Eaton County 4-H
Family News
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4-H staff transition
Dear Eaton County 4-H Community,
I wanted to let you know that I have accepted a new position as an Extension Educator, effective March 1. I will be supervising the staff in MSU Extension’s District 3 (Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Antrim counties) and will also be supporting the work our state team does with volunteer management. I may still be around here and there at the beginning, particularly at the March 4 workshop, A Crafty Chat: Project Guidelines workshop that Council is hosting. I also hope to see you around at various state 4-H events!
THANK YOU for being a great county to work with these past years. Even though there have been ups and downs (working through the pandemic – thank you for sticking with it all!), I have appreciated the relationships we’ve built, supporting the youth, volunteers, and families in our program, and continuing to build a great 4-H community in Eaton County.
There will be information coming about supporting our program's efforts during the transition as the organization works to fill this role in the coming months and regarding important pieces of our county program, including 4-H items for fair.
After March 1:
- 4-H Online enrollment questions: Please reach out to Sara Corr, Eaton’s support staff, at 517-543-2310 or msue.eaton@msu.edu
- Newsletter additions: Please reach out to Sara Corr, Eaton’s support staff, at 517-543-2310 or msue.eaton@msu.edu
- You can also reach out to Roxanne Turner, District 8 supervisor (including Eaton), at turnerr@msu.edu or 517-546-3950.
If you need anything in the next month, please let me know! Although I am excited for new opportunities, I will miss the program here!
Kristy Oosterhouse
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Reminder: Enroll in 4-H Online by March 15 to be eligible to exhibit at fair as a 4-Her!
Do you know of any youth interested in exhibiting at the 2023 Eaton County Fair as a 4-H member? Encourage them to find a club and sign up in 4-H Online by March 15! Please note that some clubs have earlier enrollment deadlines - please be in touch with your club administrative leader first!
Potential members and families can find our community club directory, the link to enroll in 4-H Online, and help tutorials for 4-H Online on our website at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/eaton/eaton_county_4_h/join-eaton-county-4-h
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MSU Pre-College Scholarship Congratulations!
Congratulations to Katie and Lyla from Walton Wonders 4-H Club! They were 2 of 22 youth statewide to be awarded a $2,000 Michigan State University Pre-College Achievement Scholarship.
Students in 8th to 11th grades for 2021-22 who attended an MSU summer pre-college program last year were eligible to apply for this award last fall. Lyla and Katie participated in 4-H Exploration Days, one of four pre-college programs offered by MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development.
MSU pre-college programs are great for helping youth explore possible career interests. They are great fun, very educational, and help connect young people with university faculty and other resources. MSU pre-college programs also help youth envision their future so they can wisely choose their high school classes and prepare for college.
Selection for this scholarship is based on application and student essay. The scholarship is applied toward the student’s first year at MSU as a degree-seeking student.
The pre-college programs annually offered by MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development are: 4-H Capitol Experience, 4-H Exploration Days, 4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp, and 4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Camp. For more information on these 4-H pre-college programs as well as other MSU pre-college programs, please visit Spartan Youth Programs at http://www.spartanyouth.msu.edu. You'll find a multitude of programs that can help youth develop valuable skills, make new friends and taste college life.
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Upcoming County 4-H Events and Activities | |
Register by 2/15: 4-H Leadermeet
The Michigan 4-H Leader Meet is an event for adult and teen leaders in Ionia, Montcalm, Gratiot, Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties. The event will be on Saturday, February 25, from 10:45am - 4:15pm (check in at 10:30pm) at the STEM Building at MSU. The Leader Meet will feature a wide variety of fun and interactive sessions, informative presentations, and useful tips for your meetings. This Leader Meet is open to all teen leaders (ages 13+ by Jan. 1, 2023) and adult leaders who have Gold Level volunteer status with MSU Extension.
