Diamond Clover Level 6 Welcome – Maryland 4-H All-Stars

Agenda: An Overview of the 4-H Diamond Clover Program Ways 4-H All Stars and other volunteers can support programs Roles and Responsibilities of a 4-H Diamond Clover Mentor Time for Q & A

Diamond Clover Level 6

Maryland 4-H Diamond Clover Award Program This award is designed to encourage 4-H members ages 8 to 18 to engage in a variety of projects and activities that will enable them to acquire the skills necessary to lead successful lives as competent, caring and contributing citizens. County/units (4-H Unit means county, city, cluster or Military 4-H program) determine their own timelines for Levels 1- 5 and recognize 4-Hers on the county level.

Let’s hear from a Diamond Clover Recipient! Jessica Corazza Montgomery County 4-H

Project Farmer My level 6 Diamond Clover project consisted of visiting elementary schools, day care centers, and Sunday school programs to teach young children about how their food gets to the dinner table. My project also included a short daily program for young visitors to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair at the Kid Zone

Farm themed book reading

A live farm animal demonstration – animal care was reviewed, usually chickens or a goat

Coloring activity – handmade coloring page different parts of a farm and their function

Verbal presentation - mportance and impact of agriculture. Crop Planting activity – crops / how they grow, kids planted a bean plant in a cup to take home

Project Farmer Results Reached 150 kids over 6 months through a total of 10 presentations. Total of working hours Wrote my first business proposal Learned how little children knew about agriculture Learned how to teach children and keep them interested –Coloring page, Discussion, Reading a book, planting –Animal visit Learned how to make a proposal to the Montgomery County Fair Board Committee –Created a presentation with handouts and to promote my idea to adults in a business setting.

Diamond Level 6 4-Her Areas of Strength Developed people skills –Administrators - to ask permission to do the project (i.e. daycare directors, MC Ag Fair) –Kids – to get them excited about farming –Fair Board Committee – request to do the presentation during Fair week Made connections through my presentations –Fair board members/Agricultural teachers/4-H leader Cathy Dobos Used the “Project Farmer” for school scholarships, AG program scholarships, FFA state officer application Decided to study and enter a career in agricultural science

Level 6: 4-Her and Parent Areas for Improvement Level 1 – 5 are fairly easy to achieve and did not prepare me for level 6 - Did not know the level of time involved with a Level 6 project Provide resources to help 4-Her develop ideas for project Mentor type program with an adult and or another level 6 graduate Parent should encourage the 4-Her to do a project that they are passionate about Allow the teen to create their own business plan. They will learn through acceptance or failure

families/awards-recognition

Projects

4-H Diamond Clover Mentor Provide guidance throughout the process Meet regularly with 4-H member Review proposal and final report Help identify other adults to serve as resources

Diamond Clover Mentor Training and Support 4-H All Star Liaison Statewide, web-based training and support Quarterly conference calls on specific topics Annual meeting of mentors

Recognition and Appreciation County/City 4-H Awards Program State 4-H Gala The greatest satisfaction comes from helping a young person develop as they complete a project that has a lasting impact!