California Youth on National Technology Corps

Merced County 4-H all-star Mark Mahacek started his first business at age 6 developing chore charts on the computer for his friends' parents. "Of course, he ended up losing all his friends," said his dad, Richard Mahacek, who is also the 4-H Youth Development advisor in Merced County. When other kids pretended to be Batman or Superman, Mark donned a cape and proclaimed himself "Super Calc." His early interest in computers only grew. Now, Mahacek, 17, is the only California member of the National 4-H Youth Technology Corps. Initiated in 1996, the 12-member corps manages the national 4-H web site (http://www.4-h.org/), hosts monthly 4-H on-line chats and provides technology training to 4-H members nationwide. Mark is also helping establish a California tech corps to provide some of the same services to California members. "Computers are the future," Richard Mahacek said. "4-H is on the cutting edge." For more information, contact Richard Mahacek at (209) 385-7418, rlmahacek@ucdavis.edu. Contact Mark Mahacek at kramrm@aol.com">.

Stanislaus 4-H Helps Educators Grow a Garden in Every School

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin has called for a garden in every school by 2000. The 4-H Youth Development Program in Stanislaus County seeks to support her goal. "We want to assist this effort for its own sake and to gain an entry point for establishing 4-H in new communities," said Ken Willmarth, the 4-H Youth Development advisor for Stanislaus County. "Working with kids in schools, we hope to connect with many who are now outside our program, and through gardening activity, build family and community connections necessary to establish sustainable 4-H clubs." With grant monies from the UC Davis California Communities Program and other sources, Willmarth hired summer intern Lucinda Smith. She coordinated a community garden activity and established a 3,000-square-foot garden site at Orville Wright Elementary School in Modesto. This fall, her efforts will be continued by Willmarth and UC Program Representative JoAnn Ratto. At Orville Wright and other schools, students will plant and nurture vegetables and flowers. "The children will learn about plants, soil, insects and their importance to our food supply," Willmarth said. "They'll be outside, doing some wonderful science, learning responsibility and reaping the tremendous tangible reward of a harvested crop." For more information, contact Willmarth at (209) 525-6800, kmwillmarth@ucdavis.edu.

4-H Supports Program That Helps Adolescents Survive the Teen Years

The teen years can be a roller coaster ride. Who could forget those volatile first boyfriend/girlfriend relationships? Not to mention academic anxiety, drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, first jobs, college admission, peer pressure, the desire for independence and testing parental authority. In Tulare County, UC Cooperative Extension 4-H is teaming up with a number of agencies to present a one-day conference Oct. 13 to teenagers as they struggle with these issues. "Kids need information, but they don't always want to turn to their parents or the school," says Carla Sousa, Tulare County 4-H Youth Development advisor and conference co-chair. "At the Teen Survival Conference, they can select the topics that affect them most and tailor the conference to address their personal needs." Classes include: "Pushing Your Limits," "Sex and the Law," "Gangs, Guns and Graves," "Transitioning to Manhood" and "Coping with Divorce." For more information, contact Sousa at (209) 733-6402, cmsousa@ucdavis.edu.

Jeannette Warnert
Public Information Representative
Ag and Natural Resources
UC Center
550 E. Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710