Crazy Pets 4-H Meeting Canceled

The Crazy Pets 4-H Meeting has been canceled on Tuesday, February 1, due to both leaders being "under the weather".

DRINK FROM YOUR GARDEN-SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SEMINAR

A community seminar on the benefits of sustainable agriculture and healthy lifestyles will be held Saturday, February 26th from 1-3 p.m. at the Orange Train Depot. Topics will include

• ways to improve your home garden


• demonstration by a naturopathic expert on healthy energy smoothies made from your garden


• speaker from Retreat Farm in Rapidan and the Madison Cooperative Extension office on ways to connect with your local food producers


• sustainable agriculture techniques of the future

For more information and to RSVP, call Sarah McKay at 540-212-3663

PARENT/CHILD CLOVERBUD CAMP

The date for this summer's parent/child Cloverbud camp at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center has been set. There will be two sessions, each session will be two nights. Session I will be August 7-9 and Session II will be August 9-11. Registration materials and more detailed info will be coming soon.

STOCKMAN'S PRACTICE CANCELED FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 27TH

BECOME A CERTIFIED POULTRY TESTER

As you may be aware, Virginia requires testing of all poultry going to fairs. VDACS has arranged to provide training to increase the number of certified individuals available to perform this testing. If you wish to attend a training, please contact Fay Airey at the Harrisonburg Lab (540-209-9130) as soon as possible.

STATE 4-H WILDLIFE HABITAT EVALUATION PROGRAM

The State 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Contest will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison County. The region for the contest is WETLANDS. However, keep in mind that the Urban and Eastern Deciduous Forest region species may also be used for some parts of the contest in some divisions. Contest registration will be at 9:00 am. The contest will start at 9:30 and run until about 4:00.
Contestants, parents, volunteers, and anyone else attending must bring their own lunch, snacks, water and chair. This helps us get away without charging an entry fee! Please also dress appropriately for the weather. We will be outside some, regardless of the weather.

The updated National WHEP Manual will be our reference for the 2011 VA WHEP Contest and can be found at http://www.whep.org/

Contest registration is due no later than Monday March 21st.

VT Research Station Ag Job Opening

The Northern Piedmont AREC (commonly known as VT Research Station) in Orange currently has an opening for a full-time Ag Specialist. The complete job description can be found online and applications are due February 9th. This is a full-time, year-round position. Pay range is $20,800-41,214. Position is responsible for planting, harvesting, record-keeping, running and maintaining equipment, and more. For more information, call Dave Starner, Superintendent, at 540-672-2660. EO/AA employer.

4-H HUNTER'S EDUCATION WEEKEND

The 4-H Hunter's Education weekend is February 25-27, 2011. This weekend camp is open to youth ages 10-18 from across Virginia. Certified instructors from Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries provide the instruction and training necessary to receive a Virginia Hunter's Education Certificate. Unlike Hunter's Education courses found in your community, this weekend camp features the unique opportunity for youth to experience "live-fire" in a safe, controlled environment. This includes hands-on training in archery, riflery, and shotgun. Our priority is to provide youth with the appropriate hands-on training along with the required classroom-based training before receiving their Hunter's Education Certificate. For more information, visit the 4-H Center site, http://www.skelton4hcenter.org/ , click on programs then specialty camps.

CAMP & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FROM CULPEPER SOIL & WATER

Summer Camps: CSWCD has 4 openings for two week-long summer camps for high school students from our member counties. Forestry Camp is held in June and Youth Conservation Camp is held in July. CSWCD pays the full cost of camp, with students paying a small deposit of $25 or $60. For information, visit the District website, http://www.culpeperswcd.org/, and click on Summer Camps

Scholarships: CSWCD awards up to $3,000 in college scholarships each year to high school seniors as well as undergraduate and graduate students that are majoring in a field related to conservation that live in our member counties. The number of scholarships awarded year varies but each scholarship is usually $500-$1,000. For more information, visit the District website, http://www.culpeperswcd.org/, and click on Academic Scholarships

Forestry Camp Nominations Open

Of all the 4-H programs offered, Forestry Camp has yielded some of the most impressive evaluations of kids we have sent from Orange. Anyone with an interest in the great outdoors is encouraged to attend this wonderful event. See below for a description from the camp director, plus information on how to participate.

