MAY 2011

Make the best betterMake the best betterMake the best betterMake the best better

INSIDE:

Club News: 3 County Council: 4 Update Your PDR:

Marin County 4-H Newsletter Marin County 4-H Youth Development Program

1682 Novato Blvd., Suite 150-B Novato, CA 94947

Phone (415) 499-4207 Fax (415) 499-4209 Marin County Cooperative Extension website: http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu State 4-H website: http://ca4H.org

The newsletter is sent to all 4-H families with completed and approved registration. A digital version of the

newsletter is available on our website. To discontinue receiving a paper copy, call the office at 415-499-4207.

May May 10 County Council meeting, 6:00pm Pt. Reyes Firehouse May 11 Marin County Fair Entry Deadline May 20 Sonoma Marin Fair Entry Deadline May 25 West Marin Fair Entry Deadline May 28, 29 CA 4-H Equine Field Day, Davis May 29 State Field Day, Davis June June 4,5 Western Weekend, Pt. Reyes June 4 West Marin Fair June 22-26 Sonoma-Marin Fair July June 30-July 4 Marin County Fair July 10-16 Marin 4-H Camp

Program News!

Healthy Living Updates

For anyone who knows the 4-H pledge, “health” is a cornerstone of our program. 4-H Healthy Living encompasses a holistic approach including healthy eating habits, physical fitness, the capac-ity to recognize and direct emotions and the abil-ity to develop and maintain positive social inter-actions and relationships. The latest Healthy Living Monthly Updates can be found at http://www.ca4h.org/files/90117.pdf This month’s articles are about:

• Teen Driving • President’s Active Lifestyle Award • Healthy Eating

… and more!

Take a moment to check it out!

S.E.T.S.E.T.S.E.T.S.E.T.

4-H continues its commitment to science, engineering and technology education for its youth members through the S.E.T. ini-tiative. Check out this month’s state S.E.T. newsletter full of news and events around all things science. http://www.ca4h.org/files/90143.pdf Of particular note is the announcement of the 2011 National Youth Science Day ex-periment. This year’s theme is Wired for Wind and the experiment will explore the use of wind as an alternative energy source. Youth members will: � Design, build and test two different wind

turbine models,

� Experiment with variables by examining

three different blade pitch angles to

determine the effect of pitch on rotor speed,

� Relate their scientific experiences back to

their own lives by determining how their com-

munities can

harness the power of wind and create a more

sustainable and clean energy system, and

� Determine the best location for a potential

wind farm.

To learn more about National Youth Sci-ence Day and to sign up for announce-ments and info, visit: http://www.4-h.org/4-h-national-youth-science-day/nysdhome.aspx

Thrive The latest research shows that when we explore things that really SPARK our interest, learn from our mis-takes with a GROWTH mindset and get good at GOAL SETTING, we become people who connect with each other, show caring, contribute to society, grow competence in our areas of interest, show confi-dence and character in what we do, and ultimately THRIVE in life. California State 4-H is supporting our youth members and their future by enhancing the 4-H program with these Thrive components:

• Indentify your Spark

• Develop a Growth Mindset

• Use the “GPS” goal setting system

• Building Compentence, Connection, Confidence, Contribution, Character and Caring

Our adult project leaders will learn more about Thrive this summer, then they will work with their Junior and Teen Project leaders to make Thrive enhancements to their program experience. The rest of our members will join in the when we arrive at 2012.

Stay tuned!

Club News

San Rafael Helps at Marinwood Easter Egg Hunt

By Rose Myers San Rafael 4-H

On April 23, 2011 the San Rafael 4-H Club attended the annual Las Gallinas Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast at the Marinwood Community Center. Thank you to Erin Rose Charlton our junior leader in poultry who brought Colette, a Silkie and Odette, a Begian Bearded D’Anvre, Maggie Maloney for helping out, and Ruby Wolfers and her sister Raney with their Ameraucauna, Daisy and their White Crested Black Polish, Dolly. Thanks also to our junior leader in rabbits, Rose Myers with her Blue Mini Rex, Silverbell and Kit and Piet Broms who brought their Red Mini Rex, Rouge and Mr. Malty Hops. The animals were a great opportunity for kids who were scared of the giant Easter bunny that shows up every year. Kids who were scared came up and met the smaller version if they were not willing to go up to the big bunny. Most kids have not even seen a real bunny or chicken before! They were amazed and really wanted to pet our amazing creatures, which they had only seen on TV or in pictures. Some kids were a bit shy but in the end they came over. It was really a joy for me to make those kids happy. We shared information with the kids and their families about the breeds of our animals, the color of their fur, if they were a doe or a buck/hen or rooster, and their names. Also we told them how we shelter them, their food, how to clip their nails, what to do when they shed, clipping wing, and just overall how to take care of them. We also gave them information on 4-H such as the cost, what it is, how you don’t need to have an animal, record books, projects you can do, what it takes, and how it is run. I think that it was a great experience to go to this event and I will be looking forward to doing it next year.

States’ 4States’ 4States’ 4States’ 4----H International Exchange ProgramsH International Exchange ProgramsH International Exchange ProgramsH International Exchange Programs

Summer 2011Summer 2011Summer 2011Summer 2011

Host a youth from Japan!Host a youth from Japan!Host a youth from Japan!Host a youth from Japan!

Open your home to an exchange student and open your lives to the world. 4-H mem-

bers will have an opportunity to host Japanese exchange students, ages twelve through sixteen, for four weeks this summer.

The youth will be visiting the United States as part of a 4-H Exchange Program. You

don’t need a large home to host. You don’t need to tour around California. You only

need a willingness to share your everyday life and your friendship with a young person

from another country.

