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Autauga County 4-H Horse Club Members Compete

Tana Shealey on 8/23/2016 10:37 AM

Category: 4-H and Youth Development; Pig Squeal

Autauga County 4-H Horse Club Members Compete at State and Regional 4H Horse Shows

Several members of the Autauga County 4-H Horse Club, a program of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, competed in the Alabama 4-H Horse Show at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery July 11- 15, 2016. Subsequently, several team members qualified and competed in the 2016 Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships in Perry, Georgia July 27-31, 2016.

The events ranged from educational activities, an art show, creative writing, and an array of mounted events.

"I could not be more proud of our 4-H Horse Club members. They are a great group of competitors and leaders," stated Ms. Darrue Sharpe, Autauga County Extension Coordinator.

Autauga County 4-H Horse Club members who competed this year in the Alabama 4-H Horse Show are as follows:

Taylor Coleman 4^th Place Poster Contest, Jr.; Daisie Hilbish member of 2^nd Place Horse Judging Team, Jr., member of 2^nd Place Quiz Bowl Team, Jr., 5^th Place in Individual Horse Judging reasons Jr, 4^th Place in Creating Writing Jr, 7^th Place in Artistic Expression Jr, 7^th Place in Art Work Jr, 8^th Place for Color Photography Jr, 10^th Place in Photo Story Jr, 8^th Place in Pole Bending Jr, 9^th Place in Arena Race Jr, 5^th Place in Stake Race Jr, and 4^th Place in Barrels Jr; Thomas Hilbish 5th Place Hippology Individual Stations and 7^th Place Overall Hippology Individual Horse Judging; Josie Jones 2^nd Place Individual Hippology Jr. Written Exam, 9^th Place Individual Hippology, Jr. Overall, 3^rd Place Stake Race, Jr. ; Lindsey Langford member of 2^nd Place Quiz Bowl Team, Jr., 1^st Place Overall Hippology Team Sr., member of 1^st Place Hippology Team Sr. Problem, and 5^th Place Individual Judging Phase Hippology Sr., 1^st Place Senior Individual Hippology Overall in Stations, 2^nd Place Senior Hippology Individual Overall Writing Exam, 1^st Place Senior Hippology Overall Individual Sr., 6^th Place Barrels Sr., 3^rd Place Pole Bending Sr., 2^nd Place Stake Race Sr., and 5^th Place Arena Race Sr.; Anna Powell member First Place Hippology Team, Jr. Problem, member of 2^nd Place Hippology Team Jr Overall Jr, 4^th Place Artistic Expression Jr, 6^th Place Altered Photography Jr, 4^th Place Stake Race Jr., 5^th Place Barrels Jr., 6^th Place Pole Bending Jr.; Payton Scroggins member of 1^st Place Hippology Team Jr., 2^nd Place in Individual Presentation Jr., 2^nd Place in Team Presentation Jr., 2^nd in Consumer Choice Jr., 2^nd in Creative Writing Jr., 2^nd in Artistic Expression Jr., 2^nd in Colored Photography Jr, 7^th in Black and White Photography Jr, 3^rd in Photo Story Jr, 1^st in Individual Hippology Jr, 5^th in Hippology Written Exam Jr., 1^st Hippology Stations Jr., 4^th in Hippology Horse Judging Jr., 1^st Place for Horse Judging Jr., 3^rd Place on Reasons Jr., 2^nd Place Overall Horse Judging Jr.. 2^nd in Barrels Jr., 3^rd Place in Arena Race Jr., 1^st Place in Pole Bending Jr.; Raygan Smith 2^nd Place in Stake Race, Jr., 6^th Place Arena Race, Jr., 6^th Place Model Horse scene, Jr., 9^th Photo Story, Jr.; Dakota Wilson member of 2^nd Place Horse Judging Team, Jr., 6^th place in individual questions, 4^th place individual horse judging, 9^th place in altered photography, and 19^th place in black and white photography.

At state show, both equestrian drill teams placed with the Senior team placing 2^ndand the Junior team placing 3^rd. Senior drill team members include Clark Alford, Whiddon Alford, Daisie Hilbish, Venessa Machowitz, Anna Powell, and Payton Scroggins. Junior team members include Taylor Coleman, Josie Jones, Alexis Scott, and Raygan Smith.

