Web site - January 2002 Meeting Notes

January 2002 Meeting Notes

4-H Curriculum Management Team
January 31, 2002, 244 Ag Engineering Bldg.

Present: Claudia Mincemoyer, Patti Fantaske, Bob Mikesell, Sandy Smith, Jan Scholl, Phil Hoy, Christy Bartley, Marilyn Corbin, Patreese Ingram, Bob Lewis, Eston Martz, Blannie Bowen, Kim Boonie.

Claudia Mincemoyer thanked everyone for coming.

Proposals from last year were reviewed and the status updated as follows:

Collectibles: Claudia reported that this was purchased through Ag Info. It was launched as a web only curriculum. She had a printed sample to pass around.
Cloverbud: Claudia reported that this was purchased from Ohio State, adapted and launched on the web only. It is not a 4-H curriculum, ages 5-8, but a resource. Will be reported on A100 as Other Youth Served and will be separated and countable by the project code.
Youth Exchange: Patreese reported that it has been submitted for statewide use. It is currently used in a few counties only. For web delivery only.
Cooking/Bread/International: Jan reported that changes needed to be made. Recipes are being tested for International Breads.
Trial: This curriculum was not funded. Private funding is being pursued. Possibly could be launched as a PDF file designed by Ag Info.
Supermarket Savvy: Jan reported that Natalie is still working on this.
Start Your Engines: Christy reported that the materials were purchased from CCS and are in the mailroom. The committee is working on requirements for fairs/round-ups and a certificate course for leaders.
Rent Event & Game: Jan reported that Rent Event was printed. The game is in need of funding. The committee wants to think about ways for older kids to use this project. It was an older project and was very difficult to revise to the "times" of today.
Palette of Fun-Arts/Crafts: Claudia reported that this is a guide only so a limited quantity was purchased This is to replace Craft Caravan, so there should not be any materials from Craft Caravan in use. Check for any materials out in counties. Lehigh County, a pilot site, has a photo published in the guide.
Market Goat Reference Guide: Bob reported this is written, edited and has photos. Ready to begin layout process. Noted that market goat, beef and swine are all linked from the department site.
Kids and Kash: Jan reported this was in the revision stage.
Generation Celebration/Celebrate Through 4-H: Jan reported that Celebrate Through 4-H was combined and included with the Generation Celebration curriculum. It is in Ag Info for design. Could the old graphics be used? March was mentioned as a design completion date.
Foods/Nutrition: Jan reported that finding recipes whose ingredients are easily available in the United States is difficult. They are testing some recipes now. They are looking at old 4-H books for other recipes.
Everyday Living: Jan reported that Foods is a higher priority.
Wildlife: Sandy reported that Endangered Species is being revised. Hope to have funding from the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Wildlife Ecologist, intermediate level, maybe on the web or print 5000. Part two, Wildlife Manager is in editing. Water Conservation/Water Lion is finished. He had a sample to pass around. Incredible Water is forthcoming. He also reported that a grant for the next level of water was written.
Computer Mysteries: Patti reported that this was purchased from CCS and we are on the second order. There was a problem with an URL listed in the book as a reference. HyperStudio changed their URL and the old one now takes you to a questionable site. The solution is to use a permanent black marker to cross out the URL and also place a label with the new URL over the old URL. The counties have been notified and asked to correct any copies they have. The mailroom was notified not to send anymore out until work-study students can correct them.
Communications Toolkit: Claudia reported that it was decided that this would be a resource only and should be purchased by the county.
Clothing Project Sheets: Jan reported that one is finished and they are looking for more.
CHAT: Was changed to PROVERBS and is web based. A printed sample was on hand to be viewed.
Bicycle Adventures: Claudia reported that it was purchased. A sample was on hand for review.
Adventures with Your Camera: Claudia reported that this was purchased. The committee is developing a record book. There was discussion about the photo contest at State Achievement Days. Currently, the photos are not displayed and the participants pick them up at State Achievement Days. Maybe we can post these on the web or use for promotional pictures, Ag Progress Days was mentioned. We would need to get a release and go through YPCC because this would cause a rule change within State Achievement Days. Maybe we could just ask the kids verbally to use the pictures at Ag Progress Days this year and implement this fully next year.
Jr. Master Gardener: Sandy reported there were mixed signals. There is no one in the Horticulture department for youth programming. The people working with the counties that have this program do not want to be directly involved with youth. Sandy said they do have a new person in mind that they will approach. Christy mentioned that there might be some Horticulture funds to train 4-H adults and teens as leaders.
Miscellaneous: Jan also reported that Fashion Revue was grandfathered and had gained 3000 participants. Babysitting Beginnings was finished. The Food Guide Pyramid Puzzle and Nutrition in a Nutshell are being developed through EFNEP.

