Welcome! New YOUTH and ADULT Executive Council Officers

Please join me in congratulating our new executive YOUTH and ADULT officers for the Saginaw 4-H Council!

We invite all youth and volunteers to attend council meetings and share their voice and build our 4-H community! The purpose of council meetings is to plan educational opportunities, build resources, promote 4-H, network, and recognize the amazing efforts from 4-H members and volunteers. 

Saginaw 4-H Council Executive Officers

• Co-Presidents are Jenny Specht and Corbin M. (youth officer) from the Pacesetters 4-H Club.
• Co-Vice Presidents are Kristin Bolan and Carter B. (youth officer) from the Trailblazers 4-H Club.
• Co-Secretaries are RyAnne Hetfield and Sara H. (youth) from the Trailblazers 4-H Club.
• Treasurer is Marie Tessin from the Westsiders 4-H Club.
• Communication Officer is Kristin Bolan from the Trailblazers 4-H Club. 

Saginaw 4-H Horse Council Executive Officers

• Co-Presidents are JoAnn Whal from the Reins on the Road 4-H Club and Cambree D.(youth officer) from the Ready Riders 4-H Club.
• Co-Vice Presidents are Christin Silagy from the Hold Your Horses 4-H Club and Shelly Jewell from the Ready Riders 4-H Club.
• Secretary is Samantha M. (youth officer) from the Reins on the Road 4-H Club.
• Co-Treasurers are Melissa Albrecht and Breyden R (youth officer) from the Reins on the Road 4-H Club. 

4-H Horse and Pony Banquet

Join us on Sunday November 5th 2023 to recognize our amazing 4-H members for their hard work and success!

Location: Saginaw Field and Stream Club

Time: 2:00pm

4-H Archery Program

Registration open until filled.

Interested in learning about archery? Have you ever wanted to learn how to safely use a bow or practice your archery skills? Sign up today for the Saginaw 4-H Archery Program!

The program will run Wednesdays from November 1 – December 6 and take place at the Saginaw Field and Stream Club located at 1296 N Gleaner Rd, Saginaw, MI 48609. 

Youth will learn basic archery skills from a 4-H certified archery instructor including, range safety, shooting techniques, eye dominance, target scoring, and marksmanship. 

Get your friends together and join us for this program! Perfect for beginners or youth with advanced archery skills who want to practice! No experience necessary for beginner classes. Advanced class participants must be able to shoot from 15-yard line with accuracy. Cost is $15 per youth for the 5-week session. 

The program will be open to 4-H members ages 9-19. Space is limited!

Youth may choose from one of the following session times:

• Session 1: 5:30-6:30pm - Beginner
• Session 2: 6:45-7:45pm - Advanced

Registration – youth will register for archery in 4-H Online by following the steps below. 

CURRENT 4-H members enrolled in the 23-24 year –

• Register by logging into https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in with your family account and SCROLL DOWN to the “Saginaw 4-H Archery Fall 2023 Event” at the bottom of the screen. Click on blue registration tab to start registration. 

NEW 4-H members –

• Create a family profile at https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in Select the “Saginaw County General 4-H Experience”. 

Once your 4-H membership is approved (you will receive email notification), log back into your family account at https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in and SCROLL DOWN to the “Saginaw 4-H Archery Fall 2023 Event” at the bottom of the screen. Click on blue registration tab to start registration.

Have questions or need assistance contact gathstac@msu.edu. 

4-H Scholarships for Youth AND Volunteers

The Saginaw 4-H Council has updated their scholarship process to include support for Saginaw 4-H volunteers! 4-H members and volunteers are encouraged to attend events this 4-H year. Keep an eye out for upcoming events, camps, and workshops you want to miss!

Saginaw 4-H members AND volunteers can apply for a Saginaw 4-H Council scholarship for the cost of MSU Extension or National 4-H sponsored events only. Examples include: 4-H Day Camps, 4-H Overnight Camps, 4-H Exploration Days, Capitol Experience, etc.

Learn more about the scholarship process at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/scholarships-awards

Saginaw 4-H Club Directory

Saginaw 4-H has several different community-based clubs that you can join.

4-H Community Clubs involve members of different ages and projects interests. These clubs meet year long and have general club meetings which may include club business, educational activities, social events, project meetings and more! 

Check out the Saginaw County 4-H Club Directory at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/club-directory to learn more about what the clubs are offering this year and learn how to enroll!

Contact the club leaders for details on meeting schedules, projects, and location.

