HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXI!

Hello Everyone!

I think that it’s time for me to introduce you to someone that is very special in my life... my horse, Lexi! 

Lexi is a beautiful sorrel and is a registered Quarter Horse that goes by the name, “Chips Are Deluxe” whenever she is in the show ring.  Lexi enjoys many things such as eating, exploring, eating, going on adventures, eating, and oh, did I forget to mention – eating?  Lexi has a very sweet nature and it was a true blessing that our paths crossed and she became mine…

After losing my much beloved pony, Babe, two weeks before the first show of the show season, I was very upset - not because I couldn’t show – but because I lost a friend of mine.  Babe and I had a unique bond and my greatest fear was that I would never find another horse that I would connect to like I had with Babe. 

As they say, “good things come to those who wait”, and it was in the middle of summer that a friend of mine told me about a sorrel Quarter Horse that needed a home. Taking their suggestion, I met Lexi and it was “love at first sight” and “the rest was history” (pretty cliché, I know).

So why am I telling you about this?  Well, Lexi just celebrated her sixteenth birthday on February 26!  So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXI!  I am so thankful to have found a well-mannered and loving horse.  Although the doctors have not cleared me to ride yet, hopefully I’ll be back in the saddle soon (fingers crossed)!

Well, in completely unrelated news, Capital Days is quickly approaching!  I can’t wait to see everyone in Harrisburg for this amazing event.  It’s sure to be a blast and your PA 4-H State Council couldn’t be more excited!  See you shortly! 

Until later, 

Cassidy Baker

2012/2013 PA 4-H State Council President 

Photo by John Hudson Photography

 "Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense, and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.”

Dale Carnegie

Planning, Preparing, and Anticipating! 4-H Summer Camp!

          Where’s the best place to find a super 4-Her? 4-H summer camp, of course!

          The blustery February weather hasn’t stopped our camp staff from preparing fun-filled activities for summer 2013!  For the 3^rd year now, I have the opportunity to serve as a counselor at the Northwest Regional 4-H Summer Camp.  After our recent camp-planning meeting, I found myself reminiscing about great times with friends, camp songs, skits, canoe rides, and hikes!  I have made some good memories and met many of my best friends at camp.  I eagerly anticipate heading of to camp again this June!

Summer camp is a place to learn, have fun, gain confidence, and make new friends.

What do we learn at summer camp? Each year camp has a theme and there are plenty of workshops based that theme.  For instance, last year our theme was “The Science of Motion”. We built and set in motion propellers for a wind turbine that generated energy. Other themes or workshops from past camps include nature sciences, where we learn about the environment and what can be harmful and what is healthy for it. While learning this campers were able to canoe across a river, hike to a waterfall, and swim in the pool of water beneath it.  Past workshops were also designed to teach life skills, such as teamwork, cooking, swimming, safety, healthy living, and leadership.

Although we do a lot of learning at camp, it isn’t entirely about business. There’s plenty of fun to be had, and 4Hers definitely know how to have a good time!  Every morning there are early bird activities, where campers can swim, dance, or play other team sports. After we eat, we sing some pretty awesome camp songs to keep everyone excited! If there’s ever any down time that gets too boring, the counselors know plenty of group games that can be played in a moments notice. The senior counselors who teach the workshops are very enthusiastic, and make learning fun for everyone involved. There are no lectures, just hands on learning. Most campers will tell you that one of their favorite times is when groups put on skits that they’ve created.  You never know what unique characters may appear!

While enjoying camp, 4-Hers may be unaware they are also heightening their communication, teamwork, problem solving, and decision making skills.  That’s because they are having a great time while doing so!  Not only that, many parents say that they feel their son or daughter is more independent and responsible due to their camp experience. It’s always a good thing to make your parents happy, right?  Perhaps the most significant benefit from the camping experience is making wonderful, new friends! 

“Riding the Waves” is the theme for the 2013 Northwest Regional Camp.  There we plan to surround ourselves with activities regarding waves of light, sound, and of course of water!  Be on the lookout for the camp brochure and don’t miss the sign up dates!   If you are not in that part of the state, check with your extension agent or look at your area 4-H newsletter for more information about when, where, and the theme of your area 4-H summer camp.  4-H camp is definitely a worthwhile experience that you don’t want to miss!

