 November 2008Newsletter Editor: Associate Editor: Anna Potts Contents:
HELP WANTEDBroadcasting Project - Our 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 Wood Working Project - woodworker needed to create a new Violet Richardson AwardSoroptimist International of Oak Harbor is honoring young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who volunteer to make their community and world a better place through volunteer efforts. Apply now for a cash award of $1,000 (split 50/50 with $500 to the individual and $500 to their organization). Applications are available at the 4-H office or by calling Jackie at 679-7328. Completed applications must be received by Soroptimist International by December 1st. Meet the Staff
Each month we will highlight one of our WSU Extension staff to give you a better insight as to who we all are and what we do. With this information, we hope that you will be more familiar with Extension and what goes on behind the scenes to keep it all working smoothly. Nancy Zaretzke When first entering the WSU Extension office, you will be greeted by a friendly Cheerfully, Nancy tells of some of the questions that are asked of her from food safety to what she was to tell the person who brought in the bag of dead birds, to the many folks with questions about identification of various insects, to name a few. On a personal note, Nancy and husband Ed live in Greenbank and have been married for 34 years, having moved to Whidbey Island three years ago from Bothell. Gleaning Project
Good Cheer Food Bank has announced the 2009 Coming Events
Club Reports
Central Whidbey Cattlemen We have had our first CWC business meeting in which we elected officers for the new year. The new Officers are Jacob Lundstrom-President, Lance Kidder-Vice President, Maria Kidder-Secretary, Tommy Molitor-Treasurer, Matt Molitor-Reporter. We also are planning our Christmas Party and Community Service project for before Christmas this year. The CWC Club also established Club Rules and Bylaws for this year. Our goals for this year are that at least five market steers will be grown and four bred cow projects will be completed. Anyone interested in joining our club please call Jay or Monica Kidder at 678-1807 Knight Riders New officers for the Knight Rider's 2009 season are: Kelsie Fitzpatrick-President, Stephanie Raymond- Vice-President, Gabriell Fraser- Secretary, new member and Treasurer-Mary Petosa, Cara Mathews and new member Anikka Miller sharing Reporter/Scrapbook. Our general meetings will still be the 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm at the fairgrounds, adding riding meetings the other Tuesdays of the month starting in April. We discussed lots of fundraising ideas and community service projects for the year but none are finalized at this time. Fiber Friends Fiber Friends had its first meeting of the new 4H year and elected officers: Adrianna Royal, President; Allison Duvenez and Tom Campbell, co-Vice Presidents; Sonny Campbell, Treasurer and Allison Duvenez, Club Photographer and Scrapbook. We will elect Secretary at our next meeting. We also worked on drop spinning fiber and had our first alpaca meeting too. We've been busy with community service this month: We had fun at M-C Ranch doing face painting and visits with Gemini the alpaca and we have taught drop spinning to the entire 3rd grade at Broadview Elementary in OH and the entire 5th grade at Hillcrest Elementary! We also have 5 new members who will be attending our next meeting in November. Adrianna Royal, Fiber Friends President Whidbey Lone Stars Please attend our Thanksgiving basket raffle and bake sale in front of Walmart on November 15 from 10-4pm! A great way to begin your Thanksgiving shopping! Officers for the coming year are: The Lone Stars are also providing a food basket to Help House for the Christmas holidays and will be glad to receive any donations. Kool Kats Adrianna Gribble and Irene Gribble of Coupeville and Holly Fisher of Oak Harbor attended the Skagit County 4-H Cat Show on October 25th. Adrianne received Primary rosettes for Fitting & Showing and Costume class. Irene Gribble won Reserve Champion for Intermediate Fitting and Showing, blue ribbons for Type and Cage Decorations. Holly Fisher earned Grand champion Senior Fitting and Showing, Reserve Champion Household Pet Longhair Type, and a blue ribbon for Cage Decorations. If anyone is interested in joining cat 4-H, please give Cathi a call for more information at (360) 679-3674. Committee Reports
