Eaton County 4-H
Family News
Program Announcements
Eaton County 4-H is #4hstrong!
How are you #4hstrong? How have you connected with 4-H or plan to connect with 4-H to make the best better? We know that times are difficult and not meeting in-person is hard, but we are #4hstrong and make the best better! Check out the video on our social media channels! Click the photo to head to the video on our Facebook page or visit https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=884652025398592.

A big shout out and thank you to Jael from Barn Busters for her inspiration and work on this project! We hope this video serves to inspire you. Stay tuned for future ways to connect with Eaton County 4-H as we are #4hstrong!
Youth Enrollment Instructions

Each year, youth who wish to join 4-H must enroll or re-enroll in our 4HOnline database. As previously communicated, we have now shifted to 4HOnline2.0 and the 4-H participation fee has been waived for the 2020-2021 program year.

Please communicate with your club administrative leader to ask about any club specifics, including projects, prior to enrolling.

The link to 4HOnline2.0 and help documents on the enrollment and re-enrollment process can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan_4_h_enrollment

A few important tips with 4HOnline2.0:
  • If you were registered in 4-H last year, you have a profile in 4HOnline2.0. DO NOT create a new account.
  • You may have to reset your password if your previous password does not meet the new requirements. Please follow the reset password instructions in the system.
  • Please make sure to select all clubs and projects you plan to participate in before you submit your profile. New to 4HOnline2.0: If you need to change or add to your clubs or projects after you've submitted your enrollment, you must contact the Extension office to do so.
  • Please remember to sign all consents/signature spots with the first and last name of the person required in that spot (member = youth first and last name, parent/guardian = parent/guardian first and last name).

NOTE: Until November 15, county-wide email digests are sent to all participants from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 program years.
Re-enrollment information for Volunteers

Volunteers this year will have two steps to their re-enrollment, as outlined below:
  1. 4HOnline2.0 profile re-enrollment - due by November 15. A step-by-step tutorial video for 4HOnline2.0 and the link for the new system can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan_4_h_enrollment
  2. Volunteer Central background check and code of conduct - due by November 1*. Last year, all volunteers were required to submit a background check request through backgroundchecks.com. This year, this process will be facilitated by Volunteer Central.
  • Part One: Log into your Volunteer Central account to check your access and edit profile information (verify information for accuracy and update as needed, add emergency contact information, and social security number (SSNs are necessary for the background check and are encrypted). Your log in is your email address from 4HOnline and you will need to follow the reset password steps to set up your password. This step can be done at any time but the necessary profile edits are required prior to submitting your background check in part two.
  • Part Two: Volunteers will receive an email from the system 30 days before their background check is due (date varies depending on when the volunteer submitted the background check last year). Example: You submitted your check on 11/1/2019; you will receive an email on 10/2/2020 with instructions and will have until 11/1/2020 to submit your new background check. The email will include instructions on logging into your profile, submitting the check, and re-signing the code of conduct. Reminder emails to those who haven't done the check will also be sent from the system up until 1 day before the check is due. Volunteers who do not complete this step by their due date will be required to re-complete the entire Volunteer Selection Process in order to remain a volunteer, regardless of 4HOnline enrollment status at that time. Please contact Kristy if you have any problems with the system.
  • *Note: The majority of volunteers have had their due date updated to November 1 in the system, with the exception of those who have applied in Volunteer Central after January 1, 2020. If you applied in Volunteer Central after January 1, 2020, you will follow the Volunteer Central steps when you receive the email from the system.
Reminder: Virtual until further notice
4-H programs are virtual until further notice. All 4-H programs, including clubs meetings, project meetings, workshops, and activities, are to be virtual until further notice. This includes cohorts that typically meet in the name of 4-H and are attempting to meet outside the 4-H name. Virtual meetings and activities are supported and encouraged. If your club needs help with ideas, brainstorming, or tips, please email oosterh6@msu.edu!
Upcoming County 4-H Events and Activities
4-H Council Meeting

Monday, October 5, 7 PM

Passcode: council

Each club should send a volunteer and youth representative to this meeting! Agenda items: officer elections, Crowdpower campaign, #4hstrong campaign, county t-shirts
Jr Livestock Association Meeting

Monday, October 12, 7 PM

Passcode: jla

Any youth involved in beef, sheep, and swine projects are encouraged to attend this meeting! Agenda items: officer elections, fun events
Virtual Open Office Hours

Wednesday, October 14, 6:30 PM

Passcode: office

Do you have questions about 4-H? Problems completing your enrollment? Need help with virtual meetings or completing club paperwork? Want to bounce around ideas or solutions? Based on feedback from the volunteer virtual fireside chats, this open time is to chat with 4-H staff and ask your questions! This space will be held once/month.
Eaton County 4-H Crowdpower Campaign - now through Oct. 31
Friends and family of Eaton County 4-H, we invite you to show your support for the 4-H program now through October 31!

Our Crowdpower campaign, MSU's crowdfunding platform, kicks off today! We are launching this campaign to raise funds to support 4-H programs, clubs, volunteers and youth in both current virtual and future face-to-face programming. Our goal is to raise $3,000 that will be used to directly support our 4-H volunteers who deliver 4-H programs and to support youth who participate in programs.

The support of our community, friends, and families are needed and appreciated as we continue to be #4hstrong. Thank you!

