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In the past few weeks, I have been able to escape all-day meeting marathons by attending exciting events across Northern California. That’s right, friends! Field trips!!

The first was an annual event held in Sunnyvale that lived up to the hype. The amazing Plug and Play Summit is described by the hosts as “a three-day event comprised of Expos from 15 or more of the Plug and Play verticals, keynote speakers and panels, breakout sessions, demos, and daily networking opportunities. Attendees [included] startups, corporations, investors, university representatives, and other ecosystem players from 20+ industries.” At the Summit I learned how startups help create many of the products and services we enjoy on a daily basis. My primary goal in attending the Summit was to support the UC ANR sponsored Farm Robotics Awards Ceremony, since a UC 4-H team was among the finalists for an award. According to UC ANR Farm Robotics Challenge Director, Mr. Kelly Scott, the Farm Robotics Challenge is “the only student design competition focused exclusively on real-world, on-farm solutions in robotics, artificial intelligence and automation.” 

I was excited by the news that competing teams were from all over the world and included 4-Hers! I am waiting to learn if the 4-H embedded team won an award and will share an update on this with you as SOON as possible. In the meantime, best wishes to them and all competitors for their amazing inventions! The link to a recording of the awards ceremony is provided below for those who may have interest.

Student teams from across California and around the world win Farm Robotics Challenge awards | ANR News Releases

2026 4-H State Field Day

On a glorious and sunny Saturday, May 23, the State 4-H Office hosted its annual State Field Day event. Big congratulations go to Mr. Ryan Cleland and the small army of 4-H personnel and volunteers for a truly outstanding job in the implementation of the event. More than 700 youth, volunteers, family members and friends enjoyed a day filled with exciting competitions, demonstrations from local partnering agencies, 4-H advisory committees, and our new internal partner, the UC ANR Fire Network! Special thanks to Mr. Joaquin Pastrana, Fire Network Research Associate, for representing this statewide program in its first 4-H State Field Day collaboration! Youth also explored several display cases on site at the direction of Ms. Tabatha Yang and her team from the Bohart Museum of Entomology. Now, I am not one to gossip but there may have been one or two live insects on the display table that youth found very interesting but had me running for my life! We were also joined by representatives from National 4-H Council, who hosted a salute to graduating high school 4-H members by providing honor cords, yard signs and supplies to use in decorating green graduation caps! Many thanks to Ms. Sadaf Baig, Vice President of Events and Youth Experiences and her team (last photo below) at National 4-H Council for making the field day experience of our high school youth even more meaningful and celebratory! Congratulations to all high school senior 4-H members! Remember, scholars, that as you embark upon a new chapter beyond high school to Give It Your All!

More recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Shawna Dark who joined UC ANR on May 1 as the UC ANR- Online strategy advisor to “assess the feasibility and long-term potential for aggregating and expanding UC ANR’s client-facing digital learning and online Cooperative Extension offerings on a single new platform envisioned as UC ANR-Online.” Dr. Dark has over 20 years of experience advancing digital learning, academic innovation and technology.

Special thanks to everyone who participated in the UC ANR Giving Day event held from Noon on May 14 to Noon on May 15! The statewide program raised over $17,000 to support county programs and fee waivers! The final figure will be announced soon as donations are still being processed. We are grateful to each contributor as we seek to expand and strengthen our reach into all counties and toward all youth statewide!

New Hire Announcement

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Brenda Brinkhous-Hatch to the statewide 4-H Program. Ms. Brinkhous-Hatch is the new CES in Yolo County! Welcome aboard!

Retirement of Mr. Scott Mautte

Special thanks and congratulations to Mr. Scott Mautte, in the State 4-H Office who leads development and delivery of online training for 4-H volunteers. Mr. Mautte recently announced his retirement, effective June 30. Scott’s impact and legacy are firmly established across the statewide program. We will truly miss him. Colleagues had this to say about him:  

“Your impact on 4-H extends far beyond projects, meetings, and programs and even beyond California. You have helped shape people. You have mentored colleagues, supported volunteers, championed young people, solved problems with wisdom and compassion, and contributed to a culture of care and commitment that will continue long after your retirement. The relationships you built and the leadership you provided have mattered deeply.”   