You can learn more about joining 4-H at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/join-saginaw-county-4-h

Join Pawsome Pups 4-H Club

Do you like dogs? Interested in learning how to train your dog? Come and have some fun while learning about dog agility, obedience, and showmanship! This club hosts workouts, games, dog demonstrations, team shows, and more! Join the Pawsome Pups 4-H Club today! The club is open to youth ages 5-19. No dog experience necessary. 

Don’t have a dog? No problem! Dogs are available for youth to learn from. The Club meets at the Saginaw County Fairgrounds.

Contact the Club Leaders for meeting schedules and information.  Laura at laurasue70@yahoo.com or Jessica at jessicaculp552@gmail.com or call the Saginaw 4-H office at 989-907-6500. 4-H membership is FREE!

Join Reins on the Road 4-H Club

Discover why so many are saying " I love 4-H"

and joining Saginaw County 4-H clubs!

If you like horses, and are interested in learning about horse care, riding and expanding your equine experience, Reins on the Road 4-H - Saginaw County is for you! You do not need to own a horse to join the club!

The Club is great for those just starting out or youth with advanced skills. This club teaches youth about riding, horse care and nutrition, tack use and care, showmanship and horse judging. The club also participates in games, fun social events and fundraising! This is a great place to meet new people, make new friends, and learn all about horses.

Located in Burt, Michigan, Reins on the Road 4-H is a horse project group established over 10 years ago with a very active involvement in Saginaw's Horse Community. And with a New 4-H Year and New Enrollment Period just starting, we're looking to expand membership!

For over 100 years, 4-H has provided ways for youth to make a positive difference in their world. Our clubs and projects are now open for sign-ups!

Want to know more about if Reins on the Road 4-H is right for you?

Contact our Club Leader, Melisa Albrecht at 989-245-3819 to learn more and find out why WE LOVE 4-H!!!!!!!



You can also learn more about Saginaw County 4-H programs at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/join-saginaw-county-4-h

Start a 4-H Club

Interested in learning how to start your own 4-H Club?

4-H Clubs can be started with as little as 5 youth from 2 different households and 1 adult. Activities and meetings can be offered in your local community. 

Join us in helping young people explore their interests through fun, engaging, and hands-on learning experiences. 

Contact gathstac@msu.edu at the Saginaw 4-H office for assistance in joining an existing club or starting a new one!

Your Support Will Make a Big Difference - Crowd Power

Your support will make a big difference! Please share across your networks and with your family and friends. Help Saginaw 4-H meet its goal of $1500,00!

Saginaw County 4-H is growing future leaders!

As part of the largest youth development organization in Michigan, Saginaw County 4-H provides youth with experiential learning opportunities to spark their curiosity for learning and discover their passion. Youth are connected with their peers and dedicated volunteers through participation in specific program areas through the learn-by-doing approach. In addition to gaining valuable content knowledge, this model teaches 4-H members critical life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, conflict resolution and teamwork that directly contributes to the communities they live in.  

With your support more youth in Saginaw County will participate in experiences like summer camps, educational workshops and events, and youth programming. Sup

port for these experiences helps eliminate cost barriers for youth participation. 

Learn more and make your donation at https://givingto.msu.edu/crowdpower/saginaw-county-4h

Instructors Needed - 4-H Exploration Days

Become an Instructor for MI 4-H Exploration Days! Share your passion and knowledge about a topic important to you and youth and support youth experiencing college life on the campus of Michigan State University.

Michigan State University Extension 4-H Exploration Days is a pre-college program for more than 1000 youth (ages 12-19 years old) from across the state of Michigan. This exciting program allows youth to try new things, gain confidence and independence through hands-on learning, and make friends that can last a lifetime. The 2024 event is set for June 19-21, 2024 on the campus of Michigan State University. 

Session proposal requests are now open until December 5, 2023.  In completing the form, you will want to come prepared with the title, description, location or room needs, a basic idea of cost per youth participant, names of any co-instructors/session (youth or adult) that you know (as of now) and their contact information.

Please use this link to complete the survey for each session (or free time activity) you wish to have considered:  

https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3fmWPGJ4EoO9bdI

Questions, contact gathstac@msu.edu at the Saginaw 4-H office.

Giving Tuesday - November 28

Join the #GivingTuesday movement — a global day of giving – and support 4-H! From 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. EST, Michigan 4-H supporters are invited to participate by giving their support financially or helping spread the word. Michigan 4-H has a goal to raise $5,000 to grow 4-H county endowments in a 24-hour period.

County 4-H endowments provide a perpetual source of income for county 4-H programs and every dollar is an investment in 4-H! https://mi4hfdtn.org/giving-tuesday/

4-H Scholarships are Available

Outstanding Michigan 4-H members who are involved at county, regional, state, national or international levels are eligible to apply for Michigan

4-H scholarships to help fund their college experience.

