Dr. Welsh. Caroline.umd.edu. December 2016

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1 December 2016 Caroline.umd.edu Season s Greetings, The holiday season is into full swing and children (some adults too) are dreaming of what the seasons blessings may bring. For many 4-H families, it is also a time to dream big about potential projects for the next year. I m personally inviting each of you to share your 4-H dreams with me and your Caroline County Extension office team. Together we can continue to build upon historical programs in the county and infuse new projects to reflect the changing interests of our youth. I m looking forward to visiting each club in the near future to hear about your club goals and dreams. Send me an or call the office to let me know potential date(s) for a visit. Best wishes to each of you and your families during this Christmas season. Dr. Welsh Enrollment forms and fees for the 2017 year are collected at the local club and then submitted to the county office from 8 am till 4:30 pm. All previous clovers and 4-H members need to re-enroll each year. All club data in the 4-H online system will rollover January 1, Speak to your club leader or call the county Extension office with questions. University of Maryland- Caroline County 4-H Phone (410) Fax (410) Volunteers Needed Christmas in Caroline Saturday December 3rd 9am-4pm Sunday December 4th 10 am-3pm Youth and adult volunteers are needed to help set up, assist at various sites and clean-up. Teens and adults wanting to be craft leaders for the Make it Take it should contact Dr. Welsh at the Extension office ASAP. All cookies for the event should be dropped off to the county office no later than 10 am Friday December 2nd. Sign up here: Legion Road Suite #4 Denton Maryland Administrative Assistant Wendi Potter wpotter@umd.edu Extension Educator Melissa Leiden Welsh, Ph.D. drmwelsh@umd.edu

2 The state ownership deadline is January 1, 2017 for Market Beef and Dairy Steers. Members need to take their animals to the Caroline County 4-H park on Saturday December 31st 10:00 AM to be weighed and tagged. Contact Charlotte Brown with questions (410) Calling all club reporters / secretaries, Tell us about your club activities and upcoming events. Submit articles and pictures highlighting accomplishments by members and volunteers in your club. Deadlines to submit articles for the 2017 January/February newsletters will be Wednesday, December 21st. Maryland State 4-H Council is the premier 4-H leadership opportunity in Maryland. Are you years old for 2017 and passionate about growing the Maryland 4-H program? Then hop on over to the following link but be quick all signed forms and uploads must be completed by DECEMBER 15th!!! It s time to assemble Record Books Record books are a great way to remember all the cool and exciting lessons you learn as you grow with 4-H. The organizational and creative skills you practice by completing a record book are valuable skills for future careers. Record books will be due to the Caroline Extension office by January 18th by 4:30 pm. Remember to make arrangements to have your record book signed by your club leader before you submit it to the office books must be signed to be accepted. A record book workshop will be held at the Caroline County Extension office on Friday January 6th at 6:30 pm. Please RSVP by January 4th. Did you know. Christmas wasn t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870 The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1901 In 1962, the first Christmas postage stamp was issued in the United States. Check out for more facts and sources of each fact listed above.

3 CAROLINE COUNTY Club Highlights Congratulations to the Caroline County 4-H archers who attended the State Tournament held at the Carroll County Ag center this year on October 8th, which happened to also be homecoming for Timothy, Shelby and Meghan. They rushed home and made the dance with no time to spare. We thank Carroll county and all the instructors for hosting and applaud them for a well organized event. FITA (round field) targets were placed yards with a total of 72 arrows shoot at these targets. Fifteen 3D targets were set up at random distances from yards and two arrows were shot from different distances totaling 30 shots. With a total possible score of 300, Timothy placed 1st shooting a 262. The club meets every Thursday night at 6:30 at the Caroline County 4-H center. We are so proud of our members for the way they carried themselves, showing great sportsmanship, and showing honor in the sport they love. Left to right. Meghan, Ashley, Shelby, Timothy

4 CAROLINE COUNTY Club Highlights The Maryland State 4-H Rifle competition event was held in Carroll County. The youth used 22 long rifles for shooting a distance of 50 yards. Shooting positions were prone, kneeling and standing for Timothy and Matt (seniors), and prone for Bobby (junior). Bobby earned a 3rd place victory for his first showing at this event. We are very proud of his accomplishment. Timothy Parks, Matt Saathoff & Bobby Schmick shot very well and represented Caroline County with honors. That s 5 Shots (bottom right) Robert (Bobby) Schmick 3rd place in junior class Timothy Parks just completed what only a hand full of marksmen has achieved. He has filled his entire score card working through the shooting positions and ranks. He is now considered an Expert Marksman with the National Rifle Association and Maryland 4-H.

