4-H Program Contact Information and Availability

• 4-H Program Coordinator: Zaire Parrotte - zaire@msu.edu
• 4-H Online enrollment questions: Please reach call the Extension office at 517-543-2310 or msue.eaton@msu.edu
• Newsletter additions: Zaire Parrotte
• You can also reach out to Roxanne Turner, District 8 supervisor (including Eaton), at turnerr@msu.edu or 517-546-3950.

4-H JLA Help Needed - mid June through mid August

JLA is in need of three (3) volunteers to help with various sale tasks at the Extension office from mid June through mid August. Volunteers will earn a stipend. The role consists of approximately 12 hours of work per week before and after fair and Wednesday through Friday of fair week. Volunteers must be Gold level volunteers (or complete screening at a Gold level prior to start date). Tasks include preparing items for the sale such as buyer folders, processing premiums and payments, supporting sale day volunteers and each sale role type, collecting and processing shipping, and assisting with billing and payment collection and reports after the sale. Detail oriented and ability to learn computer systems (Fair Entry) is desired. If interested, please contact the 4-H Program Coordinator, Zaire Parrotte at 517-543-2310 or zaire@msu.edu by June 15.

4-H JLA Sale Shifts - Sign Up NOW AVAILABLE!

The JLA sale cannot run without YOU! We need a significant number of volunteers to help on the Thursday and Friday of fair week to make the sale run smoothly. Sale shift sign up will be available in June. As a reminder, youth who work a sale shift (or have a representative work a sale shift on behalf of the youth) will receive their sale check a week earlier than those who do not.

Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/fJhGyVK

Note that adults will need to complete screening in order to volunteer this year! This includes all adults for the shifts listed below, whether you come from 4-H or FFA. 4-H age youth (4-H or FFA) do not need to complete screening to help. Screening at a Gold level may take 2-4 weeks and screening at a Silver level may take 3-4 days, so please plan ahead (if staff are processing a large volume, it will take longer - applying now is highly recommended! If you are not accepted as a volunteer prior to fair, you may not volunteer in the role). If adults are interested in volunteering for one of the sale shifts mentioned below and need to complete the minimum level of screening listed, you can apply at: https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/#/volunteer_home

Overview of sale shifts:

Throughout fair week:

• Money Counting: Adults (Gold level volunteers only) and older teens. Help balance the funds collected with records for deposit. Time varies (early in the week is 30 minutes or less, sale day is an hour or more).

Thursday shifts:

• Lunch: Adults (Silver or Gold level volunteers) and youth. Help serve food at the JLA Buyer Luncheon on sale day. 2 hour shifts.
• Counter: Adults (Gold level volunteers only) and older teens. Help register and check out buyers and answer questions about the sale. 3 hour shifts.
• Tech: Adults (Gold level volunteers only) and older teens. Help record buyer information, clerking sheets, premiums, and payments into the Fair Entry system. 2 or 3 hour shifts (shifts are staggered throughout the day).
• Filing: Adults (Silver or Gold level volunteers) and youth. Help file buyer folders in numerical order. 2 hour shifts.
• Runners: Youth. Help run back and forth between the sale ring and the office with clerking and premium sheets. 2 hour shifts.
• Thank you table: Adults (Silver or Gold level volunteers) and youth. Help hand out pen thank you signs to youth to put above their pens. 2 hour shifts.

Friday shifts:

• Office support: Adults (Gold level volunteers only) and older teens. Help with counter or tech related work with checking out buyers, processing payments, and animal shipping information. 2 hour shifts.

4-H JLA Sale Information

July 11, 2024

Eaton County Fairgrounds (in-person sale)

Sale will start at 10:00 a.m. with a pause for lunch following the beef sale.

Sale Order: Beef - Sheep - Swine

You can find many resources for youth sellers and for buyers on the websites linked below, including the following:

Website for Youth Sellers: Sale rules (in the JLA Bylaws), Frequently Asked Questions document, lunch schedule and food list (when available), shift sign-up (when available), sale forms, carcass instructions

Website for Buyers: Sale Flyer, Proxy and Premium Forms, Frequently Asked Questions document, and

4-H SAA Sale Shifts

The SAA sale cannot run without YOU! We need a significant number of volunteers to help on the Thursday and Friday of fair week to make the sale run smoothly. Please click the button below for the sale shift sign up.

Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/ZsVvhSh

Note that adults will need to complete screening in order to volunteer this year! This includes all adults for the shifts listed below, whether you come from 4-H or FFA. 4-H age youth (4-H or FFA) do not need to complete screening to help. If adults are interested in volunteering for one of the sale shifts mentioned below and need to complete the minimum level of screening listed, you can apply at: https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/#/volunteer_home

Overview of sale shifts (all shifts on Saturday, July 13):

• Lunch: Adults (Silver or Gold level volunteers) and youth. Help serve food at the SAA Buyer Luncheon on sale day. 1.5 hour shifts.
• Silent Auction: Adults (Gold level volunteers only) and youth. Help run the silent auction. 1.5 hour shifts.
• Counter: Adults (Gold level volunteers only) and older teens. Help register and check out buyers and answer questions about the sale. 2 to 3 hour shifts.
• Tech: Adults (Gold level volunteers only) and older teens. Help record buyer information, clerking sheets, premiums, and payments into the Fair Entry system. 2 hour shifts.
• Filing: Adults (Silver or Gold level volunteers) and youth. Help file buyer folders in numerical order. 2 hour shifts.
• Runners: Youth. Help run back and forth between the sale ring and the office with clerking and premium sheets. 1 hour shifts.
• Clerking: Adults (Silver or Gold level volunteers). Help record buyer information and other sale information in the ring. Entire sale (with breaks).
• Thank you table: Adults (Silver or Gold level volunteers) and youth. Help hand out pen thank you signs to youth to put above their pens. 1 hour shifts.

4-H SAA Sale Shifts

July 13, 2024

Eaton County Fairgrounds (in-person sale)

Sale starts at 1:00 p.m., Silent Auction TBD, luncheon begins at 12 p.m. noon

Sale Order: Goats - Poultry- Rabbits/Cavies

You can find many resources for youth sellers and for buyers on the websites linked below, including the following:

Website for Youth Sellers: Sale rules (in the SAA Bylaws), Frequently Asked Questions document, lunch schedule and food list (when available), shift sign-up (when available), sale forms

Website for Buyers: Sale Flyer, Proxy and Premium Forms, Frequently Asked Questions document, and additional information

SAVE THE DATE! Horse Development Committee Horse Clinic

Eaton County Fairgrounds, 1025 S Cochran Ave, Charlotte, MI 48813

June 30th (time - TBD)

If you are interested in anything horse, the Horse Development Committee is hosting a Horse Clinic at the Eaton County Fairgrounds. More information is coming soon!

Also, please take a look at the State Horse Selection Form for the 23-24 Program Year, provided by the Horse Development Committee.

Save the Date - Upcoming County Meetings

Small Animal Association: Thursday September 7th, at 7pm, Eaton County MSU Extension Office Public Meeting Room

• Buyer's Workshop
• Open to all youth and volunteers in the poultry, rabbit/cavy, and goat project areas

4-H Council: Monday August 5th at 7pm, Eaton County MSU Extension Office Public Meeting Room

• Open to all regardless of project area! Every club is encouraged to send at least 1 volunteer and 1 youth to every Council meeting.

Horse Development Committee: Wednesday September 11th at 6:30pm, Eaton County MSU Extension Office Public Meeting Room

• Open to all youth and volunteers in the horse project area
• This meeting will include a discussion on promoting an educational horse workshop in June

Jr Livestock Association: Monday June 10th at 7pm, Eaton County MSU Extension Office Public Meeting Room

• JLA/SAA Sale and Fair Prep
• Open to all youth and volunteers in the beef, dairy beef/feeders, sheep, and swine project areas.

Interested in attending a state or national 4-H workshop, camp, or other event? Don't forget - Eaton County 4-H has scholarships available to help cover the cost of the events! For more information about scholarships, check out the 4-H Council Event Scholarship Instruction and Form or contact 4-H staff.

2024 Pre-Fair Webinar

June 6, 2024 - 7 PM

MSU Extension is hosting an upcoming webinar in conjunction with MDARD and MAFE. This pre-fair webinar will be held on June 6 at 7 p.m. and will cover the topics of animal health updates, protecting public health, tips for talking with the media and biosecurity recommendations.

This meeting is appropriate for fair boards, fair managers, animal event planners, and species superintendents.

We also have broiler and market bird alternatives for youth members and families.

2024 4-H State Shooting Sports Tournament - August 3, 2024

Saginaw Field & Stream Club

The Michigan State 4-H Tournament provides Michigan 4-H shooting sports members with the opportunity to test their skills, earn recognition and build camaraderie with other 4-H members from all over the state.

For more information, check out the 2024 4-H State Shooting Sports Tournament website

MSU Welcome Back 4-H Alumni Reception

September 4, 2024

Michigan 4-H will be hosting the seventh annual MSU Welcome Back 4-H Alumni Reception on Wednesday, September 4.