A number of scholarship opportunities exist, ranging in value from $500 to $10,000 (over the course of four years). Each scholarship has specific eligibility, be sure to read the requirements to see if you qualify.

All applications are due by November 1. 

Learn more and access applications materials at: www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_scholarships_and_recognition_program/4_h_scholarships. 

2024 Outbound Programs

From Costa Rica to Japan, Norway to Argentina, and Taiwan to South Korea, where will Michigan 4-H youth going to travel in 2024?

Let us help them experience the opportunity of a lifetime! We cannot wait to watch the OB delegation (and impact!) grow for the next year! We hope to see Michigan 4-H youth fill out the Outbound Programs Application.

2024 States' 4-H Outbound Program Application program deadline is December 15, 2023, at 11:59 PM PST (Midnight).  For Michigan 4-H processing of applications, we need youth to apply by December 8, 2023!

2024 States' 4-H Outbound Program Application program deadline is December 15, 2023, at 11:59 PM PST (Midnight). For Michigan 4-H processing of applications, we need youth to apply by December 8, 2023!

For more information:

Contact Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs Coordinator Jan Brinn  brinn@msu.edu or Co-Coordinator John Wurm wurmj@msu.edu. 

You can also contact your local MSU Extension office.

2024 Online Application Link: https://smr.to/p92010

Share Your 4-H Story!

Across the state, Michigan 4-H has grown true leaders for today and tomorrow. From Marquette to Monroe, these young people are impacting their clubs, communities, country and world. 

To help share this impact with others, we’re looking for youth and 4-H alums to share their own testimonials of how 4-H has influenced their personal growth and development. 

Submissions will be posted on the Meet Michigan 4-H’ers section of the MSU Extension website and promoted digitally in newsletters and social media.   

To learn more and download the guidelines, visit www.canr.msu.edu/4h/meet-michigan-4-h.

Froggin' Around - Careers in the Exotic Animal Industry

Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! This month’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will jump into the world of breeding and caring for amphibians and reptiles.

Join us on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 at 6:30pm EST for “Froggin' around - careers in the exotic animal industry.” You will meet Zach Brinks, Vice President of Live Operations at Josh’s Frogs.

You’ll learn about his work, and the education and career path he followed to get there. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A. This free series is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19 years. Monthly sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm EST. Pre-registration is required: https://events.anr.msu.edu/wildspartans20232024/

Adulting 101: Professionalism in the Workplace

What is professionalism and why is it important in the workplace? Increase your awareness of what it means to be professional and gain tips on different aspects of the work environment to consider including: shared workspace, relationships with coworkers, communicating and setting boundaries. 

Register here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adulting101f23

The Creative Campaign Contest - Win Prizes

Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development is offering a video contest to encourage youth to join 4-H. 4-H members can be our best advertisers by helping spread the word in a short video highlighting “Why You Should Join 4-H!”

Be a 4-H changemaker by using your voice and sharing your story of 4-H. Chance to win prizes for 4-H youth 9-19 as they explore video creation and editing. 

Learn more about this opportunity here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-clovers-code/contest/

Deadline to register and submit videos is January 31, 2024. The 4-H Creative Campaign Contest is sponsored with a grant from the Michigan 4-H Foundation.

Join the 4-H Future Squad

Figuring all this "adulting" out can be hard! If you are a 12-19 year old youth throughout Michigan, join 4-H Future Squad in learning more about important life skills for YOUR future. 

4-H Future Squad was inspired by Generation Z youth seeking life skill development for a better future for themselves and their peers. This program is designed to help youth feel prepared and ready to take on the future and adulthood.

The FREE club will meet October 2023 through May 2024. Meetings will involve team-building and will cover areas such as money management, career readiness, stress management, goal-setting, time management, communication, politics, food safety, and basic household tasks. Club meetings will be virtual through Zoom.

Club meetings for the 2023-2024 year will take place twice monthly with Monday or Thursday meeting dates on alternating months.

This club can be your primary or secondary club. For more information and to get registered, visit: www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-future-squad/.

Balancing Act

Youth today can have a lot going on including work, school, a social life, family, extracurricular activities, and self-care. This interactive, self-paced, online class will share information on how to find balance in life with competing options and obligations.

Learn about ways to stay organized and manage your time, the importance of building a supportive social network, options for working as a student, avoiding burnout, and getting academic support and enrichment to round out your education. 

With opportunities to reflect and apply in your own life, you will leave with tips to find balance in your Wheel of Life! Add this course to your To-Do list and complete at your own pace. 