FREE for Eaton County participants! Eaton County 4-H Council is covering the registration fee for all Eaton County Gold level volunteers and 4-H teens that attend. When you register, please select the "pay by check" option. If you encounter any issues with the system, please reach out to the Extension office at 517-543-2310 or oosterh6@msu.edu prior to registering (do not prepay by credit card!).
Register here: https://events.anr.msu.edu/Michigan_4h_leader_meet/
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A Crafty Chat: Project Guidelines Workshop
Are you crafty? Do you help lead craft projects in your club or group? Fair non-livestock superintendents and Gold level volunteers are invited for breakfast and A Crafty Chat on Saturday, March 4, from 9 am to noon, sponsored by 4-H Council! We will discuss various craft project areas in 4-H in the county, review and give suggestions to update project guidelines, and talk about how we can support each other throughout the county and 4-H clubs to reenergize your arts and crafts and other non-livestock projects! RSVP by February 24 by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/wMyRLAPtfxgc86aS7 or calling the Extension office at 517-543-2310.
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Small Animal Open House (postponed to spring)
Are you interested in or involved in poultry, rabbits, or goat project areas? You won't want to miss this open house, sponsored by the Small Animal Association! Meet with superintendents and others involved in these project areas, have fun with activities learning about the species, and more!
The open house will take place this spring. Stay tuned for more information!
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Featured Project Area: Civic Engagement
Each month, we will feature a project area that youth can do in Eaton County 4-H, resources that are available, and other information. If this sparks an interest in you or your child, contact the Extension office for more information!
This month's feature is civic engagement!
Do you want to learn how to improve sharing your youth voice? Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Did you know there are many fun things you can do with civic engagement in 4-H (yes - we said FUN)? Learn all about being a leader, sharing your voice, and giving back to your community through civic engagement!
Civic engagement starts by being involved in your club. Attend meetings, sharing your voice, and help implement club actions! You can take a further step by being involved as a club officer. The county 4-H associations and committees are other great opportunities to share your voice and become engaged in shaping the county program (and you can also be an officer in a county group)! Check out upcoming county level meetings in the Save the Date - Upcoming County Meetings section below. At the state level, you can attend various state workshops and camps and be involved in the Michigan 4-H State Youth Leadership Council!
Interested in competition? Check out these options:
Resources available to check out from the Extension office:
Additional resources:
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Save the Date - Upcoming County Meetings (In-person meetings with virtual option) | |
All meetings will be in-person at the PMR (basement conference room at the Extension office building) and will offer a Zoom option to connect virtually to the meetings, unless otherwise indicated. If you would like a virtual connection option for these meetings, please use the Zoom registration link for each meeting to register. Once you are registered, you will receive an email with the connection information. If nobody is registered for the Zoom option by 5pm the day of the meeting, Zoom connection will not be set up.
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Junior Livestock Association: Monday, February 13, 7pm, PMR. Register for the Zoom option: https://msu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrdeuprT4vH9OJjl4Djz7LcK0NnrBXEBoA
- Open to all youth and volunteers in the beef, dairy beef/feeders, sheep, and swine project areas.
- This meeting's agenda includes a swine presentation from the swine specie representatives, discussion about specie representative responsibilities, and bylaw changes regarding specie representative elections and terms.
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Small Animal Association: Thursday, March 2, 7pm, PMR. Zoom registration available in February.
- Open to all youth and volunteers in the poultry, rabbit/cavy, and goat project areas.
- This meeting agenda is TBD.
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4-H Council: Monday, March 6, at 7pm, in the PMR. Zoom registration available in February.
- Open to all regardless of project area! Every club is encouraged to send at least 1 volunteer and 1 youth to every Council meeting.
- This meeting agenda is TBD.
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Horse Development Committee: Wednesday, March 8, 6:30pm, PMR. No Zoom option due to bylaw discussion - please attend in-person.
- Open to all youth and volunteers in the horse project area.
- This meeting will discuss updates to bylaws and committee structure and planning a summer clinic.
