Sitting on my desk is an apple. I often eat an apple during the workday. Not to keep the doctor away but, because they are portable, sweet and have a long shelf life. Compare that to our native pawpaw, these fruits have a short shelf life, bruise easily and, while sweet, are somewhat of an acquired taste.
As humans we often crave diversity. Our bodies require us to consume a diverse plethora of foods to remain healthy. We crave the opportunity to work on a variety of projects in our personal and professional life. We develop social connections with people outside of our family unit so that we can explore our world and expand our horizons.
Sometimes, however, we are trained to accept monotony. We are exposed to the same thoughts, feelings, foods, experiences day in and day out. We become worn down by the world around us and we put up walls or develop systems where we feel safe and successful. In these cases, we can exclude others from participation in our lives.
In my own life I have learned that building walls only seeks to quarantine me from future success. In the process of tearing down my walls I realized that I didn’t built all my walls myself. Some were placed there by the world and times in which I was raised. Once I removed many of the barriers, I had to accept the reality of vulnerability and develop the skills to accept criticism. If I did not accept that vulnerability- I would have been forced to build new walls or suffer the consequences of low self-worth.
Youth deserve the opportunity to seek success, accept constructive feedback and develop a strong sense of self-worth. From an early age youth can give back to their communities and can make this world a better place. By enrolling in a 4-H club, youth can develop relationships with trusted adults, develop mastery of a subject and improve their community.
Yours Truly,
Tony Staubach
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
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Events: Check out our Hamilton County 4-H 2020 Calendar Here!
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Partner Highlights:
Gamble Montessori High School: Gamble's FFA Microeconomy needs you! They are seeking community partners for their Spring Market on April 11, 2020. If you think your organization would be able to contribute to a fun day and provide opportunities of growth for FFA students, sign up with this link: https://forms.gle/6Wp9SPTPWWkHcKiFA
Educational booths providing family fun experiences and not selling any products will not need to pay any fees! For questions contact: Mary Dudley, Agriculture Educator, Gamble Montessori High School, Cincinnati Public School District.
Cincinnati Museum Center: Discover the science behind the foods we eat in our brand new Kitchen Lab at Cincinnati Museum Center. Upcoming programs include:
Foods Up Close
March 15, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m
April 11, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m
Can you guess what foods you are looking at under a microscope? Discover some of the foods we eat on the cellular level and compare the make-up of healthy and not so healthy fruit.
These programs are free for CMC Members or included with a Discovery Ticket. https://www.cincymuseum.org/sciencemuseum/stem-lab/
Hamilton County Farm Bureau: Hamilton County Farm Bureau has multiple scholarship opportunities for students pursuing post-secondary education including FFA students. Application Deadlines:
• Active Member Agricultural Scholarship – April 1, 2020
• Community Member Agricultural Scholarship – April 1, 2020
• FFA Scholarship – April 1, 2020
If you have any questions, contact our office at 513-831-5870 or via email at hamilton@ofbf.org.
Hamilton County Community Fair: In order to participate in Hamilton County Community Fair youth must be enrolled 4-H members by March 1 of current year. For example, to participate in 2020 fair, youth must be enrolled/active 4-H members by March 1, 2020. Registered 4-H members, Cloverbud, and Immediate Family Members**, 6 years and older, may purchase a weekly fair admission for $15/person. Purchase of weekly admission also provides the individual with membership of the Hamilton County Community Fair Association and full voting rights to anyone over the age of 16.
** Immediate family members refer to those residing in the same household as the participating 4-H youth.
Volunteer Needs:
Looking to volunteer with Hamilton County 4-H. We are looking for adults to serve as club advisors at our afterschool sites. Click Here to check out the job description.
Chick Quest:
It’s that time of the year. Classroom Teachers can sign up for ChickQuest. This year we are asking for a $25 donation (or whatever you can afford) to support the program payable by cash, Credit Card or Check to OSU Extension, Hamilton County. The basic kit includes, eggs, incubator, teacher manual, a cardboard brooder box, and a light. Workbooks for students cost $5 each or $50 for 25 books.
Eggs will go out the first Wednesday of each month beginning in February and continuing through April.
To learn more or to sign up click here.
Donate: Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Nancy and Colonel David Bull, we can enhance the impact of the 4-H program for generations of youth to come through the establishment of an endowment to be used exclusively for 4-H programming in Hamilton County. Nancy and David Bull have a deep sense of the community of philanthropy. They would like to leverage their gift of $50,000, half the amount needed to fund the $100,000 endowment, as a challenge gift to other donors who are interested in establishing support of Hamilton County 4-H. Their gift will match dollar-for- dollar to the first $50,000 raised to establish the Hamilton County 4-H Endowment. To donate click here.