Here are a few great ways that you can participate in this campaign:
  • Share the information! Pass along this information to your friends, family, and community partners. There will be posts throughout the month on our county 4-H Facebook and Instagram pages (links to the pages at the bottom of this email) that you can easily share from.
  • Share what supporting 4-H means to you. You can do this when you share the post on social media or email oosterh6@msu.edu or send a DM through social media to the county 4-H pages for inclusion with county posts.
  • Donate! Any donation counts and all amounts are appreciated.
  • Participate in 4-H Council meetings to share your voice. 4-H Council is providing guidance on how clubs will be able to access and use these funds after the campaign.

You can find more information about the campaign and donate or share the campaign at:
Eaton County 4-H Activity Kits
Still some available - Order by October 15!

Activity kits for STEM, Animal Science, and Crafts are now available! Each kit is $5 (cost offset thanks to the Eaton County 4-H Endowment fund) and you can order all 3, just one, or a mix of your choosing. The kits also feature an interactive site to discuss the activities with fellow 4-Hers and receive tips!
County 4-H Awards - due November 15
YOU deserve to be recognized for your hard work during the 2019-2020 program year! Consider filling out and submitting a county award application or nominating someone! The following are all the awards available:
  • Young Achievers (recognition of work in a project area, ages 8-11)
  • County Medal (recognition of work in a project area, ages 12-19)
  • Achievement, Citizenship, and Leadership (recognition of work in each of those areas (3 separate awards), ages 15-19)
  • "I Dare You" Leadership award (recognition of work in leadership, youth in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade)
  • 4-H Key Club Award (overall 4-H career, age 15-19)
  • Outstanding Teen Leader
  • Outstanding Leader
  • Club Community Service and Club Recreation
  • Friend of 4-H
The deadline for county 4-H awards is November 15, 2020 and awards can be submitted online via Google Forms. If you have trouble with the website or Google Forms, please email oosterh6@msu.edu for a PDF of the application you need. The 4-H Participation Celebration awards banquet will be held in late February/early March (may be virtual depending on program guidelines at that time).

Statewide 4-H Events
National 4-H Week to be celebrated Oct. 4 - 10
For the 78th consecutive year, millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week from October 4-10. The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week, Opportunity4All, is a campaign that was created by National 4-H Council to rally support for Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and identify solutions to eliminate the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America.
 
With so many children struggling to reach their full potential, 4-H believes that young people, in partnership with adults, can play a key role in creating a more promising and equitable future for youth, families and communities across the country. In 4-H, we believe every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed. We believe every child should have the skills they need to make a difference in the world. 
 
To help bring awareness to the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H, Michigan 4-H is encouraging 4-H youth, volunteers, staff and supporters to celebrate National 4-H Week in their communities. A few ways to do that while maintain safe social distancing include:
  • Share how 4-H has inspired you or your kids on social media channels and with individuals in your community.
  • Show your 4-H pride by wearing your 4-H apparel on Wednesday, Oct. 7, the official 4-H Spirit Day.
  • Write an op-ed for your local paper to tell your Michigan 4-H story or submit it to MSU Extension for the Meet Michigan 4-H’ers series.
  • Decorate an Opportunity4All sign and share your pictures and captions of what opportunity means to you using the hashtag #Opportunity4All on social media.
  • Use a National 4‑H Week Zoom background on your virtual meetings.
TSC Paper Clover Campaign
Tractor Supply Company (TSC) customers across the nation will have the opportunity to support 4-H youth by purchasing a $1 clover at checkouts when shopping both in stores or online at www.TractorSupply.com from Oct. 7-18.

A portion of these sales funds scholarships for Eaton County 4-H youth to attend state and national level 4-H events!
4-H Jedi Training for Teens

Tuesdays, October 6 - November 3, 6 -7 PM EST

A new 4-H Jedi Training, just for teens. Open to youth ages 13 and up, this club is guaranteed to be loaded with Star Wars clips and discussion. Each session explores a new skill of the Jedi through mindfulness, physical activities, and at home challenges. Our last sessions will be the Jedi trials, where after completion you will become a Jedi knight.
Farm to Market Webinar Series

All begin at 10 a.m. EST
Thursday, October 8: Bakker's Acres, Growers Lynn & Al Bakker, Suttons Bay, MI - Apple growing and production. It’s also National Apple Crunch Day! Bring your apple to the webinar, and we will countdown and celebrate by crunching an apple together!
Thursday, October 15: Still Point Market, Grower Dana Boomer, Empire, MI - Mushroom growing and production

Thursday, October 22: Hillside Homestead, Producer Susan Odom, Suttons Bay, MI - Raising chickens and small poultry production

Thursday, October 29: 9 Bean Rows, Grower Nic Welty, Suttons Bay, MI - Pumpkin growing

Ever wonder how that apple gets from the tree to the store or farmers market? How do you grow mushrooms and pumpkins? What do chickens and sheep do all day? These questions and many more will be answered by local growers and producers in Leelanau County. MSU Extension and Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBA ISD) are partnering to bring you the Farm to Market webinar series.
Adulting 101

Series starts October 12th at 4:00 p.m.

Ready to be out on your own? Learn some important skills to be successful as an adult. Our Adulting 101-Fall Series includes: interview skills, households task, and developing a spending plan. Bring questions and learn important skills for life.

Virtual Clue

Thursday, October 29, 7 PM EST

Somewhere out in the Zoom-verse, there has been a murder! It is YOUR job to put a team together and interview suspects to uncover the mystery of who did it, where it happened, why they did it, and who, in fact, was killed. Can you put your sleuthing skills to the test in this game of Virtual Clue? If you do not have a team, you can still register and you will be added to one but space is limited so register soon!

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity employer. MSU Extension programs and material are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.
Kristy Oosterhouse | 4-H Program Coordinator | Eaton County MSU Extension
517-543-2310 | oosterh6@msu.edu