December 2021

We have reached the end of the year! It is really hard for me to wrap my head around that....the last couple of years have been a whirlwind.

The end of the year brings a sense of accomplishment and a buzz of excitement for the future. We are working to get all the 4-H Clubs re-chartered and up to date on their documents. In January all members and leaders will need to re-enroll in Regpack. There is more about that later in the newsletter.

We will also be sharing a 6 month calendar of events with clubs soon. The first event is the Cupcake Wars! There is more information below about this contest.

As always, please reach out and let us know how we can support you and your families. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season.- Tristin

Visit Our Website

Upcoming Events
Congratulations!
Record Books
Cupcake Wars
Scholarship Opportunities
Healthy Recipe and more!

Leaders Meeting

We are working hard to ensure the success of our 4-H program now and into the future.

On January 10^th, we will be holding a Leader and Parent Meeting to discuss the strategic plan for the program.

Please call the office to RSVP, as space is limited. 479-474-5286.

Holiday Schedule

Our office will be closed December 24th-December 31st. We will return January 3rd.

Club Leaders and Volunteers Needed!

Are you interested in volunteering your time and talents to help impact our youth? We are in need of co-leaders for the Alma 4-H Club. For more information, please contact Tristin at tbolton@uada.edu

We are also recruiting volunteers within the clubs! Some of the volunteer opportunities at the club level include:

Project Leader- coordinates efforts in one project.
Educational Activity Leader- coordinates educational activities of the club.
Community Service Leader- coordinates community service activities of the club.
Resource/Support Volunteer- shares a specific skill or resource with the club on a short term basis.

4-H Cupcake Wars

Divisions: Clover Buds, Junior (grades 3-5); Intermediate (grades 6-8); Senior (grades 9-12)

What to Bring with You:

Basic cupcake (made from a box mix or from scratch, any flavor) added ingredients of any kind
3 cupcakes: must bring 3 cupcakes UNICED and UNTOPPED, already baked. (no baking at the contest)
Plate for serving cupcakes on
Recipe for the cupcake to show judges—even if you used a box mix (can be typed or handwritten)
Team of 3 4-H members (members need to be in the same division)

Number of spectators allowed will be based upon COVID-19 regulations and number of participants.

How the Contest will Work

Each team will display three (3) cupcakes. Each team will bring “naked” cupcakes. The cupcakes should have no frosting and be in the paper wrappers only. You will be assigned a workstation. Once the contest begins, you must use an item from the “pantry” on your cupcakes. An example of items that might be found in the pantry include different flavorings such as almond or banana extract, candies, or other items that could go in your frosting or on the cupcake. This is the” surprise” part where you will have to be creative. Once you have selected your item(s) from the pantry, you will return to your station to ice and complete the cupcakes. You can use any method for frosting (decorator bag, knife, spoon, etc.)

You will have 20 minutes to complete your cupcakes.

You will then plate your completed cupcakes for presentation to the judges. Use your creativity on your presentation, no restrictions other than the cupcakes must be served on a plate. You will present your cupcakes and recipe to the judge, telling them about what you created and answering any questions they may have. Each team is responsible for cleaning their area.

Call the office to register your team!

Preparing Record Books

Record keeping and completing a 4-H record book describing the work of a member's project is an important part of 4-H. While not easy, the benefits of completing a record book are very tangible. Youth will be prepared for future employment, college applications, and household management with the skills they gain from record keeping. Youth are encouraged to complete record books at the conclusion of each years project work.

COUNTY RECORD BOOKS ARE DUE January 5th!

Arkansas 4-H has several resources and templates that members can use to create their record books.

Here is the fillable PDF for Intermediate and Advance Record Books. Here is the Clover Bud Record Book.

You can also find additional resources on the 4-H website.

The state 4-H office is looking for youth to participate in a nationwide 4-H Positive Youth Development study.

Youth participants will complete three surveys. The youth who participate will receive gift cards as the surveys are completed. Please email Tristin at TBOLTON@UADA.EDU to participate.

4-H Scholarship Applications-Due February 1st!~

Graduating high school seniors are eligible to apply for 4-H scholarships. The deadline to apply is February 1 by midnight. We have added several new scholarships in the past year so make sure to check out the scholarship fact sheet. When you apply, please read all instructions carefully. It is best to type your information in Word and then cut and paste to the Formstack and upload all required documents at one time. Please use the link below to access the scholarship form.

Arkansas 4-H Scholarship Application

4-H State College Scholarship Fact Sheet

Grown Up U Podcast

Do you or a young person in your life need a little help with learning how to "adult"? Have you ever asked yourself "Why didn't anyone teach me this in school?"

Join Arkansas Extension Family and Consumer Science agents as they talk us through the latest in research-based advice suitable to all of us who never learned critical information about topics such as banking, time management, hiring (and more).

Weekly Podcast episodes are posted on Wednesdays, we are now on Apple and Spodify! You can find more information about the podcast here.

It is almost time to re-enroll in 4-H!

Remember that members and leaders MUST be enrolled in RegPack to be eligible to participate in 4-H. Re-enrollment will begin after January 1st.

Recipe of the Month!

Skillet Lasagna

Ingredients

8 ounces lasagna noodles (or 4 cups of any other type of pasta, uncooked)
1 ricotta cheese, part-skim 15 ounces (or cottage cheese)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1 1/4 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 jar spaghetti sauce, low-sodium (24 ounces)
1 package frozen spinach, thawed & squeezed dry (10 ounces, or chopped broccoli)
2 cups mozzarella cheese, part-skim shredded

Directions

Cook the noodles as directed on the package. Drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
Spray a large skillet well with cooking spray. Do NOT place skillet on heat until all ingredients are in skillet.
Spread half of the jar of sauce in skillet. Top with half the cooked noodles (4 lasagna noodles).
Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with half the spinach or broccoli.
Sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese over the vegetables.
Repeat with the remaining noodles, the remaining cheese mixture, the remaining vegetables, the remaining sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan cheese. Cover.
Turn on the stove top to medium-low until the cheese is melted (approximately 20 minutes). Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Eat within 3 to 5 days.

Source: What's Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.