Towner County 4-H Ambassador!
Congratulations to Katie W, Eager Beavers Club, who was chosen to be a North Dakota state 4-H Ambassador during the winter 2004 selections held in Mandan on January 17! As a state 4-H ambassador, Katie will attend four retreats a year, help with the State Extension Youth Conference, and be of assistance at the State Fair. Katie will also be able to help with local Towner County 4-H events and those of our neighboring counties. We are proud to have Katie represent Towner County as she assumes her new role of North Dakota 4-H Ambassador!

Fruit and Candy Sales
It�s time for fruit, popcorn and candy sales again! Please read the enclosed information carefully�there are a few changes this year.

Dress Code Change
A new dress code for North Dakota 4-Her�s reads as follows: All 4-H participants/exhibitors must wear a solid white, yellow, or green shirt/blouse with a 4-H emblem prominently and securely displayed on the front. In an effort to promote a professional appearance by 4-H members, it is recommended that the shirt-blouse be a solid colored crew neck t-shirt, polo shirt, or Henley-type. The emblem can be silk-screened, fused or securely fastened using a velcro type fastener or spray adhesive. NOTE: The committee stated specifically NOT to use pins (safety or other) to secure emblems! (At Towner County ONLY 4-H events, a pinned emblem will still be acceptable).

It is recommended that 4-H members wear dark slacks/shorts/skirts, but 4-H members should NOT wear short shorts or short shirts, tops that are sleeveless, low-cut, or ones that allow the midriff to show. Shirts should be of sufficient length to be tucked into the pants/skirt.

This new dress code does NOT apply to horse events�the North Dakota 4-H Horse committee voted to keep their dress code as is: long sleeved white shirt with the 4-H emblem on the front�check the North Dakota 4-H Horse Show Rules and Judging Guide for additional dress code requirements. For minutes of the November 13 horse committee meeting, check this web address: http://www.ext.nodak.edu/4h/horse/min_Jan04.htm.  

Shooting Sports/Technology Day Part 2
Last April, we had a great turnout at the Rocklake School for our first Shooting Sports/Technology Day. We had two groups of adults and students who rotated between Legorobotics, and a demonstration on shooting sports. This year we are planning Part 2, and details are being worked out for sessions on GPS (scavenger hunt using hand-held GPS units) and hands-on archery. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17. More information and details will follow later.

Shooting Sports Training
Are you an adult who enjoys shooting sports and working with youth? We have funding generously provided by the Towner County Crop Improvement Association that will pay the expenses for a couple adults to attend a Shooting Sports training this spring. Overnight trainings are being held in a variety of locations around North Dakota and include archery, rifle, pistol, shotgun, black powder, reloading and hunting. Please contact our office if you, or someone you know, may be interested in being trained as a certified 4-H shooting sports instructor. Trained instructors will then work with our local County Extension Office in organizing opportunities for Towner county youth in shooting sports areas. More information on the 4-H Shooting Sports program can be accessed at this web page:  http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/lamoure/SS/Homepage.html. 

Colgate Youth for America Campaign
Colgate wants to recognize the best community service projects performed by youth across America between the dates of March 1, 2003 and March 1, 2004. Over 300 cash prizes will be awarded ranging from $100 to $2000. If your club has done a community service project this year, please consider applying. Enclosed is the application form, entries must be postmarked by April 30, 2004.

Communication Arts Changes and Resources
1.) Youth can enter 1 individual and 1 team event at the District contests.

2.) No live animals allowed at the District contest.

3.) Three new categories for 2004: Team Demonstrations for both Foods and general categories and Illustrated Talk-Technology.

4.) Time limits on demonstrations: Pre-teen: 2 minutes minimum, 12 minutes maximum. Teen: 4 minutes minimum and 12 minutes maximum. The Communication Arts publication (BA800) is being re-printed, and each club will get a new copy as soon as we can get them.

If any member or club is interested in the following resources, please contact our office:

� Creative Wordworking�filled with fun ideas and suggestions for youth who enjoy writing.

� 4-H Public Speakers Handbook�all aspects of writing and presenting speeches.

� Crazy About Books�information about creative activities to nurture a love or reading in youth.

