our Pledging heads, hearts, hands and health.
ISU Extension, Polk County 5201 NE 14th St, Ste A, Des Moines, IA 50313 [phone] Fax [phone] www.extension.iastate.edu/polk
We would like to thank everyone who If you havent noticed, there have been helped make the beef weigh-in run smoothly. Thanks to Daren Laffey, a lot of changes in the past month at the Extension Office. In October, Katie Ryan Laffey, Jim Nelson, Judy Nelson, Hyde became Polk Countys new CYC, Pat Printy, Mike Cory, Trent Steinhart, Doug Eshelman, Larry Rogers, and Katie however, in mid-December Katie acHyde for taking time to help 4-H memcepted a job to work for the State of bers get their calves weighed in. A total Iowa. We wish her the best and look forward to Katie becoming a great Polk of 161 calves were weighed and ear County 4-H volunteer. Although our 4- tagged, 24 of which were verified for H department is amidst staff changes, I State Fair and Ak-Sar-Ben. assure you I am available to help throughout the transition so please Area Awards dont hesitate to call with questions. I look forward to introducing two new staff members to you before the end of There are many opportunities for senior 4-Hers to gain recognition on the area the month. and state levels. It is time to start planThis is a great time of year to reflect on ning to apply for area awards. 4-H goals and assess how your projects Area and state selection process for are coming along. The 2008 Polk these opportunities will involve comCounty Fair is now six months away. Senior members may also be interested pleting an application form by assembling up to five pages of written support in applying for area and state 4-H awards, most opportunities have appli- material and an interview with a three judge panel. You will have flexibility in cation deadlines of February 1. creating your application materials and gain experience in interviewing and Best wishes in this new year, organizing a portfolio that will help prepare you for college and job searches. Applications are due February 1. Everyone that applies will have an interAndrea R. Nelson view scheduled for March 1 (snow date Office Manager scheduled for March 8). For more information, contact Andrea at 261-4201 or come to the January 10 workshop for tips and best practices on writing award applications. Application forms are available at the Polk County Extension Office, or at our website: www.extension.iastate.edu/polk/ info/4h/club.htm.
New Year, New Beginnings
Recognition
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. 1
The 4-H Newsletter - January 2008
Exciting opportunities are available for 4-H members through area selection of nominees for: State 4-H Council: Be an ambassador for the state 4-H program. 40 youth from across the state provide input on 4-H program issues, help plan and execute state events, practice leadership, citizenship, and communication skills. Members serve on the council from June 2008 June 2009. Must be in grades 10-11 to apply. Project Awards: Recognition for youth who have excelled in projects by participating, learning, and evaluating 4-H experiences. Project awards are selected from the area level to advance to the state level. State project award winners receive a $100 US Savings Bond. Must be in grades 9-12 to apply. Iowa Youth Technology Team: The team will be made up of teens from around the state who are interested in information technology. Team members will learn marketable technology skills, develop a community service project using technology, experience cutting-edge technology, and work with experts from around the state and country. Members serve on the team from June 2008 June 2009. Must be in grades 9-11 to apply.
Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarships
All senior 4-H members who plan to attend college in the fall 2008 should check out the list of 4-H scholarships available at: www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/ grants.html. You can also pick up information at the Extension Office. Applications, transmittal form, transcript(s)/grade report, and letters of recommendation must be RECEIVED by February 1. New for 2008, the Cheryl and David Pence 4-H Scholarship will be awarded to two Polk County 4-Hers. Each scholarship is worth $500. One scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior member that has participated in the communication project. Another scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior member that has participated in the visual art project. The Pence Scholarship application is required through the Iowa 4-H Foundation 4-H Scholarship process as listed above and is due February 1. Please note, the Pence Scholarship is so new, it did not make it to printing in time to be included with the Foundations scholarship listing. Applicants should be sure to handwrite on the transmittal form that they are applying for this specific opportunity along with any other Foundation scholarships.
National 4-H Conference: Iowa sends 4 youth and 2 adults to the National 4-H Conference in March 2009 at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. One of the main objectives is to help youth and adults 2008 Scholarship Info! develop their maximum potential by providing opportunities to participate actively in 4-H program developA listing of other scholarships targeted for 4-Hers, sevment at the national level. Must be in grades 9 -11 to eral with an agricultural emphasis can be found at: apply. www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/Documents/ Schol3336OtherScholPrograms.pdf National 4-H Congress: Iowa sends 22-25 youth and 2 adults and will be held in November 2008 in Atlanta, Eligibility requirements and scholarship websites with Georgia. Youth will identify issues of concern for the complete application instructions with specific deadlines Congress through one-on-one interview with community are published on the above mentioned website. Some leaders and youth. Other educational experiences will of the most popular scholarships are Alpha Gamma Rho, include conflict resolution training, leadership developChristina Hixson, Herbert Hoover, Iowa Farm Bureau, ment training, and cultural awareness workshops. RecIowa State Fair, Iowa State University, University of reational, social and cultural activities are vital compoIowa, University of and Northern Iowa scholarships. nents of the program. Must be in grades 10-11 to apply.
VEISHEA Scholarships
VEISHEA 2008 is delighted to award six Leadership Scholarships and two Community Involvement Scholarships in the amount of $500 each to high school seniors entering Iowa State in the fall of 2008.