        ~ Ms. Gemma Miner, Interim Associate Director and Volunteer Academic Coordinator

“Your willingness and ability to find time to share your knowledge and help train staff to manage irregular workloads will leave a legacy…!”

        ~ Ryan Cleland, State 4-H Community Education Specialist for Leadership and Civic Engagement

Volunteer Spotlights

We are delighted to highlight volunteers this month who are each leaving a legacy of service to the 4-H community.

The Statewide 4-H Program proudly recognizes each 2026 State Field Day volunteer for their exceptional service. These dedicated individuals generously gave their time, energy, and talents to ensure a meaningful, memorable, and successful experience for our youth participants and families.

We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to fostering youth learning, growth, and achievement. Your investment in youth is making a lasting difference and yielding truly outstanding results.

Please see the special State Field Day Thank You message that follows.

Enrollment System Reminder

Enrollment System Reminders: Enrollment System Rollover

2026–2027 4-H Enrollment System Timeline Update

We would like to share an important update regarding enrollment for the 2026–2027 4-H program year.

As previously communicated in the May newsletter, July 14, 2026 is the anticipated date for families and volunteers to begin entering enrollments in the ZSuite enrollment system. With recent enhancements to the 4-H enrollment system, we can now provide a phased self-enrollment process. As a result, youth self-enrollment for the 2026–2027 program year will now begin on August 3, 2026.

This updated timeline provides county 4-H staff with dedicated time between July 14 and early August to work closely with adult volunteers to confirm which 4-H projects will be approved and offered during the 2026–2027 program year. During this period, county staff will receive, review and approve volunteers’ Annual 4-H Project Plans and add approved club projects into the enrollment system before youth enrollment opens.

This additional preparation time will help ensure that the projects listed in ZSuite are accurate and available for youth and families to select during enrollment.

We greatly appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience as we adjust the enrollment timeline to better support an accurate and streamlined enrollment experience for all participants.

Participation in Summer Activities and Events

4-H programming, including fairs, camps, and summer activities, will continue during the period between July 1 and August 3.

• Youth who were enrolled during the 2025–2026 program year may continue participating in culminating events and activities that are a continuation of their 2025–2026 participation.
• Youth who were not enrolled during the 2025–2026 program year and wish to participate in events occurring between July 1 and August 3 will need to complete paper enrollment packets and all enrollment requirements prior to participation.
• Adult volunteers who were not enrolled during the 2025–2026 program year and plan to participate in a 4-H event occurring between July 1 and July 13 will need to complete paper enrollment packets and appointment requirements prior to participation.
• Any urgent issues or concerns with youth participation, from enrollment to housing, should be directed toward the respective Regional Program Coordinator or the State 4-H Office.

Thank you for your continued support of the 4-H program and for helping us ensure a successful start to the 2026–2027 program year.

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

Horse Classic 2026

California 4-H Horse Classic

July 15-19, 2026

Brookside Park, Elk Grove

Register by June 15 to receive a t-shirt with your completed entry!

The final deadline to register is July 1. 

For more information, please go to the California 4-H Horse Classic event site to find all event resources plus instructions for registration.  

Volunteer Training Annual Rollover

We would like to inform you that June 23, 2026 is the last day to complete the 2025-2026 New & Returning Volunteer courses. The courses will close at 12 pm on this day.

If you have not yet completed the required training for the current program, we kindly encourage you to finalize your coursework at your earliest convenience.

We're excited to announce that updated Volunteer courses for the 2026-2027 program year will be available starting July 1, 2026, at 8 a.m. These courses, along with our other eLearning offerings, are available on the Learning Center for California 4-H volunteers webpage.