The senior educational team qualified for the Regional 4-H Show in Perry, GA to compete in the Regional 4-H Horse Show. The senior team placed 5^th Overall in Horse Judging. Lindsey Langford placed 6^th Overall Individual Horse Judging and Thomas Hilbish placed 10^th in Overall Individual Horse Judging.

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Alabama 4-H Golf Classic

Charlotte Deweese on 8/19/2014 3:41 PM

The Alabama 4-H Club Foundation,the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and more than 120,000 Alabama 4-H members thank the Pursell Institute for the grant funding to support 4-H programs in Alabama.

The 10th Annual Alabama 4-H Golf Tournament was a great success.

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Alabama Competes in National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational

Charlotte Deweese on 8/12/2014 2:23 PM

Category: 4-H and Youth Development

Tuscaloosa County 4-H Shotgun Team

The Tuscaloosa County 4-H Shotgun team represented Alabama at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in Grand Island, NE from June 23-29, 2014. The members of the team are Cole Ballard, Jacob Jones, Grant Madison, and Miller Jacobs. One of their coaches and the father of team member, Miller Jacobs, accompanied the team.

They competed in three different clay target competitions consisting of, sporting clays, skeet, and trap. Out of 24 teams, the Tuscaloosa County 4-H Shotgun team finished 8th in sporting clays, 6th in skeet, and 10th in trap. The team finished 7th overall in the shotgun competition. Individual high finishers from the team were Miller Jacobs who finished 17th in sporting clays, Jacob Jones finished 11th in skeet, and Cole Ballard finished 5th in trap.

The coaches from other teams that participated in the competition said that Alabama had the best looking uniform and were complimentary of the team’s safety, the way they handled their gun, and their sportsmanship. The trip was a wonderful experience for all that attended.

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First Place Team 2014 Alabama 4-H Golf Classic

Charlotte Deweese on 8/8/2014 4:34 PM

Category: 4-H and Youth Development

Winning Team.jpg

Edited 4-H Pledge Clover.jpg Congratulations to Quality Cooperative, Inc., Greenville, AL

Quality Cooperative, Inc. employees and customers formed a team to participate in and win the 10th Annual ALABAMA 4-H GOLFCLASSIC held June 12,2014, at FARMLINKS at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga. Team members are left to right: Bo Olsen, J. Ryan Williams (store manager), Todd Watson and Jason Boothe.

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Alabama Forestry Team Wins Top Honors

Charlotte Deweese on 8/7/2014 9:34 AM

Alabama Team Earns Top Honors at National 4-H Forestry Invitational

Left to right, Angela Nichols (Coach), Gavin Rankins, Seth Rankins, Polly Barron, Lisa Barron, Sherry Barron, Baylor Nichols, and Greg Nichols (Coach)

Alabama placed first among 12 state teams that competed in the 35th annual National4-H Forestry Invitational from Sunday, July 27, through Thursday, July 31. Teams from New York and Georgia placed second and third, respectively. Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia were also represented at this year's Invitational.

The invitational was held at West Virginia University Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, West Virginia. The event is sponsored by Farm Credit System, Plum Creek, The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., The Society of American Foresters, West Virginia University Extension Service, The American Forest Foundation, and the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.

While at the Invitational4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl and a written forestry exam.

Alabama was represented by Lisa and Polly Barron both from Auburn and Gavin and Seth Rankins both from Cusseta. The team was coached by Greg and Angela Nichols from Lafayette.

Lisa Barron from Alabama received the high point individual award. Second place high individual award was given to Daryl Blough from New York and third place high individual award was given to Seth Rankins from Alabama.

The Joe Yeager "Spirit of the Invitational" award was given to Nathaniel Erwin of Kentucky. This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H contestant at the Invitational. It is presented to the individual who takes initiative, is enthusiastic, and is eager to lead academic and social situations.

4-H is a youth education program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the state land grant universities. More than six million youth, 540,000 volunteers, and 3,500 professionals participate in 4-H nationwide, and nearly 100,000 are part of the 4-H Forestry Program.

