2009 Clearfield & Jefferson County 4-H Air Rifle Competition Results

Ten 4-H members of the Clearfield County 4-H Riflery Club recently took part in the Clearfield County 4th Annual 4-H Air Rifle Shoot held at the DuBois Rifle & Pistol Club in DuBois on Sunday, March 1. In front from left to right is Jeremy Fischer – 5th place Novice Division, Cassandra Folmar – 1st Place Novice Division, Devin Muth – 2nd Place Novice Division, Bryce Sallack – 4th Place Novice Division, & Tyler Muth – 3rd Place Novice Division. In back from left to right is Brittney Sallack – 1st Place Junior Division, Chelsea Folmar 1st Place Intermediate Division, Kyle Pisarcik – 3rd Place Intermediate Division, Braden Sallack – 2nd Place Intermediate Division, & Brock Sallack – 1st Place Senior Division. The top three individuals in each age division will receive gold, silver, & bronze medals, with the first place individual also receiving a plaque. Ribbon, gift certificates, and other prizes were awarded to all participants.

2009 PA State 4-H Leadership Conference

Katie McAndrew (left) of the Town & Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club recently attended the 2009 Pennsylvania State 4-H Leadership Conference, “Dive into Leadership” on January 30th – February 1st at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. Katie was accompanied by Jana Davidson (right), Children & Youth Development Educator for Clearfield County. This was Katie’s second year attending the event and attended numerous workshops to help her in her role as president of her 4-H club and a teen leader for the county. Katie is the daughter of Joseph & Debbie McAndrew of Brockway. This was Jana’s fifth time attending the conference as a chaperone and presenter. Jana held two different workshops for the 4-H teens on the topics of group dynamics, as well as the PA 4-H Ambassador Training.

Animal Ethics & Quality Assurance Trainings

Tuesday, May 12, Tuesday, May 19, & Thursday May 21 are the three dates that Animal Ethics & Quality Assurance Trainings will be taking place for Clearfield County. Sessions will take place at the Multi-Service Center in Clearfield unless noted otherwise!

Prior to May 1st all 4-H members in need of this training will be notified, as well as all 4-H Organizational Leaders. All 4-H members planning to show dairy cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, & steer at the 2009 Clearfield County Fair or other 4-H sponsored animal shows MUST be up-to-date with their training. Currently, the minimum county requirement is for youth to receive the training twice in their 4-H career, first as an 8 year old or new member and again at age 14.

If you know you are in need of the training, please call and register with Jana at (814) 765-7878 Ext. 3 by Friday, May 8th as some sessions maybe cancelled due to low registration.

NASCO Rebate Program

As you begin purchasing items for your 2009 4-H project animals and plan to do shopping in Nasco’s Farm & Ranch Catalog, I remind you that Clearfield County is involved in their 2009 rebate program, so 5% of your total purchase will come back to the county 4-H program. Please remember to use the following coupon number when ordering: 9800230R. If you don’t receive the catalog, shop on-line at www.enasco.com/farmandranch

Happy Spring!

Greetings,

I apologize that I haven't been keeping up with my blog the best I could for the past couple of months, but with the 2009 4-H program in full swing - I promise to keep you up-to-date with 4-H happenings around the county, region, & state!

A Clearfield County 4-H newsletter will also be making its way to you by next week, so please check it for upcoming opportunities and deadlines!

~Jana

23rd Annual Winning Ways Clinic with Lori Gordon - March 14

The 23rd Annual Winning Ways Horse Clinic will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Penn State University’s Snider Agricultural Arena. Lori Gordon will serve as the clinician. No matter if you show Western or Hunt Seat, or are a novice or experienced rider, this clinic is for you, as it will have a strong focus on the fundamentals of good horsemanship. There will also be a used tack and clothing sale both days of the event.

The cost to attend after March 7th is $30.00. Registration can be made in advanced or on the morning of the clinic.

For additional information on the event, the clinician, or for registration information, please go to http://www.das.psu.edu/ Click on Winning Ways Clinic under upcoming events.

PA 4-H Forestry Fild Day - What's in Your Woods! - May 9

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-Hers 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-Hers (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 tree identification, compass use, and tree measurement, which are all components of the Trees + Me = Forestry 4-H project. This is non-competitive, educational, and fun. No advance study is required for the Exploratory Tract. 4-Hers in the Competitive Tract will participate in both a 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 your County Cooperative Extension Office. The top four teens (ages 14 years and up) will go on to participate in the 2009 National 4-H Forestry Invitational in West Virginia.

There is no fee for this event, but all youth and adults planning to attend should sign up through the County Cooperative Extension Office. Participants must bring their own sack 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 sign-up deadline is May 4, 2009.

PA 4-H Wildlife Field Day - Have a Wild Time! - April 18

A wildlife "field day" for fun and learning is scheduled on Saturday, April 18, 2009, (9:30 AM - 3:00 PM) at Rock Springs (Ag Progress Days Site) near Penn State. This state event is wide open to all 4-H'ers (ages 8 -18) interested in or currently taking wildlife projects. 4-H adult volunteers and parents are also encouraged to attend. There will be two program options offered concurrently at the event.