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Interested in attending a state or national 4-H workshop, camp, or other event? Don't forget - Eaton County 4-H has many scholarships available to help cover the cost of the events! For more information about scholarships, visit the link in the button below or contact 4-H staff. | |
4-H and Leader Dogs for the Blind partnership
Do you want to participate in the 4-H Dog Project area but need a canine companion? Please consider becoming a 4-H Puppy Raiser with Leader Dogs for the Blind. We are hosting a new "Partnership Kick-Off Event" to provide more information on how to engage with this project. The event will be held on February 23 at the Leader Dog Campus in Rochester Hills. This Event is in-person and we will also provide virtual availability for participation. The Event is FREE. Please use the link below to register for the Event.
https://events.anr.msu.edu/LeaderDogFeb23/
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Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series: Building the Value of Your 4-H Club
Join Michigan 4-H on February 28th at 12pm or 7pm for a free webinar on Building Value to Your 4-H Club. Find ways to help keep your club alive and thriving. For more information and registration visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/volunteering/mi-4-h-volunteer-webinar-series
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February Wild Spartans
Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! February’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will plunge into our rivers and lakes to take a closer look at the prehistoric fish that inhabit our waters. Join us on Tuesday, February 14th at 6:30pm EST for “Black River Lake Sturgeon Facility: Management of a Threatened Species”. You will meet Doug Larson, Research Assistant, Black River Sturgeon Facility. You will learn about his fieldwork, and the education and career path he followed to get there. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A. This free series is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19 years. Monthly sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm EST. Pre-registration is required: https://events.anr.msu.edu/wildspartans2023/
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March Rainbow Spartans
Coined in 1989 by legal race scholar Kimberle Crenshaw, the term "intersectionality" was born from black feminist activism. Today, intersectionality has blossomed into a universally valuable tool to describe the ways in which communities interact with themselves, each other, and the world. But what does it mean? And how can it be put into practice? Join Rainbow Spartans as we explore the ways in which intersectionality can make us better community members and leaders through the lens of identity, civic engagement, and community service. March's session on March 1st will feature a Q&A with a panel of speakers from the Michigan legislature and other elected officials!
Visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-hwrh/rainbow-spartans for registration.
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4-H Capitol Experience
Do you want to make our state a better place? 4-H Capitol Experience is now open for registrations! Join us at the Michigan Capitol March 12-14 to learn more about state government, and how your voice can make an impact! More information available on our website at https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_capitol_experience/
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Michigan 4-H Livestock Workshop
Join us for the 2023 Michigan 4-H Livestock Workshop – registration is now open! This one-day workshop will take place on Saturday, March 4th on MSU’s main campus in East Lansing. It is designed for 4-H youth ages 12-19 (as of January 1, 2023) and Active Gold MSU Extension volunteers in beef, sheep, goats, and swine project areas. Youth will learn about different aspects of their livestock projects throughout a variety of breakout sessions, including intro to your species project, animal and carcass evaluation, marketing your livestock project, animal anatomy, reproduction, nutrition, and more! Registration will cost $30, which includes lunch and a t-shirt. Full details and a link to register can be found here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-livestock-workshop
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Host a Japanese youth in Summer 2023 through States' 4-H International!
Host a delegate in your home this summer and give your family a global perspective!
Invite an international youth into your home for three and a half weeks and share an American experience. Expand your family’s cultural understanding, learn about new foods and customs, and possibly a new language all while sharing your own. Your children will build lifelong friendships and will gain new perspectives on their own country too! Applications to host can be found at www.states4hexchange.org
For more information
Visit: http://www.states4hexchange.org
Email: exchange@states4h.org
Contact Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs Coordinator Jan Brinn brinn@msu.edu or Co-Coordinator John Wurm wurmj@msu.edu.
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Michigan 4-H Skillathon
While other state 4-H programs have similar offerings, every March, Michigan 4-H hosts the most comprehensive test of livestock and traditional farm animals in the nation. This is an annual competition that tests both youth and adult competitors’ knowledge of market livestock, animal science, and management practices in 10 separate categories. Qualifier dates are March 4 and 11, 2023. The Skillathon is open to Michigan youth (8-19 years old as of Jan. 1, 2023) and adults.