Who do you want to be?

Hello Everyone,

I hope that everyone is having a great start to 2013! I can't believe that we are already two months into a brand new year. I know that many of us just got through mid-terms and many other tough school exams and everything else that school always throws our way. Sometimes, with everything that we are involved in and expected to do, life can get a little overwhelming. I myself have been extremely stressed lately with outdoor track getting underway, the new 4-H year beginning, and school. However, I have many great people in my life who want me to be happy and always try to minimize my stress level as much as possible. One of the main people who helps me to stay focused and on the right track with the demanding life and schedule I have is my wonderful coach and guidance counselor. Regardless of what he is doing or how busy he is he always makes time for me when I need him. I was having a very hard time getting back on my feet in school being that I had been sick and out of school so much.

One day at the beginning of February, he gave me a book to read. The book is titled My Orange Duffel Bag. It is an inspirational and motivational story about a boy who played football and ran track but had hardships at the beginning of his life that many of us couldn't even fathom going through. It's one of those stories that makes you believe if they did it, I can do it. I can honestly say that this book has changed my life and given me a whole new outlook on the way I should live my life and what really matters. I have already read the book three times and it still impacts me everytime I read it.

Along with reading that amazing story, I have also taken another step in improving my life and becoming a better person. Even though most of us wouldn't admit it, we always say and do things that deep down we know are not the right things to do. Sometimes we hurt people even though we really don't mean to. My point is that even though many people may not know it we all wish that we could slightly change who we are or the way we act in certain situations.

So this past month I began to try to make myself a better person. I began a thing that I call "Who am I? and Who do I want to be?" Everyday or almost everyday I sit down at my computer for about five to ten minutes and make a list of who I was that day and what I did. I usually have some positive and negative things on my list but that's just the way it is, nobody is perfect. After I have my list of "Who am I?", I make the "Who do I want to be?". This also should only take about five to ten minutes. By doing this, I have already become a better person and I'm greatful for it. So now I ask you, who do you want to be?

I hope that everyone had a great Valentine's Day and I hope to see everyone at Capital Days!
Until later,

Dawn Craft
Pennsylvania State 4-H Council 2012-2013 Vice President of Operations

Maple Season

        After a long, cold winter, everyone always looks forward to the time when the nights are still crisp; but, as daylight breaks, it’s as though you can hear nature’s blessings come to life as the warm air begins to revive all the sleeping growth.  For some people, this season isn’t just another enjoyable time of year; it’s a season that has been part of many generations.  This season comes between winter and spring.  By now, you must be thinking I’m nuts because there are only four seasons a year and there is no such thing; however, there is and this wonderful time of year is called “maple season.”   For the experienced maple producer, this time of year represents an income keeping them busy year-round.  For most, called hobbyists, the season is only approximately two months of the year usually beginning in February and ending in March.

 

       The season begins when winter slowly releases its grip allowing the days to reach temperatures above freezing only to fall prey to winter’s hold again during the nighttime freezing air.  The seasoned producer knows the time is coming not by expensive meteorological equipment and daily weather reports, but simply by the feeling in the air.  When the air is right, it’s time for them to start tapping the trees.  The maple season has begun.

 

         The hobbyists begin in the woods tapping the trees they diligently mapped out weeks earlier in preparation for the season.  First step is to carefully drill a small hole in the tree and then pound in the tap.  If it’s done at the right time and the tree is hit just right, the sap will often splash you in the face as the mallet strikes the spile driver.  I can only compare this experience with that of the Peppermint Patty candy commercial.  The cool splash of sap caressing my face is like that of the cool breeze one feels when one bites into that York patty.  Once the tap is successfully inserted, a bucket is hung to accumulate the sap dripping from the spout one drop at a time.  The bucket is then topped off with a lid to protect the valuable sap from rain, debris, and snow.

 

          Each day, the sap slowly flows from the trees, is collected, and stored.  After enough is gathered, it is time for a boil-down, where you cook all the sap over a heat-source to evaporate most of the water in order to reduce the sap into syrup.  The ratio of sap to syrup is an astounding 40 gallons to 1.  I believe the boil-down is the most rewarding process as you see all your hard work come to fruition.  In my case, boil-down days also represent a time for everyone to come together and enjoy nature beginning before daybreak and sometimes lasting well into the night. 

