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Cobie and John take a deep breath and talk about the 2019 State Congress Highlights, and favorite moments. Transcript: Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now your host, Dr. John Long and Coby Rutherford. John Long: And welcome back to another podcast of 4-H-4-U-2. I am John Long. Coby Rutherford: And I am Cobie Rutherford. John Long: Cobie, let's just take a, inhale deeply, and exhale. Cobie Rutherford: It has been a week. John Long: It has been a week, and we're here to talk about that- Cobie Rutherford: What a fun week. John Long: What did you ... Well, we'll talk about that later. Tell us what's been going on in the world of 4-H. Cobie Rutherford: So this past week we had our state 4-H Congress, where we brought over 600 youth from around the state in to compete in about 80 different contests. They went to workshops where they increased their leadership ability. They learned new life skills, and I think just overall had an outstanding time. John Long: Yeah, I know that for us on Tuesday we had some ambassadors kind of trickle in and they were going to go over some scripts and we ate some pizza. So that was kind of a good way to ease into to the week. And then of course Wednesday morning when registration opened up, it was awesome just to see everybody excited about moving into the dorms. It was just... It's the frenzy of activity. I guess I love that the most. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, as those youth were unpacking their cars and coming into the dorm for the first time I thought, "Oh gosh, are some of these kids going to stay forever." John Long: Some of them probably wanted to. Cobie Rutherford: They brought so many clothes. And I guess they had to bring a lot, because they had to bring their bedding- John Long: Yeah that's true. Cobie Rutherford: ... and their pillows and stuff. But- John Long: Yeah, that's true. Cobie Rutherford: Gosh, I think that just the excitement that day kind of set the stage for the rest of the week. John Long: Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: It was a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. I remember thinking that day, I thought, well as we were checking folks in, I had the opportunity to check in the pictures and the help with the posters and that kind of stuff. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Well this is going really, really good. It seemed to fly. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Is this going to set the stage for a hit? And it did- John Long: It really did. Cobie Rutherford: Everything went by so fast last week. John Long: Yup. Cobie Rutherford: Then the time just got away from it. John Long: I don't know why, but it seemed like for this Congress it just seemed to fly by faster than others for sure. But I guess it's what happens when you're just constantly moving and constantly... We were in state of motion for pretty much the whole time I guess. Cobie Rutherford: It's almost the whole campus were- John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: Everybody here that was with 4-H Congress was in a state of motion. John Long: Yes. Cobie Rutherford: The agents trying to get the kids from contest to contest. Youths trying to get from their dorms to the contest locations, to workshops. It was just a lot of movement, a lot of activity. John Long: Cobie, give us a little overview of what exactly Wednesday consisted of. What did we do on Wednesday? I know what we did, but you tell everybody else what we did. Cobie Rutherford: So Wednesday we started with check-in, most of the kids and their agents and volunteers who came in on Wednesday morning. So we had all the check-ins, they got their t-shirts, they entered in their different inset collections, their posters, their photos, photography exhibits. I guess what I was trying to say. Cobie Rutherford: And then they went into their visual presentations on Wednesday afternoon and John I think they had 15 or so different options to enter in the visuals. Anything from Veterinary, Science, Pet Care, Visual Presentation, all the way to the Plant Soil Science and even Clothing Selection Visuals. John Long: Yeah. Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: It was pretty neat to see the whole range of activities that they could participate in, in those Visual Presentations John Long: Yeah, it is amazing the topics that they do come up with and how well they do those. So one of my favorite parts of Congress always has been the campaigning. I love to see the different approaches that the candidates have, that are running for office. And that normally occurs around, I think it was about twelve to one, I think on Wednesday. Cobie Rutherford: Mm-hmm (affirmative). John Long: And they set up out here embossed outside building B. And I saw some really good creative candidates out there. One was the Yellow Brick Road. Did you see the Yellow Brick Road? Cobie Rutherford: I did. John Long: I loved that one. Cobie Rutherford: I saw that, that was pretty good. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: And then Go bananas for Savannah. John Long: Go bananas for Savannah was a good one. Cobie Rutherford: Shout out to Savannah, our new Vice President. John Long: Yeah, there you go. Cobie Rutherford: That was cool. When- John Long: We're proud of all of you by the way. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: We can't single anybody. Cobie Rutherford: That's true. John Long: We all are good. Cobie Rutherford: We are proud. John Long: Yes. Cobie Rutherford: When I was in 4-H that was a big part of it too. And I never did run for state 4-H officer, but I'd campaign for several things at school. And I thought when we had our first child that we should name him something that have a funny campaign slogan. So we named our little boy Reason, which is a family name. But I also thought that when he runs for office one day, if he chooses, like the season for reason. John Long: Season and for reason- Cobie Rutherford: So- John Long: ... the reason to vote for me. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, so I think that's pretty cool. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: But that was a fun experience. The kids were handing out candy and doing everything they could to sway the votes, so that was cool. John Long: Yeah, it was cool. Then we had a lot of... We had some, like I said, I guess not out of the box, but we had some new things that the kids were exposed to this year. One of them being the... Oh gosh, and what was damn session. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, that was really neat. John Long: Yeah, Tell us about that. Cobie Rutherford: So I really didn't know a whole lot about it going in, but that was led by Dr. Lacey, who is the extension coordinator for the Delta region. And he had basically gotten up this group of youth. They had brought their instruments and basically they just got in the Boston auditorium and saying and learn different instruments and just learn from one another. It was fantastic. I walked in and they were singing, "We Will Rock You" and I love that. John Long: Oh, wow. Cobie Rutherford: I Mean just rocking the whole place. John Long: With music? Cobie Rutherford: With music. And they had their electric guitars or drums. It was really, really good. John Long: Well, and by the way, if somebody is missing a drum stick, we have it here in the state office. Cobie Rutherford: Oh, wow. John Long: Yeah, whoever lost it, I may keep it and put it in a shadow box. It might be famous one day I guess. Cobie Rutherford: I wouldn't doubt it. John Long: I know. Cobie Rutherford: With the amount of talent that was showcased here last week, there's some of these children who will be famous- John Long: That's awesome. Cobie Rutherford: ... is inevitable. John Long: That's awesome. Cobie Rutherford: They also had Dr. Linda Mitchell led an improv session where the youth were learning how to be dramatic plays and things and how to think on their feet and how to put those improv comedy or improv drama. I thought that was pretty neat. You don't think of that necessarily when you think of traditional 4-H, but gosh we got to start thinking out of the box and get these non traditional youth involved in 4-H because that's kind of our catalyst to get them involved in other contests, other activities and the whole youth development. John Long: Teaching those life skills. We never can say that enough and that's what we're about. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. Moving on to Thursday. John Long: Yeah, Thursday is really the big day I guess you could say. And- Cobie Rutherford: It seems like Thursday started at 6:00 AM- John Long: Yes. John Long: ... and ended at 6:00 AM the next morning- Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: ... Almost. It was a long day but it was so much fun. The judging contest for the most part took place on Thursday morning. And we offered everything from a Judging cont. Are judging contest, mis-judging to, consumer judging. There was really something for everybody. And those judging contest had those contests like the automotive drive and then tractor driving and welding contest, Mississippi cook-off. Now what surprised me that as popular as cooking shows are right now, there were only two teams- John Long: Really? Cobie Rutherford: Involved in the cookout, I thought there would be... Everybody would want to participate now. John Long: Is that the one that's kind of... It's like iron chef. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. John Long: Its only two teams? Cobie Rutherford: Only two teams. John Long: Wow, that's surprising. Cobie Rutherford: And I think this winning team, if they cooked a seafood dish, get to go to national context. John Long: Really? Cobie Rutherford: So that was pretty cool. John Long: Opportunities abound. Cobie Rutherford: Another shout out to AMEA County. John Long: Hey. Cobie Rutherford: Amy Walsh and Randy Mack. And- John Long: South Whales District. Cobie Rutherford: Yes, So they've rocked that contest. John Long: That's cool. Cobie Rutherford: I wanted to go over there to that, but I was tied up at the computer tapping into scores and it seemed like all day Thursday. John Long: Yeah sure. Cobie Rutherford: Until time for the dance. John Long: Time for the dance thats right. Cobie Rutherford: Oh Mercy, that was a... They had a lot of fun at the dance. John Long: I guarantee. I'm in the game room, in the doghouse in the game... Well I'm not in the dog... Well I guess I am in a dog house a majority of the time but anyway, so I felt comfortable there. But in the doghouse in first floor of the union and we have games and stuff and we got, let me tell you what, and that was the most kids I've ever had on game night and we got a shout out to Dr. Joy Anderson. She was awesome, she brought a super awesome deck of UNO cards and I bet at one time or another we had at least 10 people play a UNO at one time. And I learned a new UNO game. Well have you ever done a stack? Have You played an UNO stack? Cobie Rutherford: Is that where you, like if I had to draw four and then you had draw four, you just keep playing them on top of each other, then somebody has to draw? John Long: Yes, Right, and I got stuck with 16. Cobie Rutherford: Oh my God. John Long: So thank you to my partner on the right for... I can't remember his name, but they stuck me bad. Cobie Rutherford: That's the way we always played. John Long: Really? Cobie Rutherford: But I didn't realize that that wasn't a rule in UNO until- John Long: