Are you interested in joining 4-H this year, as a youth or volunteer? Make sure you complete your enrollment or re-enrollment!

Each year, youth who wish to join 4-H must enroll or re-enroll in our 4-H Online database.

The link to 4-H Online2.0 and help documents on the enrollment and re-enrollment process can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan_4_h_enrollment

A few important tips with 4HOnline2.0:

All returning volunteers must complete both of these steps (deadline dates are different for everyone! Check step 1 for your date). If you are new and wish to apply as a volunteer, please apply at https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/volunteer_home.

If you have any questions with this process, please contact the Extension office at 517-543-2310 or reach out to me! If you wish to resign from volunteering, please also reach out so that we can record that in the system. Thank you for your dedication to volunteering with the 4-H program.

This is just a reminder that attendees at any indoor MSU Extension or Michigan 4-H program or event are required to wear a face covering. This includes 4-H meetings and other volunteer-led events. Unless they have a medical exemption, face coverings must be worn by everyone in attendance over age 2 regardless of vaccination status.

The health and wellbeing of MSU Extension participants, volunteers, professionals and their families remains of utmost importance. For this reason, volunteers and youth are reminded about additional best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

We are looking for a full-time AmeriCorps member to design and run 4-H SPIN Clubs in Eaton County again this coming year! Members will serve 40 hrs/week, receive a biweekly living stipend payment, and qualify for an education award of $6,345 upon successful completion of their service! 

Do you enjoy science, technology, engineering, art, and math? Do you like to work with kids? Want to build teaching experience? Send a resume and cover letter to Kristy Oosterhouse at oosterh6@msu.edu today to schedule an interview! You can also view the position posting by visiting https://careers.msu.edu/ and searching for job posting #722390.

Learn more about 4-H STEAM Corps here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4hsteamcorps/

The Eaton County MSU Extension office has resumed office hours on Mondays - Fridays from 8:30am - 5pm, closed from noon - 1pm. Please note that the office may be occasionally closed due to availability of staff. It is recommended to call ahead to set up an appointment by calling 517-543-2310. If you need to meet with Kristy, please email oosterh6@msu.edu or call the office to set up an appointment. As a reminder, there is a dropbox behind the office that can be used for forms or other paperwork when the office is closed.

Let’s celebrate!

You are invited to join 4-H Council to celebrate the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 program year award winners at Bennett Park on Saturday, October 16, from 6-7:30pm.

Drop by and show off your favorite flannel gear as you join us for an evening of camaraderie and cider and donuts! This event is open to anyone in the 4-H program, not just award winners.

We are transitioning back to in-person county level meetings. All meetings will be in-person at the PMR (basement conference room at the Extension office building) and will offer a Zoom option to connect virtually to the meetings, unless otherwise indicated (subject to change with COVID-19 guidelines). If you would like a virtual connection option for these meetings, please use the Zoom registration link for each meeting to register. Once you are registered, you will receive an email with the connection information. If nobody is registered for the Zoom option by 5pm the day of the meeting, Zoom connection will not be set up.

Are you looking for a speaker for your club or project meetings? Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are offering a free one hour educational presentation to explore how outbreaks are investigated through epidemiology and zoonotic diseases!

Contact the Extension office to get connected, or Teresa Miller at MillerT28@michigan.gov to schedule a presentation for your group!

Did you miss out on the Eaton County 4-H Council t-shirts sold during fair week or during pre-orders? You still can get a shirt!

Buy your t-shirts at the MSU Extension office during office hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30am - 5pm; highly recommended to call 517-543-2310 prior to visiting). T-shirts are $12 each (2XL and 3XL sizes add $2/shirt). Sizes are available until gone, if your size is gone, sign-up on the list for a future order!

Want to support 4-H youth? Purchase a Paper Clover at Tractor Supply Company Oct. 6-17! Give your local Michigan 4-H program a boost by purchasing a clover online or in Tractor Supply Company stores for just $1. Learn more: tractorsupply.com/4h

Eaton County TSC Paper Clover Campaign funds are used to directly support youth who attend state and national 4-H events and leadership events. Support this effort by supporting the TSC stores in Delta Township and Charlotte.

For the 79th consecutive year, millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week from October 3-9. During the 2021 National 4-H Week, Michigan 4-H is encouraging 4-H youth, volunteers, staff and supporters to get out and find their spark – the theme of this year’s celebration.

From empowering youth to pursue their passions to learning new skills, this October is a perfect time to help the next generation explore what interests and excites them. One easy way to do this is by sharing how 4-H helped you or your kids find your spark on social media channels and with individuals in your community.

One of the benefits of becoming a 4-H member are the availability of scholarships! Youth and volunteers have the opportunity to receive scholarships for enhancing learning at state and national levels through various event registration scholarships. Youth also have the opportunity to receive post-secondary education scholarships.

Did you know that youth 4-H members and volunteers who are attending state or national 4-H events, workshops and camps are eligible to receive a county scholarship for registration fees? There are a variety of scholarships available and you can combine scholarships as well! Find more information about the scholarships below at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/eaton/eaton_county_4_h/eaton_county_4_h_club_resources/scholarships

One of the many benefits of Michigan 4-H membership is the chance to apply for several post-secondary scholarships that are available only to 4-H members throughout the state. These Michigan 4-H scholarships provide a tremendous opportunity for 4-H youth to receive financial support toward their post-secondary education – and they are simple to complete! But time is running out - the deadline for applications for these scholarships is November 1!

For more information about the 4-H scholarships and to access the applications please visit our 4-H scholarships web page.

The following information is related to the Eaton County Fair and the Eaton County Agricultural Society and fair board. While The Eaton County Fair and Fair board activities are not MSU Extension, 4-H sponsored events, this information is of interest to many in our 4-H community. Please contact the Eaton County Fair board directly for any questions about items in this section. Contact information can be found on their website at https://eatoncountyfair.com/.

Save the Date for October 9 for the fair board's 5th annual bonfire and hayride fun event at the fairgrounds! Find the event on the Eaton County Fairgrounds Facebook page for more information!