For more information please visit the Skillathon page: http://www.canr.msu.edu/otsego/4-h/2023-Skillathon
Or email us at: 4HSkillathon@msu.edu
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4-H Cash Composition Contest
Money, money, money! In honor of Financial Awareness Month held each April, Michigan State University Extension 4-H is coordinating the Cash Composition Contest. Youth residing in Michigan, age 9-12 as of (January 1, 2023) are encouraged to answer this year’s contest where they will write a short (300 words or less) essay about needs and wants. The 5 top scoring essays will each win a $100 gift card thanks to the generous sponsorship by Extra Credit Union. Contest registration and essay submission must be complete by April 30th. For more details go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-money-smarts/money-smart-kids-contest
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Show Your Money Smarts Contest
Learn how to use credit wisely in this year's fifth annual online contest. Compete with other youth ages 13-19 across the state of Michigan in this 30 question online challenge during the month of April and win prizes. High scoring youth will be entered into a prize drawing to win a $25 gift card. Youth must register by April 13 and complete the contest by April 30th. Teachers, librarians and other youth development professionals also can win a $25 gift card if a non-related youth you referred to the contest wins. Gift card prizes are provided by a generous sponsorship from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation as part of their goal to improve the financial well-being of Michigan families.
For contest details and related education go here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-money-smarts/show-your-money-smarts-contest
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Livestock Judging Camp Save the Date
Save the date for a livestock judging camp on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023! This event will be open to both 4-H, non-4-H youth, and coaches/volunteers. Registration information and more details will be available soon!
Here is the information link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/mi-4-h-livestock-judging-camp
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This section will feature a different topic each newsletter highlighting best practices for 4-H clubs. Everyone, youth 4-Hers, adult volunteers, and families, can contribute toward making their club the best and following best practices! | |
Find Your Path to 4-H through 4-H Exploration Days | |
4-H clubs can support youth involvement in state 4-H workshops and events! If you are interested in attending, contact the Extension office for scholarship information!
Looking for something for your teenaged youth to do this summer? Consider signing them up for an affordable pre-college program designed for and by youth. Michigan 4-H Youth Development is continuing the tradition of offering high-quality youth development programs this summer with 4-H Exploration Days. With more than a 50-year history of bringing youth from across Michigan to the campus of Michigan State University, 4-H Exploration Days will return June 21-23.
This 3-day pre-college program is open to any youth 12-19 years of age as of January 1. Youth will experience campus living, develop and expand their career and personal interests, and increase their responsibility, independence, accountability, problem- solving, decision making and time management skills. They will also have the opportunity to listen to an inspirational speaker and build connections with other youth from across the state.
Breakout sessions include topics such as animal care, creating crafts, practicing mindfulness, building rockets, playing pickleball, writing short stories, gardening and many more topics. Youth will have the chance to hear from professionals in career paths such as veterinary science, health care, early childhood education and more. In addition to breakout sessions, youth can also pick free time activities that will take place on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. These free time activities will offer a glimpse into MSU, allow youth to build relationships with peers, learn about a new project or just have fun!
Youth attendees entering grades 8-11 in the fall of 2023 will also be eligible for a $2,000 precollege scholarship from MSU. Precollege scholarship information will be shared with eligible participants after the event.
Adapted from "Find your path to 4-H through 4-H Exploration Days" by Michelle Neff. Find more about this article at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/find-your-path-to-4-h-through-4-h-exploration-days
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The following information is related to the Eaton County Fair. While The Eaton County Fair is not a MSU Extension, 4-H sponsored event, this information is of interest to many in our 4-H community. Please contact the Eaton County Fair directly for any fair related questions. Contact information can be found on their website at https://eatoncountyfair.com/. | |
Fair board meetings
Fair board holds public meetings on the third Monday of the month. The next public fair board meeting is Monday, February 20, at 7pm at Kardel Hall.
