Macomb County youth selected for State Youth Leadership Council

Macomb County 4-H members David Casto and Brianna Swamba are among those selected to serve on the 2023-2024 Michigan 4-H State Youth Leadership Council (SYLC). Casto is a member of Untamed 4-H Club and the Macomb County 4-H Youth Council. Swamba is a member of Bit of Luck 4-H Club. Their term as SYLC members began September 2023 and will end August 2025.

Members of the 2023-2024 4-H SYLC year are:

Reyna Atkinson (Saginaw)

Brooklyn Bracy (Barry)

David Casto (Macomb)

Makayla Chew (Midland)

Gianna Coppola (Livingston)

Anthony Davidson (Muskegon)

Isabel Haselhuhn (Presque Isle)

Savanaha Hudzinski (Sanilac)

Mia Krause (Missaukee)

Isabella Kruk (Wayne)

Chloe Lawrason (Gladwin)

Ryan Musehl (Wayne)

Sophia Nielsen (Ingham)

Mary Nitengale (Montcalm)

Kaitlynn Oliver (Kent)

Hailey Peck (St. Joseph)

Isabelle Plamondon (Leelanau)

Emilie Ruple (Bay)

Brianna Swamba (Macomb)

Vishal Swamy (Oakland)

Brody Tinkey

Lily Winslow (Saginaw)

SLYC members serve as representatives of the Michigan 4-H program for two years, promoting 4-H through state and local activities, and can provide youth voice and perspective on the development of 4-H programs and curricula. Youth ages 15-19 are selected for the council by application and interview with a state committee of MSU Extension staff. Congratulations to all.

Macomb County 4-H'ers place at State 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Show

Olivia Mastrogiacomo placed 8th in Junior Rabbit Showmanship and Geneva Mastrogiacomo placed 6th in Pre-Junior Rabbit Showmanship at the 2024 State 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Show at MSU on January 27th. Both are members of School Section 4-H Club. Congratulations! Complete show results are available here.

Ray’s Riding Rascals 4-H Tack Sale

The 43rd and FINAL Rays Riding Rascals 4H Club Annual Tack Sale is March 2, 2024 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Lions Club Field Hall, 13651 Hough Road, Allenton. Find new and used tack and clothes for horse and rider. The sale is open to the public. The club will also have bake sale items and chili available. Come on out and support 4-H! For more information, contact Michelle at 248-425-3174.

Macomb County 4-H Youth Council meeting moved to March 18th

The next Macomb County 4-H Youth Council meeting has been moved to Monday, March 18, 2024 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at MSU Extension Assembly Rooms A and B, 21885 Dunham Road, Clinton Township. See you there.

Meeting will cover Armada Fair topics

There will be a meeting to discuss the 2024 Armada Fair theme, registration, deadlines, project areas, still project judging, and the Youth Organization barn for all leaders participating in fair. The meeting date is Wednesday, March 27th at 7 p.m. at the Camp Rotary Activities Building, 20505 29 Mile Road, Ray Township.

Sustainable Agriculture Program Instructor sought

MSU Extension has an opening at Tollgate Farm in Novi for a Sustainable Agriculture Program Instructor. Find out more an apply for here by March 5th.

Guide highlights upcoming programs at MSU Extension-Macomb

MSU Extension-Macomb’s March program guide is now available. Most programs listed are free. To receive this publication in your inbox monthly, please email your request to macombmsue@macombgov.org.

Animal Tagging

Animal tagging is at the Armada Fairgrounds in Armada. For the most updated tagging information, visit the Armada Fair website or contact the Armada Fair Office at 586-784-5488 or office@armadafair.org.

• Steer – 1st Sunday in February, 12-2 p.m.
• Swine – 1st Sunday in June, 8-10:30 a.m.
• Goat, Sheep & Prospect Beef - 1st Sunday in June, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
• All Poultry & Rabbits – 3rd Sunday in July, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Upcoming 4-H Animal Science events

Some exciting 4-H Animal Science events are coming up statewide. Learn more here and mark your calendars!

Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament - August 3rd

Save the date! The Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament is Saturday, August 3rd at the Saginaw Field and Stream Facility in Saginaw. Details will be announced as they become available.

4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop - April 27-28

Learn to teach shooting sports fundamentals to 4-H youth at the 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop from April 27-28, 2024 at the Charlevoix Rod and Gun Club in Charlevoix. This workshop is open to adult 4-H volunteers and teens. Registration is required by April 4. For more information, contact Educator Joseph Kreider at 231-258-3320.

