Crops/Horticulture cadinkel@ksu.edu
Shawna Pack
As we approach the end of the calendar year and get started with a new 4-H year, this is an important time to reflect on the past year. What did you learn about the things you accomplished? What did you learn about things that weren’t as successful—did you take on too much; did you not plan far enough ahead? Based on these things, what are your plans for 2021? For myself, working from home for several months during the pandemic definitely came with challenges in juggling home life, work life, and school life for my children. I know that I reflect on my successes and not-so-successful moments to challenge myself to be better every day….as a 4-H Youth Development Agent, as a wife, mom, friend, and coworker. .
Clinton Laflin
Tabatha VanDegrift
MIDWAY DISTRICT 4-H PROGRAM represents Ellsworth AND RUSSELL AREA 4-H CLUBS
December 2020
RUSSELL OFFICE 309 S. Fossil Ave. Russell, KS 67665 (785) 483-3157
Livestock cllaflin@ksu.edu
midway district 4-h newsletter
Office Professional-Ellsworth sjreuer@ksu.edu
4-H Grows here
Program Assistant tzamrzla@ksu.edu
Family and Consumer Sciences jessicak@ksu.edu
Taylor Zamrzla
Marcia Gier
ELLSWORTH OFFICE 210 N. Kansas Ave. Ellsworth, KS 67439 (785) 472-4442
4-H UPDATE
4-H Youth Development marciagier@ksu.edu
Jessica Kootz
Craig Dinkel
K-State Research and Extension is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Marcia Gier at marciagier@ksu.edu or 785-483-3157. Notify staff of accommodation needs as early as possible.
Office Professional-Russell tabathav@ksu.edu
MIDWAY DISTRICT STAFF
President Kalli Pfeifer Vice President Emerson Nichols Secretary Hope Lumpkins Treasurer Kierra Eck Reporter Cheyenne Blundon ****************** 4-H Council Meeting January 25 at 7:00pm Be prepared for these meetings with officer and committee reports! ****************** Russell Fair Board Meeting January 11 at 7:00pm ***************** 4-H Junior Leaders December 13 at 5:00pm
2021 RS County 4-H Council officers
Russell Report
CALLING ALL SHOOTING ENTHUSIASTS! Did you know that Russell County now has a Shooting Sports instructor who is certified to teach BB Gun, Air Rifle, Muzzle Loader, and .22 Rifle? We are currently working on securing some funds to get the program up and running for the start of 2021. There will be an informational meeting on Sunday, December 6 at the Russell Rec Center at 7:00pm. This meeting is for any youth who are interested in participating in Shooting Sports for the upcoming year. If you are interested in knowing more about the Shooting Sports program, please call our office at 785-483-3157.
President Trenton Hays Vice President Ashlyn Schwerdtfeger Secretary Josie Kueser Treasurer Shylo Travnichek Reporter Cade Brokes ****************** 4-H Council Meeting Decmeber 14 at 6:30pm Be prepared for these meetings with officer and committee reports! ****************** Fair Association Meeting December 7 at 6:30pm ***************** 4-H Junior Leaders December 20 at 4:30pm
2021 EW County 4-H Council officers
Ellsworth Events
Shooting Sports Practices will begin soon! When: December 3rd at 6 pm Decemeber 6th from 4-6 pm Where: Scout Cabin Masks are required! Practices will be held on Thursdays at 6 pm and Sundays from 4-6 pm. If you are interested in joining the shooting sports text messages, please text @midwayss to 81010!
Junior Leaders! If you are 12 years or older and enrolled in the Leadership project, be sure to contact Junior Leaders advisors, Susan Kurz-Sebesta and Kristin Haase for more information! Come along on the Leadership Road Trip!
Many of the events and paperwork—most definitely the paperwork—for 4-H can be overwhelming for new 4-H families! This page will be used to highlight things that may be helpful to know in regard to upcoming events, deadlines, and necessary documents. Your Club Leader is also a great resource!
