Newsletter

Talbot County ● 28577 Mary’s Court, Suite 1 ● Easton, MD 21601 ● (410) 822-1244

Tom Hutson, 4-H Educator, thutson@umd.edu Pat Murphy, 4-H Program Assistant, pmurphy3@umd.edu

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning life skills, communication, leadership, and citizenship.

Fall 2014

Talbot County 4-H Youth Development

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 16

4-H Ambassadors meeting, 5 – 6 p.m. and 4-H Council meeting, 6 – 7 p.m. UME Office, Easton

4-H Ambassadors—From now through 2015, we will work on leadership development and investigate upcoming promotional, teaching, and service

opportunities. Ambassadors will receive log sheet to help with keeping track of leadership activities. 4-H Council—This committee provides guidance for 4-H programs and events. Clubs are asked to send designated representatives who report about recent club activities and take important information back to share with other members. Talbot 4-H Council meetings are open to everyone: Members of the public are welcome to attend.

September 19 – 20

4-H Wildlife Education Program (WHEP) and Contest

Contact the UME Office if you are interested in learning more about this annual project and program that introduces 4-H members to wildlife species and habitats. We will

connect you with Mr. Jim Serfass who coordinates the program. He can give you additional information.

Saturday, September 20, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Pet Event: All about Animals! Tractor Supply Company, Easton

Tractor Supply Company will be hosting a day of animal-themed educational activities. All 4-H members are invited to give talks or demonstrations and set up

exhibits about animal AND non-animal projects. This is a great opportunity to do communication activities and public exhibits related to your projects. You may take your pets and livestock to the event. (Ms. Karen Callahan will let us know about any special animal health requirements.) Clubs are also invited to sell food and drinks as fundraisers. Note: Health Department food permits may be required. Register with the UME Office by September 15 if you plan to give a talk or set up an exhibit and September 12 if you plan to sell food.

Saturday, October 4

TrappetoberFEST and 4-H Promotion Town of Trappe

Each year, the town of Trappe holds a festival that offers a wide variety of activities for children and families. Talbot 4-H usually offers educational and promotional activities there too. Check online at www.trappemd.net for event information.

2

October 5 – 11

National 4-H Week! Every year, the second

week in October is set aside as National 4-H week. Across the country, 4-H programs are asked to help people learn about the opportunities that 4-H provides for young people. Your club may want to make posters about 4-H and display them in public, teach students in your school about 4-H, perform a community service project, or think of an even better promotional idea. This is also a great time of year to thank your club volunteers for the time, effort, and care they invest into creating learning opportunities for you.

Wednesday, October 8, 3 – 6 p.m.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION TALBOT COUNTY OPEN HOUSE

2014 is the 100-year anniversary of the national cooperative extension system. Extension has been educating Maryland residents and helping them learn new skills for a century! UME Talbot will hold

an open house for local residents and partner organizations. Our goal is to increase public awareness of extension and its high-quality educational programs. Volunteers, ambassadors, and other members are welcome to help us give visitors a better understanding of 4-H clubs and programs. (We are also hoping to recruit some new members and volunteers.) Please contact us if you would like to be a part of this event. October 8 is also 4-H National Youth Science Day, so we will highlight science education for our visitors.

October 8 – 19

4-H Promotion & Paper Clover Fundraiser Tractor Supply Company, Easton

Tractor Supply Company is a great supporter of 4-H. This fall, the Easton store will be promoting our programs and selling paper clovers as a 4-H fundraiser. Members and

clubs are invited to set up project displays and exhibits and/or do demonstrations during the promotion period. Contact the UME Office or Ms. Karen Callahan to sign up. This is another fun way to complete communication events or do a public exhibits for your

projects. If you know people who will be shopping at the Easton store during the promotion, please encourage them to buy and sign a $1 clover to be displayed in the store.

Friday, October 10, 6 – 8 p.m.

Halloween Happening! Caroline County 4-H Park

This year we are offering a fun regional autumn event for Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot 4-H members. This is your chance to make new friends from another club or a neighboring county. Consider

bringing a friend who is thinking about joining 4-H as a way of welcoming him or her to the program. The evening will include games, food, learning activities, and a costume contest. (Costumes are optional.) Register with your county UME office by Friday, October 3 so we know how many people to expect. Please provide your name, phone number, e-mail, and number of youth and adults who will be attending.

