Alaska 4-H: In the NEWS
Peter Stortz, Photo courtesy of UAF Cooperative Extension Service
Retired Palmer 4-H agent Peter Stortz will be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on Oct. 11, becoming the sixth Alaskan to receive that honor.
The Hall of Fame recognizes 4-H volunteers, Cooperative Extension Service professionals, staff and others who made a significant impact on the 4-H youth program at the local, state or national level.
Stortz, a professor emeritus with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, will be recognized for his contributions to 4-H, particularly with environmental education. In his nominating letter, Southeast Extension agent Darren Snyder said Stortz is known nationally for his innovative approach to teaching math and science in culturally relevant ways.
Stortz has a long history of working with youths in Alaska that began in 1978 as director of a Youth Conservation Corps camp near Juneau. He served as the director of a 4-H environmental education center in Wisconsin before returning to Alaska in 1989 as the Palmer 4-H agent for the UAF Cooperative Extension Service.
Five years later, he became the statewide 4-H fisheries and natural resource specialist. He inherited a salmon incubation and fisheries education project involving youths in 10 central Yukon River communities. Through the project, teens in Kaltag also got paid for counting salmon for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
“It wasn’t just an exercise,” he said. Fish and Game used the students’ daily weir counts to gauge the strength of the chum and king salmon runs. Their counts were part of the information used to decide when to open and close the commercial and subsistence fishery.
Stortz also trained teachers on how to run a classroom salmon-incubation project that grew to encompass more than 100 Alaska communities. The project evolved into a four-day natural resource education in-service training with other agencies that melded Western science about salmon and traditional knowledge.
“It wasn’t just science from a Western perspective,” he said. “We tried to create culturally meaningful experiences for people in their own classrooms.”
Stortz also coordinated a 4-H teen leadership experience and regularly shared information about his programs with others regionally and nationally.
He said he is honored by the hall of fame recognition and the opportunities he has had in Alaska. Stortz retired in 2013 and continues to volunteer as a judge for 4-H and FFA public speaking contests and at the Alaska State Fair. He plans to attend the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with family members. Fifteen others will be inducted.
4-H is a youth program affiliated with the Cooperative Extension Service and has an 89-year history in Alaska.
Stortz’s other retirement activities include compiling a history of Youth Conservation Corps camps in Alaska with comments from former participants.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Peter Stortz, pjstortz@alaska.edu
article from UAF Cornerstone 10/11/19
School district to give 4-H partner award
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District will recognize 4-H as an Outstanding Partner in Education at an awards ceremony on Oct. 11. An email from the school district said that Superintendent Karen Gaborik and the Bright Future Leadership Team will present an award to 4-H and recipients in other categories. The third annual Partners in Education Reception will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the DeWild Theater at West Valley High School. 4-H was nominated by Julie Wilde-Curry, director of the district's Community After-School Programs.
article from SNRE enews October 6, 2017
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District will recognize 4-H as an Outstanding Partner in Education at an awards ceremony on Oct. 11. An email from the school district said that Superintendent Karen Gaborik and the Bright Future Leadership Team will present an award to 4-H and recipients in other categories. The third annual Partners in Education Reception will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the DeWild Theater at West Valley High School. 4-H was nominated by Julie Wilde-Curry, director of the district's Community After-School Programs.
article from SNRE enews October 6, 2017
Bristol Bay 4-H Partners with USFWS with Ranger-For-A-Day program
The United States Fish and Wildlife services partnered with Bristol Bay 4-H to provide a unique Ranger for a Day program; for youth ages 10-17. Youth attending these three, single day events, met on the shore of Lake Aleknagik to participate in art, boating and bear safety lessons, and an introduction by a Park Ranger. Then the groups traveled by skiff to a near by stream for hands on activities in fishery biology.
Youth studied life cycles, habitats, food sources, and fishery biology. 23 youth attended the program. This successful and stimulating event introduced youth to the largest National Park in the United States, career fields in art, wildlife biology and Parks and Recreation, Park Ranger and local fisheries. (July 24, 2017)
Youth studied life cycles, habitats, food sources, and fishery biology. 23 youth attended the program. This successful and stimulating event introduced youth to the largest National Park in the United States, career fields in art, wildlife biology and Parks and Recreation, Park Ranger and local fisheries. (July 24, 2017)
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Detecting Parasites and Providing Animal Care
A 4-H member in Soldotna learns how to check sheep lungs.
