Good Luck Saginaw 4-H!

We wish the best of luck to all of the Saginaw County    4-Hers who are exhibiting and showing at the 2022 Saginaw County Fair!

No matter how you place, congrats on all of your hard work and accomplishments all year that led up to this showcase of your efforts. Have fun and make the best of it!

Archery Anyone?



Hover Archery anyone?? Saginaw 4-H has teamed up with Saginaw County Parks and Recreation this Summer to offer Hover Archery across several Saginaw County parks! Hover Archery is a fun way for youth and adults who are new to archery to try it out!

Did you know? You can bring Hover Archery to your school (great for field days or events), youth group, community event, festival, 4-H Club, or other event!

Contact gathstac@msu.edu to learn more about bringing 4-H Hover Archery to your site and learn more about Saginaw 4-H at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/

Save the Date! Fall 4-H County Awards 

Saginaw 4-H, it’s your turn to be recognized!

As the 4-H year begins to come to a close in August, consider applying for a county 4-H award for all your hard work throughout the year! It does not matter how you did at fair or even if you went to fair - if you learned and grew in 4-H, you should apply!

Award Applications are now being accepted for this year!

You can learn more about each award you can apply for at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/scholarships-awards. 

Applications are due in September! Stay tuned for more information on award applications submissions!

MSU Welcome Back 4-H Alumni Reception!

Calling all 4-H alums at MSU: join MSU Extension for the MSU Welcome Back 4-H Alumni Reception on September 7!

Enjoy free food and networking with other 4-H alumni and MSU Extension staff members from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on the grassy area north of the Morrill Hall of Agriculture.

For more info, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/msu-welcome-week-4-h-alumni-reception

The Saginaw Bay 4-H Fish Camp just wrapped up and was a huge success! Youth and teens from across Saginaw County came together at Haithco Park in Saginaw for a two-day fishing camp to learn about fishing basics, the Saginaw Bay watershed, invasive species, and how to be a successful and responsible angler.

We made fishing tackle, learned to tie knots, practiced casting, identified macroinvertebrates, and caught a lot of fish! Each camper received a complete tackle box and rod and reel to take home!



A very special thanks to all of our community partners, volunteers, and teen counselors for helping at camp. Your generous support and donations helped make this camp possible!

Thank you to the Saginaw Conservation District for a donation that supported the purchase of tackleboxes for all the campers, and a huge thank you to Saginaw County Parks, Project F.I.S.H., and MI Sea Grant for their support.

We hope you will join us or help at the next Fish Camp! Stay tuned for more upcoming 4-H fishing programs this year. If you are interested in supporting or getting connected with Saginaw 4-H fishing education programs as a volunteer or with supply donations, please contact gathstac@msu.edu.

4-H Animal Care Resources

4-H members work hard to ensure their animals are properly cared for – helping to ensure a state of positive well-being for their animals before, during, and after a fair or exhibition.

The following resource materials provide answers to commonly asked questions youth may encounter about animals during a show or exhibition:  https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/animal_care_and_well_being

Michigan 4-H State Dog Show

Michigan 4-H State Dog Show August 20, 2022

Classes:

• Leader Dog/Service Dog Puppy

• Junior Showmanship

• Obedience

• Rally

• Agility

• Brace Class

• Team Class

Cost: $6 per dog registered $10 per class Age Requirements: All exhibitors must be aged 8-19 as of January 1, 2022. Want to become a 4-H member? Contact your county MSU Extension office today!

Registration: Online at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-state-dog-show

Deadline to register is July 17, 2022

Proof of vaccination must be emailed to state4hdogshow@gmail.com by August 6, 2022. Find out more... For more information, contact your county MSU Extension office or contact Kristi Schreiber at schrei61@msu.edu. Camping available, water, electricity, dump station on site, need to specify 30 or 50 amp Class conformations will be sent by email only from the state4hdogshow@gmail.com Be prepared to crate outside, bring easy ups

Join the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase!

MSU Extension is happy to partner again in 2022 with the Michigan State Fair for an exciting program for Michigan youth: the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase. This statewide showcase provides a virtual platform for Michigan 4-H’ers and other youth to exhibit their work in all project areas and apply for $10,000 in scholarships. Michigan youth ages 5-19 are encouraged to participate.

Registration is now open until August 1! The diverse array of classes celebrate all the projects and programs in which youth have developed skill and mastery. This includes livestock and companion animal classes such as showmanship, breeding and market classes, as well as still exhibits, educational projects and more. 

There is no cost to participate, and youth may engage in as many classes as they wish by submitting project photos and videos. Project evaluation will occur before the start of the Michigan State Fair so that winners can be announced at the event which occurs September 1-5.

In addition to the opportunity to showcase their skills, recognize their accomplishments and receive constructive feedback for growth and development, participants in the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase will also have the opportunity to apply for $10,000 in scholarships. Find the scholarship application and criteria, as well as registration information for the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase at extension.msu.edu/MSF4HShowcase.

Upcoming Council Meetings

• August: CANCELLED
• August 15: Saginaw 4-H Horse Council Meeting at 7:00pm (Zoom)

Saginaw 4-H Council:

All Saginaw County volunteers are welcome and 4-H youth are encouraged to attend!  

Meeting will take place at the Saginaw 4-H office located at 723 Emerson St. Saginaw MI 48607 AND over zoom. Zoom meeting information will be sent out through 4-H online or contact gathstac@msu.edu/

Saginaw 4-H Horse Council:

Meeting information will be sent out to Club Admin leaders and through 4-H Online.  All are welcome and youth are encouraged to attend.  If you are interested in becoming an officer contact gathstac@msu.edu for more information or come to any meeting.  

Adulting 101

Are you ready to leave for college or be out on your own? Are you prepared to do adult tasks and have skills to be successful? Michigan State University Extension's FREE Adulting 101 programs help teenagers and young adults demystify the obscure reality of being an “adult” through engaging educational sessions. Each session is packed full of important life skills and tools necessary to live independently. Our Adulting 101-Summer Series includes: Getting Organized, Home Food Preservation, Informed Renter, and Healthy U! 

Join us on zoom every Tuesday, July 12 - Aug 2, 2022, from 1-2 pm by registering here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adult101summer

4-H Community Health Ambassador

Do you know a youth who is passionate about health and wellness for Michiganders? Or interested on building skills in leadership, communication, and marketing? Want to learn more about science, communication, childhood & adolescent vaccines, or healthcare?

If so, click to learn more about the 4-H Community Health Ambassador Program and register for the upcoming training.

Questions? Email Alyssa at piconeal@msu.edu.

• Join the innovative new statewide 4-H Community Health Ambassador program with youth from multiple counties   
• The program will cover topics on wellness, leadership, science, communication, healthcare, with a focus on vaccines 
• Youth aged 12-19 years old are encouraged to apply for a one-year term, with an option for a second term. More details on applications to follow.  
• Ideal fit for youth interested in career paths in leadership, science, marketing, healthcare, research and development, vaccines, and social determinants of health  
• Ambassadors will have opportunities to engage with medical and public health professionals who will help them build their skills in communication, social media, public speaking, and video production 
• Ambassadors will develop a youth-lead state-wide public health educational campaign in partnership with Detroit Public Television focused on raising awareness to their peers and families regarding childhood vaccines, including Covid-19 
• Ambassadors may have the opportunity to take part in future MSU Extension precollege programs with partnerships in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Human Medicine, and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dietetics and Nutrition program.   
• This program is made possible, though a grant sponsored by Michigan Department of Health and Human services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• For questions, please reach out to Alyssa Picone, piconeal@msu.edu   

Join the SCHEME TEAM

Would you like to be a voice to help influence one of the premier 4-H overnight events, Exploration Days, held at Michigan State University? Never attended Exploration Days or not highly involved in 4-H? Great! We want your feedback too! 

We are looking for youth ages 13-19 to help create an amazing event and fill openings in our planning team. Youth will have a role in decision-making, supporting focus groups with other youth, and helping market and promote this event! 

To share your interest and get more information, complete the short form located at https://forms.gle/UjXtQE4q4Q2Y7jzN6 by Aug 15.

4-H Bullseye Bash

Archers to the Line! Test your skills at Cadillac’s Northern District Fair on August 20th! This target archery competition welcomes 4-H Archers from across the state to Northern District Fair for a fun and friendly test of skill. Come up for the day or camp the week, either way, Cadillac won’t disappoint. This event is open to all 4-H members active in the 2021-2022 program year, who have been shooting with an archery club.

Registration is now open and costs $10 per archer until July 31st and includes a free t-shirt. Late registration is open August 1-7 at a cost of $15. Youth can register via 4-H Online where registration fees will be collected (payment by check must be delivered to your local MSU Extension Office).

Don’t miss these other fair week events: harness racing, local music spotlight, demo derby, pie contest, quilt show, ag Olympics, fair week scavenger hunt, 4-H at 4 daily activity, livestock auction. We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Kate King, kingka26@msu.edu or call 231-779-9480.

4-H National Congress

Participate in the 2022 National 4-H Congress November 25-29 2022 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.

Total cost is approximately $1800.00-$2000.00 (scholarships ARE available), but could be adjusted once airline tickets are purchased

Non-refundable deposit is due August 1^st. Fees include registration, hotel, airfare, and most meals. For more information, contact gathstac@msu.edu or potterla@msu.edu

Be sure to check out the website at http://national4-hcongress.com

Fair Season and Sportsmanship



It’s fair season, and that means youth will be competing at county fairs and animal shows around the state with their 4-H projects. Let’s review some sportsmanship guidelines so that all youth and adults have positive experiences at the fair.

Good 4-H animal project sportsmanship is defined as:

• Displaying respect for animals. This mean exercising good animal management through proper healthcare and nutrition, as well as fair training practices. Animals deserve humane treatment in exchange for what they provide.
• Displaying respect for opponents. Sportsmanlike competitors recognize and appreciate a well-prepared, challenging opponent who can bring out the best in them and share that appreciation with their opponents.
• Displaying respect for the “game.” This includes respecting and following the rules of the event. It also includes always trying one’s best, using skill and training to achieve positive results and appreciating the training process.
• Displaying respect for others. Judges, show managers, parents, trainers, coaches and leaders deserve respect as well. If one is feeling frustrated, it is important to find an appropriate location and time to vent or show this frustration.

Exhibiting good sportsmanship is not just for youth 4-H members – it applies to everyone involved, including volunteers, parents, leaders and others.

Additional sportsmanship resources can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/competitive_event_resources

Adapted from "Fair season and sportsmanship" by Michelle Neff. Find more about this article at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/fair_season_and_sportsmanship.