Spilyay Tymoo
Warm Springs, Oregon
' (Mm TT V.-
EXTENSION 4-H &
Luvn-t BcrnadetteHandley Zack del Nero Minnie RedDog
rOi ER-3238 Home Economics Natural Kesources 4-tl Assistant
Internet Address: http:www.orst.edudeptwsext
The Oregon State University Extension Service staff Is devoted to extending research-based Information from OSU to the people of Warm Springs
In agriculture home economics, 4-H youth, forestry, community development, energy and extension sea grant program with OSU, United States
Department of Agriculture, Jefferson County and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs cooperating. The Exenslon Service offers its programs
and materials equally to all people.
The Clover speaks
Cornell Study Says Path to BcttcrGradcs
and Behavior: Join 4-H
ITHACA. NY Young people who
participate in New York state 4-H clubs do
better in school, are more motivated to help
others and achieve more than other kids
; who both do and do not participate in other
kinds of group programs and clubs, ac
cording to a two-year Cornell University
study.
Members of the youth organization also
are more educationally motivated, have
higher levels of self esteem, place more
emphasis on having a value system and
communicate at more of an adult level, says
the study conducted by June Mead, a pro
gram e val uator for Cornell Cooperative Ex
tension; Eunice Rodriguez, an assistant
professor in the Department of Policy
Analysis and Management; and Tom
Hirschl, a professor in the Department of
Rural Sociology at Cornell.
The findings from the study on how 4-H
clubs make a difference in young people's
lives are based on the "New York State 4-H
Clubs: 'Members Only' " survey of almost
3,200 fifth-through 12lh-graders (30 percent
male, 70 percent female) in 50 New York
counties, including New York City. State
wide, 4-H club enrollment is now about
10,600 males and 18,300 females. The
Cornell researchers analyzed the data from
Raising achild is probably the most gratifying
job any of us will ever have and one of the
toughest In large part, that's because times have
changed. We live in a world that challenges us
everyday with a wide range of disturbing issues
that are difficult for children to understand and for
adults toexpIain.Chattingaboutsex, HIVAIDS,
violence, drugs and alcohol may be uncomfort
able for you especially with young children. But
consider this: our children are already hearing
about these issues from TV, movies, magazines
and school friends. If we don't talk with them
early and often and answer their questions
they'll get their facts from someone else. And
we'll have missed an important opportunity to
offer our children information that's not only
accurate, but also in sync with our own personal ;
values and moral principles.
Start Early - Kids are hearing about and
forced to cope with tough issues at increasingly
early ages, often before they are ready to under
stand all aspects of these complicated ideas.
Researchandpublic health data tells us that when
young children want information, advice and
guidance, they turn to their parents first Once
' they reach the teenage years, they tend to depend
more on friends, the media and other outsiders for
their information. We need to take advantage of
this "window of opportunity" with young chil
dren and talk with them earlier and more often,
particularly about tough issues like sex, HIV
AIDS, violence, alcohol and drugs.
Initiate Conversations with Your Child -While
we want our children to feel comfortable
enough to come to us with any questions and
concerns and thus give us the opportunity to
begin conversations this doesn't always oc
cur. That's why it's perfectly okay at times
even necessary to begin the discussion our
selves. TV and othermediaare great tools for this.
Say, for instance, that you and your 12-year-old
are watching TV together and theprogram's plot
includes a teenage pregnancy. After the show is
over, ask your child what she thought of the
program. Did she agree with how the teenagers
behaved? Just one or two questions could help
start a valuable discussion that comes from ev
eryday circumstances and events. Also, when
spcakingwithyourchild,besuretousewordsshe
can understand. Trying to explain ADDS to a
6-year-old with words like "transmission" and
"transfusion" may not be as helpful as using
simplerlanguage.Thebesttechnique:usesimple,
short words and straightforward explanations. If
you have more than onechild andyourkids are
widely spaced try to speak with them sepa
rately, even about the same subject The reason?
Children of varied ages are usually at different
developmental levels, which means that they
need different information, have different sensi
tivities andrequireadifferentvocabulary. What's
more, older children will often dominate the
discussion, which may prevent the younger ones
from speaking up.
Even about Sex and Relationships - If you
feel uncomfortable talking about such sensitive
subjects - particularly sex and relationships
STOCKMAN'S ROUNDUP: Agencies seek input
by Bob Pawelek
OSU Livestock Agent
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, March 14,
2000 Washington State Directors for
Arinno Hnilp.ii Hnh Pawelek riinM.irkc Deanie lohnson
VWMV. ' -wlt -
Youth Livestock Staff
the "Members Only" survey and then com
pared the data with that of the "Search
Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes
and Behaviors" survey that included young
people who were involved in some type of
club or organized group program and those
who were not. The research by the Search
Institute of Minneapolis found that the more
opportunities young people have to develop
their capacities in positive ways, the less
likely they are to engage in problem behav
iors and the more likely they are to engage
in positive, pro-social behaviors.