 

         I am fortunate enough to complete the boil-down in my own log cabin sugar shack.  I pour the filtered sap into the pan then build the wood fire in the stove of the evaporator to bring it up to temperature.  Before long, the warm steam is billowing out of the shack’s roof as if to hang the welcoming sign and almost instinctively, friends and family being to congregate.   Everyone has a story to tell, a memory to share, and good strong hands capable of keeping the fire going strong.  I’m usually filled with a warm fuzzy feeling all over as I absorb every minute of the day.

         

         After a long, exhausting, but exhilarating day comes to an end, it’s time to pour the syrup into a finishing pan and head to the house.  Again, because the ration is so extreme, the evaporator pan is too large to complete the process.  The jars are prepared and the boil is finished when the hydrometer bobs at the magic density reading of 66.   It is time to pour the liquid gold into the bottles.  The best part of all is the Sunday morning breakfast.  Like the flowers bring validation to the spring season, maple syrup brings validation to maple season.    

 

A Fascinating Start

The new year has started off with the always fabulous Pennsylvania State Farm Show where we got to meet a lot of new people and do many things!  To really kick off the start of this year, the Willy Wonka themed State Leadership Conference was a blast with new things at every corner and fantastic people and workshops!

With my local clubs starting to take off again, this year has certainly gotten off to a busy and 4-H filled start with more to come!  Just down the street with the District Three Teen Retreat, Camp Counselor Training, and 4-H State Capital Days, I can't wait to see what else this year has in store with new members and new surprises everywhere!

"If you don't know where you want to go, then it doesn't matter which path you take."

~Cheshire Cat, Alice in Wonderland

Butter Sculpture, Milkshakes, and Beef Brisket, Oh My!

What an eventful January we have had as Pennsylvania 4-Hers! Congratulations to everyone who competed at Farm Show and a huge thank you to everyone who attended State Leadership Conference.

As you may know, every January thousands of people from across Pennsylvania and the country flood the Farm Show Complex for the largest indoor agriculture event in America. To many of you, going to Farm Show every year seems like second nature. You probably know the ins and the outs of that 24 acre complex like the back of your hand. For me though, the 2013 Farm Show was completely new and slightly overwhelming. Walking into the Farm Show Complex for the first time made me feel like a child who walked into an endless toy store; there was so much I wanted to see and explore!  

My first time in the Farm Show Complex was spent with my fellow council team representing Pennsylvania 4-H among all of the commodities in Pennsylvania and influential adults in the agriculture industry. However, what most people remember about that day is that the near 1000lb PA Preferred Butter Sculpture was revealed.  Seeing the masterpiece in person is much more impressive than what my friends described it in years past.

As if I thought the Exhibit Hall and animal halls were a lot to soak in and observe, I did not have a clue what to expect at opening ceremonies. I sure felt like a rock star walking into the Large Arena with State Council. Exhilarating- to say the least.

Of course 4-Hers cannot attend Farm Show without stopping by Hess's Barbecue Booth and trying some award winning beef brisket. I had the privilege to work in that famous log cabin with my State Council team twice, and it was some of the most fun I've had with teammates to date. Not to mention the convenience of being within eyesight of the milkshake stand.

I can’t believe I missed out on all the excitement Farm Show has to offer previously, but I think it is safe to say I will be returning next year and many more years to come!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Stuetz

Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Secretary

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.” –Dr. Seuss

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

I can absolutely not believe that January is already over. I feel like it was just Christmas and New Years; but that's a whole month away now! I hope that all of the state 4-Her's had a blast at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, and of course, at SLC because I know that the state council sure did. Hopefully, everyone is getting ready to attend Capital Days!

Farm Show is always something that I look forward to at the beginning of the year! It's a great way to get back into show season after my county fair in September. This year at Farm Show sure was a great one! I placed third with my goat, London, and I recieved Master Showman as well. To make it even better, she made it to the sale on Tuesday and was bought to be a breeding doe so I know that she went to a great home. I also showed my pig Cocoa at the Farm Show. He also recieved third in his class but he didn't behave quite as well as London did. But in the end, I made it to the sale with both of my animals and made out pretty well.