At this event, we invite current or former 4-H’ers that are attending MSU to stop by from 5:30 – 7 p.m. for networking and free dinner.

New this year, the event will be held in the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden and following the reception, the MSU Collegiate 4-H Club will hold it’s first meeting of the fall semester.

Registration Open for 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging State Contest

June 26th

The Michigan 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging State Contest has a new date for 2024, and registration is now open! The contest will take place on Wednesday, June 26th this year.

While the dates no longer coincide with Michigan Livestock Expo, this contest WILL still count as an educational experience for the MLE Premiere Stockman Award!

You can find full details, including a link to register, here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-and-ffa-state-livestock-judging-contest-2024

Registration is open for 2024 Michigan 4-H State Dog Show!

The 2024 Michigan 4-H State Dog Show is now open for registrations!

This year's show will take place on August 10th, 2024, at the Michigan State University Pavilion.

The show is open to enrolled Cloverbuds, and any Michigan 4-Her age 8-19!

To register, see: https://events.anr.msu.edu/2024StateDogShow/

Questions? Please reach out to Kat at Krollkat@msu.edu

Michigan 4-H International Exchange Program

"Open your Home and Heart, become a host family today, create memories that will never fade away!"

Host a Japanese youth in Summer 2024 through States’ 4-H International!

Invite an international youth (ages 12-17 years) or adult chaperone into your home for three and a half weeks and share an American experience. Expand your family’s cultural understanding, learn about new foods and customs, and possibly a new language all while sharing your own. You and your children will build lifelong friendships and will gain new perspectives on your own country too! Applications to host can be found at www.states4hexchange.org

For more information contact : Michigan 4-H International Exchange Program Coordinator Jan Brinn brinn@msu.edu or Co-Coordinator John Wurm wurmj@msu.edu.

Michigan 4-H Foundation Opens 2024-25 Grant Cycle

Awarded annually, the Michigan 4-H Foundation recently opened their grant and award opportunities for the 2024-2025 season. Open to 4-H volunteer leaders, members and staff, the grants and awards support local 4-H clubs and county programs, as well as recognize members of the 4-H community. All applications are due June 1. 

Opportunities include: 

• Michigan 4-H Legacy Grants of $1,000. These grants are awarded to support development of a new program or initiative or to strengthen, enhance or expand a current program that is making a difference.
• 4-H On-Target Grants of $500. These grants support 4-H Shooting Sports programs to enhance existing programs, develop a new program or offer a special experience related to 4-H Shooting Sports. 
• The Collins 4-H Youth Horticulture Grant of $500. This grant is available only to 4-H youth clubs and supports advancement of club work in plant science and horticulture activities.
• 4-H Educational Garden Grants of $1,000. These grants support the creation of local 4-H educational gardens in Michigan. 
• Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award (includes $1,000 grant). This award recognizes outstanding 4-H agricultural volunteers that have exhibited excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership development.

Learn more or apply online at http://mi4hfdtn.org/grants. Questions? Contact the Michigan 4-H Foundation at 517-353-6692.

4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp Registration is Now Open!

Not Your Ordinary Summer Camp – 4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp Combines Fun with Science Literacy

4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp is an annual three-time national award-winning camp that mixes summer camp fun and hands-on science education. The camp will be held July 28-August 3, 2024 on the northern shores of Lake Huron at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle. This Michigan State University (MSU) pre-college program is for teens aged 13 to 15 or those who’ll enter eighth through tenth grade in the fall. The registration fee is $500 and includes meals, snacks, lodging, a T-shirt, and program and activity costs.

Space is limited to 70 campers so register for a wonderful experience this summer! For more information and to register for the camp, visit: www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_great_lakes_natural_resources_camp/

During this enriching Michigan State University Extension educational program, campers will increase their science literacy and stewardship as they learn from natural resource experts in fields such as Great Lakes coastal and fisheries management, limnology, wildlife, forestry, geography, geology and environmental education. The hands-on learning includes exciting natural resources recreation activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, fossil hunting, archery, photography, and evenings around a campfire. Not only does the camp get kids outside enjoying nature and learning to be good environmental stewards, the sessions incorporate four of the five Michigan Department of Education science curriculum standards in earth science and three of the five standards in biology. Campers also have fun and make friends with people from different backgrounds and areas.

Following their involvement, campers are eligible for nomination to apply for a $2,000 MSU Pre-College Scholarship based on criteria such as attitude, behavior and active participation. The scholarship is applied toward each recipient’s first year at MSU as a degree-seeking student.

Great Lakes 4-H Camp: Be a Camp Counselor!

