Armada Fair Updates

• 2015 Theme "Oh the Thinks You Can Think When You Think of 4-H"

• Looking for superintendents for Photography, all livestock areas except Swine, all horses except Mini-Horse, and Exhibit Barn

• The next Fair clean up dates are June 20th and July 26th, 2015, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 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:

      July 31st -  Last day to have application submitted to the Macomb County 4-H office
      August 16th - Top 4-H'er interviews
      August 18th - Top 4-H'ers announced

• Armada Fair entries accepted June 1-June 30 at the Armada Fair office. During the month of June, the Fair office is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. An important reminder to all leaders is that THEY, the leaders, need to take the entire club's forms to the fair office or mail them to the fair office. No children should be dropping off forms. The Fair Office WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING ANY MAILED ENTRIES FROM INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN. 

• 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

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. Comingling 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.  

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. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Duran, 4-H Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 586-469-6090. Don't forget to add Top 4-H'er to your Armada Fair entry! Club leaders should take 4-H fair entries for their clubs to the Armada Fair Office between June 1-30, 2015.

Club holds bake sale at TSC

Congrats to City Slickers 4-H club. The club held a bake sale at the Tractor Supply Company (TSC) in Washington Township. The folks at TSC do so much to promote 4-H programming in Macomb County and absolutely love to have the kids in the store. 

4-H Outdoorama gets kids outdoors Thirty-four youth and parents participated in the first Macomb County 4-H Outdoorama on Saturday, May 30th at Camp Rotary in Ray Township. Hosted by the Macomb County 4-H Outdoor Ed. & Rec. Program Committee, Outdoorama provided youth the opportunity to explore the outdoors with 4-H. Hands-on stations, led by teen and adult volunteers, had the youth building shelters, learning how to start a fire, reading animal tracks, shooting a bow and arrow, using a compass, and much more! A big thank you to all of the volunteers who made this event possible. Check out pictures from the event on our Facebook page .

 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 [email protected]. 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. Download a nomination form at www.mi4hfdtn.org/ecs.

Don't miss the boat! Summer Discovery Cruise series begins June 13th

The 2015 Summer Discovery Cruises season begins June 13, and registration is now open for both individuals and groups. More than 20 cruise themes will allow participants to learn about a wide range of Great Lakes topics. Favorite cruises from previous seasons will be offered, plus some that are being added after a few years off the schedule.  Learners will be able to explore the Great Lakes fishery (including the lake sturgeon - the largest fish in the Great Lakes), the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), coastal wetlands, Great Lakes lighthouses, shipwrecks, the Great Lakes' influence on weather (you can ask National Weather Service scientists about the Polar Vortex, water spouts, weather balloons, etc.), how teachers can use Great Lakes science in the classroom, aquatic invasive species, and much more.   Developed as a companion to the  Great Lakes Education Program, Summer Discovery Cruises are a collaborative effort between Michigan State University Extension,  Michigan Sea Grant, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and a number of program partners, including DTE Energy, Michigan DNR, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, and the National Weather Service.   For more information or to register, go to www.discoverycruises.org.  Be sure to check out other opportunities MSU Extension and Michigan Sea Grant offer to learn more about our Great Lakes, such as through the 4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp.