the following link:

 

http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/4h/

 

Also, remember that Crystal Graham is the first point of contact regarding 4-H Foundation processes and inquiries. She can be reached at csgraham@vt.edu or 540-231-3360.

 

 

Have a great week,

 

Cathy

 

 

Cathy M. Sutphin, PhD

Associate Director, 4-H

115 Hutcheson Hall

Blacksburg, VA 24061

540-231-6372

 

4-H Intermediate Congress 2015

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Good morning!

It is that time of year again to prepare for 4-H Intermediate Congress. The 2015 session will once again be held at Virginia State University from July 13th through July 15th. The cost to attend will be $90.

We are asking for your help this year, agents! Attached is the brochure for the event, in Word format. We did that because there are several places where you can add your personal office information and then distribute. We would like all agents to handle their own registration and accept payments. You can create your own deadlines, as long as I have the information all back 4H Intermediate Congress 2015who need financial assistance.

Please collect all necessary forms and send them to me, along with payment, by Friday, June 26th. That will give me time to organize all the details.

Also, remember we are on the lookout for Teen Mentors as well. They must be experienced 4-Her’s who have completed Mentor Training. We would like them to be between the ages of 14 and 15. It is free for the mentors to attend. You are our eyes and ears, so we trust you to pick the best teens you can send our way. We need ten total. Just fill out the camp forms and forward them to me along with the rest, adding a note to let me know they are mentors.

Any agents who would like to come and help out are welcome to attend as well, just send your health forms along as well. We would love to see you!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me, or Albert Reid, our 4-H Specialist who is in charge of the event.

Thanks for all your help! We couldn’t do this without you!

Jessica Harris
Administrative and Office Specialist II
Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H
Virginia State University
P.O. Box 9081
Petersburg, VA 23806
Phone: (804) 524-5964
Fax: (804) 524-5057
Email: jbrown@vsu.edu

State 4-H WHEP Contest – Oct 11, 2014

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To: WHEP Team Coaches
Volunteers & Agents interested in learning more about WHEP
This is it… The Official announcement of the VA State 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Contest.
The contest will be held on Saturday October 11, 10:00 a.m. at Holliday Lake State Park in Appomattox. VA (specific location and directions will be sent to those who register teams or register as a visitor). Registration is due no later than Friday, October 3. There will be a cost of $4.00 per car to enter the State Park.
The contest region will be Eastern Deciduous Forest. However, for the species ID portion of the contest, species found in the Urban and Wetlands regions may also be used. Contestants should be familiar with those species for identification purposes. Please refer to the NEW 2014 WHEP Manual as posted at www.whep.org for the most current information which will be used for this contest. There has been a significant change in the manual and contest format.
Contestants, parents, volunteers and anyone else attending must bring their own lunch, snacks, water and chair. Please dress appropriately for the weather. We will be outside regardless of the weather.

1. Beginner Division – first or second year youth who have never competed in a state WHEP contest. Primarily designed for juniors (ages 9-13).

This division will include:
A. Wildlife Challenge – combines wildlife identification and general knowledge. Participants visit stations where they may be presented with a wildlife specimen and questions related to the species. Participants may be asked to identify an animal by specimen or portion of specimen, photo, animal sign, or sound. Alternatively, stations may be located outdoors and questions may be related to various habitat features. Questions for the Wildlife Challenge may be from information within Concepts and Terms, Ecoregions, Wildlife Species, Wildlife Management Practices, and the Glossary.
B. A guided session related to plan writing and wildlife management practices.
C. A hands on field work activity (such as, but not limited to a scavenger hunt for wildlife foods, or building a habitat for a given wildlife species)

2. Junior Division – Full competition for youth ages 9-13. They must have a team of 3 or 4 members to be eligible to compete in the full contest. Individual juniors may compete, however they will only be eligible for the individual awards.

