Don't Blink!

"Don't Blink Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink You just might miss your babies growing like mine did Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half" Of fifty years is there in bed And you're praying God takes you instead Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think So don't blink" - Kenny Chesney

I begin with these lyrics because February has gone by so incredibly fast that it helps show how fast this year is going by. Remember reading that January post about how busy we were, well the truth is that was just the beginning. It is a true statement when springtime arrives everything takes off. This past month I got the opportunity to go and give a Parli Pro Workshop to the teens of the "Old" Capital Region. It was great to see the next teens that may fill our shoes one day of the 4-H program being so active and willing to learn. It also gave me a chance to meet a few more youth in 4-H I had not meant before. The 2010 - 2011 Council has less than six months left and we are ready to go out just as strong as we started. Sometimes we get caught up in the fact that something is about to end and forget to live out the remainder of it. 4-H has been my life since I have joined the program seven years ago. My college, my major, a good amount of friends, skills, experiences, and much more has come out of my past seven years in the program. I continue to remind myself not to blink and miss something as my last year is taking place. As you go and get that Champion out of the herd for your market project you know that the prime of the 4-H year is beginning to take place for the kids with livestock projects. I cannot wait to see what the next five months have in store. I know sometimes it will be tough for me to keep looking into the present and future to see what will be coming but I know that we are all a team and we will all finish strong. We started out seven months ago not knowing anything about each other and now today we have formed friendships and bonds that are continuously growing stronger. There are tough times and there are good times but we always do it together. 2010 - 2011 Council these last five months are going to be some great ones. So remember don't blink another month gone just like that.

Your 2010 - 2011 President,

Logan Hall

Spring Feaver

The snow is finally melting and spring is just around the corner. I am ready for birds to be chirping, bees buzzing, and the snow to disappear. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the snow days, and skiing on the weekends, but I am definitely ready for spring to be here. I love the warm weather, and being out in the sunshine more than anything. As spring fastly approaches, State Council has to get ready to work again. We have to start preparing for Capital Days, and come up with a theme for State Achievement Days. Of course this is going to be a lot of work, but I'm sure we will have tons fun. Now that we are preparing for State Achievement Days made reality set in. At our last conference call Logan reminded us all that we only have about five months left on council! It is so surprising how fast time really flies. It just feels like yesterday that we just got inducted into office. Even though we have a short amount of time left we are still working hard and still accomplishing our goals!

State Council Secretary

~Samantha Gstalder~

As February comes to an exciting end, I've been thinking much more seriously about what exactly I want to do for the rest of my life. I've been hearing from a lot of people in the business, and none of it good. I have been looking more into making the military as a career and it looks pretty awesome.

The benefits that are opened up by staying in the air force are staggering. The job that I am looking at currently is a security forces apprentice. At this position I can work my way towards becoming a Combat Arms Specialist. Becoming a C.A.S. would pretty much be my dream job. Their job is to train base personnel in small arms marksmanship and how to clean and perform minor repairs on their weapons. That is what I do every week at 4H with the younger members! Competitive shooting and firearm education has always been a passion of mine, and getting to do that every day, would just be amazing for me.

God Bless

-Seth Jones

VP of Internal Affairs

Is it just me or is time flying ?¿?

As the year flys by i am realizing i am about to become an adult.....i used to want to grow up now i want to stay 17 forever. But oh well i want to say i had a blast at SLC this year being on the other side of the program. I want you all to see the behind the scenes of the weekend it's amazing. Farm Show was sweet we all got to go to the dinner and meet the state's important people.

I cannot wait until SUMMER!!!!!! does anyone feel the same??¿¿ I am getting my truck ready for the pulling season so come out and cheer. I have been accepted to five colleges and I am having a hard time deciding where to go. Hope my choice is the right one!

Your,
PA Council Vice President of Events
CJ Adams
peace

I'm in A Hurry And Don't Know Why

It's like January just showed up and left without letting us know that he was here and never stopped to say hey or anything, or is it we where all to busy to stop and say hello to him. Sometimes I wonder if that isnt the problem when people say that time flies by and that it is just that people do not just take the time to stop and look and listen to the clock instead of always saying" O no I am late, I better run" . The Human race is funny because we are always in a hurry and we dont always no why. Maybe we are in a hurry because we try and push the snooze button twice likee myself and then in turn get dressed and ready for school in 10 minutes and run into school with a minute to the homeroom bell. And whats funny is we will do all agian tomorrow even on purpose again. Another reason is that we try and get it all done in one day but the truth is it is not going anywhere today and so it will always be there tomorrow to work on and in way is going to leave you. So in the End think, Why do you hurry?  (Jonathan Yoder Historian and Reporter)

Is January Over Yet?