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Junior Master Gardener Recognized for Service to Cullman County Youth

Maggie Lawrence on 7/14/2014 4:26 PM

Ask the children in Cullman County who Cynthia Tubbs is, and they will tell you she is the “Garden Lady.” For the last eight years, Tubbs has been the driving force for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program in Cullman County.

“I’m blessed to work with children and the garden,” Tubbs says. “Junior Master Gardener is a constant in my life and I’d never dream of giving it up.”

Junior Master Gardener

Tubbs started as a Master Gardener before bringing her passion for gardening and children to the JMG program in 2006. She began volunteering at the Child Development Center in Cullman County and has since helped organize programs in four Cullman County schools and two homeschooled groups, which help about 250 young people every week throughout the school year.

Luci Davis, JMG state coordinator, says having an experienced Master Gardener is a benefit Tubbs brings to the program.

“Teachers often don’t have the training in horticulture and if they’re not an avid gardener themselves they are often intimidated by the garden and using it as a teaching tool,” Davis says. “Master Gardeners can come in and assist teachers in those areas that are out of their comfort zones.”

The program aims to meet with children once a week for about an hour during the school day to provide a love of gardening and an appreciation for the environment through hands-on learning experiences. Tubbs has taken on the responsibility of creating lesson plans that reinforce what the children are learning in school and organizing materials for the volunteers every week.

Growing Knowledge

Getting children to put down their “gadgets” and step outside is something Tubbs hopes the program will encourage. “They need to open the front door and use their five senses to soak up nature,” she says.

The program curriculum outlines chapters including plant growth and development, soils and water and landscape horticulture, but Tubbs takes the lesson a step further to show the children the big picture – the farmer.

“I use the garden to stretch the role of the farmer, to teach the children to appreciate the farmer,” Tubbs says. “I tell the children if it weren’t for plants and farmers we wouldn’t eat.”

Although JMG is designed to teach school children to appreciate their environment, the values commonly trickle over to their families, a side effect Tubbs is more than OK with.

“It not only opens the youth’s eyes, but the eyes of their families,” she says. “It gets them aware of farming, gardening and how to make healthy food choices.”

The Future

As for the future of JMG, Tubbs hopes every school will have an outdoor classroom that provides the children with a space to grow as a gardener and as a person. “With an outdoor garden area the youth can get out there and get their hands dirty,” Tubbs says. “It will give them the opportunity to put what they learn in the classroom to use.”

Nomination

Luci Davis and Alabama Cooperative Extension System regional agent, Jay Conway nominated Tubbs to be inducted into the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame because of her unique dedication.

“She works effortlessly to make the program strong, has a true passion in teaching children about gardening and does all this without asking for anything in return,” Davis says. “It was time to recognize all the hard work and time she puts into making Cullman County have one of the strongest JMG programs in the state.”

Conway adds Tubbs’ dedication is what makes her a special volunteer. “It’s amazing the amount of time and effort she puts into what she does,” he says. “It’s unusual to find a person who volunteers that long and is so involved. Junior Master Gardener is one of the best programs in the state because of Cynthia.”

Although aware of her nomination, Tubbs wasn’t getting her hopes up. “I always thought you had to be older and be involved for a long time to be inducted,” she says. “But when I got the letter back saying I had been accepted I was absolutely thrilled and honored.”

Being one of the youngest and the first inductee from Cullman County, Tubbs says it is all the more reason to continue her hard work. “It gives me the extra punch to do even more,” she says.

Written by Casey Whitaker, Extension Communications Intern

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Henry County’s Tessa Dimick wins 4-H Southern Regional Horse Show Championship in Dressage

Charlotte Deweese on 8/13/2013 11:56 AM

Henry County’s Southern Cross Clovers 4-H Horse Club, based at Southern Cross Ranch in Headland, Alabama competed at the Alabama State 4-H Horse Show July 8-12 in Montgomery.

Three of the senior team members – Tessa Dimick, Amanda Henry, and Shelby Benny – qualified for the 4-H Southern Regional Championship in West Monroe, Louisiana, July 29 – August 3. After a week of showing, Dimick won the championship in Dressage out of 45 riders from 13 southern states;

Amanda Henry won Reserve champion out of 90 riders in Pole Bending; and Shelby Benny won ninth out of 78 riders in Trail.

