November 14, 2002
Please do not delete this message. It is the only copy county agents in your office will receive of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H/Youth Development exclusives. This packet is for the week ending November 15, 2002.
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Managing a Horse Farm
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Include Children in Holiday Bike Shopping
4-H/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
December 15 Application Deadline
For Summer Intern Program
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Managing a Horse Farm
Source: Bob Coleman
Planning ahead and consulting with a veterinarian will help you develop an effective health program for your horses.
After weaning young horses, owners need to talk to a veterinarian about starting a vaccination schedule. People with weanlings should check with a veterinarian about a vaccination program to use when the animals reach five to six months old. And remember to schedule a vaccination program for your broodmares as well.
Also discuss with your veterinarian a deworming schedule that’s right for your farm and horses.
Have you checked the pregnancy status of broodmares?
Knowing if mares are pregnant will allow you to manage them appropriately throughout the remainder of gestation. For mares who have not maintained their pregnancies, now is the time to have a reproductive exam done in preparation for next year.
Recheck breeding dates and mark your calendar for expected foaling.
It’s also important to check the body condition on all your horses. Those that will be maintained outside should have a moderate to fleshy body condition, which is a score of six to seven. If you have some horses that need to gain some condition, correct this problem before temperatures drop too much because it’s very difficult to improve body condition when it’s cold.
Consult the Extension publication, “Condition Scoring for Your Horse” (ASC-145) for more information on body conditioning.
For more information on managing a horse farm, contact your (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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Include Children in Holiday Bike Shopping
Source: Cheryl Wyatt
Writer: Gidget High
Does your child want a bicycle this year for Christmas? If so, then remember to include them in your decision. Help your child become a wise consumer.
There are some things you might want to consider before buying a bicycle for your child. Avoid quick decisions based on low-cost discount store prices. Are you getting a good deal due to high volume of bicycles or are you getting a cheaper grade of parts and assembly?
Be sure to check retail bicycle shops as well for quality brands and competitive pricing.
You need to avoid the “direct-drive” toy that has pedals directly attached to the front hub. This means poor steering, no coasting, and no brakes. Instead, only buy chain-driven bikes with coaster brakes for small children.
Styles include BMX, freestyle and mountain bikes with size based on wheel diameters of 12, 16, 20, and 24 inches. Make sure you ask your child what style he or she wants.
You want to avoid the “grow into it” purchase. Just because it might save you some money, a bicycle too big for your child is too dangerous to ride. You need to buy a bike that fits.
One of the most important safety precautions is to make sure children child wear a helmet while riding bicycles. A helmet can protect children from serious brain injury if they fall off their bikes or have an accident.
For more information on buying children’s bicycles and other personal finance and safety matters, contact your (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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December 15 Application Deadline
For Summer Intern Program
Source: Martha Thompson
December 15 is the deadline for college students to submit applications and college transcripts for the Summer Intern Program offered by Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. This summer employment program gives students an opportunity to work 12 weeks in a KCES county office.
Interns work in a professional role with county Extension agents. Based on their interests and backgrounds, students are assigned a supervising agent in one of four disciplines: Agriculture/Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H/Youth Development, or Community Resource Development. College juniors and seniors are preferred.
NOTE AGENTS: If college students from your county previously worked in the Summer Intern Program, please list their names and which of the four disciplines in which they worked. You might want to suggest that local media interview previous local SIP participants.
Interns may have a variety of majors. Students with majors related to agriculture, family and consumer sciences and community development are needed to work in these areas. However, those working in 4-H/Youth Development are not required to have a specific major.
In their professional roles at county Extension offices, interns will interact a great deal with the public. Such activities may include giving presentations; taking part in Extension-sponsored meetings and field days; attending a week of 4-H camp; assisting with county fairs, or developing materials to promote educational programming.
The SIP gives college students an opportunity to learn if they would like to pursue a career with the KCES after graduation. About 25 percent of the current county agents have participated in this program.
During the 2002 SIP, 17 college students were employed.
SIP applications are available from the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service office, or by calling the UK College of Agriculture Personnel Office at 859-257-1727. You also can obtain an application at www.ca.uky.edu/agpsd/employ.htm.
Also, contact your local Extension office if you’d like more information on the SIP or any 4-H/Youth Development educational programs.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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