Now What?... The Wrap-Up

Hello Everyone!

For my blog this month, I wasn’t sure how I wanted to started.  While riding my horse I was mentally drafting ideas for this blog.  I was thinking about starting out like:

“Once upon a time in a state far, far, away,

A group of 8 individuals united together with a common passion…”

I thought that might have been a little too out there so I also considered other ideas.  I contemplated writing my entire 4-H career story – I even thought about describing my entire State Council term.

But, to be completely honest with you – There is no way I could have prepared myself for my last blog.  I have been dreading this moment.  I have been anxious about my last few days on council since the beginning.  This year has been like no other before.  From the connections, to the friendships, to the skills learned – I would repeat this year in a heartbeat.  I often look back to where I stood one year from now as I had no idea what was ahead of me then.

One year ago, I set off on an adventure.  I was uncertain and fearful, but mostly I was invigorated by the idea of being a member of the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council.  I was (and of course, still am) passionate about a program that changed my life.  4-H was, is, and always will be a major component of my life.  One year ago, never did I imagine or fathom what my life would be like after I was inducted in the 2012/2013 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council.

One year from that – here I am now.  I’m at the end of my term as a council member.  I’m about to hang up my jacket and title.  You have no idea how hard that is to grasp.  For one year you build these relations with your team and now you’re faced with the point of no return.  The odds are against you that your team and you will all be in the same location at the same time now.  Time goes on and you must now too.

So now what?  Where do I go from here?

Last month, I blogged about how extremely difficult it was for me to answer the question about “Where would my life be without 4-H”?  I’m nearly faced with this dilemma now.  My time as a 4-H member is nearly over and I’m merely days away from my retirement from council.  My birthday being on December 22 makes this my last year in 4-H as a member.  Did you see that key phrase?   4-H doesn’t end just when you “age out”.  Thankfully, I’ll never truly leave the program.  From staffing events, to volunteering as a leader – 4-H will always be a part of my life and I will always be heavily involved with the program.  I once heard that you make time for the things you love.  I love 4-H and I know that I will make time advocating, volunteering, and supporting the program in the time that lies ahead.

So where am I going after I retire from the 2012/2013 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council?

In the fall, I will be attending college and helping the new 2013/2014 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council in whatever way possible.  In the future, I plan to (and most definitely will) become a 4-H volunteer and leader.  I want to stay in touch with my team as they were my backbone for an entire year.  Those memories don’t fade with time and distance doesn’t fully destroy what once was.

It’s been a year – an inspiring, life changing, dramatic, eventful, and motivating year.  Powerful and influential are the words that I believe to most accurately describe my council term.  My time on council and in 4-H in general, has made a prominent impact in my life.  It’s an impact so great that I can never forget the memories I’ve created and the skills that will carry me on in life.

A BIG THANKS goes out to my amazing team and my awesome advisor, Mya Rushton, for an unforgettable year!

Good luck 2013/2014 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council!  Enjoy your time – it doesn’t last forever.  

Until we meet again.
Respectfully signing off,

Cassidy Baker

2012/2013 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council

"It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right...

I hope you had the time of your life."

Green Day

"Don't cry because it's over.

Smile because it happened."

Dr. Seuss

What a crazy month!

This month has simply been full of family get-togethers, traveling, and 4-H!
As a 4-H council member, we had a great last full month together, but sadly, all good things must end, and when they do, another good thing falls into place!  I am seeing a great council ahead of us, but they've got shoes to fill from all of the previous years'!!!
As a family, we got to meet up with our Brazilian friends and take them to Florida, making me miss the California trip with the State Council, but we were all together in spirits and always will be!

North, South, East, and West, friendships last a long time and never will be forgotten!!

All Good Things Must Come To An End....

  It's hard for me to believe, but yes, all good things must come to an end.  Seems like yesterday I began my journey in Pennsylvania 4-H State Council.  Wondering what I would be getting myself into, I filled out my application and sent it in.  State Achievement Days 2012 approached as did my time to step up on the stage, introduce myself to all the delegates, and my adventure began.