Find out more and take the free virtual class at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/balancingact

Girls' STEM Day

MSU is hosting an educational, informative, fun event on Saturday, November 18, 2023 called Girls' STEM Day. This event is for 5th-8th graders, is filled with hands-on activities, and is FREE. Registration is required and chaperones may bring up to 4 students. Registration deadline is November 2, or until max capacity is reached. 

Register: https://www.egr.msu.edu/forms/forms/women-engineering/msu-girls-stem-day

Michigan 4-H Market Animal Project Record Book

4-H Market Animal projects provide youth an opportunity to gain life skills such as record keeping, communication and self-responsibility through raising and selling a livestock animal. Market animal projects may include: beef, feeder calves, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine or other animals raised with the intention of selling.

The Michigan 4-H Animal Market Project Record Books provided here are a tool for county 4-H programs to help youth learn and document their understanding of livestock marketing concepts. The Michigan 4-H Animal Market Project Record Book has been developed at three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The local county 4-H program has discretion of the ages assigned for each level and requirements for completion.

• Cloverbud Animal Record Book
• Cloverbud Animal Record Book-Parent
• Beginner Book (printable)
• Beginner Book (fillable)
• Intermediate Book (printable)
• Intermediate Book (fillable)
• Advanced Book (printable)
• Advanced Book (fillable)

Learn more at Michigan 4-H Market Animal Project Record Book - 4-H Animal Science

Saginaw 4-H Council

November 2: Saginaw 4-H Council Meeting 7:00pm

This INPERSON meeting will take place at the Saginaw 4-H Office at 723 Emerson St. Saginaw MI 48607

Please consider attending these monthly meetings to help plan and offer events and learning opportunities for youth in Saginaw county. Help is needed! Use your skills to help with fundraising and scholarships, youth recognition, planning youth camps, clinics, leadership events and more!

4-H youth can be and are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to sign up for officer positions and attend meetings. Youth participation in a 4-H council is a great way to learn leadership skills guided by adult mentors, make connections and friendships, and even build your portfolio!

Questions, contact the Saginaw 4-H office at gathstac@msu.edu or call 989-907-6500

Saginaw 4-H Horse Council

November 20: Saginaw 4-H Horse Council Meeting at 7:00pm (Hybrid-Zoom and In-person)

All are welcomed and youth are encouraged to attend. In-person meeting will be at the Saginaw County Fairgrounds. 

If you are interested contact gathstac@msu.edu for more information.

4-H Volunteer Webinar Series

Explore ways 4-H volunteers can help to increase the level of youth engagement in their 4-H experiences. This series will provide Michigan 4-H volunteers with a variety of learning opportunities to help them grow as a volunteer and support Michigan 4-H’ers. This session will be offered twice, once as a daytime option and once as an evening option for the convenience of volunteers.

• 12 p.m. session: www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-volunteer-webinar-series-youth-engagement-in-4-h-experiences
• 7 p.m. session: www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-volunteer-webinar-series-youth-engagement-in-4-h-experiences7pm

Can’t make it to the webinar? No problem! They are recorded for you to watch any time. Take a few minutes to build your network and idea bank for your clubs and programs! This webinar series will provide Michigan 4-H volunteers with a variety of learning opportunities to help them grow as a volunteer and support the Michigan 4-Her's. https://www.canr.msu.edu/volunteering/mi-4-h-volunteer-webinar-series 

Explore the Globe with Crafts Around the World!

Curious about other countries around the globe? Like making crafts?

The Michigan 4-H Crafts Around the World series provides lessons and instructions for youth to create simple crafts and increase cultural awareness. 



In its latest piece, youth can learn about the European country of Norway while making a Norwegian gnome. In Norway, a gnome is called a nisse: a creature who lives in barns or homes, protecting the countryside and the people who live there.

View this activity at www.canr.msu.edu/resources/crafts-around-the-world-series-europe-norwegian-gnome-nisse.

View all the Crafts Around the World activities at www.canr.msu.edu/global_cultural_education/resources. 

4-H Day at the Capitol - Frankenmuth Pacesetters 4-H Club

Join me in thanking members from the Frankenmuth Pacesetters 4-H Club for attending the 4-H Day at the Capitol on October 4^, 2023. 

The day aimed at bringing awareness and attention to how 4-H changes the lives of young people through meaningful learning experiences that help youth thrive for a lifetime! 

Not only did these 4-H member have a chance to speak with local representatives, tour the capitol building, and see a legislative session, they also had a chance to meet Interim President of Michigan State University, Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.! 

A special thanks to 4-H volunteer, Jenny Specht, who is the leader for the Frankenmuth Pacesetters 4-H Club.