Dr. Lisa Lunn is working on an integrated pest management grant that focuses on training ruminant livestock producers how to detect the presence of parasites in their herds and how to effectively treat the problem. As part of the ongoing study, she traveled to Palmer and Soldotna in June to collect fecal samples for analysis and to put on seminars for livestock producers and 4-H members. Two UAF veterinary students, Lauren Steininger and Megan Gisonda, accompanied her to provide the hands-on labs.
For the producer seminar, Lunn said a discussion titled, "12 Reasons Your Deworming Program May Not Be Working" was followed by a lab using Lee Hecimovich's adorable Icelandic sheep. The veterinary students demonstrated how to score body condition, evaluate sheep for wireworm and evaluate for the presence of bottle jaw. Producers were given the opportunity to perfect their techniques and ask questions pertinent to their farm. At the end of the training, attendees were given a series of laminated cards designed to help them practice at home.
4-H members attended a seminar on animal health. The youth received a stethoscope and were taught how to evaluate their livestock projects for illness. They practiced body condition scoring, listening to heart and lung sounds, assessing rumen contractions, and using a weight tape. Lunn said the kids asked really great questions. The Palmer seminar was hosted at the Mat-Su facility with Lee's sheep. Lunn said the Rankin family graciously hosted the Soldotna seminar, complete with sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, and 25 very enthusiastic kids! Lunn thanks Lee Hecimovich and Janice Chumley for all their help organizing and advertising these seminars.
article and photo from SNRE enews August 11, 2017
For the producer seminar, Lunn said a discussion titled, "12 Reasons Your Deworming Program May Not Be Working" was followed by a lab using Lee Hecimovich's adorable Icelandic sheep. The veterinary students demonstrated how to score body condition, evaluate sheep for wireworm and evaluate for the presence of bottle jaw. Producers were given the opportunity to perfect their techniques and ask questions pertinent to their farm. At the end of the training, attendees were given a series of laminated cards designed to help them practice at home.
4-H members attended a seminar on animal health. The youth received a stethoscope and were taught how to evaluate their livestock projects for illness. They practiced body condition scoring, listening to heart and lung sounds, assessing rumen contractions, and using a weight tape. Lunn said the kids asked really great questions. The Palmer seminar was hosted at the Mat-Su facility with Lee's sheep. Lunn said the Rankin family graciously hosted the Soldotna seminar, complete with sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, and 25 very enthusiastic kids! Lunn thanks Lee Hecimovich and Janice Chumley for all their help organizing and advertising these seminars.
article and photo from SNRE enews August 11, 2017
New York 4-H group completes exchange in Fairbanks
4-H'ers from Fairbanks and New York and their advisers pose at the Teklanika stop in Denali National Park during their exchange.
- Marla Lowder
The Tanana District Teen Club just completed its two-year exchange with Rensselaer County, New York. Last year 10 of our teens and two adult advisers traveled to New York, stayed with host families and toured the area, including a trip to the Big Apple. They learned about the region's 4-H program, culture and history. This year, those same 10 youth and two advisers that hosted us traveled to Fairbanks. While they were here, we spent three days in Denali. We went to the Denali Dinner Theater, rode the shuttle bus into the park, saw the dog sled demonstration and then rode the Alaska Railroad back to Fairbanks. Around Fairbanks we did the Riverboat Discovery, Gold Dredge 8, Chena Hot Springs and the Large Animal Research Station. We also had some some time for families to do fun activities with the teens.
Our teens do fundraising throughout the year to help them participate in activities like this. This is a great program as it also teaches life skills such as compassion, understanding differences and teamwork and allows them to make new friends. This is our fourth successful exchange and we look forward to our next adventure.
article and photo from: SNRE eNews July 14, 2017
The Tanana District Teen Club just completed its two-year exchange with Rensselaer County, New York. Last year 10 of our teens and two adult advisers traveled to New York, stayed with host families and toured the area, including a trip to the Big Apple. They learned about the region's 4-H program, culture and history. This year, those same 10 youth and two advisers that hosted us traveled to Fairbanks. While they were here, we spent three days in Denali. We went to the Denali Dinner Theater, rode the shuttle bus into the park, saw the dog sled demonstration and then rode the Alaska Railroad back to Fairbanks. Around Fairbanks we did the Riverboat Discovery, Gold Dredge 8, Chena Hot Springs and the Large Animal Research Station. We also had some some time for families to do fun activities with the teens.
