4-H Program Contact Information

• 4-H Online enrollment questions: Please reach out to Sara Corr, Eaton’s support staff, at 517-543-2310 or msue.eaton@msu.edu
• Newsletter additions: Please reach out to Sara Corr, Eaton’s support staff, at 517-543-2310 or msue.eaton@msu.edu
• You can also reach out to Roxanne Turner, District 8 supervisor (including Eaton), at turnerr@msu.edu or 517-546-3950.

Spring Leader Update Meeting

April 24 at 6pm, Public Meeting Room (basement conference room at the Extension Office)

All clubs should send a representative to this meeting. The Spring Leader Update Meeting will go over 4-H and fair updates and the 2023 Eaton County Fair.

Eaton County 4-H Pre-Fair Dog Fun Match

Eaton County 4-H dog project leaders and members extend a welcome to Michigan 4-H Dog Project members and leaders and invite you to join us for a day of showing and fun being hosted by the Eaton County 4-H Dog Committee. The Eaton County 4-H Pre-Fair Dog Fun Match will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Eaton County Fairgrounds. Registration the day-of starts at 7:30am and the show will begin at 9am with intermediate agility.

Pre-registration is preferred; please return forms (linked below) by April 30, 2023.

For more information and registration forms, rules, and flyer, visit: canr.msu.edu/eaton/eaton_county_4_h/eaton_county_4_h_associations_and_committees/dog_committee

Small Animal Open House (postponed to spring)

Are you interested in or involved in poultry, rabbits, or goat project areas? You won't want to miss this open house, sponsored by the Small Animal Association! Meet with superintendents and others involved in these project areas, have fun with activities learning about the species, and more!

The open house will take place this spring. Stay tuned for more information!

Save the Date - Upcoming County Meetings

Small Animal Association: Thursday, May 4, 7pm, PMR.

• Open to all youth and volunteers in the poultry, rabbit/cavy, and goat project areas.
• This meeting is the buyer's workshop (for youth sellers to learn information about the SAA sale and practice skills)!

4-H Council: Monday, May 1, at 7pm, in the PMR.

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

Horse Development Committee: Wednesday, April 12, 6:30pm, PMR. No Zoom option due to bylaw discussion - please attend in-person.

• Open to all youth and volunteers in the horse project area.
• This meeting agenda is TBD

Spring Leader Update Meeting: Monday, April 24, 6pm, in the PMR

• All clubs should send a representative to this meeting. The Spring Leader Update Meeting will go over 4-H and fair updates and the 2022 Eaton County Fair.

Interested in attending a state or national 4-H workshop, camp, or other event? Don't forget - Eaton County 4-H has many scholarships available to help cover the cost of the events! For more information about scholarships, visit the link in the button below or contact 4-H staff.

Register for 4-H Exploration Days!

Join 1,000 youth from across Michigan on MSU’s campus to explore YOUR future! Live in the dorms and learn about future careers at 4-H Exploration Days. This three-day pre-college program is designed to help you explore careers, build skills and envision your future. Choose from more than 100 fun learning sessions on a variety of topics that are led by MSU faculty, 4-H staff and volunteers, and other experts! You’ll stay in and eat at MSU residence halls, attend sessions in buildings throughout campus, and of course have fun at free-time activities across the university!

4-H Exploration days will be held June 21 to 23 at MSU in East Lansing. All Young people ages 12 to 19 are invited to join the fun! You don’t need to be a 4-H member to attend. Adults who would like to serve as event chaperones should contact their county 4-H program coordinator.

The cost for the 2023 event is $220, which includes two nights’ lodging in a residence hall, meals, learning sessions, an event t-shirt and free-time activities. Contact your local MSU Extension office to find out if your county 4-H program offers scholarships for youth participants.

Participants who will enter eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh grades after attending 4-H Exploration Days are eligible for nomination to apply for a $2,000 MSU Pre-College Scholarship. 4-H Exploration Days participants will be invited to apply for nomination by writing an essay.

Registration opened March 21 and closes April 20. You’ll want to register soon – sessions fill up fast and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis! For registration links or more information, visit canr.msu.edu/4_h_exploration_days/

Registration is open for 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resource Camp!

4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp is an annual three-time national award-winning camp that mixes summer fun and hands-on science education. The camp will be held July 23-29 on the shores of Lake Esau at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle. This pre-college program is for teens who will be age 13 to 15 during camp. 

During this enriching MSU 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.

In addition to hands-on learning, attendees will also enjoy exciting natural resources recreation activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, fossil hunting, archery, photography, and evenings around a campfire.

First-time campers also go charter fishing and learn and learn to fillet their catch while all campers have fun and make new friends with people from difference backgrounds and areas.



Registration is now open! The registration fee is $500 and includes six nights of lodging, all meals and snacks, a t-shirt and program and activity costs. Space is limited to 70 campers so register today. For more information and to register, visit canr.msu.edu/4_h_great_lakes_natural_resources_camp/.

4-H / FFA State Meats Judging Contest!

Registration is now open for the 2023 Michigan 4-H/FFA State Meats Judging Contest! This fun contest gives youth an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to evaluate carcasses and identify meats. The contest will take place at the MSU Meat Lab on May 10th. Contestants can participate as an individual or as part of a team; check with your local MSU Extension Office to see if your county is sending a team.

Registration information and contest rules can be found at canr.msu.edu/events/2023-michigan-4-h-ffa-state-meats-judging-contest.

4-H Day with the Detroit Tigers - Tickets now available!

