Aug. 26, 2010

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability field day Oct. 2

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Providing rest for sleepy children

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

4-H helps build character through dairy and livestock programs

Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability field day Oct. 2

Source: David Ditsch, Robinson Center director

The Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability in Quicksand will be full of fall activity the last week of September, leading up the Oct. 2 Mountain Ag Field Day.

The week begins with two Pumpkin Days for preschoolers Sept. 28 and 29. Children will learn all about pumpkins and will pick one from the patch to take home.

Middle school and high school students from all over Eastern Kentucky will participate in Youth Natural Resources Field Day Sept. 30. The middle-school participants will follow one of two tracks – wildlife management or forestry – and spend the day at the center in Quicksand. High school participants will spend the day at Robinson Forest in one of the two tracks. For more information, contact Perry County Cooperative Extension Agent Jan Gibson at 606-436-2044.

The Mountain Ag Field Day is Oct. 2 and begins at 10 a.m. EDT with several unique workshops to choose from as well as the more traditional field day tours, which run until 4 p.m.

Workshops and focus sessions include goat production, horse management, pasture renovation, making a cutting board, sweet sorghum, high-value fall crops and farmers markets, beef cattle, vineyards and winemaking, beekeeping and honey, small flock pasture poultry production, energy efficient and effective power fencing for livestock production, and a history of Quicksand and the impact of Robinson Station on the region.

You can also choose to attend a study tour of Robinson Forest, which is limited to 40 people. This tour departs Quicksand at 12:30 p.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. You will learn about logging and water quality protection in Eastern Kentucky; a timber harvesting streamside management zone study; cumulative effects of timber harvesting on water quality and visit the harvesting site of the streamside management zone study.

If you are interested in energy sources, efficiency and economic opportunities, you’ll want to spend the day in the energy track at Quicksand. The track starts with an overview of agri-energy activities in Kentucky, followed by sessions on biomass crops, biodiesel refinery, energy from algae and a small-scale pellet mill demonstration. You can also learn about energy efficiency for homeowners and businesses and get more details about economic opportunities for biomass energy in Kentucky and eco-power generation.

Make sure to visit the exhibits under the tent including a quilt show and see the energy displays and equipment demonstrations during the field day.

For more detailed information and directions, visit the field day website http://www2.ca.uky.edu/rcars/UK%20Mountain%20Ag%20and%20Energy%20Field%20Day%20Program%204.pdf or contact the (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

-30-

Providing rest for sleepy children

Source: Carole Gnatuk, extension child development specialist

Many of us are surprised by how much sleep our children need. Adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and many of us often run on far less. Because we need less sleep, we may think our children can get by with the same amount as we do, but that’s not the case.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following sleep guidelines for children:

·  Newborn to 6 months- 16 to 20 hours

·  6 to 12 months- 14 to 15 hours

·  1 to 3 years- 10 to 13 hours

·  3 to 10 years- 10 to 12 hours

·  11 to 12 years- about 10 hours

·  Teenagers- about nine hours

Keep in mind that these numbers reflect total sleep hours in a 24-hour period. For example, 12-year-olds who get up at 7 a.m. should be in bed by at least 9 p.m. to get their full 10 hours of sleep.

Children who are regularly sleep deprived are often exhibit behavioral problems. They may be irritable, overly emotional, have difficulty concentrating, forget easily, wake up several times during the night and may exhibit hyperactive behaviors.

Be firm about a bedtime routine. A routine could include giving your children choices about which pajamas to wear, the stuffed animal he or she wants to take to bed, etc. Try a warm, relaxing bath. Playing soft and soothing music can help. Tucking your children into bed snugly can give them a feeling of security. Follow through with your plan consistently each evening, even if your children protest and test you at first. If you are firm, they will come to respect your guidance.

Moving their bedtime up a half hour is another way to help them get enough sleep. To do this, try including a winding-down period in the bedtime routine. Your child may enjoy cuddling while being read a bedtime story or playing a quiet board game with you.

Avoid permitting your child to drink caffeinated beverages near bedtime. Caffeine is a stimulant and can disrupt a child’s normal sleep rhythm.

An hour or two before bedtime children might enjoy a light snack like some crackers, a handful of cereal, fresh fruit or vegetables, popcorn or a small portion of sherbet, but they should not eat a heavy meal just before going to bed.

Don’t give your baby or toddler a bottle to aid sleeping. This can cause “baby bottle tooth decay” because the fluids tend to pool in the child’s mouth.

Remind younger children about their approaching bedtime by giving them a heads-up a half hour before and a 10-minute warning.

Encourage your older children to set and maintain a bedtime that allows for the full number of hours needed for their age. Some firm limit setting may be necessary here if your children are not able to discipline themselves to go to bed on time.

Just remember that every child is different, and there’s not just one way to raise a good sleeper. As active as children are, most have the ability to sleep well. The key is for parents to help them establish healthy sleep habits and have a routine of winding down before heading for bed.

For more information about children and sleep, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extensive Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

-30-

4-H helps build character through dairy and livestock programs

Sources: George Heersche, extension dairy specialist, and Larissa Tucker, extension associate for youth dairy programs

Participating in livestock programs are one of the most recognized aspects of 4-H, but along with learning about animals young people can develop positive character traits to become the leaders of tomorrow.

There are many ways youths can be involved in livestock programs through 4-H. Programs offered through 4-H include quiz competitions, skillathons, livestock judging, projects and shows. Owning an animal is not a requirement for participation.

Mentally challenging programs such as quiz contests, skillathons and livestock judging provide young people with skills they can use throughout their lives. These skills allow 4-H’ers to become more informed consumers, team players, better employees and community leaders, regardless of whether they ever own an animal. Competitions and skillathons test youths’ knowledge in various aspects of dairy and livestock production. Dairy Jeopardy covers all facets of the dairy industry, and skillathons test their general knowledge of livestock including nutrition, genetics, disease prevention, and equipment. Young people learn to be more observant, confident and develop effective communication skills. They also learn how to make confident decisions and logically defend those decisions to a judge.

Livestock projects allow 4-H’ers to get firsthand experience in raising and caring for an animal. Caring for an animal teaches youth responsibility. As the animal grows, young people can take pride in knowing they helped the animal develop and mature.

Livestock shows can be competitive for some youths and parents, but that shouldn’t be the focus. The goal of 4-H is to raise grand champion kids, not grand champion livestock. Participation in shows teaches youths the importance of proper public behavior in a contest setting. Losers are taught to be courteous to winners, and winners learn to accept their award graciously and humbly.

Participating in shows, such as at the Kentucky State Fair, provides opportunities for youth to develop friendships and network with others from different parts of the state. 4-H’ers also have the opportunity during the fair to educate those who are not familiar with livestock shows about show criteria, animal care and maintenance, and 4-H.

Opportunities are limitless and empowering for youth in 4-H dairy and livestock programs. For more information on these and more 4-H animal science programs, contact the (YOUR NAME) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

-30-