Congratulations to Macomb County 4-H Award winners

4-H’ers along with 4-H leaders enjoyed a night together celebrating their success in various project areas and achievement awards. County 4-H Awards for 2023 were given to youth and great conversation and some yummy cake were enjoyed at the Macomb County 4-H Awards Event at the VerKuilen Building on January 8, 2024! 4-H members are strongly encouraged to apply for County 4-H Awards each year so that they are recognized for their hard work in 4-H! Applications are due each year by September 30th. Thank you to the Macomb County 4-H Youth Council for presenting the awards!

Pictured with the article are (from l. to r.): Leanne Stallmann, Gabriella Bayram, Mackenzie Seaton, Avery Stallmann, Angelina Accuso, and Michael Seaton.

2023 Macomb County

4-H Award recipients

*** Project Awards ***

Junior Clothing & Textiles:

Avery Stallmann, Ray Community)

Junior Leadership:

Avery Stallmann (Ray Community)

Junior Sheep:

Mackenzie Seaton (Alarro)

Junior Visual Arts:

Gabriella Bayram (Ray Community)

Sportsmanship

Angelina Accuso (Ray Community)

*** Volunteer of the Year ***

Michael Seaton (Alarro)

*** Leader of the Year ***

Leanne Stallmann (Ray Community)

Below are (top row, from l. to r.): Angela Accuso, Mackenzie Seaton, Michael Seaton, and Avery Stallmann, and (bottom row, from l. to r.) Macomb County 4-H Youth Council President David Casto, Gabriella Bayram, and Leanne Stallmann.

Article submitted by Macomb County 4-H Youth Council Reporter Vivian Boomer. Photos submitted by 4-H member Vivian Boomer and 4-H volunteers Danielle Accuso, James Accuso, and Cindy Bohm.



Seth Martin is leaving MSU Extension

Macomb County 4-H Program Coordinator Seth Martin has accepted a new position outside of MSU Extension and will be leaving the organization on February 8th. He has been a valuable member of the 4-H staff, instrumental in making 4-H happen in Macomb County since February 1, 2016. Please join us in wishing him the best in his future endeavors!

Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Banquet

Congratulations to all the exhibitors and handlers who won awards for all their hard work and dedication to their horses this 2023 season.

A “Thank You” to the Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Committee and Banquet Committee for putting on a lovely event.

Macomb County 4-H Horse Program award winners, from left to right, are 4-H members Vaino Boomer, Vivian Boomer, Gracelynn Hoffman, Audrey Marcial, Vallanee Eichler, Abigail Schreiner, and 4-H Volunteer Liz Moreno.

Vaino Boomer (left) and Vivian Boomer (right) enjoy the 2023 Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Banquet.

Pictured (from l. to r.): 4-H Volunteer Crystal Pollock and 4-H members Gracelynn Hoffman, Abigail Schreiner, Briana Swamba, and Vivian Boomer.

Horse Committee welcomes horse show help

The Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Committee welcomes anyone interested in horses or helping out with the horse shows. All are welcome to attend meetings via zoom or in person at Camp Rotary in Ray Township. Please contact Michelle Short at short.Michelle.m@gmail.com.

Meetings are often at the end of the month on Mondays! Even though it is winter, the Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Committee is actively planning for this upcoming show season for both lightweight and miniature horses!

Article and photo submitted by 4-H Member Vivian Boomer

Explore horticulture & agriculture projects in 4-H

Did you know 4-H offers horticulture and agricultural projects? These 4-Hers from Clinton Valley 4-H Club had a hands-on project that resulted in making their own apple cider. The 4-Hers spent the day picking apples -- over 20 crates from Bette Nebel’s Farm in Clinton Township. The members then took them to the mill to be pressed for fresh cider. These club members learned about the stages of the apple trees and the business behind making cider! That sounds like a tasty project to me!

Article and photos submitted by 4-H Volunteer Katie Nebel-Boomer

Scholarships

Bill Hahn Memorial Scholarship: The Armada Agricultural Society sponsors the Bill Hahn Memorial Scholarship in memory of former president and longtime board member, Bill Hahn. The scholarship is awarded yearly to two high school graduating seniors. Applicants must have been a volunteer, employee, open class exhibitor or Youth Organizations exhibitor at the Armada Fair to apply. This includes Miss Armada and her court. Apply by April 15, 2024.

Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund Scholarship: The Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund awards scholarships annually to outstanding youth who exhibit at the Michigan State Fair, Michigan Livestock Expo and Michigan Dairy Expo. The fund is also responsible for supporting educational awards provided to youth livestock and dairy exhibitors each year. Apply by May 15, 2024.

Is a current or former 4-H'er the next Miss Armada?

The Armada Fair Agricultural Society is accepting applications and nominations for this year's Miss Armada. Nominations are due by February 23rd. Applications are due by March 8th. For more information, visit the Armada Fair website or contact the Armada Fair Office at 586-784-5488 or office@armadafair.org. 

Fostering Happy and Healthy Relationships - February 12th

Join MSU Extension 4-H for the next Adulting 101 session, Fostering Happy and Healthy Relationships, on Monday, February 12 at 5 p.m. ET. During this one-hour virtual session, explore healthy relationship models that can enhance your future and current bonds. Tips on setting boundaries, managing conflict, navigating breakups, and practicing consent will be shared by a licensed professional counselor. Register here.

State 4-H 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 on March 16th at Michigan State University!

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. Questions? Contact David Lindsay at lindsa75@msu.edu.

Get free tickets for Michigan 4-H Day at the Breslin! 

Make plans for a fun day in East Lansing on February 24! Join with other members of the 4-H community for Michigan 4-H Day at the Breslin. This fun family event will be held at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center as the MSU women’s basketball team takes on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Attendees will also enjoy 4-H games and activities around the concourse. Tickets are free to 4-H youth and their families as well as 4-H volunteers and their families. In addition, Michigan 4-H will be showcased during the halftime show as a group of 4-H youth will lead the crowd in reciting the 4-H pledge.

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m. Participants are encouraged to show their pride and wear green and white 4-H or MSU Extension apparel.

For more information and to get tickets, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-day-at-the-breslin.

Register today for Michigan 4-H Capitol Experience

At Michigan 4-H Capitol Experience, teens learn how to change the world for the better through engagement in Michigan’s state government and public policy process. The program is scheduled for March 17-19, in Lansing. The three-day event, open to high school-aged youth, includes tours of the Michigan Capitol, interactions with state legislators, meetings with state agency staff, lobbyists and state-level experts, and learning how policy is made. During the program, youth work in small teams to draft legislation on agriculture, civil rights and youth advocacy, crime and law enforcement, education and teacher retention, environment and natural resources, health, or jobs and the economy/infrastructure.

The cost to register in 2024 is $365, which includes meals and lodging at the Quality Inn University in Lansing. Contact your local 4-H program coordinator to inquire about local funding opportunities. Scholarships may also be available through your local Farm Bureau office. To register or learn more, visit www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_capitol_experience/.

Apply for a Michigan 4-H State Award! 

Michigan 4-H true leaders ages 11 and older have an opportunity to be recognized for the great work they do in 4-H and develop their career skills by completing a state award application. A Michigan 4-H State Award is the highest honor bestowed on a Michigan 4-H member and provides an opportunity to receive recognition for their engagement in rich learning experiences that result in outstanding knowledge and life-skill development.

State award applications are divided into four categories: Mark of Excellence  essay contest (11-12 years), junior state award (13-15 years), senior state award (16-19 years) and group awards (13-19 years). Each application and selection process varies, dependent on the age of the 4-H member. Additional details about the Michigan 4-H State Award process can be found at http://bit.ly/stateaward. 

Applications are due April 1. For more information, contact your 4-H program coordinator or email Betty Jo Krosnicki at nashbett@msu.edu or Janice Zerbe at rajzerj@msu.edu.

Make a difference for food security with World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute

As millions across the globe deal with food insecurity, the World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute (WFP MIYI) offers young people an opportunity to be part of the solution. Held May 9 in East Lansing, or by participating from anywhere else using Zoom video/web conference technology, the event seeks to inspire and prepare the next generation of global leaders to end world hunger. 

To participate, youth should be in grades 7-12 and register by the March 15, 2024 deadline. 

As part of the registration process, youth are required to prepare and submit a 2-to-5-page research paper about a developing country and one of 20 key factors that affect food security.  At the event, youth present and discuss their papers with other attendees and research and industry experts. The top performing students at the WFP MIYI will be selected to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa, in October.