   We hit the ground running as our first event was to attend Ag Progress Days and then it was off to our Officer Training Weekend.  Wow, I was already one month into my year!  My team was working hard, attending events, and planning Leadership Conference.  In an effort to save money, we all created many of the decorations that we used for the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Leadership Conference.  Let me tell you, those decorations have gotten a lot of miles on them as they've been popping up all around.

   No sooner did the dust settle from Leadership Conference, we began planning for Capital Days.  Quickly March arrived as did Capital Days.  Whew, we blinked and the weekend was over.  Not only was the weekend over, but I had now completed over seven months of my term.

   We participated in so many events including visits to Fox Chase Farms, Del Val's A-Day's, County Officer trainings, Pennsylvania Farm Show, Farm City Days, tours of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and more.  What I couldn't believe were the many opportunities that were afforded to us.  Would you believe we were invited to breakfast at the Governor's mansion?  Not only that, but we were invited back again days later to demonstrate at the mansion during a garden tour.

    Does your county have an exchange program?  Well, guess what.  The Pennsylvania 4-H State Council members had an opportunity to exchange with California.  After a lot of fundraising, we were set to fly to sunny California.  Yes, we were fortunate enough to travel to Sacramento to attend California's Leadership Conference just last week.

   There are many things I'm not even mentioning here, but one thing I really have to do is thank the Pennsylvania 4-H program for all that I've learned while participating in PA 4-H State Council.  I also want to take this time to thank Mya Rushton.  Not only do I want to thank you for being a fantastic advisor, but I also want to thank you for supporting us all in so many things we've done throughout the year.  You really take the time to get to know your team and help us build on our strengths and more importantly improve our weaknesses.  Thank you so much as I will take lessons from this whole experience that will benefit me for the rest of my life.  Thank you also to my team.  You all are great people and I can't wait to see where you all go in your future!

What a Month!!

Last month was full of amazing opportunities and this month is packed with great plans!

A very successful 4-H camp ran right before my eyes!  It may have rained for my nature workshop, but thanks to my adult staff and co-counselors, we were able to pull through something extremely fun and educational for our campers! I don't know what I'd do without them in or out of camp!  I also got to take a great trip down south to spend the weekend with my brother, his friend, and go to a family reunion.  On the way back, we got to stop at my great-grandparents' where I got to learn a lot about my mother's side of the family.

This month I am looking forward to exciting visits with my Team and reuniting with my Brazilian friend and her brother to spend a few days in Florida, where they can live the Disney World Dream and take them to Niagara Falls when we get home, two of the things they really wanted to do!

This summer is going by quickly, but I'm enjoying every minute of it!!

"Live in the Sunshine, Swim in the Sea, Drink the Wild Air." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Learning by Doing

As the 4-H motto says we “learn by doing,” the Chester County 4-H Dairy Program exemplifies this motto through the annual “Dairy Days”. Dairy Days is a unique overnight workshop for 4-Hers to learn how to be successful with their 4-H dairy cow project as well as learn about other aspects of 4-H.

Held at the Chester County 4-H Center, this two day educational extravaganza kicks off with hands on activities to help get the youth excited to learn more about dairy cows. Like other county programs, Chester County 4-H is very fortunate to have volunteer leaders who are extremely dedicated to teaching kids about their 4-H project and helping improve their skills. Some of these dedicated volunteers are kind enough haul a few of their extra cows to the 4-H center and allow the youth to practice practical skills like washing, clipping, and showing cows. It is an added bonus that these cows are generally non-show cows so if a beginner is just learning how to clip, it is okay if he/she makes a mistake on that cow. The teens in the dairy clubs have a top line competition with those cows as well.

Dairy Judging, cow parts, dairy quiz bowl, hoof clipping and care, breeding basics, and Vet talk with a local large animal veterinarian are the workshops to help enhance youth’s knowledge on cows. Some workshops have nothing to do with dairy cows, however. For example, Robotics was a new and interesting workshop this year to try and expose the kids to other areas 4-H has to offer. I even taught a simple butter making workshop which was more chance for the kids to take a break from filling their brains with cow knowledge. Of course there is time built into the schedule to have fun so this year we included a relay race and a water balloon toss, both competitions not taken lightly by some.

