End of the School year!!

Oh the weather outside is Sunny!! Finals week is finally upon us, students are moving out of their dorms, and the clovers are blossoming. Today I am anticipating my last final, so I can finally say that Freshman year has been completed.

This evening I visited the Erie County Council Meeting and talked about what State 4-H Council does. They had questions about some of the times council meets and the events we plan and MC. I was also asked about Capital Days. That event just happened recently.
At Capital Days this year I was the Chair for the Majority Party, The Green Party. We practiced our Parli-Pro and debated three Bills currently in the House and the Senate. Our Mock Session got kind of heated when we brought both parties together to debate the bills. Both the White and the Green parties wanted their amendments to the Bills to pass.

During Capital Days our State Council got to meet with our different legislators and The Secretary Of Agriculture, Russell Redding. We talked about the 4-H program, our 4-H stories, Agricultural issues, and other topics of interest to our regions and counties across the state.

Also at Capital Days I met with many youth interested in applying to be On our State 4-H Council. The Application is online and ready to be filled out for those of you that are interested. Remmeber that you can apply at State Days too! We look forward to seeing you at State Days and many of the differnent events we attend. If you have any questions don not hesitate to contact myself or another council memeber. We would be more than happy to assist you. Enjoy the end of school.

Until next time,

Jamie Forinash
Vice President of Operations/Internal Affaires

P.S: Remember to start saving your pennies for our Penny Wars and the Soda Tabs for Check Out the Silver! You can never start to soon.

4-H is in full swing

Hello Pa 4-H! Hope you all are finding fun in our springtime weather and sports along with all the work that comes with getting livestock animals for fair and shows. One way I can always tell it's spring is when Pa 4-H holds the annual conference called Capital Days. This past Sunday, Monday and Tuesday around 60 members from across Pa joined together to learn more about our government and interact with our legislators. It was an amazing event and we had tons of fun! It took on a new feeling for me since this was the second time I was able to attend as a council member. I was more comfortable with things and this year I even was able to put my parli pro knowledge to work when I lead the green party in mock legislation.
At the event we also introduced our new service project in addition to the pop tabs. At state days this year we will be conducting a penny war where counties can bring in pennies to help out their regions and silver or bills to bring down other regions. Start collecting now to bring your region out on top!
In the next few months I look forward to promoting 4-H across my county and other local counties as 4-H comes into full swing with summer break! I can hardly believe that my interim council year is half over already!
Your State 4-H VPE,
Christy Lambert

It's almost summertime!

Hey Pennsylvania!!
I hope you all are enjoying the lovely weather we are having! This has been a busy month for Council and for me in working on upcoming events.

On April 1o, I attended Camp Counselor Training at the Northumberland County Extension Office. There we planned team, tentsite, and camp-wide activities for Camp Brule, which will be held June 20-25. I was also named Key Counselor , which means I will be working closely with camp directors and staff while also being in charge of counselors-at-training (CATs). For this, I and the male Key Counselor began planning our CAT workshop.

April 24-27, Council was at the Hilton in Harrisburg practicing icebreakers, scripts, the bills, and our Parli Pro workshop. Finally the delegates arrived on Sunday. Everyone did a great job during the committee meetings and the mock legislative session. Council spendt Monday doing visits with legislators including Senator Robbins, Senator Gordner, Representative Phillips, and Representative Metzger. We also had the opportunity to meet with Secretary of Ag Russell Redding, who presented each of us with a citation recognizing our service to PA 4-H. Be sure to post your comments about Capital Days on our Facebook page!

Justine and I will be doing a promotion at Fox Chase Farm in Philadelphia in June. Earlier this month I looked for a new activity to do during the event. We will be making soap with the youth who come by our table.

Communicating with State Council is a great way for you to have your ideas heard! We are 4-H members--just like you--who have connections with those people who make decisions about events and how PA 4-H is run. If you have concerns about anything or would like to request a state officer for your next event, please do not hesitate to contact us. My email address is jmblank3@gmail.com.

Please check out: our NEW Council homepage, http://ps4-hc.cas.psu.edu/ , our newsletter, the Clover Clipboard, at http://ps4-hc.cas.psu.edu/206.htm, our Facebook page called Pennsylvania 4-H and our Twitter page, at PA4-H.

In the spirit of 4-H,
Jeanette Blank
2010 State Council President

Busy Time of Year!

Hello PA 4-H
Wooo! Time sure is flying by!...It's hard to believe I will be graduating high school in less than 18 days!!! :) This past weekend, some members of Pa 4-H and I attended Pennsylvania State Capital Days, and it was a BLAST! Once we got home, I had to jump on the decorating bandwagon for this years prom...which is Friday! :)....anyways it's a busy time but I just wanted to check in and say hi and tell you all how excited I am for some upcoming 4-H events. One new thing that will be coming up is the Regional Penny Wars at State Days. it's sure to be a blast. You can start participating soon! Just donate your pennies at your local extension office....it should be fun, more info will be coming soon so keep and eye out for it!
Well, until next time
Your council secretary
Rachel Gruver

where is spring??

