• Nov. 1: IFYE Representative applications due, State 4-H office
• Nov. 15: Catch-a-Calf applications due to Celina Johnson
• Nov. 25-26: University holidays, offices closed

• None

The National Gardening Association Grant and Awards Programs

The National Gardening Association supports programs across the country that actively engage kids in the garden and improve the quality of life for all. To be eligible for grants and awards, except for the Mantis Award, your school or organization must plan to garden with at least 15 kids between the ages of three and 18. You may apply for more than one award. The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2004. For more information please go to: www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp. - Jan Carroll

Western Regional 4-H Leaders' Forum 2005

The theme of the WRLF 2005 Forum, "Strike It Rich," takes you on a path that celebrates and enhances your involvement in 4-H. Through workshops, speakers, tours, and networking, you will have the "striking" opportunity to expand the true adventurer within you, strengthen your vision, refresh the perspectives of your work, and enrich your personal agenda.

WRLF will be held in Sacramento, CA from Feb. 23-27, 2005. The early bird registration of $265 must be postmarked by Dec. 3. All forms and information are available at wrlf2005.org - Dale Leidheiser

State Fair Proposed Changes in Ribbons

There was a proposal accepted at the state fair evaluation meeting to change how ribbons are awarded. The primary reason for the proposal is based upon negative feedback from 4-H members, leaders and parents about exhibits receiving red or white ribbons at the state fair after receiving a grand champion ribbon at the county fair. The proposal is to:

1. Award everyone a "county champion ribbon,"
2. Judge all exhibits and records and give feedback on judging sheets,
3. Select champions, reserve champions and the top ten in every unit.

The significant change is to not award red or white ribbons. It addresses the issue of double jeopardy, and people being judged twice. Every time something comes to state fair and gets a red or white ribbon, we have members, leaders and parents wondering what went wrong. Was it an error at the county or state fair? The truth is, it's some of both.

Judges will still need to do all the work necessary to accurately award the champions and top ten. That includes comments on score sheets that give constructive feedback to 4-H members. Also, the state fair has already approved additional judges to accommodate the work load we anticipate for next year.

The real benefit, and motivation for this, is about consistency and recognizing youth for excellence. It places a priority on what happens at the local level. It supports decisions where judges, in an interview with a child, review the record and assess the exhibit, and make decisions about the amount of learning and the quality of an exhibit. The result is a champion exhibit that goes to the state fair.

State fair judges will evaluate the "Champions of Champions." They'll need to scrutinize the records and the exhibit as closely as before to select the top ten in each unit. And, because we've always had exhibits that don't meet the judge's expectations of quality at the state fair, they'll need to give constructive criticism on how to improve. The only thing that will change is that 4-H'ers won't receive a red or white ribbon.

Please share this change with members and leaders and give any feedback you might have to Susan Cuckler. - Dale Leidheiser

4-H After School

An additional Activity Sheet (Leaves and Flowers) has been posted at: 4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/schoolenrichment/activity.shtml. Thanks to Janice Dixon for putting it together.

When you are doing another activity with youth in grades K-12 that might fit this format, please let me know and I will work with you to get it posted. Agents and after school providers must be finding them useful - as of Sept. 30, the Activity Sheets had 11,638 hits. - Jan Carroll

4-H International Update

IFYE Reporting

Participants in the International Four-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) enhance the 4-H program through educational, international, and cross-cultural experiences that enable young people to improve their leadership and communication skills, while increasing their international awareness and understanding.

Three 2004 IFYEs are available to share their international experiences at schools (through language, history, and geography classes, general assemblies, etc.), service organizations, churches, 4-H clubs, etc.

Melissa Knievel (Morgan County) returned from Luxembourg in September and is reporting in October, November, and December, and into 2005 upon request. Melissa is 24 years old and has a B.S. in International Communications with a minor in Media Studies/German from the University of Northern Colorado/Aims. Her leisure interests are singing, music, film, hiking, volleyball, German language, reading, and traveling. Melissa is a 10- year 4-H-member.

Shelley Bolesta (Larimer County) will return from Switzerland in December and begin reporting in mid-January through the end of April 2005. Shelley has a B.S. in Technical Journalism and Public Relations with a minor in French from Colorado State University. Her leisure interests include hiking, camping, fishing, snowboarding, skiing, dancing, singing, theater, and photography. Shelley is an 11- year 4-H-member.

Robert Dobbins (LaPlata County) will return from Australia in December and begin reporting in mid-January through the end of April 2005. Robert is 23 years old and has a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Chemistry from New Mexico State University. His leisure interests are sports, hunting, fishing, and livestock judging. Robert is an 11- year 4-H- member.

Please contact me to schedule an IFYE presentation in your county. (Phone 970.491.2711, e-mail: cloflin@coop.ext.colostate.edu). - Courtney Loflin

Catch-A-Calf Applications Due

National Western Stock Show time is fast approaching and, with that, it is time to encourage youth to apply for the Catch- A-Calf program sponsored by the National Western Stock Show. This is a historic year to be catching a calf, as all calves caught in 2005 will be shown at the 2006 National Western Stock Show. The 2006 Stock Show marks the 100th Anniversary of the National Western Stock Show - what an historic opportunity!

Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 18 as of Dec. 31, 2004 to apply, and also enrolled in 4-H at the time of application. Successful catchers must have adequate facilities available to house their steer as they are responsible for the care, feeding, and handling of their animal. Please distribute to interested members in your county.

Applications are due to my office postmarked no later than Nov. 15, 2004. Please note that this deadline is earlier than in the past years. Applications are posted on http://livestock.colostate.edu/youth. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact me at 970.491.6271 or Celina.Johnson@ColoState.Edu. - Celina Johnson