There is no cost to participate in the WFP MIYI. For more information, visit www.canr.msu.edu/wfpmiyi/.

Engaging 4-H Youth in Animal SCIENCE Education - February 7th

Michigan 4-H volunteers are invited to join MSU Extension for “Engaging 4-H Youth in Animal SCIENCE Education” on February 7^th to learn more information about the curriculum and resources available to volunteers to engage 4-H youth in their communities in animal science education. This webinar will also include announcements about statewide 4-H animal science offerings for 2024. Animal science projects are a 4-H favorite, so register today!  

This free online session is part of the Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series. All sessions are held from 12-1 p.m. or from 7-8 p.m. Registration is required.

Other upcoming sessions include:

• Group Management for 4-H Clubs and Groups (March 18, 2024)
• Working with Cloverbuds (April 22)
• Preparing Michigan 4-H’ers for Fairs and Showcases (May 13)
• Managing Risks for Volunteers (May 22)

Previously recorded trainings are also available.

4-H Volunteer Impact Study: You may be contacted

What you do makes a difference!  We are excited to share that our state will be participating in the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study of volunteers in the North Central Region.

This survey is being conducted as a part of 12 state effort to document the impact of volunteering. It will focus on three areas:

1. The personal benefits of your volunteer experience;
2. The impact you have on the organization by volunteering; and
3. How your volunteer efforts contribute to your community in which you live and work.  

A random sample of volunteers of 1000 volunteers from each state will be surveyed.  This study will be conducted through an electronic survey. If you are selected you will receive an email to let you know you have been selected to participate.

You may be picked!!! If you are, please respond.  We want to hear from you and learn from your volunteer experiences.  

Your comments will be used to quantify the personal, organizational and public impacts of volunteers involved with 4-H Youth Development Programs in our twelve state region.  

Your impact is great and we want to hear from you!!!

Michigan 4-H Animal Science Skillathon

Registration is open through February 29th for the Michigan 4-H Animal Science Skillathon. While other state 4-H programs have similar offerings, the Michigan 4-H Animal Science Skillathon is the most comprehensive test of livestock and traditional farm animals in the nation. This is an annual competition that tests both youth and adult competitors’ knowledge of market livestock, animal science, and management practices in various categories. Held annually in early March, the Skillathon is open to Michigan youth (8-19 years old as of Jan. 1 of the calendar year) and adults.

In the three previous Skillathons we have reached over 500 youth from 58 out of 83 counties across Michigan. Competitors in this event are the young, bright minds who are the future of Michigan agriculture.

The 2024 Skillathon is March 6th and March 9th. New this year, there are no qualifiers. Everyone will compete in the championship. Added categories include:

• Large Animal (combined: Beef, Diary, Equine, Swine, Sheep, and Goats)
• Small Animal (Combined: Dogs, Rabbits/Cavies, and Poultry)
• Nutrition
• Anatomy/Physiology
• Multifarious (Biosecurity, Careers, Quality Assurance, etc.)

For more information please visit the Skillathon page, visit the event web page or email 4HSkillathon@msu.edu

Macomb County 4-H Events

February 19

County offices closed

March 11

Macomb County 4-H Youth Council Meeting

Other Local Events

February 4

Armada Fair Steer Tagging

12-2 p.m., Armada Fairgrounds, Armada

April 15

Armada Fair Bill Hahn Memorial Scholarship application deadline

May 15

Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship application deadline

Statewide & National 4-H Events

February 2-3

2024 Horse Judging Workshop

MSU

February 7

Engaging 4-H Youth in Animal SCIENCE Education

12-1 p.m. or 7-8 p.m., online

February 12

Adulting 101: Fostering Healthy Relationships

5 p.m., online

February 24

4-H Day at the Breslin

2 p.m., Breslin Center, MSU, East Lansing

February 29

Cash Composition Contest entries due

March 16

State 4-H Hippology Contest

8:30 a.m. check-in, MSU, East Lansing

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 10

Adulting 101: Cover Letters and Resume Writing

6 p.m., online

April 28

Michigan 4-H Day with the Detroit Tigers

Comerica Park, Detroit

May 9

World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute

East Lansing or online

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

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

Seth Martin

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