Youth PQA Plus Training is Rescheduled

Youth Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus is the food safety, antibiotic use, and animal well-being awareness and education program for youth pork producers ages 8-19. A Youth PQA Plus training is being offered on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 6-7 p.m. at Grange Hall on the Armada Fairgrounds. Please note that exhibitors showing swine at the Armada Fair may be PQA certified. This certification is not mandatory to show at the fair; it is optional. To register for this free training, call 586-469-6431 or email macomb.4h@macombgov.org by Friday, July 24, 2015.

Additional Date Set for Fair Clean Up: Sunday, July 12

4-H members, parents, leaders, and volunteers, your help is needed! Come lend a helping hand at the next Armada Fairgrounds clean up on Sunday, July 12 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please bring anything you think will help, such as rakes, shovels, gardening tools, brooms, garden gloves, etc. Save the date for the final fair clean up on Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

Reminder: Sunday, July 12th is the make-up fairgrounds clean-up day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Participants will sweep the barns and clean up the Armada Fairgrounds.

The clean-up will continue on Sunday, July 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will continue the clean-up and will also be setting up the Youth Barn (Barn 12) with tables and then covering the tables with plastic.

Help is needed and all are encouraged to participate. Please bring anything you think will help, such as rakes, shovels, gardening tools, brooms, garden gloves, etc.

Armada Fair Updates

• 2015 Theme "Oh the Thinks You Can Think When You Think of 4-H"
• Looking for superintendents for all horses except Mini-Horse.
• The make-up Fair clean up date is July 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Clean-up will continue July 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Armada Fairgrounds in Armada. Please bring anything you think will help, such as rakes, shovels, gardening tools, brooms, garden gloves, etc.
• Top 4-H'er Award applications are due by July 31, 2015. Top 4-H'er will have only two levels this year, Senior and Intermediate. Applicants, don't miss these dates:
  • o        July 31st -  Last day to have application submitted to the Macomb County 4-H office 
  • o        August 16th - Top 4-H'er interviews
  • o        August 18th - Top 4-H'ers announced
• Please note new weigh in times on Sunday, August 16th. Swine will be weighed in between 8 a.m and 10 a.m. Beef, Sheep, Goats and Prospect Beef will be weighed in between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• 4-H books were done in April; leaders can come get their packets.
• $25 parent armbands are available for parents of livestock youth
• Rabbit tagging is July 19th from 10 a.m. to Noon
• Accepting camping forms. Electric and water hook-ups are $140 all week. Reminder: Camping is a privilege that the Armada Fair Board provides to its exhibitors. Any family or site that fails to adhere to the rules and regulations will be asked to leave immediately. Security personnel will be on site.
• Teen Clerk Sign-Up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4caea82ea3f85-teen2
• Youth Organization Exhibit Barn Sign-Up: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4CAEA82EA3F85-youth/7764562

Youth Livestock Auction Participants Asked to Bring Snacks and Water

The Armada Fair Youth Livestock Sale Committee is asking every family that participates in the auction sale to bring one case of water and one box of snacks for our buyers. Snacks need to be prepackaged in single serving size. Suggested snacks include cookies, crackers, candy, and chips. Please drop off your donations at the Sale Committee Office in Barn #15 on Friday morning of the auction (August 21, 2015).

Superintendent's Message for Rabbit Leaders and Exhibitors

Meat Pen Tagging

July 19, 10 a.m.-Noon

*ALL fryer and baker tattoos must be cataloged by the fair superintendents. 

Club Displays

Club Displays are to be done on a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood.  They are to be delivered to the Rabbit Barn on Sunday  July 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Rabbit Barn Duty

Leaders need to sign up for two time slots for Rabbit Barn Duty.  I have the chart available and you can contact me to check open slots or sign up at one of the clean up days, July 12 or July 19.

The slots each day are:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday    10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Thursday and Saturday   4 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.           

