Beaver County 4-H Program

All-American Dairy Show Registration Open

2009-07-16T13:02:00.001-04:00

Online registration is now available on the website http://www.allamerican.state.pa.us/. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the site as well for information on other activities such as the 2009 bus tour and Antique Auction. The premium list is available online, and books are being mailed out this week.

Entry Deadlines:
August 14
August 31

4-H Flag Heads Into Space Aboard Shuttle Endeavor

2009-07-16T13:00:00.001-04:00

The National 4-H flag was carried into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour yesterday as part of the STS-127 mission. The flag, featuring the familiar 4-H clover, was originally scheduled to head into space earlier this year, but was delayed a record five times before finally lifting off this week.

“The inclusion of the 4-H flag on this mission reflects the commitment 4-H has to building young leaders in science, engineering and technology,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “As the global economy expands, these leaders will strengthen the United States' global competitiveness and leadership in these fields.”

4-H promotes positive youth development, facilitates learning and engages youth in the work of the land-grant universities and USDA to enhance their quality of life. Nearly 7 million youth, ages 5-19, participate in 4-H youth development experiences in all 50 states, territories and military installations worldwide.

Azeem Ahmed, 17, who is an avid space enthusiast and 4-H member from Alabama and President of the Alabama 4-H Council, made the original request to NASA to have the flag flown with a future space shuttle mission.

“4-H is more than green and white - it is a collage,” Ahmed said. “It is agriculture and it's also healthy living, leadership and citizenship and science, engineering and technology. Science, engineering and technology is one of the missions of 4-H, and by flying a 4-H flag into space, I hope we shine a new light on 4-H.”

Ahmed has been a 4-H member for seven years. He has participated in a variety of leadership and science, engineer and technology programs on the state and national level and wants people to see 4-H as he and thousands of other youth do.

The 4-H Youth Development Program began at the start of the 20th century to help rural youth gain technical and leadership skills. More than 100 years later, the organization continues to promote positive youth development in the areas of citizenship; healthy living and science; engineering; and technology. According to a two-year study in New York, young people who participate in 4-H clubs do better in school; are more motivated to help others; develop skills in leadership, public speaking, self-esteem, communication and planning; and make lasting friendships.

National 4-H Headquarters, along with its private partner National 4-H Council, has set the goal of preparing one million new young people to excel in science, engineering and technology (SET) by 2013. National 4-H Headquarters seeks to promote positive youth development, facilitate learning and engage youth in the work of the land-grant universities and USDA to enhance their quality of life.

More information is available at www.national4-hheadquarters.gov. Information on the SET initiative can be found at 4-h.org/programs_mission_mandates/set.html.

National 4-H Headquarters is a unit within USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.

#

This news release is a service of the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. To view other agency news, visit http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/news.html.

Shepherd's Quiz Bowl

2009-07-10T15:52:00.001-04:00

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009
Place: Samuel E. Hayes Jr. Livestock Evaluation Center, PA Furnace, PA

Held in conjunction with the PA Performance Tested Ram &
Boer Billy Sale and Invitational Female Sale

The competition is open to shepherds of all ages. We will compete in teams, from two to four persons per team. Team members need not be all from the same county. Teams can pre-register with Laurie Hubbard by calling 814-355-4215 or register on the day of competition. Registration will be from 10-10:45AM on August 1st with Round One beginning at approximately 11AM. The number of teams competing will be limited to 20. Prizes will be awarded!

Hookstown Fairs Passes Early Sale Date - 7/15

2009-07-09T12:51:00.005-04:00

We will have tickets available for sale earlier than we planned! Tickets will be sold starting July 15 in the Beaver County Extension office. We were able to get the tickets earlier than we had anticipated. We will have tickets for sale August 1st, 2nd and 15th during 4-H horse programs at the Hookstown Fairgrounds. Get your tickets now or send in your order form and you can pick them up!

July is National Dairy Month

2009-07-06T11:47:00.001-04:00

The average PA dairy cow produces enough milk to make 1,500 gallons of ice cream each year. July is National Ice Cream Month, so get the scoop or two of PA's largest ag industry.