This division will include:
A. Wildlife Challenge – combines wildlife identification and general knowledge. Participants visit stations where they may be presented with a wildlife specimen and questions related to the species. Participants may be asked to identify an animal by specimen or portion of specimen, photo, animal sign, or sound. Alternatively, stations may be located outdoors and questions may be related to various habitat features. When identifying species in the Wildlife Challenge, the correct spelling and capitalization must be used in order to receive credit. Refer to Index of Wildlife Species pages 86-88 for proper spelling and capitalization. Questions for the Wildlife Challenge may be from information within Concepts and Terms, Ecoregions, Wildlife Species, Wildlife Management Practices, and the Glossary. Wildlife food items and questions pertaining to wildlife foods also may be included. Appendix B provides definitions of various wildlife foods. Refer to species descriptions to learn what various species eat.
B. Wildlife Quiz Bowl (the wildlife version of jeopardy) is a fun and exciting event. Teams of 3 – 4 members will compete against each other answering questions which may come from the EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST Wildlife Species, EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST Region Information, Wildlife Management Practices, Concepts and Terms and the Glossary. This will be a two round competition. Round 1 will be head to head and Round 2 will be toss-up.
C. A guided session related to plan writing and wildlife management practices.

3. Seniors – Full competition for youth ages 14-19. They must have a team of 3 or 4 members to be eligible to compete in the full contest. Individual seniors may compete, however they will only be eligible for the individual awards.

This division will include:
A. Wildlife Challenge – combines wildlife identification and general knowledge. Participants visit stations where they may be presented with a wildlife specimen and questions related to the species. Participants may be asked to identify an animal by specimen or portion of specimen, photo, animal sign, or sound. Alternatively, stations may be located outdoors and questions may be related to various habitat features. When identifying species in the Wildlife Challenge, the correct spelling and capitalization must be used in order to receive credit. Refer to Index of Wildlife pages 86-88 for proper spelling and capitalization. Questions for the Wildlife Challenge may be from information within Concepts and Terms, Ecoregions, Wildlife Species, Wildlife Management Practices, and the Glossary. Wildlife food items and questions pertaining to wildlife foods also may be included. Appendix B provides definitions of various wildlife foods. Refer to species accounts to learn what various species eat.
B. On-Site Recommendation of Wildlife Management Practices (WMPs) – involves the recommendation of WMPs necessary to manage wildlife and habitat on a given site. Management recommendations should consider each species listed separately and WMPs should be recommended as if each species was the only species (focal species) considered on the site. Refer to the WMP charts in the Ecoregions section. This is an individual activity, so no talking or collaboration among team members is allowed.
C. Written Management Plan – is a team event where team members discuss, consider, and provide written recommendations that address current conditions and objectives regarding wildlife populations and habitat on a specified property. A written scenario describing the property, current conditions, and landowner objectives is provided to teams prior to starting the activity. All plans must be written using paragraph format. Teams may use one side of each of three pieces of paper provided. Two of these sheets are for writing the plan, and the third sheet is for sketching a map of the property illustrating where practices should be implemented. An aerial photo of the area may be provided to assist with the sketch.
D. Oral Defense of Written Plan – each team member will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of the plan. Team members are called individually into an area where they are asked a series of questions to test the individual’s knowledge of the team’s plan. Questions can cover anything related to the plan, the focal species, or management practices recommended.

The new 2014 manual that will be used for this contest is on the web at www.whep.org. Please refer to this version of the manual ONLY. Please also note that pages 86-88 have the official listing of the correct spelling and capitalization that will be used as the key for the wildlife ID portion of the contest.

