November 9, 2010

Web Site for 4-H Resource Material

If you are a 4-H leader, member, parent or just someone looking for some good resource material on all animals, sewing, cooking, and other, check out the Ohio State estore. They have some great material. Just click on the title to this post and it will take you right there. :-)

November 8, 2010

Family Fun Night, 2010

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 20 from 6-8 pm. The Bonner County 4-H Family Fun Night will be held at the fairgrounds. There will be door prizes, cake walk, games for all ages, entertainment, and pizza. Club will have tables with club information to promote thier club.

Everyone is welcome and it is all free.

Hosted by the Bonner County Leaders Council and the Bonner County Fairboard.

October 6, 2010

4-H - Get together and have fun!


Get Together to Have Fun and Learn!
Clubs are one of the most popular aspects of the 4H Youth Development Program. While today’s 4H offers many options for young people, clubs provide opportunities for
them to get together to learn by doing, make new friends, and develop teamwork and
leadership skills.

Youth ages 8 to 18 can belong to 4H clubs or groups and choose projects and activities that match their interests. Five to eight year olds who want to participate in organized clubs belong to Cloverbuds, which is designed to meet their developmental needs. Cloverbuds emphasizes cooperative learning and excludes competitive events. More and more clubs Bonner County are making Cloverbuds part of their 4H programs.

What Kind of Club Could We Have?
Clubs can be either general 4H clubs or they can focus on interest topics, such as the
environment, pets, photography, or other 4H subject areas. They can be organized in a
variety of ways:
• Neighborhood Club—Youth and families in the same neighborhood
• Community Club—Youth and families in the same or nearby communities
• Child Care Program—Kids in the same daycare or afterschool
program
• Interest or Project Club—Young people who want to learn about a specific interest or
project
• Cloverbuds—Families who live close together and have children ages 5 to 8
• Community Service Club—Youth who want to concentrate on doing community
service projects in their communities, schools, etc.
• Church Group—Families and youth who attend the same church
• Home School Group—Families who educate their children at home
• Other—Any group of youth who want to come together to form a club
Be Creative!

4H groups can operate in virtually any way that meets the needs of kids as long as
positive youth development is the foundation of the club.
Think of All the Possibilities!

Here are some examples of 4H clubs based on a variety of interests:
• A daycare provider works with the local Extension staff to set up a 4H
club in an after school daycare program. The daycare provider meets every week with Katie’s Kids to carry out fun, learning experiences around a variety of interests and projects at their club meetings. They even made a project to exhibit at the county fair.
• The River Rangers, young people interested in the environment, enjoy activities related to environmental issues and activities. Advised by volunteer leaders (a science teacher and a forester), they formed a club that canoes, builds bat boxes, and coordinates an environmental fair, among other projects and activities. Some members of this club also participate in other events and activities in a general 4Hclub.
• The Jackson Action Club meets once a month during the school year and twice a month in the summer. Youth leaders each plan and conduct one meeting. Ten minutes are set aside at each meeting for business. Activities include visiting a nature center,
constructing bird feeders for the elderly, and touring a bank where they learned a
lesson on the time value of money—and more! All of this happens with less than two
hours of business during the entire year.
• Twelve high school students formed the High Impact Club based on their interest in
agribusiness careers. At the start of the year, they chose twelve learning projects and
assigned someone to plan each one. Every month the club gets together for their
program: touring a poultry facility, chatting with Chinese exchange students, or
searching the World Wide Web for information on agricultural careers and training.
• In the Flower Ridge 4H Club, leadership is shared among all adults and youth. A list is
devised at the beginning of the year, and each leader signs up for one area of
responsibility. The leader recruits parents and youth to help. Areas of responsibility
include monthly meetings, new families and promotion, liaison with the Extension
office and county meetings, project work, Cloverbuds, enrollment, and county
activities.

What About Rules?
4H club rules should create a flexible and adaptable framework, not stifle kids’
growth or interests. Any rules should contribute to positive youth development and focus on such fundamental issues as safety and mutual respect. Kids must be in charge of making the rules. That’s leadership development!