Of the 254,400 young people in the
HOWIE SWEET HOME
By Bernadette Handiey, Family &
Community Development Agent
with your young child, you're not alone. Many
parents feel awkward and uneasy, especially if
they are anxious about the subject But, for your
kid's sake, try toovercome your nervousness and
bring up the issue with your child. After all, our
children are hearing about it both through the
media and on the playground, and that informa
tion may not include the values that we want our
kids to have.
Create an Open Environment - Young
children want their parents to discuss difficult
subjects with them. However, our kids will look
to us for answers only if they feel we will be open
' to their questions. It's up to us to create the kind
of atmosphere in which our children can ask any
!uestions on any subject freely and without
ear of consequence. How do you create such an
atmosphere? By being encouraging, supportive
and positive. For example, if your child asks,
"How many people have AIDS?" try not to
answer with, "I don't know. Please just finish
your lunch."
No matter how busy you are respond with
something like, "That's an interesting question,
but I'm notsure. Let's go look it up."(FYI: Don't
worry that if your children learn that you don't
know everything, they won't look up to you.
That's simply not true. Kids accept "I don't
know," and "let's go find out," and they are better
responses than any inaccurate or misleading
answers you may be tempted to offer.) One more
point: You don't need to answer all of your
children's questions immediately. If your
10-year-old asks, "Mom, what's a condom?"
whileyou'renegotiatingatricky turn inrush-hour
traffic, it's perfectly okay for you to say some
thing like, "That's an important question. But
with all this traffic,Ican'texplainrightnow.Let's
talk later, after dinner." And make sure you do.
Communicate your values - Begin the con
versations before anyone else can confuse him
herwith"iustthe-facts''explanationsthatlackthe
sense of values and moral principles you want to
instill. Likewise, when talking with your child
about sex, remember to talk about more than "the ,
birds and the bees," and communicate your
values. Remember: research shows that children
want and need moral guidance from their moms
and dads, so don't hesitate to make your beliefs
clear.
Listen to Your Child - How many times do
we listen to our children while folding clothes,
preparing for the next day's meeting, or pushing
a shopping cart through the supermarket? While
that's understandable, it's important to find time
to give kids our undivided attention. Listening
carefully to our children builds self-esteem by
letting our youngsters know that they're impor- ,
tant to us and can lead to valuable discussions
about a wide variety of sensitive issues. Listening
carefully also helps usbetterunderstand whatour
children really want to know as well as what they
already understand. And it keeps us from talking
above our youngsters' heads and confusing them
even further.
For example, suppose your child asks you
USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA),
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) and Risk Management Agency
(RMA), announced today theirplans for seven
Public Listening Sessions scheduled through
out the State of Washington. The purpose of
the sessions is to gather farm owner and op
erator input on the future of agricultural policy
in the United States, particularly farm safety
net and conservation programs within the
2002 Farm Bill.
The format of the Public Listening Session
is one that allows for prepared
testimony, as well as remarks by mose who
wish to address specific programs
FSA, NRCS and RMA administer. The
Western Washington meetings will be held in
cooperation with WA Dairy Federation;
Central Washington meetings with the WA
Chair, Madras Secretary
4".
Search Institute's survey, the 41 percent
who participated in some type of club or
organization similar to 4-H scored higher in
almost all of the areas studied. I lundreds of
young people said that 4-H clubs provided
enrichment activities, broadened their
worldview and expanded what they learned
in school. One youth wrote, "MyJ 4-H
experiences, such as public presentations
and educational projects, have given me an
edge in school. Most importantly, the lead
ership experiences that I have had through
4-H nave helped me to become a more
outgoing person, ready to take on all different
sorts of responsibilities." Many young
people reported that they had developed
skills in leadership, public speaking,
self-esteem, communication, and planning
and that they have made lasting friendships
through their club participation. One 4-H'er
reported, "I've had a lot of fun in 4-H,
learned many new skills and learned that
my little help can count. 4-H has given me
opportunities to grow and have fun doing
so. For this gift, I am very grateful." Another
wrote: "Without 4-H, I don't know where
I'd be."
what crack is. Before you answer, ask him what
he thinks it is. If he says, "I think it's something
you eat that makes you act funny," then you have
a sense of his level of understanding and can
adjust your explanations to fit Listening to our
children and taking their feelings into account
also helps us understand when they've had
"enough. Suppose you're answering your
9-year-old's questions about AIDS. If, after a
while, he says, "I want to go out and play," stop
the talk and re-introduce the subject at another
time.
