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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION University of Arizona-College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Tucson, Arizona 85721

CLOVER COMMUNICATOR YAVAPAI COUNTY 4-H NEWS Vol XI. No. 1 –July/August 2005 Prescott Office Cottonwood Office 840 Rodeo Dr Bldg C 2657 Village Dr Prescott, AZ 86305 Cottonwood, AZ Phone: (928) 445-6590 Phone: (928) 646-9113 Fax: (928) 445-6593 Fax: (928) 646-9108 www.ag.arizona.edu/yavapai

Record Keeping-A Life Skill For Today and Tomorrow The main goal of 4-H is to help young people become self-directing, productive and contrib-uting citizens. We do this by helping young people to learn to set goals and then planning ways they can achieve their goals. These are skills that they can use now as a youth, and in later life.

One of the tools we use to accomplish this is through encouraging members to maintain a record of their 4-H Projects through out the year. Not only are the members encouraged to set goals, but they also learn how to keep fi-nancial records, they begin to develop organ-izational habits and practice their writing skills. When done properly, these records should reflect all aspects of a member’s experi-ence, project work, community service, partici-pation in county, state and national events and involvement in their community club.

Leaders are encouraged to incorporate time during their meetings to assist their members with updating the information in their books. Parents should also be spending time through out the 4-H year encouraging their children to keep their records current as purchases are made and/or activities occur.

As a former 4-H member I know that this can be the most challenging and least fun aspect of the program. However, I also know this is one of the most valuable skills I learned during my nine years in 4-H. So, parents and leaders do not give up when your young people throw a fit

when you ask them to sit down and work on their record books. Remain calm, work with and encourage them. Members if you will make entries as events occur or you make a purchase, record keeping won’t be such a hassle. Actually it can be very rewarding when you can track your progress, record when you have accom-plished a goal, as well as watch your growth in a project over the years.

For those of you who are not aware, it is through evaluation of members record books that we de-termine who will receive recognition in the county at our yearly Achievement and Recogni-tion Reception held in November.

So if you have not kept things up to date, get your record book out and get it caught up. Begin writing your story and pulling together the pic-tures that best represent your project(s) for the 2004-2005 4-H year. Your community club leader has been sent a packet of information re-garding directions for submitting record books for judging. The deadline for submitting them to either Cooperative Extension Of-fice is October 7, 2005.

All record books can be found online at http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/4hyd/4hforms.html

Happy Record Keeping, Pamela L. Denney Pamela L. Denney, Instructional Specialist

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4-H/FFA Expo 2006 Planning Meeting

July 30, 2005

Come be a part of the success of the 2006 4-H/FFA Expo by attending the initial planning meeting on Saturday, July 30 start-ing at 10:00 a.m. in the Shelby Hansen Room at the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Grounds. Lunch will be provided. All certified 4-H volunteers, resource volun-teers, and FFA Advisors who work within Yavapai County and all 4-H and FFA members who are currently enrolled in a 4-H club or FFA chapter are encouraged to attend and take an active part in this meeting. If you are planning on attending please contact Pam at (928)445-6590 ext. 226 by Wed. July 27 to assist with the head count for lunch. NEEDED: AWARDS CHAIR PREMIUM BOOK EDITOR

TRIBUTE TO TEENS

Remember we must put forth a sincere effort at understanding teens. If we understand our teens, our programs will probably have a greater impact on their lives. Consider the following poem:

TEENS Teens lead a life filled with dreams,

Creative thought and innovative schemes Many of them are constantly yearning,

Grasping the gusto, involved in learning. Others are already involved in teaching.

Fighting for independence, often confused Wondering why only they are abused.

Frustrated, some are stealing and lying Other resolved their restlessness by crying. Teens find it hard to face upcoming years’ As their vision is blurred by many tears. Hurdling the obstacles of growing older

They’re gaining courage and becoming bolder. Yet, despite their problems,

teens are enthusiastic Deserving a rating not less than fantastic.

