The FSA youth loan program is designed to help rural youth establish and operate an income-producing project of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H or FFA. The goal of the youth loan is to help youth develop an income-producing project that expands their knowledge of their projects and provides them with practical business knowledge.  For example, funds may be used for fruit and vegetable production, purchase of 4-H market animals, breeding stock to start a small herd or flock, equipment for beekeeping, or to pay operating expenses for a project. The project must produce sufficient income to repay the loan and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience in agriculture-related skills. The project must be implemented with the help of the 4-Hers parent or guardian and a volunteer leader, or Extension agent.

The FSA Youth Loan Program representatives are willing to work with 4-H youth and also have programs available to socially disadvantaged. This is a great program that 4-H entrepreneurs from across the state could utilize. For more information see the FSA Rural Youth Loan Fact Sheet: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/loanyouth.pdf

If you have questions, contact Kim Cerny, FSA, Kimberly.Cerny@ks.usda.gov o call 785-825-8269, ext. 1231

Submitted by Stone

The Kansas 4-H Centennial Delegates were added in 2002 when national 4-H celebrated 4-H’s centennial year.

Kansas 4-H has permitted each Extension Unit to send one at-large delegate to National 4-H Congress. These at-large positions are called Centennial Delegates.  Cost for the Centennial delegate will be the full amount of $1,150.00 (no registration grant is offered).  The selection criteria and process for the 4-H Centennial Delegate is entirely up to the Extension Unit.  To be eligible, delegates MUST:

• Have never before attended National 4-H Congress.
• Be enrolled in Kansas 4-H.
• Have a genuine desire to attend National 4-H Congress.
• Be available to attend 2014 National 4-H Congress in its entirety from Nov 28 - Dec 2, 2014.
• Be at least 14 years old but not yet 19 years old before January 1, 2014.
• Remain committed to attending 2014 National 4-H Congress once they accept the trip.
• Agree to follow the prescribed code of conduct, realizing failure to do so may result in the loss of privileges during the event and/or in the future.

Participating Extension Units will need to notify the State 4-H Office on or before May 15, 2014, along with providing the non-refundable $100.00 deposit and nomination form for the delegate. To help with planning, remember that the Standard of Excellence representatives to Congress will be named immediately following the May 1 deadline and if their name is not drawn, can be re-nominated as a Centennial delegate.
Keatley

STEP #1. Create a pool of names consisting of ALL 4-H Key Award winners in 2013 who meet the following criteria-

• Were presented the Kansas 4-H Key Award in 2013.
• Have never attended National 4-H Congress before.
• Are enrolled in Kansas 4-H.
• Have a genuine desire to attend National 4-H Congress.
• Are available to attend 2014 National 4-H Congress in its entirety from Nov 28- Dec 2, 2014.
• Are at least 16 years old but not yet 19 years old before January 1, 2014.
• Willing to remain committed to attending 2013 National 4-H Congress once they accept the trip.
• Agree to follow the prescribed code of conduct, realizing failure to do so may result in the loss of privileges during the event and/or in the future.

STEP #2. Randomly draw the name(s) from your eligible pool, complete the attached form, and make sure that it arrives at the State 4-H Office by close of business (5 PM CST), Thursday, May 1, 2014.

Upon receipt of the nominees from local Extension Units, all names will be placed in a pool, randomly drawn and notified immediately as the state Standard of Excellence Delegates for 2014 National 4-H Congress. 
Keatley

The Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) is offering a 3 1/2-day summer institute in Manhattan, Kan., June 10-13, 2014. "Connecting Your Classroom to Kansas Agriculture" is a professional development opportunity with the option of one, two or three graduate level credits. The participants will be exposed to many topics including plant science, food science and biotechnology.

The 2014 institute is open to all Kansas teachers at $50 for registration. Participants will receive a $200 scholarship. The payment for optional credit hours through Kansas State University will be the responsibility of the participant. A stipend will be available for teachers to use for necessary equipment and supplies to teach the lesson plans taught during the institute. The $150 stipend will be awarded in two installments - one half upon completion of the summer institute and the other half upon completion of a lesson plan conducted in the teachers' classroom. Professional development hours will be awarded by certificate from K-State Continuing Education based on 32 hours of face time during the institute.

