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May 2016
Dear Families
Your County 4-H Program is going strong so we again expect most youth participants to register for the 4-H
Youth Show. This is an exciting time of year for everyone! Thanks for doing your part to help make it all
happen.
All 4-H Youth Show forms will be available online by the end of this week, and club leaders' packets will
be available by Friday as well. All club members please work with your club leader for Youth Show
registration and make sure you are enrolled as a 4-H member by June 1!
Youth Show Registration Highlights: 4-H Youth Show online registration will only be June 1-June 30 this
year, and any club paperwork (pen count and payment forms A and B) and registration/pen fees can be
turned in by club leaders to the MSU Extension/4-H office anytime during June, plus Friday, July 1 until
4:30pm. The Martech 4-H Youth Show online registration link to register for 4-H Youth Show classes will
only be open June 1-June 30 (11:59 pm). Also worth noting, Camping will again be available - camping
forms are a little different this year and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis as opposed to a
potential lottery as in recent years.
You can start reviewing your possible 4-H Youth Show class registration at the online 4-H Youth Show
Book Link at the ewashtenaw website under MSU Extension' s 4-H links.
As we do every year, we will again be collecting volunteer names for the many critical volunteer roles
during the Youth Show week. Volunteers are needed for the County 4-H Service Club food booth all week,
for still project clerking and running on Sunday, for the Washtenaw County 4-H Advisory Council BBQ
dinner on Friday evening, as well as for the many other jobs such as Buyers Buffet, washrack duty, show
arena setup, post-event clean-up, helping in the 4-H office during the Youth Show, etc. We have also
created a new teen role during 4-H Youth Show
We want to remind every single parent, volunteer and individual youth member that this is YOUR 4-H
program led by staff members who are connected to the research-base of MSU and who have access to
project-specific, state-level Specialists and Educators. If there are projects you wish we would bring to
our county 4-H program or workshops you would like to see held locally, or even classes you wish were in
the 4-H Youth Show book each summer, please attend one or more of the many county-wide committee
meetings: Still Projects Committee, Livestock and Dairy Committee, Horse Association, Small Animal
Committee, or 4-H Youth Show Committee. Watch the calendar at the end of each email for updated meeting
schedules. Consider this your personal invitation!
Sincerely,
your 4-H Staff
4-H Youth Show Update
Youth Show Book changes
The book has been printed in limited quantities and is available for sale for $5 from the MSUE 4-H office.
A few errors were noticed and have been fixed for the online version. So far most errors are minor but we
want you to be aware. What we know of now:
Rabbit Class corrections to printed 4-H Youth Show Book: P. 31, Himalayan Jr. Doe classes should be
4174 and 4197 (Not 7174 and 7197 as you will see.)
Horse has several updates from the printed book in rules, mini classes and costume classes so
please read through the online updated version.
PQA Upcoming Certifications
If you are showing swine in Michigan and still need, or know someone who needs, Pork Quality Assurance
certification, or you just aren' t sure, training opportunities for all are still available. Visit pork.org for
online certification (which takes longer), or other area certifications:
Monroe May 17, all levels, 7pm at 4-H Activity Center on Raisinville Rd (at fairgrounds) - no rsvp
needed
Lenawee, May 22, Beginners: 2pm, Int./Adv.: 3:30pm, Lenawee MSUE office - no rsvp needed
Hillsdale May 25, all ages, 7pm, at Hillsdale MSUE office - no rsvp needed
Hillsdale, June 4, all ages, 9am, Hillsdale MSUE office - no rsvp needed
Contact Sheri or Kellie for any other PQA information you may need.
Pole Bean Growing Contest for 2016
Attention all budding gardeners of all 4-H ages! The 2016 fun plant-growing contest will be a pole bean. If
you need some beans, they have been generously donated by the Dexter Mill (Tell ' em " Thanks" if you
stop there!) and are now available from the MSUE 4-H office. Each participant receives 10 beans to plant
in a container and bring to the 4H Youth Show. Growing information and Youth Show registration
information will be available with your seeds. These will grow tall and do like growing when it is warm so it' s not too late yet! Get your seeds soon and start planning your pole bean project for when the warm
weather hits!
