The Buffalo Bulletin October 2007
Buffalo County UW-Extension Office 407 South 2nd Street PO Box 276 Alma, WI 54610-0276 608-685-6256 – phone 608-685-6259 – fax
Dear 4-H Families and Friends, Enrollment forms are due November 2nd! But, before you aimlessly select every 4H project under the sun, stop and consider which 4-H projects are just right for you this year! First, why is it important to take time when selecting your 4-H projects for the upcoming year? The answer is that careful planning and decision making up front will increase your interest and satisfaction in 4-H project work, improve 4-H project completion, goal setting and reflection, and reduce frustrations when record book time rolls around again. Steps to Selecting 4-H Projects Just Right For You! 1. 4-H Members, ask yourself these questions: What do you like to do for fun? What are your hobbies? What do you want to learn? Then, focus on your interests. Select 4-H projects that will allow you to have fun, participate in your hobbies, and learn new knowledge and skills. Once you’ve narrowed down your 4-H project choices, select only a few 4-H projects from that list considering these two main factors: Suggested age, skill-level, and experiences needed to complete the project Resources available to you to help complete the project (time, financial costs, equipment, materials, guidance, support, and leadership from an adult, etc.) Consult a parent or another 4-H adult volunteer to help you make your final decisions. Many were in 4-H themselves and have valuable knowledge and ideas to share! Then, in each 4-H project you select make a commitment to yourself to: Set Goals Work Hard Learn Lots of New Knowledge Strengthen Life & Project Skills Reflect in your 4-H Record Book Complete your 4-H Project Work Good luck in your new 4-H year and with all your new 4-H projects!
National 4-H Week October 7- 13!
Annie
Mark Your Calendars!
WHEN
October 2 October 5 Revised due date October 7-13 October 13 October 14 October 17 October 28
WHAT
Whitetails Unlimited Banquet Friend of 4-H Nomination Forms National 4-H Week Contest End-of-the-year trail ride Ronald McDonald House ME Workshop Recognition Celebration Donations for Operation Iraqi Children ME’s due
TIME
7:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
WHERE
Valley Supper Club in Mondovi
WHO
Ticket holders
UW-Extension Office
Lawn and/or window displays in Buffalo Co.
Everyone is welcome to make nominations
All 4-H families and 4-H clubs
2:00 p.m. Depart ~ 1:00 p.m. Return ~ 10:00 p.m. 6:00—7:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. (Set-up at noon) Revised time! 4:00 p.m.
Al & Mary Norby’s Mondovi Rochester, MN
Courthouse-4th Floor
Horse Project Members 4-H youth in grades 7-12 Everyone is welcome Everyone is welcome!
Cochrane VFW
October 31
Extension Office
Everyone and every club is encouraged to make donations! Youth, grades 7 & over, interested in taking a 4-H trip in 08 Youth ages 15-18 Everyone is welcome Youth, grades 7 & over, interested in taking a 4-H trip in 08 Everyone is welcome!
November 1
4:30 p.m.
Extension Office
November 3 & 4 November 7 November 11
PDPW Youth Leadership Derby Annual Fair Association Meeting ME Interviews 8:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Marshfield High School 3rd Floor Alma Courthouse Alma Courthouse
November 11
4-H Leaders’ Assoc. Meeting SDLT Leadership Conference
Following ME interviews—7:00 p.m. All day
Alma Courthouse
November 17
Wisconsin Dells
Youth Leaders will to help teach!
Youth Leader News
4-H Youth Council Event!
Ronald McDonald House, Rochester, MN Sunday, October 14 Depart from Alma Courthouse at 1:00 p.m. Return around 10:00 p.m. We need parent drivers! (Youth leaders can’t drive!) Food Committee: Mel Coombs Kylee Secrist Justin Weisenbeck Jared Weisenbeck Lucas Duley Decoration/Games Committee: Caitlin Coombs Lexi Major
We will prepare and serve a meal for quests at the Ronald McDonald House. If you’re free, we strongly encourage you to come—this is a truly powerful experience! Please call or email Annie by October 8th if you will participate in this event! Up-coming Events:
ME Workshop—4th Floor Conference Room; October 17, 6:00—7:30 p.m. Recognition Celebration Set-Up - Sunday, October 28, 12:00 p.m. ME Interviews—Saturday, November 17, 5:00 p.m. Youth Council Meeting—Caroling for Canned Goods, Sunday, December 16
Please note the change in time!
