4-H Civic Engagement Needs Assessment Survey

Help us learn what civic engagement needs you have!

The CA 4-H Civic Engagement Advisory Committee wants to learn more about what resources, support, and events 4-H youth and adult volunteers want regarding civic engagement. Civic engagement is about being involved in your community, such as community service, learning about government, voting, service learning, and more. We want to know how 4-H can better support youth in being civically engaged.

Your responses to this survey will help improve the 4-H experience for future program years.

We want to hear from youth members! Adult Volunteers, parents, and 4-H Staff are welcome to complete the survey, but please share this survey with your youth (especially teens) so we can get their perspective as well. We recommend youth ages 11 and up fill out the survey.

Link to survey: https://bit.ly/CEneeds

National Beekeeping Essay Contest

Enter by April 15, 2024

Calling all writers! All current 4-H members can enter this contest! Your essay should address the following topic and answer these questions:

Varietal Honeys

• What makes a varietal honey?
• What are some unique varietals?
• How are some of the valuable varietals confirmed to be authentic (e.g., Manuka honey UMF and MGO)?
• What are some culturally or economically important varietals and why are they important?

Essays entered must encompass the designated topic only. There will be no exceptions.

Awards

There is one State winner. The winner is awarded a certificate and advances to the National Competition. The author of the essay submitted to the national competition will also receive a relevant book on honey bees, beekeeping, or honey from the American Beekeeping Federation.

The 2024 National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Competition will award three cash prizes. The authors of the three highest-scoring essays will be awarded the following in order of scoring:

• First Prize: $750
• Second Prize: $500
• Third Prize: $250

All three prize-winning essays will be published in ABF Quarterly, the magazine of the American Beekeeping Federation.

Essay Requirements

Essays must be typewritten or computer-generated on single-sided pages and formatted following standard manuscript format using double-spaced type and 12pt font in a legible font face.

Essays must encompass the designated topic in 750 to 1,000 words. Word count does not include sources, works cited, or the writer’s biographical statement.

All factual statements and interview references must be cited in a “sources” or “bibliography.”

Essays will be judged on

• Scope of research, 40%;
• Accuracy, 30%;
• Creativity, 10%;
• Conciseness, 10%; and
• Logical development of the topic, 10%.

On a separate page, please include a brief biographical statement of the writer including mailing address, email address, and phone number.

Timeline

Please submit your essay to Gemma Miner at the State 4-H Office [email protected] by April 15, 2024. State winners will be announced in the May 2024 state newsletter. National winners will be announced on June 15, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Gemma Miner, [email protected]. 

Ag Day at the Capitol 2024

A Sunny Ag Day at the Capitol

Thank you to Sheldon 4-H and Sloughhouse 4-H for representing 4-H at Ag Day at the Capitol! They brought their rabbits and sheep for hands-on education and passed out 4-H bags - it was great to see everyone with a green bag! State Ambassadors Laurelyn Roeser and Ben Salters were also there to talk with legislators, their staff and the public about 4-H. This year, Laurelyn co-emceed the event along with the FFA President.

We had a lot of 4-H'ers from Sheldon 4-H and Sloughhouse 4-H this year!

State Ambassadors Laurelyn and Ben.

Thank you to Louie Brown, Jr. of Kahn Soares And Conway LLP for sponsoring the 4-H table.

Watch the video to learn more about this annual event hosted by the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (also a 4-H Alum!). You can also hear from Sheldon 4-H'ers about why they like participating in this event!

CA 4-H eXtension Support

🌟Struggling with the eXtension Learning Management System? We've got you covered! 🚀 Check out the CA 4-H Resource Center for comprehensive tutorials and guides tailored to make your journey seamless. Dive in now!

🛠️Need technical support while exploring CA 4-H courses? We've got your back! Don't hesitate to submit a support ticket - our team is committed to addressing your inquiries promptly. Let's pave the way to your success together!

🔐Forgot your password? Encountering login issues? No worries! The dedicated team at the Extension Foundation can assist you. Reach out to [email protected] for swift resolutions. Your smooth access is their mission! 

Looking for 6 more Teen Facilitators

Teen Facilitators are Senior 4-H Youth members (14-18) that will lead group discussions with the intermediate age participants.

We still need 20 Program Assistants! 

Program Assistants are recent 4-H Alumni (18+) that will lead groups of senior age participants.

Chaperones needed

4-H Adult Volunteers with at least one year’s experience. Learn more and apply.

4-H Enrollment System Rollover 

Please note the following dates for the close of this 4-H year and the start of the new 2024-25 enrollment year.

Families and volunteers will not be able to self-enroll in ZSuite starting June 21st at 12pm. We anticipate family and volunteers will regain the ability to self-enroll starting July 18th.

We encourage you to delay re-enrollment for the 2024-25 program year until the system is open for self-enrollment after July 18, 2024. Any early enrollments into ZSuite before the official opening will be deleted.

If enrollment or re-enrollment is necessary during the period the systems are offline, your county staff will work with you to complete the enrollment process.

Please note: All dates listed are subject to change based on our vendor and UC ANR 4-H needs. Any changes will be broadly communicated by the State 4-H Office.

Save the Date: UC ANR Giving Day 

24 hours! May 16, 12 noon to May 17, 12 noon.

Support UC ANR Programs in your county!

Save the Date:

Project Leader Clinic

July 26-28, 2024

UC Davis Campus

Mark your calendars and plan to attend our Project Leader Clinic at the UC Davis Campus from July 26 to 28, 2024. This clinic will enhance your project leader skills through innovative and enriching activities and practices.

Goals:

• Improve your personal leadership skills
• Enhance your knowledge/skills in delivering project content
• Apply principles of positive youth development to your projects
• Expand your network with adult volunteers and staff from across counties

Save the Date and stay tuned for more details! Don't miss this opportunity to grow and connect at the Project Leader Clinic.

Interested in presenting a workshop session?

Submit a proposal

Save the Date: Tractor Supply Paper Clover

Spring 2024 Tractor Supply Paper Clover campaign

April 24 - May 5

Mark your calendars for the spring Tractor Supply Paper Clover campaign, April 24th to May 5th. We have new graphics this spring to focus on how this fundraiser is helping us grow strong leaders by supporting 4-H Camp and Leadership activities. The new graphics will be posted on the Resource Center soon!

See more upcoming events



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