Kentucky 4-H agents take on national leadership roles

Contact: Lena Mallory, 270-527-3285; Elijah Wilson, 270-433-7700; Susan Turner, 270-487-5504

Kentucky 4-H agents take on national leadership roles

By Katie Pratt

LEXINGTON, Ky., (Dec. 16, 2014) – A trio of University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service agents recently earned top leadership positions within the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

Lena Mallory, Susan Turner and Elijah Wilson are all Kentucky 4-H and youth development agents serving on the national association’s board of trustees. Mallory, of Marshall County, was named president-elect of the organization, and Turner, Monroe County, was named a junior director for the Southern Region. Cumberland County’s Elijah Wilson was appointed the chair of the Research and Evaluations Committee.

For Mallory, a Lexington native, 4-H runs in her family. She is a third generation 4-H’er and the daughter of a former 4-H agent. She began serving in a statewide 4-H leadership position when she served as state secretary while a 4-H’er. An agent for 15 years, Mallory has served young people in Graves and Marshall counties.

When she becomes president in 2015, Mallory plans to work toward increasing the involvement of international 4-H professionals, finding ways for the organization to work more efficiently and be more fiscally responsible while meeting the needs of the membership. She also wants to reignite mid-career agents’ passion for membership in the organization and continue to build relationships with National 4-H Council and 4-H National Headquarters. Her position is a 3-year appointment.

Mallory will represent the association and its nearly 3,800 members on the Joint Council of Extension Professionals, an organization that focuses on strengthening the efforts of member organizations and does what each cannot do alone.

A native of Monroe County, Turner has served as the county’s 4-H youth development agent for 16 years.

As a junior regional director, she will serve as liaison between the national association and the agent members in 17 southern states.

She and the other regional directors will be in charge of coordinating the council’s national conference during the next two years. She is also responsible for a quarterly regional newsletter that is sent out to members of the association.

“I firmly believe in the work that extension professionals do and how important it is for us to receive the support and guidance we need,” she said. “Our organization provides that support and guidance for us, and that’s something I wanted to be a part of.”

This is her first national appointment, but she has served Kentucky’s association as vice president and two terms as president.

Wilson, a Green County native, has served Cumberland County as the 4-H agent since 2006. Prior to that, the lifelong 4-H’er was a manager at Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp.

“I became an agent because I enjoy helping people help themselves,” he said. “I like being part of an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of lives of all Kentucky citizens.”

As chair of the Research and Evaluation Committee, Wilson oversees organizational research and The Journal of Youth Development, the organization’s peer-reviewed, scholarly journal.

This begins his second term serving as chair of this group and as a board of trustees member.

Fun ways to make holiday breaks more enjoyable without technology

Contact: Jennifer Tackett, extension specialist for 4-H youth development

The holidays are a wonderful time for family togetherness, but after a few days, everyone, no matter their age, begins to look for distractions. In a world of smart phones, tablets and laptops, many times our attention turns to technology, but it doesn’t have to be this way. It is possible to keep young people active and engaged without technology.

You can use the holidays as a way to help your family get active. Activities like sledding, snowball fights, building a snowman, shoveling snow and skiing are all great outdoor activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. If snow and cold weather aren’t appealing or no snow is available, you can always get your family active indoors. Possible indoor activities include stretching, dancing and home decorating projects. Trips to the museum, bowling alley, gym or mall can provide a healthy dose of fun, physical activity.

Use the holidays to develop a shared interest with your children. Share one of your favorite hobbies with them. Cook or bake with them and let them choose the recipe and measure the ingredients. If you have children who are craftsy, teach them how to make jewelry, paint, draw characters or make friendship bracelets.

Imagination can also make the time fly by. Some great ways to engage your young person’s imagination is to have them write or act out a play, put on a talent show or build an indoor fort.

Don’t forget to put aside a day or two where you and your family do nothing but read, watch movies, play board games and rest. This can help you and your child feel recharged and ready to return to school and work after the holidays.

