IT'S BACK! 4-H Exploration Days is Michigan 4-H's largest pre-college program and could be the highlight of your summer! The event is designed to help youth build the skills they need to successfully transition to college and to life as an adult. Michigan 4-H youth who participate have the opportunity to stay in MSU campus residence halls while attending sessions throughout their stay.

Dates: June 22 - 24, 2022

Theme: Explore your Spark

Registration fee: $220 for youth and $120 for adults. All participants will be required to pay a $50 deposit when registering.

Adult Chaperones Needed: Our county is in need of adults to serve as chaperones for our county delegation! Adults must be 21 or older, and successfully complete Gold level volunteer screening (or be a current Gold level volunteer). Lead chaperone and chaperone responsibilities can be found at https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_exploration_days/Volunteer-Information/Responsibilities-Procedures/. The cost of the event will be covered for Eaton County 4-H chaperones. Please contact Kristy at oosterh6@msu.edu or 517-543-2310 if you are interested!

Registration information can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_exploration_days/

With the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Michigan, and the start of summer exhibitions, here are some resources on biosecurity practices that are applicable to all animals!

News articles

Videos

Animal Science Anywhere Lessons (*NOTE: the Extension office has a supply kit for clubs to check out that features some of these activities!)

Eaton County 4-H dog project leaders and members extend a welcome to Michigan 4-H Dog Project members and leaders and invite you to join us for a day of showing and fun being hosted by the Eaton County 4-H Dog Committee. The Eaton County 4-H Pre-Fair Dog Fun Match will be held on Saturday, May 14, at the Eaton County Fairgrounds. Registration the day-of starts at 7:30am and the show will begin at 9am with intermediate agility.

Pre-registration is preferred; please return forms (linked below) by May 1, 2022.

For more information and registration forms, rules, and flyer, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/eaton-county-4-h-pre-fair-dog-fun-match

4-H youth in the horse project area: The State 4-H Horse Show is back! We have 13 delegate spots for Eaton County 4-H (and will need 3 volunteers if we fill all 13 spots).

Dates: August 19-21,2022

Entries due to Eaton County MSU Extension office: July 8, 2022 (NOTE: Entries for our county are due earlier than the state advertised deadline due to our fair week)

As a reminder, to be considered as a delegate for the State 4-H Horse Show, all 4-H members must complete the delegate selection packet, including 8 of the listed activities, and return to the Extension office by July 1. The packet can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/eaton/eaton_county_4_h/eaton_county_4_h_associations_and_committees/horse_development_committee

State 4-H Horse Show information will be available here starting May 1: https://www.canr.msu.edu/horses_ponies/

“Michigan 4-H Horse and Pony Project Show Rules and Regulations” book has been updated for 2022 and is now available online.  As a reminder, this is the rule book that is used at the Michigan 4-H State Horse Show each year and is recommended for use at all 4-H horse shows in Michigan. Updates from the 2016 version can easily be identified in the new copy, as changes have been highlighted in grey; the most notable updates can be found in the Cloverbud and Ranch Riding divisions.

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.

JLA is in need of two volunteers to help with various sale tasks at the Extension office from mid June through mid August. Volunteers will earn a stipend of $550. The role consists of approximately 10 hours of work total prior to fair (split between weeks), Wednesday through Friday of fair week, and approximately 30 hours total after fair (split between weeks). Volunteers must be Gold level volunteers (or complete screening at a Gold level prior to start date). Tasks include preparing items for the sale such as buyer folders, processing premiums and payments, supporting sale day volunteers and each sale role type, collecting and processing shipping, and assisting with billing and payment collection and reports after the sale. Detail oriented and ability to learn computer systems (Fair Entry) is desired. If interested, please contact Kristy at 517-543-2310 or oosterh6@msu.edu by June 15.