How Should 4H Club Meetings Look?
Club gatherings can look however the kids choose for them to look—it’s their club.
They can change in format. Think about why members are involved and stay involved.
What are they looking for? Help the kids plan club gatherings to meet those needs.
Business meetings may be useful at times, but they shouldn’t be a focal point of every
meeting.

How Do We Recruit Members and Adult Leaders?
First, how many members will be in the club? Clubs can have as few as five members or as many as the leader feels can be included effectively in the group. Six to 10 members per adult leader may be best. However, it depends on the number and variety of activities in your club. It also depends on how many other leaders will be working with you. Limit your first group to a number with which you and your co-leaders feel comfortable!

Recruiting members is seldom hard to do. Contact your county Extension office — they usually have names of kids who want to join a club. Your Extension staff may have a recruiting program or ideas for recruiting club members.

You may find it helpful to recruit other adults to help with advising the group. Interested parents, 4H alumni, or friends are often willing to help. This gives the leader much needed assistance and provides continuity for club meetings. An older, experienced teen member can help teach younger members and lead activities. In recruiting, be sure that programs are equally open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. Diversity enriches our lives and builds our communities!

How Do We Enroll My Group as a 4H Club?
Enrollment is required for participation in a 4H club. The Bonner County Extension office has the necessary enrollment forms. These forms can be downloaded from the Bonner County Web site at http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/bonner.

The 4H year starts October 1 and runs through September 30. All 4H members must reenroll every year. It’s a good idea to enroll early so you and your members stay continually on the mailing list and receive notices of all events and activities. Some of the larger Bonner County clubs have a deadline for enrollment.

Do 4H Members Pay Fees?
Bonner County members pay an enrollment fee of $13, or $15 for members taking the horse project per year. This fee helps to pay for materials for up to three projects, insurance and state fees. Addition projects may be added for $3 per project. 4-H is still one of the least expensive youth programs in our area.

Where Will Our Club Meet?
The number and location of members may determine where your club meets. Clubs meet in Extension offices, schools, community halls, churches, even car dealerships and banks! It may be easiest to meet at the leader’s home, which may be the only available location. Many clubs rotate meetings to give each family an opportunity to host a meeting.

How Often Will Our Club Meet?
Work with your club members to find the best time for them to get together.
Possibilities for choosing a day and times for club meetings include the following:
• Once a week, after school (This works well for elementary age members.)
• Every 2 weeks, after school or on a weeknight
• Once a month, on a weeknight
• Once a month, on a Saturday or Sunday
• Other variations, determined by the needs of your club members

What about Project Materials?
Project materials, such as publications and other support materials, can be ordered and picked up at your county Extension office.

As with any youth organization, there is a process to become a 4-H leader, including an application, interview, background check and training. This is for the childs safety as well as the adults. Once the registration process is done, the reward of working with youth and being a positive role model can be very fulfilling.

Contact the Nancy Wright at the Bonner County Extension Office, 263-8511,
niwright@uidaho.edu, or on line at http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/bonner for more information about becoming a leader and forming a club.

August 10, 2010

4-H Shooting Sports Rifle and Pistol Completion Event

The Bonner County 4-H Shooting Sports Rifle and Pistol projects held their completion event on Sunday, August 8 at the Sandpoint Shooting Range. Members displayed their shooting ability as well as range safety and knowledge of the project. This year we had 15 members complete at this event. Participating in the rifle shoot were Alex Banks, Thomas Banks, Brandon Johnson, Tyler Wilson, Gabriel Theander, William Turner, Blaine Nelson, Josiah Widmayer, Mahonri Hunsaker, Erick Hicks, Tanner Wilson, Cameron Parks. Alex Banks, Thomas Banks also participated in the pistol shoot. Not picture is Austin Theander who participated in the pistol shoot.

The Bonner County 4-H program would like to thank Rangemaster Cliff Lanning and the Sandpoint Shooting Range for their support and help in this event.




Top awards for the Pistol Shoot went to Alex Banks, senior champion and overall champion, (Marrion Newsom Banks, volunteer leader and proud parent) Thomas Banks, intermediate champion and Austin Theander, senior and overall reserve champion.