July 28th - August 3rd

Great Lakes and Natural Resources camp is looking for youth counselors for camp week! Camp runs July 28^th through August 3^rd this year and there is a counselor orientation on July 26^th and 27^th. This is a great opportunity for youth ages 16-20 looking to get some leadership experience in a fun, fast-paced camp setting! Counselors attend camp for FREE!

Please reach out to Laura at potterla@msu.edu with any questions.

2024 Michigan 4-H Horse Show

MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education

August 16, 17, 18, 2024

SAVE THE DATES! The Michigan 4-H State Horse Show is back; August 16^th through August 18!

More information regarding Registration is coming soon, so be sure to get registered in your county to be eligible to attend! Check out the Delegate Info Packet.

Registration Information:

Registration for the 2024 4-H State Horse Show will be completed online. This year using the FairEntry system which will allow for online payment. Registration is $70, but each delegate will receive a $10 scholarship as part of an anonymous donation so you will only pay $60.00

2024 4-H State Horse Show NEW information:

T-Shirts and Sweatshirts will be available for PRE-PURCHASE during registration. T-Shirts will be ordered based on Registration orders, no ordering T-shirts at the county office this year.

Ranch Riding is making its debut at the 4-H State Horse Show! Exhibitors will have that class to select as one of their 4 classes to participate in. Each rider will complete a pattern (pattern to be selected from AQHA.com) Championship class will be selected from the highest scoring patterns. Selected obstacles will be used to decide tiebreakers.

ALL STALLS MUST BE CLEANED BEFORE EXHIBITORS LEAVE. FOR EVERY STALL LEFT DIRTY FOR SHOW STAFF TO CLEAN THERE WILL BE A $100.00 FEE CHARGED TO THE COUNTY AND A LOSS OF 2 DELEGATES FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

Sheep Clinic

This is a great opportunity to bring their sheep skills to the next level with hands on training focused on their lamb.

For more information, check out this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/sheep-clinic

This section will feature a different topic each newsletter highlighting best practices for 4-H clubs. Everyone, youth 4-Hers, adult volunteers, and families, can contribute toward making their club the best and following best practices!

Office roles and responsibilities

Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development offers teens an opportunity to develop leadership skills while preparing them for using these skills as adults. Club officer positions provide an opportunity to practice real leadership roles that impact the success of a group. The following describes the four essential officer positions their responsibilities and supporting materials to help officers be successful.

President

The president of a club presides over meetings, builds the meeting agenda, assures that the meeting runs in an orderly manner and strives to make sure all members’ opinions are heard. If committees are needed, presidents appoint committee members. Since the president is responsible for creating the meeting agenda, it is important they are familiar with the order of business. A typical meeting agenda would consist of:

• Call to order
• Pledges
• Roll call
• Secretary’s report
• Treasurer’s report
• Old business
• New business
• Announcements/leaders report
• Adjournment

Vice president

Vice presidents fill in for the president and presides over the meeting if the president is absent, therefore, the vice president must understand the roles and responsibilities of the president listed above. Additional responsibilities to consider giving the vice president includes following-up with any committees to make sure they stay on task, having them responsible for the learning portion of the meeting and serve in the role of introducing presenters or guests.

Secretary

The secretary records all of the business of the meeting and a record of each member’s attendance. Secretaries provide a report at each meeting by presenting the minutes from the previous meeting. This can be done by providing a handout or by reading the minutes aloud, and must be approved by the entire group. Once minutes are approved, they become the official record of the business that was conducted at the meeting. Secretaries should record full minutes as soon as possible after the conclusion of the meeting so that the discussion is fresh in their mind. Keep all meeting minutes in one safe place so they can be referenced as needed.

Treasurer

Treasurers are responsible for keeping track of and reporting the income and expenses for the club. Treasurers are responsible for writing checks for expenses, making any deposits into the club account, balancing the club check book, and preparing and reporting a treasurer’s report to the 4-H club. A treasury report must include previous balance from the last report, a summary of income and expenses since the last meeting. The treasurer should be prepared to answer specific questions regarding income, expenses and current balance. Managing Money Wisely is a full financial manual for 4-H treasurers.

For more information regarding roles and responsibilities of officers in clubs Michigan State University has excellent resources to assist each of the officers as well as a publication “Helping You Help Officers and Committees,” which assists volunteers in supporting officers in their roles.

Adapted from "Officer roles and responsibilities in a 4-H club" by Janelle Stewart. Find more about this article at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/officer_roles_and_responsibilities_in_a_4_h_club.

Fair Board Meetings

Fair board holds public meetings on the third Monday of the month.

The next public fair board meeting is Monday, June 17th at 7pm at Kardel Hall.