� Voices from the Past�information on developing an oral history project.

� It�s All in the Family�a source book for fun things for families to do together.

� A Parents Guide to Public Speaking�manual for parents to support their child�s public speaking.

� Communication Activities for 4-H Clubs and other Youth Groups�activities for group settings.

� Teaching Resources for Youth Educators�teaching materials that deal with interpersonal communication skills.

� Communication Toolkit�helps youth prepare for the Communication Arts contests.

Youth Sustainable Agriculture Program
Mini-grants are available in the amount of $250 from the North Central Region SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research Education) for any interested youth to develop a project on a sustainable agriculture topic. Each project will be reviewed by a state committee and up to 8 projects will be selected for funding by the end of March, 2004. One overall winner from a four-state area will be selected for a $1000 scholarship to be used to travel to a regional or national meeting to present a report on their project. Projects that are possible include production of sustainable animals or plants for market, comparisons of farming or ranching systems, case studies of individuals or groups implementing sustainable agriculture practices, or video or digital photo libraries of different farming or marketing practices.

If you know of a youth, grades K-12, who is interested in developing a sustainable agriculture project, please call the Extension Office for information and forms. The deadline for a project outline is March 1, 2004.

Winter Show
Dates are March 2-7, 2004 and the 4-H schedule is enclosed. You may access additional information about the contests on the Center for 4-H Youth Development web site: http://www.ext.nodak.edu/4h/programs/eventInfo.htm. then click on North Dakota Winter Show.

State Fair Book
This year, there will be one book that will include 4-H, FFA, and Open Class. Each division will be printed as a separate section. The 2004 State Fair dates are July 23-31, with pre-registration and reservation of stall/pen/cages due in the State Fair Office July 13, entry of static exhibits July 19-20.

Volunteer Forum
Leaders�mark your calenders now for the 2004 North Dakota 4-H Volunteer Leader�s Forum for September 10-11 in Fargo, ND at the NDSU Alumni Center. This Forum is open to 4-H leaders across the state, but attendance from other youth organization leaders is also encouraged. If any Towner County 4-H leaders would like to be a part of the planning committee, please contact our office by March 1. The commitment would include providing planning input, assisting in finding workshop presenters, and assisting with set up and tear down. The planning committee would convene in March, and meetings would be by teleconference or video conference. This forum is a great educational opportunity that all community youth development leaders would enjoy.

Outdoor Skills Guide
For Sale: Oregon Publication of the "4-H Outdoor Cooking and Living Basic Skills Guide". They are $8 each, payable to NDSU Extension Service. If your club or any member is interested, please contact our office, and we will secure a copy for you. Orders will be on a first come, first serve basis. This is a great outdoor skills resource!

Grant Opportunity for 4-H Clubs
The ESRI Company, the leader in Geographic Information Systems, has opened up a granting opportunity unique to 4-H clubs across the U.S. It is an opportunity to start 4-H community mapping projects in your community. ESRI will be selecting 100 4-H clubs to receive GIS software, introductory training, and other materials. Applications are due no later than March 31, 2004. Please check this website for a grant application and more information: http://www.esri.com/grants/esri/us4h_03085.html

Bake and Take Day
Bake and Take Day is Saturday, March 27. Many 4-H clubs get involved in this day as a community service project, and we encourage all 4-H clubs to bake a favorite wheat foods recipe and take it to friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors, the elderly and shut-ins. Stay for a visit�that�s just as important as the treat! The enclosed recipe brochure has recipe suggestions for this year�s Bake and Take Day, and two stickers are also included to attach to the baked products. Be sure to take photos of 4-H members in the process of baking and delivering the treats�send the phot and brief article to the newspaper to publicize your club�s activities, or send to our office and we�ll help withe the publicity. Bake and Take Day is sponsored by the North Dakota Wheat Commission. Happy baking!

Upcoming Dates:
March 22: Towner County 4-H Council Meeting

April 17: Shooting Sports/Technology Day Part 2 (details TBA)

June 21-14: Extension Youth Conference, NDSU Campus, Fargo, ND.
Open to all youth ages 13-18 are welcome to attend.

July 23-31: State Fair, Fairgrounds, Minot

Towner County 4-H