Mon-Valley District Dairy Show

2009-06-26T16:57:00.004-04:00

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Fayette County Fairgrounds, Uniontown, PA
Entry Fee: $5 per head
Entry Deadline: August 7, 2009

Northwest District Dairy Show

2009-06-26T16:57:00.002-04:00

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Place: Crawford County Fairgrounds, Meadville, PA
Entry Fee: $5 per head
Entry Deadline: August 7, 2009

Junior Dairy Show Management Contest

2009-06-26T16:56:00.003-04:00

Date: September 22, 2009
Time: 9:15 a.m.
Place: Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA
Entry fee: $5 per member or $20 per team
Entry Deadline: September 8, 2009This competition involves individuals or a team of 3 or 4 members. One free training kit may be sent to each county for this program.

4-H & FFA Dairy Judging Forum

2009-06-26T16:56:00.002-04:00

Western PA Small Animal Show

2009-06-26T16:55:00.001-04:00

Date: September 26, 2009
Place: Fayette County Fairgrounds, Uniontown, PA
More information about this event will be sent to 4-H goat, rabbit, and dog project members in late August.

KILE Stockmen’s Contest

2009-06-26T16:49:00.002-04:00

Date: Friday, October 2, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Place: Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA
Entry fee: $5 per member
This competition involves individuals or teams of 3 or 4 members. If you would like more information contact a 4-H livestock club leader or Cindie Searight via email at css11@psu.edu, phone at 724.774.3003 or visit our office website.

Independent Study Project Members Take Note!

2009-06-26T16:49:00.001-04:00

The project and/or record book deadline to Beaver County Extension office is July 30 for all Independent Study project members. Please be sure your project and/or record books are up-to-date prior to turning them in. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you have any further questions contact Cindie Searight via email at css11@psu.edu or phone at 724.774.3003.

Fair Theme & Club Exhibits

2009-06-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

It’s time to be creative! The theme for the fairs this year is “Our Fairs are in Full Bloom.” 4-H Clubs may create an exhibit related to this theme for their fairs. If your 4-H club is planning a 4-H club exhibit for the Hookstown Fair, please contact Cindie Searight via email at css11@psu.edu or phone at 724.774.3003 to reserve your box. If you are interested in setting up an exhibit at the Big Knob Fair, we will let you know who to contact once the information is released.

Hookstown Fair Tickets for Sale

2009-06-26T16:47:00.002-04:00

Discount admission tickets for the 2009 Hookstown Fair will be available to purchase at the Beaver County Extension Office from July 27 through August 21. A daily pass is available for $7.00 per person includes admission to the fair, mechanical rides, grandstand events, and midway entertainment. A no-frills weekly gate pass (excludes mechanical rides) is available for $20 per person and is good for admission all week. Regular daily admission will be $8 until 3 p.m. and $10 after 3 p.m. Senior citizens (age 60 and older) will be admitted free on Wednesday August 26. See order form sent in Summer newsletter to reserve your tickets. NOTE: No tickets will be available to purchase at the Extension Office after August 21.

Southwest Regional 4-H Production Show

2009-06-26T16:47:00.001-04:00

Date: Monday, August 3, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Place: Hookstown Fairgrounds
Details about this registration process were sent out to 4-H members who registered for the project.

Beaver County 4-H Horse & Pony Roundup

2009-06-26T16:46:00.002-04:00

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Hookstown Fairgrounds
The Early Bird Entry fees are $5 per class until July 20, and $10.00 per class until August 3. More information was sent to 4-H members and is available on the county 4-H horse page.

Beaver County 4-H Horse Clinic

2009-06-26T16:46:00.001-04:00

Dates: July 31-August 2, 2009
Place: Hookstown Fairgrounds
Cost: Full-time registration is $45 for members and $20 for parents/leaders. Saturday-only participant fees are $30 for members and $10 for parents/leaders. For anyone coming on Sunday only, the cost is $15 for members and $10 for parents/leaders. A registration brochure will be sent out to 4-H members in early July and information will be available on the county 4-H horse page.

4-H Horse & Pony Warm-Up Show

2009-06-26T16:45:00.001-04:00

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Hookstown Fairgrounds
Registration Deadline is the day of the show. Entry fees are $6 per class.

4-H Market Lambs NEED Scrapie ID

2009-04-03T10:38:00.000-04:00

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Beaver County Cooperative Extension office want to remind you that individual official USDA scrapie animal identification is required for all market lambs.

Official scrapie ID includes:
§ A scrapie ear tag; or
§ A scrapie tattoo with individual animal ID (tattoo); or
§ An ISO-compliant RFID ear tag.

When you purchase your lambs they should have an official scrapie ID in (eartag) or on (tattoo) their ear. In accordance with USDA policies lambs should identified with an official scrapie ID before leaving their point of origin.

