Eaton County 4-H Program Coordinator Position

Former Eaton County 4-H Program Coordinator, Kristy Oosterhouse has transitioned into her new role within MSU Extension. While we are sad to see her go, her vacant position has been posted and is open to new applicants.

You can find the full posting on the MSU Careers and search for the posting number: 848054

4-H Program Contact Information

• 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.

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

A Crafty Chat: Project Guidelines Workshop

Deadline extended! Register by Noon on March 3rd!

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 Noon on March 3rd by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/wMyRLAPtfxgc86aS7 or calling the Extension office at 517-543-2310.

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!

Move Your Mutt!

Please join us for the 2023 Move Your Mutt 5K fun walk on May 6, 2023. This will be a 5K fun walk at the Eaton County Fairgrounds in Charlotte. You can walk with or without a dog, families welcome. $25 per individual, includes a t-shirt! Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. (must be pre-registered, see link below), race starts at 9 a.m. Profit will benefit the Eaton County 4-H Dog Committee, which supports the Eaton County 4-H Pre-Fair Dog Show, dog equipment for use by 4-H members, and other educational activities. Participants do not have to be current 4-H participants to attend. This event is open to the public.

For more information and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/moveyourmutt2023/

Developing 4-H Entrepreneurship Skills Series

Join us for the "Developing 4-H Entrepreneurship Skills" Series. Youth can develop valuable skills in regard to their 4-H market project. Follow the link for more information about session topics and to register. Open to you 8 - 19 years old, participants may sign up for as many or as few sessions as they like. https://events.anr.msu.edu/develop_entrepreneurship_skills_4h_all23/

Eaton County 4-H Youth have been invited to attend this series

Save the Date - Upcoming County Meetings

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.

Small Animal Association: Thursday, March 2, 7pm, PMR.

• Open to all youth and volunteers in the poultry, rabbit/cavy, and goat project areas.
• This meeting agenda is TBD.

4-H Council: Monday, March 6, at 7pm, in the PMR.

• 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.

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.

JLA Special Meeting: Monday, March 13, 7pm at Kardel Hall

• JLA will be holding a meeting regarding moving the cattle portion of the JLA sale to the cattle arena
• A final vote regarding the matter will be held at this meeting. To share your input and participate in the vote we encourage you to join us

Dog Committee: Wednesday, March 22, 6:30pm at Kardel Hall

• Open to all youth and volunteer in the dog project area
• The meeting will discuss the Move Your Mutt 5K, pre-fair dog show, Bonnie’s spring dog classes and any upcoming items for fair

Junior Livestock Association: Monday, April 10, 7pm at Kardel Hall

• Open to all youth and volunteers in the beef, dairy beef/feeders, sheep, and swine project areas. This meeting is the buyer's workshop (for youth sellers to learn information about the JLA sale and practice skills)!

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.

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.  

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

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

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

Livestock Judging Camp Save the Date

Save the date for a livestock judging camp on Saturday, June 3^rd, 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 

April Rainbow Spartans

Art and creative expression are healthy and effective methods of self-reflection, self-expression, and community building. From the novels of Oscar Wilde to the music of Lil Nas X, we’ll explore the ways both past and present LGBTQ+ figures have used artistic efforts to express themselves and their identities. We’ll then consider a few different artistic mediums and provide some tips on how to get started with an unfamiliar skill. Finally, we’ll discuss the benefits of community and how you can find and connect with other people who share your identities, interests, and skills! For more information and to register, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-hwrh/rainbow-spartans.

March Wild Spartans

Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! March’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will take flight in the Midwest uplands to learn about game birds. Join us on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 at 6:30pm EST for “Upland Bird Conservation.” You will meet Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Education and Outreach Manager, Marissa Jensen, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there. This scientist will take us to the grasslands and prairies of the Midwest. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A. This free virtual 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/

"A Day In The Life" Webinar Series

Registration is open for "A Day In The Life" 4-H Webinar series. This statewide series will focus on agricultural careers at MSU Extension. Are you animated by Animal Science? Have a knack for business? Join us for this free, 6-week virtual opportunity! Beginning March 8^th and ending May 17th, this biweekly series will be a great, informational guide into agricultural careers! Our speakers will describe their typical workday, what internships and guidance led them to their roles, and what their favorite elements of their jobs are. (This series is limited to 4-H youth member ages 12-19​)

If you are not a 4-H youth member, please register in 4-H Online for this statewide opportunity by selecting Ottawa County 4-H and enrolling in "SPIN Club-A Day In The Life 4-H Webinar Series” then register at https://events.anr.msu.edu/4HCareers/ , for any further questions please contact Samantha Griffin at griff807@msu.edu

4-H Hippology Contest and 4-H/FFA Horse Judging Contest Details & Registration

Attention 4-H horse members! Registration is now open for the 2023 4-H/FFA Horse Judging Contest and 4-H Hippology Contest. Learn more and register: https://www.canr.msu.edu/horses_ponies/registration-information



4-H Volunteer Webinar Series

Join Michigan 4-H on March 16th at 12pm or 7pm for a free webinar on Creating a Welcoming 4-H Club. 4-H clubs are spaces where youth can feel like they belong and can be themselves, leading them down a path of increased thriving. To do this, creating a welcoming environment for all youth is important. This session will allow you to learn some new strategies as well as share methods that have worked for you.

For more information and registration visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/volunteering/mi-4-h-volunteer-webinar-series

Fair board meetings

Fair board holds public meetings on the third Monday of the month. The next public fair board meeting is Monday, March 20, at 7pm at Kardel Hall.

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