State Fair 4-H Photography Display Mat Board Dimensions Change -  The 4-H Photography Action Team has changed the dimensions of the mat board for 4-H photography entry and display at the Kansas State Fair.  The new dimensions will be 11 X 12.5 inches. The reasons for this change have to do with the new display racks for the remodeled 4-H Exhibit Building (get and additional row of photos on the racks) and to improve the quality of the displayed pictures (ability to fit sideways in a two gallon bag and therefore display more neatly).

The previous size boards may be converted by removing 1.5 inches from the long (14") side. Distribution will be resizing the boards they have in stock and have said they will resize boards purchased from them if they are brought to them on campus. Before you bring them to Distribution, please give Greg a call to confirm they can do it while you are there. They also suggest any local print shop with a commercial card cutter could make the needed cut of the boards. If you have any questions, please contact Rod Buchele rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu, the State 4-H Liaison to the Photo Action Team.  Buchele

Discovery Days
Registration information has been stationed in a location on the web!

Agents are encouraged to submit registration forms to the State 4-H Office as they arrive in local Extension offices.   Agents should mail one check for their delegate registration fees ($150/person), Polo shirt upgrades ($15 optional for adults only), and Parking Permits ($2/day).  Workshops and tours are offered on a first come; first serve basis to youth delegates.  Adult delegates will be allowed to sign up for classes as space is available.  Class fees (and late registration fees if necessary) will be billed to local offices in May after class assignments are finalized.  Please make sure all registration materials including complete 4-H Participation Forms are in the State 4-H Office by April 15.
Wiebers

Kansas City Global Conference - 108 youth and 29 adults participated in the Kansas City Global Conference!  Reports are that this was been one of the best delegations in history!  The state 4-H Office has a disposable camera that was lost at Comedy City.  If you know of a delegate who lost it and can describe it, we’ll be happy to mail it back to them.
Wiebers/Hinshaw

Building Partnerships for Youth - Check out this fantastic website www.bpy.n4h.org http://www.bpy.n4h.org  for a wide array of resources and information pertaining to youth development. 

- Two new fact sheets: Taking an Active Role with Adults and Citizenship and Contribution. Each fact sheet includes a description of an element of youth development, the research base that supports the usefulness of that element and concrete tips for incorporating that element into your program.

- News and events from the field of youth development
- New youth development curricula to select from
- Archives of trainings, electronic bulletins, and PowerPoint presentations

We invite you to visit Building Partnerships for Youth - http://www.bpy.nn4h.org  McNally

Please note that certain events require pre-qualifying. The minimum 4-H age for state 4-H peer competition is 10 (before January 1, 2005). Only enrolled 4-H shooting sports project members may participate in this event from counties/districts with certified 4-H Shooting Sports programs. Registrations must come through the County/District coordinator to the Department of 4-H Youth Development and are due no later than close of business (5 PM CST), Monday, March 28, 2005.
Gerhard ggerhard@oznet.ksu.edu

Kansas State Fair 4-H Building - The State Fair Board recently approved a new name for the renovated 4-H Exhibit Building.  Based on the recommendation of the State 4-H Youth Council, the building will be called “4-H Centennial Hall”!
Renovations to 4-H Centennial Hall at the state fair are on schedule and are slated to be finished by June 1. We are also working to replace and update 4-H exhibit displays to match the new atmosphere of the building. Nearly all exhibit areas are being moved to new locations. A map of the new layout will be available. 

A Painting Party is scheduled for Friday, July 15 through Saturday, July 16. 4-H teens and volunteers will be invited to come help paint all the exhibit displays that will be re-used and prepare the new building for the Centennial Celebration at the fair. Lodging will be provided in the 4-H Encampment Building free of charge. Additional details will be coming out soon!
Wiebers

North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks Posters - At the North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) Web site http://www.nagcat.org/, all posters are now available in printer-friendly PDF format.

The North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) are a resource developed to assist parents in assigning farm jobs to their children 7-16 years of age, living or working on farms.

The NAGCAT can help answer questions that parents often have regarding the role of their child in agricultural work:

· "At what age are my children ready to participate in different types of farm work?"

·"What factors should influence my decision to assign an agricultural job to my child?"

The NAGCAT can assist professionals who interact with farm parents to guide their questions and practices regarding working children:

· "How do we counsel parents about protecting children from injury and disease associated with agricultural work?"

·"What do I need to know to influence parents decisions about assigning agricultural work to their children?"