I love being at the Farm Show to show my animals but I also loved being there with the State Council. We did so many fun and interesting things that I never even knew of before then. I had the honor of carrying the 4-H flag in the opening ceremonies. I had such a great time with the council. It didn't matter if we were out talking, interacting with people or making decorations for SLC together at the hotel. We always have fun! The 2013 Farm Show was definitely the best one yet!

I would also like everyone to take a moment and give thanks for all of the blessings in their lives. My dear friend and fellow council member, Cassidy, was in an awful  car accident the week of farm show. After losing one of my classmates to a car crash in September, I was very upset and worried about her. I'm so grateful and blessed to be able to say even though she is not completely healthy yet, she is on a great road to recovery and she will continually be in my prayers. I'm so glad that she got to be with us at SLC and will be able to continue the rest of the journey with our council, team, and new-found family. We all love you Casss!

I hope that everyone had a great January, and I hope that everyone has a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Until next time,
Dawn Craft- 2012/2013 Pennsylvania State Council Vice President of Operations

Looking Forward!

                The last few months have been extremely hectic and full of surprises. With a new year starting, I’ve been looking forward to what is in store for me.

                Toward the end of 2012, I was working hard studying to take the ACT and applying to colleges. Since I was in the sixth grade, my plan has been to become a pharmacist; the only thing that has changed a few times is the college I want to attend. My choices changed from Pitt, to Duquesne, to Edinboro, to Mercyhurst, back to Pitt. So, when it was time to apply to colleges, I had some decisions to make. My mom and I visited a few more colleges that I hadn’t really thought about, and I ended up only taking the time to apply to three places, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst University, and D’Youville College.

                A few days ago, I sent in my tuition deposit to D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York. I have declared a biology major in the pre-pharmacy track. I scored high enough on the ACT to gain early assurance into their Pharm D program. This means, if I keep a B average and pass the entrance exam, I will be guaranteed a spot in the doctorate of pharmacy program in my third year.  As long as I stick to it, I will be a pharmacist in six years! I am not sure if I want to be the traditional pharmacist though, I may go into the research end of the business. It would be nice to be able to help improve medicines or even develop new ones.

                Not many people I’ve talked to have heard of D’Youville College. This is probably because it is such a small college, which is one of the reasons I chose it. I took a chemistry course at Pitt through the College in High School program, and I constantly got lost when we had our lunch breaks. So, I figured a small campus is probably the right choice for me. Another thing that helped me make my decision, as odd as this may sound, was the chemistry lab in their pharmacy department. I had never considered the chemical research part of pharmacy until I saw some of the equipment in the lab. It was pretty ridiculous to see how excited I was when I knew how some of it worked and what it did. Chemistry is my favorite class (I am actually a member of my school’s Chem Club, which consists of my AP Chemistry three class, a whole seven people), and I can’t wait to be hands on in the labs at college.

 

                On February 22^nd, I get to go participate in a lab at D’Youville’s early assurance student day. I am very excited about getting to know the campus better, meeting new people, and start preparing for my next six years!

               

Good Kind of Crazy

Hello Everyone!

CRAZY!  That’s how I’d like to describe this past month.  With so many events, deadlines, dates, and so much to do… this month has been packed!  Of course though, this month has been crazy in a good kind of way!

As many counted the days until Christmas, I was counting down the days until the 2013 PA Farm Show!  At the Farm Show, your PA 4-H State Council was out and about doing what we love most – promoting 4-H!  From Today’s Ag Unveiling to the PA Preferred Banquet to the Hess BBQ Booth and even at the Opening Ceremonies, your State Council had a visible and prestigious presence.  It was during the Opening Ceremonies that I had the privilege of emceeing the entire festivity– something I was extremely thrilled about!  The first week of PA Farm Show went by quickly and my team and I had a fantastic time bonding and representing PA 4-H!  Now, we weren't finished with Farm Show just yet!  After a couple days of recovery, the majority of the PA 4-H State Council, including myself, planned on returning to the PA Farm Show for additional events.