Though Dairy Days has been a highlight of the Chester County Dairy Program for thirteen years, I’ve only been involved for the past two years. Last year I did a presentation on what 4-H has to offer outside of Chester County with an emphasis on my past trip to the 2011 National 4-H Congress. This year I did a similar workshop called 4-H 101, I discussed 4-H basics, trivia, and the endless opportunities 4-H has beyond just dairy cow projects.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Stuetz

Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Secretary

Starting my career

I am one lucky graduate.  Most new graduates work part time jobs and are still not sure what they want to do as adults, I'm starting the "foundation" of my career.  If you may not know the foundation is the most important aspect in any situation: building, a team, family, and a career.   When I grow up I want to be a Project Manager in the construction field, in other words.... my Dad's boss.  On a serious note, I want to be the one that does the business side of construction.  I obtained a very strong foundation through farming and 4-H, and every day it seems to get stronger. 

My original plain was just to go to school for Construction Management and become a Project Manager after graduating college.  Lucky for me my dad likes to talk and told his boss my plans.  He was actually looking for another Project Manager and called first dibs on me.  They came up with a plan that I will work in the field for two summers of college and then two summers in the office to get ahold of the ropes.  The Monday after high school graduation I started to work in the field laying pipe. After the first week,  I was in the office, I didn't complain much.  I did a lot of reading in the office, witch I am not used to, but it wasn't too bad, I actually had an idea what it was saying.  Two weeks in the office go by and I am told that I'm going back out to the field.  This time I'm helping build a bridge.  that was a great experience and I now understand why bridges are closed for so long. 

Not only is it nice to get a feel of what I'll be going to college for, but also to get a feel of what actually happens and what's not just shown on a piece in the office.  These two aspects will greatly strengthen my career foundation.


Sincerely,
VP of internal Affairs & Sentinel
John Hess Jr.

How 4-H Has Shaped Me

            I was a shy dove. A few years ago I was hesitant to present my project on the Battle of Camden to my small history class. Naturally, going alone to a state event through the 4-H program was completely terrifying for me. However, last August, I stood in front of everyone at  Pennsylvania State Achievement Days and began my term on Pennsylvania State 4-H Council. I became an outgoing peacock.

Rachel and I at SLC
again with a tree!



Rachel and I at SLC!

I was labeled a “dove” by the personality test we took at my first state leadership conference, meaning that I was friendly and loyal, but reserved and quiet. Thanks to my roommate and current best friend, Rachel, I began to overcome my shyness. From then on, we attended every state and regional 4-H event we could. Soon I could be seen leading county council meetings, conducting workshops at camp, and running around belting out camp songs in my bat suit.

            At our state officer training in September, we took the same personality test. This time I was a “Peacock”, meaning that I am outgoing, talkative, optimistic, and enthusiastic. I hope my enthusiasm for 4-H is contagious as I seek to involve more youth in the program. Through my 4-H experience, I have been transformed from a shy dove into an outgoing peacock.

Summer Time!

Hello Everyone,

I have had an amazing first month to my summer and I hope that everyone can agree with me on that! I have been very busy but it has been worth it! I have already had many amazing experiences this summer in and out of 4-H. At the beginning of June, my county took a 4-H trip to New York which was so beautiful and amazing. Between the monuments, buildings, the Statue of Liberty, the shopping, everything was breathtaking. It was a great experience, I got to spend time with my friends and I learned a lot!

After an amazing trip to New York, I got to spend the weekend in Cedar Point with my cross country team. This was very important and special to me because this is the last year that I will get to spend with them being that I am going to be a senior. It is sad, but at the same time it is bittersweet, I don't want to leave my team but I am ready to finish my high school career in an amazing way. The weekend was amazing other than the fact of getting stuck at the top of a rollercoaster for almost an hour. But all in all it was a great trip and a great way to kick off summer training with my team!