“I love for the kids to hear our state representatives talk about the importance of 4-H and how at its core it is way more than agriculture and animals. It is instilling a civic engagement mind set, leadership, and caring for something other than themselves and so much more!” Jenny Specht

For more than 100 years, Michigan 4-H has inspired families, shaped careers, and impacted communities and today it continues to reach nearly 100,000 Michigan youth, annually. 

As a result of Michigan 4-H leadership and civic engagement activities, thousands of Michigan youth are 4X more likely to make contributions to their communities, 2x more likely to be civically active and 2 times more likely to make healthier choices.

Are you interested in learning more about getting involved with Saginaw 4-H? Check out our website at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/join-saginaw-county-4-h or contact gathstac@msu.edu and help us grow future leaders!

Thank You! Stoney River 4-H Club Volunteers

Three 4-H volunteers from the Stoney River 4-H Club from Saginaw County completed the 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification in September. Saginaw County now has 9 certified instructor covering archery, rifle, shotgun, and hunting and wildlife.  

Saginaw 4-H is looking for more volunteers to become certified. Teens leaders ages 14+ are also encouraged to attend the trainings and get involved. Instructors can teach for the county wide archery program, start a shooting sports club (like an archery club), help at regional and state events, and more! The time commitment is flexible and varies throughout the year.

For information related about MI 4-H Shooting Sports visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/shooting_sports/

You can also contact gathstac@msu.edu at the Saginaw 4-H office for more information.  

Fall 2023 Awards Banquet

It’s a wrap! Please join us in congratulating Saginaw 4-H members who were recognized at the recent Saginaw 4-H County Awards Celebration on September 24!

A special thank you to the 4-H volunteers and 4-H Council members for supporting and organizing this celebration.

There were over 85 project awards given out to more than 30 youth in a variety of areas from leadership, to master livestock, to cake decorating and so much more!

Other awards included:

• Gold Star Award Recipients – Aaron E. (Dusty Dudes 4-H Club) and Samantha R. (Taymouth Trotters 4-H Club)

• Citizen in 4-H Youth Development Leadership Award Recipients–
• Junior Division – 1^st Sydni S. (Frankenmuth Pacesetters 4-H Club), 2^nd Roice B. (Frankenmuth Area Patriots 4-H Club), 3^rd Camri B. (Frankenmuth Area Patriots 4-H Club).
• Intermediate Division – Elliana S. (Frankenmuth Pacesetters 4-H Club)
• Senior Division – Samantha R. (Taymouth Trotters 4-H Club)

• Award For Young Heroes Recipients
• Junior Division – Sydni S. (Frankenmuth Pacesetters 4-H Club)
• Intermediate Division – Elliana S. (Frankenmuth Pacesetters 4-H Club)

• Lifetime Friend of 4-H Award – Presented to the family of Diane Keinath.

We hope you will join us next year! All Saginaw 4-H members are eligible to receive an award….no matter what project you take on or camp you go to you, your hard work will be celebrated! Learn more about Saginaw 4-H awards at https://www.canr.msu.edu/saginaw/4-h/scholarships-awards

Voting methods for 4-H clubs, councils and boards

Teens involved in the Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development program are often introduced to their first formal business meeting through participation in their local 4-H clubs and advisory boards. As youth develop leadership skills and take on the roles and responsibilities of officers and managing the meetings, make sure youth have all the tools necessary to make them successful.

One important tool often overlooked as a strategy to keep meetings more interactive is using different methods of voting.

During most business meetings, the president will receive a motion then ask for a second and move the group into discussion. After a motion has been discussed, the president will ask for a vote. Traditionally, the president will ask for a verbal vote, also known as acclamation. The president will repeat the motion by saying the motion has been properly moved and seconded, and all in favor of the motion will signify by saying “aye” and those opposed say “nay.” This is one form of voting, but there are several different methods and presidents should mix it up in order to keep meetings interactive and engaging.

The following are additional voting methods a president may choose to use to conduct business at their meetings:

• Show of hands. The president asks members to vote by raising their hand in agreement or in opposition.
• Standing vote. All members in agreement stand. The president has them sit down after counting the members and then asks members in opposition to stand.
• Secret ballot. The vote is written on a slip of paper, collected and tallied by individuals identified to count the vote. This is a form of voting that the MSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement Team encourages 4-H clubs and boards to utilize when electing officer positions.
• Roll call. Members verbally respond one at a time to announce their desire in agreeing or disagreeing with the proposed motion.

Mixing up the different styles of voting can be a very useful tool in making meetings interactive and engaging.

Adapted from Voting methods for 4-H clubs, councils and boards - MSU Extension