Back Tracking to Missouri

I  cannot believe I did post on the blog about this experience.  When we got home from WHEP Nationals, we were excited to create a photo book for Mr. Hysmith as a thank you.  We spent a lot of time and effort on this and I guess it was like writing a blog post so I never actually made the post.

SO...without further ado...here is the missing post!

With a 14-hour drive to Missouri, we had to make a few stops along the way.  We were traveling two paths.  Our family chose to take it slow and stop at national parks along the way to learn about history and nature in Arkansas and into Missouri.

While the rest of the team drove straight to Branson; they arrived a day early and took in a light show at Branson Landing!  They also went to see the amazing Jonah musical!

The whole group got together in Branson, Missouri with a stop at Silver Dollar City to enjoy a day of fun on the rides and watching the shows.  Zach and Sean even braved the natural cave under the park!

We made it to the Stoney Creek Lodge for check in.  It was so nice to meet the other youth and their leaders from around the nation.  Everyone was so friendly!  Those of us who could not stay tried to help and were then on our way to our own hotel. The first night was all about meeting people... the team did a great job of telling the others about the Lone Star State and spreading a little Texas joy to everyone!

The next day the team traveled around the area for an educational day about river style wetlands.  They would later realize how different this is from the wetlands they had learned about for Texas as how to manage for habitat. In this station, the team learned about the dikes and canals along the Missouri River, also known as the Big Muddy.  What an experience...  The Missouri Turtle Project is where they "tag" the turtles by drilling holes in their shells using a special code and logging info about the turtle (health, age, date tagged), and they let the youth help!  What a great experience!

After the talks, the team headed out on the Big Muddy for a river boat tour!  It was so awesome to be out on the river and even explored off the shore for a short time. The group ended their educational fun day with a carp fish fry.  A few of the youth decided to run around chasing a frisbee.  A great way to continue to get to know the group and make life time friends!

 The next day was all about the contest...the youth headed out to the site to determine the habitat needs for American Beaver, American Bullfrog, Mallard, Spotted Sandpiper, Raccoon and Large-Mouthed Bass.

Even though it was a lot of hard work, the youth managed to have fun during the breaks in between rotations.

Meanwhile, Michelle, Zaira and "Gramma" took a little ride to St. Louis.  They got up close to the famous Arch and learned some more about the history of the Dred Scott Decision and the home of Ulysses Grant.  They also learned that St. Louis was celebrating its 250th birthday!

Zaira kept herself busy... she "met" Winston Churchill... performed a concert in a reconstructed WWII church... wrote a letter to a soldier... and even took time to call and find out how the contest was going for the team!

The coaches had a fun day while the youth were at contest also.  They were given a tour of Prairie Fork.  They were shown the process of sorting seeds for planting native grasses, wild flowers to restore the prairies.  They also visited with Pat Jones who originally started this conservation effort with her husband.  She now has the assistance of others.  There was a seed barn and a book about ways to manage the prairie (prep for prescribed burns, actually burns, etc.) Amber Edwards was a great educator! The Missouri Department of Conservation has three goals for Prairie Fork: prairie restoration, conservation education and research.

It was great to see all the top teams during the awards presentation.  However, the best part of the night was seeing all the new friends who began exchanging photos and emails for contact later.  The team also found out that they placed 8th over all in the nation!  A great job for a young team.  They were already talking about what they could do for next year to help the next group of youth.

Our family could not resist a few more stops at national parks.  The rest of the team headed south to visit a museum in Springfield which had a display of the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as other historical documents!  They also stopped at the large Bass Pro Shop in Springfield.

Once home, we told about our adventures.  Sean got a great plan to pull out our large map of the United States.  He placed all the trinkets from the share fair on the 16 states represented at the contest.  Lots of great memories from an an amazing experience!  We also took the time to thank our biggest sponsor (ServPro) at our club meeting, and Sean wrote a letter to the editor to follow up on the story that was in the paper to thank all of our sponsors.