Sunday, October 12

Harvest Hoedown—4-H Promotion Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Easton

This annual community event features a variety of fun family activities coordinated by Pickering Creek and its community partners. The Harvest Hoedown usually has many visitors. Sign up with the UME Office by Tuesday, October 7 if you would like to help us lead 4-H educational activities, share information about your projects, and promote 4-H to the public.

Monday, October 13 or 20 (date to be determined)

5:30 – 7 p.m.

4-H Health Science Club Meeting UM Shore Medical Center (Easton Hospital)

Health care is the number one employment sector in Talbot County. This project club introduces members to health careers by allowing them to interact with medical

professionals. New members are always welcome. If you know of a medical professional who could be guest

3

speaker or a medical facility we could visit, contact Tom Hutson.

Sunday, October 19, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Harvest Festival! and 4-H Promotion Talbot Ag. & Ed. Center, Easton

Each year, the Ag. Center holds a harvest-themed event to highlight traditional and modern agriculture and Talbot County’s rural lifestyle. The event includes educational

activities, game booths, and yummy food options. This is one of the main fundraisers for the Ag. Center. Proceeds help to pay utility bills and cover repairs and maintenance. The Ag. Center is valuable to 4-H because it gives us a location to hold activities including club meetings, workshops, and the county fair. Therefore, we ALL need to give back to the Ag. Center because it gives so much to us. The Ag. Center is asking each club to run a game booth and to donate a basket of items for the silent auction. For more information and to sign up for a game booth, please contact 4-H volunteer Debbie Dudrow. THANK YOU for your support of and contributions to the Ag. Center.

Saturday, October 25

4-H State Shotgun Match Prince George’s Trap & Skeet Center, Glen Dale

Attention, Claybusters members: If you are planning to participate in the State Shotgun Match, please speak with your club’s organizational leader, Ms. Jo Anne

Roe, or instructors Mr. Clem Hathaway and Mr. Martin Hembree for help with registration. Good luck, and thanks for representing Talbot 4-H.

November 8–10

Waterfowl Festival and UME Promotion Town of Easton The Waterfowl Festival is attended by local residents as well as people from all over the country who “flock” to Easton at this time each year. The Extension Office usually has a booth at the festival and offers

environmental-themed activities for visitors. The festival schedule and other information can be found online at www.waterfowlfestival.org .

Tuesday, November 18

4-H Ambassadors meeting, 5 – 6 p.m.

and 4-H Council meeting, 6 – 7 p.m. UME Office, Easton

Please mark this meeting on your calendar. (See the September meeting entry for details.)

November 20 – 23

Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum Conference Center at U of MD in College Park

In place of the usual Volunteer Forum in Ocean City, this year Maryland 4-H will host a multi-state forum for volunteers and teens from the Northeastern U.S.

Consider attending this fun event that will offer a variety of workshops, field trips, and other learning experiences. You may register as a part-time or full-time participant. For more information and to register, go to www.mymaryland4hfoundation.com and click on the Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum banner.

Tuesday, January 20

4-H Record Books are DUE

to the UME Office Each year, record books are due the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. If you would like to be recognized for your project work at the March 2015 achievement program, please be sure to keep your record book up to date and submit it on time. NOTE: This year we will be using a score sheet that doesn’t assign a numerical score but instead allows extra room for helpful judge comments and suggestions. Senior resumes will still be judged using the state score sheet.

January 24, 31, & Feb 7, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Introduction to Quilting: Project Series Easton (exact location to be determined)

Do you think quilts are fascinating? Are you between the ages of 8 and 18? Would you like to try quilting for the first time or learn

4

how to improve your quilting skills? If so, this is the class for you. Spend three Saturday mornings with 4-H volunteer Ms. Lou Diefenderfer and Ms. Jo Verne of the Bayside Quilt Guild. They will guide you through the process of making a quilted wall hanging that you can enter in next year’s fair. Materials will be provided at no cost to participants. The Quilt Guild plans to give special awards to selected quilt entries at the fair. Consider bringing non-4-H friends to the class so you

can introduce them to 4-H sewing projects. Children of ages 8, 9, or 10 need a parent stay and supervise your work. If you have questions, please call Lou Diefenderfer at (410) 924-1764. Please register with the UME Office by January 10 to give us time to prepare materials. Tell us your name, phone number, e-mail, and age, and let us know if you will be bringing your sewing machine or if you need us to provide one.