The categories of tasks can be viewed at: http://www.nagcat.org/categories.htm Included are materials in Spanish. McNally

Kansas State Fair 4-H Exhibitors Handbook Updates - Printer friendly versions of this information are posted on the Kansas 4-H website http://www.Kansas4-H.org  Look under “What’s Hot” or click on one of these links to download the files directly: PDF or WordPerfect 

Changes in Check-In/Delivery on September 9 will include a 15 minute unloading zone along the north side of the building. We will need teen and adult volunteers to assist with unloading vehicles. 

Check-Out/Pick up On Sunday, there is a strong possibility that the Sheriff’s office will require the fair to close Gate 3 from 3:00-6:00pm to prevent traffic problems on Main Street. As an alternative, agents are encouraged to come on Monday morning, September 19 from 8:00 to 11:00am to pick up their members’ exhibits. This should help relieve some of the congestion allowing agents who will be at the fair Sunday anyway to get their exhibits and load up more easily when the exhibits are released at 6:00pm.

An entry system using adhesive labels with text and bar codes is being considered as a replacement for the 3 part entry card system. This system is still under development but could include one label attached to the exhibit (with a tie on tag, when necessary) and a matching label placed on the score sheet during the judging process. The goal is to be more efficient with printing, postage, time, etc. and increase the comments and feedback from judges to members on their exhibits.

Following are the major changes for the 4-H Division at the 2005 Kansas State Fair. You may view a draft of the entire 4-H Exhibitor handbook (PDF or WordPerfect) on the Kansas 4-H website. We have tried to indicate all additions or changes in red. If additional changes are made, notices will be in the
4-H TipSheet and/or Tuesday letter.

If you need additional clarification, please contact the 4-H staff member listed.

4-H Arts and Crafts Display - Contact: Beth Hinshaw
All exhibits are entered at your own risk. Art Release form covers items while on display at Rock Springs.

4-H State Dog Show - Contact: Jim Adams
Agility III will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by II and I.

4-H Family & Consumer Sciences Judging Contest - Contact: Margaret Phillips
A Senior division has been added for the Family & Consumer Sciences Judging contest. It will be conducted at the same time as the intermediate division.

4-H Fashion Revue - Contact: Beth Hinshaw
3. ...No live animals may accompany participant; exceptions include service animals.

4-H Fiber Arts - Contact: Beth Hinshaw
11. No consultation judging will be offered this year.

4-H State Horse Show - Contact: Jim Adams
2. 4-H Horse ID papers will be checked for all horses not qualified through District 4-H Shows.
8. All horses qualify at District 4-H Horse Shows must show in the same class at state.
Halter classes (except yearlings) and Trail class must qualify at District Horse Shows.
The tentative class schedule has several changes. Exhibitors should check the fair book for specific classes.

4-H Horticulture - Contact: Walter Barker
Display should be exhibited in a tray, basket or container that can be easily moved by the fair staff.
Class 2504 - Fresh Culinary herbs (6) Ex: parsley, basil, dill, etc. Six stems (or a comparable quantity) of ONE VARIETY of fresh herbs exhibited in a disposable container of water. Dried herbs are not accepted.
Class 5600 - Annual Garden Flower, cut specimen, single stem.
Class 5601 - Perennial Garden Flower, cut specimen, single stem.
1. A 4-H member may enter up to 4 floral exhibits, according to the number qualified at the county/district fair. Each cut flower specimen must be of a different species.
4. Potted plants are not accepted.

4-H Photography - Contact: Rod Buchele
6. Photos are to be mounted across the narrow (11") dimension of an 11" x 12.5" sheet of white or cream studio mount. Photos mounted on foam core board will not be displayed. Note: new mat board dimension.
7. All photos must be no larger than 8" x 10" and no smaller than 7" x 9", after trimming.
8. Photos must be mounted with the top edge of the print 1" below the top of the mount. The sides of the print must be equal distance from the two sides of the mount. Note: new mounting location.
9. A permanent mount must be made by using photographic adhesive. Remove white border from the enlargement before mounting. Your local Extension office may purchase mounting boards from the K-State Extension Distribution office. Note: you will need to trim 1.5" from the long (14") side to make the board 11" x 12.5".  The print shop in the basement of Umberger Hall will trim boards for free.  Next time you come to campus, bring your mat boards.
10. No lettering is permitted on the front of the mount or on the photo, only on the form provided. No underlays or borders are to be used. No contact prints on front of mount.
11. To protect exhibits from dust and moisture, place photo in a two-gallon zip top bag!
The top thirty-six exhibits, "Best of Show", will be selected for display at Rock Springs 4-H Center during the coming year.