Yeah, I don't think it is. Cobie Rutherford: It's just kind of make up as you go. John Long: Yes. Cobie Rutherford: That's funny. John Long: Anyway, that was my learning experience, but Thursday I actually also participate in helping with the ambassador interviews and things like that. Cobie Rutherford: How did that go? Announcer:It went really well. We had quite a few first-timers and they did a really good job. Each and every one of them did a really good job and then we had some returning ambassadors that we're coming back. Let's see if that gets selected again. And of course we had National Congress delegates that we had to enter or interviewed through committee. So it was exciting. It's an all day thing. In fact, I was helping Deborah Lloyd who works in our office and I told her about noon, "I said, Deborah just think about it. We've got 10 more hours yet to go. Announcer:So it is a long day but, but yeah, to culminate in the dance and the game show, I mean the game, the game room, that was, that was a lot. I always look forward to that. It is a long day, but we always look forward to that too." And then, but of course then we had to turn around and be back up here. Hello, I was up here at like 6:30 the next morning after I got home at midnight and then 6:30 the next morning up here, getting ready for the award ceremony. We had a lot of awards to handout. Cobie Rutherford: Yes we did. John Long: How many did we hand out do you remember? Cobie Rutherford: I think that we ordered, I want to say it was 121 plus. John Long: Yeah, that's right. Cobie Rutherford: That's A lot. My favorite part of the whole Congress I'll say was something that I was the only person that had the opportunity to do this. John Long: Okay. Cobie Rutherford: I hate to even share it with you cause I know you're going to be jealous. John Long: I will be. Cobie Rutherford: But I got to be the person who facilitated the announcement of the new state, 4-H officers. John Long: No way. Cobie Rutherford: So at the dance, the results were emailed to me. So I got to go up on the stage with our president at the time, Jaylin who we've had in here for podcast before, and she announced the winners. So I was holding my phone up in the dark while she read those. But what I had the chance to see is the facial expressions and the celebrations of those children who won those officer candidates. John Long: Right. Cobie Rutherford: And just to see their face and then see their friends and the people around that embrace them and kind of put them up on a pedestal. Man, that was awesome. That was so good just to see that. And I thought, you know, this is really what one of the things 4-H teaches us, that we don't realize what we're being told is how to celebrate others and celebrate small victories such as that or big victories, either one and celebrations cost absolutely nothing, to be happy for your friend. John Long: Right, exactly. Cobie Rutherford: I thought, you know this pretty cool skill. And to see the candidates often standing by one beside one another, they're both reining for the same exact position and then for them to embrace and hug each other and put each other on their shoulders, it was really awesome. John Long: I think that's proof that 4-H really does what it's supposed to do and which is exactly what you said is. We promote good sportsmanship and things like that. We're doing a great job. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, definitely. You know that- John Long: Well we're not, but the program. Cobie Rutherford: ... the program is. John Long: Yes, that's right. Cobie Rutherford: And that was just a total validation of that. That we're doing great in that case. John Long: Right, exactly. Cobie Rutherford: But I'm excited about the new panel of leaders that we've got coming up. There's a lot of good ideas in these youth and I think that these youth really won't take ownership of their program and kind of drive the programmatic areas that we go to. So if you- John Long: If he wanted to see a snippet of exactly what Congress is like, I don't know if they've got it loaded yet or not, but they will have a Congress. Well Like a wrap up video that the agricultural communications put together and just look for it on our YouTube channel coming up, Missy before each YouTube channel coming up. And that'll show you... And that's actually one of those parts on that video is where they announce there are new president. Cobie Rutherford: ... yeah, that was really neat, really good. John Long: But you'll see the reaction that you were talking about, which is really cool. Cobie Rutherford: Yep. I definitely had the best seat in the house for that deal. John Long: I am jealous. Cobie Rutherford: That was kind of just a fluke that we got to announce those at the dance anyway. John Long: How did that come about by the way. I don't think we've ever done that before. Cobie Rutherford: It was kind of, I had to run off election and some kind of odd things happened with our ballots so we had to vote later than we planned down and- John Long: Just a bump on a road, no big deal. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, it set up that perfect opportunity and then everyone was at the dancer or in the union at that time. So there's kind of a good chance to announce. John Long: That's good, that's really good. Cobie Rutherford: So that little snafu actually resulted something better, I think. John Long: Okay you do. Cobie Rutherford: We also had on Friday, we did that surface learning project where kids- John Long: Oh, yeah. Cobie Rutherford: ... in counties brought different items for cleanup Mississippi. So we thought these items could help with a flood cleanup or maybe even some of the tornado cleanup. So they brought everything from brooms and mops to- John Long: Buckets. Cobie Rutherford: Buckets and cleaning supplies. John Long: We're thankful you brought buckets with stuff in it because it's a lot easier to move that, right? Cobie Rutherford: Yes it was. And then we had the opportunity John to go drop that outfit, the Red Cross in Columbus. John Long: Let me tell you what, that was a highlight for me because I'd never been to the Red Cross in Columbus and to see that and to, and to deliver that, that really kind of was a good wrap up for Congress for me, you know? Cobie Rutherford: Yeah. And they were so grateful to get those supplies and I know they'll be put to great use. John Long: Absolutely. We thank everybody that brought to that service project because that's what 4-H is about, about giving back. And I don't have to tell anybody out there that, Oh, there's been a lot of people hurting this year with all the rain we've had and flooding and just tornadoes and things like that. So being able to provide, even if it's just a little bit of relief to somebody was much appreciated. And I can tell you red cross was very appreciative of it when we dropped it off, that's for sure. Cobie Rutherford: Yeah, those donations will definitely help a lot of families around the State and they'll stay local too. John Long: That's right, That's exactly right. Cobie Rutherford: Pretty cool. John Long: Yup. Cobie Rutherford: You know, I keep thinking about back to highlights during the week and think about celebrations and think about seeing those kids win their awards at the awards ceremony. I think that was pretty cool. They all got to walk up on stage, shake hands with the specialist. I wonder how many, it will need one to go back and look and say, Oh that kid won first place in clothing, visual, they pursue a career in the clothing industry or just so how many of those kids actually go into those groups? John Long: Do you know, we really had a great keynote speaker. Not that we don't always have a great keynotes figure, but saying that our keynote speaker this year was a former leadership ambassador team member and who has become a medical doctor. And she came back and spoke and that was really cool to see how, she had just gave us her basically her biography of her life and how she went through her 4-H career and where she's at now. She's a- Cobie Rutherford: That's neat. John Long: ... pediatrician. Cobie Rutherford: That's neat. Yeah. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: That definitely goes to speak for the hands for larger service stuff- John Long: Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: I just caught the tail end of her toe, but it sounded like it was very, very good. John Long: Yeah, it was good. And you talking about... I'm seeing her grow up as a 4-H. I can't remember and I apologize, but I knew that her maiden name is Newman. I can't think of her last name. Cobie Rutherford: Livingston. John Long: Livingston. So it's Aaron Newman Livingston, Dr. Aaron Newman Livingston. And she's a pediatrician and she did a great job delivering our keynote or being our keynote speaker this year. And that was just proof positive and a great example of where 4-H can take you, you know, and how important it is in part of your life or it can be a part of your life. So let me ask you this first time, we've talked about this on our pre-Congress podcasts, first time state staff, Congress. What was your, the your most favorite part? Cobie Rutherford: Ooh, my most favorite part. I think just seeing celebrations. John Long: Mm-hmm- Cobie Rutherford: Seeing whether it's a kid celebrating their own performance and having the courage to step up and give a visual presentation in front of a statewide specialist and experts or seeing kids when the, when their awards are celebrate one another. Just celebrate being here and being on the beautiful campus, Mississippi State University. John Long: Absolutely. Cobie Rutherford: I think that was my favorite part. Just to take in and reflect on them. John Long: Yeah. Their enthusiasm's always addictive to me. It really is. Cobie Rutherford: And I think that Congress justifies, in my mind what we do is stay for each staff. John Long: Yeah. Cobie Rutherford: First and foremost it provides an opportunity for these youth to express themselves- John Long: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Cobie Rutherford: ... and develop an interest or passion in something that can lead to a career, lead to life skill that's very impactful. John Long: I always like saying Mississippi State University campus covered in a sea of grain. And that's exactly what we had last week for sure. Cobie Rutherford: That's right. John Long: Well with that, I guess we're going to close out this podcast and I hope that in some way if you heard podcast and are interested in getting into 4H so that you'll go to extension.msstate.edu. I think you don't even have to say www anymore because it's pretty much assumed. But if you can click on that 4-H tab and you will get a lot of information on where to go. You can also, if you don't know where your County office is or who is actually in your County extension office, you can also find a directory there that can point you in the right direction. John Long: So we would love to have you get into 4-H and we hope to see you come to 4-H Congress one day. And if you did hear this podcast as a young 4-H, come up to us and tell us about it because they'd love to hear your story. So with that, I'm John Long. Cobie Rutherford: And I'm Cobie Rutherford. John Long: And this has been 4H4U2. We'll see you next time. Announcer: Thanks for joining us for 4H4U2. For more permission, please visit extension.msstate.edu and be sure to subscribe to our podcast. 4H4U2 is produced by the Mississippi State University extension service, office of Agricultural Communications.