LAST CHANCE TO ENROLL

All 4-H members and volunteers must be re-enrolled prior to August 31 to be counted for the current program year September 1, 2017 thru August 31, 2018 and to prevent interruption of service years. *4-H programs are open to all regardless of ability to pay MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. All members and volunteers previously enrolled should have an id and password for the 4-H Online system. If you have any questions, concerns or registration issues, please call our office at 248-858-0889. The $20 ($60 max per family) participation fee must be paid before August 31st.  3 ways to pay:  Credit Card over the phone 248-858-0880 Check made payable to MSU and mailed to our office at Oakland County 4-H Youth Development, North Office Building 26 East, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341-0416 Cash/Check/Charge in person at our offices North Office Building 26 East, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341-0416   Youth and volunteers who want to enroll in Oakland County 4-H are required to register at: https://mi.4honline.com Registration in the online system allows families to access their children’s 4-H enrollment record at any time to ensure information is correct and up-to-date! In order to receive information about upcoming 4-H local, state and other events, scholarships or awards youth and volunteers must be enrolled in the system. *If you are seeking financial assistance please contact to 4-H Office 248-858-0889

2018 Oakland County 4-H Horse Camp

The 28th year of Oakland County 4-H Horse Camp is in the books!  56 youth campers and their horses joined us from all over the state including Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Montcalm, Oakland, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.  Several new youth and parent volunteers joined camp this year! 

In addition to the three instructional classes a day, campers enjoyed some cool crafts and games, including a scavenger hunt, archery and team building activities.  The CIT teams of campers competed against each other in Ag Olympics and on Wednesday night of course was the campers favorite – the annual head-to-head competition where riders compete against each other on horseback for bragging rights until next year’s competition! 

Another highlight this year was a demonstration given by Kimba and Kevin MacRitchie, members of the Cheboygan County mounted division.  Along with all their gear and equipment, Kevin and Kimba included the campers in some interactive role playing and drill formations!   Campers had lots of questions about the job, training and process required to be a part of a mounted law enforcement division. 

Not only did campers sharpen their horsemanship skills, camper surveys indicated increases in “teamwork and communication” skills, how “to make friends and be a better rider”, “respecting others and taking care of others and my horse “, “try new things and be patient”, “learning to be more independent and to be responsible” and “even if you mess up you can fix the mistake and make it better”. Excellent examples of the life skills youth learn at camp!

Family Day at the OC Farmers Market – August 11

The 4-H office will have a booth and activity at the Oakland County Farmers Market on Pontiac Lake Rd. The event will feature free inflatable obstacle courses (wear socks!), yoga demonstrations, the Redwood Grill, and of course all the vendors selling fresh vegetables. August 11th, 2018 9:00AM - 1:00PM   If your club would like to run an activity at the Farmers Market to recruit new members, contact Jason Scott at jscott@msu.edu  to schedule your visit.

Thanks Washtenaw 4-H!

Kathleen Noggle, Washtenaw 4-H Program Coordinator and two Washtenaw 4-H teen volunteers, Emma Rose and Ellie Walkowe facilitated sheep & goat clinics on Saturday, June 9th at Tollgate Farm.  Many members of the Tollgate Farm 4-H Club learned tips and practiced showmanship skills to prepare for the Oakland County Fair and it paid off!  All exhibitors placed and brought home the goat dairy champion AND goat dairy reserve champion. The sheep show was also very successful with many placings, including 2nd in feeder class, 2nd in class 90-105 pounds and 6th in 109-116 pounds class, 2nd for meat breed ewe and 4th in showmanship.  Congrats to all the exhibitors on their performance and hard work!

Expansion and Review Committee Seeks Members

This committee looks at who 4-H is currently serving and which demographics, regions, and groups we can expand our services too. This committee will meet quarterly. Tasks for participants on this committee could include reaching out to possible partners and groups, delivering presentations, and dreaming up new types of programs.

Last year the Expansion and Review Committee hosted the 4-H Alumni Hoedown in partnership with the Oakland County Fair. Participants on the committee could be current or past 4-Hers, parents, or any community member! Contact Mary Blumka at blumkama@anr.msu.edu if you are interested in helping to direct the future of 4-H programs in Oakland County.

Michigan 4-H AmeriCorps program, 4-H STEAM Corps, recruiting members

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of young people while giving back to your community? Join 4-H STEAM Corps! 4-H STEAM Corps will place 30 active, engaged national service members in county 4-H offices across Michigan to build and facilitate 4-H SPIN clubs focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math programming.  4-H STEAM Corps members will serve 11 month terms from September 2018 to August 2019 and will receive a living stipend, deferment for qualified student loans, childcare assistance, food assistance and healthcare. Upon successful completion of 1,700 service hours, members will receive an education award to be applied towards future tuition costs or existing student loans. Interested candidates should contact Rachel Puckett at pucket21@msu.edu or 517-676-7296 for more information. To learn more about the benefits of being an AmeriCorps member, visit http://www.canr.msu.edu/news/service-work-can-make-a-difference-in-community-and-career

MSU Welcome Week 4-H Alumni Reception

Join MSU Extension for the second annual MSU Welcome Week 4-H Alumni Reception on Monday, August 27! If you are a current or former 4-H’er attending MSU this fall, stop by the Atrium of the Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. for networking and free dinner! Members of the MSU Extension staff will be on site to interact with 4-H alums and free pizza and pop will be provided. Come to meet fellow 4-H’ers, network with staff and students, and have fun.

National 4-H Dairy Conference

Share your passion for the dairy industry with 4-H members across the nation at the National 4-H Dairy Conference beginning September 30, 2018. Held in conjunction with the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, conference participants hear from influential dairy industry speakers, engage in hands-on seminars, and meet true leaders from all areas of the United States. Registration for this five-day event is available until August 20 at https://national4hdairyconference.org/registration/  Lodging information can be found at https://national4hdairyconference.org/lodging/

4-H Events and Workshops

August 8: Build Your Future Teen Leadership Workshop
Max Thompson Family Resource Center, Warren
This career preparation life skills workshop is open to youth 11-19. Registration required.

August 11:  Michigan State 4-H Dog Show
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
Watch Michigan 4-H’ers compete in agility, obedience, rally, brace, team and showmanship classes at this annual dog show.

August 27: MSU Welcome Week 4-H Alumni Reception
MSU Morrill Hall of Agriculture Atrium, East Lansing
Meet other MSU 4-H members and alumni attending Michigan State University this fall at the MSU Welcome Week 4-H Alumni Reception. Dinner is provided!

August 31 - September 1: Michigan State 4-H Poultry Show
Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi
Exhibit your poultry projects at the Michigan State 4-H Poultry Show held in conjunction with the Michigan State Fair. Registration closes August 3.

September 13: Completing Your 4-H Groups Annual Financial Report
Online webinar
Join MSU Extension staff in this online webinar to learn how to complete an Annual Financial Report Summary, required by MSU Extension.

September 22: 4-H Goat Workshop
Ionia County Fairgrounds, Ionia

Come learn more about your 4-H goat project! This one-day workshop will feature many hands-on sessions including “Make it, take it, use it: Building useful goat equipment” and “Exploring the digestive track.” It will conclude with a live goat judging contest.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jeffrey W. Dwyer, Interim Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. The name "4-H" and the emblem consisting of a four-leaf clover with stem and the "H" on each leaflet are protected under Title 18 U.S.C. 707.