The program is open to members and families who have a child close in age to the Japanese youth. One Japanese visitor will be matched to a family based on the host sib-

ling’s gender, age, and interests. The homestays are only for a month during the sum-

mer, but the experience will last a lifetime!

There are also opportunities to host adult chaperones for 2- 4 weeks. Families who

host chaperones are not required to have children in the home.

For more information, visit http://www.ca4h.org/Projects/Citizenship/

International/Japanese_Exchange/

or contact the California State Coordinator:

You do not have to be current 4You do not have to be current 4You do not have to be current 4You do not have to be current 4----H member but must enroll to participate. H member but must enroll to participate. H member but must enroll to participate. H member but must enroll to participate.

Pat English, 4-H YD Program Representative ANR-CA 4-H Program

530-754-8520 or pnenglish@ucdavis.edu

County Wide Projects

There is the possibility that two new county-wide projects may be available to our members.

• Cheese Making • Historical Sewing

Please contact the office if you are interested and we will contact you with further information.

Alkeaney@ucdavis.edu

Update Your PDR

What did you do this month? Take some time to log it in your PDR!

Date Activity Category Level 4/23 Worked Easter Egg Hunt 6 C 4/23 Demonstrated Animals at Easter Egg Hunt 1 C Remember, other community service you have done outside of 4-H can be counted on your PDR. Two items outside of 4-H may be counted.

4444----H Camp is Full!!!H Camp is Full!!!H Camp is Full!!!H Camp is Full!!!

Camp is full but the staff will be starting

a waiting list. Families will be contacted

to let them know the status of their

application and if a space opens up.

You may also want to consider attending

camp with Sonoma County 4-H.

Applications and information can be

found at:

http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu/

files/70931.doc

and by contacting Eileen Castelli at 707-

996-0354 or Marin4HCamp@aol.com

Plans for the West Marin Fair are coming together and we plan on having and fantastic day. Here is the latest news: Entries Entries are due Wed. 5/25 at the end of the day. This is a FIRM deadline! If you are entering a category and can’t get the form to the office on time PLEASE call the office and we will see what we can do to work with you. Entry information and forms are available on the Marin 4-H website at http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu/Programs/4-H_Program/ Or… call the office and we can fax or mail you one!

499-4207 Sponsorships We are also still accepting sponsors for the fair. Our generous donors cover the cost of the venue and the awards and enable us to continue to hold the fair at no charge to the participants! If you are a 4-H family with a business, or even an individual, you may sponsor the fair. The sponsorship form is included in this newsletter.

June 4th 2011

Dance Palace

Pt. Reyes Station

Marin County 4-H Council

UCCE, 1682 Novato Blvd. Ste. 150B

Novato CA 94947

Tel: 415/499-4207, Fax: 415/499-4209

West Marin 4-H Fair Saturday, June 4, 2011, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Dance Palace 503 B Street Pt. Reyes, California Sponsor Sheet

We are very excited to be hosting the 62nd annual West Marin 4-H Fair. The fair is a wonderful West Marin tra-dition and is held in conjunction with Western Weekend. Our fair will offer still exhibits, and small and large ani-mal shows. It is the generosity of our wonderful sponsors that makes this fun educational event possible for the 4-Hers. If you have sponsored in the past, we would like to thank you so very much for your support. The money that you donate goes toward the fair’s expenses and awards for the 4-H participants. If you are a new sponsor, we are very happy to have you help us this year!

Date:______________Check #____________Amount:__________ 4-H is a non-profit organization. Your donation will be acknowledged by the Marin County of Marin 4-H office. ---------------------#-----------------------------#--------------------------#------------------------ NOTE: IF YOU WANT YOUR BUSINESS OR DONATION INCLUDED IN THE PREMIUM BOOK

YOUR INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY May 11th, 2011. Business Name:_______________________________Contact:____________________ Address:________________________________________________________________ Telephone:__________________Amount (check one):___$25 ___$35 ___$50 ___Other Divisions (circle 3 choices): Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Swine, Rabbit, Cavies, Poultry, Small Animals, and Still Exhibits (such as clothing, crafts, foods, knitting, etc.)

Please keep the upper portion of this form for your files, and return the lower portion

with your business card (if possible) and a check made payable to Marin County 4-H

Council at the address above.

THANK YOU!

This Newsletter is Presented by : The University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics) ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered veteran are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized) in any of its programs or activities. University policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding the University’s non discrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin Street, 6th floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200, (510) 987-0096

Jane Chin Young 4-H Advisor

Allison Keaney 4-H Program Representative

Thanks for a Great Farm Day!

By Jane Chin Young

Another wonderful Farm Day was enjoyed by the youth of Marin County. In spite of the rain, hundreds of students and their teachers came to learn about many agricultural and natural resource topics and subjects. Many thanks goes the six participating club exhibitors: Pt. Reyes/Olema, San Rafael, Nicasio, Morning Sun, Tri-Valley and Indian Valley. Also thank you to Cindy Pomi and Karen Taylor for serving on the Farm Day Planning Committee. http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu/Programs/4-H_Program/Farm_Day_98/

Fair Time is Right Around the Corner!

Fair time means lots of planning and preparing. Be careful not to miss any deadlines and to have everything that you need. Order any 4-H uniform pieces you need from Leslie Carmen 4-H Supplies. You may reach them at 888-466-9433 or visit them online at 4hsupplies.com Get your items early (hats, ties, scarves) so you are not disappointed. While the 4-H Program does not require a uniform for participation in events, many fairs require youth to be in uniform or their “whites” to participate in showmanship categories. The 4-H Office has a small amount of premium books for the Marin County and Sonoma-Marin Fairs. Call us or stop by to pick on up if you need one. Entries are also available at fair websites. Please visit:

http://www.marinfair.org/ http://www.sonoma-marinfair.org/ http://sonomacountyfair.com/