FAMILY RESOURCE PAGE
What is Club Day? Club Day is an opportunity for 4-H members to demonstrate their talents in several different areas in front of judges and other 4-H members and families. Club Day will be held on Sunday, February 28th. Members must be enrolled on 4-H Online by December 1 to participate in Club Day. There is also a handbook for this available at the Extension office and on our website HERE. Categories include: Project Talk Show and Tell Demonstration Illustrated Talk Public Speaking Talent (dancing, skits, magic tricks etc.) Singing Instrumental Skills Reading Resume/Interview Model Meetings
What is the Favorite Foods Show? The Favorite Foods show combines planning an event with learning about nutritional value and setting a table. The Extension Office has a handbook that can provide additional information. This can also be found HERE Pick a dish that is your favorite! It can represent any course of a meal. Turn your recipe into the extension office by January 13. Pick a theme and create an event of which your recipe is a part. Plan your place setting (card table-sized) to tie in with your theme. Plan your menu around your theme and particular favorite recipe. On January 24th you will set up your place setting, include your menu, and prepare your selected recipe. During a consultative judging, you will have the opportunity to share your idea, recipe, and place setting with a judge for constructive feedback.
Leaders...Did you... review 4-H Update Important Dates/Deadlines (Calendar) To do Check mailbox at the Exension Office Report from 4-H Council Meetings Provide any leadership changes to the Extension Office ASAP Update Volunteer Renewal information Promote/recruit 4-H members: ask a friend to attend meetings Encourage current 4-H members to review and complete applications for KYLF, Citizenship in Action, Citizenship Washingon Focus Remind all 4-H members and parents who are volunteers to enroll via 4-H Online The Extension Office has a copy of the Cloverbud handbook for each club-please provide this resource to your club Cloverbud leader Provide officers and clubs leadership updates as soon as possible to the Extension Office
Volunteer Renewal Leaders—It is time for annual or three-year renewals! To renew, simply go to 4-H Online and reenroll for the new year (just like you reenroll your youth participants). If you need to do your background check through the state again (this is done every three years), no work is required by you! Our office now gets that list to the state and the state reruns the background check! We won’t do this until you are an active member in our 4-H Online system, however. Please remember that without updated information on file, clubs can be in jeopardy. Providing a safe, healthy environment for youth is one of the most important jobs that leaders can provide and this is one of the steps in that process. The link to the Volunteer page is HERE. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important step in leading the youth of the Midway District!
LEARNING CENTER
Regional KAP Screening We are looking for volunteers to help at the Regional KAP screening on Friday, January 22 in Hays. Each Extension Unit may send a maximum of three adults to judge award portfolios times the number of counties that comprise the district. This is a great way to understand the process better and help select the strongest candidates for state review. If you are interested, please let Marcia Gier know by Jan. 2 so that you can be registered.
Rock Springs 4-H Camp: 2021 Dates and The Future of Camp To say that Kansas 4-H missed camp last summer is an understatement! We believe in the positive impact that 4-H camp at Rock Springs Ranch can have on a child. From exploring the outdoors, to building lifelong friendships, to gaining independence and self confidence, camp has a tremendous ability to make a strong impact on youth of all ages. To ensure that 4-H camp continues to be a safe and high quality experience for generations to come, Kansas 4-H established a Kansas 4-H Camping Taskforce two years ago. The task force has been hard at work, as well as leadership at both the Kansas 4-H Foundation and Rock Springs Ranch, preparing and planning for the future Kansas 4-H camp. Beginning in the summer of 2022, 4-H camp will operate under a more centralized camp model, with extended sessions, increased program offerings, open enrollment and improved healthcare. Be sure to check out the article written in the October edition of the 4-H Pledge for more background and information. 4-H camp in 2021 will begin to see new health protocols, as well as some improved health facilities, expedited by the Covid-19 pandemic. Logistics and details will continue to be shared as they are finalized. In the meantime, save the dates for 4-H camp in the summer of 2021! Heart of Kansas Camp: June 21-24 Kansas 4-H Campference: June 27-30
Regional KAP Screening to be Held in January Do you/your KAP meet the requirements below and were you a KAP winner at the local level? If so, your KAP has qualified for regional screening. To be eligible, 4-H members must meet the following requirements: Have completed one or more years in the project. Have been named a county/district winner in the project/award project for the most recently ended 4-H year, i.e. the year in which the work was done. Have re-enrolled in the project for the current 4-H year, i.e. the year in which area or state level judging occurs. Have passed their 14th birthday as of the current 4-H year, i.e. the year in which area or state level judging occurs. Have not passed their 19th birthday as of January 1 of the current 4-H year, i.e. the year in which area or state level judging occurs. Have not previously been named a state winner in the same project or award project. If you think you are eligible, please contact our office at 785-483-3157 for more information!