4-H Youth Show Registration Process - June 1-June 30, 2016
All youth members planning to exhibit at the 4-H Youth Show and all 4-H clubs competing in herdsmanship
and/or educational projects, etc., will need to be pre-registered for the 4-H Youth Show by June 30. (Clubs
should register under the leaders name and address and do not require the $2 fee.) Check with your
Primary club for any earlier deadlines. Members in more than one club should choose one club to register
under for all projects.
The link (only live June 1-June 30) is available soon.
Please read the registration guidelines in the 4-H Youth Show Book
Once you have registered online, we recommend printing a copy of your registration once submitted.
(Do not turn this in for 2016!) Some clubs also keep a copy on file with the leader, check with your
club.
Turn your $2 registration fee plus any relevant animal pen fees in to your club leader by the club
deadline.
Each club leader and any Independent members will need to bring the completed " Youth Show Animal
and Pen Count Forms" (Both A and B), and one check per club (Payable to " Washtenaw 4-H Youth
Show" ) for animal pen and youth registration fees to the Washtenaw County MSUE 4-H office anytime
June 1-June 30 and July 1 to complete your pre-registration.
Camping forms must also be turned in to the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds any day in June, and
will be dated as it is a first-come, first-served process for 2016. The committee will not take any after
June 30 and will plan to assign sites prior to haul-in in order to reduce stress on families for haul-in
days.
Please contact the office if you need any help with any of these 4-H Youth Show registration steps.
County Programming
Cloverbud Camp - Calling all Cloverbuds!
Cloverbud Camp 2016 is July 12-14 from 9:30a-12:30p at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds.
Cloverbuds (4-H age 5-8) will play games with their counselors, make new friends, eat healthy snacks,
learn more about 4-H and the 4-H pledge and new this year, will work on three different crafts they can
show at the Youth Show. Check out our website for the camp registration and more information or contact
Emily at [email protected] or 734-222-3936.
Livestock Mentor Program Participants Welcome!
Please call 222-3905 by next Friday to let us know if you plan to participate! Youth participants age 7 or 8
(as of 1/1/16) and teen mentors age 13-19 (as of 1/1/16) are still invited to participate in this program.
Contact Sheri if you need an application. We need to know who will be participating in this program by
May 13. We have a meeting for Cloverbuds and teens set for May 18 at 6:00 pm at MSUE office, and will
need to make all of our pairings, contact families, purchase supplies, and prep materials ahead of time.
This is free and open to all 4-H youth. Thanks!
Spring and Summer Dog training opportunities
Our new superintendents have put together a new schedule for the dog project. Just show up and be ready
to learn. Contact the 4-H office if questions and we will help you and your dog get ready.
May 2nd - Orientation class - No Dogs - held from 6-7pm
May 9th - Obedience class - 6-7pm and 7-8pm
May 16th - Obedience class - 6-7pm and 7-8pm
June 6th - Obedience class - 6-7pm and 7-8pm
June 13th - Obedience class - 6-7pm and Showmanship 7-8pm
June 20th - Obedience class - 6-7pm and Showmanship 7-8pm
June 27th - Obedience class - 6-7pm and Showmanship 7-8pm
July 11th - Obedience class - 6-7pm and Showmanship 7-8pm
Date Changed-- Mock Dog Show - moved to July 16th starting at 2pm with obedience -- Date Changed
Exploration Days
Mandatory participant meeting June 1 at the Dexter library at 6:30 pm. Final payments and profile sheets
with participant photo are due at the meeting.
May horse Clinic Deadline May 6
All interested 4-H' ers are invited to the Washtenaw 4-H Horse Association' s 1st Ever May Clinic on May
14, 2016. This event will be held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds from 10am-3:00pm (Lunch
break from 12-1). $30 for entry with a horse/pony and free for spectators. Two clinics will be offered, put
on by Gayle Ledwidge and Amy Riske. There will be a showmanship clinic, trail pattern and a basic
dressage clinic offered. To participate in the spring clinic, register via event form and provide copy of
current coggins to the MSU Extension 4-H office by May 6th. Don' t miss out on a chance to have fun and
learn some new things!