Our teens do fundraising throughout the year to help them participate in activities like this. This is a great program as it also teaches life skills such as compassion, understanding differences and teamwork and allows them to make new friends. This is our fourth successful exchange and we look forward to our next adventure.
article and photo from: SNRE eNews July 14, 2017
President and CEO of National 4-H Council earns Top honors
Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of National 4-H Council, was recently recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Creative People of 2017.
For many Americans, the name 4-H still evokes images of kids raising sheep for the county fair. But today, the nonprofit organization serves more young people in urban and suburban areas than in rural ones. In addition to courses in animal husbandry, 4-H offers school and community programs in robotics, rocketry, and computer coding—which increasingly provide students in cash-strapped school districts, from Appalachia to Ferguson, Missouri, with their sole opportunity for hands-on STEM education. In 2016, CEO Jennifer Sirangelo launched the “Grow True Leaders” rebranding initiative to promote the diversity of 4-H programs and participants—with the aim of boosting membership from 6 million to 10 million by 2025. A splashy event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., in March, for example, honored past 4-H’ers including actress Aubrey Plaza and Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore. “Our alumni are at different places than you might think—from NASA to the NBA to Facebook,” Sirangelo says. “Ten governors and over 50 members of Congress are 4-H alumni.” Her efforts are paying off: Alumni social media engagement is up 40%, and unrestricted fundraising has grown 27% in the past year.
Jennifer Sirangelo On The Web
Twitter
article from: https://www.fastcompany.com/person/jennifer-sirangelo (accessed 5/18/17)
Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of National 4-H Council, was recently recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Creative People of 2017.
For many Americans, the name 4-H still evokes images of kids raising sheep for the county fair. But today, the nonprofit organization serves more young people in urban and suburban areas than in rural ones. In addition to courses in animal husbandry, 4-H offers school and community programs in robotics, rocketry, and computer coding—which increasingly provide students in cash-strapped school districts, from Appalachia to Ferguson, Missouri, with their sole opportunity for hands-on STEM education. In 2016, CEO Jennifer Sirangelo launched the “Grow True Leaders” rebranding initiative to promote the diversity of 4-H programs and participants—with the aim of boosting membership from 6 million to 10 million by 2025. A splashy event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., in March, for example, honored past 4-H’ers including actress Aubrey Plaza and Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore. “Our alumni are at different places than you might think—from NASA to the NBA to Facebook,” Sirangelo says. “Ten governors and over 50 members of Congress are 4-H alumni.” Her efforts are paying off: Alumni social media engagement is up 40%, and unrestricted fundraising has grown 27% in the past year.
Jennifer Sirangelo On The Web
article from: https://www.fastcompany.com/person/jennifer-sirangelo (accessed 5/18/17)
4-H CEO Jennifer Sirangelo, left, visits with Miracle Faaloua, an eighth-grader in the Begich Middle School afterschool program, and Kaneyo Kirata, a 4-H program assistant.
National 4-H Council CEO visits Anchorage 4-H
Jennifer Sirangelo, the president and CEO of the National 4-H Council, recently attended the ECOP (Extension Committee on Organization and Policy) meeting in Anchorage. She also joined 4-H program assistant Kaneyo Hirata and DeShana York at Hirata's afterschool program at Begich Middle School. York said Sirangelo was impressed with the diversity of the program and even took the opportunity to learn some cultural dance moves with the teen group.
Jennifer Sirangelo, the president and CEO of the National 4-H Council, recently attended the ECOP (Extension Committee on Organization and Policy) meeting in Anchorage. She also joined 4-H program assistant Kaneyo Hirata and DeShana York at Hirata's afterschool program at Begich Middle School. York said Sirangelo was impressed with the diversity of the program and even took the opportunity to learn some cultural dance moves with the teen group.
- Deanna Baier, tribes Extension educator
Led by volunteer club leaders Tina Reigh, Ashton Roberts and Susie Jenkins, the Bristol Bay 4-H Ballet Club provided a Dancing Around the World Recital April 1 for the community in Dillingham.
Over 200 community members attended, with standing room only. The 22 dancers, in grades 1-4; performed flawlessly and tiptoed across the hearts of the spectators, leading to raucous applause and cheering. Many thanks to all the backstage volunteers who helped make this event so successful. Read or listen to the story about it on KDLG.