The JLA sale cannot run without YOU! We need a significant number of volunteers to help on the Thursday and Friday of fair week to make the sale run smoothly. Sale shift sign up will be available in June. As a reminder, youth who work a sale shift (or have a representative work a sale shift on behalf of the youth) will receive their sale check a week earlier than those who do not.

Note that adults will need to complete screening in order to volunteer this year! This includes all adults for the shifts listed below, whether you come from 4-H or FFA. 4-H age youth (4-H or FFA) do not need to complete screening to help. Screening at a Gold level may take 2-4 weeks and screening at a Silver level may take 3-4 days, so please plan ahead (if staff are processing a large volume, it will take longer - applying now is highly recommended! If you are not accepted as a volunteer prior to fair, you may not volunteer in the role). If adults are interested in volunteering for one of the sale shifts mentioned below and need to complete the minimum level of screening listed, you can apply at: https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/#/volunteer_home

Do you want to be a part of improving the sale? Sign up to help with a sale committee for the 2022-2023 program year! Committees will be formed this summer to observe the 2022 sale and take notes, look at survey feedback from this past winter, and begin to give recommendations to JLA to take action on this fall. Committees can consist of youth and Gold level volunteers.

If you are interested in one of these committees, fill out this brief survey by June 8, 2022: https://forms.gle/X3rX4rkyDEaaUJfp7

July 14, 2022

Eaton County Fairgrounds (in-person sale)

Sale will start at 10:00 a.m. with a pause for lunch following the beef sale.

Sale Order: Beef - Sheep - Swine

You can find many resources for youth sellers and for buyers on the websites linked below, including the following:

Website for Youth Sellers: Sale rules (in the JLA Bylaws), Frequently Asked Questions document, lunch schedule and food list (when available), shift sign-up (when available), sale forms, carcass instructions

Website for Buyers: Sale Flyer, Proxy and Premium Forms, Frequently Asked Questions document, and additional information

The SAA sale cannot run without YOU! We need a significant number of volunteers to help on the Thursday and Friday of fair week to make the sale run smoothly. Sale shift sign up will be available in June.

Note that adults will need to complete screening in order to volunteer this year! This includes all adults for the shifts listed below, whether you come from 4-H or FFA. 4-H age youth (4-H or FFA) do not need to complete screening to help. If adults are interested in volunteering for one of the sale shifts mentioned below and need to complete the minimum level of screening listed, you can apply at: https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/#/volunteer_home

July 16, 2022

Eaton County Fairgrounds (in-person sale)

Sale starts at 1:00 p.m., Silent Auction runs from 9:00a.m. to noon, luncheon begins at noon

Sale Order: Poultry - Rabbits/Cavies - Goats

You can find many resources for youth sellers and for buyers on the websites linked below, including the following:

Website for Youth Sellers: Sale rules (in the SAA Bylaws), Frequently Asked Questions document, lunch schedule and food list (when available), shift sign-up (when available), sale forms

Website for Buyers: Sale Flyer, Proxy and Premium Forms, Frequently Asked Questions document, and additional information

4-H alumni and supporters, we challenge you to get out and get moving this May! Compete for prizes for yourself and your county program just by walking. Make sure to pre-register now and tracking will begin on May 1! https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-alumni-and-supporters-walking-challenge

Have you joked about money growing on trees? Well, it might not grow on trees but you can grow your own financial garden filled with money knowledge for a fruitful financial future. Join 4-H in the 4-H Grow Your Financial Garden GooseChase game, May 8 through May 16 with missions and challenges throughout the week. Prizes available! The game is for youth of all ages but youth under the age of 13 should join the GooseChase app with an older sibling, parent or guardian. This program is made possible, in part, through a grant by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. For more information and to register go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-hfinancial-garden-goosechase

Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! This month’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will take flight into the depths of flowers to learn about researching pollinators and flowers. Join us on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 at 6:30pm EST for “Uncovering the Evolutionary Secrets of Pollination.” You will meet Science Education and Outreach Fellow and PhD student Robin Waterman; and learn about her research and the education and career path she has followed. 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/wildspartans2022/ 