Upcoming County 4-H Project/Program Committee Meetings
Check the 4-H google calendar for upcoming events and meetings too. All County Project and program
committees are open to all interested people, and at least one person from every county 4-H club is
encouraged to attend and serve as officers, annually. Teens are highly encouraged to attend and bring a
youth voice to the county 4-H program. (Adults are great, but it is your youth voice and involvement that
make 4-H awesome!)
Still Projects Committee
All are invited to join in and help tackle the many jobs of the Still Projects Committee. They will meet
Thursday, May 12 at 6 pm in the MSUE lower level lunchroom. Upcoming work will be around 4-H
Youth Show activity tent planning, Still projects judging preparation, November county workshop
planning, etc. Get involved! They meet approximately every other month.
Small Animal Committee
The next meeting of the Small Animal Committee is Tuesday, May 10 at 7 pm at Peace Lutheran
Church on Jackson Rd. All are invited to participate, as with all committees.
Livestock and Dairy Committee
The next (every other month - even months) meeting is on the google calendar and is set for
Thursday, June 9 at 7 pm. Junior Livestock committee will meet 1 hour prior.
Horse Association Meeting
This group meets monthly on the last Tuesday of the month in the MSUE classroom at 7 pm. All
county 4-H horse clubs are requested to send a representative teen. The teen board also meets
monthly to plan these meetings as well as lead monthly association meetings and only teens vote on
county 4-H Horse Project issues with adults serving in an advisory role.
Archery Program scheduled
The Washtenaw County 4-H Target Archery Club will resume on Tuesday evenings starting April 19at the
Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds from 6-8 p.m. Youth 7 years old to 19 years old are welcome. No
equipment is necessary to participate, but you may bring your own if you wish. Recurve, longbow, and
compound bow under a 55 lb. draw weight are permitted. Additionally, a finger tab and arm guard is
required. A $1.00 project fee is required for each session. Please contact the 4-H office at 734-997-1678
for more information. Remaining meeting dates are May 10, 17, 31, June 14, 21, 28, and July 5, 12, 19.
4-H Marketplace
Maybe you haven' t heard, but we have a Washtenaw County " 4-H Marketplace" where anyone is welcome
to swap, sell or look for for items for sale that may be of interest to 4-H families. Contact Sheri or Emily to
post an item. Please visit http://washtenaw4hmarket.blogspot.com/ to see what' s the haps! (That is what
the kids are saying these days, I hear.)
Zingerman's Bacon Street Fair Fundraiser
Join 4-H and Zingerman' s on Sunday, June 5 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. to celebrate the Bacon Street Fair at
the Ann Arbor Artisan Market (same location as the Ann Arbor Farmers Market). Free bacon and unique
bacon foods will be available for sale and sample. The event is free, but donations are encouraged to
benefit 4-H. 4-H will have a small display and informational booth. (A pig educational display would be
great!) Join us as we promote 4-H, local foods, and the 4-H auction. If you are available to help by
staffing the booth please contact Sheri or Emily to volunteer!
Opportunities
Scholarships available
Several College Scholarships are available now. Contact Sheri for details. Deadlines are as listed below.
Please remember that if you need recommendations from adults in your life, they often need at least a few
days to provide that support. Leave yourself plenty of time for a quality application as well.
May 28
Larry See Memorial Scholarship through the Metro Detroit Youth Day
June 1
2016 Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship
June 15
4-H Service Club Scholarship for current Seniors
July 1
4-H Advisory Council Senior Scholarship applications
July 1
Washtenaw County 4-H Dairy Scholarship
July 18
Poultry Scholarship
Additional 4-H scholarships will be announced with November 1 deadlines for current seniors, juniors,
and those already enrolled in college.
Babysitter Training
Building up to babysit? Stuck watching a sibling? Coerced into cousin care? Well, prepare yourself with
the help of St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea and Washtenaw County 4-H staff! We present Safe Sitter™, a
nationally recognized babysitter certification course for ages 11-15. Skills learned will include
babysitting as a business, problem solving, knowing when to call for help, child care basics (diaper
changing!) and choking rescue skills for infants and children. This class is 2 half-days, Monday and
Wednesday, June 13 & 15; 9:30-1:30 p.m. Fee: $50. For more information or to register for an upcoming
class call Autumn at 734-593-5280 by June 10 or visit https://www.stjoeschelsea.org/body_chelsea.cfm?
id=3593&action=calendarDay&limit_gte_eventStartDate=06/13/2016&limit_le_eventStartDate=06/13/2016
.
