 September 2008Newsletter Editor: Contents:
Classes on Web Site ProductionWSU Extension is holding a series of classes beginning on 7 October at the Coupeville office. These classes will provide training for anyone who wished to learn how to design and built websites either as a career or as a career skill. After completing the classes, opportunities to build and maintain WSU Extension websites and the new KWPA website will be available to qualified individuals. For more information, go to the description and application page on this web-site. HELP WANTEDOur Broadcasting Project is growing exceptionally well. We have an energetic team of youth working on it and they are beginning to develop a nice variety of programming options. In order for this exciting project to continue, we need someone to step forward to begin working with us NOW. As an adult Broadcasting Project volunteer, you'll work with youth as they learn how to use available technology to develop music programs, Public Service Announcements, spoken word programs, and more. Your interest and energy levels are much more important than your experience levels, as the 4-H motto is "learn by doing!" Our long term goals for this project include creating a dynamic partnership with the up and coming KWPA radio station, establishing an archive of local interest interviews, providing audio files of educational info addressing local issues, offering a format to highlight our 4-H performing art members, and so many other applications. But we can't do any of them without you. Check out the Broadcast page. If you like what you see and want to help us make sure it continues, please contact Jackie VanniceWSU/Island County 4-H Program Coordinator 360-679-7328 Coming Events
Club Reports
Whidbey Shepherds Katie Leese, Nathan and Grace LaPoint of Whidbey Shepherds competed in Livestock Judging at State Fair in Puyallup for the first time. Maria Leese received the following award at State Fair: Reserve Champion-Sheep Fleece. Karissa Lawson is willing to coach a team for next year's contest. We all learned a lot and would like to try it again.How about some beef, goat and hog kids? Envision six different classes of animals judged by teams of competitors with matching coats rotating in groups of ten. We were impressed by the enthusiasm and experience level of the judges and participants. Looking forward to next year... Whidbey Whiskers The Cavy Division sent three 4H-ers to state this year. We're very proud of everyone! Fiber Friends Adrianna Royal received the following awards at State Fair: All American Puppy Paws Adrianna Royal received the following awards at State Fair: Kelsey Miranda received the following award at State Fair: Happy Hounds Katrina Layton received a Reserve Champion in intermediate pre-novice standard agility, and Grand in intermediate pre-novice jumpers. Annie Mutschler won Grand in intermediate standard agility and jumpers. Canine Champions Scott Warwick received a Grand in senior advanced novice obedience. Kendra O'Keefe received a Grand in senior novice obedience, Grand in senior pre-novice standard agility, and a Grand in senior pre-novice jumpers. More results to follow in the next newsletter after completion of the State events. Committee Reports
Horse CommitteeStill waiting for a full report from each section participating at State which will conclude later this week, we do have a report that Chelsea McHugh earned Grand Champion in Showmanship for Senior Western Games! The Island County Groom Squad - Brittany Loveng, Laurrin Bates, and Sara Nagel received 10th place during the beginning week of State. Congratulations everyone! Denise Boyett has graciously filled the position of Performance Superintendent and Lead for the Horse Project Committee, with Sonya Peterson stepping up to fill Denise's shoes as Gaming Superintendent for the coming year. Both of these ladies have a vast knowledge of the equine division and many years of involvement in 4-H. We thank you for volunteering your time to fill these vacancies and know that you will continue to do the fine job you have done in the past. Looking Back at August
Tuesday, August 12-Sunday, Aug. 17 the Fair was held in Langley. A detailed report of this event is in the Fair Report below. Finally, plans are completed for the 2008 WSU Extension Dance on the Prairie. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, September 6th. A fundraiser for the Extension Program, it is a FUN evening of dancing and catching up with neighbors. Food For Thought
Kelly's Search For The Raiders of The Lost GardenI walked into my garden and over to my raised bed in which I had planted strawberry, asparagus, and Walla Walla onions sprouts a few months ago. I was shocked at what I saw! Most of my onion sprouts were dug up and missing! And my strawberry plants were nibbled! The only thing left alone was the asparagus. What on earth could have done this?
Slugs? No they don't like onions and they certainly can't dig them up. Deer? No, they prefer our rose bushes on the outside of the garden. Rodents? Possibly. Squirrels? Maybe. Rabbits? Hmm... Baby rabbits have been seen running INSIDE my fenced garden. Maybe that's why an owl has been hunting in my garden lately.
Upon research of which kind of owl it was, I found out that Barred Owls from eastern North America are expanding their range westward in recent years. They are taking over the Northern Spotted Owls habitats because they are more aggressive, have a broader diet, and occur in more varied habitats. [1] Well, it is now time to mix lime with the soil, add compost to the soil, sow green manure crops, such as, crimson clover, hairy vetch, field peas, and fava beans, plant garlic cloves, compost garden waste, and finish harvesting crops from your garden. Be sure to protect YOUR fruits and vegetables from Peter Rabbit; he may be headed to your garden soon! Happy Gardening! Kelly Uhlig Resources:
Fair Report
The Fair was held Tuesday, August 12 to Sunday, Aug. 17. It was wonderful!
