February 2009 Archives

This week, 6 new VISTA members (Volunteers in Service to America) began a year of service with Arizona 4-H to help increase the program's reach in communities around the state.  Our VISTA project co-locates a total of 9 VISTA members in county Extension offices to help recruit new volunteers, recruit youth, and start new after-school and summer programs that can help youth develop valuable life skills and help them develop a desire to attend college.  This is an exciting time for Arizona 4-H.  Two additional VISTA volunteers will join our ranks in early March, and Ean Barnard will also join us in March as our overall VISTA Leader.

The first big training event for them all will be the TerraPod project at the Biosphere.  TerraPod is an innovative science and film-making project that was developed at Montana State University's Media and Theater Arts program.  Through this project, youth learn about about specific science topics, like biodiversity or water quality, and then make their own 3-5 minute movie about this concept in their own neighborhood.  Films are posted on YouTube and voted on in a virtual film festival.  We are sending all the VISTAs to this training so they can start 4-H technology clubs back home.

If you want to learn more about TerraPod, visit their website at: www.terrapodcast.com

Congratulations to the team of Channah Rock, Susan Pater, Kitt Farrell-Poe, and Cado Daily who were one of only two state teams recently awarded a $30,000 4-H2O Replenish Project Grant. This grant, funded by Coca Cola in partnership with the National 4-H Council and the CSREES National Water Program, has the goal to promote a culture of water conservation through rainwater harvesting demonstration projects, education of 4-H youth and professional development of volunteers and staff.

Within the next few weeks the team will be soliciting mini-grant applications to fund installation of 4-6 active or passive rainwater harvesting systems at public sites such as schools, youth camps, state parks, and botanical gardens statewide. The projects will provide simple, understandable models of sustainable methods for using harvested rainwater which could then be reproduced affordably by businesses and homeowners alike.

Demonstration projects will be monitored by youth and results displayed so all participants can observe and document average monthly rainfall, annual water supply from catchments, total water reused and cost savings.

Budget cuts and program suspensions have everyone concerned.  But let's remember that the University of Arizona is a land-grant institution with a unique mission to "take the university to the people."  While there may be program suspensions and recisions, Cooperative Extension will always be here and will always perform a necessary and valued function for the University of Arizona.  No other entity is equipped to do this.  All of us in Cooperative Extension have an important role to play, and we will still be serving in that role for years to come.  The land-grant idea is now just as important as ever.

The important role we play was impressed on me again when I read the latest issue of Youth Today (February).  Jane Quinn's column on p. 26 talks about the critical role adults play in the lives of young people.  Recent research on high-quality after-school programs shows that young peoples' relationships with staff were "an essential feature of programs that produced positive social and educational benefits."  Staff who talked to youth about their aspirations, career desires, their personal lives, grades and other personal topices played a motivating and empowering role in their lives.  But you know this--caring and concern go a long way towards giving kids that extra edge for life success. 

This research also pinpointed crucial staff behaviors that contributed to program quality and positive youth development outcomes.  Some of these staff behaviors were modeling positive behaviors, listening to youth, promoting skill mastery, providing individual feedback and establishing expectations of mutual respect. 

Bottom line--caring adults matter.  And without programs like 4-H, the next generations of young people have a lot to lose.

In these challenging times of budget cuts and talk of "suspending" Extension programs around the state, we all need to think about positive ways to communicate with the public about 4-H, the impact of the 4-H program, and our relationship to Extension. 

Recently, I was contacted by a print media reporter who did not know much about 4-H but who had obviously visited our website.  She asked many good questions and of course played "the devil's advocate" to find out how I would respond to questions about why 4-H should be funded to teach a kid to raise a pig. 

You know the answers to that one, but I thought it would be helpful to provide some potential talking points related to Arizona 4-H.  Of course, the most powerful spokespeople are your 4-H members and parents.  You can encourage them to write letters to their newspapers testifying to the value of 4-H from their perspective.

Talking Points for Arizona 4-H

•  4-H is the youth development program of the University of Arizona and Arizona Cooperative Extension.  A cut to Extension is a cut to 4-H.

• 4-H annually reaches 100,000 youth and engages the talents of 5,000 volunteers.  4-H is an organization you can trust with nearly 100 years of experience in meeting the needs of young people and their families.  4-H members come from all sectors of our society and all socio-economic groups.

• 4-H teaches leadership, citizenship, self-confidence and responsibility.  4-H provides a safe place for kids to learn practical skills that they will be able to use throughout the rest of their lives.  4-H provides the extra edge for life success.

• 4-H gives youth an extra edge for success in life.  Research shows that long-term 4-H members are-- 
• More likely to take on leadership roles in school and community
• Less likely to engage in anti-social or risky behaviors
• More likely to get good grades in school'
• More likely to give time or money to charities and other worthy causes
• More likely to be viewed as positive role models by other youth

• 4-H alumni are more involved in community activities as adults--more involved in Chambers of Commerce, civic groups, more involved in faith-based organizations, and more involved in community events and activities.

• 4-H alumni are also more satisfied with the program's contribution to their personal development than alumni of other youth organizations.

• Today, 4-H continues to emphasize the traditional values that have been part of the program since its inception.  4-H projects support the personal growth and development of members through hands-on learning where they learn life skills like leadership, responsibility, decision-making, record-keeping, financial management, and wise consumer skills.

• 4-H is for everyone 6 to 19 years of age--no matter where they live or what their interests might be.  4-H continues to appeal to youth in today's world because the kinds of things we offer are what kids need to survive and thrive into adulthood.

Welcome to the Director's blog for Arizona 4-H.  This new feature is designed to provide up-to-date information about Arizona 4-H and other related events and activities that will be of interest to our many constituents. 

This month marks my first year on the job.  I am loving it and glad to be a part of Arizona 4-H.  Everyone has been so welcoming.

The past few months have been challenging, and given the state's budget problems, the future will continue to be challenging as well.  I am reminded of a quote from Charles Darwin given today's climate:  "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives.  It is the one that is most adaptable to change."

When the skies are cloudy, it can be difficult to see the horizon.  When it starts raining, it is hard to look more than one step ahead.  We hope that through the good works of Arizona 4-H, you will pick up your head and consider what you will do when the sun comes out again.  Sure footing is required in these current trying conditions, but we also need to think clearly about where we're headed.