Animal Projects Update Congratulations to the following members who participated in animal shows at the Talbot County Fair!

As always, we are proud of you for the quality of care and showmanship you demonstrate as you represent Talbot 4-H to the public. Special thanks go to all members who completed the required Animal Husbandry and Quality Assurance Training AND turned in all of your required animal project paperwork on time!

Swine Superintendent: Susan Behrens Brianna Boyle Emma Boyle Jacob Boyle Carlee Eierman Hannah Harrison Alex Heinsohn Hayden Hutchison Kara Hutchison Ellie Morris

Goats Superintendent: Susan Behrens Josh Cherry

Dairy Cattle Superintendents: Terri, Sonny, and Ryan Snow Emmy Foster Erica Foster Kara Hutchison Sam Pearson Megan Thornton

Dogs Superintendent: Karla Cherry Josh Cherry

Poultry Superintendent: Karla Cherry Josh Cherry Ashton Milhollan E.J. Milhollan Brian Milhollan Pippa Milhollan Selinde Roosenburg

Rabbits and Cavies Superintendent: Tresa Hutchison Laurie Alltop Abigail Meadows

Horses Superintendent: Shannon Dill Elisabeth Toby Catherine Toby

Animal Project Leaders are Valuable Resources! Please be sure to THANK the adults who devote time to teaching about animals and planning/supervising animal projects and events.

Animal Project Records are Available There are special animal science project records you may use instead of the regular 4-H project record? These forms give you space to keep track of details that are specific to your animals. They are available online at extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/animal-science-resources.

Livestock Auction As always, we are grateful to Mr. Tom Reilly and the other members of the Livestock Auction Committee for their leadership. NOTE to 4-H livestock exhibitors: The auction rules specify that (except for NEW livestock project participants) livestock project participants who plan to sell animals at the livestock auction MUST submit a 4-H record book with a satisfactory livestock project record during the same year. If you plan to sell animals at the 2015 livestock auction, be sure to turn in a record book by January 20, 2015 to ensure that you are eligible.

5

Talbot County Fair Indoor Exhibits Indoor Exhibits Superintendent: Ms. Linda Brown.

Thanks, Ms. Linda, for doing such a great job coordinating all of these departments! Congratulations to Talbot 4-H members who exhibited indoor entries this year. More than sixty members entered approximately 800 exhibits for fair visitors to view. Indoor exhibit champions and reserve champions are listed below.

J = junior I = intermediate S = senior C = champion RC = Reserve Champion

Ag. Products Hayden Hutchison JC Carlee Eierman JRC Alex Heinsohn IC Kara Hutchison I RC

Vegetables & Fruits Karli Abbott JC Josh Hrynko JRC Alex Heinsohn IC Julianna Burns IC Megan Thornton SC

Crafts Josh Hrynko JC Autumn Redman JRC Selinde Roosenburg IC Eric Milhollan IRC Megan Watts SC Brianna Boyle SRC

Woodworking and Electricity Josh Hrynko JC Tyler Redman JRC Sam Harrison IC Eric Milhollan IRC Megan Thornton SC

Photography Jessi Watts JC Karli Abbott J RC Julianna Burns IC Brad Duley IRC

Megan Watts SC Kendall Gant SRC

Food Preservation Jason Blades Hrynko JC Josh Hrynko JRC Selinde Roosenburg IC Lilly Catlin IRC Megan Thornton SC Callista Catlin SRC

Baked Foods Karli Abbott JC Karli Abbott JRC

(cookies) Billy Haufe JRC

(bread) Pippa Milhollan JRC

(cakes) Lilly Catlin IC Laurie Alltop IRC

(cookies) Elizabeth Tefft IRC

(bread) Julianna Burns IRC

(cakes)

Home Furnishings and Child Care Karli Abbott JC Ashton Milhollan JRC Kara Hutchison IC Isabella Fiorenza IRC Megan Watts SC

Brianna Boyle SRC

Clothing Elise Lankford JC Jessica Hammond JRC Lilly Catlin IC Laurie Alltop IRC Kendall Gant SC

Flowers and Plants Josh Hrynko JC Autumn Redman JRC Heather Principe IC Jessica Meadows IRC Brandon Dudrow SC Sam Pearson SRC

Record Books Jason Blades Hrynko JC Brian Milhollan JRC Eric Milhollan IC Rebekah Lankford IRC