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The selected applicants will attend VEISHEA Scholars weekend from April 18 10, 2008 to celebrate their accomplishments and experience Iowa State. During that weekend, scholars will also have the opportunity to meet with many of the universitys current leaders and form lasting friendships. Postmark deadline is February 4. More information and applications may be found online at www.veishea.iastate.edu.
Award and Scholarship Workshop
For those interested in applying for area/state awards and would like information about the different opportunities, advice on writing their application and tips on how to interview in front of a panel of judges, there will be a workshop held on Thursday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m to help members through this process. This workshop will also help graduating seniors that want to apply for 4-H scholarships (also due February 1) with filling out forms correctly. Andrea Nelson will lead the workshop. It would be a good idea for members to look at the application forms before coming to the workshop and start on the written portion.
Conservation District Scholarship and Poster Contest
Poster Contest Conservation Districts of Iowa and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company are co-sponsoring the 2008 Soil & Water Conservation District Poster contest. The contest is open to all students, grades Kindergarten to 12th. Cash prizes will be offered to Regional and State winners. Poster information, rules and application form can be found at www.cdiowa.org/education.html. College Scholarship Conservation District of Iowa (CDI) is sponsoring a scholarship for Iowa high school seniors who are pursuing college level programs of study in any field of agriculture or natural resources. Graduating seniors are urged to access the application rules and at www.cdiowa.org/ awards.html. Application deadline is February 29, 2008. Poster and scholarship questions should be directed to the Polk SWCD at 515-964-1883 ext. 3 or by stopping by the office at 1513 North Ankeny Blvd. Suite 3, Ankeny, Iowa.
Iowa Egg Council Cooking Contest
The Iowa Egg Council is looking for youth and adult entrants for their annual Cooking Contest. It is a fun opportunity to try "egg-citing" new egg recipes and to share your culinary skills. More information and application form, go to www.iowaegg.org, or call the Iowa Egg Council at 1-877-IOWA-EGG.
Iowas Promise Youth Grants
Do you know a group of young people with a wonderful idea for community service? Are they looking for a funding source? If so, read on! "Iowa's Promise Youth" grants up to $250 are available from the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service in partnership with Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development. Criteria for funding include involving two or more local groups (one must be a youth group such as a 4-H club, church group or school group) in a community service or community improvement project. For more information go to: www.iowaspromise.org/ or contact Sue Bogue at 515-294-1533. Applications are due February 1.
Ag Enhancement Scholarship
Polk County Farm Bureau is offering a $2,000 Ag Enhancement Scholarship to a Polk County resident, graduating senior of an accredited Polk County high school, enrolling in a post-secondary school in the state of Iowa as a full-time undergraduate student majoring in an agricultural related field. This $2,000 scholarship will be given in $500 increments over four years. Scholarship applications are available from Polk County Extension, Polk County Farm Bureau and local high schools. Deadline is March 31, 2008.
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State Leaders Retreat
Iowa Beef Expo
The Iowa Beef Expo will be held February 10 17 at the Capture the Spirit is the theme for the 2008 State Volun- Iowa State Fairgrounds. The Junior Show begins Februteer Retreat scheduled for Friday, February 8, and Satur- ary 15. This IJBBA sanctioned show requires registrations day, February 9, centrally located at the DMACC facility to be postmarked by February 1 for valid entry. For in Newton. more information, go to www.iowabeefexpo.com or contact Mindy Campfield at 966-0075. The retreat, supported in part by Monsanto and National 4-H Council, will bring 4-H volunteers, staff, parents, and intermediate and senior 4-H members together to Horse Jamboree network and learn about innovative programs that will help bring fresh perspectives and activities to Iowa 4-H programs. Friday evening is a networking/fellowship type The 2008 State Youth Horse Jamboree is scheduled for gathering with hands-on activities and is free except for April 12 and 13 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. There are the costs of the craft materials. Workshops and network- several non-riding competitions to compete in as an individual or team. For complete schedule and registration ing fill the day on Saturday, February 9. information, go to: www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/ A wide variety of workshop sessions will meet the needs Agriculture/livestockhandbookHorse.htm and scroll of both new and experienced volunteers, staff, and 4-H down to the Horse Jamboree information. members. The registration cost for Saturday is $10 and includes lunch and breaks. The Polk County 4-H Club Committee has committed to all leaders attending this retreat for the first time, to pay for their registration fee. Please communicate with Andrea if interested in attending. Registration forms are online or at the Extension Office.
FSQA 2008
The 4-H Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) program will require all beef, swine, sheep, dairy, goat, poultry, and rabbit exhibitors (breeding and market animals) at the Polk County and Iowa State Fairs to be certified. FSQA training is an essential tool in understanding how raising 4-H projects affects the food on our plates. Knowing the importance of good recordkeeping, February Leader Training understanding feed and feed additives, injections, labels, withdrawals, bio-security, the vet-patient-client relationThe next club leader training is scheduled for Monday, February 25 from 1:00 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 9:00 p.m. ship, general care and handling, and the ethics of producing food will be covered during the certification This training will fulfill a leader training credit. Each leader is required to attend two trainings each year. We training. also have alternative ways of earning credits such as training available via the internet (check with the Exten- Certification can be accomplished through a two-hour workshop (all age groups), or by testing out (ages 12-18). sion Office for system requirements) and/or a DVD. Each of these alternative trainings require a short quiz to Hands-on activities will be done as part of the certification workshop. Exhibitors that wish to certify in 2008 by be turned in. workshop need to attend one of the following certifi...