Have You Met the Membership Completion

Requirements for the 2004-2005 4-H Year? Oct. 1, 2004-Sept. 30, 2005

It is important that 4-H be a positive learning experience. In order to assure a degree of con-sistency and fairness, the following completion requirements have been established. These requirements were developed from the Univer-sity of Arizona 4-H Youth Development policies and guidelines, as well as input from 4-H lead-ers in Yavapai County. The following require-ments must be met in order for a 4-H member to receive a completion pin and certificate for the year. Pins and certificates will be given out at the yearly Achievement and Recognition Reception in November. 1. Attend at least 80% of community club

and project meetings. 2. Give a presentation at a community

club or project club meeting, county or state event.

3. Participate in at least one 4-H judging event or Field Day.

4. Participate in a minimum of 6 hours of community service. Acceptance is subject to the approval of the Commu-nity Club or Project Leader.

5. Have no outstanding debt to the Yava-pai County 4-H program.

6. Submit a 4-H record in one or more projects to the Community Club Leader prior to Sept. 30.

The above stated requirements are county-wide minimums. Community/Project club leaders may institute additional requirements. Provided parents and members are notified in writing by November 1 or at enrollment. The Community/Project club leader is responsible for determining whether a member is in good standing. Disputed cases will be determined by the Cooperative Extension Office. If you have not met all of these requirements you still have time. Contact your Community/Project Club leaders for assistance.

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2005 State Fair 4-H Horse Show The State Fair has finalized the dates for the State Fair 4-H Horse Show. The new dates are Friday, October 21, 2005,Western and Trail Classes: October 22, 2005, English Classes, State Horse Judging Contest (may or may not be used as a qualifier for the Spring Horse Classics in Denver): October 23, 2005, Roping/Gym. We will be using the new arenas which are be-ing built on the South side of the Equidome, arena 6, 7, and 8. WE have been given four barns this year which should help with the complaints concerning dirty stalls for those coming in for the show on Saturday and Sunday. Entry forms and additional information will be sent to your County Extension Offices for dis-tribution.

Bringing 4-H to the County Yavapai County Fair

September 22-25, 2005

Would you like to get a jump on your commu-nity service hours for the 2005/2006 4-H year? Do you still need to make a presentation to complete your 4-H requirements for the cur-rent year? Or maybe you would just like an opportunity to talk to people about 4-H and all the opportunities it has to offer young people. Whatever your motivation we are looking for volunteers, both youth and adult to help staff the Yavapai County Cooperative Extension table during the 2005 County Fair. In addition we are looking for individual youth or clubs who would like to put together inter-active presentations. These will be scheduled periodically during the fair. The presentations will be about 5 minutes and involve short ac-tivities with the participants. The presenta-tions will pertain to the different areas of Ex-tension focus (e.g. 4H, Water, Consumer/Family, Food Safety, Master Gardener, etc.) Suggested topics for 4-H might include: one of the skills from the horse proficiency levels, how to properly set a table, simple commands to teach your dog, let your imagination run with it. Master Gardener Volunteers and other mem-bers of the Extension Staff will also be staffing the booth and making presentations. If you or your club is interested in participat-ing please contact Pam by phone at: (928)445-6590 ext. 226 or by email at pdenney@ag.arizona.edu not later than Sep-tember 1, 2005.

Opportunities for Recognizing Outstanding Leaders

& Friends of 4-H

There would be no 4-H without the many won-derful adults who over the year offer their time and in many cases their money to support and lead the various 4-H clubs throughout our county. If you know of a deserving adult that fits one of the following categories let your Community Club Leader know so that they can be nomi-nated and considered for recognition at the Annual Year End Achievement and Recogni-tion Reception in November. Friend of 4-H: This award is bestowed on those individuals and/or businesses who have contributed time, talent, or finances to the Yavapai County 4-H Youth Development Pro-gram. Clubs are encouraged to submit one nomination of a person, business, or organiza-tion which they feel has contributed in a posi-tive way to the 4-H youth of Yavapai County. The nominee must not be directly or indirectly affiliated with the Yavapai County 4-H YDP or have a vested interest in same. Up to four awards will be presented.