Nominations are open through April 8 for the 65th annual Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, scheduled for June 13-18 at Holiday Lake 4-H Center near Appomattox. The camp is open to Virginia boys and girls aged 13-16 who have an interest in natural resources. This residential camp provides hands-on field experiences in topics such as tree identification, forest ecology and management, environmental protection, tree measurements, and wildlife management. Nominations may come from any non-related adult who knows of the student's interest. Forms and information can be found at www.dof.virginia.gov/edu/camp.htm.

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR ANNUAL ART CONTEST

The Orange County Fair Association is getting ready for the 2011 Orange County Fair to be held on the grounds of historic Montpelier July 21-24, 2011. This year we will sponsor our annual art contest with the theme being “Cowboy Boots and Country Roots”.

This year’s winning artist will receive $100 and the second place will receive $50.00. The first place entry becomes property of the fair association. All other entries will be returned to the artist. The first place wining art will be featured on the cover of the fair catalog and printed on posters distributed in Orange and surrounding counties. Previous posters have been requested from as far away as California. The winning art work will be professionally framed and auctioned at the annual fair auction on Saturday evening July 23, 2010. The proceeds from the artwork will be applied to the operational cost to keep this treasured yearly event going.
RULES:
*Original art needs to be no smaller than 12 x 16 inches and no larger than 24 x 36 inches.
*Follow the theme “Cowboy Boots and Country Roots”
*Needs to be painting or color pencil, keep in mind that it will be photographed and printed.
*The winning entry becomes the property of the Orange County Fair Association
*The winning entry will be auctioned Saturday evening
*The winning artist will be promoted on the 2011 poster and on the fair’s website and publicity.
*All entries are due to the Orange extension office no later March 1, 2011.

For more information about the fair please visit www.orangecountyvafair.com or call the Orange County Extension Office at 540-672-1361.

More information can be obtained by contacting Tracy Gill at 540-854-8412 or Erin Salling at 540-672-8457.

LEARN THE "COOPERATIVE WAY" OF DOING BUSINESS

The Virginia Cooperative Council’s (VCC) Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education (VICE) is a means for high school students to gain “hands-on” experience in learning about “the cooperative way” of doing business. Scholarships are available for the April 1 – April 3 conference to be held at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, Virginia.

Participants will be selected from a collection of nominees, based upon their scholastic and extracurricular activities and letter of reference. Completed nominee applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, 2011.

All nominees must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be age 16 – 19 (as of July 2011)
2. May attend the conference only once
3. Students must be willing to abide by Code of Conduct (attached)
4. Youth are expected to visit their sponsoring cooperative to interview a representative

To learn more visit the conference website http://www.vcfc.net/youthconference/

4-H Livestock Cloverbuds WILL Meet tonight

The 4-H Livestock Cloverbuds WILL meet tonight, even though school was closed. The temperature is expected to warm up throughout the day. As always, evaluate your own situation and if you do not feel it is safe to come out, please stay home. No one will be penalized for missing the meeting.

CULPEPER SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

The scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students. Applicants must major in a field related to natural resources – biology, agriculture, environmental science, etc. The deadline is 4pm on Monday April 11. Further information and the scholarship can be found at http://ocva4-h.pbworks.com and http://culpeper.vaswcd.org/

4-H INTERMEDIATE CONGRESS

4-H Intermediate Congress will be held on the Virginia State University Campus July 11-13, 2011. Intermediate 4-H Congress is a training ground for youth who are interested in becoming leaders in 4-H. Through fun, exciting, interactive sessions, youth will enhance their ability to serve in local, district, state, and national 4-H leadership roles as future 4-H club leaders, 4-H camp counselors, members of 4-H Cabinet, State 4-H Congress leaders, and/or National 4-H Congress/Conference participants.

True Blue Cloverbuds WILL meet tonight

The True Blue Cloverbud Club WILL meet tonight, even though school was closed. The temperature is expected to warm up throughout the day, and you have a project with a deadline approaching. As always, keep safety at the forefront and do not come if your situation is not good. No one will be penalized for missing the meeting.

HoofMates Meeting Cancelled

The HoofMates Club will not meet tonight.