Led by volunteer club leaders Tina Reigh, Ashton Roberts and Susie Jenkins, the Bristol Bay 4-H Ballet Club provided a Dancing Around the World Recital April 1 for the community in Dillingham.
Over 200 community members attended, with standing room only. The 22 dancers, in grades 1-4; performed flawlessly and tiptoed across the hearts of the spectators, leading to raucous applause and cheering. Many thanks to all the backstage volunteers who helped make this event so successful. Read or listen to the story about it on KDLG.
Kelly Schmitz
SNRE graduating senior, Kelly Schmitz has been named one of the school’s outstanding students for 2016-2017.
Schmitz will be recognized in the agriculture and horticulture area and will be honored at a breakfast awards ceremony at Wood Center on April 22.
Schmitz, who grew up in North Pole, learned in March that she has been accepted in the joint UAF/Colorado State University Collaborative Veterinary Program. She will start the program this fall and plans to specialize in large animal veterinary medicine.
As a longtime 4-H member, it is no surprise that Schmitz would choose veterinary medicine as a career path. Growing up on a farm, she raised a variety of livestock, including chickens, geese, sheep, goats, beef and one headstrong reindeer named Pumba. She received the reindeer from the UAF Reindeer Research Program in 2008 as part of a pilot program with 4-H. She also has raised a grand champion steer, lamb and chickens.
“As long as I could sell animals, I was in 4-H,” she said. It helped pay for college.
Schmitz said she studied natural resources management because she was interested in agriculture, people and the outdoors. She has been happy with the program and her professors, she said.
She also has had a variety of special experiences while at UAF, including an internship in Guatemala last summer, in which she worked with a veterinarian at a clinic and on his rounds. That experience was eye-opening, she said, because she realized that people in the U.S. take access to good livestock feed for granted and Guatemalans can not.
“People there depend so much on their livestock for a living,” she said.
She also worked with Syrian refugees in Jordan through a refugee agency. Opportunities this spring included a project award from the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA) program to study how eating willow affects reindeer calf growth. She designed the research with Reindeer Research Program Manager Greg Finstad and it will be undertaken this summer.
article and photo from: SNRE Science & News http://snrenews.blogspot.com/2017/04/snre-names-two-outstanding-students.html
Schmitz will be recognized in the agriculture and horticulture area and will be honored at a breakfast awards ceremony at Wood Center on April 22.
Schmitz, who grew up in North Pole, learned in March that she has been accepted in the joint UAF/Colorado State University Collaborative Veterinary Program. She will start the program this fall and plans to specialize in large animal veterinary medicine.
As a longtime 4-H member, it is no surprise that Schmitz would choose veterinary medicine as a career path. Growing up on a farm, she raised a variety of livestock, including chickens, geese, sheep, goats, beef and one headstrong reindeer named Pumba. She received the reindeer from the UAF Reindeer Research Program in 2008 as part of a pilot program with 4-H. She also has raised a grand champion steer, lamb and chickens.
“As long as I could sell animals, I was in 4-H,” she said. It helped pay for college.
Schmitz said she studied natural resources management because she was interested in agriculture, people and the outdoors. She has been happy with the program and her professors, she said.
She also has had a variety of special experiences while at UAF, including an internship in Guatemala last summer, in which she worked with a veterinarian at a clinic and on his rounds. That experience was eye-opening, she said, because she realized that people in the U.S. take access to good livestock feed for granted and Guatemalans can not.
“People there depend so much on their livestock for a living,” she said.
She also worked with Syrian refugees in Jordan through a refugee agency. Opportunities this spring included a project award from the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA) program to study how eating willow affects reindeer calf growth. She designed the research with Reindeer Research Program Manager Greg Finstad and it will be undertaken this summer.
article and photo from: SNRE Science & News http://snrenews.blogspot.com/2017/04/snre-names-two-outstanding-students.html
Serving Rural America's Kids and Families
Congratulations Patsy Perkins and Patty Miller!
2016 Recipients of the Western Region Salute to Excellence Awards Patsy Perkins, Tanana District, received the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer award for 10 years or greater service, and Patty Miller, Mat Su/Copper River District, was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year, an award for leaders with 10 years or less of volunteer work with 4-H. |
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