Hey 4-H members!

Over the weekend your state council and 4-H members from across the state had the chance to visit at the capital during Capital Days! While at Capital Days members participated in worskshops, mock legislator meetings and also meeting with their legislators. It was a great chance for members to gain more skills to be used in clubs. For example the workshop led by the State Council on Parli Pro will be helpful for members in their clubs.

Throughout the month I have been busy visiting with clubs, including Lycoming and Union County Team Councils. I promoted state council, talked about the new video contest at State days and just talked with members about 4-H. It was a great way for the members to see what is happening on the state level.

I am looking forward to summer and possibly attending camp, and of course county fairs! I will be able to help members out while promoting the 4-H program through out the counties.

I am done with school this week and then summer will start for me. But my summer is busy with work, horse shows and of course 4-H events!

Please done hesitate to contact me if you have any questions,

Email: horselovers08@gmail.com

Until then,

Justine Bush
Council reporter and historian

Welcome Spring!!

Welcome Spring!!
Hello PA 4-H! Hope your enjoying this beautiful weather as much as I am!
I actually just came in from my first horseback ride in 6 months!! It was fabulous. I am excited for a roadtrip to Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Ag Luncheon tomorrow! Although it will be an early morning and long day...it should be fun! :)
I want to wish everyone luck with purchasing their 4-H animals...I know I am going to be going to get my pigs pretty soon here!
I'm just so excited that the weather is changing...along with that change comes an event that I am looking forward to, which is PA 4-H State Capital Days! I hope to see everyone there!
Enjoy this weather and can't wait to see everyon in Harrisburg!! :)
Your Secretary
RACHEL

The Month of Green!

I hope the Sunshine is shining all across the state on this beautiful afternoon, and that everyone is able to enjoy it either before, during, or after school and work schedules. I know in Edinboro Pennsylvanaia there seems to be not a cloud in the sky. Trust me I'm not complaining, it has been rather gloomy lately.
Throughout this GREEN month of March and I mean literally green, I hope you all celebrated PA 4-H Week in style. I know I did. I posted my facebook profile picture with the New Mexico 4-H Leadership Team with the 2009 PA State 4-H Council, I wore a 4-H shirt everyday, I made 4-H Book marks available in my campus library and I talked a lot about the program to different individuals I encountered. I know especially excited were the elders I work for in the long term care facility where I spend my evenings. They loved listening to my stories of livestock judging and traveling with the council, and they all chuckled over the photos of my projects and myself over the years. Some of the faculty and administration asked me about the program and became very interested in 4-H Capital Days.
Speaking of Capital Days, it is just around the corner!!! I cannot wait for the discussions to begin and for the first amendment to a bill to happen. So Get Ready 4-H and start packing your suitcases because HARRISBURG HERE WE COME!!!

I enjoy making new friends and making 4-H connections, so feel free to friend me on facebook and we can talk about 4-H events and also remember PA 4-H also has a facebook page!!
If you would have any questions visit our website or feel free to email me at ps4hc.jforinash@gmail.com.

Enjoy the Weather!!!! and if you attend a College/University there's only 5 weeks left of school!!

Jamie Forinash
Vice President of Operations/Internal Affairs

Enjoying that winter-summer weather...

Hey PA 4-H!
I hope that all of you are enjoying this crazy weather! I know that here at Penn State we have been in shorts one day and winter coats the next day!

A lot has been going on in 4-H. On March 9, Jamie and I traveled to Harrisburg for a Penn State College of Ag Capitol Day. During the day we sat in on the College budget briefing, watched the opening session of the House, and later scooped ice cream for legislators and their office staff. I was so sore the next day from all that scooping! Jamie and I had a great time and my family enjoyed having her at our house.

While I was home for Spring Break I had a chance to go to my first 4-H club meeting since the summer. It was so exciting to see everyone and meet new members who have joined since I left. I also gave a short talk about what all I have been up to with Council since August.

All of us on Council are gearing up for our next events, Capital Days in April and State Days in August. During Capital Days we will talk to legislators about 4-H during office visits and lead all of you in a mock legislative session of the Green and White parties. Our theme for State Days has also been announced and will be Green Gala. Keep watching for information on a video contest that you can enter for the event!

This month also contained PA 4-H Week. To help celebrate, I posted a message on the PA 4-H Facebook page telling members to make their profile picture a 4-H theme. Be sure to check out the Pennsylvania 4-H page for the most up-to-date 4-H news!

Communicating with State Council is a great way for you to have your ideas heard! We are 4-H members--just like you--who have connections with those people who make decisions about events and how PA 4-H is run. If you have concerns about anything or would like to request a state officer for your next event, please do not hesitate to contact us. My email address is jmblank3@gmail.com.

