4-H Family News header 

 September 1, 2016    
 Macomb County 4-H News & Events

Norrell-Aitch Takes on Statewide Educator Role; Jamieson becomes New CYI Supervising Educator  in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties 
Kea Norrell-Aitch has decided to expand her work in the area of 4-H Healthy Living and last month accepted a position that provides statewide coverage for that program area. 

Norrell-Aitch was the 4-H Supervising Educator in Macomb County for 3 ½ years. In that time, she was able to create new relationships and assist in building a concrete team of 4-H program coordinators. She is still housed in Macomb County and can serve as a valuable resource for 4-H programs focusing on nutrition, physical fitness and personal safety. Norrell-Aitch graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Family and Community Services and holds an Master's Degree in Counseling from Spring Arbor University.

Kathy Jamieson began serving as the Supervising Extension Educator for the 4-H Children and Youth Institute (CYI) programs in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties on August 1st. Jamieson began her career with Michigan State University Extension in 2004 as the Extension Educator overseeing 4-H in Macomb County. With the reorganization in 2010, her position changed to statewide programming in Career Exploration, Workforce Preparation, Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy. She holds a Masters Degree in Counseling from Wayne State University and a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education from Michigan State University. 

Jamieson is excited to start this new adventure in her career and looks forward to providing support to the staff, volunteers, youth and community partners for the great work they do in positive youth development in Southeast Michigan.

Fall 4-H Club Leader Update 
The Fall 4-H Club Leader Update will be held at 6:30 p.m. on October 18, 2016. The location will be announced soon. The administrative club leader or a representative from each club should attend to receive important updates and information for the 2016-17 program year.

4-H Enrollment/Re-enrollment for 2016-17
Club Enrollment: Club enrollment information and forms will be emailed to administrative 4-H club leaders by September 1, 2016 and mailed by request. Leaders, please turn in the following forms to Macomb County MSU Extension, Attn: 4-H, 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 12, Clinton Township, MI 48036  by Friday, September 16th :
The Extension office needs these forms to enroll the club and update 4-H Online BEFORE your club members and volunteers enroll/re-enroll for the new program year. Bylaws, your club roster, club officer list, shooting sports permission forms, participation fee payments and a copy of your completed insurance form may be turned in later, as soon as you have them . Insurance is optional.

Member enrollment/re-enrollment Once club enrollment information is processed, members and volunteers may enroll/re-enroll through 4-H Online. Instructions are linked to the Michigan 4-H Online login page,  https://mi.4honline.com .
  • Returning members with an existing family profile will need to log in to their 4-H Online family profile to access their member record. Refer to Re-enrolling through 4-H Online for instructions.
  • New members with an existing family profile will need to log in to their 4-H Online family profile to add a member record. See the 4-H Online Family Guide for instructions.
  • New members without a family profile will need to create a family profile and then add the new member to the profile. Refer to the 4-H Online Family Guide for instructions.
It's important to note that a club member's enrollment will not be approved by MSU Extension until the club is enrolled and his or her participation fee payment and required online or printed authorization form signatures have been received by the county Extension office. Volunteers should not enroll online until they have completed the 4-H volunteer selection process (VSP).
 
Deadlines: Please be aware that  the November 1st re-enrollment deadline date is being reviewed and may change . This and other important topics will be discussed at the Fall 4-H Club Leader Update in October .
Macomb County 
4-H Staff

Richard Wooten
District 11 Coordinator
 
4-H Extension Educator
 
4-H Mentor Program  
Coordinator
  
4-H Program Coordinator
   
Program Coordinator 
4-H Tech Wizards
 
4-H Program Coordinator 

4-H Extension Educator
 
Computer Maintenance Clerk
 
Email:
 
Web Site:
 
Locations:
MSU Extension
VerKuilen Building
21885 Dunham Road, Ste. 12
Clinton Township, MI 48036
Phone: (586) 469-6431
 
MSU Extension
Max Thompson 
Family Resource Center
11370 Hupp
Warren, MI 48089
Phone: (586) 469-7614
Join Our List
Sunglasses Found

Could these be yours? A pair of prescription sunglasses was found in Armada Fair Exhibit Barn during fair week. Contact Elizabeth Duran, 4-H Program Coordinator, at 586-469-6090 or [email protected] for information.