Kansas 4-H Centennial Photography Display.  One photo from each county will be selected by the Photo Action Team, to be displayed at the K-State Union for three weeks starting during National 4-H Week, Oct 2005. Photographs selected will be marked with a Centennial Selection sticker and will be collected on the last day of the State Fair. Exhibitors will be notified by the Kansas 4-H Centennial Committee.
Wiebers

CHECK OUT THE Extension Diversity Center - The Extension Diversity Center has a new look. It is more interactive and designed to get feedback on ideas and opinions. It contains information on diverse issues ranging from success stories working with different ethnic families to job postings. Visit: http://www.ediversitycenter.net

Annie E. Casey Foundation Awards AND 4-H Programs of Distinction.  The planning process for the prestigious new Annie E. Casey Foundation Families Count: Family Strengthening Awards is coming to an end, and the formal announcement of the availability of the awards soon. In the meantime, there are ways you can prepare now to be ready for the announcement.

First and most importantly, applicants for this award must have - achieved Programs of Distinction status from National 4-H Headquarters prior to applying. Programs of Distinction is ready to accept applicants at http://www.national4hheadquarters.gov/about/pod.htm. This criteria has been adopted to ensure that applicants meet the most rigorous program quality standards within the Cooperative Extension System, and that they will be appropriate for replication after receiving their awards. Please encourage the staff and volunteers associated with your family programs to begin the Programs of Distinction process immediately in anticipation of our announcement.

Secondly, there will be a release of applications in early March, and a due date for applications of June 1, 2005. This makes the application time frame for this year relatively short. Unfortunately, they cannot release application materials until the formal announcement of the awards, but we will make every effort to get the materials in your hands swiftly after that. Thanks for your interest in this program. Contact familyawards@fourhcouncil.edu or 301-961-2819 with questions and to sign up for the individual notification list.  McNally

Revised Policy --- Individual Study 4-H Members -  BACKGROUND....In response to inquiries from several counties last fall, the 4-H department asked the university attorney for a legal reading of what can and cannot be expected of an individual study 4-H member. As a result of the attorney's reading, a study and review of the current Kansas 4-H policy as well as policies from several states took place last fall by area and state 4-H youth development specialists.

Revised Policy & Procedure....The revised policy and procedures were reviewed and approved by the State 4-H Advisory, January 8, 2005 and by the Extension Administrative Team on January 12th, 2005. Minor editing has now been completed and information will be electronically sent to local extension offices by Friday, March 18th. This revised policy and supporting documents will also be posted on the Kansas 4-H Website (kansas4h.org, click agent, click intranet, State 4-H Policies & Guidelines, Addendum 3), no earlier than March 21st.

Implications For Local Extension Offices....As you review the policy and supporting documents, you will notice significant changes in the expectations of an individual study 4-H member. I encourage you to share this information with your Extension Board and 4-H PDC to determine the course of action your program will take. This change in policy will go into effect October 1, 2005; however, your PDC and Board have the option of putting into effect immediately. It just depends on local issues and needs.  If you should have questions or need clarification of the policy and the supporting documents, please contact either myself or the area and state 4-H youth development specialists. McNally

National Youth Service Day Quickly Approaches - On April 15-17, 2005, young people across America, with the help of millions of volunteers, will address important unmet community needs through service-learning projects addressing literacy, hunger, public safety and the environment.

For more than 15 years, National Youth Service Day has brought together 28 million people in thousands of communities nationwide, mobilizing millions of America's youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through community service. For more information about National and Global Youth Service Day, please visit www.YSA.org.  McNally

K-State 4-H Collegiate Club Brings Home National Title - Congratulations to the Kansas State University Collegiate 4-H Club!!!  They received the National Club of the Year Award at the National Conference held February 20-13th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was a great achievement because there are over 80 clubs in the United States vying for the title of National Club of the Year!!! Way to go!!! McNally

KSU Collegiate 4-H named National Club of the Year - The Kansas State University Collegiate 4-H Club was named National Club of the Year at their National Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Nine delegates from KSU attended the meeting which was held February 10-13, 2005.  The club achieved this award through the many activities they participate in which include:  Officer Training, County Club Days Judging, Second Helping (a community service project), Trick-or-Treat for charity, fund raising, and participating at regional Collegiate 4-H conference, among other activities throughout the year.  The club also received the second place honor in the scrapbook competition.  Dobesh

HELP NEEDED FOR STATE FAIR "DO- ART" ACTIVITY - The State Fair has worked with their staff that handles the "make and take" art activities for children in the Do-Art building (located just across the street west and south of the Bison Arena), and they are planning to have children make "Clover Hats" as part of their activities this year, to be a part of the 4-H Centennial celebration.