Outstanding 4-H Leader-Youth members are invited and encouraged to submit one nomination for each club. Up to four awards will be presented in the county. Forms can be found online @ http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/4hyd/4hforms.html

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Your 4-H Petting Zoo Tips on Making It Safe for the Public

Petting Zoos are a favorite activity for many 4-H groups. As an operator of a petting zoo or other animal exhibit, you provide a unique educational experience for the public, particu-larly children. However, most visitors to such venues are not aware of some of the health risks associated with animal contact.

Visitors to your facility can be protected against illness and injury through simple guidelines on hand-hygiene, adult supervision of young children (especially under the age of five), proper animal management, and appro-priate petting zoo design.

The following tips on making your animal ex-hibit safe for the public have been created by the Arizona State Department of Health and are required in order to have a petting zoo or animal exhibit of any kind.

∗ No food and beverages should be al-lowed in animal areas.

∗ Carrying toys, use of pacifiers and baby bottles, and smoking should NOT be permitted in animal areas.

∗ Supervision of Children: For children less than 5 years old, animal contacts should be carefully supervised by an adult, to discourage hand-to-mouth contact and to ensure appropriate hand-washing when needed, including after exiting animal area.

∗ Provide hand-washing stations at exit. Running water & soap is strongly rec-ommended.

∗ Provide Transition Areas between Animal Areas and Non-Animal Areas: The transition areas between animal and non-animal areas should be defined as clearly as possible.

∗ Entrance transition areas should in-clude signs instructing visitors not to eat, drink, or place their hands in their mouth while in the animal area. Exit transition areas should be clearly marked with signs instructing the public to wash their hands. Hand washing stations should accessible to children.

∗ Cleaning: Manure and soiled animal bed-ding should be removed promptly. Animal waste should be temporarily stored in ap-propriate labeled containers, preferably lined with plastic bags. Waste containers and tools used for waste removal (e.g., shovels, pitchforks) should be kept within designated animal areas, and restricted from public access.

∗ Staff: Staff must be present in areas of animal contact to encourage appropriate human/animal interactions, to reduce risk (e.g., by promptly cleaning up wastes), and to receive reports of injuries and exposures.

∗ Feeding Animals: If feeding animals is permitted, only food sold or provided by the venue for that purpose should be allowed. Food sold for animal consumption should not be eaten by people and should not be provided in containers that can be eaten by people (e.g., ice cream cones). This policy will reduce the risk of animal bites and the likelihood of children eating food that has come in contact with animals.

∗ Food Vendor Location: Food vendors should NOT be located immediately adja-cent to animal exhibits due to the natural spread of animal feces in the environment. For example, Salmonella can survive in the environment, even after drying.

If you or your club is interested in put-ting on a petting zoo or animal exhibit of any type you must first contact the 4-H contact person in the Cooperative Exten-sion Office. Upon approval of your activ-ity you will receive the appropriate packet and additional information for providing a safe and fun environment.

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BUILDING RESPONSIBILITY IN KIDS

Responsibility is a difficult subject to teach because one must be given responsibility be-fore one can learn the lesson! Educators agree that a sense of responsibility is required for a person to be adequately prepared for adult liv-ing. You can help 4-H members learn to assume responsibility by trying these suggestions: ∗ Avoid anything for your member that they

can do for themselves. Some leaders and parents place too much emphasis on doing things perfectly or performing tasks quickly. Children must learn how and that takes trial and error and time! Let them assume responsibility and accept their standards.

∗ Give members time to learn. Learning is easiest in a relaxed environment. Give clear careful directions for doing the task and plenty of time to complete it.

∗ Ask - don’t order. Ordering, demanding, or forcing children to do tasks is not the way to develop responsibility. You will find members eager to help out when they know they are needed and made to feel they can do the job.

∗ Use natural and logical consequences. If members refuse to do the tasks which are their responsibility, step back, stop dis-cussing it and let them experience the con-sequences.

When children learn to accept responsibility, they gain confidence, feel worthwhile, and really enjoy being responsible.

