Information on 2011 4-H Intermediate Congress has arrived

Attend 4-H Intermediate Congress the week of July 11- 13^th and experience the 4-H spirit statewide on the Virginia State University Campus in Petersburg, VA. The cost is $50.00 this year and to attend you must be a current 4-H member age 11- 13! This year we will be celebrating 4-H through the theme: 4-H Rocks! Those who attend will have the chance to meet 4-H’ers from around the state, attend dances, participate in a variety of workshops, and much more!! If you are interested in attending 4-H Intermediate Congress this year or want to hear more about what happens at Congress, please feel free to contact the Orange Extension Office. The registration packet is now posted to the Orange County website at, http://tinyurl.com/ocva4-h. All registrations to attend Congress are due by Friday June 17th!

 

International Exchange Forum Reminder

Don’t forget that Albemarle 4-H has invited us to a learning session for the 4-H International Exchange program.  Come learn what countries participate, how you can host someone, how you can travel, and hear from previous participants about their experiences.  The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the Main Office Building at 401 McIntire Rd.  Call 434-872-4580 for more info. 

Virginia Beef Expo Registrations Close March 31st

Youth wishing to show cattle at the Virginia Beef Expo have one more week to submit entries.  Entry forms and a show schedule are posted online.  Click HERE.  The Virginia Beef Expo is held April 15-17 in Harrisonburg at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. 

Additional Source for Lambs, Hogs, and Goats

The 2011 animal breeders’ document on the website was just updated to include a sale in Jefferson County, WV – market hogs, lambs, and goats on Sunday, April 10^th. 

Volunteer Opportunity: Fair Obstacle Course Coordinator

We are so grateful to Missy Chambers for her years of service as coordinator of the animal obstacle course at the fair, and we’ve pledged to find her a great replacement this year!  We are looking for a coordinator of this fun contest, which entails designing the course of obstacles, setting up and managing the course, and recruiting an emcee, judges, and helpers.  The obstacle course takes place on Sunday afternoon of the Orange County Fair and this is a great volunteer opportunity for young alumni, parents, or even friends of 4-H.  Please contact the Extension Office to offer your support.  Thanks!

 

Parent-Child Cloverbud Summer Camp Planned for NOVA 4-H Center

The Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal has announced plans for two sessions of Parent-Child Cloverbud Camp in August.  Youth ages 5-8 as of 9/30/11 and their parents or another adult are invited to see what camp is all about, but in a more “secure” setting because a piece of home has traveled with them.  Click HERE for more details.  Camp dates are August 7-9 or August 9-11.  Register by May 15^th and pay only $175 for the parent/child combo…that’s a savings of $50! 

Wondering how you can help the people of Japan?

Shenandoah County 4-H has a large 4-H exchange program with many ties to Japan.  Their 4-H families are wanting to help the victims of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear situation and a 4-H All Star there recommends donations be sent to the JCAW Foundation.  This foundation will receive donations and send to the Japanese Red Cross for use where they are most needed.  To donate, make checks payable to JCAW Foundation and send to:

Japanese Commerce Association of Washington, D.C.

c/o Japan American Society of D.C.

1819 L Street NW, Level 1B

Washington, D.C. 20036

4-H'ers invited to Fiber Festival in Madison

Orange 4-H members are invited to a Fiber Festival on April 30 at Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison.  This free festival is open to the public and includes llamas, alpacas, bunnies, goats, and more – any fiber-producing animals for the clothes that we wear.  Shearing demonstrations will be offered as well as vendors who make articles from animal fibers.  For more information, call 540-923-4231 or visit www.gravesmountain.com. 

 

District Contests - Entries Due FRIDAY

Don’t forget!  District Contest entries are due this Friday, March 18^th.  The contest is for presentations, public speaking, Share-the-Fun and hippology.  Horse bowl will be held that afternoon and uses a different registration format.  Please contact the Extension Office right away if you plan to participate.  The event will be Saturday, April 2, at Ruckersville Elementary, and should only take up your morning time.  This is a great way to improve your skills and to gain All Star points for a district-level contest. 

 

Attend Special Forum to Learn More About 4-H Exchange Host Opportunities

Have you seen all the e-mails about hosting a 4-H member from another country?  Are you interested, but maybe have reservations or need more information?  Albemarle County 4-H is hosting a special forum to discuss all the ins and outs of hosting an international 4-H exchange, and we are all invited.  Tuesday, March 29^th, at 6:30 p.m. in Charlottesville, the state exchange coordinator and several families who have hosted delegates in the past will be available to answer your questions and provide insight from their experiences. 

 

There’s no obligation, and no cost to attend.  Take a chance – this might be the best summer you’ve had in awhile, just by hosting a fellow 4-H’er from countries like Austria, Greece or Japan!  E-mail LoriAnne Barnett to register for the seminar so she knows how many participants to expect.  Parents, 4-H’ers, and even grandparents are encouraged to attend. 

 

4-H All Star Inductees Announced

Congratulations to Orange 4-H family members who will be inducted as 4-H All Stars this summer.  Names were just announced today!  Elizabeth Nixon, Molly Elgin, Marty Harris, and Kaitlyn Gill have achieved the highest honor possible in 4-H and we commend you for your hard work and dedication.  Additionally, Kim Nixon will be inducted as an honorary All Star, having served as an adult volunteer for many years, most recently as Junior Project Leader for the Livestock Club. Congratulations to all; thanks for making Orange proud!

