What is Leadership?
Audrey Rider – 1/16/2012
Leadership often does not have a precise definition. We all have known and have seen the power of leaders that have “stepped up” in our communities and organizations.
South Dakota 4-H
Getting Science Ready
Kathryn Reeves – 1/09/2012
4-H has been building an exciting new focus in the area of Science. While many of the traditional 4-H projects are based on science, a science ready volunteer is necessary to help youth to embrace and challenge themselves to take a more scientific approach to their project learning.
My Kids Hardly Ever Get Sick
Marilyn Rasmussen – 12/27/2011
What does healthy living mean to you and your children? Most parents measure their children’s health in terms of fevers, colds, flu, and broken bones. They follow their pediatrician’s instructions on regular check-ups and immunizations, and assess their child’s health on the number of school days missed. However, healthy living is a broader concept encompassing the healthy development of the whole individual – physical, social and emotional.
Promote Respect in Your Home
Karelyn Farrand – 12/26/2011
December is Respect month. Below are a few things you can do or discuss at home to reinforce what your student hears at school.
Building 4-H Partnerships with Community Groups
Suzanne Geppert – 1/30/2012
Partnerships ensure children’s rights to be viewed as active community participants and contributors. There is no perfect roadmap designed to build a community partnership. In order for them to be successful they must focus on the needs of their community.
Helping First Year 4-H Members Succeed
Kathryn Reeves – 1/02/2012
Having a successful first year in 4-H greatly increases the probability of continued enrollment. In order for a first year member to succeed, they and their parents may need assistance with project completion guidelines, exhibit requirements, journal completion, meeting participation and public presentation planning.
Many Faces of 4-H
Audrey Rider – 12/24/2011
4-H offers a wide variety of clubs and memberships. Traditional clubs or “community clubs” are popular in South Dakota as well as afterschool, military, in-school, special interest groups, and independent memberships.
4-H Is Military Friendly
Kathryn Reeves – 12/16/2011
The heart and hands of 4-H have always included service to the military; over the years clubs have planted victory gardens, knit socks, packed care packages and sent thousands of Christmas cards to support and encourage those protecting our country. In recent years, 4-H has turned to the families of those brave soldiers, looking for ways to be of support in the communities where they live.
The 2012 South Dakota Horse Fair
Rebecca Bott – 3/14/2012
The 22nd Annual South Dakota Horse Fair will take place in the Expo building at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, SD on March 16, 17, and 18th. The Horse Fair is coordinated by the South Dakota Horse Council. Renowned AQHA and NRCHA World Champion Al Dunning is the featured speaker for the weekend.
Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day
Rodney Geppert – 1/02/2012
We are very pleased to announce the 2012 Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day will be held at the Pennington County 4-H & Extension Building (Walter Taylor Building) 601 E Centre Street and the Central States Fairgrounds – Rapid City, SD. This will be a great opportunity for youth to compete, gain knowledge, and meet other youth with similar interests while having fun!
Livestockology at the Black Hills Stock Show
Megan Nielson – 12/27/2011
Attention youth! Are you brilliant in beef, proficient in pig, or skilled in sheep, test your knowledge in the livestockology competition at the Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day February 4, 2012 in Rapid City, SD. This event will be held at the Central States Fairgrounds. Livestockology is a way to exhibit knowledge and understanding of livestock (beef, sheep, and swine) sciences and husbandry in a friendly but competitive setting.
January 22-28 is South Dakota 4-H Week
Kathryn Reeves – 12/25/2011
January 22—28 has been declared South Dakota 4-H Week! Clubs all across the state are challenged to bring 4-H to the attention of their communities with open houses, special events, new member drives, window displays, posters, and classroom visits. The 4-H Youth Council will provide daily themes and challenges for the clubs, along with ideas for helping counties to promote their programs.
A Work in Progress: Children’s Gardening
Marilyn Rasmussen – 4/05/2012
Children, being outdoors, and digging in the dirt, is there a better combination? The hands-on learning that can occur in the garden is without limits. However, keeping children interested in gardening requires planning, and sometimes letting go of adult ideas about gardening. Straight rows and perfect vegetables may not be the end result. To keep children engaged and happy in the garden, adults need to plan ahead for fun and for safety.
Choose MyPlate for 4-H Special Foods
Marilyn Rasmussen – 4/04/2012
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) premiered a new model for healthy living based on making healthier food choices and engaging in an active lifestyle – Choose My Plate. The members who participate in the 4-H Special Foods contest will learn about Choose MyPlate as part of their participation in the contest.
Gardens are Learning Labs
Marilyn Rasmussen – 4/04/2012
Sometimes we overlook the most obvious opportunities for hands-on learning with children. As a new growing season quickly approaches, adults may want to consider the endless array of topics that can be explored through gardening with children. Naturally, one thinks of gardening as a way to learn about plant science and all the related topics of soil composition, plant nutrition, weather or climate, entomology (bugs), managing the environment, and recycling. Exploring these topics offer a summer full of science for children.
Winter Hair Care With Your 4-H Beef Show Animal
Rodney Geppert – 1/30/2012
For those of you that actively show or are thinking about exhibiting your 4-H beef animals during the winter months and have your animals properly broke to lead at this point, here are some winter show cattle tips that can help you to achieve the performance and fresh hair look during adverse weather conditions.
4-Hers Contribute to Their Communities
Karelyn Farrand – 1/30/2012
Sixteen clubs from 10 counties participated in the Focus on Character project across South Dakota from November 2010 through July 2011. The counties included Brookings, Brown, Brule, Clay, Codington, Custer, Davison, Grant, Hutchinson, Lake, Marshall, Minnehaha, and Spink.
Friend of 4-H Spotlight-Amy DuVall
Suzanne Geppert – 1/23/2012
In the fast paced world that we live in it is sometimes hard to find that “extra time” to offer oneself as a volunteer. That is why it is a privilege to talk about one of South Dakota’s Friend of 4-H recipients. I think it was said best by Calvin Coolidge. He stated that no person was ever honored for what he received. Honor is given by what he gave. Amy DuVall is this year’s Edmunds County Friend of 4-H, however her commitment goes beyond the county level.
International Foreign Youth Exchange to Finland
Audrey Rider – 1/16/2012
Sixteen-year-old, Erin Mirose, of Kimball, S.D. took her first trip overseas to Liperi, Finland with the International Foreign Youth Exchange.
National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Results
Rodney Geppert – 1/02/2012
Grant and Brookings County Compete at National 4-H Livestock Judging Contests