If you are producing your own lambs and need to obtain scrapie tags contact PDA or our office to learn more.

Any market lambs that do not have a form of scrapie in their ear at the spring weigh-in will not be permitted to weigh-in.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Cindie.

4-H Market Poultry Orders Due April 17th

2009-04-03T10:36:00.001-04:00

We are in the process of ordering the market hens for the Market Poultry project. Enclosed is an order form for families to complete. A few reminders about this project:
The 2009 Beaver County 4-H Market Poultry Pen order form is available from the extension office and was mailed to 4-H livestock club members. Anticipated delivery is middle to late June. Once we have an accurate order and confirmation from the hatchery we will let you know the delivery date and pickup details. The order deadline is April 17, 2009.

*If you decide to order birds without registering for this project at the time of ordering you are ineligible to participate in this project at the fair. To register for the project if you have not done so please print a reminder to add this project to the 4-H member’s record in the extension office.

If you have any questions regarding this project feel free to contact Cindie.

2009 Poster Art Contest

2009-03-29T18:14:00.001-04:00

It is time to get creative! Plan to enter the 2009 state 4-H poster art contest. All posters are entered in an open category that promotes 4-H. The rules are:
1. 14" x 22" poster board of weight stiff enough to stand alone. Please be sure to measure carefully! You will need to cut down a regular size piece of poster board. Larger or smaller posters are not judged and are disqualified from the contest.
2. Horizontal or vertical.
3. No 3-D or box designs.
4. Glued items must be flat. Collages/cutouts are okay.
5. No copyrighted or traced material. Original designs only.
6. Put your name, address, 4-H age, short identifying caption, and county on the back.
7. There are two age divisions - 12 and under and 13 and older by January 1, 2009.

Judges prefer bright colors and simple designs. So get your ideas together and let's see if Beaver County can have a winner. Posters are due to the office by June 1, 2009. They will be submitted to Penn State shortly after that.

If you have questions please contact Cindie to learn more.

NEW 4-H T-shirt!

2009-03-29T18:13:00.000-04:00

The Southwest Region 4-H staff have produced a new regional 4-H t-shirt. We have two color options of black with white printing or gray with green printing. The wording on the t-shirts is “4-H Since 1902” across the top with a 4-H clover, and the words “Head, Heart, Hands, Health” running vertically down the shirt. There are children and adult sizes, youth small to 3X. Cost is $8 except for 2X and 3X which are $10. We have a limited supply of shirt sizes are available for sale at the extension office. If we don’t have the size and/or color available we may be able to get the shirt in from our inventory in other offices.

Small Animal 4-H Essay Contest

2009-03-29T18:12:00.000-04:00

The contest is open to all 4-H members enrolled in a small animal project - dog, cat, rabbit, pet care, or poultry (except embryology). If the member’s project is pet care, the pet must be a small animal. Examples of appropriate pets are cats, dogs, rabbits, cavies (guinea pigs), hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, birds, tropical fish, turtles, and snakes. Projects involving large animals do not qualify.

All entries should be titled “What I Have Learned in My 4-H Small Animal Project.” Some areas that could be discussed are what you do to take care of your animals, the animal care skills or knowledge you have learned or practiced, life skills you have learned or practiced, how you relate or apply skills you have learned to your behavior in life, and the leadership, citizenship and community service responsibilities you have assumed through these projects. Essays will be limited to 500 words and may be typed or handwritten. Do not exceed the word limit - your entry will be disqualified! Entries will be judged in three divisions: ages 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 to 18 as of January 1st of the current year.
All entries must have 4-H member’s name, age, county, and complete mailing address clearly written on each essay. Entries must be at the Extension Office by June 1. For more information contact Cindie.

Spikes Baseball Tickets Available

2009-03-29T18:11:00.002-04:00

Pennsylvania 4-H has teamed up with the State College Spikes for the “4-H Youth Achievement Night” at the ballpark. Your 4-H members, families, and 4-H leaders are invited to participate in the 4-H Youth Achievement Night” at the ballpark on Friday, July 10, 2009. The Spikes play at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the Penn State, University Park Campus. The Spikes will be hosting the Jamestown Jammers.
The Spikes began during the 2006 New York-Penn League's season. Spikes are a short-season Class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They share Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with the Penn State baseball team.
Tickets will be $4.00 for all members, leaders, and family members. To order tickets contact the extension office before May 15, 2009 or use the order form enclosed in the Spring 4-H Informer newsletter.