Learn about Hinamatsuri - March 4th

Join MSU Extension 4-H by Zoom on Monday, March 4, 2024, to learn about the Japanese holiday called Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day). This program is free and open to anyone who would like to learn more about this treasured holiday. Our presenter will be Michiko Yoshimoto, the Japan Program Manager for the Soga Japan Center at Western Michigan University. Register today to receive the link.

Keeping Your Money Safe - March 19

Join MSU Extension 4-H for the next Adulting 101 session, Keeping Your Money Safe, on Monday, March 19 at 6 p.m. ET. How are you keeping your money safe? During this one-hour virtual session, participants will gain insights on researching and evaluating financial institutions (banks and credit unions) to make the best choice for your financial future. Adulting 101 sessions are free and are designed for teens and young adults. Registration is required.

Michigan 4-H State Hippology Contest - March 16th

Interested in testing your Equine Knowledge? Does the idea of working in a team to solve problems thrill you? Come and compete at the Michigan 4-H State Hippology Contest!

Youth aged 5-19 are eligible to participate in the Michigan 4-H State Hippology Contest. Cloverbuds, Junior and Senior divisions as well as Junior Novice and Senior Novice allow for youth to demonstrate their comprehensive equine knowledge and skills in an engaging setting.

Find more information regarding the rules here. Already on a team and ready for the 2024 contest? Register here.

4-H Creative Campaign Contest

Are you a 4-H Ambassador, youth leader, or simply bursting with creativity? Help promote MSU Extension 4-H and inspire other youths across the state to join by creating a short video of, “Why You Should Join 4-H!” Share your unique story, how 4-H has impacted your life, and why it's an incredible journey worth experiencing. Be a 4-H change-maker and showcase your passion for 4-H! Ready to make your mark and win prizes? Get started now. The deadline to register and submit your videos is April 1, 2024. This contest is generously sponsored by the Michigan 4-H Foundation.

Open your home to a student with the 4-H International Exchange Program

Making your summer plans? Consider hosting a Japanese youth this summer through the States’ 4-H International Exchange Program. Michigan will be hosting 18 Japanese youth and two chaperones. These visitors will quickly become a part of your family for their 3 ½ week stay (the last full week of July to the middle of August) and gain a fun American experience through your exceptional hospitality. In addition, your children will build lifelong friendships and gain new perspectives on their own country, too.

Host families must complete the States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs online application, have a youth to match a host brother/sister (within three years of age), be a Michigan 4-H Gold-level volunteer, participate in a family interview as well as a home visit process. For more information contact Jan Brinn or John Wurm. 

4-H Youth in Action Awards applications open

Apply now for the 2025 4-H Youth in Action Awards! Each year, the program recognizes four confident young leaders with diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives in the pillar areas of agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living and STEM.

Winners will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share their stories along with unforgettable experiences, celebration on the national stage, recognition in the media and a $5,000 college scholarship.

This opportunity is open to youth ages 15-19. The deadline to apply is April 1. Learn more and apply here.

Nurturing & Inspiring a Love of the Northwoods - March 12

Join MSU Extension 4-H staff on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. EST for “Nurturing & Inspiring a Love of the Northwoods” We’ll take a plunge with turtles and get a little batty while exploring the Northwoods of Wisconsin. You will meet Naturalist and Education Director for the North Lakeland Discovery Center, Licia Johnson, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A.

This session is part of the free Wild Spartans Series and is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19. Monthly sessions are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month via Zoom. Pre-registration is required.

Shop JOANN March 3-May 4th and support 4-H

The 2024 JOANN 4-H Point of Sale Campaign is March 3-May 4. During this time, round up your purchase or donate to support 4-H when you shop at JOANN stores or online. Last year, Michigan raised nearly $125,000 during the JOANN Point of Sale Campaign and was 1st in the nation.

Distribution:

40% National 4-H Council

50% County 4-H Program

5% Statewide Learning Experiences

2.5% State 4-H Office

2.5% Michigan 4-H Foundation

Macomb County has JOANN stores in Chesterfield Township, Roseville and Shelby Township. Shop March 3-May 4, 2024 and support 4-H!