A big thank you to the National WHEP committee and to all who worked so hard to make a great experience at contest!  We are especially thankful to Mr. Hysmith for his encouragement and experience shared

Starting out in a New Location

We are starting out a new 4H year with a new club next week.  Actually, we have already participated in a community service event with the new club last weekend.  So fitting for us as this has always been our favorite part of 4H!

It has been a LONG time since I posted on this blog...over a year.  That does not mean we did not participate in 4H last year...I just think I coasted through the year.  I was not leading a project and the boys were in a Spin Off club for Sean to stay active in Entomology.  Urban 4H seemed very different for me compared to our rural group in East Texas.  I just could not get a handle on things.  I guess I failed at being a 4H Mom in some regards.

However, I was led back in slowly through the graces that be.  I will get back to that after I give a little quick run down of last year.

We tried to be involved in our regular projects...Wildlife, WHEP, Photography, and Entomology.  We also tried out a new project..Dog Obedience...the dog surely needed a way to get out and run since we moved him to a tiny back yard after living his life in the country!  Poor thing!  This really did not take off like we had hoped but we met a nice woman who wanted to help us.  Thank you Karen for being there for us!

We also had a wonderful experience with Entomology.  Miss Molly brought new life into our insect experience.  We could not ask for a better experience for all the boys.  Sean did a great job of blogging about this so please take a moment to read his blog if you get the chance.  All the boys did well and were rewarded for their hard work at district competition.  Sean had the opportunity to go to State Round Up and won first place with his team!  We could not have been more proud of him walking the stage that night!

As far as Wildlife and WHEP, we were sorely disappointed.  There was not a group set up in the county and we could not seem to get the support we needed to get it started ourselves.  I think it is partly because we had lost our county 4H agent.  I did not understand this fully and I would not learn the fullness of this until the State Round Up.  This was actually the first time I felt like we should fully join 4H again.  I met the new agent at the Entomology contest and I knew I could work with her to make the best better.  It felt good to know that was possible again.  Thank you, Natalie!

Unfortunately, we spent the last year floundering through the projects we really loved.  We did attend two WHEP training contests...one in College Station and another in Comal County.  We loved the expereience but could not bring it back and convince others to participate.  Mainly, we did not know anyone to spread the word.  So, we decided to let it go for the year.  We did not go to the real contests even though we continued to learn the information on our own.

Henry did turn in a couple of photos for a district contest and won blue ribbons.  He is a natural...I just made sure he had opportunity.  I think he could do this with one arm tied behind his back.  I am glad he was given the affirmation through 4H.

Then I volunteered to judge record books...

Yes, we completed record books...mostly out of habit...we had always done this...for over ten years!  Sean completed his in Entomology (2nd place at county) and Henry turned in a Photography book (1st place at county and 3rd at district).  We wrote about our transition year and how we hoped to get more involved.  

When I went to judge, I just happened to sit next to a club manager.  Marie Hey was so kind!  I am so glad I met her that day!  I think she saved us from leaving 4H.  Her club is within a few miles of our house and it is a small group that reminded me of what we knew about 4H again!  We found out the boys had already met her son (the future club president) when they helped sort record books earlier in the week.  How awesome is that!

Soon after that experience, Sean was asked to join our old WHEP team...they had won the State contest and were going to Nationals...they were short a team member and did not have any seniors who were interested.  Henry could have gone also but his birthday was two months late!

Sean had a great time!  I cannot believe I did not write a blog about this experience...I thought for sure that I had...but I did create a photo book and story about the experience so I will post a blog this week.

SO...now our new year begins....we go to our first meeting next week.  I look forward to the new experiences.  I already have a blog posts about our community service to post this week.  I also have an exciting event that Sean will need to blog about next week as well.

I guess I am back live!  Watch out world as we continue to let you know about how we try to "make the best better" with 4H!