I almost forgot to mention that the two previous trips, and the one that I am going to tell you about next, didn't allow me to be home for more than 5 hours in between them. So you can only imagine how many suitcases were packed and unpacked in a weeks time. Anyway, my last and final trip for my kick off of summer was 4-H Camp!!!! Which even though New York and Cedar Point were amazing, 4-H Camp was my favorite and I'm so glad that that's how I got to finish my week. Even though I was a little tired from multiple previous days of travel it was one of the best camps yet! The theme was the 4-H Games! Every camper was asked to bring a nonperishable food item with them at check in to donate to the local food bank. I was the tribe chief for District 5, The Overpowering Orange Orcas, and our district was known for strength and power! The 6 districts competed in multiple competitions, games, and were rewarded coins in return to put towards there district. The campers were also rewarded coins for being kind and completing different activities in their daily workshops. At the end of the week, the coins for each district were counted and the winning district, which was District 5, got to present all of the food to the Sergeant from the Salvation Army. It was an awesome way to end the week and I think that everyone, campers and counselors included, learned a lot!

I would just like to thank everyone that has made the beginning of my summer so amazing, and I hope that July is even better. I also hope to see everyone at State Days!!

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

What's Your 4-H Story?

Hello Everyone!

Wow.  I cannot believe that we are already done with June!  It’s crazy to think that time passes by so quickly!  Did you know that tomorrow is July 1^st? 

4-H brought my team and I to the
2013 PA Farm Show to meet the
PA Sec. of Agriculture, George Greig!

Did you also know that State Council applications are due by July 1^st?? I hope you turned in an application!  Being a state officer has been the most rewarding experience offered to me through the 4-H program.

So how do you make the most of your 4-H tale?  Did you ever hear about a “4-H Career Story”?  Everyone writes their own unique story.  Is being a State Council member on your agenda?  It was definitely on mine.  Actually, being a State Council member was always my ultimate 4-H goal which I am so grateful to have been able to fulfill.

4-H provided me with a new family -
My Council Family.

Now, here’s a question to consider.  How would your life be different if you weren’t involved in your program?  This was a question I was asked during a Speak-Out Panel held at Bucknell University for F.A.C.E. Conference.  That was an extremely difficult question for me to answer.  4-H has always been the greatest component in my life.  Without 4-H, I would not have met all the interesting and committed people I have been fortunate to work with.  Without 4-H, I would not have visited all the new places I have been.  And, without 4-H, I would not have grown into the individual I am today. 

So what is your 4-H story like?  Are you going to make the most out of your 4-H career?  Indulge yourself in all that 4-H has to offer.  Go  ahead and inspire to do more.  Plan new events and commit to new and exciting committees.  Go ahead.  They say that you only regret the things you didn’t do when you had the chance.  Don’t wait. Go.

Until later,

Cassidy Baker

2012/2013 PA 4-H State Council President

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did."

Samuel Clemens

Who Knew...?

 

                Ok, so I think it’s safe to say that many of us don’t really appreciate those 4-h books, but I know that, as hard as they were for me to complete when I was 8, they really helped me.  I remember my first garden that sorta just came up on its own.  Seeds, just strewn about from our fall pumpkins that were just tossed into our compost pile, grew into something even better the next summer.  From that moment, I was hooked.  I’ve grown just about every vegetable imaginable since then, except for celery, but, it’s on my future list.

                The next year, I couldn’t wait to embark on my first 4-H gardening project.  I drew my garden plan, purchased the seeds, and got busy.  In fact, that year I even had a pumpkin large enough to take to the PA State Farm Show in January.  I, at just 9 years old, was competing against the local orchards and seasoned farmers since there wasn’t a class for youth pumpkins.  Still, I proudly toted my pumpkin in with everyone else, and placed third!  I couldn’t believe it!

                As the years passed, my garden…. Hmmmm…  grew!  Not only did my vegetables grow, but the space I needed for my garden was growing.  Every year, I’ve worked hard to learn more and challenge myself to try to grow new things.  I was always very proud when we would have dinner complete with my own produce.  Often, we would only have enough for a few meals, but they were delicious.

                Two years ago, not only did I grow it, but we really got busy preserving all that I grew because what I grew was more than we could eat in a few days.  Imagine my mom’s surprise the first time I came into the house with a five gallon bucket full of tomatoes and another full of peppers and onions.  So, needless to say, we mastered the art of canning salsa!  Lots of salsa!  Now we make salsa, spaghetti sauce, stewed tomatoes, barbeque sauce, every imaginable jam and jelly, sauerkraut, relish, and so much more.  Nothing tastes better in January than opening your own salsa!  And nothing is more disappointing than opening your last jar of salsa before the summer veggies are ready.