4-H Happenings
4-H Pen Pal Program Launched November 16 States' 4-H launched online registration for its second Pen Pal Program on November 16! Kansas had several participants in the first Pen Pal Program this summer and reports we’ve heard are that they had communications with a Pen Pal friend in one of the States’ 4-H partner countries: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Norway or Romania and enjoyed the experience. Here are the plans for the new program. Interested Kansas 4-H’ers can go to the World Citizenship web page for more information and link to the application site at:https://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/global-citizenship/kansas-4-h-international-exchanges/index.html. Program Details: 1. The program will run from Jan 18 - April 18, 2021. 2. Participants must be between the ages of 9-18 and from an active States' 4-H state including Kansas. 3. There is no cost for participation. 4. Participants sign up by completing an online registration form, which includes a Terms of Use agreement. 5. States' 4-H will match participants with an international peer from one of the participating countries. States' 4-H will make its best effort to match based on country preference, age, gender, and interests. 6. Participants are asked to communicate at least TWO times per month with their international pen pal using methods available to both such as email, postal mail social media, facetime, Skype or Zoom. 7. A positive and enthusiastic attitude is crucial for this program as it will be up to the US participant to initiate contact with their pen pal. (4-H members could make the Pen Pal Program a 4-H project for the 2021 year.) Interested members should register as soon as possible and watch the e-mail address they list for follow-up information. Inquiries about the program may be sent to Mary Kay Munson, Kansas 4-H Exchange Coordinator atmkm2@ksu.edu.
Kansas Junior Producer Days The Kansas Junior Producer Days will be hosted in February and March 2021 as a virtual series over the course of a week. The Junior Swine Producer Week will be February 15-20. Presentations will be provided a couple of days during the week, with the final sessions and discussions being on Saturday morning. All of the sessions will be recorded and shared with those who register. Junior Meat Goat Producer Week will follow a similar format March 15-20. All youth, parents, leaders and extension agents are invited to participate in these educational experiences. K-State faculty members, graduate students, veterinarians, extension agents, guest speakers, and specialists will speak about various topics related to project management specific to each species. Tentative topics include selection, nutrition, meat science, health, and showmanship. More details and registration information will be released in the coming weeks. Please watch the youth livestock program website and Facebook page for updated information and a link to register.
Fossi Creek 4-H Club spent some time packing boxes at the Food Pantry in Russell in November, in preparation for the busy holiday season.
Giving Back to Our Communities
4-H in the News
Big Creek 4-H Club has a Coat Drive service project going on this month. They also have a "Fill the Freezer Beef/Pork Giveaway Fundraiser" going on through December 6.
This month, the Ellsworth County Junior Leaders delivered cookies to the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Department following their meeting in appreciation for all that the Sheriff's Department does across the county!
Office Closed Christmans Holiday
Upcoming Events: Be sure to regularly check the Midway District website for upcoming shows and clinics. www.midway.k-state.edu/events/areashows.html
December 1
@ksre_midway
January 1
Office Closed New Year Holiday
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 24-25
If you would prefer receiving this newsletter via mail (in addition to the email and posted version), call the Extension Office at (785) 483-3157 and we will add you to the mailing list.
Favorite Foods Show Recipe Deadline
January 24
@Midway4H @MidwayKSRE
www.facebook.com/MidwayDistrict4H www.facebook.com/MidwayKSRE
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January 13
4-H Online Entry Deadline for Club Days
Favorite Foods Show
C A L E N D A R