The Blue Ribbon Drive 4-H Horse and Pony Club recently held their first meeting of 2013. It is so nice to see so many new faces this year. To begin the meeting we said the American flag and 4-H pledges. We also went around the group introducing ourselves and getting to know a little about each other.

The 4-H rules and medical forms were handed out and gone over so signatures of understanding could be turned in for record keeping. Our activity and performance books were handed out as well depending on our levels.

The election brought new members to office; each giving a short speech on why they should be elected for the positions. The votes were counted, and the new officers were given their books. President Megan Stenzhorn, Vice-President Kelly Oliver, Treasurer Makala Mack, and Secretary Geena Miller. Also selected were the club reporters Olivia Vosburg, Dana Nunemacher, Mercedes Strohl, and Alan-Michael Strohl. Towards the end of the meeting we were given the club agenda, and our leader chose a few of the older, experienced members to be assigned as mentors.

With this responsibility the mentors will help and guide the new inexperienced members to become knowledgeable and skilled horsemen. Our first clinic will be held January 27 and the next meeting will be held February 17. With a full agenda this year, it is going to be a blast! Thank you to our leaders, volunteers and members for making this possible.

Endless Possibilities 4-H Horse & Pony, & Community Club will be forming under the leadership of 4-H Horse Leader Kelli (Agler) Yeakel. The first club meeting will be held Saturday, February 16, 3:00 p.m. at Kelli’s home in Susquehanna, Pa.

Meetings will include horse activities, demonstrations, positive learning, clinics/workshops, and much more. This is open to prospective or current 4-H members between the ages 5-18. Remember, you do not have to own a horse or even take a horse project to join the club; there are many other projects available to take part in. Kelli is also the Susquehanna County 4-H Horse Judging Coach, and is interested in organizing another team. More information will be available at the meeting. Please contact Kelli at 570-396-2387 for directions, more information, and other upcoming meeting dates!

Jandi

Some of the dogs coming into the shelter are testing positive for Lyme disease. We are seeing many more animals with ticks and fleas. We are hoping to find a solution to getting our shelter dogs tested and treated. There is also a vaccine for lyme disease available. Please consider having your dog tested for lyme and heartworm. Checking your pets daily for "hitch-hikers" and using the proper preventatives will help avoid problems later. Talk to your vet about the benefits of testing and vaccinating your pets. Pictured is Jandi. She is a stray from the Auburn Center area. She is very cute, about 30 lbs., an adult 2-3 years old and wearing a red Farmall collar. If she is your dog or you are interested in her please come in or call the shelter. She is anxiously waiting for her person.

Harrisburg – Farmers have until Jan. 31 to submit projects for on-farm conservation equipment or install best management practices through the Resource Enhancement and Protection, or REAP program.

REAP allows farmers and businesses to earn Pennsylvania state tax credits for implementing best management practices on farms that will enhance production and protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources.

The program, administered by the State Conservation Commission, helps producers purchase conservation equipment and materials to help protect the environment.

“REAP helps producers farm for the future without compromising the needs of the present,” said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “This program has helped producers improve their operations while advancing the health of our watersheds.”

Producers with proposed or completed projects should submit applications immediately. The projects will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Private investors may provide capital to producers in return for tax credits. Any individual or business subject to taxation under Personal Income Tax, Corporate Net Income Tax, Bank Shares Tax or others is eligible to participate in REAP.

Since REAP began in 2007, 3,498 projects worth more than $48.2 million have been approved. More than $103 million in public and private investments were made to implement these projects.

REAP has helped reduce more than 11 million pounds of nitrogen, 859,485 pounds of phosphorus and 877,059 pounds of sediment through 2011.

Farmers can receive tax credits of up to $150,000 per agricultural operation for 50 or 75 percent of the total project cost. The most common projects approved are for no-till planting equipment, materials for waste storage facilities, manure management plans and protecting heavy animal use areas like barnyards.

Applications for the 2012-2013 REAP program are available at www.pda.state.pa.us/REAP under “Forms” or by calling 717-787-8821.

HARRISBURG – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union) encouraged municipalities, pre-qualified land trusts, non-profits and other eligible agencies within his Senate District to apply for state recreation and conservation grants through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2).

The C2P2 program provides financial and technical assistance for the planning, acquisition and development of park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects. The program also seeks applications that implement Pennsylvania’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and DCNR’s strategic plan. Funding includes the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener 1) and federal funding sources.

“Last November, almost $750,000 in C2P2 funding was awarded in my senate district alone,” Yaw said. “I strongly encourage eligible applicants to apply for this funding as a way to improve and preserve our local recreational areas and further ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience and enjoy their appeal.”

Pre-application workshops and webinars will be held across the state in February and March to assist applicants with submitting proposals. Applicants can sign up at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Calendar, or contact Yaw’s office for information and assistance at 1-800-443-5772.

Yaw added that over the past 20 years the C2P2 program has funded over 4,000 projects that have helped, plan, acquire, and develop parks, recreation facilities, trails, and conserved critical conservation areas and watersheds; supported education and training on conservation and recreation topics; and built conservation, heritage, and recreation partnerships.

Applications will be accepted now through April 10, 2013.