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| Spotlight on Youth - Feb. 25, 2009 |
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Kentucky 4-H celebrates 100th anniversary
LEXINGTON, Ky. — 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of 4-H’s beginnings in Kentucky. To celebrate this milestone, past and present 4-H members are celebrating the youth organization’s past, relishing in the present and setting goals for the future.
“In my judgment, 4-H was America’s most successful leadership development program in the 20th century,” said Scott Smith, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.
Kentucky 4-H began in 1909 with a corn club in Fayette County. In this club, a group of boys each grew one acre of corn with the goal of growing corn more efficiently. At the end of the season, they reported the yield and operation costs of the project. What began with this Fayette County group rapidly spread to include agricultural-related specialty clubs in other counties. By 1939, 4-H had clubs in all 120 counties and listed 42,180 young people as members.
While 4-H’s beginnings are in agriculture, programs and projects for young people with no agricultural background were offered as early as the 1930s. Today, 4-H’ers can participate in clubs that explore everything from rocketry to communication skills. In 2008, 233,423 young Kentuckians participated in 129 different 4-H programs, projects and camps.
Even though programs were added and changed over the years to meet the needs of Kentucky’s youth, 4-H’s mission of shaping young people to become future leaders and responsible, productive citizens has remained the same.
Kentucky 4-H has planned several events to honor this milestone and will kick off the celebrations with a birthday bash open to all past and present 4-H’ers and volunteers Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Lexington.
Other centennial events include tree plantings, honorary awards, commemorative quilts and a clover that will travel to every county in the state.
Current 4-H’ers will be able to participate in several different centennial-related competitions and exhibits at Cloverville during the 2009 Kentucky State Fair. 4-H’ers and adult volunteers have been challenged to complete at least 100 hours of service in their communities during the year in honor of the centennial. Supporters of 4-H can join other 4-H members in showing their support for the organization by wearing green on the fourth day of every month during 2009. Each county also will have special events and programs related to the centennial. For more information about local centennial events, contact the county 4-H youth development agent. To register for the kick-off celebration or for more information on statewide centennial events, visit www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/4h/
District winners announced for Farm Bureau essay contest
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Twenty Indiana eighth-graders have been selected to be finalists in the essay contest sponsored by Sen. Richard Lugar, Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. A total of 974 students from 34 counties participated in this year’s contest.
One boy and girl were chosen from each of Indiana Farm Bureau’s 10 districts.
Two state winners – one boy and one girl – will be announced at the IFB Spring Conference, which will be held in Indianapolis on March 6 and 7. Each of the finalists wins a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, while the state winners will also receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
“Working Our Way to Energy Independence” is the theme for the youth essay contest, according to IFB 2nd Vice President Isabella Chism. Chism chairs the Women’s Leadership Committee, which is in charge of the annual contest.
The contest began in 1985 and is designed to increase young Hoosiers’ awareness of the significance of Indiana agriculture, how it relates to the supply of food and fuel and to their health. The finalists are listed below.
·District 1: Zachary Glick of Highland, attends Our Lady of Grace, son of Marcus and Joann Glick; Katlyn Surfus of Knox, attends Knox Middle School, daughter of Jim and Dolores Surfus.
·District 2: Kristi Brennan of Kendallville, attends St. Mary of the Assumption, daughter of Brian and Amie Brennan; Gabe Curtis of Albion, also attends St. Mary of the Assumption, son of Mike and Susan Curtis.
·District 3: Jessie LeBeau of Wolcott, attends Tri-County Middle-Senior High, daughter of Kent and Sherry LeBeau; Jonah Pritchett of Fowler, also attends Tri-County Middle-Senior High, son of Kevin and Tammy Pritchett.
·District 4: Trevor Homan of Portland, attends East Jay Middle School, son of Tom and Kim Homan; McKinzie Horoho of Greentown, attends Eastern Junior-Senior High, daughter of Carl and Cindy Horoho.
·District 5: Miranda Gerrard of Pine Village, attends Seeger Junior-Senior High, daughter of Dave and Shari Gerrard; Cameron Guernsey of Jamestown, attends Western Boone Junior-Senior High, son of Bruce and Kelli Guernsey.
·District 6: Jack Garner of Spiceland, attends Tri Junior/Senior High, son of Chris and Claudia Garner; Kristen McCarthy of Indianapolis, attends St. Jude Catholic School, daughter of Patrick and Karen McCarthy.
·District 7: Riki Crowe of Bloomfield, attends White River Valley Junior/Senior High, daughter of Steve and Aleta Crowe; Ethan Fettig of Dugger, attends Linton Stockton Junior High, son of Eric and Susie Fettig.
·District 8: Aaron Kaiser of Cedar Grove, attends Mount Carmel, son of Paul and Roseanne Kaiser; Morgan Tomson of Westport, attends South Decatur High, daughter of Jimmy and Beth Tomson.
·District 9: Brandon Wells of Evansville, attends North Posey Junior High, son of Matthew and Robyn Wells; Lynnette Whitsitt of Huntingburg, attends Southridge Middle School, daughter of Dennis and Jane Whitsitt.
·District 10: Amy Burbrink of North Vernon, attends St. Mary’s Catholic School, daughter of Nathan and Joanne Burbrink; Zachary Carter of Crothersville, attends Immanuel Lutheran School, son of Tim and Anita Carter.
Miami East competes in job interview, ag sales contest
CLAYTON, Ohio — Recently several members of the Miami East FFA Chapter competed in the District 5 FFA Job Interview and Ag Sales Contests held at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Montgomery County.
The Job Interview Contest consists of designing a resume and cover letter, completing a job application, performing an interview, and writing a thank you note.
Brittney Brookhart competed in the Division 5 (junior or senior, first year in agricultural education) interview competition. She placed second in the district. Logan Pyers competed in Division 4 (senior year) interview competition. Jessica Starry competed in the Division 3 (junior year) interview contest. Jessica placed fourth in the district. Tate Church competed in the Division 2 (sophomore year) contest, placed third in the district. Angelina Henger competed in the Division 1 (freshman year) contest.
The Ag Sales team consisted of Sheena Roach, Hannah Allen, Catey Heigel, and Rick Thimmes.
The team members each completed a test on agricultural sales, customer prospecting, and demonstrated their ability to sell an agricultural product. The team placed third. Sheena Roach was the highest placing individual in the district. |
| 2/25/2009 |
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