Participating in the rifle shoot were Alex Banks, Thomas Banks, Brandon Johnson, Tyler Wilson, Gabriel Theander, William Turner, Blaine Nelson, Josiah Widmayer, Mahonri Hunsaker, Erick Hicks, Tanner Wilson, Cameron Parks.

August 9, 2010

2010 4-H Dog Show


Adult Fitting and Showing class - the 2010 adult champion is Penny Whitaker.


The 2010 Dog Show Showman Champion, Janelle Whitaker and Reserve Champion, Damion Forell



Fitting and Showing Class

The following pictures are of the Agility Class. Champions this year are Caleb Bopp, off leash, and Miranda Painter, on leash.







It was a nice day for all the members and their dogs. Our judges this year were excellent.
Top awards went to:
Sage Levora - Dogs For Family Living
Janelle Whitaker - Fitting and Showing Champion
Adelea Chaney - Top Obedience Dog
Top Agility, on leash - Miranda Painter
Top Agility, off leash - Caleb Bopp
Top Neutered Dog - Caleb Bopp
Top Spayed Dog - Janelle Whitaker
Top Dog Judge - Courtney Parnell

Congratulations to all the 4-H Dog members for another great year.

May 12, 2010

4-H Market Swine Spring Weigh-in - noisey but fun!

The 2010 4-H market swine spring weigh in was held on Saturday, May 8 at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. We had 101 members bring 143 piggies to be weighed in. Needless to say, it is always a "sqeelin" time!


Cars lined up at 6:30 am for the start time of 8:00 am!


First stop was the Tagger Lady - Mary Presser. Most of these pigs don't like getting their ears pierced!


Then on to the scales to get their weight.


Then on to the Shot Lady - Kim Hoodenpyle. We all want healthy pigs. They were getting vaccinated and wormed.


This was the shot table and the dedicated helpers filling syringes for Kim.


Thank you to all our volunteers that helped out. Tim Cary, scales, Mary Presser, tagging, Kim Hoodenpyle, vaccinations and wormer; Harmony Morgan and Makayla Morgan, syringe fillers; Brian Hoodenpyle, Kyle Hoodenpyle, Mike Ludolph, Miriah Ferrel,Daniel Desjarlais, as well as others, pig movers, Moreen Leen, Billie Cochran, and Patti Speelmon.

April 28, 2010

Bonner/Boundary Tack Swap - Loads of Fun



When the idea formed, we didn't know what kind of a response we would have. I only wanted to give sellers an avenue and buyers the same. Especially 4-H members, both horse and livestock. While the horse portion was a grand success, the livestock was slightly lacking. I think if we continue to hold this event, the livestock portion will grow. Set up began at 10 am on Friday morning.



The first vendor with her consignments came at 1 pm and it took numerous volunteers 2 hours to check her in. Thank goodness she came early. then the real fun began. From 4:00 to past 7:00 we were steady with people consigning their equipment.



When we were done on Friday night, I was not sure we could even fit any more in the room but they would still be coming on Saturday morning.



The 4-H members were able to shop from 8-9 am and pick out some bargains, then the doors opened for the public at 9 am. We were pretty busy all day and still ringing up items well past the 3 pm closure. But really, why would you turn away buyers! All said and done, I think it was a success and we may try to hold it again next year in hopefully a larger area.



Many thanks to all the volunteers,leaders, and members and especially the Boundary County crew, who without them we would have fallen flat!

April 13, 2010

Heads Up Sandpoint

Shake the Sand Out is a community clean up organized by the Mountain West Bank.

The groups are meeting at Jeff Jones square (next to Farmin Park, where water fountain is located) at 8 am on the 24th April. They will receive a continental breakfast, receive a raffle ticket to win some prizes and be given an area of town for the clean up as well as garbage bags and gloves. They will then go to their designated location to pick up and clean. We will meet at 11:30 at our bank parking lot which is on Highway 2 and Division. We will be serving lunch at that time as well as draw tickets for the prizes. We will take a photo with a dumpster and all of our trash with the Daily Bee. Everything should be over no later than 12:30 We (STI- Recycling committee) are calling all community groups to get volunteers together, but we need STI members to help as well. Please can we get some volunteers (wearing our t-shirts) on April 24th?