Service Project Ideas
Friendly Visitors to Seniors in Chelsea
Kori, the Life Enrichment Coordinator for Assisted Living at Chelsea Retirement Community is wondering if any 4-H groups
would be interested in visiting their community residents. She feels that these residents have a strong love of children and
animals and if youth could bring their animals and talk about what they do to take care of the animal the residents would
enjoy it greatly. Many of the residents grew up on farms. This would bring back many great memories for them and also
allow 4-H members to show off all their hard work. They are very flexible. Please let Sheri know if you have any youth
interested or if your club is interested.
Military and Veterans
We have a contact with ideas of really easy ways to reach out to active duty soldiers in need of morale boosts and seasonal
support. Letters, cards, banners, homemade fun videos, etc., are some of the ideas we have heard. Let us know if you have
a plan and we can pass these ideas along to our contact.
Free 4-H Resources Available
In case you didn't know, there are many learning kits, sewing machines (and free patterns, yarn, and fabric!), lego robotics
kits, lesson ideas on many possible projects available for loan from the 4-H office. Please stop by or call to ask about a
project area you need resources for. We may just have them!
Eaton County Livestock Judging Clinic
You are invited to a FREE Livestock Judging Clinic on Sunday, May 15 from 1pm - 6pm at the Eaton County Fairgrounds.
The clinic will be conducted by Julie Thelen, 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Educator, members of the 2015 MSU
Livestock Judging Team and Chris Strong, former University of Florida Livestock Judging Coach and MSU Livestock
Judging Team Alumni. This clinic is intended for the interested beginner and those with experience who feel they have
more to learn! Please join us for interactive sessions on structure, market evaluation and selection which will conclude with
judging a market class of each specie. The clinic will also include a session on the why and how to deliver oral reasons.
All materials will be provided along with light refreshments. Please RSVP to the Eaton County MSU Extension office at
517-543-2310 or [email protected].
27th Annual Isabella County 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show - Saturday, May 28, 2016. This is a
PERFECT opportunity to get some practice and experience in showmanship/educational classes. You can
even enter an educational exhibit that you may have ready for the fair to receive additional input as well
as compete for an award. Join us at the fairgrounds Saturday, May 28. Please contact Angie Coldwell
(989-828-6229) for additional information or with specific questions. Isabella County Fairgrounds, 500 N.
Mission, Mt. Pleasant, MI. Enter the 4-H show for various educational classes including: Educational
Exhibit*, Showmanship, Breed ID, Skill-a-Thon, and Brain Challenge (classes subject to change as
deemed necessary). All classes: $2 per entry, Enter by 8:30am - participation in classes will be based on
exhibitor' s availability between 9am - 3pm Age divisions determined by exhibitor' s age @ 1/1/16, Show
Secretary: Angie Coldwell - 989/330-1106 [email protected], Show Superintendents: Alissa
Davis - 989/465-7279 Tammy Brecht - 989/828-6394
Michigan's Adventure 4-H Day June 4, 2016
Michigan's Adventure will be partnering with Muskegon County 4-H to host a 4-H Day. We would like to invite Michigan 4H members and families along with 4-H volunteers. The cost is $24 with a lunch for $6. If interested, just pre-register by
June 1 to the Group Sales Office directly at 231.766.9959, [email protected], or visit
www.miadventure.com/specialevents. Reservations are only to notify Michigan's Adventure of the number of participants to
expect. Everyone will pay for their tickets on the day of the event. Reservations are not mandatory, but highly encouraged.
To get the discount on the day of the event, we are asking participants to wear a 4-H shirt or bring something designating
you are with Michigan 4-H. Let's pack the park with 4-H clovers!!
4-H Mall
If you have never visited the National 4-H Mall, then you are missing out! There are a wide variety of items available to
purchase by individuals and clubs so you can show your love for 4-H. Additionally there are curricula, club recognition
items, club meeting tools, and much, much more! Maybe you could buy a license plate frame for your car, or get a few
things for your club and give a prize to club members who can recite the 4-H pledge for everyone, or offer prizes for perfect
meeting attendance - the ideas are limitless! Visit www.4-hmall.org and help publicize 4-H in Washtenaw County! (They
have everything from a 4-H Pandora charm for $79.95, to a pig cutting board, to thirty eight different items in the "Dollar
Store" section.)