Members of the team who competed in the State Show and their awards were:

Tessa Dimick – 1^st place in Hunter Showmanship
Amanda Henry – 1^st place in Pole Bending
Emma Quincey – 1^st place in Walk-Trot
Rob Bradshaw – 2^nd place in Black & White Photography
Shelby Benny – 3^rd place in Hunter Trail
Olivia Glass – 4^th place in Walk-Trot
Senior Hippology Team – 2^nd place Overall (Tessa Dimick, Amanda Henry, Shelby Benny)
Junior Hippology Team – 6^th place Overall (Olivia Elliott, Olivia Glass, Morgan Whitten, Emma Quincey)

The Southern Cross Clovers meet the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm at Southern Cross Ranch in Headland. There is no cost to participate in the club and it is open to youth ages 9 – 18. If you would like more information on the 4-H Horse Club, please call Joy Brigham (club Leader) at (334) 790-0372 or Doug Summerford, 4-H Regional Extension Agent at (334) 693-2010.

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Coffee County 4-H Livestock Judging Team Wins State

Charlotte Deweese on 8/9/2013 2:20 PM

Coffee County 4-H Livestock Judging Team Wins State.jpg
Left to right, Amanda Reeves, Paxton Peacock, Selina Malone, Annabelle Stokes, and Coach David Garrett, Coffee county extension coordinator

The Coffee County 4-H Livestock Judging Team won the 4-H State Championship in Livestock Judging during a July 18 competition.

According to Extension Coordinator David Garrett, the entire team did exceptionally well in taking home first place overall by 49 points.

The team also placed first in total swine, sheep, beef, and reasons. Individual highlights included:

Amanda Reeves who scored ninth in total swine, 14^th in total sheep, third in total beef, fourth in total reasons, and earned the sixth highest individual score overall.

Paxton Peacock scored second in total swine, eighth in total sheep, first in total beef, first in total reasons, and received the highest individual score at the contest.

Selina Malone scored fifth in total swine, third in total sheep, seventh in total beef, third in total reasons and received the third highest individual score overall.

Annabelle Stokes scored 14^th in total swine, second in total sheep, fourth in total beef, fifth in total reasons, and finished the contest fourth highest individual overall.

Congratulations to this outstanding team that will now advance to Louisville, Kentucky to represent Alabama at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest this November.

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Cullman County 4-H'ers Win State Wildlife Competition!

Kimberly Graham on 7/9/2013 9:25 AM

by Cindy Knowlton, 4-H Regional Extension Agent

Cullman County 4-H'ers won the 2013 State 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) held recently in Auburn. The team will represent Alabama at the National WHEP Contest in Trafager, Indiana on July 21-24

The Cullman County team members are Lacey Barrett, Mark Newton and Alicia Self. Beth Self is the volunteer coach.

The 2012 State 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Junior winning team was Lee County.

Senior Overall High Individual winner was Hunter Johnson of Walker County.

Junior Overall High Individual winner was Gavin Rankins of Lee County.

The National 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) is designed to teach youth about the fundamentals of wildlife and fisheries science and management. The state contest is the culmination of months of work by county 4-H programs, which form teams and practice and study with adult volunteer leaders for the state competition. Natural resources management is learned through participation in the event and the associated educational programs. Youth who participate benefit in the development of life skills and meeting other young people and professionals from around the state who have interests in natural resources.

2013 State 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Winners

Senior Division

Overall Team:

1. Cullman County

2. Walker County

3. Morgan County

Overall Individual:

1. Hunter Johnson, Walker Co

2. Lacey Barrett, Cullman Co

3. Mark Newton, Cullman Co

4. Challie Johnson, Morgan Co

5. Rachel Fuller, Walker Co

Wildlife Identification:

1. Lacey Barrett, Cullman Co

2. Rachel Fuller, Walker Co

3. Mark Newton, Cullman Co

3. Alicia Self, Cullman Co

3. Matt McGough, Morgan Co

3. Hunter Johnson, Walker Co

4. Lisa Barron, Lee Co

5. Challie Johnson, Morgan Co

5. Nicole Fox, Walker Co

Wildlife Foods Identification:

1. Lisa Barron, Lee Co

2. Challie Johnson, Morgan Co

3. Mark Newton, Cullman Co

4. Hunter Johnson, Walker Co

5. Lacey Barrett, Cullman Co

Aerial Photography:

