Posts Tagged: 4-H

California counties ‘go green’ for 4-H Week

In August, California House Resolution 119, authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, recognized Oct. 6-12 as National 4-H Week. That kicked off a series of recognitions throughout the state, from Tehama to San Diego counties, as various Boards of Supervisors took a few moments to celebrate local UCCE 4-H programs.

During board meetings, supervisors provided an opportunity for 4-H youth to practice their public speaking skills as they accepted the proclamations on behalf of their county clubs. Dressed in their 4-H whites, honorees of all ages talked about what 4-H meant to them. One 4-H member representing Kings County referred to 4-H as “cool.”

Overwhelmingly, they spoke positively of 4-H camp, archery, livestock and baking projects – as well as how 4-H helped them to build community and lasting friendships.

UCANR and California 4-H are grateful for the board members and county staff who took time out to recognize 4-H youth and the program that means so much to them.

San Diego County also “went green” for National 4-H Week with a proclamation and lighting ceremony on Oct. 8. Kimberly Sinclair Holmes, the new statewide director of California 4-H, attended the event. At sunset on Oct. 8, the County Administration Center was lit in the program's iconic green color, symbolizing the organization's century-long commitment to youth development in San Diego County.

Several 4-H members wrote thank-you notes to their elected officials for the recognition.

Below are audio and video files of 4-H members meeting with their local Boards of Supervisors.

Glenn County, Sept. 24

See 18:09 – 31:16 at https://glenncounty.granicus.com/player/clip/2369?view_id=9&redirect=true.

Marin County, Sept. 24

See 1:26-1:30 at https://marin.granicus.com/player/clip/12349?view_id=33&caption_id=5886086&redirect=true.

Farm Bureau of Ventura County Invests in our Youth and the UC 4-H Youth Development Program

When 4-H in Ventura County sought to raise funds that would help it meet the needs of local youth now and in the future, the community responded with tremendous generosity.

A national youth development organization, 4-H aims to empower young people with leadership skills for personal and professional growth. In California, the 4-H program falls under the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources umbrella and is administered through local UC Cooperative Extension offices based in counties across the state.

In May 2023, the Ventura 4-H Volunteer Management Board established the Forever 4-H Ventura County Endowment to ensure sustained financial support for future Ventura County 4-H youth.

Recognizing the value of long-term financial sustainability for 4-H, the Ventura County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture organized a donation drive to grow the endowment. By July 2024, their members and supporters had donated over $30,000 in support of Ventura County 4-H youth.

“With deep gratitude, the UC 4-H Youth Development program in Ventura County would like to thank every individual and organization for their generosity,” said Shannon Klisch, UC Cooperative Extension Area Director for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

“A special thank you to our partners at the Farm Bureau of Ventura County for their leadership in raising over $30,000 to support 4-H youth. We know that 4-H youth are more likely to be civically engaged and make healthy choices than their peers and the difference that 4-H can make is in large part due to the supporters and donors that make programming possible," she added.

Funds from the endowment will support general 4-H operations and new programming for youth in 4-H which may include establishing a 4-H camp in Ventura County, increasing programming for youth at the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center, and providing youth with opportunities to develop leadership and life skills.

To learn more about the Forever 4-H Endowment Fund, visit: https://ucanr.edu/sites/4hfoundation/Forever_4-H/

To learn more about 4-H in Ventura County, visit: https://ceventura.ucanr.edu/Families_-_Communities/

Editor's note: The month of donations last received has been updated and program plans for the funds have also been specified in the last paragraph.

Youth development advisors launch blog to share ideas

4-H youth development advisors JoLynn Miller, Nicole Marshall-Wheeler, Marianne Bird and fellow 4-H colleagues have started a new blog titled “Youth Development Insights” to share ideas, strategies and research from the field of positive youth development.

Bird wrote about the 4-H club experience: “What is the Club experience about?  It's about independence and discovering who you are. It's about decision making and planning and recognizing the importance of following through on commitments.” 

Public speaking is a skill 4-H club members will exercise frequently. In a recent blog post, Marshall-Wheeler shares tips for building youths' public speaking confidence.

Check out “Youth Development Insights” and subscribe at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/YouthDevelopmentInsights.

To see the latest on all ANR blogs, visit https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/blogroll.cfm or click on “Blogroll” in the ANR portal.

Ironstone Vineyards hosts 4-H/FFA fundraiser

More than 3,000 people attended the Ironstone Concours d'Elegance, a fundraiser supportingFFA and 4-H, on Sept. 24. Vice President GlendaHumiston; Mary Ciricillo, UCANR director of development; Carolyn Warne, California 4-H Foundation director; JoLynn Miller, UC Cooperative Extension director for the Central Sierra; and 4-H Foundation members were among the attendees of the event, which benefits Central and Northern California youth in agriculture.