Volunteers Needed at the Michigan State Fair
MSU/MSU Extension will be at the Michigan State Fair from September 1-5, 2016, and CYI/4-H will be staffing an activities area during fair hours. Included in the activities area will be hands on activities (including the Life Skills Wheel, Commodity Carnival, Hoverball Archery and space for promotional items. Extension needs 4-6 volunteers per shift to accommodate all of the activities and provide information to the public about its programs. Volunteers will receive free parking and passes to the State Fair, and a  t-shirt.  The volunteer sign-up link is www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C054BABAD2FAAF85-michigan2

Experience Global Village
Experience how others live around the world! Youth in Macomb County have an opportunity to attend   Global Village, a 26-hour activity with a global tour and overnight stay chaperoned by certified 4-H adult volunteers and staff. Participants will explore model houses and the lives of people living in diverse regions of the world. Through role-playing, games, stories, and hands-on artifacts, participants learn how humans, animals, and education can significantly improve the lives of those in need. Then participants spend a night in the Global Village. Assigned to a house and working with their "family" groups, students experience first-hand the struggles and triumphs of finding and bartering for their dinner, cooking together over an open fire, and sleeping out in one of the Village's rustic houses. The following morning is spent in an intensive debrief session in which participants develop a deeper understanding of inequalities in the world and come away empowered to make a difference in the lives of those in their communities and around the world.
 
The next available date is September 17-18, 2016. Global Village is in Howell, Michigan. Both cold 
and warm weather packing lists are available at http://howellnaturecenter.org/programs/heifer-global-village/global-gateway/ . Contact Elizabeth Duran, Macomb County 4-H Program Coordinator, at 
586-469-6090 or [email protected] for more information.

4-H Outdoor Adventure Center and Eastern Market Trip - October 1
Join us for the 4-H Outdoor Adventure Center and Eastern Market Trip on October 1, 2016! Take a trip up north while downtown at the new Detroit Outdoor Adventure Center, a place that showcases all that Michigan has to offer in the great outdoors.  E xperience beautiful street art and professional replicas of art featured in the Detroit Institute of Arts while walking along the Dequindre Cut, a biking and walking path connecting the Detroit waterfront to the 125 year-old Eastern Market, Detroit's most famous market and one of the best ways to experience the city's culture.

Groups led by chaperones will have free time to shop around for fresh vegetables, grab a bite from a delicious food truck, or buy a gift for a friend at the market. The group will walk back down the Dequindre cut to the busses to return back home. This trip is a must for all 4-H families as a fun, safe and exciting way to visit three exciting places in Detroit.

The trip is  $5 per person, maximum $15 per family.  The transportation will leave at 9 a.m. from MSU Extension, 21885 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, and from 9:30 a.m. from the MSU Extension office at the Thompson Community Center, 11370 Hupp Avenue, Warren. Participants will return from the trip around 3:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is required. Contact Seth Martin at (586) 783 8163 for more information.
Other Local News & Events

FREE Poultry offered

FREE to a local home that needs a little roo to guard the hen house: One of our Macomb County 4-H volunteers is giving away a Rhode Island Red Cockerel (about 3 months old). She purchased day-old-chicks in May to replace her layers, and 


Free Bantams A Lenox Township family is out 
of space and has 8-12 bantam chicks/chickens that they are offering free to a 
4-H home. If  you currently work with the 4-H poultry project or would like to start 
one of the shes was a he!! Contact Jenny at [email protected]  or 586-784-8328 if interested. Pick up in Armada. 

one and are interested in these birds, email Maria at  [email protected]  or call/text 586-438-0076.

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference - Oct. 5-6
Join other like-minded community leaders in Port Huron on October 5-6, 2016 to learn about exciting concepts and resources, share best practices and fresh ideas, and empower ourselves and others to grow our local communities at the annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference. 

