SEQUATCHIE COUNTY 4-H FORESTRY JUDGING TEAMS COMPETE AT REGION

Sheldon Barker

The Sequatchie County 4-H Forestry Judging Teams recently competed at the Central Region contest held at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park.  Three teams and two individuals competed from Sequatchie County. The senior team of Bailey Scott, Donnie Briggs, Deston Hobbs and Zach Scott won the regional contest and will be advancing to the State contest to be held October 18 in Knoxville. Senior individuals competing at the regional contest were Isaac Lloyd and Faith Merryfield. The Junior High Team of Taylor Scott, Shelley Griffith, Josh Griffith and Eli Hale was first overall in their division. The Junior team of Casey Scott, Gideon Lloyd and Daniel Scott placed second overall.

Individuals recognized were Zach Scott high individual senior division, Donnie Briggs third high individual senior division, Bailey Scott sixth high individual senior division, Deston Hobbs ninth high individual, and Isaac Lloyd tenth high individual senior. In the junior division, Gideon Lloyd was second high individual and Casey Scott third high individual. Taylor Scott was the high individual scorer in the junior-high, Shelley Griffith third high individual, Josh Griffith fifth high individual, and Eli Hale eighth high individual.

4-H members compete in several areas including Tree identification, insect and disease identification, tree measurement, wood identification, and compass and pacing.   

Contact
Sheldon D. Barker
Extension Agent UT Extension – Sequatchie Count

423-949-2611 or sdbarker@utk.edu

 

A Fall Fashion Show

Trees prepare for their annual fashion show

Factors influencing fall leaf color

Article by Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck, UT Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries,  and Dr. Kevin Hoyt, UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center

Posted by Sheldon Barker

The outstanding fall color is wonderful to behold from a bench along a trail at the UT Arboretum. Photo by R. Evans, courtesy UTIA.

New York, Paris and Milan all have their fashion weeks scheduled to the minute months in advance, but the annual fashion week for Tennessee forests can be much less predictable. 

Everyone wants to know when will be the best time to view autumn’s big show, but leaf color predictions can be quite tricky says Wayne Clatterbuck, professor of forest management in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. 

“Environmental factors that influence leaf color are hard to predict, so just when the the colors will peak is an annual mystery,” Clatterbuck said. “Most of the factors that influence leaf color are related to weather conditions prior to and during the leaf color change. Specific weather conditions are difficult to forecast in advance.”

But certain fall characteristics can be counted on, Clatterbuck admits. “Changing leaf color is triggered by the shorter days of sunlight - called the photoperiod - which is constant from year to year, then influenced by temperature and moisture,” he said.  In general, Clatterbuck says these weather conditions generally yield specific results:

• Warm, dry weather with extended droughts or moisture deficits

Fall color that is not as vibrant, is short lived (a week or so) and the timing can be delayed a week or more.

• Cool nights and warm days

Cool nights with temperatures in the 40s and low 50s (but not freezing) with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s tend to retain leaf color longer, and the colors are more pronounced, especially if the days are sunny.

• Sunny days vs. overcast days

Sunny days create more vibrant leaf color. Several rainy or overcast days in a row when leaves are turning color will cause them to be more dull.

• Adequate moisture

A little rain will yield a longer period of leaf color.

• Freezing overnight temperatures and early frost

Flashy forest fashion will quickly fade. Leaves will turn brown and die.

The color of leaves changes first at the higher elevations where it is cooler, then progresses to the valleys at the lower elevations. Color in the mountains of East Tennessee usually begins during the second week of October and advances to the valleys and the Coastal Plain of West Tennessee by the end of October. It can even last into the first two weeks of November. Thus, leaf color can peak at various dates depending on your location in the state or region.

Are you looking for some more information on how to identify the trees by their leaves? Check out the simple online guide provided by the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center and Arboretum in Oak Ridge:  http://forestry.tennessee.edu/treeidleafsimple.htm 

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center is celebrating its 50^th year of service. If you want to check out the facility and fall color for yourself, visit UT Arboretum. There are walking trails that can be combined for hikes of various lengths. Most are very family friendly and interpretive signs describe points of interest along the way. There is no admission fee. Visit the Arboretum’s website for details: http://forestry.tennessee.edu/arboretum.htm

The UT Institute of Agriculture provides teaching, research and outreach through the colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Veterinary Medicine; UT AgResearch, including its system of 10 research and education centers; and UT Extension with offices in every Tennessee county.

Encouraging our Children to Succeed

Think about a time that you received encouragement from someone else.  How did it make you feel?  Did the task seem easier to accomplish after you received encouragement?  Our children are faced with new learning experiences every day.  You can help make their day less stressful through providing encouragement.  Giving your children encouragement can help them to be excited about school and to develop positive attitudes about learning.  Some of those positive attitudes include:

·         Self-confidence: I can do it.

·         Curiosity: How? Why?

·         Self-starting: Let’s try it this way.

·         Goals: I will finish this tonight.

·         Persistence: Keeps on going, even when things are difficult.

As parents, you can help your children develop this positive attitude by doing the following:

·         Give them opportunities to feel successful.

·         Praise them.

·         Answer their questions.

·         Show them how to do things.

·         Help them break big jobs down into small jobs.

·         Give them time to try on their own.  Don’t do the work for them.