Try tobeHonest - Whateveryourchildren's
age, they deserve honest answers and explana
tions. It's what strengthens our children's ability
to trust Also, when we don't provide a straight
, forward answer, kids makp up their own fantasy
' explanations, which can be more frightening
than any real, honest response we can offer.
While we may not want or need to share all the
details of a particular situation or issue with our
child, try not to leave any big gaps either. When
4 we do, children tend to fill in the blanks them
selves, which can generate a good deal of con
fusion and concern.
Be Patient Often it can feel like forever
before a youngster gets his story out As adults,
we're tempted to finish the child's sentence for
him, filling in words and phrases in an effort to
hear the point soonerTry to resist this impulse.
By listening patiently1, we allow our children to
think at their own pace and we are letting them
know that they are worthy of our time.
Use Everyday Opportunities to Talk-It's
irnportantto try to talk withyour kids abouttough
issues often, butthereisn'talways time in the day
to sit down for a long talk. Also, kids tend to resist
formal discussions about today's toughest is
sues, often categorizing them as just another
lecture from mom and dad. But if we use "talk
opportunities," moments that arise in everyday
life, as occasions for discussion, ourchildren will
be a lot less likely to tune us out For instance, a
newspaper item about a child expelled from
school for carrying a gun to class can help you
start a discussion on guns and violence. A public
service TV commercial can give you an oppor
tunity to talk about AIDS.
Talk About it Again. And Again. - Since
most young children can only take in small bits
of information at any one time, they won't learn
all they need to know about a particular topic
fromasmgleaMscussion.That'swhyit'simportant
toletaMetimepass.thenaskthechildtotellyou
what she remembers about your conversation.
This will help you correct any misconceptions
and fill in missing facts. Finally, in an effort to
absorb all they want to know, children often ask
questions again and again over time which
can test any parent's nerves. But such repetition
is perfectly normal, so be prepared and tolerant.
Don't be afraid to initiate discussions repeatedly,
either. Patience and persistence will serve you
and your child well.
-Mtedfromhttpyww.talkingwithkids.org
firsthtml
on 2002 Farmbili-
Horticultural Association and the Eastern
Washington meetings with the WA Associa
tion of Wheat Growers.
Scheduled Listening Sessions throughout
Washington State
April 17, 2000; Colfax, WA; 7-9:00 a.m.;
Public Service Bldg, 310 N. Main
Street
April 17, 2000; Waterville, WA; 9:30
a.m.-Noon; Douglas County Fairgrounds
April 17, 2000; Walla Walla, WA; 1-3:00
p.m.; Pioneer Methodist Church, 209 E.
Birch
April 17, 2000; Yakima, WA; 4-6:30 p.m.;
Davis H.S. KIVA room, 212 So. 6th Ave.
April 17,2000; Kennewick,WA; 6:30-8:30
p.m.; Benton Co. PUD Auditorium 2721
W 10th Ave.
April 18, 2000; Ml Vemon, WA; 10:30
- - A r,A
Natural Resource
by Zach del Nero, Natural Resources
Agent
Spring warm-up is on the
am
It is the end of February and I was ex
pecting to see 2 or 3 feet of snow on the
north end and 20-foot drifts on the pass
roads - well, maybe next year. It appears
that spring is getting close, we've been
seeing some warmer days lately and the
rains too. Now is a good time to start thinking
about weed control, pasture plans, garden
ing plans, and anything else you want to get
done this year.
You might have noticed a lot of articles
here about weeds over the past couple of
years - they are a serious problem for agri
culture, yards, fire management, pasture
quality, livestock health, and native roots
and other plants. In just a few weeks, many
problem weeds are going to start sprouting
in your fields and along roadsides. Learn
how to identify problem weeds and learn
what you can do to control them. Weeds
affect everyone - herbicides are costly and
can cause environmental damage, wildlife
and livestock lose out on feed quantity and
quality, and native roots are crowded out
(just look at what medusa head has done to
many traditional root areas). Some weeds,
like puncturevine (goat head, bullhorns),
won't come out 'till the weather warms up
in June or so - but it's a good idea to be ready
for anything. If you wpuld like some help
with identification or control methods -contact
us at OSU Extension.
For help with your pasture or other
livestock plans - please contact Bob
Pawelek, OSU Livestock Agent, for tips on
improving your returns and the health of
your grazing lands and livestock. Remem
ber - livestock producers are dependent on
a healthy pasture - if we are good at "farm
ing" grass and other forage, then we can
take the "gravy" off with livestock.
Interested in gardening this year? Fred
Meyer in Redmond has a great selection of
fresh produce - and lots of
"organically-grown" stuff. Safeway in Ma
dras has been getting more and more "or
ganic" items too, including milk and eggs.