In the County Spotlight...
26th Annual Rural Education Days a Success!
Special thanks to the more than 300 volunteers who helped make Project RED/Rural Education Days an
outstanding program for the over 2000 students, teachers and chaperones who participated. The activity
was sponsored jointly by Washtenaw County Farm Bureau, Washtenaw County MSU Extension, and the
Washtenaw Farm Council. 2016 marked the 26th year for Project RED, a statewide program which was
started right here in Washtenaw County.
The purpose of Project RED is to educate third grade students about local agriculture and natural
resources. Students representing private and public schools from throughout Washtenaw County traveled
to the Farm Council Grounds for this event.
As in the past, this year' s program would not have been possible without the assistance of an outstanding
group of dedicated volunteers and 4-H clubs who helped with various aspects of the event along with
many local organizations and businesses. Many thanks to everyone who helped prepare for this event,
helped during the event, and helped clean-up. Thanks also to the Extension staff, Farm Council staff and
the Farm Bureau board.
Statewide 4-H Calendar of Events
4-H Workshops
June 3-5
4-H Companion Animal Spring Camp
Camp Tuhsmeheta, Greenville
Other 4-H Events
May 12
World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute
Michigan State University
May 20-21
State 4-H Poultry Show
Eaton County Fairgrounds, Charlotte
June 11
4-H Rabbit & Cavy Expo
Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing
June 15-16
4-H MMPA Dairy Tour (Contact Melissa Elischer
Michigan Milk Producers Association Headquarters, Novi
June 17-19 State 4-H Trail Ride
Whiskey Creek Campground, Custer
June 22-24 4-H Exploration Days
MSU, East Lansing
June 25 State 4-H Goat Show (Contact Katie Ockert)
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
June 26-July 2: 2016
4-H Shooting Sports National Championships
Heartland Public Shooting Park, Grand Island, Nebraska
June 27-July 1
4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Camp
MSU, East Lansing
June 27-July 1
4-H Renewable Energy Camp
Michigan State University
July 14
State 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest
Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing
For the most up-to-date events listing, go to http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events
Statewide 4-H News
Michigan 4-H Health and Food Science Camp
The first Michigan 4-H Health and Food Science Camp will be held at Michigan State University from August 2 through August 4, 2016.
What will campers do?
At this fun, interactive program, youth participants will:
Explore fields related to health
Participate in numerous, hands-on learning activities
Gain knowledge about nutrition, physical fitness and personal safety
Examine situations, ask questions and solve problems
Work in teams to develop a plan to address health issues in their community
Have the opportunity to visit and explore MSU
Who should attend?
Youth (13 to 19 years of age as of January 1, 2016) who are interested in exploring health, food science, nutrition, physical fitness and personal
safety related activities
When and where will it be held?
The camp will begin with check-in on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, from 12:30 to 1:50 pm and it will conclude at 5 pm on Thursday, August. 4, 2016.
Participants will be lodged overnight at Shaw Hall on the MSU campus. Camp sessions will take place on campus with visits to many different
facilities and much more!
How do interested youth and chaperones apply for camp?
By 5 pm Friday, May 13:
Youth interested in being a camp participant need to submit:
An application
A permission form
Adults interested in being a camp chaperone need to submit an application
How will participants be chosen?
Space is limited; up to 40 youth will be admitted. Youth campers will be selected based upon:
Meeting the age requirement
Having a complete application with all of the proper signatures
The applicant's responses to the short-answer questions
By June 1, 2016, the selection committee will email all applicants with their decision. At the same time, youth who are accepted as campers will
receive additional information, including the camp agenda and payment information. A waiting list will also be developed based on application scores.
What is the cost?
The cost, which includes all meals, lodging, transportation around camp and camp materials, is $165 for 4-H members and $175 for nonmembers.
Payment will be due by July 1, 2016.
What is the cancellation policy?
No refunds will be given after July 15, 2016.
For more information
See the event rules
Contact your local 4-H staff
Contact Michelle Neff by email or by telephone at 989-539-7805.