"I enjoyed the event and talking with 4-Hers about their projects,” June Coleman, California 4-H Foundation Board member, said. “As a 4-H volunteer who is also a licensed rabbit judge, it was particularly fun to talk with Lily, a 4-H youth from Amador County, who will be competing in the upcoming 99th national American Rabbit Breeders Association Convention.”

Former California 4-H Foundation board member and 4-H leader Gail Kautz and her husband, John, own Ironstone Vineyards, which hosted the annual event. The event supports 4-H at the statewide level for the State Leadership Conference and local 4-H programs in El Dorado, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and surrounding counties.  

The Ironstone Concours d'Elegance is an antique and classic car show held each September at Ironstone Vineyards near Murphys. More than 300 antique and classic cars participate. The event also features vintage trailers, house cars, antique trucks and motorcycles, race cars and wooden boats. Honored guests from the old-car hobby and the auto industry regularly participate in the show, which was first held in 1993. 

 

UCCE advisor John Borba retires after 30-year career helping youth in Kern County

John Borba, UC Cooperative Extension Kern County's 4-H youth development advisor, retired on July 1. For over 20 years, Borba has been key to the success of the 4-H program in Kern County, which affords young people an opportunity to test and strengthen their leadership skills while finding and building community.

Borba began working with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1992 as the 4-H program representative for Tulare County. In 1999 he relocated to Oregon to work as an advisor for Oregon State University's Extension team before returning to California in Kern County in 2000.

For 30 years, Borba has focused on improving the lives of young people.

“I appreciated many things about John,” said Marianne Bird, 4-H youth development advisor for Sacramento County. “He was never the ‘sage on the stage,' but rather a thoughtful, competent partner who led from behind. And I loved to watch him teach – asking questions, engaging his audience, enthusiastic about his topic. He was an excellent teacher.”

Bird and Borba worked closely together, supporting and developing statewide 4-H camp programs for 15 years.

“He helped lead an amazing team of 4-H staff, volunteers, youth and academics in some of the most rewarding work of my career,” Bird said.

Together, Bird and Borba prioritized program improvement by presenting research findings at national and international camp conferences, conducting eight statewide conferences, developing camp safety and risk management resources, and authoring two books.

Among the 4-H activities offered in Kern County, Borba oversaw Operation Military Kids for children whose parents were deployed by the National Guard and the Reserves, connecting them with resources, social enrichment, recreational activities and educational opportunities.

To attract more Latino youth, families and volunteers into 4-H, Borba and his 4-H colleagues developed culturally relevant programs. As a result, the number of Latino youth participating in the 4-H program increased more than 250% in three years. The National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals recognized the achievement with its Diversity & Inclusion: Expanding the 4-H Audience Award in 2021.

 

“Of the many programs, research projects, and activities that John led, it was his dedication to the Shooting Sports Program that had the most impact on and created significant impact for the youth and families who participated,” said Russell Hill, associate 4-H youth development advisor for Madera and Mariposa counties.

Borba's support resulted in the program – which promotes safety sportsmanship and ethical behavior – serving more than 4,500 youth annually with at least 16 hours of instruction to the more than 1,000 volunteers throughout his tenure. 

“John really took the Shooting Sports program to a level of coordination, improved training and volunteer development, and tracking of data,” Hill said.

While his work focused on youth, Borba's leadership and positive impact were felt among his colleagues as well. Borba, who earned an M.S. in human resources from Chapman University, contributed greatly to the workplace environment and culture.

“I am grateful for being able to work with and for John Borba as the director and advisor in this office for 10 years,” said Carol Heaton, Kern County 4-H office support technician. “It is without question that he treats everyone the same way: direct, considerate, honorable, with understanding and compassion. All this with a keen sense of humor. He is someone I look up to.”

Sue McKinney, 4-H program representative, agreed and added that Borba is the best supervisor she has ever had. 

“He was always quick to share his knowledge,” McKinney said. “In everything he did you could see his deep dedication to the 4-H program. He will be greatly missed by everyone in this office.”

Southwest 4-H Leader Amy Andrews notes that 4-H youth and leaders in Kern County will surely miss Borba's presence too.

“John Borba is a kind, helpful and caring person towards each and every person, whether they are in 4-H or not,” Andrews said.

In retirement, Borba, who has received the prestigious emeritus status from UC ANR, will continue to serve young people by developing a 4-H Avian Embryology Program. It is expected to launch in 2023.

“The goal of this program is to serve as an outreach tool for the Kern County 4-H program and the University of California. It has the potential to reach thousands of youth who would normally not be able to participate in a 4-H club,” he said, explaining that many of the participants are from populations underserved by the traditional 4-H club model.

Borba is hopeful that this program will contribute to enhanced classroom learning experiences and excite young people about animal science and food production processes. He also believes that it will contribute to improved behavior and attendance in school.

 

 

 

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