This past month was a little crazy for most of us council members; what with Farm Show and State Leadership conference. But now with those out of the way we can take a short break for a bit. However coming up in May we have our PA State Capitol Days.

But with 4-H aside, this past week I delivered my final presentation for my high school senior project. (an assignment necessary for me to graduate) I did my project based on the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, which is sponsored by the NRA. The program teaches children in grades K-3 about the 4 basic ways to stay safe around firearms, which are,

STOP

DON'T TOUCH

LEAVE THE AREA

AND TELL AN ADULT.

I particularly liked this program, because sadly gun safety is no longer taught in schools, so children are no longer instructed about gun safety unless the attend a hunter's safety class. As a plug for the 4-H program after I presented I also offered the number for the local extension office for interested kids, who when they were ready, could enroll in our local shooting sports clubs.

WOW time does fly!

WOW, what a month!! When I last posted a blog I was packing to head to the farmshow for a fun filled adventure with family, close friends, and my fellow council members; now the month is over and I have made many new memories, new friends and learnt many new things. My week at farmshow allowed for many new friendships I met many new people and strengthened friendships by staying with my council members for a night! Attending the farmshow as a state council member was a once in a life time event!! Attending the governors banquet I talked to many people who are involved with Ag like I! Then the opening ceremonies where I got to represent 4-H as a state council member was so much fun hoping it didn't turn out like Noah's Ark we entered the large arena with all eyes on us the representatives of 4-H. Farmshow allowed for some personal goals to be reached as well! I got master showman with my lamb!! That was great honor for me. The next weekend I was PSU bound for one last chance to practice! After listening to CJ ask me if I was going to hop one hundred or so times we had our lines down. We were ready to go!! When we got to the conference center the next weekend we all had jitters!! After decorating we decided to give Mya her birthday gifts and cake (which she knew nothing about) Good job council. Kicking off the weekend we all got to see if a carer as a quick change artist would be good for us as we switched outfits from our skit clothes to our official dress. Then we had many wonderful speakers who we are grateful for. As the weekend continued we made new friends (The wonderful folks from Tennessee state council) and many others we learned new things and made many unforgettable memories. As I start to finish this entry realizing I could go on and on and on about this past month I would like to say Thanks for helping us make a great conference and hope to see you all in the near future!! Have a great 2011 its off to a wonderful start!!

Thanks for reading,
Echo Kincaid
VPO :)

The time of OUR lives

The new year approached so fast and state council was busier then ever. We kicked off our new year by spending a weekend at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show. We had the opportunity to dine at the governs dinner, and participate in the opening ceremonies parade of commodity reps. After participating in those two events it makes you look at the Farm Show in a whole different perspective. As the excitement of the Farm Show came to an end it was time to prepare for the Leadership Conference.
The weekend came so fast as we were all warming up by practicing the hand jive and getting ready for Saturday's hop. This was our time to shine, as we hosted the biggest number of people ever to attend the conference, which was 360 people. We also hosted our special guest from the Tennessee council.The conference was so much fun and it all started off with fifties games and root beer floats, and of course I can't forget about the great skit that the we preformed. It was a great way to kick-off the conference. The next day was another day of fun and excitement. Of course there were the great workshops throughout the day, but this years dinner speaker was truly amazing. The Brain show was highly entertaining, educational, and full of fun dances. Then as the conference came to an end, it was sad to leave, and say goodbye especially to are new friends from Tennessee but thankfully we will all be visiting them in July for their conference. This event was so much fun, stressful at times, but when we look back at those moments we will just laugh. It was a phenomenal experience, and I can't wait for Capital Days!

State Council Secretary
~Samantha Gstalder~

WHAT A MONTH!