A Lot Going On

Wow!  Hard to believe that I have not been on this blog in over a month!  I really did not know if I would ever get back to post on 4H events or not.  We really are following through with our decision to not be as active in 4H this year.  A lot is going on with our family right now so I know it was the right decision....but...there is still a sense of withdrawal from this amazing organization that we love!

We did turn in record books after all was said and done.  Sean turned in a record book for entomology and it was amazing!  Henry at the last minute decided he wanted to have a record book also...so we rushed to throw together a book for the Wildlife & Fisheries project.  Then we were called two days later to change the category because the entomology project had been eliminated.  So...we quickly revamped his book to make it a Wildlife & Fisheries project!  We were not the least surprised to have the comment from a judge that the two brothers sounded a lot alike!  Unfortunately, Henry was the one counted off for this error...the original thoughts were his!  However, in both of their defense...they were doing the same project and were both leaders so it makes sense that their stories would sound the same.

Both of the boys had their record books advance to the district level.  This was the highest level for Henry and he was given a blue ribbon.  Sean placed first in his senior level and advanced to the state level.  He then placed 4th place overall.  Not bad considering our sudden change of books (Side note:  I was just told this past week b a judge at this level that they were very impressed with his book and he had a lot of tough competitors.  So proud of Sean and all he has accomplished!).  We also found out that the district was mistaken about the book categories...entomology IS still a category!  That is OK...it is always good to have a challenge....Sean did well in spite of this handicap...all is good and we can try with entomology again next year.

We did get Sean's application turned in for the Gold Star award as well.  He interviewed (with a borrowed suit jacket) and did a great job.  His interview was very brief but from what we were told the other applicants had short interviews as well.  I was impressed with the answers Sean gave for the interview questions...

If you could add an H to the pledge, what would it stand for?  Honor because we should be honest with those around us.

What was his favorite experience in 4H?  His time in community service, especially making quilts for the women's shelter.

What is your favorite project?  Entomology...of course!

If you were a new parent, what would you want to know about 4H?  The importance of learning in the projects and the leadership opportunities.

SO...now jump ahead a month!

We decided that the best option for our family was to choose a new club to settle back into our new role in 4H.  We are now a part of Blue Ribbon 4H.  It has been different but fun to watch without all the responsibility.  We will likely be moving by the end of the year so this is a good pace for us.

We also stepped back from one of our favorite projects...Wildlife.  This was hard but we really could not participate fully...we will try to pick it up again next year if we can.  This opened the door for a new project being offered in our county (and in the new county)...archery!  We will see wher we go with it...still taking it slow for now.

Tonight we went to the Gold Star banquet.  Both Sean and Henry were rewarded for their record books.

However, most of all we were awaiting the results of the Gold Star!  So, we were so proud of Sean as he was one of the four (out of eleven) chosen to be awarded a Gold Star plaque!  He was so excited...he got fingerprints on the plaque when he was given the award...he used his shirt to polish it!  LOL!

He was also interviewed for the newspaper along with the other recipients (Cade, Mikayla and Erin)!  We look forward to reading the article!

So proud of our other 4H friends.  Emily and Cade were given the spirit awards.  Mikayla and Preston were chosen as the teen leaders for this year.  Also, Courtney was the recipient of the Danforth Award.

Sean was also pleased, as one of our local radio stations was given the Friend of 4H award...he was the one who thought to choose this business as a friend....they really do a lot to promote 4H and have never been recognized.  Awesome job for that pick, Sean!

SO...a little bit of excitement and change...we continue to try to make the best better...just on a smaller scale!  Urban 4H needs to watch out we are on our way!

Gold Star Application

Sean insisted that he try for the Gold Star while we were still living in this county.  I could hardly blame him, so we filled out the application.  I will try to come back on here soon to tell about this experience.  We will not know the results until the end of September....time will tell how he does!

Our Last Week of 4H

I had meant to post this when we got back from our WHEP contest but I have spent most of this week getting record books together.

I am wiped out from the experience so I will leave this post as is for a bit and come back to tell of our adventures.

