Making the Best Better: State & National 4-H Recognition Opportunities Cayla Taylor Campus 4-H Youth Program Specialist Extension 4-H Youth Building, ISU Ames, IA p: f:

Overview: State Recognition Opportunities State/National Citizenship and Leadership Award and Application Deadlines Application Process Effective applications and interviews How to encourage state involvement

State Recognition Opportunities State 4-H Project Awards State 4-H Council National 4-H Congress National 4-H Conferece

Project Awards Show depth of project learning experiences Able to articulate high degree of project knowledge Shares this knowledge with others Citizenship & leadership in this project area Interview and application

Project Awards 50 monetary awards given annually Beef, leadership, woodworking, etc. No more than 2 project areas per year Can win only one state project award per year Can win a project area one time only

Scholarships March 1, 2013 Online Application 75 scholarships worth nearly $60,000 Range in value from $500 to $3,500 Available to Iowa 4-H members and alumni Iowa 4-H Foundation

Pioneer Grants DuPont Pioneer provides “seed” money Available to 4-H clubs to plan and carryout community improvement activities Up to $10,000 annual funding Range in value from $50- $500 Due Jan. 15 to county office

Citizenship and Leadership Opportunities State 4-H Council National 4-H Congress National 4-H Conference

Iowa 4-H State Council Grades at time of application Chosen by application and interview Attend 3-4 times retreats/year Plan State 4-H Youth Conference Make friendships for a lifetime!

Iowa 4-H State Council Serve as ambassadors from state office to counties Promote 4-H locally Represent 4-H at the Iowa State Fair

4-H’ers for 4-H Campaign Longest running 4-H fundraiser led by youth and for youth-organized by the State 4-H Council 4-H Clubs donate money per member Funds raised provide financial assistance to 4- H’ers and make improvements to Iowa 4-H Center

4-H’ers for 4-H Campaign : – 427 Iowa 4-H Clubs – From 85 Counties – Raise $27, Past 27 years: – 4-H’ers raised more than $700,000 – Supports 4-H programs and activities

National 4-H Congress Atlanta, Georgia Bus trip from Iowa Application and interview required for selection Iowa 4-H’ers meet other 4-H’ers from across the U.S.

National 4-H Congress Educational sessions on team building, leadership development and cultural awareness. Recreational, social, and cultural activities are a big part of the program. Congress-wide service project, tour, and banquet

National Conference Washington, D.C. Professional and leadership development Delegates meet and work with 4-H’ers from across the U.S.

National Conference Discuss issues relevant to youth and 4-H programming at the national, state and local level Delegates meet with legislators on Capitol Hill to discuss impact of 4-H programming in Iowa.

Statewide 4-H Opportunities Iowa State Fair State Science and Technology Fair Iowa 4-H Youth Conference Animal Science Round-Up CSI Crops

Iowa 4-H Center Year-round retreat center near Madrid (just west of Ames) Fun and educational outdoor get-away for families, friends, 4- H clubs and corporate retreats 4-H camps and programs: –Challenge courses –Outdoor camping –Environmental education –Photography –Shooting sports –Recreation.

Iowa State Fair Iowa State Fair features –4,000 exhibits –1,000 livestock entries –Daily hands-on activities Develop leadership and citizenship skills Have fun and meet new people –Volunteering in 4-H Building or Livestock Shows

Iowa State Fair Opportunities include –Exhibit Assistant –Communication Coordinator –Data entry –Livestock show assistant Participate in: –Cook this! –Awardrobe Clothing Event –Robotics Challenge –Film Festival

State Science and Technology Fair Available to all Iowa youth (grades 6-12) 400 youth research projects are presented by 500+ students Participate in workshops and are eligible for $80,000+ in scholarships and prizes No qualifier fair required for participation

Iowa 4-H Youth Conference June 24-26, 2014 Bring 1,000 teens to Iowa State University Campus Youth in grades 8-12 Activities include: –Speakers –Workshops –Mixers –Dances –Banquet –Community Service Coordinated by State 4-H Council

Animal Science Round-Up & CSI Crops June 24-26, 2014 Held in conjunction with State 4-H Youth Conference Animal science & agronomy faculty provide workshops –Making sausages –Exploring rumens –Balancing feed rations Crop activities include: –Scouting for plant pests –Lab work investigating and identifying crop pests

Statewide 4-H Opportunities Horse, Dairy and Livestock Contests 4-H Camera Corps Shooting Sports

Horse, Dairy, Livestock Contests Livestock judging, communication and production through judging contests and dairy /horse quiz bowls. Decision-making and communication skills County participation required to advance to state Top 4-H teams represent Iowa at national contests

Camera Corps Expand photography skills Work independently to identify local photo opportunities Participate in educational workshops Have photos considered for selection in future publications and exhibitions

Shooting Sports Learn safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment Learn decision-making, self- discipline, environmental stewardship, and ethical behavior Training and competitions held statewide that feature –Archery –Rifle –Shotgun –Muzzleloader –Wildlife Skills

AWARD APPLICATION DEADLINES Applications and information posted on website Application due February 1, 2014 Scholarships due February 1, 2014 Recognition Day is March 29, 2014 Applicants notified of the results soon after recognition day occurs

AWARD APPLICATION PROCESS Applicants interview for awards on March 29, 2014 Panel of 3 interviewers 10 minute interview Iowa State University Campus Applicants notified of the results soon after recognition day occurs

SUPPORT MATERIAL Organized to highlight achievements and involvement There is no right way to completing the application Demonstrate participants’ personality, experiences and skills Pictures are often used, but not required Written materials may include resume, story, pictures, clippings, selected record forms, etc. 4 page application—2 pages questions and 2 pages support material

Share information about the opportunities Encourage youth to apply Proofread materials Practice interviews-hold workshop Follow-up and ask about the experience Go through their evaluations with them so it’s a learning process Ask youth to share recognition opportunities with others and help promote in the future HOW YOU CAN HELP

 RECOGNITION WEBSITE

 RECOGNITION WEBSITE

ENCOURAGING YOUTH INVOLVEMENT What is done in your county or region to encourage participation in state recognition and leadership opportunities. What challenges do you face in getting youth to apply for state recognition opportunities? How can we provide further support? State 4-H Recognition Day

QUESTIONS?? Cayla Taylor Campus 4-H Youth Program Specialist Extension 4-H Youth Building, ISU Ames, IA p: f: