UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is accepting applications for its annual scholarships and awards in recognition of outstanding students pursuing careers in agriculture. Applications will be accepted through Monday, May 15, 2023. Please encourage your students and faculty to take advantage of these opportunities to honor academic excellence and provide additional support for undergraduate and graduate students. More information about the application process can be found below, or on our website. Thank you in advance for helping us honor and recognize deserving students with these awards. For questions, please contact Andrea Ambrose, Director of Advancement, UC ANR, at apambrose@ucanr.edu.

BILL AND JANE FISCHER VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP For students enrolled at ANY ACCREDITED CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY, preference given to graduate students. $1,000 (multiple awards possible) to students pursuing degrees in vegetation management, weed science or agriculture specializations Plant Science, Soils and Plant Nutrition, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Botany, Plant Pathology, Plant Protection and Pest Management, and Agricultural Economics. Students apply directly.

HOWARD WALTON CLARK PRIZE IN PLANT BREEDING AND SOIL BUILDING For students enrolled at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC Riverside. $5,000 (multiple awards possible) awarded to promising senior students in the College of Agriculture and/or Natural Resources with demonstrated scholastic achievement and talent for independent research with reference to either plant breeding (leading to new/improved crops and new/improved varieties using appropriate tools) or soil building (leading to improving soil quality related to soil productivity and sustainability as a resource). Nomination by faculty member required.

KNOWLES A. RYERSON AWARD IN AGRICULTURE For students enrolled at UC Berkeley and UC Davis. $2,500 (minimum one award for each campus) given to an international undergraduate student in the College of Agriculture and/or Natural Resources, in any curriculum, preferably after completion of the junior year. The Award is based on high scholarship, outstanding character, and promise of leadership. Nomination by faculty member required.

4-H Online Rollover and Transition to ZSuite Enrollment System

This is a reminder that family login level access to the 4-H online will be turned off on June 23 at 12pm. We anticipate family login level access will be granted in our new enrollment system around August 15.

The increased system downtime is due to the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program transitioning to the ZSuite enrollment system. This new enrollment system meets the UC ANR’s updated security standards and vendor requirements, while providing our staff and participants an improved user interface.

Families and volunteers will not have access to either system from June 23- August 15, 2023. Families are encouraged to delay re-enrollment for the 2023-2024 program year until the new system is open and they can complete the online self-enrollment process when ZSuite opens enrollment after August 15, 2023.

If enrollment or re-enrollment is necessary during the interim period the systems are offline, your county staff will work with you to complete the enrollment process.

Please note: any early enrollments into ZSuite before the official opening of the will be deleted. All dates listed are subject to change based on our vendor and UCANR 4-H needs. Any changes will be broadly communicated by the State 4-H Office.

County Record Book Coordinators Webinar

If you manage your county 4-H Record Book Evaluations, please join us for a walkthrough of how to manage Record Book evaluations. The introduction of Spark Achievements and the Emerald Star and Impact Star pilots, creates some evaluation trickiness—we’re here to help you.

Save the Date: May 17^th, 7 pm, via Zoom ~~ Yes, we’ll record it for those unable to attend.

Pre-register here on or before May 16^th. Zoom link will be emailed to all who pre-register on May 17^th. 

Apply to State Advisory Committees

UC-Davis Campus

July 27-30, 2023 (Senior Members 14-19)

July 28-30, 2023 (Intermediate Members 11-13)

We are excited to announce an expansion of SLC to Intermediate members (ages 11-13 at the time of SLC.) Participants will have an on-campus experience, participate in educational workshops and guest speakers specifically designed and chosen for them, be mentored by older 4-H members and young alumni and meet others from across the state.

The SLC planning team is actively recruiting:

Workshop Proposals Deadline May 15, 2023.

This year's education platform is geared towards reaching the next steps in your leadership journey by identifying your skills, utilizing available resources, and developing competencies needed to act. Please create your workshop proposal with the Education Platform in mind.

Our educational workshops will be held in-person on Saturday, July 29th (1:00-5:00PM)

Teen Facilitators Deadline May 10, 2023

Facilitators are required to be 4-H members aged 15-19 and lead groups of attendees with a partner in small meeting discussions about conference activities, goals, and personal development. Facilitators will work as a team and assist with conference activities and educational sessions. But most importantly, SLC facilitators will develop skills in leadership, group facilitation, and more! This role has a selection process.

Program Assistants Deadline May 10, 2023

Program Assistants (PA) adult volunteers that are responsible for leading PA Sessions, facilitating groups of youth attendees, creating a positive learning environment, and assisting with conference activities as needed. Program Assistants will work in pairs with small groups of 4-H youth and work as the face of the conference. This is a great way to stay involved with the 4-H program as a young adult and make lifelong friendships! This role has a selection process.

If you have any questions please email the SLC Education Team at: 4hslc@ucanr.edu

Tractor Supply Paper Clover

April 26 - May 7, 2023

Spread the word! The spring Tractor Supply Paper Clover campaign is from April 26 to May 7, 2023. Purchase a Paper Clover at the register to support sending local youth to 4-H camp and leadership development opportunities like the State Leadership Conference. If you don't have a Tractor Supply store near you, you can also donate online! Download posts you can use for social media and share the flyer in your community.

See what’s new this year:

• A new Event website for State Field Day

• A universal registration system for all contests. ONE registration link for all contest participants, evaluators and room hosts!

• We are asking EVERYONE to register: attendees, evaluators, room hosts, family members who are observing, young siblings- anyone who is attending SFD.
• Why? We know how many youth register each year but don’t know how many total people attend. We want to get a complete head count for planning future State Field Days.

• There is a $5 flat fee for 4-H member participants. 4-H members may sign up for as many contests as they plan to participate in for the one fee.
• Why? The fee will help cover the costs of this event, such as facilities, certificates, pins, awards, supplies, printing, lunches for volunteers, etc. 
• Any member who is unable to pay the $5 entry free may turn in a Request for Fee Waiver Form to 4hsfd@ucanr.edu 

• New contest: Forestry. Test your knowledge about forestry topics and learn more about how you can get involved with a Forestry project.

• Insect Identification Contest. The Insect Identification Contest (aka Entomology Contest) is back in a new format. Sign up and see the insect display from the UC Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology.

Become a Civic Engagement Officer!

The Civic Engagement Officer is available for youth to expand their leadership opportunities, Civic Engagement knowledge and experiences.

The role as the club’s Civic Engagement Officer is to be responsible for all aspects of one or more service projects that your club participates in during the 4-H year. CE Officers will give leadership to the project and create a Civic Engagement Committee who will collaborate and delegate responsibilities to club members, advisors, and parents. In addition to promoting community service and service learning activities, they will also help inform your club’s members about the differences between the two. CE officers will work with other officers to provide ways to introduce service projects to your club during club meetings and throughout the year.

The role description and online training link can be found on the Youth Officer web page https://4h.ucanr.edu/Programs/Clubs/Officers/ 

There is also a new pin for the Civic Engagement Officer and you can add it to your 4-H enrollment as a leadership role.  

Animal Project Fair Resources

As part of your preparation for your local fair, check out the following for recommendations to help 4-H youth be all set for an exciting, fun-filled, educational, and positive experience!!

4-H Animal Science

See more upcoming events



Donate to keep our community thriving