To register for the state contest, please Kelly Mallory (malloryk@vt.edu) the following information no later than Friday, October 3rd. Here is the REGISTRATION LINK: http://tinyurl.com/WHEP2014

Counties may send as many teams and/or individuals as they like. Individuals from different counties may be combined at the contest to make teams.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kelly Mallory
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
VCE-Madison
P.O. Box 10, Madison, VA 22727
Phone (540)948-6881
FAX (540)948-6883
Email: malloryk@vt.edu
http://madison4h.pbworks.com
Madison 4-H News
We are located on Main Street in the War Memorial Building, 2nd Floor
http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/marketing/images/4H-Folder/centennial/VCEExtClrWeb.jpg

4-H Online

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Hi Everyone,

National 4-H Council is discontinuing ACCESS 4-H mid-year on March 31, 2015. Thus, we are introducing 4HOnline, a new enrollment and data management system to Virginia 4-H. We are pleased to discover many advantages that the new system has over ACCESS 4-H, listed below. We believe that 4HOnline will increase our efficiency and save time at the local level and that 4HOnline will better serve the needs and interests of today’s 4-H youth and families and enhance their 4-H experience. Learn more about 4HOnline here: https://www.4honline.com/ .

ACCESS 4-H will be used for the ES-237 for 2014, which is due October 17, 2014. We will use 4HOnline for the 2014-2015 club year enrollment (October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015). Since, you can’t transfer existing ACCESS 4-H data to 4HOnline, we will not enter our new club year enrollment into ACCESS 4-H.

We will first roll out, the 4HOnline enrollment package, but as you will see in the advantages, 4HOnline has many other options that we will introduce once we are up and running.

Advantages of 4HOnline:
4HOnline is designed for families to enroll themselves. Families set up their account, create a password and enter and manage their own data thus increasing efficiency and saving time on the local level.
4HOnline works well with a dial-up connection. It also works well on iPads, tablets, and smart phones.
Once the data has been entered by the families, Extension agent/staff review the records for accuracy and accept or request changes on the enrollment records.
Volunteer development opportunities through online training modules (orientation and project/curriculum content training) that includes assessments and tracking system with certificates;
4-H age and age divisions automatically calculate for specific projects, events, and competitions based on state guidelines;
Ability to communicate with 4-H members, families, and volunteers (individually and groups) through one-way messaging (text and email);
Volunteer screening tool that will maintain background screening information and document status in the screening process from the State 4-H Office;
Event registration (Congress, camp, competitions, etc.) integrated into system;
Database for online enrollment forms (health history, member enrollment, volunteer enrollment, code of conduct, standards of behavior, equine waiver, adapted forms for youth of military families);
Project animal identification database for qualifying animals, finances, and storage of applicable measurements;
Ability to track 4-H member and volunteer project enrollment, event participation, and award for portfolios and resumes completion;
Online 4-H calendar that promotes county, district, and state events in one integrated system;
Integration of online curriculum, publication, and resource hyperlinks based on project enrollment;
Customizable reports (exportable for Excel, PDF, mailing labels) with grouping and sorting features for individuals, clubs, groups, or events;
· Multiple people can access data at the same time and make appropriate changes;
· Families will be able to enter and manage their own information, look up projects, read newsletters, receive announcements for 4-H events, register for events, and more;
· Very user-friendly;
· Highly customizable to meet our needs;
· Is a proven program which has been used by numerous state 4-H programs.

Things we are working on now:

A transition timeline which will be available within the next two weeks;
Setting up the structure for Virginia 4-H. We are creating the state platform with unit and district information, organized club information, projects, delivery modes, activities and awards so they can be uploaded into the new system.
Setting up a “demo county” for you to go in and enter data and see how the system works.
Adapting materials and resources for face-to-face and online training for Extension professionals and office professionals. Materials include a manual, PowerPoint presentations and video for local units to use when creating their own customized platform.
Creating a 4HOnline webpage in which all messages, links to resources, conference call and training dates will be posted.
Creating a forum, blog to support the local units.
Adapting a brochure and a web-based video that provides step-by-step instructions for leaders and families to enroll.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we make the best of this unexpected transition. In the end, we are confident that we will have a data management system which increases our effectiveness and builds the quality, capacity, and sustainability of the Virginia 4-H program.

Thanks,
Cathy

Cathy M. Sutphin, PhD
Associate Director, 4-H
115 Hutcheson Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-6372