{"id":5546,"date":"2023-09-07T11:09:11","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T18:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/?p=5546"},"modified":"2023-09-07T11:09:11","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T18:09:11","slug":"september-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/2023\/09\/07\/september-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"September 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

News and Views Features – September 2023<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n

Save The Date! Washington State 4-H Volunteer Recognition Luncheon \u2013 October 28th!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jana Ferris<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Washington State 4-H Volunteer Recognition Luncheon will be held Saturday, October 28 at 12:30 p.m. at The Armory in Ellensburg, WA.<\/strong> All state awardees (Alumni Award, Salute to Excellence Ten Year and Lifetime, Heather Rider Award, Volunteer Staff Award, and [state] Friend of 4-H) for years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 will be honored. All invitations to awardees will be sent directly to the recipients. More information will be forthcoming.<\/p>\n

To facilitate further nominations, we are re-opening nominations for state awards with a firm deadline of Monday, September 11th at 8:00 a.m.<\/strong> After this deadline, no further nominations will be accepted. Volunteer Recognition Nomination Forms<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Volunteers of the Year from each county will be honored through narrated video during the luncheon. The deadline for submitting your Volunteer of the Year has been changed to October 1st; with this deadline, you must submit a high-resolution photo with the nomination if you would like one displayed. County displays will be shown digitally; we will send out instructions for displays no later than Monday, September 11th.<\/p>\n

Please join us to honor our deserving volunteers. Those wishing to attend the luncheon who do not receive a personal invitation are welcome to attend at a $20\/person cost. More information about reserving your space will be distributed the first week of October.
\nPlease contact Jana Ferris\u00a0 at ferrisj@wsu.edu<\/a> or call 425-595-2950<\/strong>\u00a0with any questions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

Washington State 4-H Ambassadors Food Drive Has Ended<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Berklie Sheppard<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hello all!<\/p>\n

Our \u201cHunger Doesn\u2019t Take a Vacation Food Drive\u201d has come to an end. The last Checkpoint, Checkpoint 3, was on August 31st. If you collected food items in August for the food drive, please fill out the form linked below. We appreciate all of those who participated and helped people in need.<\/p>\n

We will be announcing the Checkpoint 3 winner and the Overall winner on our Instagram site<\/a> with pictures of their participation! Those counties will also receive a Certificate of Achievement. Congrats to those of you in advance! If you have any pictures from the food drive, please email them to us!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cHDTV\u201d Food Drive: Check 3<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Berklie Sheppard, State Ambassador<\/em>
\nWA 4-H SA Team<\/em>
\nwa4hsa@gmail.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

2023 State Dog Judging Contest Comes With Changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Amber Hammond<\/em><\/p>\n

The Washington State Dog Judging Contest this year will include some changes from past years…<\/p>\n

Placement Classes<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

There will be only four placement classes. This will include an obedience OR fitting & showmanship class. All age levels will place in the same classes.<\/p>\n

Identification Portion<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

Intermediates and Seniors<\/em>
\nThere will be 25 breeds and 25 parts\/anatomy (as has always been done in the past)<\/p>\n

Juniors<\/em>
\nThere will be 15 breeds and 15 parts\/anatomy (this is condensed as mentioned in the exhibitor guide)<\/p>\n

Oral Reasons<\/strong><\/u>
\nThere will be one placement class designated as the oral reasons class.<\/p>\n

Intermediates and Seniors<\/em>\u00a0are required to do oral reasons.<\/p>\n

Juniors<\/em>\u00a0have the option to do oral reasons, it is not required. (Junior scores for oral reasons will not count towards their overall total).<\/p>\n

Some Housekeeping<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

Participants should bring their own clipboards and pencils. None will be provided by the state fair for the contest.<\/p>\n

Dress attire for oral reasons is Business Casual (it is fine to wear your showmanship attire if you prefer\/it is easier). Please no jeans. If juniors do not plan on doing oral reasons, it is fine to just abide by the 4-H dress code, but please no club\/county affiliated shirts. There is no opportunity to change clothes once the contest has started, so please enter the contest dressed appropriately.<\/p>\n

I will be posting a list of needed volunteer spots soon; if you have volunteered in the past and have a spot you know of that you like, please let me know and I\u2019ll add you in ahead of time.<\/p>\n

Thank you!<\/p>\n

Amber Hammond<\/em>
\nbajadenton@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