Learn more about your rabbit project! Youth ages 5-19 and adult volunteers are invited to increase their knowledge of rabbit care, selection, showmanship and more. Participants may attend four sessions to attend during this free daylong event. Register at Registration: https://events.anr.msu.edu/4H_Rabbit__Workshop_Spring_2022/

Save the Date! Join us on Wednesday, July 13th at the MSU Pavilion in East Lansing! The State 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest is held in conjunction with the Michigan Livestock Expo (MLE) and is a collaborative effort between Michigan 4-H and Michigan FFA. By participating in the livestock judging contest, contestants can enhance their livestock evaluation and selection skills, as well as improve their communication and decision-making skills. Registration information coming! https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_animal_evaluation/

Save the date: Michigan Dairy Expo and Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days comes back to the MSU Pavilion July 18-22, 2022! https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-youth-dairy-days

Camp will be held July 31-August 6, 2022, in person, at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle, on the shores of Lake Esau. This year’s camper fee is $500.00 per camper and includes 6 nights of lodging, all meals and snacks, a t-shirt, and experiential learning provided by MSUE staff, MSU Fisheries and Wildlife and MSUE Sea Grant. Camper age is 13-15 and they do not need to be a 4-H’er to attend.

Registration can be found on the 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resource Camp website.

*Reminder: Eaton County 4-H has scholarships to attend this event. Contact the Extension office prior to registering for information!

Please “Save the Date” for the Michigan 4-H Creative Arts Celebration to be held November 11-13, 2022, at the new location of the Ralph A. MacMullan (RAM) Conference Center, Roscommon.

The Michigan 4-H Creative Arts Celebration! (Formerly Visual Arts, Crafts, Sewing and Textiles) has been a popular overnight workshop with a life skill focus each year. This year will be the health benefits of the Arts from the 4-H Healthy Living & Mental Health First Aid team. Participants (4-H adult and teen gold leaders) will be learning new things, making new friends, putting all their creativity to work, and having a fabulous time! We are so excited to have an overnight face-to-face event at the new location this November 2022!

We are looking for potential instructors for this event. Sewing, textiles, visual arts, performing arts, crafts, art of cooking, photography, poetry, music, folk art, and so much more! If you are interested or know someone, please share to complete the link: https://forms.gle/DmvLn7o9YdCokH5z7

Did you know that adults that interact with the 4-H program (through your club, a fair shift for a 4-H run activity, or county program) may need to complete screening depending on your role and what you may be doing within the club?

Do you volunteer in any of the following ways in your 4-H club?

Then you may need to complete screening as a Gold level volunteer!

Do you volunteer in any of these other ways in your 4-H club?

Then you may need to complete screening as a Silver level volunteer!

If you are unsure if you need to complete screening, please contact the Extension office. If you are volunteering in any of the ways listed above, you need to fully complete screening and be accepted as a volunteer prior to serving in any volunteer role. Please plan ahead! It can take 2-4 weeks for Gold level volunteer screening and 3-4 days for Silver level screening, depending on staff capacity (it could take longer).

Fair Entry is now open for registration! https://fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/17172

NOTES:

The fair office will open full time on May 16. The fair office is located in the Theo Savage Exhibit Building on the side of the building closest to Cochran Ave. Contact information can be found at: http://eatoncountyfair.com/contact-us

Join Tara and Jeff at the rabbit and poultry species meeting for information about barn duty, exhibitor responsibilities, and more on Thursday, May 19, at 6:30pm at the PMR (basement conference room at the Extension office).

May 14 and 15 at the King's farm

Maria King and Brittany Hoover are looking for help to finish welding and assembling goat dividers for fair. They have the tools to do the job, but are looking for people that can weld and helpers to grind, etc. If interested, please contact Maria at 517-231-0997.