·         Help them when asked.

·         Talk with them rather than at them (Say, “What do you think might work?” instead of Here is how you do this.”)

·         Help them to practice the skills they have learned through activities and play.

Developing a positive learning attitude is the first step to building life -long learners.  However, there is still one REALLY BIG hurdle to cross….what about homework! Ugh!  How can you encourage your child to complete their homework assignments each night?  A few suggestions are:

·         Set a regular time for doing homework.

·         Have a central place where supplies for schoolwork can be found (scissors, glue, pencils, pens, paper, reference books, etc.).

·         Check the child’s homework when it is finished.

·         Be available to help with homework if needed.

·         Go over their assignments and help them to decide what is most important and in what order they should do their work.

·         During homework time, turn off the TV or other things that might make it hard to concentrate (however, some children learn best when other things are happening, such as having the radio on)

·         “Study” at the same time that your children are studying.  For example, parents could read the newspaper or a book, or do homework from classes they are taking.

·         Let children take a homework break.  A few minutes doing something else can help to clear the mind and make studying easier.

·         Let them have a snack if children come home from school hungry, or relax or play outside for a few minutes before they begin their homework.  Often children feel “brain dead” after a day of school and need some time to relax or play before they begin doing homework.

·         Give children a treat such as going for ice cream, having a family game night, or renting a movie on Friday if homework was completed on time all week.

·         Help children to put their homework where they can find it to turn it in the next day at school.

 Tips to Help Students Gain Academic Success

Source: Popkin, M. H., Youngs, B. B. & Healy, J. M., (1985).  Parent Involvement: Tips for Helping Your Child Succeed in School. Active Parenting Publishers.

Involved Parents = Successful Students

It’s back to school time in Tennessee!  I can remember the early morning alarm clock, the moans and groans coming from the bedroom, the mad rush to pack lunches and get everyone out the door on time and….the return trips for forgotten items. Does this sound like your home?  As parents, we play many important roles in our child’s life.  One of the most important roles is supporting their educational endeavors.  Research shows that schools are stronger and produce better programs when parents are involved.  The research also suggests that students display better attitudes towards learning and earn better grades when their parents are engaged in the learning process.  You demonstrate the importance of education when you show an interest in your child’s school experience.  This support can be shown physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally.

Physical support includes:

·        Ensuring your child receives adequate sleep in order to fully engage in their studies.  Plan your days so that your child can have 9 – 11 hours of rest every evening. 

·        Making sure your child gets up early enough to eat breakfast from home or arrives early enough to eat breakfast at school.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day to energize their brains and their bodies!

·        Dressing your child appropriately for the weather.  It is best to dress your child in layers so they can add or remove clothing to remain comfortable in different climates.  Be sure to check with your child’s school dress code and follow their recommendations.

Social support includes:

·        Teaching your child how to get along with others.  Help them to understand that they will not always get their way and show them how to treat others with respect.  Modeling these behaviors is the best teacher of all.

·        Preparing your child for those that are different.  Again, modeling respect of all people that look, act or talk different from them.  Help them to celebrate the unique qualities each person adds to the classroom.

Emotional support includes:

·        Providing security for your child at home.  Each child has the right to feel safe in their own home.  This can be accomplished by

o   Avoiding fights in front of the children.

o   Identifying a trusted adult the child can call for support

o   Planning appropriate childcare.

·        Supporting your child.  Be sure to encourage your child’s positive behaviors and efforts.  Too much criticism can damage your child’s self-worth and confidence.

·        Empathizing with your child.  Be sensitive to your child’s feelings.  Validate their feelings and never belittle or tease them.

·        Loving your child unconditionally.  Make sure they know that they are always loved, even when you don’t approve of their behaviors.

Mental support includes:

·        Making sure your child has all the supplies/needs for school each day such as books, homework, pencils, paper, etc.

·        Asking what they are studying at school.  Look over work, read through their notebook and provide further studies on a topic that interests your child.

·        Discussing your child’s homework, tests and report cards.

·        Locating dates and times of special exams such as ACT, SAT, TCAP and End of Course Exams.  Help them prepare and make sure they are well rested.

When parents are involved in school, they can understand what their children are learning and doing in school, understand what the teachers expect from the students, get to know their children's teachers and principals, and get to know their children's friends and parents. Below are some suggestions you can do to be involved?

·         Eat lunch at school with your children.

·         Attend programs and sports events in which your child is involved.

·         Visit your children's classrooms.

·         Bake goodies and take to the teacher’s lounge.

·         Participate in parent-teacher meetings.

·         Attend open houses.

·         Participate in special workshops.

·         Help with fund-raising.

·         Write notes to the teacher about things that concern or please you.

·         Ask the teacher how you can help your child at home.

·         Ask about school rules and help your child to follow those rules.

·         Volunteer in the classroom.

·         Volunteer for special events.

·         Become a member of the PTA or PTO.

·         Review your child‘s homework each day.

·         Take care of children for others who can volunteer at the school.

·         Help chaperon field trips.

·         Ask others such as retired friends or grandparents to volunteer.

·         Share your special talents (such as teaching a craft or working with computers).

·         Recognize your children when they do well.

 

Back to School Tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Dean, C. (1996). Becoming part of your child _s school. Cornell Cooperative Extension