January 9, 2007
4-H Materials Review
When I updated the video one market that I thought could really benefit from this new technology would be 4-H leaders. Because our nation is increasingly suburbanized, many kids can't keep pigs, sheep, goats or cattle for a livestock project. Chickens are an alternative that can be kept in a small space, are quiet and yet can be used in showmanship classes for competition.
Getting the best experts I could interview for the video involved, both on an interview level and also as reviewers before the video was finished, I had a pretty good idea that this could provide even an experienced 4-H leader with a valuable resource. The showmanship section and the practical demonstrations of how too prep a chicken for show are good tools, clearly presented and easily understood.
When I had a partially finished video I contacted National 4-H, only to find that their review period for new materials had finished the week before. "Come back next year" they said. So I finished the video and today I spoke with a representative at National 4-H only to find out that they have decided to re-vamp the entire process. This review won't happen until June of 2007 and only then will they begin to develop a new protocol for evaluation of materials.
My alternative is a State-by-state review, offering a copy to each state's 4-H head and asking for review towards recommendation for use in that state. If you're a 4-H leader and have seen the video, please let me know what you think so I can offer a grass-roots review to the bureaucrats who supervise the program.
And a quick hats off to those of you who run 4-H programs, every young person I worked with doing the video who was involved in those programs was well-spoken, intelligent and able to understand what I needed and help me to get it. That speaks volumes for the success of your work.