5 Left to right. Danny Parks (father), Bob Fletcher (instructor), Timothy Parks (Rifle Club Expert Marksman) & Dave Mielke (instructor) Tim used the same rifle his grandfather gave his dad (Danny) gave him when Danny was in rifle club at age 8, 32 years ago. Hopefully Timothy's brother Shelby will soon follow. The Rifle club meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Caroline County 4-H Park. Active Leaders and volunteers in the Caroline County 4-H program are invited a Holiday appreciation dinner at the Caroline County Extension office on Wednesday December 14th beginning at 6PM. Please join us in celebrating your hard work and accept this opportunity to share your learning experiences within our Caroline County 4-H family. Show us your creative side by wearing your homemade (decorated) Christmas sweater and you may be taking home a creative holiday treat. RSVP by 4PM on December 9th

6 Senior Portfolios for 4-H Out-of-State Trips are due to the State 4-H Office by January 15. Senior 4-H members, planning to apply for a 2017 out-of-state trip please contact Dr. Welsh if you need help with the application process. Additionally, mark February 18th for your interview day for out of state trips. Check out the following link for more information. Want to earn project pins? To earn a project pin, you need to complete your project by describing in your record book that you did at least one project communication activity (talk) AND at least one project exhibit at some point during the year. You also need to list your project learning activities on your Does the thought of speaking in front of a crowd scare you? Would you like to perk up those presentation and communication skills? Dr. Welsh is hosting a communication skill building workshop on Wednesday January 18th at 6:30 PM at the Caroline Extension office. Call the Extension office to secure your spot by January 13th. DO YOU want to build or enhance the Caroline County 4-H program? Interested youth and volunteers are invited to the first 2017 meeting of the Caroline county 4-H council. It would be great to see at least one officer and volunteer from each club however all members are welcome to attend and provide thoughts on growing clubs in our county and hosting events to meet youth and volunteer needs. SEE YOU January 17th at the Extension office 7:00-8:00 4-H programs benefit from Volunteers with all levels of skills and abilities and in a variety of topic areas. DO you know an adult that would make a great volunteer or club leader? Encourage friends and family to visit the Extension office to learn more about the volunteer certification process. Perhaps there is a talented parent sitting on the sidelines of your club or civic group Let s get them involved and showcase those amazing skills and leadership talents. Call Dr. Welsh to arrange a meeting to review the steps toward a future as a formal mentor and leader within the volunteer ranks of the Maryland 4-H family.

7 Meet your new Caroline County 4-H Educator/Agent Howdy Caroline County 4-H family, I m super excited to begin getting to know each of you and assist you with reaching individual, club and county 4-H goals. I ve been in 4-H for as long as I can remember, as I was a tag-a-long to 4-H club meetings before I turned the official 4-H 8 age. I grew up on a sheep, beef and potato farm in Cambria County Pennsylvania and completed a variety of 4-H projects and leadership experiences over the years. I loved the years I was able to travel around the state of Pennsylvania to promote agriculture through the cattle industry as the PA Beef Ambassador and PA Cattlemen s Queen. My 4-H & FCCLA experiences led me to start my college career in Family and Consumer Sciences because I wanted to teach in topics that related to real life lessons. My master s degree from Penn State in Youth and Family Education was my introduction to the formal research side of what Extension does in each community, state and collectively across the country. My doctoral study experiences at Purdue University opened my eyes to how science has continued to help agriculture evolve (small and large scale farming) to make better use of our valuable resources. I am passionate about agriculture, helping people achieve learning goals and inspiring youth to be better than the day before. My husband (Jerrod) and I continue to own my grandparent s farm in Cambria County. The farm is operated under the sibling agricultural company I have with my two brothers (Leiden Land and Cattle Company Inc.). Jerrod and I own a farmette in Caroline County and love our extended running season on the shore as running the snowy roads in PA can be quite challenging. Until I meet you in person Make it a Great Day! Dr. Welsh (aka Dr. HoneyBee)

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