Call or email Annie to register for all these events!
Officers for 4-H Youth Council
It’s time to elect Youth Council officers for the new 4-H year. All youth in grades 7 and over are automatically members of the Youth Council. We NEED you to attend our meetings and to help us decide on the activities we will be doing this coming year. If you are interested in becoming a Youth Council officer, please submit your name for the ballot. Only active members are eligible. Contact Annie at 608-685-6256 or by email at annie.hobson@ces.uwex.edu by October 12th to let her know which office you are interested in. These are the candidates so far: President ~ Mel Coombs and Vice President ~ Kylee Secrist
Youth Leaders-Come Teach & Travel
Are you interested in meeting youth leaders from the Southern District? Are you interested in teaching others or learning more about World Café? Laura Pettersen, Monroe County 4-H Agent, and I are seeking 4—5 youth leaders to help us at the Southern District Leadership Conference, which will be held in Wisconsin Dells on November 17! This is a great opportunity to meet other 4-H Youth Leaders, have fun, gain experience teaching others, and travel to a water park hotel. Call or email Annie by October 19th if you are interested.
Highlights
Buffalo County 4-H has a Web Page Check out what’s available on the Buffalo County 4-H web page at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/buffalo/4h/ ME forms Record Book forms Calendar of events Newsletters Local clubs and leader information Much more!!
Recognition Celebration Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 1:00 p.m. Location: Cochrane VFW
Please note the change in time for the Recognition Celebration!
Everyone is invited!
Opportunities
PDPW Youth Leadership Derby
What is the Youth Leadership Derby? Two-day, fun-filled lock-in with hands-on labs, valuable, interactive workshops and unique tours A conference made for students ages 15-18 interested in the dairy industry An opportunity to explore all aspects of the dairy industry A positive learning environment for kids to meet and learn from each other When: Where: Cost: Host: November 3 & 4, 2007 Marshfield High School $50 Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW)
Call Annie for more information or to obtain a registration form.
ME Forms are important!
Submitting your ME form is your first step in becoming eligible for 4-H trips and awards such as: F.I.V.E (Finding Interesting Varieties in Everyone) (Grades 7-8) (Condensed ME Form) Wisconsin State 4-H Youth Conference (Madison– grades 8-10) Citizenship Washington Focus (Washington D.C.—grades 10-12) National 4-H Conference (Atlanta, GA—grades 10-12) Out-of-State Service Learning (Grades 9-10) Key Award (Grades 11-13)
ME forms are available online at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/buffalo/4h/index.html or from the Extension Office. ME Workshop—October 17th ~ call to register. ME Forms are due to the Extension ME Interviews are November 11th ! Office on Thursday, November 1st!
Friend of 4-H, Volunteer of the Year, and 4-H Alumni Nominations
Every year at the Recognition Celebration, we like to recognize individuals or businesses that have provided support to the 4-H Program. The support of all of our volunteers and our financial supports are a tremendous part of the success of our local program. If you know of someone or some business that has made a difference in the lives of 4-H members, please take a few moments to nominate them for one of these awards. The nomination forms are available from the Extension Office or from our website: www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/buffalo/4h/. Please submit all nominations to the Extension Office by Friday, October 5, 2007.
CANCELLED
Super Saturday Workshop
This workshop has been cancelled due to the lack of youth and adult teachers.
CANCELLED
Teaching project days is a great way to build leadership skills—I encourage you to hold project meetings in your own club too! If anyone has a special talent, knowledge, or skills to share, please let me know—I’d be happy to work with you to set up an event for you at the County level.
Enroll in the Youth Leadership Project!
All 4-H members in grades 5 and up are encouraged to enroll in youth leadership as a 4-H project! One of the best things about the 4-H program is the opportunity to develop and practice your leadership skills! So make it official and enroll in the youth leadership project this year!