We look forward to your continued dedication and involvement.

eXtension Foundation Campus Support

Tutorials for Assistance:

For those looking for tutorials on utilizing the eXtension Foundation Campus Learning Management System, we encourage you to visit the CA 4-H Resource Center. Comprehensive guides and resources are available to assist you in navigating the system seamlessly.

Login Assistance:

If you encounter issues with forgotten passwords or experience difficulties accessing your account, contact the Campus LMS team directly at their NEW email address campusadmin@extension.org, as our internal team does not have access to this information.

Technical Support:

Should you encounter any challenges while exploring the courses offered by CA 4-H, don't hesitate to submit a support ticket. Our team is committed to promptly addressing your inquiries and ensuring you stay on the path to success. Getting you to success is our top priority!

Healthy Living Video Contest

Win a $50 gift card

The California 4-H Healthy Living Advisory & Program Committee is hosting a video contest to promote healthy eating of California grown fruits and vegetables. This contest is open to all California 4-H youth. 

Requirements: 

• Video is no longer than 1 minute.
• Every youth in the video must be 4-H enrolled and have video consent on file in Z-Suite.
• All 4-H policies must be followed (no cursing, promotion of alcohol, etc).
• No personal identifying information. Youth should be identified with first name only and with county name or club name.
• Any language is allowable (e.g. English or Spanish).
• California 4-H logo must be shown at some time during the video.
• Signed entry form with consent to allow California 4-H to share video as they see fit.
• Video must be created by youth. No AI allowed.
• No wearing of clothing or accessories with other brands or logos on them.
• Choose from any of the following: Show how to prepare the food; talk about the benefits of the food; how to grow the food at home; a fun fact about the food; the history of the food; talk with a farmer about how it is grown and sold.
• Highlight 1 fruit or vegetable on the list below:
• cucumber
• sweet potato
• snap peas
• broccoli
• spinach
• butternut squash
• strawberries
• peaches
• blueberries
• kiwi
• mandarins
• persimmons: Fuyu

Deadline: June 30, 2026.

How to submit: Please upload videos to this Video Contest Entry Form. 

Prize: $50 gift card per video winner, 2 per month. Winners will be notified via email provided by the end of the following month.

Contact: Ally Lemmer (alemmer@ucanr.edu) or Dr. Kimberly Holmes (ksholmes@ucanr.edu).

Healthy Living Video Contest Winners

We would like to announce the winners for the 4-H Healthy Living Video Contest below. Videos to be shared soon!

April:

• Margo T. & Edi B., Agoura 4-H Club: A Healthy Guide to Sweet Potato
• Gwen D., Fairmont 4-H Club: Let's Talk about Cucumbers

May:

• Raine C., Oakley 4-H Club: Broccoli 
• Natalie E., Lexington Hills 4-H Club: Eat Local, Eat Fresh

4th H for Health Challenge

The 4^th H for Health Challenge will end on June 30, 2026, and participating youth who practice healthy eating, movement, and social-emotional health activities will be awarded a certificate and pin. 

 Ready to record some activities? Visit the website and download your tracker.

Contact: Ally Lemmer, Healthy Living Academic Coordinator at alemmer@ucanr.edu.  

State Leadership Conference 2026

Registration Reminder

Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience at the California 4-H State Leadership Conference 2026: Cosmic Impact: Launch Your Spark!

4-H Members ages 11-19 who are planning to attend are encouraged to register soon, as registration pricing increased June 1. Final registration closes on June 21.

The State Leadership Conference (SLC) is one of California 4-H’s biggest teen events of the year, bringing together high school-aged 4-H members from across the state for an unforgettable weekend of leadership, learning, new friendships, and fun. Participants can explore exciting educational tracks, hear from inspiring speakers, participate in social activities, and connect with other teens who share their interests and passions.

This year’s theme, Cosmic Impact: Launch Your Spark, celebrates the unique talents, leadership, and ideas that every young person brings to the 4-H community. Whether youth are exploring leadership, career interests, civic engagement, communication, or hands-on learning opportunities, SLC is designed to help them discover new ways to shine and make an impact.