To apply for the institute, simply visit this link. Application details are available on the KFAC website at www.ksaglcassroom.org. The application deadline is May 2, 2014. To learn more about KFAC summer courses, visit the KFAC website, visit KFAC on Facebook, or contact us at (785) 320-4350.  
Adams

Horse Ownership:  Youth may own the horse themselves, or use a family-owned horse (immediate family: mother, father, stepparent, brother, sister, grandparent, or legal guardian).

Leasing:  The leasing option is intended for youth who are unable to participate fully in the 4-H horse project because they do not have access to family-owned horses.  A 4-H member may identify only one leased horse per year, and MAY NOT identify any family-owned horse if a leased horse has been identified.  However, if member is enrolled in 2 or 3 –year-old snaffle bit please double check with rules on page 7 of the Horse Show Rule Book for further clarification.

If a 4-H member leases his or her project horse to another 4-H member, the leaser forfeits the right to use the horse.

Sharing project horses:  Siblings may show the same horse provided they are not in the same class.  If both are in the same age classification, they must decide what classes each will show in.

2 –year and 3-year old Snaffle-bit:  No one is allowed to ride this nominated horse except you from May 1 until the conclusion of the Kansas State Fair. This includes a trainer, parents, horseless horse member, another 4-H member, sibling, potential buyer, etc.

Van Horn

Winter weather needs to go away! How many times have we heard this comment lately? Before long summer will arrive and snow will become a distant memory and we’ll be wishing for cooler days. Although now we can only dream of warmer days as you prepare for those longer summer days of 4-H camping. While you are dreaming … please check the 4-H camp standards on the 4-H web site linked on the camping page http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=434.  Packed into the document are several ideas for preparing for camp, counselors and risk management strategies.

Thinking of camp counselors … check out The Redwoods Group at www.redwoodsgroup.com for great training information. A free training DVD is available that covers Supervision, Aquatics, and Sexual Abuse. If you would like to preview, a copy is available by contacting me.

Finally, please remember keeping kids safe is a priority at camp – therefore encourage potential counselors to complete an application and take time to interview potential counselors for this important role. Investing time in selecting the right counselors to work with camps enhance the safe camp environment. 
Van Horn

For camp information go to: http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=437 

To register, go to: http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=317 

For a newsletter article on Photo Camp, go to:http://www.kansas4-h.org/doc15182.ashx

Buchele
 

No preregistration required.  Just show up.  Cost is the admission to Botanica, (Adults $7.00, Youth 3-12 $5.00).  In the event of rain or snow, workshops will be held indoors.

9:00 - 9:15 am Registration
9:15 Orientation and Directions
9:30 First Session Starts

Sessions Repeated every 30 minutes with the last session starting at 12:00.

Sessions being offered each session: Camera Questions, Props and costumes, Water drops, bubbles and liquids, Portraits and Posing, Lighting, Getting ready for the Fair.

For more information go to: http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=427
Buchele

Shutterbugs in the Garden City Zoo

April 26, 2014, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm, Garden City Zoo, Finnup Center for Conservation Education

Cost: $5.00 per person, please preregister, see the flyer at: http://www.southwest.ksu.edu/doc51000.ashx

Six workshops offered at sites around the zoo.  Topics include: Costumes and Props, Frames, Bubbles, Kaleidoscopes, Mirrors, Making Photos Unique and a Camera Q and A Table

For more information go to: http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=427

Buchele

Join youth organizations all over American and the world in giving back during Global Youth Service Day.  For more information see: www.gysd.org Click on need ideas to learn what others are doing.  The Kansas Volunteer Commission has mini-grants (up to $500) available to support GYSD activities, see: http://community.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=5120  Applications are due March 21, 2014  Youth serving their communities is a hallmark of 4-H, here is some money to help you with a community service project. Check out some of these awesome project ideas: http://www.GYSD.org/ideas.

Buchele

*Male, age 18, Austria, agricultural college student, would like farm experiences, active in Landjugend (Needs 2 host families between June 22 and August 2.)