With breakout sessions embedded in shops and venues throughout the downtown, the conference offers the unique opportunity to learn about and experience an entrepreneurial community. We encourage you to invite your colleagues, co-workers, community leaders, entrepreneurs and stakeholders. Whether you work in economic development, business, arts and culture, government, philanthropy, the nonprofit sector or education, you have an important part to play in supporting local businesses and entrepreneurial development in our communities. T his year, a significant number of breakout sessions will focus on developing youth as leaders and entrepreneurs.See the MSU Extension CEC Website for more detailed information: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/info/cec

Conference Time: Wednesday, Oct. 5th, at 11:30 a.m. through Thursday, Oct. 6th at noon. 
Registration Fee: $85/person includes opening and closing lunch, Wednesday evening networking event plus all the conference materials. 
Accommodations: There are several area hotels in the Port Huron area offering discounted rooms. For a complete list and room rates contact Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-852-4242 or the CEC Website: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/cec/cec_statewide_conference.  
Dogs and Hogs Fundraiser - September 17th
Come support Macomb County Animal Control's first-ever fundraiser, Dogs and Hogs, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2016 at Wolverine Harley-Davidson, 44660 Gratiot, Clinton Township. There will be live music and great food (provided by Vintage House), desserts from local bakeries, drinks and great raffle prizes! 
 
After many positive changes at Maocmb County 4-H Animal Control, the department now has a 91 percent save rate! Help them to continue their efforts. All proceeds will benefit the abused, neglected, and homeless animals of Macomb County.
 
Tickets are available at the Macomb County Animal Control Department or online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dogs-and-hogs-tickets-26304120332?aff=es2. Please contact Danielle Reske at [email protected] or 586-469-5112 with any questions.

People, Pets & Vets is coming to Macomb Community College Nov. 5th  
Please mark your calendars and plan to participate in the 13th annual People, Pets & Vets (PP&V) event at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township. This is a joint project sponsored by the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and Macomb Community College Veterinary Technician Program.  The important details:

EVENT: People, Pets & Vets
FREE educational, interactive and fun event for the whole family to learn about veterinary and animal care from a variety of resources!
DATE: Saturday, November 5, 2016
TIME: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Macomb Community College, 44575 Garfield, E Building, Clinton Township, MI 48038
 
The event coordinators are looking forward to seeing visitors and vendors this fall!  Please contact Tari Kern or Cathryn Fields at (248) 564-0309 or see http://www.michvma.org/?page=PeoplePetsVets for more information.
Statewide 4-H News
And the Award Goes to . . . !!
Summer is a busy time when 4-H members may receive awards for their past year's achievements. The following is news about a few of the awards for which Michigan 4-H  members may be eligible.
 
The State 4-H Awards Program is the highest honor bestowed on Michigan 4-H youth aged 13 and up who have at least three years of 4-H experience. After careful review of the nominees' applications by selection committees, delegates were invited to participate in either an advanced leadership development program (juniors) or competitive interviews (seniors). The 2016 winners   were announced at the 4-H Recognition Program during 4-H Exploration Days .
 
4-H'ers who are 11 or 12 years old are eligible to apply for the 4-H Mark of Excellence Award . To enter, a young person needs to write an essay on the theme, "Because of 4-H I can . . . ." Counties select their representatives, and submit names and essays to the State 4-H Awards Committee. The 2016 winners received a certificate and a medal through the mail. Additionally, their essays will be added to the Mark of Excellence history book at Kettunen Center and will be used by both the Michigan 4-H Foundation and the State 4-H Office.
 
We are excited that in 2016, Michigan 4-H Youth Development  will award one volunteer leader and one 4-H member with the second annual Michigan 4-H Animal Science Sportsperson of the Year Award . If you know a 4-H'er (last year's winner, Cassie Holladay) or an adult (last year's winner, Mary Adams) who exemplifies the definition of good sportsmanship in any of the 4-H animal science project areas , consider nominating him or her by completing and sending in the nomination form , which includes a nomination letter and a letter of support from county 4-H staff, by October 1, 2016 . Find more information from:
4-H'ers in grades 5 through 12, who actively volunteered within the past year, are encouraged to apply for a Prudential Spirit of Community Award , sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals . Students can apply for the award online . However, a pplications must be submitted first to county 4-H program staff for certification. So, prior to submitting the application online, applicants should first check with the local MSU Extension office for the ir county deadline . For more information, visit the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards web site . Students are eligible for honors at the local, state and national levels.


Explaining Environmental Education webinar offered
MSU Extension is offering a new and informative webinar called "Explaining Environmental Education" on September 13th and 15th. This is a two-part series. Sessions are offered from 1-1:30 p.m. and 6:30-7 p.m. each day and are 30 minutes in length. Participants will discover the history of Environmental Education (EE) and ways to better implement EE lessons and activities in their classroom and youth programs. The program is FREE. Register by September 11, 2016 at http://events.anr.msu.edu/ExplainingEE2016SessionI/.