As always, it was amazing to watch the barns be transformed. Old shavings and straw made way for fresh, clean bedding. Miscellaneous "stuff" that somehow found its way into and behind barns throughout the year was collected and disposed of. New paint was put on, minor repairs were made, educational displays went up, and suddenly it looked like a Fair was about to take place! With only a few minor glitches, all of our animals went through vet check -- and this year for the first time, ALL other animals (to include non-premium event animals) also went through vet check. This was a significant step toward making the fair safer for the public and all the animals. Our new meat goat division was a huge success! Our livestock auction was a hit with the public. We began working toward a manure composting system. The 4-H Building looked gorgeous and ran smoothly. Our judges were great, our exhibitors were good sportsmen, our parents were helpful and hardworking, and our guests were appreciative and friendly. In other words, it was a spectacular event. And now it's time for us to look back at it and talk with each other about how we can make it even more wonderful next year. Take some time with your clubs to consider what worked really well this year, and what didn't. Write down a few notes about what you learned about yourself during those five days in August. Also write down what you learned about teamwork and sportsmanship. While the judges' comments are still fresh in your mind, consider what your project goals for next year might be...and don't forget to document in your Record Book how you were able to work on your goals for the current year while at Fair! Leaders, jot down the repairs that need to be made to your exhibit areas. Note which ones need to be done for safety reasons so the Fair Board can address them, and which ones would be simple cosmetic improvements that your club could take care of. And perhaps most importantly, as you look back at the Fair of 2008, remember to thank all of those who made it possible...Skagit Farmers Supply, Bayview Farm & Garden, Dr. Robert Moody, Dr. Rebecca Moody, Dr. Kent Freer, Dr. Lark Gustafson, all those who donated trophy money, the South Whidbey Record and the Whidbey News Times that gave us such a powerful presence on their pages, all of our superintendents,leaders, and parents -- and all of the 4-H'ers who worked so hard all year long to learn something new and to support their fellow club members. Congratulations on a successful year! What are other WSU Extension programs up to?
Admiralty Head Lighthouse Docents - The Lighthouse is getting the Fresnel lens repaired this month! For more background on the lens and why this project is so exciting, go to this website. Beach Watchers - check out the Whidbey News Times from Saturday, September 20th. Beach Watcher Jill Hein has been busy making it easy for those who fish on our beaches to properly dispose of their tangled fishing line! Click here for more. Waste Wise Volunteers - they are gearing up for an Ag Plastics Recycling Event to take place on Saturday, October 11. Think about all of the various plastic containers used in agricultural activities...plant pots, the wrapping used around round bales of hay, peat moss bags, plastic tarps, and more. Wouldn't it be nice to keep all that stuff out of the land fills, and instead get it recycled and back into use? to learn more about this event, go to this website and click on the entry entitled Master Gardeners - they are getting ready to wrap up their season of plant clinics (offered at local farmers' markets throughout the growing season) and will soon be accepting applications for a new training class. If you haven't checked out their amazing display garden at the Greenbank Farm, you really should do it now as the garden moves into Fall. The display garden is not only beautiful, but very educational. Master Gardeners are often there to answer questions and lead classes. But even when they are not on hand, you can learn from observing how they have designed the space, what they have planted, and how well the garden is growing. Noxious Weed Control - Susan just received a grant to work toward the final eradication of Purple Starthistle, a class A noxious weed believed to exist in only one limited area of Whidbey. As 4-H'ers, we hope you are always on the watch for noxious weeds on your property, and that you do all you can to understand how to properly control them. To learn more about Purple Starthistle, click here. Marine Resources Committee - they are moving forward with a grant funded project in Cornet Bay, as well as on a research project to learn more about some of the birds that play a role in the food web of our island. Check out these projects and more by visiting this web site. You'll find some really fascinating information about things you can see and experience right here at home! Shore Stewards - if you don't know anything about this program, you should go immediately to http://www.shorestewards.org/island/ for more information! We many not all live on the beach, but we all have an impact on it. It would be really exciting to get at least 5 4-H families signed up for this truly powerful program. If nothing else, get in the habit of checking their newsletter for information that relates to local places and situations. Go to the WSU Extension programs website and 4-H is in the business of growing kids! We do this by working in our community to offer a wide range of opportunities for K-12 youth. Our goal is to support kids as they discover their talents and interests and then provide them with experiences to help them deepen, strengthen, and use those talents and interests! In addition to the club structure that many are familiar with, we also offer activities for families that can be done outside of a commitment to a club, and resources for educators to use in their classrooms. |
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