Plug into 4-H by choosing your own virtual adventure this summer!! 4-H Exploration Days: Expanded is the pre-college program with something for all youth ages 12-19!! June 22^nd thru June 24^th youth from across Michigan will participate in engaging virtual learning around different topic areas and come away with new energy and a desire to make a difference. Cost to attend is $20.

Youth who are 4-H members in Eaton County as their primary county or who live in Eaton County are eligible for a $20.00 scholarship using the coupon code: expo20 During registration on the first page of youth information, there will be coupon code area to enter this code to receive the savings when you get to the payment screen. We ask that you then finish the registration and complete payment for the youth attending. Coupon code must be entered at time of registration, no refunds are given if code is not entered. This event coupon for Eaton County is provided by the Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign funds allocated to Eaton County. Youth from other counties should contact their primary county and/or county of residence to check for scholarships.

Youth will receive a swag bag and have the option to order 4-H Exploration Days: Expanded apparel as well. Don’t delay, sessions are on a first come, first serve basis! Register today!

The Eaton County MSU Extension office is open on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8:30am - 5pm (closed from noon - 1pm). Please call ahead to make an appointment, face coverings required for visits. Note that 4-H staff are still working remotely, so it is best to reach out to Kristy at oosterh6@msu.edu for most 4-H questions, or Rachel for SPIN clubs at ochylski@msu.edu.

Monday, May 10 at 7:30pm

Passcode: council

This meeting has been rescheduled from 5/3 to 5/10. Each community or project club is encouraged to have a representative at 4-H Council meetings.

Thursday, May 13, at 7pm

Passcode: saa

All those involved in poultry, rabbits, and goats are encouraged to attend this meeting.

This program series will feature 30 to 45 minutes zoom meetings, covering topics including the biology, life cycle, migration, and ecology of the monarch butterfly. We'll learn how to search for eggs, raise monarchs, plant milkweed, and discover other insect life dependent upon the milkweed community. As fall migration draws near, members may have the opportunity to participate in a citizen science program, the Monarch Watch tagging project, and contribute data to the scientific community as we track migrating monarchs on their journey to Mexico. Youth will be given the opportunity to express themselves through discovery of the amazing Monarch butterfly! Participants will have the opportunity to present content pieces through journaling, artwork, photography, posters, and video. Through the entire club, youth will be given the opportunity to interact with other club members and 4-H program staff. 

This club will also include a supply kit (one per family) for the fun, hands on activities we will be doing each week. Supply kits will be available for pick up in Alger, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Eaton, Emmet, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Schoolcraft counties. You will be contacted with kit pick up details. If you are unable to pick up a kit, we can mail it to you, but ask that you cover the $15.50 mailing expense. We will call you to make payment arrangements. Zoom links and passwords will be emailed to all participants on the morning of May 24.

Save the date! Registration will be open soon, watch the county Facebook page for the link. For questions, please contact Rachel Ochylski at ochylski@msu.edu.

The Grand Ledge Area District Library (GLADL) and Charlotte Community Library are looking for videos to highlight for their summer reading program. The program this year has a Tails and Tales: Animal Adventures theme. They would love to feature videos of 4-H youth and their animals to highlight the animal side of 4-H and how to join throughout the months of June (Charlotte) or June and July (GLADL). Here are a few guidelines for the videos:

Video should be 4-8 minutes long. Videos must be submitted to me at least 3 weeks before it is shared (so early June videos would need to be submitted by mid-May at the latest). Videos would be shared through GLADL, Charlotte Community Library, and posted on the Eaton County 4-H Facebook page. If we get multiple videos for the same timeframe, we’ll spread the videos out through the timeframe.

Any and all animals as 4-H projects are welcome! We are hoping for at least one video per species of at least: Dogs, Rabbits, Cavies, Poultry (all types), Goats, Sheep, Swine, Horses, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle. We also welcome different aspects of the projects (for example, if a youth wants to video their chickens and another videos their turkeys, or one videos their market sheep and one does their wool, or one videos their dog and talks about obedience training and another discusses agility, etc).

If you are interested, please email Kristy at oosterh6@msu.edu for full project guidelines and submission instructions.

This is a great project for any youth looking for virtual community service hours!

You can support your local Michigan 4-H program from April 28-May 9 by purchasing a Paper Clover online or in Tractor Supply Company stores for just $1. Learn more: tractorsupply.com/4h

Are you a 4-H Alumni or Supporter? Here is your chance to earn prizes for your county program and even some for yourself! Register today to track your miles starting in May for the 4-H Alumni and Supporters Walking Challenge! https://events.anr.msu.edu/AluminiWalkingChallenge/

The 2021 Michigan Pre-Fair Webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT. We will discuss zoonotic diseases, animal exhibition requirements, animal health procedures, and other helpful information. All are welcomed to attend, but the presentations will be focused on educating fair board members, superintendents, and MSU Extension staff.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Click here to register today!

Bonnie Seitler, dog superintendent, will be offering spring dog classes at the fairgrounds as a fundraiser for the fair dog show. Dog classes will start the first Wednesday of May at 6:30pm. For more information or to sign up, please contact Bonnie at 517-543-3011. These are not 4-H-sponsored dog classes.