The chart will be updated and included with the minutes to the committee and to the counties.

Proposals for this year were discussed next.

Animal Sciences:

4-H Horsemanship Skills
Bob started with Horsemanship Skills. He explained that this is a skills based curriculum, not showing. It would be a 3 tier (book) project with a video to demonstrate the proper skills. The record would be a list of the skills and checked once certain skills were attained. Pat Comerford would be responsible for training of the judges. Currently being piloted in a few counties and hope to continue pilot and development for implementation in a year or two. This would not be bound permanently due to the record. Questions were: The video could not come out of the publications budget. Is there outside funding for this? Why NCR paper? One record would stay at local level and one would go to the state level. Candidate for the Curriculum Innovation Grant?
Embryology in the Classroom, Embryology Members Books I, II
Bob reported that Phil Clauer would like to purchase the Embryology in the Classroom Leader’s Guide only from 4-HCCS. He estimated one per teacher, about 2,500, and they can be reused. He does not like the 4-H CCS project books because the are all activities and cost too much. He would like to create two revised Embryology project books of about 15-20 pages in two stages. Since enrollment is 51,000, Phil Hoy suggested the cost estimate is not high enough. He suggested an initial order of 5,000 Leader’s Guides and more project books than estimated will be needed. Phil Hoy also wants to make sure the agent’s know the difference between the Leader’s Guide and the project books.
Getting Started in Poultry, 4-H CCS Poultry Series
Phil Clauer would like to replace Raising and Rearing Baby Chicks with Getting Started in a Poultry Project, which will include a record section. Phil Clauer would also like to purchase poultry production books (set of 4) from 4-HCCS. Again the cost estimate and numbers are not sufficient, so a $2,000 adjustment must be made.
National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual
The purchase of the National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual was discussed. Bob reported that the Avian Bowl is in quiz bowl format and this manual will be a study guide. This is a new contest at the state level and is based on the national contest. It was suggested that since no other national manuals are kept in the mailroom, individual counties or coaches should order these resource materials on their own. Another suggestion was that Phil Clauer could get permission to pull some information from the national manual, revise it to make a short PA version to distribute to each county via the world wide web or in CD ROM format and just loan the National Manual.
Preparing Poultry for BBQ
This year the Poultry Barbecue/Presentation contest was separated into it’s own contest at the state level. It was suggested that this be web based at a cost of maybe $100.
4-H National Poultry Judging Manual
The 4-H National Poultry Judging Manual is different than the Avian Bowl Manual because it actually teaches how to judge. It was mentioned that this is not a contest at the state level yet. Could this be an interactive CD-ROM? There will still be production development costs. Will the 4-H’ers have access to the hardware needed? Writeable PDF’s could be used for score sheets, project sheets and enrollment, but this information is not saved so it must be printed before closing the program unless the full version of Adobe is available. ICT is working on a way around this problem at this time.

Family and Consumer Sciences:

Visits to Remember, Intergenerational Sourcebook
Jan Scholl reported that Celebrate Through 4-H was combined with Generation Celebration, but not much information was used. Visits to Remember: A Handbook for Nursing Home Visitors is an extension support (reference) piece geared toward adults for Generation Celebration and is used by both family living and 4-H. Intergenerational Sourcebook is also a reference for Generation Celebration. It was suggested that maybe these two could be put on the web.
4-H Clothing Projects/Cloverbud Inserts
The 4-H Clothing Projects/Clover Bud Inserts could be on the web. These would be small sewing projects, 4 or 5 pages, adapted from the originals from 20 years ago with the current Affirmative Action Statement and date.
Foods and Nutrition
The Foods and Nutrition Project is top priority. Our program is very outdated, almost dangerous, because it does not include a lot of the handling issues. We are currently using books from Ohio and Purdue. Jan thought that a video leader’s guide could be developed and that a series of 4 smaller, 4 or 5 page books for young children should be developed. She reported that work is still progressing on the microwave projects and that the end is getting close. She would like to see bread for beginners because International Breads is advanced.

Science and Technology:

Building Web Pages
Patti reported on Building Web Pages-an On-line Project. She explained that this was originated in Montana and that PA could modify their program. This will be a one-on-one, adult/kid project. Enrollment would be limited the first few years. It will be suggested that the pages developed would be posted on the county server to ensure that the agent is involved. 4-H’ers could start by developing club pages. Finished pages could be on disk for viewing and judging at Farm Show.