Southwest Regional 4-H Camp

2009-03-29T18:10:00.001-04:00

Dates: June 14-17, 2009
Place: Laurelville Conference Center, Mt. Pleasant, PA
For: ANY youth ages 7 to 11 by January 1st
Cost: For Beaver County 4-H Members cost is $90 per camper. For non-4-H members the cost is $140. Scholarships may be available for children of military families.
For more information see the enclosed brochure or contact Cindie.

2009 State 4-H Photo Contest Open

2009-03-29T18:09:00.001-04:00

If you're a "shutterbug" with an interest in photography, you may want to enter the state photo contest. You do not need to be enrolled in the photography project. 4-H Members of any age are eligible. Each member is limited to one entry of either one photograph or a photo story. A story is less than 10 photos on a related topic.

Entries may be black and white or color. Prints must not exceed 8" x 10". Photos should not be framed. Remove photos from frames before bringing them to the extension office. Attach your name, age, county, address, and a short caption to the back of the entry. Entries must be at the office by June 1 for delivery to Penn State shortly after that. Call Cindie if you have questions.

PA 4-H Forestry Field Day

2009-03-29T18:08:00.000-04:00

Pennsylvania’s 4-H Forestry Field Day is slated for May 9, 2009, from 9:45 AM - 3 PM at Laurel Haven Conservation Education Center, Julian, PA (near Penn State). This event is open to all 4-H’ers who have taken, or are planning to undertake any 4-H forestry project. The event has two options. There is an "Exploratory Tract" for younger 4-H’ers (ages 8-11) and a "Competitive Tract" for older youth (ages 12-18). All adults and 4-H volunteers are welcome to attend.Participants signing up for the Exploratory Tract will learn basic forestry principals. This is non-competitive, educational, and fun. No advance study is required for the Exploratory Tract.

4-H’ers in the Competitive Tract will participate in forestry knowledge and judging contest. A project book with everything one needs to know for this tract is available as a download at the web site listed below or by contacting the extension office. The top four teens (ages 14 years and up) will go on to participate in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational. There is no fee for this event, but all youth and adults planning to attend should sign up through the office. Participants must bring their own bag lunch and drink, and everyone is encouraged to dress for field conditions. Additional information and directions to the event can be found on the event web site: http:pa4h.cas.psu.edu/78.htm the event registration deadline is April 25, 2009.
If you have questions or cannot access the website please contact the extension office at 724-774-3003 for assistance.

Vet & Biomedical Sciences Camp

2009-03-29T18:07:00.000-04:00

A Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Summer Camp for 11th grade students is being offered on June 28-July 3, 2009.
A few of the programs that will be offered are: Biomedical sciences are multidisciplinary fields providing an understanding of the scientific basis of animal and human health and diseases, infection and immunity, mechanisms of drug actions, and environmental toxicants; Spend time in state-of-the-art laboratories guided by veterinary and biomedical sciences department faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students; Learn more about the veterinary and biomedical professions through laboratory exercises, lectures, and a tour of a local veterinary practice; and Student participants will have an opportunity to interact with veterinarians, immunologists, and toxicologists.
Who is eligible? If you are going to be in the 11th or 12th grade in the fall of 2009, you are eligible to apply.
The program deadline is June 5, 2009. Program costs are Day-Camp Option price: $385 or Residential Option price: $495. Price includes room and board for the residential campers and daily lunch for the day-campers, laboratory fees, T-shirt, transportation on/off campus, and program materials and is payable to “Penn State” along with your registration information.
Download the registration form and fill it out and mail to the address below. The web site about the camp is: http://vbs.psu.edu/k-12/vbs-camp. You also need to mail in all your supplemental information to the same address for you to be considered for the program. If you cannot access the website or have problems contact our office at 724-774-3003 for assistance.

Horse Housing, Fencing, and Fire Safety

2009-02-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

Date: February 24, 2009
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Penn State Cooperative Extension of Beaver County
Please register with at 724-774-3003.
Space is limited to 35 adults.

Summer Beaver County 4-H Horse Show Dates

2009-02-11T11:24:00.004-05:00

Warm-Up Show Details

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Hookstown Fairgrounds

Roundup Show Details

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Hookstown Fairgrounds

Capital Days '09

2009-02-11T11:20:00.004-05:00

We are looking for a few teens to represent Beaver County at the 2009 Penn State 4-H Capital Days. For more details please refer to the enclosed brochure.