Registration is open for 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resource Camp 

4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp is an annual three-time national award-winning camp that mixes summer fun and hands-on science education. The camp will be held July 28 - August 3 on the shores of Lake Esau at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle. This pre-college program is for teens who will be age 13 to 15 during camp. ​

Campers will increase their science literacy and stewardship as they learn from natural resource experts in fields such as Great Lakes coastal and fisheries management, limnology, wildlife, forestry, geography, geology and environmental education. In addition to hands-on learning, attendees will also enjoy exciting natural resources recreation activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, fossil hunting, archery, photography and evenings around a campfire. First-time campers also go charter fishing and learn to fillet their catch. 

Registration is now open! The registration fee is $500 and includes six nights of lodging, all meals and snacks, a t-shirt and program and activity costs. Space is limited to 70 campers so register today. Find more information and register here.

4-H Exploration Days registration coming soon

4-H Exploration Days is Michigan 4-H’s largest pre-college program and could be the highlight of your summer—maybe even change your life! This exciting event is open to any Michigan youth ages 12-19 as of Jan. 1.

4-H Exploration Days, scheduled for June 19-21, 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 classroom and field trip sessions.

With more than 100 session choices held on and off campus, there are topics for everyone

including animal science, business and entrepreneurship, international language and culture, performing and visual arts, and science, engineering, and technology. As youth gain important life skills like decision making, problem solving and communication, they’ll also have time for fun with free time activities such as skating, basketball and a dance.

Registration for 4-H Exploration Days will open March 25. The cost for the 2024 event is $220. Check with your local 4-H program coordinator for additional information regarding county sign-ups and scholarships or visit the 4-H Exploration Days website.

National Ag Day 2024

Did you know? National Ag Day is March 19, 2024. Please join us in celebrating the dedication of America’s farmers and farm families. Learn more at agday.org.

Macomb County 4-H Events

March 2

Ray's Riding Rascals 4-H Tack Sale

10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lions Club Field Hall, Allenton

March 18

Macomb County 4-H Youth Council Meeting

7 p.m., MSU Extension Assembly Rooms A & B, Clinton Township

March 27

Armada Fair Topics Meeting

(for leaders participating in the Armada Fair)

7 p.m., Camp Rotary, Ray Township

March 29

Macomb County offices closed

12-5 p.m.

Other Local Events

April 15

Armada Fair Bill Hahn Memorial Scholarship application deadline

May 15

Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship application deadline

Statewide & National 4-H Events

March 3-May 4

JOANN 4-H Point of Service Campaign

JOANN stores or online

March 12

Wild Spartans: Nurturing a Love of the Northwoods

6:30 p.m., online

March 17-19

4-H Capitol Experience

Lansing

March 19

Adulting 101: Keeping Your Money Safe

6 p.m., online

April 1

State Awards applications and Mark of Excellence essays due

April 1

4-H Youth in Action application deadline

April 10

Adulting 101: Cover Letters and Resume Writing

6 p.m., online

April 13

4-H and FFA State Horse Judging Contest

MSU Pavilion, East Lansing

April 24-May 5

TSC Paper Clover Campaign

Purchase a paper clover for $1 at Tractor Supply Company (TSC) stores and/or online to support 4-H.

April 28

Michigan 4-H Day with the Detroit Tigers

Comerica Park, Detroit

May 8

4-H and FFA State Meats Judging Contest

MSU Meat Lab, East Lansing

May 9

World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute

East Lansing or online

June 19-21

4-H Exploration Days

MSU, East Lansing

Online registration will be open from 7 p.m. on March 25-April 19

June 26

4-H and FFA State Livestock Judging Contest

MSU Pavilion, East Lansing

July 28-August 3

4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp

Camp Chickagami, Presque Isle

For the most up-to-date events listing, go to http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events.

Other Statewide & National Events

March 19

National Ag Day

Kristi Evans

District 11 Director

Oakland & Macomb Counties

Diane Wisnewski

4-H Extension Supervising

& Staff Development Educator

Kathy Jamieson

4-H Educator



Kea Norrell-Aitch

4-H Educator

Elizabeth Duran

4-H Program Coordinator

Roberta Busquaert

Office Assistant – Senior

Office Locations:

MSU Extension

VerKuilen Building

21885 Dunham Road, Suite 12

Clinton Township, MI 48036

Phone: (586) 469-6431

MSU Extension

Max Thompson

Family Resource Center

11370 Hupp Avenue

Warren, MI 48089

Phone: (586) 469-7614