Educational tracks this year include:

• Animal Science & Agri Science
• Shooting Sports Leadership
• Civic Engagement
• STEM
• Healthy Living

Families are encouraged to register early, as space in several of the most popular educational tracks is limited and some sessions may fill quickly.

Registration and conference information here

We are also still looking for adult chaperones to help support the conference experience. Chaperones play an important role in creating a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all youth participants. Adults interested in serving as a chaperone can learn more about requirements and the application process on the event website.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and make memories with 4-H members from across California.

We can’t wait to see everyone at SLC this summer!

Important Dates

• Registration price increase: June 1
• Final registration deadline: June 21

Statewide Advisory & Program Committees

Apply to Statewide Advisory & Program Committees

Your Voice Matters!

Help improve 4-H opportunities and experiences.

The Statewide 4-H Program & Advisory Committees play an important role in improving the programs, processes, and opportunities in the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. The Committees give leadership and offer insight, co-create statewide events and activities, review and provide recommendations to the Statewide 4-H Director and Associate Director.

Program & Advisory Committees are a representative group of 4-H youth, adult volunteers, county and state 4-H staff and program partners. 

Applications for Statewide Program & Advisory Committees are open. The first review and acceptance cycle will close on August 1, 2026. Appointment notifications will be made by committee chairs during the month of August. Applications will remain open and committee chairs will make additional appointments quarterly as needed.

Learn more about the committees on the Resource Center.

Apply by August 1!

Advisory & Program Committee Application 26-27

Fundraising Made Friendly

Incentive Funds for Your 4-H Program! Fiscal Year 2026-2027

The California 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce the continuation of the California 4-H Beyond Ready Incentive Program. California 4-H county programs may be eligible for monetary incentives toward their fundraising goals. The deadline to participate is June 24, 2026.

How do I participate?

Send email by June 24 to Mary Ciricillo, CA 4-H Foundation Director at mciricillo@ucanr.edu with the following information:

“Yes! I want to participate in the FY2026-2027 CA 4-H Foundation Beyond Ready Incentive Program,” and attach the following two documents:

1)      4-H Beyond Ready Plan

o  Summary of initiatives, partnerships, marketing efforts, county events, etc. describing how your program will retain and engage more youth in 4-H.

2)      Fundraising Plan

o  Develop a fundraising goal for your local 4-H program and include a brief strategy on how the funds will be raised (i.e., county fundraising events, annual online fundraising campaigns such as Giving Tuesday and the UC ANR Giving Day, fundraising messaging in e-newsletters, during events, etc.)

Timeline:

• June 24, 2026: Opt in Email to mciricillo@ucanr.edu
• July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027: Fundraising Timeframe (All gifts must be made through the California 4-H Foundation)
• August 1, 2027: County 4-H Impact Report Due (2026-2027)
• Summer 2027: County 4-H Program Award Distributions

Requirements:

• Donations must go through the CA 4-H Foundation
• Eligibility for Incentive Awards:
• Opt in Email to mciricillo@ucanr.edu / June 24 deadline
• 4-H Beyond Ready Plan / Fiscal year 2026-2027
• Fundraising Plan with Goal Amount / Fiscal Year 2026-2027
• County 4-H Impact Report / Summary of how 4-H program retained and engaged more youth in 4-H.

Questions:

Mary Ciricillo, Foundation Director, mciricillo@ucanr.edu.

State Field Day Gratitude

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to all the volunteers who participated in the 2026 California 4-H State Field Day. We couldn't have done it without you!

UC ANR Fire Advisors Network

UC 4-H AgfromAbove

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee

California 4-H: Healthy Living Advisory & Program Committee

UC 4-H Animal Science / UC 4-H Horse Classic Advisory and Planning Committees

4-H Policy Advisory Committee

California Make It With Wool Contest

National 4-H Council

Hobart Museum

Google ResumAI

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