What an incredible beginning to the year 2011 for the Pa 4-H State Council. As a council we spent the first weekend of the Pennsylvania State Farm Show together representing Pa 4-H and the 125,000 plus youth we represent. As president I was given the privilege and honor to get my photo taken with Secretary Redding and then with all the other representatives of the Ag Community. We then got to enjoy the Governor's Dinner and speak with a number of people that are supporters of 4-H as well as supporters of Agriculture as a whole. As the week continued I stayed busy volunteering and representing 4-H. My 2011 Pa State Farm Show week consisted of volunteering at the Livestock Office, volunteering at the 4-H booth, and having the once in a lifetime opportunity to be asked to represent 4-H as one of the selected few asked to be there to accept a check for the Farm Show Scholarship Foundation. It was an week of fun, meeting new people, representing 4-H and making unforgettable memories with every opportunity I was given.

As the Pa State Farm Show came to an end I headed to the Penn Stater for the State Leadership Conference Walk Thru the Council had. We got a chance to finalize our last few plans for the conference so we could make it the best.

A week later we all returned for the conference we had been planning since our term began. More than 360 4-H youth were at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center to take part in an amazing opportunity for 4-H teens. This was a weekend of teens getting the chance to expand and learn more leadership skills while getting to meet other 4-H members from all over Pennsylvania. The Conference was a true success. As a state we expanded our leadership skills and took this opportunity which helped us be a step ahead in the world. As a council we were given the time to show our hard work and it helped our bond as a council grow tremendously. We spent a large number of hours working to strive toward success which is believed was reached. As a council getting to see that end product makes every tough moment worth it. The memories as a council, the laughs, the tears, the disagreements, the fun, and the joys will stay with each one of us for life. We also got a chance to meet some pretty amazing people from Tennessee State Council and we cannot wait to see you all in July! Being one of the seven council members that plan one of the largest youth leadership conferences is Pa is a privilege and a honor. A huge thank you to every volunteer and educator as well as every speaker and presenter that helped make 2011 SLC one to remember. And remember Pa 4-H as Ms. Christy Bartley said, "You have to do your best 100% of the time not just 99.9%." I cannot wait for all the other opportunities awaiting for council, as well as myself personally.

Your PA 4-H State President,

Logan Hall

Remember, "There are always issues; they come with every event. It is how we handle them and get past them that matters." - An incredible Advisor

New Year, and boy is it busy!

Well, happy New Year everybody. And we had Christmas last week. I hope all of you in PA 4-H had a great Christmas.This month should be a good month for me and everybody in 4-H. This weekend is Farm show which, I have heard is one of the greatest weeks of the year but I have never gone. So, farm show will hopefully be a great experience for me. This month we also have State Leadership Conference so get your leather jackets and your poodle skirts and prepare for an amazing weekend at the Penn stater. I hope to see you all at at least one of the events this month. Have a great January!

Another year over and another one has begun!

The new year is beginning and the 4-H State Council is ready to bond and spend a ton of time together! We have farm show, one of the best weeks in the year! The past year has been a blast the days aways pass by so fast. There were tough times to arise but we always have our eye on the prize. Graduating from high school and now testing those learning tools. Now the first semester of college went right by and it felt like just yesterday we all said goodbye. Our new team is ready for State Leadership Conference in Happy Valley the 50's will be this years rally. As the state comes together as one we are always for sure to have fun. But always remembering we are there to grow in leadership on our three day trip. Happy 2011 from Pennsylvania's top seven! Good luck to everyone for a good year and we all know in July we will hold back that tear.

Logan Hall
2010 - 2011 Pa State 4-H President

January keeps council close

So as I sit here and debate about what to put in this blog entry I think of all the times I will see my fellow council members in the next month! To start off this month we have farm show. At farm show we will all be together at the governors diner and then at opening ceremonies for the farm show. We will stay together in a hotel near Harrisburg and all commute together to and from the farm show complex. I know for a fact we are all excited do to the fact we have not seen each other since October. Then on the 15Th of this month we will all be together for our council walk through at the Penn stater for state leadership conference (less than a month away)!!! Then the next weekend is the 2011 State leadership conference!! Our council has worked so hard to pull things together to make it an SLC to remember!! We are excited to meet new 4-Hers from across the state and to reconnect with old ones we have made at previous SLC's. So I have come to the conclusion that January will keep me busy and well acquainted with my fellow council members. So until next time have a safe month and I hope to see you all at farm show or SLC! Here's to a great year,
Echo Kincaid (state council Vice president of operations)