Michigan 4-H Goat Workshop - October 15-16
The Michigan 4-H Goat Workshop scheduled for Oct. 15-16, 2016 at Kettunen Center is now open for registration. Participants will:
  • Gain fun, hands-on 4-H Goat science experiences learn new ideas for goat projects and other fun activities.
  • Explore science based information in goat management.
  • Enhance youth and volunteers knowledge and skill in the Goat project. 
  • Share ideas with others from around the state in the goat project area.
The workshop is for adults and youth ages 9 and older. The cost is $73 per person (4-H rate) or $121.60 (non-members).  Register online at http://events.anr.msu.edu/4HGoat2016/ by October 2, 2016. 


4-H Shooting Sports 101 Training Workshop to be held in Clare
MSU Extension is pleased to offer this professional development opportunity designed to assist 4-H certified shooting sports leaders in their efforts to provide quality volunteer instruction for youth. An email will be sent to participants one week prior to the session confirming attendance and providing any additional instructions.

Date:    Sept. 17 & 18, 2016
Time:    Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Jay's Sporting Goods, 8800 S. Clare Ave., Clare, MI 48617
Who:    Adult leaders working with youth in shooting sports and volunteer junior leaders age 16 or older.

Come find out more about:
- Shooters with Disabilities
- Coaching Techniques
- Starting/Organizing a 4-H Shooting Sports Club
- Grants & Funding Opportunities
- Shooting Games
- Youth Development/Learning Styles/Educational Methods/Teaching Tools
- Selection of Firearms & Archery Equipment
- Risk Management
- Network with representatives from Ducks Unlimited, Whitetails Unlimited, National Wild Turkey 
  Federation, Michigan Gun Owners, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Trout unlimited, Pheasants 
  Forever, NRA, Boone & Crockett Club, Ruffed Grouse Society, International Bowhunting 
  Organization, Quality Deer Management Association

Cost: 4-H Members and Volunteers-$50.00; fee includes resources, lunch and snacks.

Registration information : The deadline to register for this event is Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. To register, visit MSU Extension Events at http://events.anr.msu.edu/ShootingSports101Workshop/
 
Find out more : For more information, contact Nick Baumgart at [email protected] or 906-774-0363. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested with your registration.

Explore Drones in World's Largest Youth-Led Engineering Design Challenge
All youth are invited to participate in the 2016 National 4-H Engineering Design Challenge, "Drone Discovery". As drones play an increasingly important role in the world around us, National 4-H Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD) 2016 introduces youth to the burgeoning field of drones in a hands-on, interactive design challenge.  4-H NYSD is the world's largest youth-led engineering design challenge, drawing nearly 100,000 participants in 2015.
 
This year's challenge, called Drone Discovery, will teach youth a wide variety of topics related to unmanned flight including flight dynamics, aircraft types, safety and regulations, remote sensing and flight control. Designed by Cornell University Cooperative Extension, the hands-on, three part engineering design challenge will allow youth to experiment with fixed and rotary wing designs, explore the concept of remote sensing and dive into the world of coding for real-world drone applications. Youth will conduct the experiment at hundreds of local events taking place in all 50 states, and in countries around the world. National 4-H Council will host the flagship national event, with hundreds of youth participating in the challenge on October 5 in Washington, D.C.
 
Engineering design challenge kits are available for pre-sale at  THE 4-H MALL. Each kit comes equipped with all the materials necessary for 10 youth to complete the experiment, including instruction booklets for both youth and adult facilitators.
 
National 4-H Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD) is October 5, 2016.
Other News & Events

Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide event that allows U.S. students in high school and younger to create and exhibit their software application, or "app," on mobile, tablet, or computer devices. Students can submit their app ideas now through November 2, 2016 for a chance to meet their Member of Congress and have their app displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building. 

You must live or attend school in a participating Congressional district to register for the Congressional App Challenge. If the Congress member in your district hasn't yet signed up, you may request that they do so via social media or by using one of the letter templates online at  http://iefwpengineacc.wpengine.com/district-involvement/.

Visit the Congressional App Challenge website,  http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/about-2/, to learn more about the rules and how to enter. 