Organic produce is priced higher than
Satellite Events
OSU Extension hosts' a series of educational satellites
developed by the U.S. Department of Education.
Multiplying Excellence - April 18
Connecting with Youth - May 16
Learning Everywhere - June 20
Programs will be offered in the 1st floor classroom of the
Education Building from 5PM-6 PM.
Contact OSU Extension 553-3238
if you are interested in attending.
Limit: 10.
Have a safe & fun-filled Spring
Break!
U.S. farmers1 oil costs up as much as $3
bln-USDA
WASHINGTON(Reuters) - U.S. farm
ers may pay an extra $3 billion for fuel to
run their tractors and other machinery this
year due to soaring oil prices, a top U.S.
Agriculture Department official said Mon
day. USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins
had said late last month that a spike in oil
prices, which has come right as farmers
need to run their machinery during spring
planting, would raise farmers' fuel costs by
$1 billion. But Collins is now raising his
estimate to somewhere between $2 billion
and $3 billion in added costs. Farm fuel
expenses totaled $6.4 billion last year, ac
cording to USDA
estimates. "Oil prices have gone up fur
ther than we thought and are staying high
am.- 12:30p.m.; WSU Research Center 1468
Memorial Hwy.
April 19, 2000; Chehalis, WA; 10:30 a.m.
-12:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church , 1866
So. Market St.
To submit statement for the record: Pro
ducers who are unable to testify at a field
hearing may instead submit written testimony
for the official record. Testimonies must in
clude their name, address, phone number and
forwarded to USDA-FSA, Chris Bieker, 316
W. Boone, Suite 568, Spokane, WA 99201 by
May 1,2000.
Persons requesting special accommoda
tions (e.g.: translator, disability) to participate
in any one of the above listed meetings should
contact Jo Lynne Seufer at 1-800-205-9953
by April 10,2000.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider
and employer.
Li EJIA
notables-
"commercial" produce, because it is a
smaller market right now. Often, organic
produce is more expensive to grow, be
cause there can be a lot more manual labor
involved. The big advantage of "organic"
goods is that they are grown without the use
of many agricultural chemicals, pesticides,
and hormones that are potentially harmful
to the environment and to you (of course,
anything that damages the environment ends
up damaging us anyway). So why not grow
some of your own? March is a good time to
plant some seed flats for "cole" crops like
cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussel
sprouts (some of the best known
"cancer-fighting" foods known). As soon
5S the soil is warmed up and ready, these
flats can be transferred to the garden. Right
now, you can pick out a spot on your prop
erty for your "Y2K" garden. It's too early to
work the soil up, but at least you can plan
where you want it and what you are gonna
want to plant this year. Pick an area that'll
get plenty of sun from morning to evening,
with good soils (may need to add some mix
anyway), and access to water. It's a good
idea to plan on fencing off your garden,
since dogs and loose horses & cows like to
tear into gardens when they can. If gardening
sounds good to you, give us a call at OSU
Extension and we can help with your plan.
Also, I hope we can get together this year
and work on the Community Garden - it's a
great opportunity to work together for
something that benefits everyone.
longer than we thought," Collins told re
porters after attending a government brief
ing on spring drought prospects.
. Crude oil prices have skyrocketed over
the last several months, reaching a nine-year
high of $34.14 last week. Prices have risen
largely due to a coordinated cut in produc
tion by members of the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries. U.S. offi
cials are now hoping that OPEC will agree
to increase output to help drive down prices
at its next meeting later this month.
Collins said unless crude oil prices drop
soon, they will have a significant impact on
U.S. farmers, not only in direct fuel costs,
but also in added transportation charges for
shipping crops and higher fees for
oil-dependent fertilizers and pesticides. The
oil price hike will cost farmers an extra 12
cents per bushel to grow commodities such
as corn and wheat, he said.
Twelve cents may not sound like much,
but with depressed commodity prices, such
as wheat trading at $2.62 per bushel and
corn trading at $2.30 per bushel, those 12
cents could cause significant problems in
farm country, officials said. "This is a very
serious problem affecting agriculture,"
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman told
reporters. "It shows how vulnerable agri
culture really is." The oil price spike could
also drive down consumer demand for some
high-value agricultural goods, as grocery
shoppers have less money in their wallets to
spend on food after paying higher prices to
fill the gas tanks in their cars. The Energy
Department predicts the national price for
gasoline could hit a record $1.80 a gallon
this summer. Glickman said the department
is putting together a report on the impact of
higher oil prices on farmers. "We are looking
at it and we will do a full-scale analysis and
work with the Energy Department on it as
well," he said.
i