In order for this to happen, the Fair is estimating they need about 5,000 brown sacks. We need you and your county's help. Please include a message in your next month's county newsletters, asking families to begin requesting and collecting the large brown grocery sacks as they do their shopping. Establish a time for them to be delivered to your offices before coming to Discovery Days. Bring them with you to Discovery Days, where they will be collected during registration, then transported to the State Fair and stored for use at the Do-Art activity.

Thanks for your help to make this happen. It will be another great way to expose lots of children with young families to 4-H, and have lots of clover hats being worn around the Fairgrounds. Fisher

4HCCS Materials:
1. Closeout Sale Through March 31st!! If you need a few more copies to finish this year, the following titles can be ordered on line(www.n4hccs.org) for only $1 each! First come first served for:

Beef (4 titles), Cat (4 titles), Child Development (4 titles), Citizenship (2 titles), Clothing Decisions (3 titles), Dairy Cattle (4 titles), Dog (4 titles), Health (6 titles), Horse (4 titles), Rabbit (4 titles), Sewing (4 titles), Small Engines(4 titles), Swine (3 titles), Theatre Arts (5 titles), Wild Over Work (1 title).

2. The Kansas 4HCCS Order Form will be mailed from Communications on Friday, March 11th and will be due back on April 1st! This is your pre-press order to be delivered this fall. Please notice that under Visual Arts and Crafts will be the Palette of Fun guide for younger youth and a New Advanced Visual Arts (2 titles) for older youth. Theatre Arts will be the material for our Kansas Performing Arts Project. Also, notice that Leadership will be under the "L" rather than "S" for Step Up To Leadership (the CCS title).

3. Descriptions of the CCS materials can be found on line at: www.n4hccs.org or you should receive a full color hard copy in the mail soon!!!  Adams

State 4-H Advisory Committee - The minutes of the January 8, 2005 meeting of the State 4-H Advisory have been posted to the website: kansas4h.org/groups/advisory. In addition, the list of members on the Advisory has also been posted on the website. Please contact your respective representative if you have suggestions or topics which need to be brought to this group.  The summer meeting will take place June 18 in Hutchinson. 

Serving in leadership positions for the 2005 year are: Chair - Kim Wetzel Williams, Wyandotte County; Vice-Chair -- Jim Mengarelli, Crawford County; Secretary --- Brenda Guenther, Franklin County.  McNally

4-H Officer Training Curriculum - Kate Kramer, 4-H Intern, would like to compile officer training workshop lesson plans/outlines. We are planning to create a publication with around 10 options for counties to use with themes, gimmicks, etc. This publication will complete the revisions that have been nearly finalized on the current officer training materials. If you have an idea to share, please email Kate  kpk7799@oznet.ksu.edu before March 15!! This deadline comes in to play so we can hopefully get the new publication out on the late summer/early fall order form, in time for your next officer training workshop. Thank you for your help!  Adams

2005 State 4-H Geology Field Trips - June 10-12 - Southern Flint Hills, Rosalia and North Central or Northern Flint Hills, Alma. Information plus a registration form can be found on the State 4-H Website under What's Hot!! Registrations are due to:
Dave Goldak
1303 E. Hwy. 54
Andover, Ks. 67002

by May 23, 2005!!   Adams

Basic 4-H Operations I training begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 18 and goes through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19. All sessions will be held in Pottorf Hall, CiCo Park. This training is now part of the New Agent Training Cycle, but anyone in the system that would like a refresher course is welcome.

Topics to be addressed include: 4-H Financial Management, VIP, Accountability to the 4-H mission, Learning through Events, Risk Management, Program Planning, Program Management and more.

Cost to attend is $20 payable to the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Please contact Diane Mack at: dmack@oznet.ksu.edu by April 1 if you plan to attend. Mack/Hinshaw

Moving Ahead is designed to provide the basic principles and practices of youth development as well as the language needed to advocate for youth and their families, and for programs you offer that support them. It is structured to take advantage of the opportunity to network with one another; to gain from the commonality, as well as diversity of your experiences; and to strategize an integrated approach to working with youth in your community.