 

The tapping ceremony will be held Tuesday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. on the Virginia Tech campus.  Tapping will be done during State 4-H Congress. 

Hog & Lamb Breeders' Contact Information Available

Several members with hog and lamb projects have contacted the Extension Office for local breeders’ contact information.  We have posted a sheet on the website in the Livestock section.  The office does not advocate for one breeder over another, and we post information based on those breeders who contact us letting us know what they have for sale.  Additional breeders who wish to be added to the list need to send an e-mail to kaci [at] vt.edu. 

 

Horse Camp Announced for Horse & Rider Combos

4-H youth enrolled in a horse project are invited to attend the annual Horse Camp at Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center in Front Royal, VA, August 7-11.  The cost will be $325 for the horse and rider combo.  Please contact Fauquier Extension Agent Doug Harpole for more information, 540-341-7950.

 

All Star Tapping Ceremony Date & Time Announced

New inductees to Virginia 4-H All Stars will participate in a ceremony Tuesday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. on the Ag Quad at Virginia Tech.  Orientation for new members will follow from 7:30-9:00 p.m.  New initiates should take these times into consideration and may wish to secure a hotel room for an overnight stay.  Of course, we would love for you to attend the entire four days of Congress.  Check out the Orange 4-H website for a complete delegate packet. 

 

 

4-H Home Ec Club Meeting Cancelled for March 10

The 4-H Home Ec Club meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 10, has been canceled due to the weather conditions. 

Information on the 2011 4-H Congress is here!!

Attend the 91^st Annual 4-H Congress the week of June 20- 23^rd and experience the 4-H spirit statewide on the Virginia Tech Campus in Blacksburg, VA. The cost is $185.00 this year and to attend you must be a current 4-H member age 14- 18! This year we will be celebrating 4-H through the theme: 4-H on Fire: This is why we’re hot! Those who attend will have the chance to hear a variety of motivational speakers, race to the finish in Congressional games, attend dances or compete in 4-H State Competitions, participate in the Summer Showcase of Workshops, attend the College and Career Expo, and much more!! If you are interested in attending 4-H Congress this year or want to hear more about what happens at Congress, please feel free to contact the Orange Extension Office. The Congress Delegate packet is now posted to the Orange County website at, http://tinyurl.com/ocva4-h. All registrations to attend Congress are due by Friday April 22^nd!

 

 

 

 

Summer Internship Available

We have just received word that Orange has been approved for a summer internship for a college student this May through August.  Applications are due to Blacksburg by March 25, 2011, so not long!  Please help us recruit capable individuals for an internship that addresses both Ag/Natural Resources and 4-H programs.  All information is available online.  This is a PAID internship with preference given to a college student with at least junior standing.  Things are busy here in the summer; help us recruit quality applicants that can make our local Extension programs even better! 

 

4-H District Contests Entries Due March 18th

Anyone wishing to compete in the District Contests for Presentations, Public Speaking, or Share-the-Fun needs to register with the Extension Office by next Friday, March 18^th.  The contests will be held Saturday, April 2, at Ruckersville Elementary in Greene County, starting at 9:30 a.m.  District horse bowl and hippology will also be held on this date.  Please contact the Extension Office if you plan to participate. 

 

District Contests April 2nd

4-H District Contests will be held Saturday, April 2^nd, at 9:30 a.m. at Ruckersville Elementary in Greene County.  Youth in Presentations, Public Speaking, Share-the-Fun, and Fashion Revue are all encouraged to compete.  Entries are due to the Extension Office by Friday, March 18^th! 

 

Parents who are attending are encouraged to volunteer as Room Chairs, meaning that you serve as the contact person in the room, assist the judges, and keep the presentations/acts moving along.  We also need judges for each category, and this job can be held by teens or adults.  Please contact Kaci to serve as a judge at the district contests. 

 

Bit 'N Bridle competes in Block and Bridle Horse Judging Contest

The Orange Bit ‘N Bridle Club paired up with the Louisa Young Riders Club to compete in the Block and Bridle Horse Judging Contest on February 19^th. Congratulations to Delaney O’Donnell, Grace Culley, Ashley Hodges, and Sarah Anderson, who placed third as a team in the senior division. Results are now posted on the VCE website.

IFYE Exchange Delegates Announced

Virginia’s incoming IFYE exchange delegates for this year have been announced.  Won’t you consider hosting one of these college-age students for a few weeks this summer or fall?  Male delegates and female delegates will be traveling to our great state.  Their interests range from photography to nature to organic agriculture and beyond.  All want to learn what life in America is like and Orange 4-H families are just the ones to do this.  For a complete list of delegates and their backgrounds and interests, please contact the Extension Office. 

 

Host families provide room and board; the delegates cover their own spending money, medical insurance, etc.  Extension Agent Kaci Daniel has personally hosted three IFYE’s and has had great experiences learning about the delegates’ home countries of Germany, Austria, and Sweden. 

 

CLARKE COUNTY SUMMER MARKET LAMB AND GOAT SHOW

The Clarke County 4-H Leaders' Association cordially invites 4-H and FFA members to participate in their Second Annual Summer Market Lamb and Goat Show to be held Saturday, July 2, 2011 at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds.  The rules, regulations, and entry form can be found on the 4-H website https://sites.google.com/site/ocva4h/ .