Join Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension for a fun day at Comerica Park to watch the Detroit Tigers take on the Seattle Mariners on Saturday May 13! Michigan 4-H youth, volunteers, staff and their families can enjoy a discounted $18 ticket to the game and a portion of every ticket sold in the 4-H block will be donated back to Michigan 4-H.

To order your tickets, visit https://fevo.me/mi4h2023.

Conservation Conversations

Don't miss the next "Conservation Conversations" event on April 18th, sponsored by the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program. Gather with scientists, environmental stewards and the local conservation community for an evening of learning and conversation. Our featured speaker is Dr. Barb Avers a Waterfowl and Wetlands Specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The event will take place at the Michigan Nature Association in Okemos, Michigan from 6:00-8:00 PM. It will begin with the presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. This event is open to all; however, topics and discussion will be geared toward a 13+ crowd.

Registration is $10/per person and includes light refreshments. Pre-registration is required.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/24typvnx for complete details about this event (and to register).

Host a Japanese youth in Summer 2023 through States' 4-H International!

Host a delegate in your home this summer and give your family a global perspective!

Invite an international youth 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. Your children will build lifelong friendships and will gain new perspectives on their own country too! Applications to host can be found at www.states4hexchange.org

For more information

Visit: http://www.states4hexchange.org

Email: exchange@states4h.org

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

4-H Cash Composition Contest

Money, money, money! In honor of Financial Awareness Month held each April, Michigan State University Extension 4-H is coordinating the Cash Composition Contest. Youth residing in Michigan, age 9-12 as of (January 1, 2023) are encouraged to answer this year’s contest where they will write a short (300 words or less) essay about needs and wants. The 5 top scoring essays will each win a $100 gift card thanks to the generous sponsorship by Extra Credit Union. Contest registration and essay submission must be complete by April 30th. For more details go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-money-smarts/money-smart-kids-contest

Show Your Money Smarts Contest

Learn how to use credit wisely in this year's fifth annual online contest. Compete with other youth ages 13-19 across the state of Michigan in this 30 question online challenge during the month of April and win prizes. High scoring youth will be entered into a prize drawing to win a $25 gift card. Youth must register by April 13 and complete the contest by April 30th. Teachers, librarians and other youth development professionals also can win a $25 gift card if a non-related youth you referred to the contest wins. Gift card prizes are provided by a generous sponsorship from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation as part of their goal to improve the financial well-being of Michigan families.

For contest details and related education go here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-money-smarts/show-your-money-smarts-contest

Livestock Judging Camp Save the Date

Save the date for a livestock judging camp on Saturday, June 3^rd, 2023! This event will be open to both 4-H, non-4-H youth, and coaches/volunteers. Registration information and more details will be available soon!

Here is the information link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/mi-4-h-livestock-judging-camp 

"A Day In The Life" Webinar Series

Registration is open for "A Day In The Life" 4-H Webinar series. This statewide series will focus on agricultural careers at MSU Extension. Are you animated by Animal Science? Have a knack for business? Join us for this free, 6-week virtual opportunity! Beginning March 8^th and ending May 17th, this biweekly series will be a great, informational guide into agricultural careers! Our speakers will describe their typical workday, what internships and guidance led them to their roles, and what their favorite elements of their jobs are. (This series is limited to 4-H youth member ages 12-19​)

If you are not a 4-H youth member, please register in 4-H Online for this statewide opportunity by selecting Ottawa County 4-H and enrolling in "SPIN Club-A Day In The Life 4-H Webinar Series” then register at https://events.anr.msu.edu/4HCareers/ , for any further questions please contact Samantha Griffin at griff807@msu.edu

Overnight Canine Camp 2023

The 2023 4-H Canine Camp is now open for registration! Space is limited, and all the information is provided in Events when you register. A few notes:

You must pay to hold your spot. You may send a check if you don't wish to use a credit card. But, if the camp fills quickly, we will be taking the participants who have paid. Please read the cancellation policy carefully.

Any adult that registers to participate and wants to stay in the adult side of the dorm MUST be a 4-H Gold volunteer. Otherwise, adult participants must dry camp or stay off site overnight.

Youth ages 8-11 may participate but they MUST have a parent or guardian with them all day, and at all sessions/activities for supervision of them and their dog. They will not be allowed to stay overnight, so parents will need to make arrangements for off site lodging. Parents won't need to pay for registration for themselves in this capacity, and will receive all meals and snacks free.



Registration does have limits for participation set up for youth and adults based on bed capacity. If you are only day camping (sleeping off site or dry camping), you will be able to participate as it is bed capacity that is restricting participant numbers. Dog must have all vaccines by May 18th. Parent or guardian must sign the Aggressive Dog Policy

This will be an exciting weekend of learning with your canine partner!



Register at: events.anr.msu.edu/CanineCamp2023/

Fair board meetings

Fair board holds public meetings on the third Monday of the month. The next public fair board meeting is Monday, April 17th, at 7pm at Kardel Hall.

Swine 2023 Swine Tag Information

Forms and photos must be turned in by April 30th, 2023 at Fair office mailbox

Hogs must have USDA tag and the Eaton County Fair tag. All unused Eaton County Fair tags MUST be returned to Roger Harris or Clarence Humphrey. It is required for each member to provide:

• Hair sample from each hog, label bag with the tag number.
• Each member can tag in up to 5 hogs.
• A photo of each hog that is identifiable. After tagging, submit a follow up photo with the ear tag in ear.
• Each group must return all member forms, hair samples, and photos together by April 30th, 2023, at the Fair office mailbox.

Any questions can be directed to Superintendent Roger Harris at (517) 819-3410 or Assistant Superintendent Clarence Humphrey at (517) 763-9227