Diamond Clover Level 6 Welcome Maryland 4 H

Diamond Clover Level 6 Welcome – Maryland 4 -H All-Stars

Agenda: • An Overview of the 4 -H Diamond Clover Program • Ways 4 -H All Stars and other volunteers can support programs • Roles and Responsibilities of a 4 H Diamond Clover Mentor • Time for Q & A

Diamond Clover Level 6 http: //extension. umd. edu/4 -h/youth-families/awards-recognition

Maryland 4 -H Diamond Clover Award Program This award is designed to encourage 4 -H members ages 8 to 18 to engage in a variety of projects and activities that will enable them to acquire the skills necessary to lead successful lives as competent, caring and contributing citizens. County/units (4 -H Unit means county, city, cluster or Military 4 -H program) determine their own timelines for Levels 1 - 5 and recognize 4 -Hers on the county level.

Let’s hear from a Diamond Clover Recipient! Jessica Corazza Montgomery County 4 -H

Project Farmer My level 6 Diamond Clover project • consisted of visiting elementary schools, day care centers, and Sunday school programs to teach young children about how their food gets to the dinner table. • My project also included a short daily program for young visitors to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair at the Kid Zone

Farm themed book reading

A live farm animal demonstration – animal care was reviewed, usually chickens or a goat

Coloring activity – handmade coloring page different parts of a farm and their function

Verbal presentation - mportance and impact of agricultu Crop Planting activity – crops / how they grow, kids planted a bean plant in a cup to take home

Project Farmer Results • Reached 150 kids over 6 months through a total of 10 presentations. • Total of 107. 5 working hours • Wrote my first business proposal • Learned how little children knew about agriculture • Learned how to teach children and keep them interested – Coloring page, Discussion, Reading a book, planting – Animal visit • Learned how to make a proposal to the Montgomery County Fair Board Committee – Created a presentation with handouts and to promote my idea to adults in a business setting.

Diamond Level 6 4 -Her Areas of Strength • Developed people skills – Administrators - to ask permission to do the project (i. e. daycare directors, MC Ag Fair) – Kids – to get them excited about farming – Fair Board Committee – request to do the presentation during Fair week • Made connections through my presentations – Fair board members/Agricultural teachers/4 -H leader Cathy Dobos • Used the “Project Farmer” for school scholarships, AG program scholarships, FFA state officer application • Decided to study and enter a career in agricultural science

Level 6: 4 -Her and Parent Areas for Improvement • Level 1 – 5 are fairly easy to achieve and did not prepare me for level 6 - Did not know the level of time involved with a Level 6 project • Provide resources to help 4 -Her develop ideas for project • Mentor type program with an adult and or another level 6 graduate • Parent should encourage the 4 -Her to do a project that they are passionate about • Allow the teen to create their own business plan. They will learn through acceptance or failure

http: //extension. umd. edu/4 -h/youthfamilies/awards-recognition

Projects

HELP !!! - Committee Members Reviewers Support System for 4 -Hers

Timeline - All Year long – encourage 4 -H members to participate - September 15 th – STATE Deadline for Level 6 Proposal - County Deadline may vary - From 9/15 until about mid October – Proposals are being reviewed / suggestions are made / 4 -Hers are given time to revise - By mid-November – revised Proposals are re-submitted for final approval. - By the end of the year – Final Approval is granted by the State 4 -H Program Leader. - January 1 st – 4 -Hers start on their APPROVED Proposal

4 -H Diamond Clover Mentor • Provide guidance throughout the process • Meet regularly with 4 -H member • Review proposal and final report • Help identify other adults to serve as resources

Diamond Clover Mentor Training and Support • 4 -H All Star Liaison • Statewide, web-based training and support • Quarterly conference calls on specific topics • Annual meeting of mentors

Recognition and Appreciation • County/City 4 -H Awards Program • State 4 -H Gala The greatest satisfaction comes from helping a young person develop as they complete a project that has a lasting impact!