March 2023 4-H Update

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Youth in Action - Apply by March 27th

Thank you Youth Summit teams!

Thank you to the teams who planned the Youth Summits this year - Southern, Bay Coast, and virtual! All Youth Summits included great memorable moments of fun and learning.

Southern Youth Summit group

Activity at Southern Youth Summit

Bay Coast Youth Summit group

Activity at Bay Coast Youth Summit

Kudos to club leader Dee Keese for creating a great learning experience! Read about their experience below:

Los Angeles 4-H program cultivates future generation of water stewards

Ibrahim Yaaseen, member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula (PVP) 4-H club, grabs a hard hat and places it on top of his head. He then reaches for a bright orange safety vest and goggles to complete his safety gear outfit before joining the rest of his...

2023 4-H Honeybee Essay Contest

The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees is pleased to announce the topic for its 2023 4-H Essay Contest:

The Importance of Beeswax

Although honey bees are much-beloved for honey, bees also produce beeswax that can be used in many ways. For this essay, a 4-H student should discuss why beeswax is so important to the hive (it's a pantry, it's a nursery, it's the dance floor), but also discuss their favorite way to use beeswax outside the hive. Photos of candles, soaps, or lip balms that are made to show the 4-H'er's skill in using beeswax are welcomed as are recipes or brief instructions.

Deadline: April 15, 2021

Send to: gmminer@ucanr.edu

Essay Guidelines

Essays must be typewritten or computer-generated on single-sided pages and formatted following standard manuscript format using double-spaced type and 12pt font in a legible font face. (Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, Garamond)
Essays must encompass the designated topic in 750 to 1,000 words. Word count does not include sources, works cited, or the writer’s biographical statement.
All factual statements and interview references must be cited in a “sources” or “bibliography.”
Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research, 40%; (b) accuracy, 30%; (c) creativity, 10%; (d) conciseness, 10%; and (e) logical development of the topic, 10%.
On a separate page, please include a brief biographical statement of the writer including mailing address, email address, and phone number.

New Achievement Program Webpage Now Live

Approximately 650 youth and adults have attended one or more of the webinar series sessions for the new Spark Achievements Program. They had early access to the materials that are now available on our new Achievement Program webpage.

Changes starting July 1, 2023

As of July 1, 2023, the new Achievement Program will be the only achievement program available to any member who is:

9 or 10 years old, or
new to 4-H, or
has not achieved at least a Bronze Star (in the current Star Rank system)

Members that fit any of these categories will not be allowed to start or achieve Star Ranks as of July 1, 2023. Only intermediate and senior members who have already started their Star Ranks and have achieved at least a Bronze Star by June 30, 2023, will be able to continue the Star Ranks path. Any member who has started on the Star Ranks path can also convert to the new Achievement Program at any time. More to come on this, when we launch the intermediate and senior level achievements in the fall of 2023.

Learn more about the Spark Achievements program

We have a few more upcoming Live webinars that introduce the Spark Achievements. Members, families, volunteers, and staff can still join:

March 9

March 22

7pm start time for all

RSVP

Guide Dog Mini-grant

You can still apply for the Guide Dog Mini-grant

We are still accepting applications for the Guide Dog Mini-Grant program, sponsored by the State Incentives and Recognition Advisory Committee.

We will award four $500 mini grants to CA 4-H Youth Members who are currently enrolled in a UC 4-H Guide Dog Project and who are raising a puppy for guide dog service.

The funds can be used for any expenses related to raising one or more guide dog puppies, including food, equipment, veterinary bills, medications, and/or transportation to CA 4-H and affiliate Guide Dog organization meetings and activities. The supplies and equipment purchased are owned by the member.

See full Mini Grant requirements here.

Applications are due by March 15, 2023, 11:59 pm

Special Edition Golden Clover Awards!

These two mid-year awards are accepting applications by March 15, 2023, 11:59pm.