State 4-H Ambassadors Present the 4-H Youth of the Month for August!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Berklie Sheppard<\/em><\/p>\n

The Washington State 4-H Ambassadors recognize the 4-H Youth of the Month honoree for August, Zoey Van Gordon of Clallam County! The Ambassadors are proud to highlight 4-H youth monthly throughout the year!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>If you have any questions about the State Ambassadors, or are interested in joining, please email\u00a0wa4hsa@gmail.com<\/a><\/strong>. We hope to hear from you!<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

Addendums for Rule Changes for PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide Now Available<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jennifer Leach<\/em><\/p>\n

As of this date, the Washington 4-H horse program is still waiting for the final version\u00a0of the PNW 4-H Horse Contest guide from Oregon. This publication is a joint effort between Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, a sub-committee of the Washington State 4-H equine committee led by Stephanie Roeter Smith, 4-H Regional Specialist, compared the 2015 edition with the soon to be published final version. However, Washington 4-H Horse Program is not sure of the date of the final publication.<\/p>\n

These addendums are posted on the WSU 4-H website\u2019s Horse page, located at the link called WA State 4-H Equine Policies and Rules-PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide-Addendums. The direct link to the Horse Page is\u00a0https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/4h\/projects\/animal-science\/companion-performance\/horse\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are two addendums. Addendum I is specific to the rule changes affecting Washington as related to current PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide.\u00a0Find Addendum I\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Addendum II is a \u201cclarification\u201d of selected rules in the PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide, but are not rule changes.\u00a0Find Addendum II\u00a0HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The current version of PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide dated October 1, 2015 will continue to be the contest guide we will use until we (Washington) receive the final from Oregon.<\/p>\n

Addendum\u00a0 I (rule changes) will be effective for the remainder of this program year to September 30, 2023. Addendum II may be updated as more questions of clarification are identified \u2013 also through to September 30, 2023.<\/p>\n

For information or clarification on the PNW 4-H Horse Contest guide process or rules, contact Jennifer Leach, State Horse Contact at\u00a0<\/strong>LeachJ@co.cowlitz.wa.gov<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/strong>jleach@wsu.edu<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

4-H Giving Page Update \u2013 Give Online to Your County 4-H Program!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Denise Echelbarger<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>We\u2019ve Changed!<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s all good\u2014we\u2019ve just launched our new 4-H Giving Page<\/a> design. It\u2019s now even easier to find your county excellence fund give link and give directly to your county 4-H program. With better navigation, we hope you love it as much as we do.\u00a0CHECK IT OUT!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

Visit Pullman to Celebrate 4-H Day With Cougar Football – September 23rd!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Denise Echelbarger<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Save the date!<\/strong>\u00a0Celebrate 4-H Day with the Cougs in Pullman on September 23rd vs. the Oregon State University Beavers at Martin Stadium.
\nGame time is yet to be determined. Discounted tickets are available!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

4-H Day with the Cougs!<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/strong>Discounted Tickets Available\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
PURCHASE HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

Volunteer to Support the Washington State 4-H Fair<\/strong><\/h2>\n

State Fair Board<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The Washington State 4-H Fair board encourages individuals with an interest in serving youth development to offer their time and talents in support of the State 4-H Fair as volunteers.<\/p>\n

Please send an email to 4-H Fair Board President Kirk Gresham at\u00a0st4hfair@gmail.com<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0with any questions, for more information, or to volunteer.<\/p>\n

Thank You!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

Donate to the Washington State 4-H Fair<\/strong><\/h2>\n

4-H State Fair Board<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Every year, the Washington State 4-H Fair Board ensures the continuation and success of 4-H programs old and new alike, from purchasing trophies and ribbons, buckles and banners for awards to fair participants to scheduling and facilitating events and more. This year, the State 4-H Fair Board is asking for your donations to assist the board in its efforts to provide youth an environment that fosters caring relationships, constructive learning experiences, leadership opportunities and to serve our communities.<\/p>\n

Please contact a State 4-H Fair board member for more information.
\nst4hfair@gmail.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

State 4-H Fair Board Seeks Qualified Candidates For State 4-H Fair Manager Position Opening\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State 4-H Fair Manager Position Is Now Open!<\/p>\n

The job description for the State 4-H Fair Manager position is available for download by clicking\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State 4-H Fair Manager is not a WSU position, but reports directly to the State 4-H Fair Board.\u00a0 The salary is $32,500, paid in twelve monthly installments.\u00a0 There are no benefits associated with this position.<\/p>\n

This is a part time position of about 1,000 hours annually, with extended hours during August and September, during the fair cycle in Puyallup, Washington.<\/p>\n

The position will remain open until filled.<\/p>\n

Please forward your cover letter and resume to:<\/p>\n

Washington State 4-H Fair Board
\nPO Box 1225
\nPuyallup, Washington, 98371-0233<\/p>\n

or by email to the Fair Board at\u00a0st4hfair@gmail.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

Ask\u00a0<\/strong>Dr. Universe:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What Makes Fireflies Light Up At Night? \u2013 Asher, 7, Maryland<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Do you love helping animals? Check out this podcast episode about a community science project you can do to help scientists\u00a0conserve\u00a0monarch butterflies<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Universe:\u00a0What makes fireflies light up at night? \u2013 Asher, 7, Maryland<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Dear Asher,<\/p>\n

When I was a kitten, there were tons of fireflies in my grandparents\u2019 yard. My litter mates and I loved to gently catch them and let them go.<\/p>\n

I talked with my friend\u00a0Richard Zack<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0about how and why fireflies light up. He\u2019s an insect scientist at Washington State University.<\/p>\n

Those glowing insects are a kind of beetle. But we call them\u00a0fireflies<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or lightning bugs. Their glow is a form of\u00a0bioluminescence<\/a><\/strong>. That\u2019s when a chemical reaction inside a living thing makes it light up.<\/p>\n

Zack told me to think about a\u00a0glow stick<\/a><\/strong>. If you shake it, you can tell it has liquid inside it. There\u2019s also a small glass capsule filled with another liquid inside. When you crack the glow stick, the glass breaks, and the two liquids mix. That causes a chemical reaction\u2014and the glow\u00a0stick lights up.<\/p>\n

A firefly\u2019s chemical reaction happens inside a special light organ in its abdomen. The stuff inside the light organ\u2014a molecule called luciferin and a protein called luciferase\u2014don\u2019t glow on their own. But when the firefly\u2019s body lets oxygen into the light organ, a chemical reaction happens and the firefly\u2019s abdomen glows.<\/p>\n

Zack told me the big reason fireflies light up is to find mates. You\u2019ve probably noticed that a firefly\u2019s light doesn\u2019t stay on. It flicks on and off. Different kinds of fireflies use different patterns of lighting up and turning off to find each other.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re watching fireflies, the ones you see flying around and flickering are mostly males,\u201d Zack said. \u201cIf you look down at the ground, you will see flickering females. So, what happens is the male is out there giving off its species\u2019 flick, flick, flick pattern. Then a female of the same species will respond with a different pattern. Ideally the right male finds the right female, and they mate and everybody\u2019s happy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

A firefly\u2019s glow is also a warning. It lets predators know that the beetle is poisonous and not a good snack.<\/p>\n

But some fireflies don\u2019t glow. Those are the fireflies we have in the\u00a0western United States<\/a><\/strong>. They either don\u2019t light up at all or glow so faintly that you can\u2019t see them. They use chemical signals to find their mates instead.<\/p>\n

For some unfortunate male fireflies, a female firefly\u2019s glow is the worst kind of invitation. Different kinds of fireflies have different eating habits as adults. Some never eat at all. Some eat nectar or pollen. But the fireflies from the group Photuris are predators. They\u2019re also\u00a0aggressive mimics<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Female fireflies from this group hang out on the ground looking for the flickering patterns of male fireflies from another group. They respond by mimicking the glow pattern the male firefly expects to see from a potential mate. He gets closer and closer\u2014and then the female eats him. As a bonus, that gives the Photuris firefly the poison she needs to protect her from predators since this group doesn\u2019t make it on their own.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m pretty sure she gives the meal a glowing review.<\/p>\n

Sincerely,
\nDr. Universe<\/p>\n

\n

Dr. Universe:\u00a0What are butterfly cocoons made of? \u2014 Anabelle, 8, Massachusetts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"A
A moth\u2019s cocoon, credit: entomart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dear Anabelle,<\/p>\n