Last Call for Fair Projects!
You are in luck, the items listed below have been found and need you to come claim them in the Extension Office ASAP! Ashley Meaney—Carcass Trophy Jordan Prissel — CarcassTrophy Isiah Lowenhagen—Birdhouse & Drawing Katerina Lowenhagen—Artwork, Drawing, & Set of Cards Chelsa Amidon—Surface Rubbing Samantha Nyre— Photograph Kesley Secrist — Colored Drawing
Quick Tips to Get Involved in Youth Leadership!
Contact your 4-H Agent or Club Leader and discuss how you can teach or lead activities Serve as a club officer, committee chair, or representative on the Leaders Association Come to a 4-H Youth Leaders’ Council Meeting or Event!
4-H Club Community Service Grants Available
Does your 4-H club have a great idea for a community service project? The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, in partnership with We Energies, is now accepting Community Service Grant applications. The 4-H Community Service Grant Program is looking to support 4-H club’s community service projects that are… determined by and led by youth, with support from adults, have a lasting and positive impact on the community, and involve organizations and individuals outside of 4-H as partners. Your club can ask for as little as $50 and up to $500 for your community service project, however, the grant cannot cover the entire cost of a project. You can request a copy of the Community Service Grant application from your county 4-H Youth Development staff or by downloading a copy from the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation website at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/foundation/grantscomm.cfm.
National 4-H Week is October 7-13!
4-H families and clubs are encouraged to enter the 2007 Lawn or Window Display Contest to promote 4-H during National 4-H Week. Not only is this a wonderful way to advertise the benefits of the 4-H program, but it is also a way for families or clubs to earn some cash!
Follow these rules to compete:
1. The display should tell a message about 4-H and how to join. You may include the National 4-H Week Theme (shown here on the right) in your display. 2. All displays must be visible to the general public to see during National 4-H week October 7-13. Front yards, club meeting sites, or business locations (with permission, of course) are all great sites to place a display. 3. Displays will be judged on eye appeal, neatness, conveying a message about 4-H and on originality. 4. Only one (1) display per family/club may be entered. However, a family may do their own display, plus help their club make one. 5. Displays must be up by Monday, Oct. 8, and judging can take place anytime during the remainder of National 4-H Week. You must contact the Extension Office and let us know the location of your display. 6. A committee will tour all locations and judge each display sometime between October 9 and October 13. 7. Cash prizes for both the family and club entries will be awarded as follows: 1st place $15.00 2nd place $10.00 rd 3 place $ 5.00
Annual Watkins 4-H Fundraiser
It’s that time of year again ~ Our annual Watkins fundraiser! Just in time for friends and family to order supplies for Christmas baking—or for Christmas gifts! Catalogs & order forms will be distributed to clubs as soon as they are available. All orders/payments are due to the Extension Office no later than Monday, October 29. You may bring club orders/payments and turn them in at the Recognition Celebration on October 28. Products will be ready for pickup at the Courthouse on Sunday, November 11, at the Leaders’ meeting or on Tuesday, the 13th at the Extension Office.
Please encourage your club members to take advantage of this fundraiser ~ 10% of each
club’s sales will be returned to the club—IF your club meets the fundraising policy. (See our website for policies if you would like more information.) All other proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Leaders Association and are used to help pay for 4-H programming, awards, trip costs, etc., which benefits all clubs and 4-H members.
Thanks for supporting our 4-H program!
4-H Leaders’ Executive Committee
The success of our local 4-H program is centered around our local families and their participation. Not just as members or parents or even as club and resource leaders. The Buffalo County 4-H Leaders’ Association makes key decisions on how our local program operates. All adult volunteers and youth leaders (grade 7 and over) are encouraged to be an active part of the 4-H Leaders’ Association. In November we will be electing new officers for the Buffalo County 4-H Leaders’ Executive Board. Please consider offering your skills by volunteering for one of these offices. Are you interested in helping shape the future direction of Buffalo County 4-H? Do you want to help others by showcasing your leadership skills? Do you want to be a part of maintaining a strong Buffalo County 4-H tradition?
Then come to the November 11th 4-H Leaders’ Association Meeting to add your name to the ballot and start serving youth in a whole new way!
Community Service Opportunity
Operation Iraqi Children is looking for your help! We are collecting school supplies, and sending them to children in Iraq. Each kit will include: One pair of blunt-end scissors One 12-inch ruler with metric units One box of colored pencils Small pencil sharpener One large eraser Twelve new #2 lead pencils with erasers One package of notebook paper One composition book Three folders with inside pockets One zippered pencil bag One 2 gallon ziploc seal plastic bag
We're asking each club to donate either single items or full kits to the organization. Please take your donations to the Buffalo County Courthouse by the end of October. If you have any questions please contact Jessica Lisowski at 608-797-0167 or at lisowskij3@students.westerntc.edu. Thanks Everyone for your Help!
Adult Leadership
Leaders, Volunteers, and Parents Read the Fine Print!
Did you know that the Buffalo County 4-H program has their own set of 4-H policies and procedures that affects your child’s membership in Buffalo County 4-H? If not, this is your chance to read the fine print and learn more! This month’s READ THE FINE PRINT topic: Annual Behavioral Expectation Agreement Do you know what you are signing? The Annual Behavioral Expectation Agreement reads: As a condition of participation in 4-H program trips, activities, and events you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. Terms of the Agreement shall apply while you are participating in activities or attending events because you are a 4-H Member. 4-H Members must: Behave in ways acceptable to others Use good judgment in selecting clothing appropriate to occasion Be responsible for own property Respect public and personal property Be financially liable and responsible for any damage to public or personal property Abide by quiet hours and curfew times established by chaperon or sponsoring organizations Behave in accordance with applicable federal, state and municipal laws Abide by any additional expectations established for a particular event Buffalo County 4-H Members will be appropriately disciplined when there is reasonable proof of the following: Possession or use of illegal drugs, chemicals, tobacco, or alcoholic beverage Theft, misuse, or abuse of public or personal property Sexual misconduct Breaking curfew or disturbing the peace Unauthorized use of vehicles during an activity or event Illegal or unsafe use or possession of non-prescription drugs Use of prescription medication other than as prescribed by physician (chaperones must be informed of the need to take any such medication) Use of language found to be objectionable by others This set of expectations is found on the back of the 4-H enrollment form and every 4-H member, leader, and volunteer is required to abide by this agreement. When a 4-H member and his/her parent signs the back of the 4-H enrollment form, they have made a commitment to abide by these expectations at EVERY 4-H event, including 4-H club and
project meetings and the Buffalo County Fair, not just on 4-H trips or at countywide events. This agreement is one that is set forth by Wisconsin State 4-H and adopted by the Buffalo County 4-H Leaders’ Association. Next month’s READ THE FINE PRINT topic: Discipline Review Procedure. Read ALL the fine print online at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/buffalo/4h/
4-H Family
The McManimon-Myers family were members of Naples 4-H and were fondly remembered by many as the Irish Dancers. They moved to Rushford in late July. Only a couple of weeks after their move, flood waters destroyed their home and ruined all their belongings, many of which were still packed in moving boxes. The 4-H Leaders’ Association was the first to respond sending a Buffalo County 4-H blanket to the family. Then on September 16th, donations that were collected from nearly all 4-H clubs in Buffalo County rolled in. We collected six large boxes of school supplies, sewing and knitting materials, books, blankets and dishes for the McManimon-Myers family. The Glencoe Hustlers 4-H Club constructed a special blanket for the family at their 4-H club meeting. The Hilltop 4-H Club donated the rest of their club funds to the family as their last action of business before dissolving their club. The 4-H Youth Council brought many items to their meeting and took time to package the donated items with care. Many other clubs also made monetary donations. Our outreach resulted in over $350 donated to the family’s fund at the Alliance Bank in Mondovi. Beth McManimon wrote in a thank you note to Buffalo County 4-H families: ―One never realizes until one experiences a particular disaster themselves what a mess it can be! The first week, the smell of the town alone was enough to knock one over. We all walked around masked, gloved and booted to protect from the sewage that covered everything and the e-coli bacteria that was in the mud and even the dust when the streets dried out. But the greatest experience has been all the people who have come in to help with the clean up and who have made so many donations. It is so wonderful to see all the love and care from other people!‖
My favorite memory of the McManimon-Myers sisters is of them receiving a blue ribbon for their Irish Dancing at the 2006 Area Festival of Arts.
