Taking it to the Streets

[Steve E]

The 4-H Council in Medford, Oregon has a group of young members who keep and show koi. They have a leader who supervises youngsters from several local area clubs who buy and raise koi. These young people then show their koi at the county fair (June or July). The showing has two phases: the koi are judged by the same standards we face and then there is a records and knowledge part. I have not yet been able to make it up to Medford to take in the show but maybe this year?

The information I have on the program is what I have pieced together from the newsletter for the Oregon Koi and Water Garden Society in Roseburg, Oregon and a phone call to the 4-H Council office in Medford. I was not able to get in touch with the leader and then lost his phone number. And I have not gotten off my butt to get the number again. (lots of excuses).

This type of program sounds like a great way to reach young people. If you are a people/kid person a call to your local 4-H council could start the ball rolling.

Steve

[koiczar]

Larry, Steve

Unfortunately for the kids who live in the Bay Area, 4-H is not a prevalent organization to be able to belong to (except in the VERY rural areas). I had tried to get the club to get involved with a similar program but couldn't find a high school with enough interest and outreach, especially from a teacher's standpoint. Terry Ulmstead at San Lorenzo Valley High has a kichi -level passion and his kids are really getting an education that will serve them well for the future. He even has students from UC Santa Cruz attending his classes. It's an amazing program and I'm very excited to be part of it. Can't wait til next school year begins. I would like to do a set of 4 lectures, 2 each semester along with teaching culling and growing seminars. I think it would be a ball - and I'd get to learn too!!!

Mike

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM Koiczar: Sounds like a curriculum that could be taken national if only there were enough dedicated teachers interested and with resources to keep fish.

MikeM

Therein lies the problem - teacher participation/interest. The resources could be provided by donations from local businesses in the area and the construction could be provided by the members of the local club and the kids. What better way to learn about pond construction and proper filtration than DIY!!!???

Mike