Cloverbuds discover "What's Outside My Door"

The theme of the 2011 Cloverbud Day Camp was "What's outside my door". During the 4 hour workshop the youth explore the sun and our solar system, used their own "wind" to make paintings and created their own plant world (aka terrarium). Then we met up with the parents and pitched out tents of a camp out. After a dinner of campfire hot dogs and s'mores we played so games and made some crafts. Then we headed out for a night hike where we learned how animals adapt to being in the dark. The rain and storms passed us over and we woke up to a beautiful morning in the woods!

4-Hers had a great time exploring our natural world

Eco Ventures is a program designed to get youth outdoors and that is just what we did last week!! On Wednesday we explored the Landmark Forest and Working Woods at Montpelier. James Madison was one of the original conservationists so we got to see trees that have been untouched for over 250 years!! The 4-Her even got to climb to the top of a 250 year old tree that was 15 ft around (Sure it was laying on it's side but what an awesome experience!!). Thursday we loaded up our backpacks for a hike up to the Lower White Oak Canyon Falls. We were the first ones on the trails. Along the way we stopped to perform some water quality test and look for "bugs" in the creek. What a great time we had exploring all the natural resources right in our backyard!

State Horse Show 50th Anniversary

The 50 thAnnual Virginia State 4-H Championship Horse and Pony Show will be held September 15 – 18, 2011 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. This is a very special year in that it is the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the show and we have lots of plans to host and celebrate our show’s history and alumni! We would like to see all past and present 4-H Alumni come to this special 50th celebration of the VA 4-H Championship Show! There will be displays, memorabilia, special demonstrations and an alumni reception on Saturday afternoon (September 17) in the Mezzanine. For more information, please contact Sue Rogowski, Alumni Coordinator, at peanutshack1@msn.com.

In addition to the alumni activities, we are also seeking nominations for the Outstanding Horses of the Virginia State 4-H Horse Show Contest. The 50th Anniversary Committee is looking for nominations for Outstanding Horses that have partnered with 4-H members over the past 50 years at previous shows or will be attending this year’s State 4-H Horse Show. Horses, both living and deceased, who have served one or many different 4-Hers through the years; attended the first show (1961); had extraordinary success at the State 4-H Shows; or have touching or funny State 4-H Show experiences; may be nominated. There will be awards given for different categories! We will be recognizing the winners of our contest at the alumni reception and the evening show performance on Saturday September 17, 2011 at Waldron Arena, Virginia Horse Center, Lexington. Nomination forms can be found on the VA 4-H Horse Website at: http://www.4-h.ext.vt.edu/programs/anscience/horse/Events/4h_horse_events.html. Give as much information as possible on the form. You may attach another sheet if needed to tell your outstanding horse’s story.

For more information on the ‘Outstanding 4-H Horses’ contest, please contact Bertha Durbin. Mail or email nomination forms to Bertha Durbin at 4522 Catterton Rd., Free Union, VA 22940 or berthadurbin@earthlink.net.


Required StatementsVirginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120

Northern District All Star Picnic

The Northern District All Stars will hold their annual picnic on August 28 at Graves Mountail Lodge. Please RSVP to William Thomas at wetsbt@gmail.com or 825-1873 by August 15 if you plan to attend.

Required StatementsVirginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120

Madison County Fair Award Picnic

The Madison County Fair Award Picnic will be held August 27, 6:00 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. Exhibitors and their families along with local livestock supporters are invites to attend and should bring a side dish or desset to share. If you plan to attend please contact the Madison Extension Office by August 19.

Required StatementsVirginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120