The McManimon-Myers family plans to make use of as many donated items as they can and direct unneeded items to others in their area who also suffered from flood damage. Please direct additional monetary donations to the Alliance Bank in Mondovi or contact the UW-Extension if there are additional items you would like to donate. The Buffalo County 4-H Leaders’ Association would like to extend a special thanks to Nancy Risler and Patty George for delivering the collected items and their quick response for neighbors in need. Thank you!
Animal Science
Buffalo County 4-H Rabbit Project Says, “Thanks for a GREAT year!”
The Buffalo County 4-H Rabbit Project would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts this year from project meetings to fundraising. We had a truly successful year with those enrolled in the project having the opportunity to learn more than they ever thought they would about managing their rabbitries and their efforts truly shined at the county fair. We couldn’t have done it without the support of the following people and businesses throughout the year: Dr. Joan Ludwigson, DVM, Alma Vet Clinic; Kwik Trip, Alma; Volunteers at the Alma Tundra Swan Watch, Alma; Buffalo City Foodmart, Buffalo City; Scheel’s Grocery Store, Wabasha, MN; Waumandee State Bank; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Alma; Livingston Trucking, Buffalo City; Purina Pet Foods; Buffalo County Fair Association; Tri-Oval Speedway and their Race Fans, Fountain City; and the use of the meeting facilities of Buffalo City, Mondovi, and the Waumandee State Bank. New this year at the Buffalo County fair in Mondovi, was the Great Lakes Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club’s Pee Wee Rabbit show judged by 4-H Rabbit Project Leader, Larry Livingston. Thank you to those 4-H youth in grades K-2 who came and showed their beautiful rabbits and shared their incredible knowledge of their animals. The judge had to come up with several tiebreakers to aid in his final decision. Congratulations to 1st place Jacob Boynton and 2nd place Jonah Bacon. They received hand painted trophy plates donated by the Livingston Family. We truly hope the youth enjoyed this chance to tell everyone how proud they are of what they’ve already learned. The Buffalo County 4-H Families that participated in fundraising and the Buffalo County 4-H Rabbit Show include: Fetting Family, BBC 4-H; Bacon Family, Mill Creek 4-H; Secrist Family, Clover 4-H; Kuhn Family, Eagle Valley 4-H; Braaten Family, Hill & Hollow 4-H; Lawstuen Family, Bear Creek 4-H; Rippley Family, Montana Pioneers 4-H; Hanson Family, Naples Novelty 4-H; and the Livingston Family, BBC 4-H. Despite all these accomplishments there’s still a lot of work to be done! The Buffalo
County 4-H Rabbit Project is still diligently working towards raising additional funding to pay for the much needed replacement of the rabbit cages used at the fair for many years. The new equipment was in place this year at the fair, but donations are still needed to help offset the cost of these beautiful and much safer coops. We still need to raise an additional $1020 to cover the balance of the cages and supplies used to hang the cages at the fair. Please contact Larry or Marie Livingston, 4-H Rabbit Project Leaders, if you are able to help the kids achieve their goal at (608) 248-3425.
Equine Project Members-Don't miss the end-of-the-year trail ride on October 13th, at Al and Mary Norby's, W 1143 County Rd A, Mondovi, beginning at 2:00 p.m. A potluck supper will follow about 5:00 p.m. and we will recognize participation point winners, etc. All project members, families and friends are invited. Helmets are required. What to look for in 2008: orienteering, horse soccer, horse farm visit, project meetings and more involvement by horseless horse members. Bring ideas to the next horse meetings. Watch the newsletter for when and where. Happy Horsemanship, Linda Fetting, 608-626-2931 Kelli Krzyszton, 608-248-3368 Mary Norby, 715-926-5973