Livestock Sale CommitteeThe Livestock Sale Committee awarded the Carcass of Merit awards in September for each of several contests including the Washington State Animal of Merit carcass for Goat, Lamb, Hog and Steer and the Average Daily Gain. The contest winners were awarded checks and Treasury Bonds for their placements. We ate pizza and salad and had a great time discussing exciting topics such as rate of gain, carcass evaluation, back fat at the 12th rib, hanging weight, average Daily Gain and cutability. We also played a game of Sheep-ardy based on the famous Jeopardy game. In our monthly meetings we have discussed our approach to the Livestock Auction for the next year and how to improve it. We would love to have any comments that any of the public would like to promote as well. One of our fundraising methods again this year is sales of Banners that are hung at the fair or in businesses windows. We have discussed the goals that we would like to accomplish this year and are considering several field trips and seminars for the Livestock kids. Look forward to a Livestock sponsored car wash again this year for a fundraiser. The Livestock Sale Committee is also considering applying for a grant or donations for a 4-H'er operated ultrasound unit and an electronic scale if funds are available. At the October meeting we also raised the minimum steer weight to enter the Livestock Auction from 950 pounds to 1050 pounds which will promote a more properly finished steer for the future auctions. Our next scheduled meeting is November 11, 2008 and anyone is welcome to come and visit. Any questions contact Jay Kidder at 678-1807. Horse Leaders CommitteeIf you have a horse, pony, donkey, mule or just a love of equines, now is the time to join horse 4-H. There are classes for everyone from horseless horseman to rip roaring gamers. Island County has several clubs to choose from and more forming. Leader Training will take place on November 8 in Coupeville or 9 in Freeland. The horse leaders committee has scheduled and planned the 2009 show schedule and are working to have trees planted at the carnival end of the arena. Our 2009 superintendents and officers are Denise Boyett, Horse Division Superintendent and Sonya Peterson, Gaming Superintendent, Sue Williams, Treasurer. 4-H members, parents, and leaders are invited to attend the horse committee meetings on the 3rd Thursday of every month. For more information, please contact Denise Boyett, 360-632-4117 or Looking Back
Creating Fall Memories... The M-C Ranch was once again the setting for this year's 2nd annual Pumpkin Patch event and was hosted by both 4-H and South Whidbey Rotary. Families were given the opportunity to spend their afternoons amongst an exceptionally colorful array of pumpkins, fall leaves, and cornstalks. 
Many thanks to the following who volunteered their time for this worthwhile event: Food For Thought
Planting Green Manure Crops
Hello fellow gardeners! Last month I talked a little about green manure crops. Green manure crops are important because they add extra nitrogen to the soil when you till them under in the spring. Well this month I'm going to talk more about them, especially one of my personal favorites, fava beans. Other green manure crops I have talked about are: crimson clover, hairy vetch, and field peas. Ok, on to the fava beans! Fava beans grow well in cold weather, like late fall. They are also easy growers, ideal for coastal climates, like Whidbey Island! They are edible, and are cooked like lima beans, but I use them to fertilize my soil by growing them in the fall, and then till them under in the spring.
Fava beans are upright, non-vining plants that grow up to 4 feet tall. They have beautiful white and purple blossoms before they turn into large glossy pods. You should plant them 1 inch deep, 5-6 inches apart, and the rows 2 feet apart. They take 1-2 weeks to germinate depending upon soil temperatures. Keep the soil moist while they are germinating. They will be completely full grown in 85 days. So there is the fava beans in a nutshell. Let's move on to the other things you should be doing in your garden this month, such as finishing your garden clean-up, using leftover leaves that are mowed up for mulch, and spreading dolomite lime in soil that hasn't had any for two years. Happy Thanksgiving! Kelly Uhlig Below is a link for 9 recipes for fava beans! WSU Extension Program Updates
Admiralty Head Lighthouse Docents Waste Wise Agricultural Sustainability & Land Stewardship Get to know the 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. |