The course will start at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26 and end at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Registration cost is $275 and will include all materials, meals, breaks and lodging. Deadline to register is April 1. Registration brochure is available http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Agents/MoAd05broch.pdf on the state 4-H web site. Contact Diane Mack at: dmack@oznet.ksu.edu for more information. Mack/Hinshaw/Buchele/Johannes

Basic 4-H Operations I Training -  begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 18, and goes through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19. All sessions will be held at Pottorf Hall, CiCo Park, Manhattan. This training is now part of the New Agent Training Cycle, but anyone in the system who would like a refresher course is welcome. 

Topics to be addressed include: 4-H Financial Management, VIP, Accountability to the 4-H Mission, Learning Through Events, Risk Management, Program Planning, Program Management, and more.

Diane Mack, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, NE, and Beth Hinshaw, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, SE, are co-presenters for this training.

If you have questions, please contact Diane or Beth. Cost to attend is $20 payable to the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Please contact Diane Mack at: dmack@oznet.ksu.edu by April 1 if you plan to attend. Hope to see you there! Mack/Hinshaw

More information and a registration flyer are on the web.

For more information,  rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu   Buchele

Hosting Internationals –A Good World Citizenship Opportunity - Now is the time to promote hosting 4-H international exchangees to 4-H families and others in Kansas communities.  Hosting helps young people and their parents to develop a world view, develops family communication  and other skills useful for living in the global community of the 21^st century.  Families with children at home are preferred, but not required.  Kansas 4-H is expecting incoming exchangees from Japan representing the Labo and LEX organizations, from several Eurasian countries under the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), and from Sweden and England through the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE). 

Two females and a male from Japan will attend Kansas high schools for the 2005-06 school year.  They each need a family from August to June.  Please let us know of families who may be interested in hosting: 

            Akihiro (18) M.
            Plays tennis and soccer
            Favorite subjects are Math, English, P. E., Biology and Japanese History.

            Keiko (17) F
            Plays electronic organ and is in English Club
            Favorite subjects are English and music.

            Rika (17) F
            Likes animals, cooking, tennis and swimming
            Favorite subjects are English and P.E.

Six high school students from several counties that were formerly part of the Soviet Union and participating in the FLEX program will also need Kansas families.  Biographical information will arrive soon.  Students stay with one family for the whole school year.  Families provide food, lodging, guidance and love.  The students’ families or the programs cover school fees, clothing, school lunches, and medical expenses.  Mary Kay Munson and Gary Gerhard will be happy to talk with any prospective hosts to discuss the options hosting high school students and answer questions families may have.
 
A female from Sweden representing Swedish 4-H and a female and male from England, representing Young Farmers Clubs of Devon County, will be in Kansas between June 20 and December 1 on the IFYE program.  The lengths of their stays are different, but each will be assigned to a family for multiple 2-3 week periods.  It’s possible we will accept another older teen or young adult for the summer June 20-July 30 period.  Contact Mary Kay for more information on any of these IFYE exchangees:

            Chris (21) M., England (June 20-August 31)
            From a livestock farm (beef, dairy and sheep), studies at an Agricultural college
            Wants to learn about all types of agriculture.

            Helen (21) F., England (June 20-July 30)
            From a 250 ac. dairy farm, BS Student in Agriculture and Estate Management
            Wants to stay on dairy and beef farms and participate in rural life.
            Hobbies include movies, theater, walking, horseback riding and socializing.
 
            Lina (20) F., Sweden (September 16-November 30)
            Lives in Stockholm, University student
            Wants to experience everyday life, horses and farms
            4-H leader and active on District Board and club officer

 Fifty five Japanese exchangees, from Kansas on the one month summer program, will be hosted by eight counties/districts that have recruited volunteer coordinators and agreed to find host families for six exchangees.  The participating counties/districts for 2005 are Barton, Butler, Central Kansas #3 (Saline), Finney, Geary, Harvey, Osage, and River Valley (Clay).  Coordinator and agent training was completed February 25-26.  They are currently recruiting and screening host families. 

For information on any of these program, contact Mary Kay Munson, Kansas 4-H International Exchange Coordinator at 785-238-3631 or m-munson@uiuc.edu.  The High School Exchanges require a different application available from Mary Kay.  IFYE Host Family Applications  and an information sheet are available on the state web site http://www.Kansas4-H.org/worldcitizenship.   Mary Kay’s mailing address is 16 06 N. Spring Valley Rd., Junction City, KS 66441.  Munson