Please reply to cpeer@pchaninc.com, so we know what numbers we can count on.

Thanks for your assistance!
Cindy Peer
255 7138

April 5, 2010

Saddle Fitting clinic hosted by Spirit Riders in Spirit Lake.

This past Saturday, I ventured to Spirit Lake to attend a Saddle Fitting Clinic hosted by the Spirit Lake Riders, and presented by Gail and Paul Springer. The Spirit Lake Riders are a new group in Bonner County and young but very enthusiastic. Gail and Paul own a Treeless Saddle distribution.




Do you really know if you saddle fits your horse? What if it doesn't, would he or she really tell you and if he or she did tell you, would you understand what they are saying???? I have been riding for years but no one has ever explained to me how to fit a saddle in terms my meek mind could understand. This clinician did.



She began by explaining about different tree sizes and the fact that most trees cater to Quarter horses (this I realized but since I have an Arab/Frisian most trees don't cater to me!).


She explained how to use a wire rod or wire coat hanger to create a sort of mold of your horses withers making it easier to take with you when you go saddle shopping. She also explained that you should check you saddles on your horse without the blankets to check the fit.





She talked about treeless saddles since that is what they sell but she was not against treed saddles either. After attending this clinic, I went home with information that will hopefully help me to make my wide withered horse happy. It didn't make me too happy to find out the saddle I have been using is too narrow - no wonder she has problems with the canter.


I am hoping to bring Gail and Paul to the 4-H Horse Camp for an informational session for adults - kids seem to be bored by the subject but it is good info for all.


Thank you Kaiya Springer for sending me the pictures.

March 24, 2010

Upcoming Events for BC 4-H

Saturday, March 27
BC Horse Bowl, Nazarene Church, Highway 95 North of Sandpoint.
Juniors begin at 10 am, with 1st year juniors to follow, then intermediates, then seniors and then the open round for the county team. Check in starts at 9:30 am.

April 5-9
Spring break! Nancy will be off this week. :-)

Monday, April 12
Horse Leaders Council meeting, 6 pm, Extension Office

Saturday, April 17
County Demonstration Day, Nazarene Church, registrations are due in the Extension Office by April 9th.

Thursday, April 22
Small Animal and Dog Leaders meeting, 6 pm, Extension Office

Saturday, April 24
Bonner/Boundary County 4-H Tack and Livestock Equipment Swap, 9-3 at the Fairgrounds. consignments are taken on Friday, April 23 from 4-7 pm and Saturday, 7-8:30 pm. Proceeds from this sale with benefit Bonner and Boundary 4-H Horse and Livestock groups.

2010 4-H Beef Weigh-in

We weighed in 43 steers on Saturday, March 20 in the cold shade of the Beef Barn on the Fairgrounds. While it was cold, it was a nice morning and no major problems this year, such as steers breaking free and heading to the airport! And, Nancy did not climb the fences to get out of the way of rampant steers. The adverage weight this year was 772 pounds and no steers came in over the maximum weight of 1050. Of course it helps that we were able to hold the weigh-in on the March date and not have to move it to April because of snow. Thanks to everyone that helped, Alan McNall, Dave Brooks, Dan McNall, Robin McNall, one of the McNall twins (very sorry, STILL can't tell you apart!) and her husband, Mitch Widgren and numerous others that were there to help with rowdy steers and backing trailers.

March 3, 2010

AgDiscovery Program 2010

The AgDiscovery program is a USDA outreach program to help students learn about careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness and plant pathology. This 2 week program allows participants ages 12-17 to live on a college campus and learn about Agricultural science from university professors, practicing veterinarians and professionals working for the U. S. Government. Students chosen to participate in AgDiscovery will gain experience through hands-on labs, workshops, field trips and other group and team building activities. Click on the heading of this post to view the AgDiscovery 2010 - Investing in the Future of American Agriculture brochure to learn more about the program. Or go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery/index.shtml.
Last year, a Bonner County 4-H member, Catie Hunsaker, was selected to attended the University of Kentucky workshop, "Investing in the Future if Veterinary Services in Horse Country". Catie was selected out of 80 applicants and had a great time.