When I was a kit, I looked a lot like the adult cat I would become\u2014even though I was smaller and fluffier. But wiggly\u00a0caterpillars<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0don\u2019t look like butterflies at all.<\/p>\n

I talked about this with my friend\u00a0Allan Felsot<\/a><\/strong>. He\u2019s an insect scientist at Washington State University.<\/p>\n

He told me cocoons are mostly silk. But they\u2019re usually made by moths. A butterfly \u201ccocoon\u201d isn\u2019t really a cocoon at all. It\u2019s called a chrysalis. Both butterflies and moths belong to a big group of insects that go through\u00a0complete metamorphosis<\/a><\/strong>. They have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. They go through a massive change to become an adult.<\/p>\n

That big change happens when the insect is a pupa. That\u2019s like their teenager stage. A moth pupa usually changes inside a silk cocoon. Sometimes people harvest that silk to make fabric. A butterfly pupa might look like a cocoon, but it\u2019s different.<\/p>\n

\"Butterfly
Butterfly Chrysalis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMany butterflies have what we call a naked pupa or chrysalis,\u201d Felsot said. \u201cThe wings, mouthparts and antennae are glued to the body, and it\u2019s compressed. But if you poke it, you\u2019ll see it wiggles around.\u201d A butterfly pupa is covered with the same tough skin that you see on any insect. It\u2019s just a temporary, baggy version of that skin called a\u00a0chrysalis<\/a><\/strong>. The chrysalis is often tethered with silk, so it stays put.<\/p>\n

Insect silk generally comes from the same organs that make saliva.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are lots of things that salivary glands do,\u201d Felsot said. \u201cOne thing is produce silk proteins. These are in the form of a gel. So, it\u2019s very viscous, and it\u2019s forced out as a drop. But then the insect pulls away from it\u2014maybe they wiggle their head or move their body a little bit\u2014and that spins it into a fiber.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the gel hits the air and the insect pulls away from it, the silk\u00a0crystallizes<\/a><\/strong>. The particles in the silk line up in an orderly way. That makes the silk strong. The silks made by different kinds of insects are all a little bit different.<\/p>\n

Insects use silk for all kinds of things. Some insects like moths wrap silk around their bodies to make a silk cocoon. Some insects use silk like glue to make cases out of stuff they find.<\/p>\n

\"A
A caddisfly\u2019s case, credit: NSF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of my favorites is the\u00a0caddisfly<\/a><\/strong>. They\u2019re related to butterflies and moths, but their larvae live underwater.<\/p>\n

Some caddisflies use silk to glue together tiny bits of sand and debris. It forms a little house a larva can live in and carry around. When it\u2019s time to change into an adult, the insect usually seals up the entrance to the case with more silk.<\/p>\n

Caddisfly silk is so special\u2014sticky, stretchy and waterproof\u2014that scientists want to copy it so they can make better bandages and stitches. Scientists study insect and spider silks to learn how to make all kinds of things.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just one more way insects make our lives smooth as silk.<\/p>\n

Sincerely,
\nDr. Universe<\/p>\n

\n

Get more questions and answers here!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Know a kid with a science question?
\nHelp them submit it for a chance to be featured in a future Q&A.<\/p>\n

Submit a question!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n

Q and A Sessions for the Washington 4-H Horse Program Continue \u2013 Now On First Wednesdays!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have questions about the Washington 4-H horse program?\u00a0Our monthly Q and A for leaders, parents, members, and staff will now be meeting on the first Wednesday of each month via Zoom from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. beginning June 7th.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zooms are structured around the theme\/parameters of horses and youth development. They are more than \u201cwhat are the rules.\u201d There is also time set aside for input on future topics for subsequent Zooms.\u00a0The Zoom meeting ID is 452-082-9765 with no passcode<\/strong>. You must have a zoom account to participate.<\/p>\n

The meetings are facilitated by Kim Baker, State 4-H Equine Coordinator.<\/p>\n

.Feel free to contact Kim with any questions at\u00a0kim.baker@wsu.edu<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

\"4-H<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

News and Views Features – September 2023 Save The Date! Washington State 4-H Volunteer Recognition Luncheon \u2013 October 28th! Jana Ferris The Washington State 4-H Volunteer Recognition Luncheon will be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_external_link":"","_expiration_date":""},"categories":[6,14],"tags":[24,36],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5546"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5546"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5546\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/pendoreille\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}