NASA INSPIRE

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED!

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31, 2008.

The Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience, or INSPIRE, is a multi-tiered year-round program designed for students in ninth- to 12th -grade who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and careers. NASA INSPIRE is recruiting high school students to join an online community, where their interests can be nurtured and directed. From this online community, students will be offered opportunities to take trips to NASA, have a resident experience at a technology university, or even a summer internship at a NASA center.

Students selected for INSPIRE will:
--Participate in the INSPIRE Online Community.
--Learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields of study and careers.
--Compete for unique summer experiences at a NASA facility.
For more information, visit the NASA INSPIRE Web page:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/programs/INSPIRE_Project.html

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS DURING THE HOLIDAYS!!

There is still time to show your support for our troops stationed overseas this holiday season. Bring your cards and letters to the Extension Office at 90 S. Main St. Sparta and we will get them sent out. The deadline is December 5, 2008 by 12:00 pm. What a great way to support our troops during the Holidays!! Get you letters in today.

For more information contact the Cooperative Extension Service at 336-372-5597 or e-mail Amy at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.

CLOVERBUCKS FOR FOOD

Want to earn money to spend in the sourcebook, go to 4-H Camp or on other 4-H trips like Congress, Teen Retreat or Summer Fun? Here’s an easy way to help lower the cost and help people in our community at the same time. During the months of November and December, Alleghany 4-H will be working to collect food to benefit Solid Rock Food Closet located in Sparta. We are especially looking for items for the Backpack Program which helps children during weekends and school vacations. Backpacks are filled with food that the kids take home. Food is child-friendly, non-perishable, easily consumed and vitamin fortified. Examples of food that can be used in the backpacks include: juice boxes, pudding packs, granola bars, canned goods, dry milk and individual fruit packs.

For each item a 4-Her drops off, they will receive Cloverbucks that they can then be used towards upcoming 4-H programs and activities including camps, day trips and summer fun. Food drop off will be at the County Office Building 3rd floor – 90 S. Main Street beginning November 3 through December 15. For more information contact the Extension Office at 336-372-5597.

2008 Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards

We’re looking for CONSERVATION HEROES!

2008 Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards

Each year the North Carolina Wildlife Federation presents the prestigious Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards, an effort to honor individuals, governmental bodies, organizations, and others who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation in North Carolina. These are the highest natural resource honors given in the state. By recognizing, publicizing, and honoring these conservation leaders— young and old, professional and volunteer—the North Carolina Wildlife Federation hopes to inspire all North Carolinians to take a more active role in protecting the natural resources of our state.
The nomination period for the 2008 Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards is open through December 15, 2008. These awards are presented each year at a gala banquet. Award recipients receive a handsome statuette and certificate.

There is a youth conservationist category open to individuals under 18 years old!

For more details or to download an entry form, go to http://www.ncwf.org/.

November Clover News

The November Clover News is now available online. Click here to view.

Team America Rocketry Challenge

Applications are now available for the 2009 Team America Rocketry Challenge! Participation is limited to the first 750 teams who register by Monday, December 1. This year's challenge is to design, build and fly a one-stage model rocket that reaches an altitude of 750 feet, stays aloft for 45 seconds, and returns 1 raw egg unbroken. The egg must be placed in the rocket perpendicular to the direction of flight! The contest is open to youth in grades 7- 12 and homeschool students. Download the Handbook and Rules documents and get started on your rocket now! For more information visit the TARC website .

Barter Theater – The Elves & the Shoemaker

Come with us as we enjoy a day at Barter Theater in Abingdon, VA to see the Elves & the Shoemaker. The Shoemaker is struggling to keep his shop open during the Christmas holidays. He is old and tired, and his loving daughter worries that he will not be able to do the work he has promised in time. She makes a Christmas wish for him, the purest wish ever wished, and, sure enough, some small friends come to lend helping hands. The Shoemaker, his daughter, and even the elves come to find Christmas in a whole new way as they give and receive the gift of friendship during the holiday.

Space is very limited so call the Extension Office now to reserve your spot.

When: Saturday, December 13, 2008
Reservations: Call 336-372-5597
Cost: $12.00

We will be leaving the parking lot at 8:30 am.

4-H CENTENNIAL WEBSITE

We are excited to announce that the "public" NC 4-H Centennial website is now online. Please take a minute to visit and bookmark http://www.blogger.com/www.nc4h100.org site. This site will eventually be the central location for all NC 4-H Centennial materials.
Please note that the new website is still under construction (a scrolling graphic header will be added to each page and the story link will be updated to accept stories from site visitors). In addition, centennial materials are now being moved from our 4-H sites to the new centennial site. So, please keep checking the site - we plan to have all of the materials posted to the centennial site by the end of next week.

Edited to add: Above site is no longer available. For more information on the centennial visit: http://www.nc4h.org/4hcentennial/

Seat Clinic

Equitation for the adult rider and
The “biomechanics of the seat”
Instructor: Lisa Wagner
Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:00am-3:00pm

Lisa is a USDF certified instructor who has competed through fourth level dressage. She owns The Phoenix Farm in Salisbury, N.C. where she instructs riders of all disciplines and skill levels as well as volunteering her time as a 4-H leader.

Rockwater Farm
250 Troxler Rd. Rockwell N.C.
Registration fee $55 for horse and rider (lunch included)

Auditors $15

The biomechanics of the seat is about you, your mind, your awareness of your body and its subsequent impact on the horse. This clinic is designed to help riders understand how to develop better control and strength in their own body which greatly improves riding. Correct biomechanics directly influences all types of horses regardless of breed or discipline. The clinic includes mounted as well as dismounted (theory) sessions. Auditors-$15- Donated to local 4-H equestrian club.

This clinic is designed to help riders understand how to develop better control and strength in their own body which greatly improves riding. Correct biomechanics directly influences all types of horses regardless of breed or discipline.

Reservations required by December 2nd
Ann R. Furr, DVM (704)798-3460
drfurr@alltell.net