For more information on raising productive young people, contact the (COUNTY NAME) Extension office.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Cell phones and young people

Contact: Mark Mains, extension specialist for 4-H youth development and netsmartz.org

Technology has advanced at such a rapid pace that our lives are very different than they were even 10 years ago. Responsible technology usage is now a conversation you must have with your child.

Ten years ago, some high school students had cell phones, but in 2010, a Pew study revealed that 58 percent of all 12-year-olds had a cell phone.

While cell phones are an easy way for you to stay in contact with your child, they do come with their own sets of risks. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to teach your child how to wisely and safely use a cell phone before they receive one. Establish rules of when and how the phone should be used and acceptable websites and apps. Remind them to think before they text. While texting may seem more private than social media, pictures and texts can easily be forwarded and put on social media. Insist that they never respond to any texts, friend requests or calls from unknown numbers. Encourage them not to put their cell phone number or password anywhere online.

Review cell phone records for any unknown numbers or late night calls or texts made to your child’s phone. Cell phone providers may offer additional security measures. Contact your provider to learn about any additional protections that they offer.

Age should not determine when your child receives a cell phone; your and your child’s unique situation should. You should consider whether a cell phone is needed to communicate more easily with your child and that your child can use the phone responsibly. Make sure your child understands the rules that come with using a cell phone and the consequences for breaking those rules before they get a phone.

More information on raising healthy, safe kids in a changing world is available at (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension office.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

4-H develops leaders through state teen council

Contact: Mark Mains, extension specialist for 4-H youth development

Throughout their 4-H careers, members have numerous opportunities to learn how to become better leaders. One of those opportunities is serving as a representative on State 4-H Teen Council.

State teen council gives young people who already possess leadership potential, the chance to refine their communication and leadership skills. Council members are chosen by their extension district and serve two-year terms. Six council members are chosen from each of the state’s seven extension districts.  (STUDENT’S NAME) is a State 4-H Teen Council member from (COUNTY NAME).

While serving on the council, members serve as a sounding board for 4-H state teen programming efforts and issues.

They also assist with the planning and execution of two leadership building events, 4-H Summit and 4-H Teen Conference. During Summit, teen council members serve as mentors to middle school students. They also create and present a leadership workshop to Summit participants.

In addition, council representatives select an issue they want to address as a group.  This year’s issue is agriculture awareness. Council members will create a workshop and accompanying resource packet to give people a better understanding of the origins of their food and fiber.  The workshop will be taught at 4-H Summit and within their counties, the packet will also be available to anyone online. Past issues that council members have addressed include bullying, body image and safety.

By serving on state 4-H Teen council, young people also have the opportunity to give back to their county 4-H program by serving as trained leaders on the National Youth Science Day experiment each October.

For more information on criteria for joining state teen council or other 4-H leadership opportunities, contact the (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

4-H’ers have a blast during National Youth Science Day

4-H’ers have a blast during National Youth Science Day

Contact: Jann Burks, extension specialist for 4-H youth development

Recently, (COUNTY NAME) 4-H’ers learned how creativity and a strong foundation in math and science can help them help others, when they participated in the 4-H National Youth Science Day experiment.

National Youth Science Day gives 4-H professionals and volunteers across the country an opportunity to get youth excited about science, math, engineering and technology and promote 4-H Science programs. Since 2008, more than 5 million young Americans have participated in National Youth Science Day.

This year’s national experiment was called Rockets to the Rescue. 4-H’ers were given a fictional scenario that required them to design and construct an aerodynamic aircraft capable of delivering food to national disaster victims on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. They were to create the aircraft using common everyday items like recyclable two-liter bottles, cotton balls, pipe cleaners, rubber bands and a protractor. Building their rockets required them not only to use their science skills but also to learn about the effects of natural disasters and food security issues, which are emerging real-world problems.

4-H helps mold the leaders of tomorrow and a strong foundation in math and science can help young people pursue numerous careers where they could make positive contributions to mankind.