There will be a posted list of barn duties and emergency contacts, so everyone knows what to do while they  are on duty. Of course the main responsibilities are to keep the rabbits safe, the barn clean, and promote your  project area. I will also distribute this list as soon as it is finalized.

Check-In Times

Sunday, August 16

• Meat Pens 10 a.m. - Noon
• Rabbits 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

General Information

• The barn will be set up by breed. 
• NO WATER BOTTLES ALLOWED, crocks only
• When you are cleaning cages, only clean the soiled areas and add new shavings. A total cage cleanout is not always necessary.

New!!

There is a Rabbit Project Leader Log for all leaders to fill out and turn in to me on or before Sunday, July 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The form is also available online at http://msue.macombgov.org/?q=MSUE-4H-Resources-ArmadaFair. This form is going to eliminate comment cards and give us a more accurate cage count.  It will also allow me to assign your club's same breeds together. 

If you have any questions or problems, please contact me by phone, text, or email.

Donna Schramm

Youth Rabbit Barn Superintendent

586-651-2049

cidneesmom@aol.com

Poultry Shows and Events Cancelled Due to Avian Influenza

On June 1, 2015, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)

issued a statement cancelling all poultry shows and exhibitions held in Michigan as a precaution

against the spread of avian influenza. This decision affects all 4-H poultry shows at county and

regional fairs, as well as other local 4-H events, until further notice. Co-mingling animals from

various flocks and facilities at these types of events provides an opportunity for diseases to

spread quickly.

MDARD's decision was a precautionary measure made in the interest of animal and public

health, as well to protect Michigan's poultry population. However, on June 8, 2015, the

Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the first cases of highly pathogenic avian

influenza (HPAI) H5N2 had been confirmed in the state. The disease was found in free-ranging

Canada geese in Macomb County.  

Though the disease is currently only in wild bird populations, no avian species will be allowed to

be displayed as part of any 4-H project, whether at a show, a club or group meeting, a petting

zoo, or at any other event or venue. The affected birds include but are not limited to those that

are part of Michigan 4-H's poultry (such as chickens, pheasants, turkeys, quail, water fowl,

guinea fowl and pea fowl) and exotic bird projects (such as emus and ostriches).  As an extra

precautionary measure, MSU Extension will also not allow the display of any live birds that are

part of the 4-H small animals program known as Pocket Pets, including canaries, parrots,

parakeets and macaws. This is for the health and safety of all birds in the state.  

Avian Flu: What it Means for Fair's Youth Exhibitors

MSU Extension staff, poultry superintendent Lori Clough, and members of the Armada Fair Board understand that the cancellation of 4-H poultry shows is disappointing to the many 4-H youth and volunteers who have invested their time and talents into poultry projects. While unfortunate, the decision is in the best interest of the state's poultry farmers, backyard hobbyists and 4-H families who participate in the poultry project. Please use this real-life opportunity as a teaching moment for our youth.

We still want to provide opportunities for 4-H'ers with poultry-related projects to showcase their work and to offer them valuable learning experiences in the project area. We are strongly encouraging all poultry project youth to compete in poultry showmanship, poultry club displays, egg production and to enter a poultry poster in the "Vet Science" category as an alternative to the meat or breed project.  

Are You the Next Top 4-H'er?

Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Macomb County Top 4-H'er Award! A Top 4-H'er is a self-motivated, enthusiastic leader who promotes 4-H using the skills, knowledge and leadership abilities acquired in 4-H with fellow members, area residents, community leaders, elected officials and non 4-H youth. A Top 4-H'er serves to strengthen the 4-H program through public relations. They are knowledgeable of 4-H, passionate and active in 4-H! Top 4-H'ers become role models for other club and community members as they promote Macomb County 4-H. Registered Macomb County 4-H members are encouraged to apply.

Top 4-H'er applicants must be registered Macomb County 4-H members, ages 13-19, who are willing to increase their knowledge of 4-H programming; learn 4-H history; follow through on commitments; be committed to developing their communication skills; and be enthusiastic and energetic.