Becoming an Effective Leader Workshop

Saturday, October 1, 2005 Prescott Rodeo Grounds

4-H Members and Certified Volunteers

Are you thinking about running for an office in your club? Do you know what will be expected of you if you are elected? Or have you held an office and wish you had been better prepared for the job? Listed below are things that a good officer should be prepared to do:

∗ Give credit rather than take credit. ∗ Help guide the club rather than control it. ∗ Understand and carry out duties of others. ∗ Be respectful of the rights and opinions of

the position. ∗ Be prepared, organized and enthusiastic. ∗ Serve as a representative of the 4-H or-

ganization to family, school, community, state and country.

∗ Promote the club’s opinion and wishes in-stead of the officer’s.

If you are prepared to do these things, you will be on the road to becoming a good officer. Offi-cers work as a team to move the club toward its goals. Your club leader is a member of that team, too. By working with the advisor, the club can plan its program a year in advance.

Through this workshop we will address each of these topics to assist you in being successful, no matter what office you hold, whether you are a youth or an adult.

Specific details are not finalized as of this newsletter, but information will be dis-tributed through community club leaders as it becomes finalized.

LEADER CERTIFICATION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2005

PRESCOTT RODEO GROUNDS TIME TBA Anyone planning on serving as a Certified Volunteer for the coming 4-H year and has never viewed the 4-H Orientation Program Video or the Youth Protection Video must attend this meeting. More information will be sent out as the date approaches.

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Horse Committee Corner

Horse Committee Meetings Scheduled- The Horse Committee meets the 2nd Wednes-day of each month starting at 6:00 p.m.

August 10, 2005-Prescott Shelby Hansen Room-Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Grounds

Sept 14, 2005-Verde Valley Camp Verde Recreation Center.

For additional information or to confirm meet-ing times and dates contact Virginia Kilduff, Committee Chair at 928-775-3159.

Grab Your Neigh-bor! And Come See Us At

V Bar V Ranch

Explorer’s Day 2005

Saturday, August 27 Mahan Park

V Bar V Ranch Explorer’s Field Day is de-signed to make learning about resource issues meaningful and fun. On this tour, you will ex-amine the relationships of water, livestock, range, forestry and wildlife to sustainable rangeland resources. Educational activities will be led by experts in natural resources and field educators. The V Bar V Ranch is a working ranch located along the Mogollon Rim. It is owned and oper-ated by the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. With elevations ranging from 3200 to 7000 feet, the ranch al-lows UA CALS to expand its experiment sta-tion network to include higher elevation eco-systems. V Bar V Ranch Explorer’s Field Day will be held at Mahan Park, south of Flagstaff, the summer headquarters of the ranch. For more information call (928)646-9113, ext. 11 or email dpearson@ag.arizona.edu.

POSTER CONTEST CHAIRMAN: Dennis Fiscus

GENERAL RULES 1. Entries must be received in the Arizona

National Office by December 23, 2005. 2. Posters become the property of the Arizona

National and are not returned. 3. Name, address and telephone number

must be printed on the back of each entry. The signature, address and telephone number of the teacher, 4-H club leader or FFA chapter advisor must also appear.

4. Posters will be displayed at the 2006 Ari-zona National Livestock Show December 29, 2005 – January 1, 2006.

5. Posters are judged according to educational content, clarity, neatness, and originality.

K-8 STUDENTS, AND 4-H AND FFA MEM-

BERS POSTER CONTEST

1. Contest is open to all active 4-H and FFA

members in good standing and K-8 stu-dents.

2. Entries may be submitted in one of the fol-lowing categories: 4-H member, FFA mem-ber, or K-8 student .

3. Individual contestants may enter one poster in each class.

4. Posters are to be made on 22" x 28" regular hard poster board.

PREMIUMS The following awards will be offered to the winners in each of the five categories (open, cattle, sheep, swine, horses and goats).