Please check out: our NEW Council homepage, http://ps4-hc.cas.psu.edu/ , our newsletter, the Clover Clipboard, at http://ps4-hc.cas.psu.edu/206.htm, our Facebook page called Pennsylvania 4-H and our Twitter page, at PA4-H.

In the spirit of 4-H,
Jeanette Blank
2010 State Council President

where did the month go???

WOW!!! It almost the end of March already! And that only means I have 5 weeks of school left!!! I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather. I have been very busy this month with not only 4-H but also all my school events. This month I have attended the Lycoming County, County Council meeting where I talked to the teens more about getting involved in 4-H on a state level. I encouraged members to sign up for Capital Days as it is really fun to meet with legislators and talk to them about pretty much anything you would like to. Later in the month i attended a Teen Advisory Committee meeting. I was able to talk to members from different counties about not only what I have been doing but about being on council. It was a great way to promote the 4-H state council to other members and let them know that they can apply from now till state days and even at state days!

During PA 4-H week, I changed my Facebook picture to a council picture to help promote the 4-H program. Also during the week I wore a different 4-H everyday to help people see about the 4-H program and I talk to a few friends about 4-H! They are too old to be members but when I explained all the leadership qualities I have gained through 4-H they wish they had joined when they were able to. They saw that I had so much passion for an organization to wear a shirt to promote the program more. I am working on writting an article about some of the activities in 4-H to submit to be published in a newsletter.

I hope all the members are ready to get their project animals ready for show season or begin that sewing project. I know I am ready! With a yearling horse its been crazy to get him ready as he just wants to play with our pony but he does not want to play. Then over the weekend my sister and I got two baby heifer cows! What a new experience for both of us! I named my white and brown cow nina and my sister named her brown one ninja. Way to stick with the letter N! This is definatly new for us but I know with the help of other 4-H members we will do great!

I hope as April comes around, you get ready for PA Capital Days. Don't forget to brush up on Parli Pro and get ready for a exciting weekend!

Justine Bush
Historian/Newsreporter

Spring Fever

I can hardly believe that it is soon the end of March! Where did this month go? I have been busy promoting the 4-H program in what seem like everything I do. At the beginning of the month as a Pennsylvania Maple Princess I competed for the crown of 2010 Queen. During my news paper interview I was able to highlight one event that helped me better prepare myself for the title of queen. Of course I knew 4-H was the only program to pick. Although I did not win the crown it was a great time and I made some amazing memories. This week I am finishing my duties as princess as I attend and promote the maple industry at the Pa Maple Festival. I also have found myself doing small 4-H promotions without even noticing. For example, at events I attend through school. It is funny how a year ago I was shy about talking to people and now everything comes so natural.
Our conference call for this month was cancelled, but we have a lot of exciting events coming up! Next month Capital Days will take place. I am looking forward to this event since this year I will be able to enjoy it more without the stress of it being my first event. Last year at Capital Days, the event marked the first state function our team went to, which meant tons of stress for everyone and new experiences. I also am looking forward to attending a promotion in Philadelphia at the beginning of the next month. I have always wanted to travel there and now I have a perfect reason to go!
I hope to see each of you soon at an event and hope that you are enjoying this nice spring weather!
Your State VP of Events,
Christy Lambert

Time is Flying

Oh my it is hard to believe that the time really is flying by so fast. It's already March and significantly getting closer and closer to SUMMER VACATION!!! Well this month Jeanette Blank, Couincil President, and I attended The College of Ag Capital Day in Harrisburg. We had a lot of fun that day. We met different people who work with the College of Ag and also different legislators throughout the day and while we scooped icecream during the icecream social. I'd like to Thank Jeanette's Wonderful Family for letting me stay with them so that I didn't have to drive such a long distance to Harrisburg all in one trip.
While I was in the Harrisburg area I stopped down to Shippnesburg to spend some time with my friend Caleb on his Dairy Farm. I didn't wake up quite as early as they would usually for milking but I tagged along to get fertilizer and feed the Heifers. I would say my experience that day was more like a job shadowing opportunity and I loved every second of it! While I was there we chatted about MAAC the Mid Atlantic Alliance of Cooperatives, past 4-H and FFA events, and being a State Officer.
REMEMBER:The month of April is Capital Days! So practice your parlimentary procedure, and pack your suitcases becasue it's really gonna rock! I know your State Council is super pumped and ready for that week and your should be too. We can hardly wait to see everyone and meet all the new 4-H'er's to the event.

Enjoy the Sunshine, and remember sometimes it is necessary to apply sunscreen. =)
Have a Happy March!

Jamie Forinash
Council Vice President of Operations/Internal Affaires

PA 4-H Week!

Hey PA 4-H!

It's PA 4-H week. Be sure to tell us what you are all doing in your counties to celebrate !