The First Two Months by George Dietrich

On August 14 - 16, 2012 we attended Ag Progress Days.  Several members of your State 4-H Council spent time volunteering to assist with many events happening around the Youth Building.  We helped out with the Pedal Tractor Races and manned the 4-H exhibits inside the building.  Several of us had the opportunity to meet with important figures in state government including several past and the current Secretary of Agriculture.  Cassidy Baker, State 4-H Council President said this about Ag Progress Days, “Ag Progress Days was the first thing we went to as the newly inducted Council.  I love the fact that we got to perform our first official task working with the youth at the pedal tractors because they are who we are ultimately serving – the youth.  It was the perfect way to start our term.”

From September 7 -9. 2012 we had our Officer Training Weekend.  During this retreat we learned much about each other.  We spent most of the weekend learning what it means to be your State 4-H Council and represent the state.  We also got to meet several important figures who work in 4-H.  We met Christy Bartley, Eric McGinnis, Bill Kleiner, Amy Gregor, Rebecca Villegas, Ray Hopkins, and Debra Sinkus.  We also began planning for SLC, Capital Days, and State Achievement Days.  As a Council we prepared personal goals and team goals in hopes of making us the greatest Council yet. 

On September 15^th we spent time at the 4-H Tailgate at the Penn State Ag Arena.   There we volunteered to help with many tasks.  We met several Extension Educators from around the state.  We also would like to thank Mike Firestine, PA 4-H Development Council Member, for the delicious food that he prepared for the event. Tyler Shaw, Vice-President of Events would recommend the tailgate to anyone claiming, “The 4-H Tailgate is something that you should definitely try to go to.  My favorite part was the food and sitting in the military truck.  The cake celebrating 100 years of Pennsylvania 4-H was worth the wait.”

We have also begun filling leadership roles in our counties.  Cecilia Stuetz and Cassidy Baker both spent time speaking to teens about upcoming 4-H events in their counties.  George Dietrich, State 4-H Council Reporter and Historian, volunteered time to help start new 4-H clubs in his county.  We encourage all teens to sign up for the upcoming State Leadership Conference January 18-20, 2013!