Displays and Collections Rebecca Brault JC Ashton Milhollan JRC Katelynn Cherry IRC Megan McCulley SC

Clover Participants (ages 5 – 7) Skylar Blades Ava Brown Emma Brown

Fashion Show champions – way to go!Ready to Wear

Rebecca Brault JC, Jessica Watts JRC, Isabella Fiorenza JC, Rebekah Lankford JRC, Callista Catlin SC Constructed

Karli Abbott JC, Elise Lankford JRC, Rebekah Lankford IC, Laurie Alltop JRC, Callista Catlin SC

6

Out-of State-Trip Applications 4-H Seniors, if you are interested in applying for a national trip be sure to update your existing senior portfolio or create a new one if you haven’t done one before. Contact Tom Hutson or Pat Murphy if you need help creating your first portfolio. A portfolio consists of a brief 4-H resume that resembles a job resume and (if you plan to apply for a trip) an essay that addresses a specific question about your 4-H experiences. National 4-H Conference—Applications are to be uploaded to the Maryland 4-H Center’s online portal, and supporting documents are due by October 15. All Other National Trips—Applications are due January 15. Go online to http://extension.umd.edu/4-h/youth-families/awards-recognition for more information.

Diamond Clover Level 6 Projects 4-H seniors, if you are thinking about working on a Diamond Clover Level 6 service project in 2015, your proposal is due to the Maryland 4-H Center by September 15.

(There isn’t much time!) This means you will need to have it mostly written by September 1 so there is time for your project committee to meet and review it. 4-H volunteer Ms. Deb Urry is our Diamond Clover specialist. If you are just getting started, contact us IMMEDIATELY so we can connect you with Ms. Deb right away and help you get your proposal ready.

Maryland 4-H Foundation News

Supporting the Northeast Region Volunteer Forum As mentioned previously, Maryland 4-H will be hosting a forum in College Park this November for volunteers and 4-H seniors from the Northeastern U.S. states. The Maryland 4-H Foundation is holding several fundraisers to offset costs of the program and reduce registration fees for participants. We appreciate your support of and contributions to any of these fundraisers. Thank you in advance. This section contains information about a few of the fundraisers. For more information, contact the UME Office or the Maryland 4-H Foundation.

Quilt Raffle—the 4-H Foundation is raffling off a beautiful quilt with squares that represent every Maryland 4-H program. Many 4-H parents and volunteers have seen the quilt and had a chance to bid on it at Talbot 4-H events. If you wanted to buy tickets and didn’t get a chance, contact the UME Office or Amanda Clougherty.

Adirondack Ski Chair—Eric Milhollan of the Bay Hundred Blue Crabs Club generously donated the Adirondack chair he built out of skis to be used as a fundraising item following the state fair. Thanks a lot, E.J. It’s a cool chair!

November 1 – 20 4-H Online Auction—The 4-H Foundation is soliciting donations for an online auction that will be run through BiddingforGood.com. Donated items may be delivered to the Talbot County UME Office or the Maryland 4-H Center. We need all items by October 20 at the latest.

Maryland 4-H in Action! The Delmarva Farmer newspaper is once again putting together a 4-H in Action supplement. This is an excellent opportunity for 4-H members to showcase the Maryland 4-H Program through their own eyes. The supplement will be written, edited, and designed by members who are interested in media and writing. A share of the advertising sales will go to the Foundation and will eventually aid youth who attend national trips. Members who are interested in writing articles should contact Amanda Clougherty, akbrown@umd.edu.

Would you like to learn more about the role of the Maryland 4-H Foundation in supporting youth development? Go online to mymaryland4hfoundation.com

or speak to Ms. Amanda Clougherty, Talbot County 4-H Volunteer AND Director of the 4-H Foundation.

FYI: The electronic version of the 4-H newsletter often has additional information compared to the printed version because of our copier’s page limit. If you receive a printed 4-H newsletter in the mail, you may occasionally want to look at the online version at extension.umd.edu/talbot-county to see extra details.

7

Recent Talbot 4-H Activities

Diamond Clover Projects Keep on Giving For the past two years, 4-H seniors Maria and Megan McCulley have helped Talbot 4-H offer exciting summer programs for

younger members. Even though their Diamond Clover Level 6 projects have been officially completed, Megan planned another three-day event, and she and Maria carried it out from June 30 – July 2. The participants had a blast. Thanks, Megan and Maria. You are amazing.