                You just never know where that one beginning project will lead.  So be open minded and don’t be afraid to give a 4-H project a shot!

My first sunflower in my first garden!



My first Big Mac pumpkin above and my first
garden pictured below....

 

 

Busy everywhere!!

Our recent trip to Washington D.C. brought us a great time with my brother and we got to see many interesting things, my favorite being the Natural History Smithsonian!  There wasn't enough time in two days to see everything we wanted to, but what we did see was certainly amazing!!
Also a lot coming up this week!  In only a few days, 4-H camp will start and I have confidence in this year's set of counselors and the workshops we've set up for our campers.  I also get a cabin I've wanted for two years! Hello, no worries!!!! Along with our fun Disney theme my co-counselors and I decided on decorating the cabin with and our Disney Costume Party the first night of camp!
Disney, Disney, here I come!! In a month, some of our friends will be coming from Brasil and we'll be spending a few days in Disney with them!  I can now see the new Fantasy Land! You're never too old for Disney!!!
Only days after camp, a Theatre camp where we'll be practicing a play by Robin Caruso! I've heard so many things about this camp, I wonder how it'll go?!

I've got a packed month ahead, for sure!  Hope all of you have a great summer ahead of you, too~!!!

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me....You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." ~Walt Disney

New York, New York!

                My senior class just got back from our trip to New York City. I can definitely say that it brought us even closer than we had been before. My graduating class is only 119, and we don’t really have many cliques, which makes it easier for all of us to get along. Our school is also in a very rural area, the closest big city to us is about an hour away. Needless to say, going on a trip like that with a bunch of your friends is exciting and it will definitely bring everyone closer together.

                When we got to New Jersey we took a ferry into the city. The boat took us all around the city and past the Statue of Liberty. However, we were not able to go to Liberty Island because of the construction due to the recent hurricanes. It was raining when we arrived in the city and none of us were prepared for that, and all of our luggage was on the bus in New Jersey. So, the first thing a lot of people did was buy an umbrella for ten dollars.

                We made our way to the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. The tribute to the men, women, and children who lost their lives in the events of September 11^th was indescribable.  The size the fountain and the amount of names engraved around it were amazing. Visiting the memorial was definitely a time for reflection. Despite how loud and fast paced the city is, around the memorial was quiet and calm. It was a completely different feel than anywhere else that I have ever been.

                Our next stop was Chinatown, where the rain turned into torrential down pour. My friends Kayla and Bear went from shop to shop looking around and avoiding the rain. Despite our efforts to stay dry, we were drenched by the time we bought our umbrellas. At least ours were only three dollars. Luckily, we had time to dry off on the bus tour around Time Square before we were dropped off. When we got off of the bus, it finally stopped raining and we were able to shop without being getting soaked. After our time to shop, we went to dinner at the Hard Rock Café.

                The next day we took the bus back into the city from our hotel in New Jersey. It was probably the most entertaining bus ride that I have ever had. We played all of the New York themed songs that we could think of and our chaperoning teachers danced down the aisle way. It was an interesting sight to see! One of our chaperones was my chemistry teacher, she was definitely the highlight of the trip. The most exciting thing for me was when I realized that we were in the Lincoln Tunnel, which reminded me of my favorite movie, Elf!

                We got to Rockefeller Center that morning and some of my friends and I adventured all the way to Trump Tower and stopped at random shops along the way. My favorite part of this was that I got to walk through Central Park, which made me feel a little bit more at home, aside from all of the fencing and pavement. Then the entire group went back to time square to shop again for a little bit before we saw the musical “Once” at the Jacob’s theatre on Broadway.

                I had figured it would be easy to sleep through the bus ride home, but I was sadly mistaken. Not many of us were able to sleep at all. We arrived at the school at about 1:00 AM Thursday. We were all grateful to be informed that we did not need to be in school again until Friday. Now that commencement is approaching rapidly, I feel very fortunate to have spent so much time with my classmates.

Congratulations Class of 2013!