FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 1999

Fairbanks, Alaska- As a cold winter sunrise breaks over the November horizon, rural Alaskan elementary school students huddle around an incubator to discover the science and secrets of life within salmon eggs. Hundreds of miles away, a rancher's son in Delta Junction makes plans to purchase a steer calf this spring for the state fair competition. Near Nenana, an eighth-grader patiently adds the final touches to beaded gloves she has made for her grandmother.

Although hundreds of miles of icy terrain, tundra and wilderness separate these schoolkids from each other, the Alaska Cooperative Extension's 4-H Program brings them together with a common purpose.

Since the early 1950s, the statewide 4-H program has connected communities and children. And now, thanks to a new initiative by University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Marshall Lind, those connections will be stronger.

Under the plan, the role of UAF educators and researchers in developing practical skills for the state's youth will be emphasized.

"UAF for Youth" calls for increased public awareness between the statewide community, parent volunteers and university educators who teach 4-H members skills and techniques.

Club members will conduct an informational campaign, provide educational programs and circulate petitions to increase awareness of 4-H activities in Alaska.

More than 19,000 Alaskan children and teenagers were involved with 4-H activities statewide last year, but many Alaskans don't realize how much the program positively impacts students and the community, according to State 4-H Program Chair Jim Douglas.

"The mission of Alaska 4-H is to help youth become healthy, self-directing, contributing members of society by learning subject matter and life skills, through experiential instruction, backed by research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks," Douglas said.

There are more than 130 clubs active statewide that serve students living as far south as Hoonah and as far north as Barrow. The club's teach the importance of using the four H's: head, hands, heart and health; while focusing on a variety of diverse topics- everything from horseback riding to aerospace engineering. Students range in age from kindergarten to high school.

ACE is a cooperative, statewide program run in partnership with the U.S. Agriculture Department and UAF's College of Rural Alaska.

-30-

UAF NEWS RELEASES AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY AT:

JCS/11-5-99/00-024