While the national day was Oct. 8, Kentucky 4-H is celebrating the day and conducting the experiment throughout the month. For more information about 4-H science and technology opportunities, contact your (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Important items for the 2014 State 4-H Dog Show

2014 Dog Program

4-H Dog Show Parking Information

2014 Dog breed information

• 2014 Breed Australian Cattle Dog
• 2014 Breed Pug

SF map Dog Show

4H State Dress Code Guidelines -Dog Show

4-H & Time Warner Cable Robotics Challenge

JOIN US AT THE STATE FAIR AUGUST 22, 2015

SF Time Warner flyer (1)

4-H & Time Warner Cable Robot Challenge

Limited to 20 teams Team members – limit 3-5 per team Teams will participate in all challenges Scoring will be based on highest point achieved (combination of challenges) Rules will be posted on 4-H website by August 1, 2014
Challenges:

• Clipmobile
• Marshmallow catapults
• Sumobot competition
• Robot maze

Awards: Team – Fair entry (members + 1 chaperon) 1st place team – $300 2nd place team – $200 3rd place team – $150 Participant medals/awards Participant t-shirt

Teams responsibility

• Teams bring their own Lego NXT or EV3 kit
• Robot must fit 12×12 square (pre-built robots)
• Teams must have own computer & software
• Chaperone/Coach—one adult per team
• Register online and arrange own transportation

New Cloverville to make its state fair debut

Source: Kim Adams Foster, 4-H youth development specialist

As state fair attendees enter the West Hall of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville this August, they are going to notice something new. Due to donations from businesses and individuals across Kentucky, 4-H has a new Cloverville.
Cloverville is an annual attraction at the Kentucky State Fair. The new Cloverville is replacing the old structure, which was 40 years old and unable to accommodate the increasing number of 4-H entries. The new Cloverville will maintain the original’s small-town feel with six storefronts, an information center and stage. 4-H officials will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new structure Aug. 15.
Cloverville offers 4-H’ers opportunities to showcase their abilities and compete for statewide ribbons and awards. Fair visitors get to see examples of 4-H projects and our young people’s work ethic. Some of these projects took 4-H’ers weeks, months and, sometimes, an entire year to complete. Projects display skills in areas as diverse as science, the home, and arts and crafts. Regardless of whether they win at the state fair, the young people who have exhibits at Cloverville are already winners, as they won their county competition to advance to the state fair.
In addition to project exhibits, 4-H’ers will showcase their talents during Extension districts’ Talent Highlight Days and during Expressive Arts Day. 4-H’ers will also test their skills in competitive events including a science, engineering and technology competition, sewing skill-a-thon and 4-H’s version of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.
Make plans to visit the Kentucky State Fair and see the new Cloverville firsthand Aug. 14-24. For more information about Cloverville events or to register for a competition, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

4-H’ers help comfort the “soles” of African children

By Katie Pratt

LEXINGTON, Ky., (June 26, 2014) – For most Americans, a good pair of shoes is a given, but that’s not the case for individuals born into poverty in Africa.

4-H’ers attending Teen Conference on the University of Kentucky campus worked diligently to trace and cut pieces of denim, cotton and plastic to make African children’s feet and lives a little more comfortable.

The young leaders from across Kentucky were taking part in a shoe party organized by Danielle Hutchins, Nelson County 4-H youth development agent with the UK Cooperative Extension Service, for the organization Sole Hope.

“The purpose of the workshop at Teen Conference is to introduce 4-H’ers from all over the state to the Sole Hope project. Hopefully they’ll take it back to their districts and counties to replicate the project,” Hutchins said.

Sole Hope, a North Carolina-based nonprofit, uses the denim and plastic pieces to provide closed-toe shoes to children in Uganda and a living wage to Ugandan shoemakers, who complete the shoes. Closed-toe shoes prevent the children from getting jiggers, a common sand flea that burrows into the skin of mammals to lay their eggs. Once inside, the sand flea causes itching, irritation, inflammation and open sores, which are prone to infection. If left untreated, the infection can lead to tetanus, gangrene and potentially a loss of a toe.