The first option is the "Exploratory Tract," designed for youth ages 8-11. It will include hands-on wildlife educational activities and guest speakers. This year's theme for the Exploratory Tract is "Pennsylvania's Birds of Prey.? These magnificent birds are at the top of the food chain, and they have many unique adaptations and abilities! Come explore these birds through fun outdoor activities!

The second is the "Competitive Tract." It will offer youth, ages 12-18, a chance to participate in a wildlife habitat evaluation contest. This is an educational competitive event that provides a great opportunity for youth to apply their knowledge about wildlife to real life situations. The Competitive Tract will also include a habitat tour. There is a project book that 4-H'ers should study before coming to this event. It is available on request through the County Cooperative Extension Office, or it can be downloaded from the web site listed below. Four 4-H members, between the ages of 14 and 18 years old, will be selected to attend the 2009 National Wildlife Evaluation Event.

Volunteer Leaders, Agents, and parents are welcome to attend the field day to observe either option. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the field, and bring along their own bag lunches and and water bottles. Lunch will NOT be provide this year, sorry. There is no fee for the event, but all youth and adults planning to attend should sign up through the County Cooperative Extension Office. Let us know which option your youth wish to undertake. Additional information and directions to the event can be found on the event web site: http://pa4h.cas.psu.edu/79.htm Sign-up deadline is April 13, 2009!

4-H Horse Video Teleconference Program - March 24

Vet Care and How to know if it is Really an Emergency

Topics include:

• The importance of establishing a working relationship with your vet
• Information you should have when you call the vet-necessary for determining whether it is an emergency, and how critical
• What MAY be wrong with your horse
• What you can do while waiting for the vet, if they are really needed
• Supplies you should have on hand to treat non emergency situations
• Any questions that you may have
  

Presenter: Lew Trumble, Regional Equine Extension Educator
When: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Jefferson County Education Council, Main Street,
Brookville*

*Please enter through the back door of the building. Please let me know if you will be late as we must lock the door once everyone is here. (To reach the back door go north on Pickering Street {this is the street that runs along the side of courthouse} – between the Windstream Building and Howard Hanna Realty turn right, a short distance back are several parking spaces next to the steps that come up to our office.)
Please call the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office to register 849-7361. This workshop is open to all 4-H members and their families. The next VTC program will be on Wednesday, April 22 on Measuring Your Horses Vital Signs and more with Dr. Tammy Eichstadt.

4-H Day at Kennywood - June 19

This year, Kennywood Amusement Park of West Mifflin, PA will be hosting a 4-H Day on Friday, June 19, 2009

You’ll have to the chance to meet other 4-H members from across the state and experience many fun new rides.

The advanced purchase of the of Fun Day Passes at the 4-H group rate is $20.00 each (The Normal Gate Price is $33.00); however, you must order tickets in advance to take advantage of the $13.00 reduced rate. Discount tickets will not be sold after June 15! Children ages 2 and under are admitted free and seniors 55 and older can purchase a discounted pass at $16.99. Tickets may be received on consignment or paid in advanced by check or money order. To order tickets, please complete the attached ticket order form. If you have questions, call or e-mail Kelly Kukic at (412) 461-0500 Ext. 1169 or kelly@kennywood.com

Kennywood is located just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh via I-376, Exit 7 (Swissvale). Then follow the Kennywood arrows. For more information on what Kennywood has to offer visit their website at http://www.kennywood.com/

4-H Public Speaking & Presentation Contest - May 5

The 18th Annual 4-H Public Speaking and Presentation Contest will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 (please note this is one month earlier than usual) in the Auditorium & Quiet Lounge of the Hiller Building at Penn State University, DuBois Campus. The range of topics is unlimited – You can speak on anything that interests you!

Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m. and the contest will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. All 4-H members from Clearfield, Jefferson, Elk, and Cameron Counties are invited and encouraged to attend. Special awards will be given to the first, second, and third place Senior Division Contest participants and certificates and special prizes will be given to all Junior Division Contest participants. Refreshments will also be provided. For a complete list of rules and to sign-up for this event, please see the registration form attached to the latest 4-H newsletter. The registration deadline is Friday, April 24, 2009.

Clearfield County 4-H Teen Council Pancake Breakfast - March 21

The Clearfield County 4-H Teen Council will be hosting an ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKE BREAKFAST on Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Dutch Pantry Restaurant of DuBois (conveniently located of Interstate 80 – Exit 97). The cost is only $5.00 per person!

10% of all bills, plus all tips will benefit the Clearfield County 4-H Teen Council, as well as the entire Clearfield County 4-H Program. Come out for breakfast and get served by one of very own Clearfield County 4-H Teen Council members. While you are there – you will have the opportunity to sign up for a GAS GRILL, which will be given out on April 1st!

This will be a great end to Pennsylvania 4-H Awareness Week!