[Eric in the Ozarks]

Same thing's happening at Iowa State University.
I expect one of the chemical or seed companies will see this as an opportunity.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.

[farmfriend]

Grange Youth Fair Program

We are all familiar with the 4H and FFA showing animal and other project at the local fairs. But did you know that in the State Fair and Exposition Rules that govern all these fair, that there is another category called Grange Youth!

While a young program (no pun intended), having started in the late 1980's, the program is being adopted by more fair districts each year as we are able to show them that we have young people wanting to exhibit under the category of Grange Youth.

Some of our most successful programs are found in El Dorado County, Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, Amador County and Nevada County Fair Districts.

What categories can you show under? How about beef, sheep, swine, diary and market goats, rabbits, poultry, cavies, horse, pygmy goats, arts & crafts, horticulture, floriculture, textiles and whatever categories you wish to enter as long as your local fairs approve. You might also participate in the " Feature Booth " contest at your local fair. All Granges should have a " Grange Information Booth " if they do or do not have a GYF Program participating. This is a great way to let the public know we are still here and serve as a " Friend of The Farmer".

E-mail the State Grange Youth Fair Program Director for more information, or details on how you can learn more about this program, just click on the image to the left.

[farmfriend]

Grange Youth for America

California State Grange Announces the Grange Youth for America Program Kick Off

The California State Grange announces two opportunities to be involved with the Kick Off for a new and exciting Youth Program; Grange Youth for America.

We will be presenting this innovative program to Grange youth from ages 5 to 19 At two separate Youth conferences; one in Redding, August 8 and 9, 2003 and one in Bakersfield, September 5 and 6, 2003.

Plan to arrive on the Friday evening of each conference date to start bright and early the next morning to participate in a day crammed full of activities, learning, sharing and FUN – FUN – FUN.

Cost will be $ 30.00 per day or $ 60.00 for both evenings lodging and all event meals per individual attending.

Please contact the California State Grange office to register at 916 454-5805, extension 10 and Summer will be happy to sign you up!

Please also have the following information available when you call: Name and age of child, children or youth attending, state the need for a chaperone if required, and which conference you are interested in attending.

The Redding Youth Conference will be held at the Red Lion Hotel, 1830 Hilltop Drive in Redding on August 8th and 9th.

The Bakersfield Youth Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, 801 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield September 5th and 6th.

For program information, contact Mike Byers at 916 454-5805, extension 16.

[skinkinthegrass]

...eco-trrorists maybe behind this move...this is MASS. after all...to hell w/ animal husbandry/crops and the farmily farm...as the P.E.T.A./E.L.F. will whine.

[tiamat]

4-H is absolutely one of the best things you can do for your kid. It is a conservative organization that has existed since 1902, and it teaches hard work, leadership skills, community service, and respect for tradition. It also teaches a whole SLEW of skills that may one day be lost in this country. 4-H families tend to be tight, as 4-H is NOTHING ifit did not have the entire family pulling for it's members.

My daughter Caitlin is mildly autistc, and the confidence and skill that I have seen bloom in her since we joined 4-H are astounding and much better "therapy" than any shrink or any drug could be for her. Just talking to the judges and receiving awards and praise for the projects she works so hard on has made her "light up" and reach out to people in a way i never thought possible.

I cannot praise 4-H highly enough.

Want info? Freepmail me!

Tia

(Who can tell you more about llamas than you ever wanted to know! )

[Beaker]

I must say that this article bothers me greatly, but somehow I can hardly see 4-H ceasing to exist. There are far too many dedicated voluneers and 4-H members out there to allow it to happen. As a member of a horse club and my county horse council, I can tell you that this has been a worry for some time, and an issue that has been brought up frequently. If people knew what was good for them, they wouldn't stop funding. 4-H is the best thing that could happen to a youth. It fosters good work habits as well as an excellent work ethic through county, state, and national horsebowl, horse judging hippology, and visual presentations, not to mention record keeping and not to shows. VPs alone are a project and a half, as any 4-H'er (or 4-H leader) knows. One has to study hard to succeed to go to any state or national competition. To make it to nationals alone required quite a comittment for me and my horsebowl team mates, and coachs.

Not only that, but one of the prime goals of 4-H clubs is community service. I did countless community service projects with my club, from ongoing projects, such as collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house, to donating supplies to a horse rescue and animal shelter. 4-H builds leadership skills to allow youth to become better leaders.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that to abolish 4H is a huge, huge mistake. Are you into it?

[thtr]

4-H is indeed a wonderful program:
I pledge
My Head to clearer thinking
My Heart to greater loyalty
My Hands to larger service, and
My Health to better living
For my club, my community, my country and my world.

Can’t get much better than that. I hope the private agricultural industry will step up to the plate and support this group.

[RLK]

Since I am originally from Iowa, I attended the Iowa caucus at the first Reagan Presidential Innaugauration. There, I met a man wearing a farmer's stetson and clean and polished farmer's work shoes. His name was Royal Tuttle. He was 87 years old. He was from Norway, Iowa. A devout conservative Republican he believed in public service. As such, he led 4H groups for 40 years. He led two for 20 years. He then started two more which he led for another 20 years until age started to catch up to him. 4H is a way of life promoting a way of life. That way, and the trainging in that way, was his idea of public service. I hope there are more Tuttles to continue the work.

[farmfriend]

One more.