*Male about 20, Germany, interested in agronomy especially vegetables (Needs 4 host families between June 22 and September 5.)

*Male, age 16, Greece, where he attends the American Farm School (Needs 2 host families between July 8 and August 12.)

*Male, age 26, Scotland, university graduate, from a beef (formerly dairy) farm Needs 3 host families between June 22 and August 16/17.)

*Male, age 24, Switzerland, finishing degree in agronomy, plans to do agronomy research (Needs 4 host families between June 22 and September 5.)

*Female, age 20, Sweden, entering university this fall, leads 4H Farm club in Stockholm.  (Needs 3 host families between June 22 and August 16/17.)

*Female 23, Wales, university graduate from a dairy farm, active in Welsh Young Farmers Clubs (One host family June 17-July 6/ 7 is still needed.)

*Female, about 22 , Taiwan, active in Taiwan 4-H. (Needs 4 host families where she can participate in 4-H activities.)

For information on being a host family for these IFYE’s,  go to www.kansas4-h.org and click on the link under “What’s Hot”,  For more information on the inbound participants or to request a hosting time or specific IFYE, contact Mary Kay Munson, Kansas 4-H  Exchange Coordinator at munson@ksbroadband.net or 786-238-3631786-238-3631. 

Mary Kay is also coordinator for the Summer Inbound States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs.  Two families from Leavenworth County have been submitted for exchanges with Argentina or Finland.  They will be in the state from July 7 to August 7.  Additional hosts are sought for boys 14-17 from Argentina and 15-17 from Finland.  They will arrive and depart from Kansas City (MCI) airport, so host families need to be able to meet them there.  The deadline has been extended until March 28, but placements will be filled as they come in at the State 4-H Office.
Munson

Looking for some new fun and excitement this summer?  Host a new friend from Japan in your home this summer, July 23 – August 18.  Kansas 4-H International Exchange Programs are offering hosting opportunities to 25 families this summer.  We need host families who would be willing to host a Japanese boy or girl, aged 12 or 13.  We need to make host family assignments matching each delegate with an American same-gender host sibling as soon as possible so that families and exchange delegates can communicate and get to know each other.  Any Kansas family with children aged 11-14, who is interested in the Japanese culture, may host.  A separate bed is required, but not necessarily a separate room from the host sibling.  Delegates are 100 percent medically covered with 4-H insurance and bring their own spending money.  They can go on host family vacations, camping trips, or join their host sibling for summer camps.  The focus is everyday family life.

Contact:  To hear more about the interests of the 25 youth who need hosting, please contact Rose Scott, Kansas 4-H Japanese Coordinator, 785-388-2009 or 785-565-3197, or e-mail - sixtykid2@gmail.com. 

Benefits:  Increase your family’s cross-cultural and global understanding, broaden family communication skills, make a new friend from another country, and have fun while leaning about Japan in your own home.

How to apply:   Families may now apply on-line by visiting:  http://www.states4hexchange.org/become-a-host-family/choose-state.aspx.   There is a required application with references.  In addition, there will be an in-home interview conducted as well as background checks conducted for all adults living in the house hold.

What you do:  The host family treats the delegate as a family member (rather than a tourist/guest), and keep a “regular” family schedule.  That could mean, chores, fairs, camping, ballgames, etc…. very busy – or not so busy…. It just depends on what your family likes to do!  Most delegates will have studied English for one year in school. They are usually shy and don’t want to make mistakes – so the first few days getting them to talk may be a challenge!  The host family needs to be pro-active on ways to communicate without words, or using a Japanese/English translation dictionary, etc.  We try to get all to attend a “mid-point” gathering – usually a picnic or swim party, so they can meet with other Japanese kids and their chaperones.  Also, the host family can visit with the Japanese chaperones if they are having challenges and need assistance.  Chaperones are always available by phone, when needed.
Waldren

A 4-H family in Clay County is completing final documentation to host a Japanese student for the 2014-15 school year.  Just three girls and two boys remain in the national pool for placement next year as of March 10, 2014.  Any family interested in this well--supported opportunity to host for the school year should contact Mary Kay Munson at 785-238-3631 immediately, as the students available change almost daily.