Environmental Education and Earth Sciences:

Herb Gardening
Sandy reported that the current Herb Gardening project is geared for commercial not hobby. The committee suggests purchasing 400 of each book from Michigan and keep both because they are different levels. It was questioned if this will fit in with the Junior Master Gardener. Sandy reported that the master gardeners in the counties do not want to work directly or so closely with youth, so this project may not progress.
Insectaganza
Insectaganza is science oriented and includes experiential learning. The committee suggests keeping Catch the Bug because it is collection oriented. There are 3 levels plus a guide for Insectaganza. The guide and two higher levels could be adjusted, but the first level should be left as is.
Pest Patrol
Join our Pest Patrol is a very popular IPM publication that could be used as is as a 4-H leader’s guide. Printing costs only.
The Water Quality 4-H Project
A grant was written for writing cost for the Water Quality 4-H Project intermediate level, so funds are being sought for printing costs. It is the hope of the committee that the state (DEP) will help support this project because state standards are being used. Sandy also reported that the Sport Fishing project is in the revision stage and that the Fish Commission is working very slowly.

International And Diversity:

Inter and Intra-State/International Youth Exchange
Patreese reported that the Inter and Intra-State/International Youth Exchange would be a new program because the state does not currently support this. Deana Behring has a booklet for students travelling abroad and Patreese hopes this could be adapted and posted on the web.

Communications And Expressive Arts:

Building Bridges: Reaching People through Communication
Claudia reported that the Building Bridges: Reaching People Through Communication, a University of Wisconsin publication, could be purchased through the National Council. The Public Speaker Handbook could replace Speak Up. The Parent Guide is not a priority and could be cut. She also reported that 4-HCCS is putting together a new communications series of 8 for 2004. The committee suggested a video of youth showing the "do’s and don’ts" of public speaking. Some suggestions were made including contacting Toastmasters or other organizations about free resources. Since a county survey ranked public speaking a top priority by 75%, maybe each county should purchase. Everyone seemed to think this was a priority since it relates to all project areas. Claudia will check with Wisconsin to see if this can be purchased directly from them, maybe purchase to adapt.

Healthy Lifestyles Education:

Teens and Teambuilding
Claudia also reported on Teens and Team Building. Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center will combine their team building with our games, so printing costs only are being sought. The committee is giving priority to Backpacking too. A source to develop for 4-H has been contacted.

Other business:

It was mentioned that the committees should review the 4-HCCS revision list. In some project books in the mailroom, leader’s guides do not match the member’s guides. Please keep this in mind and let Phil Hoy know when ordering new publications so old guides are not purchased when revisions are being made.
A sheet was handed out for each member to rank the proposals for the Innovation Grant Process. Please return these to Claudia Mincemoyer when completed.
Everyone on the committee suggested receiving the proposals and summary ahead of time so that they can take time to review them before discussion at the meeting.
The Curriculum Development Model was modified. Foods and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles and Family Living were combined into one Family Living so that it would be easier to report. There will still be sub committees.
Fishing should be in Natural Resources, Shooting Sports and Cake Decorating are Leisure Education.
Claudia will meet with Marilyn Corbin and Blannie Bowen to find out what funding is available. It was mentioned that there most likely would be a 3% decrease. No action should be taken until after this meeting to find out what is funded.
Database update: It is not hooked up yet to the inventory numbers, in the process of updating the program to FileMaker5. The information we need to hook up with is part of a larger database, which includes financial and other data that Craig Story is working on to separate for our use. This information would be sent quarterly to the committee chair. Since a five year cycle was set, the committee chairs should review all publications in their area and set a cycle of revisions. It is hoped that this cycle can be added to the database for future reference. It was suggested that it might be sufficient to use National Peer Review instead of making revisions.
An On-line Curriculum card was placed in each county bin, an email was sent to the CED and 4-H coordinator in each county and an article appeared in the December ATS explaining the new registration page. Claudia will write something again. Summer Key for Trees was revised and should be on the web. Please check Water Conservation for Sandy Smith to make sure it is on the web.
Hopefully each committee will be able to find an activity or two for Cloverbuds to add to the collection, maybe PA specific. It was also mentioned that Cloverbuds are not 4-H members, they are considered other youth served. Enrollment numbers will be tracked through the project code.
The sale of PA developed 4-H publications through National Council or CCS was discussed. Will CCS print the item and share the revenue 50/50? Jan has 27 Textile Science sheets, should they be sold individually or all as one? Should there be a call for orders for PA developed items yearly? Should our publications be given out when we have to pay to get out-of-state developed publications? Can this group recommend action? Should a sub-committee be formed? Is it legal to recoup development and design costs? Phil Hoy has developed an order form. He suggested Paul Tarbay be contacted due to book management and accounting. We do currently sell out of state; it is just not publicized. Larry currently sets these prices. Should we limit purchase to enrollment numbers? Could costs be recouped from the counties? Marilyn has other state charges and policies. She will share this information with a committee to help develop a policy. Phil Hoy, Jan Scholl and Claudia Mincemoyer will make up this sub-committee. They will discuss these issues and take their findings to Marilyn Corbin and Blannie Bowen.

The meeting adjourned at 4:10 pm.