It was within this time frame away from the PA Farm Show that I was unfortunately involved in an automobile accident and was hospitalized due to a spleen laceration.  That being said, I was unable to attend the rest of the PA Farm Show.  Instead of attending the Public Officials Day Brunch, I was in the hospital.  I was not able to deliver the speech I had written, and I was unable to participate in the much anticipated “Celebrity Cow Milking Contest”.  Life throws you curve balls and it definitely knocked me out with awful timing.  Fortunately though, I have an amazing and wonderful State Council that has provided much encouragement and support.  Tyler, the VP of Events, agreed to fill in for me and I cannot thank him enough for that.  As a team, they all offered me words of encouragement and wished me well.  Looking on the bright side of things, it once again made me feel so truly blessed to be working with such a great group of people.  I cannot say enough for my State Council.

After being released from the hospital, I was able to attend the 2013 PA 4-H State Leadership Conference.  As they say, “rain or shine the show must go on”!  There was no way I was going to allow my injury to keep me away from the State Leadership Conference!

The 2013 State Leadership Conference was a true success!  I cannot express how great of a time I had meeting so many delegates, playing with the bubbles from the bubble machine, eating chocolate, and interacting with everyone.  Did you notice that the t-shirts smelled like chocolate?!  Also, did anyone else see that Oompa Loompa besides me…?   Well, I hope everyone that went enjoyed themselves and plan to come back next year!

But I hope everyone knows that the fun doesn’t have to stop at SLC!  There are so many other opportunities that 4-H has to offer and one of them is coming up soon and that is… CAPITAL DAYS!  So make sure to sign up soon because the deadline is approaching!  If you had fun at SLC, you won’t want to miss Capital Days!  Also, make sure to spread the word!  One of our State Council goals is to see attendance increase so make sure to tell everyone and we’ll see you there!

Until later,

Cassidy Baker

2012/2013 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council President

“In union there is strength.”
Aesop

The 2012/2013 PA 4-H State Council at
the PA 4-H State Leadership Conference!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead

Going to the Inauguration and Lessons Learned About the Cold

Going to the Inauguration and Lessons Learned About the Cold

January was one word, intense!  The only day I really got off was New Year’s Day and then I was off to work for 4-H, school, and the trip of a life time. 

Farm Show, the one place that always amazes me.  As a State Officer I was responsible to attend.  I went to the Today’s Ag Unveiling which was one of the coolest things I've seen.  I also got to go to the PA Preferred Banquet which was a lot of fun mingling with people from all over the state.  Then it was opening ceremonies and volunteer work which I always love doing.  If you haven’t tried the National Science Experiment you are missing out which was conveniently located at the 4-H activities booth.  I also went to the Public Official's Day brunch which was a really cool event as well.

The trip of a life time though was going to the 2013 Presidential Inauguration.  Yeah that’s right the Inauguration.  The downside of this trip: I wasn’t able to attend SLC.  The choice to not attend SLC as an officer was a hard one but in the end I knew I made the right choice.  I got to see several really cool places on Saturday and Sunday including the MLK Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the Marine Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Kennedy Graves, and the eternal flame.  When we went to Arlington national Cemetery the President and Vice President were leaving from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and we saw them drive by which was really cool.

Then came Monday, the day we were all waiting for.  The amount of clothing that we all had on was extensive.  We got to the Mall to see the view of the picture below.  The event was a truly inspiring one.  Getting to see Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor, and Beyoncé perform live at the inauguration was amazing. 

 

Then the moment came, the swearing into office and the inaugural address.  The inaugural address was truly something to hear.  President Obama’s microphone was so loud that the mall echoed with every word he said.  I was truly stunned at the power of his words.

The cold is something that I won't miss though.  Even with four layers of clothing, six hand warmers, thick wool socks, and a scarf the cold still got to me.  But it was worth it!

Going to see the inauguration would not have been complete without going to one of the many inaugural balls occurring in the city that night.  No, we were not allowed to go to the one held in the Capitol Building where the president was, though if he would have showed up to ours I think I would have been so awestruck that I wouldn’t have been  able to say anything to him. 