Also, the club congratulates alumni Amanda and Ashleigh Ramey for straight A's in the fall semester at Virginia Intermont College. Good job, ladies!

4-H Goat Club Meeting Cancelled for January 11

All after-school activities have been cancelled for January 11; therefore, the 4-H Goat Club meeting has also been cancelled.

Inclement Weather Reminder

Because of the forecast, it's pertinent to remind folks of the Orange 4-H inclement weather policy. If Orange County Public Schools are closed, or close early, due to inclement weather, 4-H events for that day are also cancelled.

If weather conditions change between the end of the school day and a scheduled evening meeting, please contact your club leader, check the blog or Facebook for an announcement, or call the Extension Office. There will be a recording for after-hours callers. Press * when you get the directory listing.

Morning delays followed by a regular dismissal do not affect our schedule - for example, starting at 10:00 a.m. and letting out at 3:00 p.m. means that evening 4-H activities WILL be held.

Skyline Stockman's Contest Announced

4-H members are invited to compete in the 2011 Skyline Stockman's Contest in Front Royal on Saturday, February 19th. The event will be held at Virginia Livestock, LLC, and the cost is $5 per person which includes lunch. The contest will feature livestock judging and stockman's identification. Please contact the Extension Office for a copy of the flyer.

Wanted: 4-H Camp Teen Counselors

Orange-Madison 4-H Camp is currently accepting applications for teen counselors.
4-H Camp will take place June 26-30 at the 4-H Center in Front Royal. Teen counselor applicants must meet the following criteria:

- Be at least 14 years of age as of January 1 of this year.
- Complete an application and return it by Monday, January 31.
- Solicit forms of reference from three non-family members.
- Be willing and able to supervise youth campers in a variety of situations.
- Show high levels of enthusiasm, responsibility, maturity, and creativity.

For an application for a volunteer 4-H Camp Teen Counselor please call the Orange Extension Office at 672-1361 or stop by the office in the Sedwick Building at 146 Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange (across from the Orange McDonald's).

Knitting Workshop!

Always wanted to learn how to knit? Plan to attend the Knitting Workshop at the Extension Office on January 25th from 4:00 p.m until 5:30 p.m. This is open to anyone interested in learning to knit. Ages 9 and up are invited to attend with a $5.00 fee being charged so that all the needed materials are provided. Experienced knitters, if you would like to attend and lend a helping hand or bring a project to work on, you are most welcome. Please RSVP to the Extension Office by January 18th if you would like to attend.

4-H Day at the Capitol!

This year Virginia 4-H members have the opportunity to visit the State Capitol and the General Assembly on February 8th. 4-H youth ages 9 and up are encouraged to join the Orange Extension Office on an all day event to the State Capitol in Richmond! Those in attendance will have a chance to meet with their State Senator and State Delegate to discuss any matters of interest to them. Also, Orange County will be visiting the Virginia Governor’s Mansion. The cost to the youth attending is for lunch/ dinner as well as any souvenirs that may be purchased. For more information on the trip to the State Capitol, please contact the Extension Office at (540)-672-1361. Also, any volunteers or parents that are interested in attending or chaperoning, please don’t hesitate to let us know! Please RSVP to the office by Tuesday February 1st!

HONEY OF AN ESSAY CONTEST

The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees is holding it's annual essay contest with a chance to win cash prizes statewide and nationally. The topic for this year's essay is "U.S. Honey: A Taste for Every Preference" and pertains to how regional plants affect the taste of honey. For more information on the contest go to http://honeybeepreservation.org/category/essay-contest. All entries are due by February 4th.

Welcome Kaila Hahn to the Extension Office

The Extension Office is proud to announce 4-H Program Educator Kaila Hahn started her position yesterday. Kaila is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech and hails from Stephens City, VA. She has previous experience at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center, was an FFA state officer, and helped establish agriculture in the classroom programming in some Montgomery County, VA, schools. She has conducted programming at a Boys & Girls Club site and is looking forward to leading short-term, special-interest 4-H programming here in Orange. Kaila is now a Town of Orange resident and can be contacted at kailamh@vt.edu. Please stop by the Extension Office and introduce yourself, or look for Kaila at an upcoming 4-H event.