Peak season for rabies in Michigan:  Report animal bites to local health department within 24 hours
The Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health and Human Services and Natural Resources today urged Michiganders to adopt practices to protect their families, pets and livestock from rabies.  Rabies is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Once symptoms begin, there is no treatment for rabies.  Rabies is fatal to humans if proper treatment is not received. Preventive treatment is given to people who are exposed to a potentially rabid animal. Treatment is not necessary if an animal tests negative for rabies. 

Mammals can be infected with rabies and several species of wild animals serve as rabies carriers, including bats and skunks. Bats are the species most frequently found with rabies in Michigan.

"If you discover a bat in your home, carefully confine the bat and get in touch with your local health department to determine if you could have been exposed to rabies," said Dr. Eden Wells, MDHHS chief medical executive. "Save any bat for testing if there is even the slightest question of exposure, especially if the bat was found in a sleeping area." 

  As of August 8, 2016, 21 animals in Michigan have been confirmed as rabies infected. Four skunks and 17 bats were found in the counties of Alpena, Antrim, Calhoun, Eaton, Genesee,   Ingham, Jackson, Kent, Kalamazoo, Missaukee, Newaygo, Oakland, Saginaw and Washtenaw. An up-to-date rabies map can be found at www.michigan.gov/rabies.

"It is never a good idea to handle wild animals," said Dr. Dan O'Brien, acting DNR state wildlife veterinarian. "It's also important to teach children never to touch wild animals, no matter how cute or tame they seem.

"Normally, wild animals have a healthy fear of humans. If they aren't acting afraid, it's often because they're sick. If someone has been handling a wild animal or is bitten by a wild animal, that animal may have to be euthanized in order to be tested for rabies."

Anyone bitten by an animal should seek medical care immediately. If possible, collect the animal and consult with local health authorities to determine if rabies testing or an animal confinement period is necessary.

If  pet or livestock owners suspect their animals may have had contact with a potentially rabid animal or has been bitten, they need to contact their veterinarian for the appropriate course of action, even if the pet or livestock animal is currently vaccinated against rabies.

"Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating dogs, cats, ferrets, horses and select livestock," said Dr. James Averill, MDARD state veterinarian. "It's crucial animal owners work with their veterinarian to ensure their animals are protected from rabies."

For information about rabies in Michigan, visit  www.michigan.gov/rabies .
Anyone who finds a wild animal suspected of potentially having rabies should contact their  Local Health Department  and  DNR office .
Calendars of Events

Macomb County 4-H Calendar of Events

September 5
Macomb County offices closed

September 8
Macomb County 4-H Youth Council Meeting
6:30 p.m., Camp Rotary, Ray Township

September 16
Year-end financial and club enrollment forms due to Macomb County MSU Extension:
October 6
4-H Outdoor Adventure Center Event
Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit

October 10
Macomb County offices closed

October 18
Fall 4-H Club Leader Update
6:30 p.m., location TBA

November 15
County Awards application deadline
5 p.m., Macomb County MSU Extension, Clinton Township
 
December 10
County Awards
1-3 p.m., MSU Extension, Clinton Township 


Other Local Events

September 10
12 p.m., Marlette Livestock Auctions, Marlette


State 4-H Calendar of Events

September 13 
Louhelen Baha'I School Retreat and Conference Center, Davison Township

September 15 

Anthony Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing 

September 17-18
Jay's Sporting Goods, Clare
 
Port Huron

October 8-9
Demmer Center, Lansing
 
October 15-16 
Michigan 4-H Goat Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
 
Kettunen Center, Tustin

November 19-20
Kettunen Center, Tustin

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

Other Statewide Events:

September 1-5
Michigan State Fair
Novi


National 4-H Events
Other National Events

July 18-November 2
Nationwide

October 2-8
National 4-H Week


Mark your calendars! The Tractor Supply Company (TSC) Fall Paper Clover Fundraiser is coming October 5-16, 2016. Support 4-H by purchasing a paper clover for $1 at check-out, or spend some time in-store telling shoppers what 4-H is all about. Macomb County has two locations:

New Haven Tractor Supply Company
57155 Gratiot Avenue
New Haven, MI 48048
Romeo Tractor Supply Company
66143 Van Dyke
Washington, MI 48095