Last of the Presentations

Holding this spot to tell about WHEP...will happen when I get from our weekend trip!

Great job with the last of the presentations...Taylor, Zach and Caitlyn!

How to Manage a Pond

I have been looking forward to our county Extension Agent coming to talk to the group.  Cary knows so much about ponds...in fact, I once went to a class he taught a few years back (long before I had studied any of the material we are learning) and he knew so much and the little he shared just blew my mind away!  Now that I have had the opportunity to learn some of the vocabulary about pond management through the WHEP program, I was hoping that his talk with not be so daunting.  It also helped knowing that he was going to bring it down to a more elementary level.  I might just be able to handle his presentation!  I was not disappointed!

Before he arrived, we had Sean give his presentation on water development for wildlife and water control structures.  I think Sean did a great job...I realized that he is getting more confident in talking to a group...when he read his report...he did not stumble over words as much.  I was able to add just a few key points to clarify some issues.  And, I even had a chance to remind everyone that Cary would be discussing pond management with the emphasis on fish and waterfowl...just before he walked in the doors.  To our surprise...we had our county 4H agent...Mr. Ryan...joined us as well!

Cary started out with a basic drawing of a pond to illustrate the various techniques that keep a pond healthy.  Here are a few of the highlights I remember:

• Ponds intended for fish and waterfowl need to have deep edges to avoid unwanted sediment from entering the water.  Deepening edges of a pond is helpful when vegetation is too thick around the edges or the slope is not steep enough.  This also allows for native plants to form around the edges.
• Consider the sediment in a pond as two opposing forces much like charges in electrons or magnets...if the right balance is not obtained, the settlement of the pond will not be adequate and cause negative effects on the pond.  Gypsum or lime can be added but it is not always easy to determine effectiveness without experimentation for the specific pond.
• The ratio of bass to bluegill should be 50:500 unless the pond is being fertilized and then the ratio should be 100:1000.  This restocking technique should only be used if other methods have not remedied the balance of bass to bluegill.  A well managed pond should not need to be restocked.  Turnover of a pond is a normal cycle in ponds but should not have extreme population decrease.  If large fish are lost, than it is likely due to lack of oxygen.  If small fish are dying then it is due to poisoning.  Usually the latter is the case.
• The pH balance of the pond water is essential to keep with a range of 6.5-9 on the scale in order to provide a balanced habitat for fish.  
• If the pond water is too acidic, then it is best to add gypsum to the pond.
• Fertilizer (with a ratio of 12-52-4) should only be added to the pond (15 pounds per surface acre) if there is not adequate vegetation.  This vegetation includes microscopic photo-plankton that provides initial food source for the food cycle needed for a pond.  This technique should also be avoided if there excessive water flow or the pond is turbid (muddy).
• Turbidity is also a concern for most land owners.  The pond water should be clear up to 18 inches in depth.  An increase in turbidity is usually caused by erosion from livestock or lack of vegetation along the watershed, which can be avoided by reseeding this area.
• Seepage on a pond is usually caused by leaks or cracks in the pond walls.  This is often caused by tree root system.  These areas need to be repaired to allow for adequate water level in the pond.

Cary graciously went off topic to help understand a technique mentioned in Sean's discussion on water development for wildlife.  He explained the technique of gushers and windmills.  This technique involves water collection into rain barrels from a watershed or adapted structure to allow for collection.  The windmill is used to pump the water to desired location on the property.  This will likely not be on our contest as it usually is used for drier regions such as west Texas.

WOW!  What great information and it helped to have him explain everything in ways the 4Hers could understand.  I cannot thank him enough for coming to our group to give us a better understanding of the material.  I think this is very practical information for our families.  He even told us this was the most asked question...above lawn care and gardening!  It is pretty impressive that our 4Hers have a grasp of understanding now that many adults do not understand!  Thank you, Mr. Cary!

It was nice to take the two agents around our home away from home...we love the museum and are so thankful for being able to use it each week!