How much will it cost? This is one of the great things about this program. The only costs to participants is the transportation fees - or flying to and from. For two weeks of instruction, room, board and lab fees you can't beat that!

Application packages must be postmarked no later than April 10, 2010. Spread the word. This opportunity is open to any interested youth.

February 26, 2010

News for the Inquiring Minds

We held our 4-H sponsored ski night last Friday and we made $464 for the program. It really is a great fundraising program and I thank Schweitzer for letting 4-H be part of it. Watch for our date next year and hopefully we will have another great year.

Last night we held a Horse Leaders workshop and Ty Cochran from Elenbaas Feed spoke to those attending about Equine Nutrition. It was very informative. No matter how much you think you know, there is always more to learn. Ty does a great job going over the digestive system and how it works. He really covers the good, the bad and the ugly and he covers it in a way the normal layman can understand. Ty has done other workshops for us and I will always be happy to have him in our county. I wish I had remembered to get a picture because when he speaks he is very animated.

He had Bill Armstrong with him, another Elenbaas Feed rep. Bill enjoys talking about he show beef and steers rather than the horses. Bill will be back on Thursday, March 18, in Sandpoint speaking at the Panhandle Bank for the Carter County Livestock seminar. Check it out if you can. It is bound to be informative.

And for all those horse people out there that feel they have to feed their horse buckets of grain, in the words of Ty Cochran, "Horses don't do grain!". To find out more check with Kim Dana at Carter Country feed or give me a call.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

This is a photo of some of the trees that had to be sacrificed for the camp ground. I believe I counted about 64 rings so I would assume the tree was planted about the time the fairgrounds was moved from Lakeside to the current location.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow



The old water tank is now gone and work is going forward on the new camping area for the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Look for great things in the future!

February 17, 2010

Day two of the Water Tank demo!





The distruction continues. Another day or so and it will be history.

February 16, 2010

First, out with the old to make room for the new!






The old water tank at the Bonner County Fairgrounds is being removed in order for the construction of the new and improved campgrounds coming our way. Anyone out there remember what year the tank and power house was put up? Stay turned for more updates as they occur.

February 11, 2010

Bonner County Has a Ski Night at Schweitzer!

Mark your calendars for Friday, February 19, 2010. This is our 5th year being invited to host a ski night at Schweitzer. Tickets will be $8 and will be available at the Extension Office or the Schweitzer Conoco gas station from February 15 through the 19th. Anyone can purchase a ticket at this price for a night of skiing at Schweitzer from 3-7 pm on Friday, February 19th. This is a great activity for the whole club. Let your friends know and encourage them to help support the 4-H program activities.
The 4-H program receives 1/2 the ticket price to help with funds to buy leader resource material and provide funds for the summer day camp.
For questions,contact Nancy Wright at 263-8511

January 23, 2010

3 Local Girls attend North Idaho Teen Day albeit reluctantly at first!

A few members of the Beaver Creek Kritters attended the North Idaho Teen Day this weekend. The event was held at the Couer d'Alene Extension office. "A day devoted to helping teens to develop leadership and social skills." The girls attended classes in "ice breakers" where they played many games that got into your "personal bubble" and got you out of you shell so to speak. They learned about generational diversity, and why their parents act the way they do. They had some leadership 101. They gave impromptu speeches. They learned about time management and team work, which involved blind folds! All in all when the event was concluded, our reluctant, shy, Wall Flowers were picked up with grins from ear to ear and one of them asking when the next one would be. Go figure. Once in a while, mama DOES know best, eh??





Teen Day bonding


Payton's personal space has been INVADED (by a boy!!)


a game called "The Keys", look how tangled they are! "I'm in your bubble!"


Isabel looks a little stressed....too close for her comfort.


they had to squeeze each other's hands....yes, even the boys!


See holding hands with boys! (This is the only time I want to see this! :)


The girls, Abigail Nelson, Paytonlee Jackson and Isabel Mitchel, wondering what their mothers got them into, and did they really want to participate...


Everything's better when Paytonlee smiles!