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Arizona State Fair Entry Department 1826 W McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 257-7142

2005 Arizona State Fair

October 14 through November 6 LIVESTOCK SHOW DATES

Department Entry Deadline Arrival Deadline Judging Release YOUTH DIVISIONS: Beef Cattle Sept 8 Oct 19 by 7 pm Oct 21, 23 Oct 24 Dairy Cattle Sept 8 Oct 20 by 7 pm Oct 22 Oct 24 Sheep Sept 8 Oct 19 by 7 pm Oct 21, 22 Oct 24 Feeder Lamb Sept 23 Oct 19 by 7 pm Oct 23 Oct 24 Dairy Goats Sept 8 Oct 19 by 7 pm Oct 23 Oct 24 Meat Goats Sept 8 Oct 19 by 7 pm Oct 21 Oct 24 Swine Sept 8 Oct 20 by 7 pm Oct 22 Oct 24 OPEN DIVISIONS: Beef Cattle Sept 8 Oct 13 by 9 pm Oct 15, 16 Oct 16-17 Dairy Cattle Sept 30 Oct 26 by 10 am Oct 28, 29, 30 Oct 30-31 Dairy Goats Oct 3 Nov 2 by noon Nov 5, 6 Nov 6-7 Angora Goats Sept 22 Oct 26 by 8 pm Oct 30 Oct 30-31 Sheep Sept 22 Oct 26 by 8 pm Oct 28, 29, 30 Oct 30-31 HORSE SHOW: State 4-H Horse Show DATES TO BE DETERMINED YOUTH LIVESTOCK RELEASE TIMES: Non-Maricopa County Exhibitors 4:00 pm Sunday October 24 Maricopa County Exhibitors 5:00 pm Sunday October 24 OPEN LIVESTOCK RELEASE TIMES: Beef 10:00 pm through midnight Sunday October 16 8:00 am through noon Monday October 17 Sheep & Dairy Cattle 10:00 pm through midnight Sunday October 30 8:00 am through noon Monday October 31 Dairy Goats 10:00 pm through midnight Sunday November 6 8:00 am through noon Monday November 7 NEW FOR 2005: Open Boer Goat Show and Sale October 14 – 16 Additional information available soon

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WANTED

Articles for the Clover Com-municator. Club Reporters let the rest of the county know what your club and members are up to. Deadline for submitting arti-cles is the 25th of each month. Articles can be submitted by mail, fax or by email to pdenney@ag.arizona.edu

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1915, in cooperation with the U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director of Coop-erative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activi-ties.

Western Warehouse Offers 15% Discount

to all active 4-H/FFA Members

Western Warehouse in Prescott Valley is offering a 15% discount on the total purchase of items when you let them know that you are currently an active member of Yavapai County 4-H or any Yavapai County FFA Chapter. This offer is good throughout the year.

CELEBRATE YOUR FAMILY THROUGH 4-H

A strong family understands the value of doing things together. In doing so, they grow closer and stronger. A strong family is committed to developing a closeness that enables it to deal effectively with stress. Your interest and com-mitment will make your family stronger. It’s absolutely necessary that you and other family members place a higher value on doing things together as a family. Since your child is a member of 4-H, you have many opportunities to work and play as a fam-ily. The most successful 4-H members have the interest and support of their families. Be-ing active in your child’s 4-H club will benefit your entire family. Through 4-H you can celebrate your family. FAMILY STRENGTH BUILDERS ∗ Be a good listener and advisor to your child

when he selects projects. Find out his in-terest and the available projects. Some-times a younger child needs a fair amount of time to decide; for him, it’s a big deci-sion. Encourage him to decide for himself. Be patient and don’t dictate.

∗ Be enthusiastic and interested about your child’s choice. Compliment him on the good selection, even if you thought he should have chosen another project.

∗ Get acquainted with the 4-H club and find out all the things 4-H’ers do.

∗ Tell the leader you want to be part of the ∗ 4-H club. Find out how you and your fam-

ily can be involved and don’t hesitate to volunteer ideas about how your family can participate.

∗ Guide your child as he works to complete a project, but don’t do it for him.

∗ Attend the 4-H club meetings and look for ways to be helpful.