The next day we decided to go to the Supreme Court, the Capitol Building, and the National Library.  The Supreme Court was a truly cool building to see with all of its architectural designs.  The Capitol Building was really fun to see but it took us forever to find the two Pennsylvania Statues of Robert Fulton and John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg.  But the National Library was HUGE!  Our Principal told us not to wander off but if we found a secret passage, to find him and we will go National Treasurer 2 in here.  Unfortunately we didn’t find any secret passages but I was convinced that half of the group was lost. 

Going to the Inauguration was truly a life experience.  I did miss going to SLC this year but if I had to pick again I know I would pick the Inauguration again.  Some events are worth going to especially if they come by once every four years. 

One busy month

Its hard to believe that it has been a month since Farm Show.  Even though it seemed like the only thing that we were doing was running around the entire complex or helping at the BBQ booth I enjoyed my time in Harrisburg.  I would say the most memorable part was working at the Hess' BBQ booth (no relation) and raising money for 4-H with my fellow council members.  I would like to say good job to Tyler at the celebrity cow milking contest as well even though your team did not win you did great with the stubborn cow that you  had.

After Farm Show it was our big event SLC!!! I've went to SLC two years before this year and I was so exited to actually  have the chance to run my favorite state event.  The two years that I've went I had a great time, and I wanted to give an even better experience then I had.  I believe that did happen because all I have heard was great feedback! I have have had a few friends that I have met the first year I went to SLC come up to me and say it was the best one that they have gone to, that meant a lot to me.

The week after SLC your state council went to Clearfield County to teach officers training.  This was a great opportunity to meet more 4-H members around the state.  The exciting part of that day was actually on my way home.  My wheel actually feel off my truck!  Yes, I am fine. Some things needed replaced on my truck, which is back on the road.  looking back I am very lucky that no one got hurt and that my wheel didn't hit anyone else, and that my grandfather was coming home from Hershey so he was able to give me a ride back home.  I'm not one to complain, moan, and look at the bad things that happen in life, so I look at this and call it a "learning experience".

Until next time,

John Hess, State Vice President of Internal Affairs and Sentinel 

My Years in the Pennsylvania Farm Show

Well, another successful PA Farm Show can go down in the books!  Hope you all had a chance to go there and experience it at least once this year.  The weather was fantastic and records were set once again for attendance!  I can remember my very first farm show I participated in many years ago.  I was very excited to actually be an "exhibitor" in the event I was in awe of.  That year, I proudly marched my "giant" pumpkin into the vegetable room to be displayed with all the others.  Little did I know that my pumpkin was going to be judged against all the fruit and vegetable farmers also displaying their product against mine.  I was awarded third place for my pumpkin!

Also that year, I can remember competing in an event called Aquaculture.  I loved that contest!  You were first given a written exam, something I didn't enjoy as an eight year old, then the fun began.  You went to a room where you were given an aquarium and filter.  It was your job to bring the substrate, plants, and fish to create a small native habitat for them.  I chose to create a habitat for Kissing Gouramis.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was very short and struggled to reach my tank, but I did it.  I stood on an upside-down turned bucket and worked feverishly to get my tank just right and when I was finished, I was soaked from head-to-toe! 

I proudly showed other commodities that year, but I must say that the pride I felt from completing the Aquaculture event has stayed with me all these years.  Why am I bringing this up now?  Well, this year, eight years later, I am still proud to be a participant in the Farm Show.  This year was an especially good one for me too.  I acted as a representative with the PA 4H State Council which offered me countless opportunities to meet some incredible people, speak at conferences, participate in celebrity cow milking, volunteered in the 4-H beef booth, and more.  I also volunteered for the first time as an official Dauphin County Master Gardener.  I participated in the fleece to shawl and sheep to shawl where I sheared a sheep for our team.  I showed my pig, which if you read my last post, not only made weight, but it also made sale placing second in its class!  Whew, sounds like a lot, but I wasn't finished there.  I also helped out with Equine Showcase that my sisters participated in and volunteered for my county 4-H in the information booths. 

I'm only sharing all of this with you because I was just a kid who used to get excited just going to see the PA Farm Show.  Then I joined 4-H and my world exploded.  The opportunities that exist for our youth are endless.  Hope I've sparked some interest in you too!  Oh, I hope they bring back the Aquaculture contest sometime because it was great!