Bay Hundred Blue Crabs Members Learn Woodworking and Perform Service

Members of the club are learning about woodworking through everything from visiting a lumber yard and seeing how and where lumber is made to touring Lowe’s and seeing the retail business. They also took a tour of Willow Construction and learned about the many job fields in construction/contracting. The group built two benches for Pickering Creek from start to finish. Each 4-H member gave a short presentation to the Pickering Creek staff and board members regarding construction of the benches.

Reading with Mr. Peake is another Bay Hundred community service project. It has given members the opportunity to collect books and distribute them in stores, laundromats, hospitals, doctor offices, etc. This way, when kids are with their parents running errands they may choose to pick up a book and read it or even take it home. The club also made a seven-foot paper mache mascot, Mr. Peake, to promote the project this fall in parades and at other local events.

Teens Explore Agricultural Careers Talbot and Caroline 4-H contributed to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Ag. Discovery Program by coordinating a day that featured visits to a Maryland Century

Farm (Pop’s Old Place in Hurlock) and an alpaca farm (Outstanding Dreams in Preston). The twenty-five teens from seven states learned about careers in Maryland agriculture. They also learned about water pollution prevention and performed water quality tests on samples taken in Maryland and Delaware.

4-H Spa Day is a Big Success As one of the Talbot County Free Library Summer Programs, 4-H Spa Day served 34 youth with interactive learning activities covering fitness, self-defense, hair & nail care, nutrition & food preparation, self-esteem, yoga, and artistic expression. Activities, focused on the 4-H Up for the Challenge curriculum aimed at strengthening self confidence and wellness as students begin a new school year. Presentations by three local business partners plus assistance by ten 4-H volunteers, combined with nearly $200 worth of gift cards and in community kind-donations, made Spa Day possible.

Other Programs Taught by the 4-H Staff Around and Beyond Talbot County

This summer, within Talbot County we offered nutrition and fitness programs at Magnolia Meadows, Critchlow Adkins

Children’s Centers, and at a variety of festivals and other community events. We also taught Chesapeake Bay and water quality education at Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers and helped to provide LEGO robotics classes at YMCA summer camps. Assisted by several 4-H members and volunteers, we led a variety of educational activities at the Talbot County Fair.

Outside of Talbot County, we held educational programs at numerous locations including environmental engineering classes at Maryland 4-H Engineering Camp in Harford County, Chesapeake Bay education in Queen Anne’s County, environmental science at Queen Anne’s County 4-H Camp, hearing and vision safety at Caroline-Dorchester Fair, and hearing/vision/chemical safety at Worcester Fair.

8

Increase Your Physical Activity – Walk MD

The U. S. Surgeon General spoke about physical inactivity during a special visit to the 61th Annual American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting. Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak boldly delivered a statement that resonated strongly with Americans who are interested in promoting physical: "Physical inactivity is THE major public health issue in this country."

Physical activity can be fun. Here is an interactive project idea that encourages physical fitness among Maryland residents: Participate in the Walk MD Program. Encourage your club members and volunteers to participate as a group. Challenge one another to get active, get healthy, and get moving. The Walk Maryland website highlights places of interest across the state. "Walk" from place to place locally, and connect your mileage to a virtual walk across our beautiful state. Log in and enter your miles walked, then do an activity whenever you reach each milestone.

Log onto https://extension.umd.edu/walkmd to find out more about the program.

Promote the HEALTH "H," and get walking!!

DO YOU NO LONGER NEED TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER

OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO WANTS THE

NEWSLETTER AND ISN’T RECEIVING IT?

If so, please contact the Extension Office and let us know so we can make the changes in our lists.

4-H is Open to Everyone! University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. If you require special assistance to participate in Extension programs, please contact the Extension Office in advance.

Would you like to become a 4-H volunteer or start a club?

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer or starting a club, contact the 4-H Office at (410) 822-1244. We will be glad to talk with you and help you become a part of our program.

Important 4-H Websites

Maryland 4-H Program Information extension.umd.edu/4-h

U of MD Extension Talbot County/4-H extension.umd.edu/talbot-county

Order 4-H Project Books & Supplies 4-hmall.org

National 4-H 4-h.org

University of Maryland Extension – State extension.umd.edu

Talbot County Fair talbotcountyfair.org

Maryland State Fair marylandstatefair.com