4-H Needs Your Help!

My in-box | 13 NOV 20003 | tiamat

[tiamat]

FReepers,

I found this in my "in-box". I ask Michigan Freepers to take a moment to write, call, fax, e-mail, whatever it takes.

4-H is a family oriented, CONSERVATIVE group that deserves our support.

My daughter is mildly autistic and 4-H has done her a world of good! Having to talk to judges, work as a team, complete projects and work with a large, cranky animal has ALL done her a world of good ! She has blossemed! And this is REAL confidence she has grown, not some "self-esteem" crap.

Sorry for the crummy formatting.

I am SO upset just now at what the Canadian is trying to pull.

Here is the letter:

Dear 4-H volunteers and families,

 

MSU Extension faces elimination and needs your help!  Governor Jennifer Granholm is asking for citizen input on budget cuts she is considering.  She is presenting a list of 19 cuts that include the total elimination of MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Stations.

 

MSU Extension is a three-way partnership between federal, state and local governments.  The $28.6 million from state money is joined with approximately $10 million in federal funds, $18 million in county funds, and more that $21 million in grants.  This meansMichigan’s $28.6 million dollar contribution to Extension leverages an additional $50 million dollars.  It is an arrangement that supports our program here in Washtenaw County.  Without the state’s investment, the partnership supporting MSU Extension would collapse and end.  This means that in 2004, there would be no more 4-H, Agriculture, or family programs. 

 

Here inWashtenaw County, 4-H impacts over 3600 youth in educational, character building, after-school programs.  Over 300 Washtenaw County adult volunteers donate their time to mentor youth.  Statewide, over 276,000 youth are involved in 4-H.  It is the largest out-of-school time program in the state. 

 

If you feel strongly about the cuts that Governor Granholm is considering, you have the opportunity as a constituent to make your voice heard.  Contacts need to be made as soon as possible, as the governor plans to announce her cuts by mid-December.

 

To contact the Governor: You can contact her by mail at: Governor Jennifer M. Granhom,P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI  48909 or by telephone at (517) 373-3400 or by FAX at (517) 335-6863. 
You can also use her email program Share Your Opinion , but you will not receive a response. 
To do this, visit http://www.michigan.gov/gov .  Click on Contact the Governor and then scroll down to Share Your Opinion or use this web link:  http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21995-65331--,00.html .

 

If losing MSU Extension and all of its programs is a concern, you should also contact your state senator and representative.  If you are unsure who represents you, you can find out at the Michigan Senate and Michigan House of Representatives websites.  Washtenaw County Senators are

 

Senator Liz Brater (district 18)         and                   Senator Beverly Hammerstrom (district 17)

(517) 373-2406                                                      (517)373-3543

SenLBrater@senate.michigan.gov      
                      SenBHammerstrom@senate.michigan.gov

 

Our Washtenaw area Representatives are:

 

You can find out more about the proposed budget cuts at our Washtenaw County MSU Extension website, http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/extension/ex_index.html . 

You will also be receiving a letter in the mail from our MSU Extension office in a few days.

 

There is also an online poll sponsored by Channel 4 inDetroit that citizens can use to express their opinion.  This website is http://www.clickondetroit.com/station/2626557/detail.html  

 

If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the MSU Extension staff.

 

Sincerely,

Glenda Kilpatrick

Extension 4-H Youth Agent

[tiamat]

Thanks in advance for any support, bumps, etc.

Tia

[Dan from Michigan]

Senator Liz Brater (district 18)

My condolonces. They don't get worse than that.

I know my rep is a 4H backer. Joe went through the program himself.

[stainlessbanner]

4H bump

[Eva]

Good luck! I know how valuable the 4-H program can be, my friend's daughter was a FFA officer for a year following graduation from high school. She recieved college credit for her effort and lots of scholarship money from 4H/FFA related activities. The young lady is now looking forward to a career in Agriculture education.

[tiamat]

I actually think Stabenow is worse, but I had the "pleasure " of meeting her personally.

Was in for my morning onut and coffee at the local baket and she was in there with a bunch of Soccer Moms. i worked at the school at the time, so one of the Mommies dragged me foreward to meet her.

I made few points as I asked Stabenow why her Boss ( Clinton) had no self-control...... ( I put it rather crassly and then asked why she worked for someone like that)

I fired off a few more questions and left her dithering.

I was not a Freeper then, but it felt good to light her up, and the fact that the old farmers in the joint got a laugh made it better!

Tia

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[tiamat]

Thanks!

i just cannot say enough good about 4-H!

Tia

[tiamat]

LOL!

Great minds think alike!

I was going to ping our Farm Friend!

Tia

[tiamat]

SIGH

FREIND -"friend".

Tia

[farmfriend]

Related article: 4-H fears being put out to pasture

4-H is not a CONSERVATIVE organization any more than it's parent organization is. 4-H and FFA were started by the Grange. Founded in 1867, the Grange is the oldest general farm and public policy organization in the United States.

The California State Grange has a Youth Fair Progam that is rapidly making a name for itself and, in some places, has replace the failing 4-H program.

Other states may contact the California State Grange for information on getting a Youth Fair Program started in your state.

[tiamat]

Well, okay, I was saying conservative in that it tends to have intact families, and supports actual family bonding.

I DID see one kid's project all about the Republican party this last summer. Nice to see you!

Tia

[farmfriend]

Here is an example of the fine youth such a program supports.

Willie The Goat Raises Money For A Good Cause

[tiamat]

That is a good article!

thanks for sharing it!

Tia

[farmfriend]

I only objected to the label because it is the one area where Grange members are very adamant, we are politically active but staunchly non-partisan.

[farmfriend]

Indexing.

[tiamat]

No biggie! :-)

And it still counts as a BUMP!

LOL!

So how are things "Home on the Grange"?

Tia

[colorado tanker]

I went through 4-H. It's a great program for kids.

I'm not surprised an urban liberal Democrat would want to gut programs for flyover country. Now if you proposed inner city kids taking a brown bag lunch instead of feeding at the public trough . . .

[tiamat]

What was your animal?

And no kidding about the brown bag......

Tia

[farmfriend]

Currently National Grange Convention is going on in Vermont. California State Grange just had their convention in October where we elected a whole new slate of officers. Membership is growing again. Our new programs are starting to draw people back into the Grange.

Article relating to Grange legislative activities can be found on the Grange bump list.