1. Hunter Johnson, Walker Co

2. Nicole Fox, Walker Co

3. Mark Newton, Cullman Co

4. Rachel Fuller, Walker Co

5. Lacey Barrett, Cullman Co

Wildlife Management Practices:

1. Lisa Barron, Lee Co

1. Lacey Barrett, Cullman Co

1. Rachel Fuller, Walker Co

2. Hunter Johnson, Walker Co

3. Challie Johnson, Morgan Co

4. Mark Newton, Cullman Co

5. Alicia Self, Cullman Co

Junior Division

Overall Team:

1. Lee Co

2. Walker Co

3. Cullman Co- Clover Team

4. Cullman Co- White Team

5. Cullman Co- Green Team

Overall Individual:

1. Gavin Rankins, Lee Co

2. Ethan Rankins, Lee Co

3. Cole Burgett, Walker Co

4. Julie Newton, Cullman Co

5. Will Warren, Cullman Co

Wildlife Identification:

1. Gavin Rankins, Lee Co

1. Clay Conway, Cullman Co

2. Ethan Rankins, Lee Co

2. Cole Burgett, Walker Co

3. Will Warren, Cullman Co

3. Cutter Green, Cullman Co

3. Julie Newton, Cullman Co

4. A.J. Quick, Cullman Co

4. Garvin Ayers, Crenshaw Co

4. Samual Gomora, Winston Co

4. India Woodard, Sumter Co

4. Hannah Yi, Walker Co

5. Colby Tyree, Cullman Co

5. Laura Wyers, Walker Co

5. Sara Brock, Cullman Co

5. Caylin Barker, Cullman Co

Wildlife Foods Identification:

1. Gavin Rankins, Lee Co

2. Ethan Rankins, Lee Co

3. Cole Burgett, Walker Co

4. Julie Newton, Cullman Co

5. Clay Conway, Cullman Co

Aerial Photography:

1. Anna Swindle, Morgan Co

2. Ethan Rankins, Lee Co

3. Gavin Rankins, Lee Co

4. Brittany Lester, Crenshaw Co

5. Serena Knedlik, Cullman Co

Wildlife Management Practices:

1. Ethan Rankins, Lee Co

2. Gavin Rankins, Lee Co

3. Cole Burgett, Walker Co

4. Serena Knedlik, Cullman Co

4. Julie Newton, Cullman Co

5. Will Warren, Cullman Co

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Pickens County Forestry Judging Teams Wins State

Kimberly Graham on 7/8/2013 12:33 PM

Pickens County 4-H'ers won the 2013 State 4-H Forestry Judging Contest held recently at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama. Team members include: Anna Leigh Ashmore, Jessica Junkin, Seth Junkin, Clint Moss & Coach Sam Wiggins.

The team will represent Alabama at the national competition in July in Weston, West Virginia, where Alabama 4-H teams have won 17 national competitions since 1984, including 12 times in the last 16 years.

The 2013 State 4-H Forestry Judging Junior winning team was Lee County.

The state Forestry Invitational is the culmination of months of work by county 4-H programs, which form teams and practice and study with adult volunteer leaders for the state competition.

“Young people learn to evaluate forest stands, measure standing timber, identify trees, identify insects and diseases and demonstrate compass and pacing skills,” said David Perry, 4-H regional Extension agent, one of two program coordinators of the state 4-H Forestry Invitational. “It’s a challenging competition but one that is fun for youth to participate in.”

“Youth sharpen their critical-thinking, decision-making, communication and team building skills,” says Cynthia Knowlton, 4-H regional Extension agent who coordinates the Invitational with Perry. “The contest’s activities will help youth learn practical forestry skills and improve their ability to manage and conserve a variety of forest habitats. They also develop their citizenship and leadership skills.”

# # #

2013 State 4-H Forestry Invitational Winners

Senior Team:

Pickens County – 1^st

Tallapoosa County – 2^nd

Lee County – 3^rd

Clay County – 4^th

Senior Individual:

Seth Rankins – 1^stLee Co.

Clint Moss – 2^ndPickens Co.

Seth Junkins – 3^rdPickens Co.

Jessica Junkins- 4^thPickens Co.