4-H Forestry Camp - June 18-23

The Virginia Department of Forestry, in cooperation with natural resource conservation agencies and organizations, have proudly administered the Holiday Lake Forestry Camp for more than 60 years.

Holiday Lake Forestry Camp is ideal for students:

• to explore and experience activities in forestry and wildlife related careers
• who participate in forestry and wildlife judging teams, Envirothon competitions, or ecology clubs
• to experience hands on learning about natural resources conservation.

Camp is held at the Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center located within the 20,000 acre Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This working forest provides a vast outdoor classroom for interactive learning.

Click on this link for more information: http://www.dof.virginia.gov/edu/camp.htm

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

Camp Counselors Needed!

Calling all students ages 14 and up as of January 1 of this year! Orange-Madison 4-H Camp will be held June 17-21 at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal, and we are currently accepting applications for youth that are interested in being a counselor. To be a camp counselor, you must be willing to assist with classes, be responsible for a room with five campers ages 9-13, and lead various group meetings and games.
Camp is a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and work on your leadership skills. College may be a way off for most of you, but many college and scholarship applications look very favorably, and ask about leadership skills.

To be a camp counselor you must:

• Be a friendly person!
• Set a good example for the campers and be a good role model
• Encourage the campers to participate in activities and make them feel welcome and at home
• Be willing to carry out instructions or directions
• Serve as a class assistant, helper, or teach a class
• Help with recreation, evening programs, and campfire activities

If that sounds like something you would be interested in, there are some things that you need to do! You need to pick up an application either at the high school office or at the extension office. You will need to have that application filled out and returned to the extension office by JANUARY 27. You will also need to sign up for an interview time. Interviews will be held Thursday, February 8 and Friday, February 10, and are a way for us to get to know you better. You also need to find three people to be references for you, and they will need to complete the form that is in the application and return it by January 27.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the extension office!

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

4-H Day at State Capitol

Madison 4-H will be sponsoring a trip to the Virginia State Capitol for 4-H Day at the Capitol on February 7^th. We will be visiting our State Delegate, Ed Scott, as well as our new elected state Senator, Emmett Hanger. We will also be taking a tour through the state capitol that afternoon.

This is a great opportunity for you to be able to meet and interact with our state legislators, understand more about how our legislative system works, and an excellent opportunity for you to be able to explain to them how 4-H has been a benefit to you. This is a day when 4-Hers from across the state all come to Richmond to meet with their legislators to learn more about the governmental process, and to talk about 4-H.

We will not be taking a bus this year, so there are a limited number of people who will be able to go on the trip (20 max for both Orange and Madison together.) We won’t be charging anything for you to go, but you will need to bring money to pay for lunch. You will need to dress up, and be on your best behavior while we are on the trip! Remember, if you go, you are representing all of Madison County, and we want to make a good impression! We will be leaving around 7:30 that morning, and returning before 6 that evening. We will have more specific details as the day gets closer. If you are interested in going, please let the extension office know so that we can get you signed up!

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

Ag Discovery Program at Virginia State University

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY has announced its Ag Discovery Program to be held June 24–July 8, 2012, in Petersburg. This program is for middle and high school students looking for a unique summer internship experience and a chance to live on a college campus for two weeks. Visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery/ for more information about this nationally offered program!

Students will gain hands-on experience in the disciplines of veterinary science and food safety under the “farm-to-table” theme. Participants will also observe small ruminants and on-farm processing techniques. Students reside on campus in a dormitory and learn field and laboratory research techniques
from university professors. Field trips and guest speakers provide enhanced exposure to agricultural production and research. This program is facilitated by the Virginia State University (VSU) School of Agriculture, with collaboration from USDA partners and industry representatives.

Contact: Antonio McLaren, (804) 524-6872, amclaren@vsu.edu; Paula McCapes, (804) 524-5839, pmccapes@vsu.edu www.vsu.edu

And My World....Host Families Sought for One-Month Summer Japanese Exchange

Local Families are needed to host Japanese exchange students, ages 12 to 16, for four weeks this summer as part of an exchange program sponsored by 4-H. The Japanese students will stay with their American host families from July 22 to August 18, 2012. The program is open to families with children close in age to the Japanese participants. Families without children in the age range will be considered as hosts for adult chaperons from Japan. You don't have to be a 4-H member to host; you just need a willingness to share your home and world.

