Photography Contest and Exhibit
Iowa 4-H'ers are invited to submit photgraphs that focus on wild plants and animals of Iowa, the United States, and the world. Deadline for contest entries is Tuesday, December 1. An 8x10 copy of the phots and a required artist statement describing the subject matter should be sent via mailor e-mail to UNI Museums in Cedar Falls. Prizes will be awarded and entries displayed at the opening reception on Saturday, January 9 at 2:00 pm. For rules, entry forms, and mailing address visit http://www.uni.edu/museum/calendar/photo_contest/index.html
2009 Pioneer Grant Information and Applications Now Available!
Pioneer Hi-Bred International is offering Pioneer Community Improvement Grants through the Iowa 4‑H Foundation again this year. Clubs are encouraged to apply for “seed money” to help them get started on community projects. The brochure, information, and application are on the web at: /4H/PioneerGrants.html They have also been put in leaders boxes.
Applications and support letters for 2010 grants are due in the county office on December 1, 2009. This is a suggested date! With holiday activities and Christmas vacations, the Dec. 1 date allows county staff time to make comments on the club applications. These comments are very important to committee members who review the applications and decide which are funded.
Seeking IFYE Host Families!
Iowa will be hosting a 19-year-old German man from September 19-December 17. He is interested in agricultural production, particularly the swine industry and crop production. The goal of his stay in Iowa is a cultural experience—living with and learning about Iowa families. He will not be a student during this time, rather he will live with and participate in the daily family life of his hosts. We are looking for families to host for periods of 3-4 weeks during this time. If you are interested or have suggestions of possibly host families, please contact Brenda Allen at bsallen@iastate.edu or 515-294-1567.
4-H Club Food Drive
The Lucas County, Country Clovers 4-H Club is sponsoring a state wide community service project and would like your help. They are challenging all 4‑H Clubs in Iowa to donate any amount of money to your county’s food bank. We have named this project: “4‑H Clubs Giving a Helping HAND against HUNGER”. Linked here is a letter and Challenge Form. In advance, they would like to THANK all Iowa 4-Hers for using your HEAD to open your HEARTS by lending a HAND, to better the HEALTH of your community against HUNGER! Deadline January 30, 2010
The Christopher Columbus Awards
The Christopher Columbus Awards presents an opportunity for 4-Hers that are interested in math and science to apply their interest in serving their community. The Christopher Columbus Awards program is a national competition that taps the natural curiosity and creativity of kids to better their communities. The program is designed for sixth through eighth grade students, and they must work in teams of three or four with an adult coach. The team must identify a problem in its community, and devise a solution that requires the team to obtain hands-on experience with the scientific process-exploring, analyzing and drawing conclusions-and learn how to apply it to everyday life. They have invited Iowa 4-H to participate.
The finalist teams receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World ® in Orlando, Florida, to compete in the final judging, and also to attend the Christopher Columbus Academy. The Academy is an educational opportunity that gives the finalists firsthand experience with discovery and innovation, while being guided by experts in science, technology and education.
At an awards ceremony held at Walt Disney World, two gold medal winning teams will receive a $2000 savings bond each and a plaque for each team member along with a plaque for their school/club and one team will receive a $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant to bring their service idea to life. The competition is geared toward middle school-age children, and gives kids experience in solving real-life problems using the scientific process of exploring, analyzing and drawing conclusions. Find out more at http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/ Deadline is February 8, 2010.
Save the Date: Keeping it Green Fundraising Gala
The Iowa 4-H Foundation will be hosting an all new fundraising event in 2010. This fundraising gala will be held on February 20, 2010 at the Science Center of Iowa in downtown Des Moines. The event will feature the Science, Engineering and Technology project areas within 4-H, as well as the many amazing accomplishments of Iowa 4-H’ers. The theme for the event is “Keeping It Green.”
Plans are just getting underway, but the event is planned to include a science competition among youth during the day and a formal event during the evening hours. A silent and live auction will be held along with entertainment.
Table sponsorships are being sold for $1,000 each and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A waiting list of individuals wishing to attend will be collected and if there are tables available, we will accommodate these individuals.
To reserve your table, donate an auction item, provide entertainment or to simply learn more about the Gala, contact Shelly Greving at shellyg@iastate.edu or (515) 294-1607.
4-H Day at the ISU Women’s Basketball Game
The Iowa 4-H Foundation is hosting a 4-H Day at the Iowa State Women’s basketball game versus Kansas State on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Tip-off is at 7:00pm. Ticket price is just $15 per person! Ticket Includes admission to game, pre-game tailgate party (food & drink) at the Extension 4-H Youth Building, exclusive Cyclone 4-H t-shirt and a $2 Donation to the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
Join your fellow 4-H'ers and Cyclone fans from 4-6pm for a 4-H pre-game tailgate that will be held at the Extension 4-H Youth Building on the ISU Campus. A catered meal will feature pork provided by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. In addition to admission to the game and tailgating with your fellow 4-H'ers and Cyclone fans... you will receive an exclusive Cyclone 4-H t-shirt! Pick up your ticket(s) and t-shirt(s) at the tailgate event prior to the game. They will not be mailed in advance. Don't miss out, contact the Allamakee County Extension Office for more information
Iowa 4-H Youth Conference 2010
The theme for the 2010 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference has been decided: Set the Stage. And, please mark your calendars now for this event, June 29-July 1, 2010. More details about the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference will come after the next state 4-H council retreat, scheduled for Jan. 9-10, 2010.
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Year Round Opportunities
4-H Cookbook Fundraiser for Clubs 11/1/09
The Iowa 4-H Foundation is celebrating its 60th Anniversary with a collectible that will get you cooking. The 60th Anniversary Edition cookbook is on sale now and available for purchase at www.extension.iastate.edu/store for only $20. However, if there is a 4-H club looking for a fundraiser, they can have county staff purchase the cookbooks online at $10 and resell them for $20, raising $10 each for their club or county program.
This exclusive 192-page cookbook put the 4-H Foundation at work with Meredith Corporation’s Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen and Successful Farming Magazine. You will find recipes for Hometown Potlucks ranging from delicious snack mixes and dips to enchilada casseroles and a variety of fresh salads. You will even find yummy desserts including chocolate goody bars, cranberry apple casserole and praline cheesecake squares.
Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging Iowans to nominate their farm neighbors for the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, in partnership with the Iowa Ag Radio Network, honors Iowa livestock producers for their commitment and dedication to the environment, their community and their livestock through this award.
4-H’ers can nominate their neighbors who raise livestock – including club and project leaders – to help celebrate the community service provided by 4-H volunteers. The award is made possible through the financial support of The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. “This award is a tremendous opportunity to tell the story of agriculture and the important role it plays in Iowa’s economy,” Northey, a 4-H alumnus and past Foundation Trustee, stated.
The award recognizes Iowa livestock producers who care for their operations and their neighbors and is named for Gary Wergin, a former WHO Radio broadcaster who helped create the award. To nominate someone you know write a letter or e-mail explaining why your neighbor should receive this recognition on WHO’s Big Show.
Applications may be submitted to:
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
Henry A. Wallace Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
Or call 515/281-8606 or c-mail tess.capps@iowaagriculture.gov