Biathlon Combines Best of Shooting and Skiing Skills for Local Youth

Biathlon is a sport that combines cross country skiing and target shooting.  Though many people have never heard of it, it is one of the fastest growing winter sports in the world.  Biathlon is one of the featured events at the Paralympics being held this weekend at Telemark, and makes a great spectator sport.  Local youth will be enjoying the sport of biathlon for the third year this winter thanks to an effort by the local 4-H program.  

Dennis Liphart and Chris Bulovsky head up the project as certified 4-H shooting sports instructors using target rifles provided through a generous grant from the Friends of the NRA and the cross county skiing expertise provided by 4-H Chequamegon Area Nordic Ski Club (4-H CANSKI).  The group meets throughout the year, utilizing mountain bikes in the summer in place of skiing.  “It is a great match for our area with all of the snow and so many kids that are interested in hunting and shooting sports,” says Liphart.  “It also adds interest to the skiing for some of the kids, and introduces skiing and high heart rate shooting to kids who have experience in traditional position shooting.”

The project is focused on learning the skills, fun, leadership, and will compete in several low key competitions around the area as well.  Youth need to have their hunter safety card to participate, but need no experience.  New youth are welcome.  Call Dennis at 373-5666 or call the Ashland County UW-Extension office for more information.

4-H shooting sports coach Dennis Liphart works with new biathletes on a warm winter day.

This winter marks the 28th year of the “Northern Wisconsin Safari of Ag Specialists.” These educational programs are sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Each program focuses on a specific agriculture topic, with University of Wisconsin-Extension specialists and agents bringing you up-to-date on the  latest research-based information for your rural property or farm business.  All three sessions will be held at 1:00pm at the Agriculture &  Energy Resource Center (AERC) formerly the Ashland Agriculture Research Station, near Ashland, WI.    There is no cost for these programs, but we do ask that you call the Bayfield County UW-Extension office (715-373-6104, Ext. 0) to pre-register. 

UW-Extension is pleased to announce the  Master Gardener General Training Course for 2012.  Achieving Master Gardener Certification requires attending all ten training sessions, participating in the community project at the end of the course, passing the final exam, and completing 24 hours of volunteer service within one year of completing the training course. 

New this year, participants not wanting Master Gardener Certification are welcome to register for individual Modules.  You must register and pay for all sessions within a module.

The cost for the full Master Gardener General Certification Course is $70/person ($105 for two) which includes more than 30 hours of live instruction, the Master Gardener Training Manual, light refreshments, and printed materials.  The Handbook For Wisconsin Gardeners will be available for an additional $85.  The cost for Module 1, Module 2, and Module 3 is $20, $25, and $20 respectively, but does not include the Master Gardener Training Manual.

AERC – Ashland Energy & Resources Center
NGLVC – Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center

For more information contact Jason Fischbach, Ashland/Bayfield County UWEX Agriculture Agent at 715-373-6104, ext. 2)

 Master Gardener Training Registration Form

The 4H-CANSKI (Chequamegon Area Nordic Ski Club) cross-country ski club is a partnership between Ashland and Bayfield County 4-H and local schools.

The mission of 4H-CANSKI is to promote fun, fitness, safety and excellence in the lifelong sport of cross country skiing. 4H-CANSKI provides ongoing instruction, social opportunities and leadership development for skiers of all levels. We will emphasize technique, conditioning, safety and provide leadership opportunities all in a fun filled atmosphere in the great outdoors. 

Here is a link to the CANSKI home page:

http://www.4hcanski.org/

2011-12 4-H CANSKI Brochure

2011-12 CANSKI Individual form – FINAL Updated Jan 2012

 2011-12 CANSKI Family form – FINAL Updated Jan 2012

ADULT VOLUNTEER LEADER Form Final 2011-2012 Updated Jan 2012 

Here is the list of the Cloverbud Activities.  If you have any questions about these events, please contact Amy Mundt at (715) 292-3901.  To pre-register for these events, please contatct the Extension Office at (715) 682-7017. 

Cloverbud Activity Day 12-17-11 permission-enrollment

Enrollment Form Cloverbud 2011 (for non-4-H member)

2011-12 Activities Calendar

USDA’s new approach a big step forward to help consumers plan balanced meals

What does a healthy diet look like? That question will be easier to answer with the help of the new MyPlate website and consumer materials unveiled last week by the USDA in Washington, D.C.

The MyPlate website features an easy-to-remember icon—a colorful dinner plate divided into sections for fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins next to a circle representing a cup labeled dairy. The site at http://www.choosemplate.gov/ also offers tools and resources to help consumers put the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans into action by building healthy eating patterns. MyPlate replaces the former USDA MyPyramid food guide.

The basic messages on healthy eating that are emphasized in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate are:

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.
• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Compare sodium (salt) in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals, and choose foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

“The new MyPlate system is a giant step forward in helping consumers plan balanced meals and snacks,” says Susan Nitzke, UW-Extension specialist and professor in nutritional sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Whether you are planning a meal at home, picking items from a restaurant menu, or checking out your shopping cart, the MyPlate logo summarizes the proportions that you should strive for in a balanced diet.”

Nitzke points out that the new MyPlate system gives a quick visual summary of a healthy meal while allowing great flexibility. “Vegetarians, pregnant women, athletes, and school children can all use this new symbol to determine if their personal eating patterns are in line with expert recommendations,” she says.

Beverages play a big role in the MyPlate strategy, too. “I appreciate the fact that the glass or cup next to the plate is an important part of the icon,” adds Nitzke, who advises people to pay as much attention to the nutritional value of their beverages as their food, both with and between meals.

For more information on MyPlate or to learn more about ways to eat well, contact the Dane County UW-Extension office.

Source:  Susan Nitzke, 608-262-1692, nitzke@nutrisci.wisc.edu

 The next meeting of the Ashland County 4-H Parent/Leader Organization will be Monday, February 6, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at White River Town Hall.   

 Ashland County Leaders Meeting Minutes January 2012

Your County Extension Office compiled a pictorial summary of its work in 2009.  We realize how busy people are and that a lengthy text report is unlikely to get read, so we’re trying a new approach with photos and captions that give an overview of our work last year. You should be able to scan the report in just a few minutes and yet get an idea of the areas in which we provide services. 

If the report generates questions please give us a call at 715-682-7017 or send an email at tom.wojciechowski@ces.uwex.edu  

If you think we might be able to assist you with a local issue please contact us.  Your feedback on the report is also welcome.

Annual Report 2009  (PDF)