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Beef Tagging
Beef Steer Tags for the Eaton County Fair will be at the Caledonia Farmers Elevator Charlotte starting February 1st 2023, please ask for Lisa Shilling in the main office. We will be doing the same as in the past. Please pick up your tags and the form. Please only take as many as you need. Then fill out the form, take a picture (make sure there is one showing the tag and one clearly showing all the numbers on the RFID tag in addition to a body and head shot with the exhibitor) and email the information to Crystal Kebler and Lisa Shilling.
If you have any questions, please call Crystal Kebler at 517-667-8087 or Lisa Shilling 269-209-0045 **If you would like to make other arrangements to pick up your tags or are unable to visit Lisa Shilling at Caledonia Farmers Elevator Charlotte your tags, please contact Lisa Shilling at 269-209-0045. Caledonia Farmers Elevator Charlotte is located at 2166 E Clinton Trail, Charlotte, MI 48813
**** If you are showing feeders or have some in your club there will be a separate tag in for these animals that will work the same
Thank You,
Beef Superintendents
Eaton County Fair
Crystal Kebler 517-667-8087
Lisa Shilling 209-209-0045
EatonCountyFairBeef@gmail.com
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Below are the rules out of the fair book for tag in.
Eaton County Fair Book-Beef
-All Market Beef must be tagged in from February 1st 2023 to February 28th 2023, with pictures and forms to be given to the Superintendent by February 28th 2023 of the current year, or they are not eligible for show or sale. Market Beef animals must be owned by the exhibitor by February 15th of the current year.
**RFID TAGS MUST BE CLEAR AND VISIBLE ON ALL CATTLE, Please include RFID tag, tag in tag, body and head shots with exhibitors. PLEASE ADVISE…. RFID tags, tag in numbers and tattoo numbers (if applicable example: breeding heifers) must match in order to show at the fair.
-Exhibitors are allowed to tag in up to 5 Market Beef.
-Youth are limited to exhibiting 5 breeding animals, (2 market beef steers and/or heifers, 2 feeders and/or 1 carcass animal) per exhibitor.
**A market animal that is half beef half dairy will be tagged in as a Market Beef, these animals are not considered dairy.**
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Dairy Market & Feeder Tagging
Dairy Steer & Feeder Leaders or Parents of Exhibitors will need to pick-up ear tags from the Lisa Shilling at Caledonia Elevator.
- Dairy steers that were shown as feeders last year can keep in tag and use it
- DAIRY MARKET STEERS: One tag per animal will need to be placed in the right ear of the animal by February 28, 2023. Forms and photos are due February 28, 2023.
- DAIRY FEEDERS: One tag per animal will need to be placed in the right ear of the animal by May 1, 2023. Forms and photos are due May 1, 2023. Vaccination paper work must be turned in on June 1 along with dairy market pen request form.
After tagging the animal the following photos need to be taken:
- Headshot of the animal showing the tag. The tag needs to be readable.
- ¾ body shot of the right side of animal with youth at the halter. The ear tag needs to be readable.
- (for families that have yet to decide which youth is exhibiting which animal that is fine but still have a youth at the halter)
- Label photos with the Exhibitor name and the tag number
- The form and photos can be submitted to the Dairy Beef Superintendent in one of two ways:
Completed forms and labeled photos can be dropped off to
Eaton County MSU Extension
551 Courthouse Dr.,
Suite One
Charlotte, MI 48813
Completed forms and titled photos can be e-mailed to: eatondairybeef@gmail.com
- Only one form will need to be completed per family with all of the exhibitors and animals listed.
- Directions for Proof of Ownership and Tagging of Dairy Beef Market or Feeder Cattle
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Michigan State University is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity employer. Michigan State University 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.
Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.
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Kristy Oosterhouse (Pronouns: she, her, hers) | 4-H Program Coordinator | Eaton County MSU Extension
517-543-2310 | oosterh6@msu.edu
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