Dates: Sunday through Tuesday, April 19-21, 2009

Who: 4-H members who have reached their 15th birthday by January 1, 2009

Where: Headquarters – Hilton Harrisburg & Towers, Downtown Harrisburg, PA.

Attire: On Monday and Tuesday teens will need to dress in professional attire. Suits or pants and sport coats for guys and ladies need to wear dresses or suits at least finger tip length or longer. Casual attire may be worn for the travel and Monday night social time.

Objectives: To provide an experience for Pennsylvania 4-H members this will lead to a better understanding of their roles as citizens of Pennsylvania.

The county will cover the $275 registration fee. However, youth will need to cover the cost of 3 meals not included in the registration fee.

Interested teens need to submit an essay of at least 250 words about why they should represent the county at this state level program to me no later than February 19th at 5 p.m.

Essays will be judged by two 4-H educators. Results of the judging and who will be representing the county will be released on Friday, February 23.

I will be one of the chaperones attending this program.

Feel free to contact me with questions about this opportunity!

Thundering Hooves 4-H Horse Club Tree

2008-12-10T15:53:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for some 4-H spirit this holiday season look for the Thundering Hooves 4-H Horse Club tree in Clinton, PA. The tree is part of the community "Christmas Light-Up" and features a horse theme. Some 4-H club members and leaders worked on this 4-H promotional tree. Below is the web address to learn more about this annual holiday event.

http://www.christmaslightup.com/

Winning Ways Clinic for Horse Project Members

2008-12-10T11:03:00.003-05:00

When: March 14-15, 2009
Location: Ag Arena, Univesrity Park, PA
More information about this program will be released once it becomes available.

Southwest Regional 4-H Leader Symposium

2008-12-10T10:53:00.002-05:00

Dates: February 20-21, 2009
Location: Holiday Inn, Indiana, PA
Several workshops are planned for 4-H volunteers on a variety of topics. A brochure will be sent out in January. You can either stay overnight or just participate in Saturday's workshops!
Cost: To be determined

District XI 4-H Horse Show

2008-12-10T10:41:00.003-05:00

Tentative Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: North Park, Allgheny County
Class Fee: $7.00 per exhibitor per class

2009 Fair Dates in Beaver County

2008-12-04T09:23:00.003-05:00

The dates for the two fairs in Beaver County are listed below.

Hookstown Fair - August 25-29, 2009

Big Knob Fair - September 1-5, 2009

PA Farm Show

2008-12-04T09:17:00.002-05:00

The 2009 PA Farm Show will take place January 10-17, 2009, at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. We have a few premium books available in the office or you can visit the PA Department of Agriculture website to get to the Farm Show website. There are many things to see and do during the week long event showcasing PA's number one industry - Agriculture! You may even see some Beaver County 4-H members in the show ring during your visit.

Delaware Valley College Livestock & Dairy Judging Contest

2008-12-04T09:09:00.004-05:00

For anyone interested in Dairy and Livestock Judging Saturday, April 18, 2009, is the date for the annual program at DVC. Once more information is released we will share it with you.

Penn State 4-H Capital Days

2008-11-21T14:19:00.000-05:00

Teens 15-18 are eligible to participate in this annual state 4-H program. The dates are April 19-21, 2009. Teens will be staying in Harrisburg, PA. Space is limited. More information will be sent out and posted in January 2009.

Pennsylvania 4-H Week

2008-11-21T14:12:00.000-05:00

Make plans to celebrate 4-H during Pennsylvania 4-H week March 15-21, 2009.

Southwest Regional 4-H Teen Leader Retreat

2008-11-21T14:09:00.000-05:00

Teens may save March 6-8, 2008 for participating in this annual 4-H event. The location will be the Laurelville Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant, PA. Tentative cost is $110 per teen. Brochures will be mailed out in January 2009.

Should we increase the county 4-H member meeting attendance requirement?

2008-11-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

We are reviewing the recommendation made this fall to increase the county meeting attendance requirement to 75%. Members would have to attend 75% of 4-H club meetings by the last 4-H meeting before the roundup or fair.

Dates for the 2009 PA State 4-H Horse Show

2008-11-21T13:47:00.000-05:00

The dates for the 2009 PA State 4-H Horse Show is October 23-25, 2009. This will be the 50th Annual show.