For more information contact Deb Johnson at jdjohn123@aol.com or 540-659-2697 or visit the website at http://www.4-h.ext.vt.edu/programs/citizenship/4HJapanesesummerinboundexchangeprogram.html

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

Jan 28 - Cattle Fitting and Showmanship Clinic in Harrisonburg

On the morning of January 28 (10 am - 11:30 am), youth from across the area will have the opportunity to attend the Stock Show U. Stock Show University is a FREE educational clinic open to all stock show youth and adults, compliments of Sullivan Supply. This clinic is being held in conjunction with the Virginia Club Calf Producers Winter Jackpot Show at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. For more info visit: http://virginiaclubcalfproducers.com/shows-and-sponsors.html

4-H Sheep Day Camp - Feb 4

Sheep exhibitors are invited to attend a Sheep Day Camp at the Fauquier County Fairgrounds Saturday, February 4, 2012. Nutrition, showmanship, health management and a skillathon are just some of the agenda items planned for the event, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registrations are due January 18; cost is $15 per participant and all youth will receive an event T-shirt. A brochure and registration form can be found at the Extension Office or on the 4-H Website.

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

Youth Swine Education Day - Feb 25

The 5th annual Youth Swine Education Day is February 25, 2012 on the campus of Virginia Tech. They are currently working on the program and welcome suggestions. More details will follow.

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

Cooperative Leadership Conference

The Virginia Cooperative Council host a conference each spring for teens ages 16-19. This educational event will be held March 30-April 1, a Friday through Sunday at Graves Mountain Lodge. At the event, teens will learn about the cooperative business framework, complete group activities, compete for a chance to attend the national NICE contest, and enjoy social opportunities, such as a dance. Teens from across the state are eligible to attend; we can help find a sponsoring cooperative for you to interview before the conference. Orange-Madison Coop, Farm Credit, and Rappahannock Electric are just three examples of businesses who have contacted us before.

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

Written & Video Essay Contest

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) calls on ninth- to 12th-grade students to submit an original, 450-word essay or a two-minute video essay about the importance of agriculture. This year’s theme is “American Agriculture: Feeding the Future, Filling the Gaps” and the deadline is Feb. 1, 2012. The theme “American Agriculture: Feeding the Future, Filling the Gaps” presents an opportunity for students to address how the agriculture industry continues to feed a growing population. Entrants may choose to either write an essay and/or create a video focusing on how today’s growers are overcoming challenges to provide a safe, stable food supply and sustain the significant role agriculture plays in everyday life.

The national written essay winner receives a $1,000 prize and round-trip ticket to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner held March 8 at Whitten Patio at the USDA. During dinner, the winner will have the opportunity to read the winning essay as well as join with industry representatives, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a festive ag celebration. The video essay winner wins a $1,000 prize, and the winning video will play during the Celebration of Ag Dinner.

All written entries should be sent to: 2012 Ag Day Essay Contest, Agriculture Council of America, 11020 King Street, Suite 205, Overland Park, KS 66210, or submitted by e-mail to essay@agday.org . Students may upload video essays at http://agday.leapfile.net and follow the directions on the page, or students may choose to mail video entries to the address above on a compact disc. Visitwww.agday.org or www.hpj.com/agdayessay to read official contest rules and for more details regarding entry applications.

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

State-wide Teen Weekend

The sixth annual Statewide Teen Weekend will be held March 2-4, 2012 at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake in Wirtz, VA. The State 4-H Cabinet has worked hard on planning this event and it promises to be the highlight of the season. This event provides an opportunity for teens across the commonwealth to come together for a weekend filled with educational programs and leadership. This year’s workshops include: Team Building, Wacky Science, Yoga, Healthy Snacks, and Table Etiquette. Participants will also take part in a teen opportunities forum and a service project. Participants must be 14 years of age by September 30, 2012.

The cost for the weekend is $95.00 and checks must be made payable to the Virginia 4-H Foundation. Space is limited to the first 100. Contact the Extension Office for a registration packet

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

Honey Bee Essay Contest

Active 4-H club members are encouraged to submit an essay on the topic “The Results of Honey Bee Pollination in My Community” for a chance to win cash prizes and advance to the national level for judging. Entries are due February 3^rd and should be 750-1000 words in length. For a complete list of criteria and rules, please contact the Extension Office.

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

4-H International Opportunities

4-H teens have the opportunity to travel with nationally organized, chaperoned, cultural immersion travel programs to Australia, Japan and Norway next summer (2012). Applications are due January 15, 2012. Please contact the following coordinators for more information, including an application packet.

Dottie Nelson, for Australia and Norway, email dottieifye@yahoo.com

Judy Ann Fray, for Japan, e-mail: ja.fray@verizon.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