Hutchins learned of the nonprofit through Paul Knuth, a 4-H volunteer at the Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum, who had seen the program at the 4-H Volunteer Conference of Southern States.

She secured donated denim from consignment stores, Extension Homemakers and the St. Vincent de Paul Society mission store in Nelson County and ordered a shoe party kit from the Sole Hope website. The kit included patterns to make the shoe body and heel supports to fit toddlers’ shoe size 9.

“What I like about this project as a 4-H agent is it gives me the opportunity to cover many different topics,” she said. “I can use it to teach recycling. With the 4-H sewing clubs, I can talk about patterns and finished and unfinished edges. I can talk about medical intervention, because medical personnel actually remove jiggers from children’s feet before they receive the shoes.”

Hutchins began the project with 20 Nelson County 4-H Teen Council members, many of whom were on hand to assist the Teen Conference participants.

Brandon Darby, a Nelson County 4-H Teen Council member and his mom Andrea Darby, a 4-H volunteer, made sure all the cut denim was uniform and put the shoe packets together to ship.

“This project is different from the other ones I’ve done, because it gives me a chance to make an impact at the global level, whereas my other community service projects have all focused on making a difference locally,” Brandon Darby said.

Around 100 young people participated in the two-day event during the conference. 4-H’ers attending Teen Conference and other events organized by Hutchins completed 120 packets to send to the organization.

Exciting leadership opportunities exist for 4-H’ers

Source: Mark Mains, state 4-H youth development specialist

 

Our young people are the future leaders and decision makers of the nation. 4-H offers its members prime opportunities to explore and engage in leadership roles. By participating in a leadership role, young people can develop critical thinking, communication and life skills that will aid them in making future decisions.

Many leadership experiences are geared toward older youth, but younger youth also have the opportunity to become leaders early in their 4-H career.

Two of the most prestigious leadership roles include becoming a delegate to either the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., or the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta. At the National 4-H Conference, youth join extension professionals and adult volunteer leaders to discuss ways 4-H can better serve young people on local and national levels. Recommendations from the conference are shared with the Secretary of Agriculture, national extension leaders and those involved with 4-H programming. Four delegates from Kentucky are selected every year. During the National 4-H Congress, delegates learn about cultural diversity and serving others and their communities.

Many leadership opportunities also exist at the state level including becoming a state 4-H officer or a member of the State 4-H Teen Council. The council is comprised of young people from across the state. These 4-H’ers learn about leadership and communication as they serve as liaisons between local, district and state 4-H programs. State 4-H officers serve as ambassadors for Kentucky 4-H. 4-H members elect state officers each June during Teen Conference, and those officers serve until the end of the next year’s conference. The 4-H officers serve in leadership roles in State 4-H Teen Council, and past members often are invited to serve as advisers to the following year’s council and officers. The 2014-2015 state officers are:

President: Jordan Stone, Lyon County

Vice President: Haley Coppage, Ohio County

Secretary: Breanna Howell, Lawrence County

Treasurer: Julia Scott, Hart County

Teens interested in leadership opportunities in 4-H also can attend the 4-H Issues Conference and the State 4-H Teen Conference. At the issues conference, 4-H’ers from across the state meet to discuss issues affecting young people and their communities. Youth discuss ways in which they can have a positive impact on community issues and develop plans that they will implement when they return home. Young people who attend the 4-H Teen Conference can participate in a wide range of activities designed to help improve their leadership and communication abilities including workshops, tracks, tours, college visits and issues seminars.

4-H has many clubs and groups in which young people can assume leadership roles. Youth can get their first taste of leadership roles beginning as a junior 4-H member by becoming an officer of a county 4-H club or attending 4-H Summit. Summit is a three-day, two-night event where sixth- through eighth-graders get to meet their peers from across the state as well as State 4-H Teen Council members. During Summit, participants learn about leadership opportunities that are available to them when they become senior 4-H’ers.

4-H has many leadership opportunities available for youth. For more information on how you can get involved with these and other 4-H activities, contact your (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.