Orange Farm Bureau Announces Local Scholarship

The Orange Farm Bureau recently announced applications for its annual “Taking Pride in Agriculture” scholarship.  The scholarship is open to any current senior in high school, and additional “points” are earned by being a member of Orange Farm Bureau and Orange 4-H.  Applications are available in the OCHS Guidance office and at Orange Farm Bureau.  For additional information, call 672-3447.

 

 

Volunteer Judges Requested for District Contests on April 2nd

4-H District Contests for presentations, public speaking, and Share-the-Fun, to name a few, will be held in Ruckersville on Saturday, April 2^nd.  Orange County needs to recruit numerous volunteers to serve as judges and/or room chairs, so interested and available folks are asked to please contact the Extension office.  Judges need not be experienced 4-H judges as training is provided.  This is a wonderful way to give back to the community as well as to improve your own skills in judging.  The contests begin at 9:30 a.m. and will last until approximately lunchtime.  Please call the office at 672-1361 for more details. 

 

Gardening and Local Foods Seminar to be Held Saturday, February 26th

Take time this Saturday, February 26, to learn about sustainable gardening and local foods.  From smoothies you can make from your home garden produce, to the local food movement and how you can be involved as a buyer or seller, don’t miss this exciting seminar!  The best part of the event is that it is planned by Orange 4-H teen and Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School senior Sarah McKay.  The free community seminar culminates Sarah’s school year-long project on sustainable agriculture.  Please come support Sarah and increase your own knowledge this Saturday, from 1-3 p.m. at the Orange Train Depot on Main Street in Orange.  Questions, or to RSVP, contact Sarah at 540-212-3663.

Stockman's Team Competes in Skyline Stockman's Contest

Seven Orange 4-H youth competed in the Skyline Stockman's Contest today in Front Royal. Congratulations to Elizabeth Nixon, fourth high senior individual, and Jessica Pedersen, Joseph Godin, Andrew Miller, and Marlaina Johnson, who placed seventh as a team in the junior division. Additional results are expected later in the week.

4-H Families Have Opportunity to Host Japanese Students This Summer

The 4-H LABO Exchange list of Japanese youth coming to Virginia this summer has just been released.  Experience the summer of your life by signing up to host a student for one month!  Youth are ages 12-14, and at least one child in the American family must be within two years of age of the visitor.  Contact the Extension Office for a list of delegates and information such as their interests and hobbies and their “wish list” for things to do while in the U.S.  A sampling of the list shows: wants to milk a cow and ride a horse, wants to cook with American family, wants to teach Japanese penmanship, wants to see beautiful scenery, wants to make friends and play soccer, wants to see McDonalds.  We can definitely achieve most of those here! 

 

Orange 4-H families have a lot to offer our Japanese visitors, so please give great consideration to hosting an exchange member.  There are also two adult chaperones who will need host families.  Usual travel dates are late July to August. 

Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Applications

The Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps is accepting applications for summer 2011. YCC participants assist with an assortment of projects in Virginia State Parks, including wildlife and fisheries habitat improvement, trail and campground construction and restoration, timber and shoreline improvement, and landscape beautification. Teams of 10 participants will be chosen from current high school students aged 14-17 (participants must be 14 by June 1, 2011) who demonstrate an interest in protecting Virginia's environment. While no prior experience is necessary, participants will work outside, and the service is physically demanding. The 2011 YCC sessions will be held at 10-12 State Parks across the Commonwealth. The two three-week sessions are scheduled as follows; session one: June 26 - July 16, session two: July 24 – Aug 13. Students may only attend one of the sessions. YCC crew members are provided room, board, tee-shirts and work-related equipment, and receive a $500 stipend at the end of the three weeks. For more information, contact Gaston at 703.583.5497, Fax 703.583.2514, e-mail vspycc@dcr.virginia.gov<mailto:vspycc@dcr.virginia.gov>, or visit www.dcr.virginia.gov<http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/>. You must have the email address of both your references when you apply on line at: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/ycc.shtml.

Goat Club & Solids, Spots, & Dots Plan Joint March Meeting/Clinic

Members of the 4-H Goat Club and Solids, Spots, and Dots Horse Club will have a joint meeting on Saturday, March 19th, in a clinic with Dr. Melinda McCall, DVM. She will teach 4-H members to take vitals on horses and goats. The meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Amber Hill Farm in Rhoadesville.

Technology on Wheels Club Announces Schedule

The 4-H Technology on Wheels Club is currently meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Salem Methodist Church near Unionville/Rhoadesville.  This group is for juniors, ages 9-13.  Please call the Extension Office for the leaders' contact information. 

Also, we apologize for omitting the Technology on Wheels group from our list of 4-H Day at the State Capitol participants.  We were happy to have this group represented! 

Volunteer Orientation Training Planned

A 4-H Volunteer orientation and training session is planned for Monday, February 28^th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Extension Office.  This training is for all new or potential 4-H volunteer leaders as well as interested parents, project leaders, helpers, etc.  Please RSVP to the Extension Office so we can plan accordingly. 

 

The training will cover 4-H history, policies and procedures, enrollments, project areas, and a general review of important information for any 4-H volunteer to know.  Please invite friends! 

 

 

NORTHERN DISTRICT LIVESTOCK SHOW-CULPEPER INVITATIONAL

The Northern District Livestock Show-Culpeper Invitational will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011.  The show will take place at the Culpeper Agriculture Enterpise beginning at 9:00 a.m. The show is open to 4-H and FFA members.  Entries need to be postmarked or delivered to your local Extension Office by April 15, 2011.  The show rules and more information can be found on google docs https://sites.google.com/site/ocva4h/.

Pictures from 4- H State Capitol Day in Richmond With Our Youth and State Legislators

Local Youth Visit State Capitol and Meet With Legislators

Orange and Madison County 4-H members and volunteers traveled to Richmond today to visit the State Capitol.  While there, the group of 57 met with Senator Edd Houck and Delegates Ed Scott and Rob Bell to share their 4-H story.  Participants learned how a bill becomes a law and how legislators work to represent their constituents in the General Assembly.  The trip included a tour of the Governor’s Mansion, seating and recognition in the Senate Gallery, and partial tours of the State Capitol building.  Clubs represented on this trip include Anglers, Livestock, Dairy, Goat, Home Ec, Technology on Wheels, and Livestock Cloverbud and Madison Centaurs and Adventure Club. 

Participants are encouraged to share photos with Kaci or Kaila for posting on the web. 

4-H Teen Hosts Sustainable Agriculture Seminar February 26

Sarah McKay, Orange 4-H teen and Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School Senior, invites the public to attend a Sustainable Agriculture seminar on Saturday, February 26th, at the Orange Train Depot in downtown Orange. The event will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and is free of charge. Participants will hear from featured speakers of Retreat Farm and Virginia Cooperative Extension about local food production methods now and in the future, as well as tips for your home garden and a demonstration of nutritional smoothies you can make at home from your own garden. The seminar is part of McKay's year-long Senior project for BRVGS. For more information, please call 540-212-3663.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE-MAKE A FRIEND

Host Families Needed
For International High School
Exchange Students

Eurasian teens, ages 15-17
from Russia, Ukraine,
Azerbaijan, Moldova,
Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,
and other countries.
(August 2011 – June 2012)
IF YOU:
• Are interested in learning about another culture
• Are caring, adventurous, and cooperative

THEN,
Contact: Your local 4-H Agent

Kaci Daniel (540) 672-1361
Orange 4-H Extension Agent
kaci@vt.edu

REWARD:
Make New Friends
Learn Leadership & Citizenship Skills
Have a Life-Changing Experience