Brownlee Science Award

Two (2) $500 awards for 4-H Youth and/or Adult volunteer for using science inquiry and experiential learning to increase knowledge, skills and competencies in science. This category also includes increasing science awareness and use in 4-H projects.

Clay Outdoor Adventure Award

Two (2) $500 awards for 4-H Youth and/or Adult Volunteer for work in camping and outdoor adventures. This category also includes outstanding achievement, leadership and promotion of outdoor adventures.

Apply Now

California 4-H State Field Day

May 27, 2023

In person at UC Davis campus, Wellman and Hart Hall

Join us this year at State Field Day:

All contests are in-person!

Contest updates will be posted on the State Field Day website. Please note that some pages are still being updated. All contest pages will be updated by the time registration opens.

NEW Forestry Contest – How much do you know about forestry? This contest will cover various topics relating to forestry.
Entomology Contest – It’s back! Test your knowledge about native California insects.
State Presentation Events will have some virtual spaces available, but the majority of the contest will be in person.
State Fashion Revue
State Interview Contest
State Photography Contest
State Film Festival – submit your videos online. We will have a film festival at State Field Day
Plant Science Contest
Robotics Contest
Coding Challenge
STEM Shark Tank

ONE registration for ALL contests!

We will also be consolidating the volunteer registration.

Plan to spend the day at State Field Day

Activity Booths –Interactive booths to share information and activities with 4-H’ers. For more information, please contact us at 4Hsfd@ucanr.edu.
Activities for Primary Members – our State Ambassador team will be hosting Primary activities open to drop in (no fee!)
Food truck – if you don’t want to bring your own food, pick up something at the food truck on site.

$5 Entry Fee for each contest participant

This year we are charging an entry fee for contest participants for the day to help offset the cost of the event. The entry fee includes all State Field Day contests – you may register for as many as you choose. This will help with expenses for facilities, certificates, pins, new awards, lunches for volunteers, and other event costs. Fee waivers will be available to anyone if cost is a barrier.

Registration opens mid-March

Registration for contests and volunteers will open in the middle of March and run through the end of April. Watch for our email blast!

If you have any questions about State Field Day or qualifying events, please email 4hsfd@ucanr.edu.

Ag Day at the Capitol, March 21

Ag Day at the Capitol

March 21

10:00 am to 1:30 pm

West Capitol

4-H and UC ANR will be at Ag Day at the Capitol again this year. We'll be there passing out 4-H reusable totes as we connect with state legislators, legislative staffers, state agency representatives, media and the general public.

Big thanks to Rondalyn Solano of Sheldon 4-H, who is organizing youth and small animals at this event. The animals are a big draw for everyone!

We are also lucky to have the sponsorship of a table for 4-H for the second year by the law offices of Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP.

From 2022: 4-H parent Louie Brown of Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, sponsor of the 4-H table with 4-H'ers from Sheldon 4-H and State Ambassador Eve.

Forestry Institute for Teachers

Forestry Institute for Teachers

Registration for the 2023 Forestry Institute for Teachers is now open. This is a week-long field-based pre K-12 educator training in forestry fundamentals and education pedagogy. In addition to CEU credits, participants will be certified in Project WET and PLT.

Please share widely with your educator networks. This year, we have added a new location in El Dorado county and an early registration option for $50. Early registration deadline is March 17th.

Dellavalle Soil Science Scholarship

Considering a career in soil science? Apply for a Dellavalle Soil Science Scholarship.

$5,000 scholarships for high school seniors.

Application due April 14, 2023.

Please see the flyer for more information.

Virtual Career Fair

Have you ever thought about being a zoo keeper, a chef, a police dog trainer, doing livestock embryo transfer, an electrician or even being a doctor? Then this event is for YOU!

Join us to explore a variety of career options and get your questions answered about what degree do you need, should you do an internship, what you need to do in high school to get ready for a career and much more! We will have door prizes we are giving away and lots of fun to be had throughout the evening.

Join us March 21 at 6pm (MST) for a fun evening of exploring careers. For more information and to register for this free event go to: https://wyoming4h.org/virtual-career-night/