Making the Best Better:State & National 4-H

Recognition Opportunities

Cayla TaylorCampus 4-H Youth Program SpecialistExtension 4-H Youth Building, ISUAmes, IA 50011-3630p: 515-294-1877f: 515-294-4443cayla@iastate.edu

Overview:• State Recognition Opportunities

• State/National Citizenship and

Leadership

• Award and Application Deadlines

• Application Process

• Effective applications and interviews

• How to encourage state involvement

• State Recognition

Opportunities

• State 4-H Project Awards

• State 4-H Council

• National 4-H Congress

• National 4-H Conferece

Project Awards• Show depth of project

learning experiences• Able to articulate high

degree of project knowledge

• Shares this knowledge with others

• Citizenship & leadership in this project area

• Interview and application

Project Awards• 50 monetary awards given

annually• Beef, leadership,

woodworking, etc.• No more than 2 project

areas per year• Can win only one state

project award per year• Can win a project area one

time only

Citizenship and Leadership Opportunities

• State 4-H Council

• National 4-H Congress

• National 4-H Conference

Iowa 4-H State Council

• Grades 10-11 at time of application

• Chosen by application and interview

• Attend 3-4 times retreats/year

• Plan State 4-H Youth Conference• Make friendships for

a lifetime!

Iowa 4-H State Council

• Serve as ambassadors from state office to counties

• Promote 4-H locally

• Represent 4-H at the Iowa State Fair

National 4-H Congress

• Atlanta, Georgia• Bus trip from Iowa• Application and interview

required for selection• Iowa 4-H’ers meet other

4-H’ers from across the U.S.

National 4-H Congress

• Educational sessions on team building, leadership development and cultural awareness.

• Recreational, social, and cultural activities are a big part of the program.

• Congress-wide service project, tour, and banquet

National Conference

• Washington, D.C.

• Professional and leadership development

• Delegates meet and work with 4-H’ers from across the U.S.

National Conference• Discuss issues relevant

to youth and 4-H programming at the national, state and local level

• Delegates meet with legislators on Capitol Hill to discuss impact of 4-H programming in Iowa.

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

• Iowa State Fair

• State Science and Technology

Fair

• Iowa 4-H Youth Conference

• Animal Science Round-Up

• CSI Crops

Iowa State Fair• Iowa State Fair features

– 4,000 exhibits– 1,000 livestock entries– Daily hands-on activities

• Develop leadership and citizenship skills

• Have fun and meet new people– Volunteering in 4-H

Building or Livestock Shows

Iowa State Fair• Opportunities include

– Exhibit Assistant– Communication

Coordinator– Data entry– Livestock show assistant

• Participate in: – Cook this!– Awardrobe Clothing Event– Robotics Challenge– Film Festival

State Science and Technology Fair• Available to all Iowa youth

(grades 6-12)

• 400 youth research projects are presented by 500+ students

• Participate in workshops and are eligible for $80,000+ in scholarships and prizes

• No qualifier fair required for participation

Iowa 4-H Youth Conference• June 24-26, 2014• Bring 1,000 teens to Iowa State

University Campus• Youth in grades 8-12• Activities include:

– Speakers– Workshops– Mixers– Dances– Banquet– Community Service

• Coordinated by State 4-H Council

Animal Science Round-Up & CSI Crops• June 24-26, 2014

• Held in conjunction with State 4-H Youth Conference

• Animal science & agronomy faculty provide workshops– Making sausages– Exploring rumens– Balancing feed rations

• Crop activities include:– Scouting for plant pests– Lab work investigating and

identifying crop pests

Statewide 4-H Opportunities

• Horse, Dairy and Livestock

Contests

• 4-H Camera Corps

• Shooting Sports

Horse, Dairy, Livestock Contests• Livestock judging,

communication and production through judging contests and dairy /horse quiz bowls.

• Decision-making and communication skills

• County participation required to advance to state

• Top 4-H teams represent Iowa at national contests

Camera Corps• Expand photography skills

• Work independently to identify local photo opportunities

• Participate in educational workshops

• Have photos considered for

selection in future publications and exhibitions

Shooting Sports• Learn safe and responsible use of

firearms and archery equipment

• Learn decision-making, self-discipline, environmental stewardship, and ethical behavior

• Training and competitions held statewide that feature– Archery– Rifle– Shotgun– Muzzleloader– Wildlife Skills

AWARD APPLICATION DEADLINES

• Applications and information posted on website

• Application due February 1, 2014

• Scholarships due February 1, 2014

• Recognition Day is March 29, 2014

• Applicants notified of the results soon after recognition day occurs

AWARD APPLICATION PROCESS

• Applicants interview for awards on March 29, 2014

• Panel of 3 interviewers

• 10 minute interview

• Iowa State University Campus

• Applicants notified of the results soon after recognition day occurs

SUPPORT MATERIAL• Organized to highlight achievements and involvement

• There is no right way to completing the application

• Demonstrate participants’ personality, experiences and skills

• Pictures are often used, but not required

• Written materials may include resume, story, pictures, clippings, selected record forms, etc.

• 4 page application—2 pages questions and 2 pages support material

• Share information about the opportunities

• Encourage youth to apply

• Proofread materials

• Practice interviews-hold workshop

• Follow-up and ask about the experience

• Go through their evaluations with them so it’s a learning process

• Ask youth to share recognition opportunities with others and help

promote in the future

HOW YOU CAN HELP

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/recognition-opportunities

RECOGNITION WEBSITE

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/page/recognition-opportunities

RECOGNITION WEBSITE

ENCOURAGING YOUTH INVOLVEMENT

• What is done in your county or region to encourage participation in state recognition and leadership opportunities.

• What challenges do you face in getting youth to apply for state

recognition opportunities?

• How can we provide further support?

• State 4-H Recognition Day

QUESTIONS??

Cayla TaylorCampus 4-H Youth Program SpecialistExtension 4-H Youth Building, ISUAmes, IA 50011-3630p: 515-294-1877f: 515-294-4443cayla@iastate.edu