Top 4-H'ers will be announced during the Armada Fair. Applications are online at http://msue.macombgov.org/?q=MSUE-4H-Resources-Forms, under "Top 4-H'er". Completed applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, to Macomb County MSU Extension, Attn: 4-H, 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 12, Clinton Township, MI 48036. Top 4-H'er applicants should have added Top 4-H'er to their Armada Fair entries by June 30th. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Duran, 4-H Program Coordinator, at duraneli@anr.msu.edu or 586-469-6090. 

Calling All 4-H Clubs! Volunteer at Fair, Earn Cash for your Club

Attention All 4-H Clubs in Macomb County:

The Armada Fair is just six weeks away!  Although this is a busy time, we would like to encourage all registered county clubs, those showing and not showing at the fair, to volunteer to work our exhibit barn as well as our fundraiser during the week of August 17th to the 23rd to help raise money for the council to give back to you-our clubs.

This year, along with walking around the exhibit barn, clubs that sign up for shifts will be in charge of selling coffee, danishes, and working the photo booth beneath the awning outside the barn during the period they signed up for. Clubs that sign up to work the barn and photo booth/concession stand will receive 25 percent of the total profit made during their shift(s). The remaining 75 percent will be added to the county's endowment fund that is designated to fund Macomb 4-H clubs' endeavors for many years to come. 

Training on how to work the photo booth/concession station is required. If you were unable to attend the mandatory training at the Macomb County 4-H Youth Council meeting on July 9th, please contact macombyouthcouncil@gmail.com. Thank you for all participating and helping raise money for us to support and fund the clubs of Macomb County!

-The Macomb County 4-H Youth Council

Free Cat

A small young, grey and white stray cat needs a good home. Contact Sue Gregory, 586-254-9409, or Anne Crotser, 586-739-9570, for more information.

You Posted What on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter!

Join the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute Capacity Building workgroup at 7 p.m. on July 27 to help you think about what you post on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This webinar will help you consider some of the benefits and consequences of social networking and help you make an informed decision about what you post and share with others.

Please register online at http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=SocialMediaWebinar by July 26th  for this FREE learning opportunity at that you can participate in online!

2015 National 4-H Congress

"Excite, Spark, Ignite" and participate in the 2015 National 4-H Congress November 27 to December 1 in Atlanta, Georgia. Michigan 4-H youth ages 14-19 are invited to apply for this leadership, citizenship and community-service event. In this capstone 4-H youth leadership event, 4-H youth from across the U.S. will come together to experience an exciting program, full of educational, service and leadership opportunities as well as local cultural tours and experiences. The event includes outstanding community leaders, speakers and educators. The exact cost will be determined based on the number of delegates and airfare, but will be around $1,500.  Fees include registration, hotel, airfare, and most meals. Opportunities to fund raise will be available! For more information, contact Marinda Ochs at 586-783-8163 or ochsmari@anr.msu.edu. We have to reserve space with the state office by July 15, so don't delay! Be sure to check out the website at http://national4-hcongress.com.

4-H Program Grants

Did you know the Michigan 4-H Foundation offers grants up to $1,000 to Michigan 4-H clubs and programs? Apply today! Applications are due Aug. 1 and are online at http://www.mi4hfdtn.org/county/countygrants.html.

Nominate a 4-H Volunteer for the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award

Do you know an exemplary Michigan 4-H agricultural volunteer/leader? Nominate them for the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award today! Eligible project areas include 4-H beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine; and veterinary science. Award winners receive a $1,000 grant to a county or state 4-H agricultural project area of their choice! Please share this opportunity! Nominations are due Aug. 1 to the Michigan 4-H Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.mi4hfdtn.org/grants.html.

Nominate an Outstanding 4-H Alumnus for the 4-H Emerald Clover Society

Do you know an outstanding Michigan 4-H alumnus? Nominate them for the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society! Nominations are due to the Michigan 4-H Foundation by Jan. 31, 2016. Download a nomination form at www.mi4hfdtn.org/ecs.