May 2019

4-H Discovery Day Thank You

Special thanks to all of the 4-H Clubs, Volunteers and Vendors that participated in 4-H Discovery Day.

4-H Clubs came out in force on Saturday, April 27 and as part of the Michigan 4-H #DareToServeChallenge educated close to 400 people about 4-H, a variety of  projects areas and how to enter the fair.

It wouldn't have been possible without the support from the 4-H Clubs in Oakland County that make this day so special. We would also like to thank our community partners and special volunteers. 

• 4-H Head to Toe
• 4-H Poultry Fanciers
• Arts and Animals 4-H Club
• Blue Ribbon Rabbit & Cavy 4-H Club
• Carol & Cub’s Photo Hub
• Creative Thinkers 4-H Club
• Davisburg Busy Bees 4-H Club
• Homesteading Free Rangers, 4-H Club
• Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority
• Lake Orion Lions Club
• Lucky's Lunch Wagon
• Mel and Jan Hager
• Michigan Farm Bureau
• Michigan Pheasants Forever
• Oakland County 4-H Horse Council 
• Oakland County Fair
• Oakland County Livestock 4-H Club
• Oakland County Sport Rocket 4-H Club
• Oakland Youth Rabbit and Cavy 4-H Club
• Photography Judge Randall Floyd
• Plasterworks
• Puppy Patrol 4-H Club
• Springfield Township Fire Department
• Water Warrior Island
• Wojo's Greenhouse

2019 Rabbit Royalty Application Deadline Extended May 6

Show off your rabbit knowledge and represent your club in the Rabbit Royalty Contest. Winners receive bragging rights, royal attire, and leadership opportunities representing Oakland County 4-H’s rabbit project area. The date for the rabbit workshop is Sunday, May 19, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Fair Office Community Room.  Please visit our website for application and more info:  https://www.oakgov.com/msu/4h/Pages/events.aspx APPLICATION PROCESS Application deadline has been extended to Monday, May 6 and must be received by the 4-H office via email to morga194@msu.edu or  Mail to: Oakland County 4-H, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 26E, Pontiac, Michigan 48341-0416 Please place your application in a clear plastic cover. Your application should be no longer than 6 pages and 2 pages of pictures (if desired).  How long have you been raising rabbits? How many rabbits do you have? How long have you been involved in the 4-H rabbit program if different than question one? Describe what you have learned/done in 4-H with your rabbit. What leadership roles have you participated in without your rabbit? What leadership roles have you held – how many times? What have you done to promote 4-H and/or rabbits? What other youth groups do you belong to? Include anything else you would like to share with the selection committee. For Questions on the application or program, Contact Lisa Keen at (734) 634-7915

Oakland County 4-H Fun Match May 11

Saturday, May, 11 Companion Dog Training Club 3440 Torrey Rd, Flint MI 48507 Registration Form Registration 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. - Show starts 9:30 a.m. Early Registrations: $7.00 per regular classes Day of Show: $8.00 per regular classes Mail entry to: Heather Ireland, 12101 Parkin Lane, Fenton MI 48430 Please make checks payable to: Oakland County 4-H Dog Committee.  ***Registrations postmarked/received by May 1st qualify for early registration discount***

29th Annual Oakland County 4-H Horse Camp, June 16-20 at Springfield Oaks County Park

Oakland County 4-H Horse Camp is a four day instructional camp at Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg, MI offered to 4-H youth ages 9-19.  Campers and their own horses attend three classes a day (Bareback, Centered Riding, Dressage, English, Fitting & Showing, Miniature Horse, Gymkhana, Saddle Seat, Trail, Jumping, and Western) with instruction by local horse professionals and also participate in crafts, games and educational sessions.  Daily activities, including kitchen and meal prep are coordinated and provided by parent volunteers. Without these caring volunteers who have committed their time and enthusiasm to the program, horse camp would not exist!  Camp also includes a CIT (counselor-in-training) program where teens team up with campers providing a great mentoring opportunity!  

Space is limited in the barn, and registration is due May 17 is first come, first serve.   For more information, please contact Debbie Morgan at morga194@msu.edu or 248-347-3860, ext.279 

Oakland County Open Horse Show Circuit

Oakland County 4-H Horse Council offers five horse shows for all age exhibitors.  Each show includes daily high points for each division and gymkhana jackpots.  Year-end high point awards (separate registration & fee) are presented at an annual awards event in the fall for the following:  Adult 20 & Over, Senior 16-19, Junior 13-15, Youth 8-12, Walk/Trot 8-12, Walk Trot 13 & Over, Gymkhana 20 & Over, Gymkhana 15-19 and Gymkhana 8-14.  

A trophy saddle is awarded to the overall high point exhibitor (excludes adults & walk/trot).  New this year are additional cloverbud classes, mini horse classes and pattern skills feedback class. 

The park and shows are open to the public!  Come check out the 2019 shows at Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg on these dates:  May 11, June 1, July 27, Aug 10-11.  For more info see the showbill on our website under Events:  https://www.oakgov.com/msu/4h/

MSU Tollgate Farm Camps 2019

Join us in 2019 for an exciting outdoor farm-based learning season for youth ages 6 – 19 at MSU Tollgate Farm, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi

MSU Tollgate Farm Stewards Teen Leadership Program 2019

Tollgate Farm Camp is a fun place for teens to make new friends and develop life skills. The Tollgate Camp Teen Steward (15-19 years) and Tollgate Steward-in-Training (13-14 years) positions are for teens interested in gaining experience working with campers in the outdoors in education, agriculture and the natural sciences.

This experience offers a chance for teens to enrich, mentor, and lead campers while gaining valuable leadership experience. In a positive educational environment, teens gain community service hours and exercise responsibilities associated with potential career paths before entering college. Orientation training with campus speakers, mid-summer celebration, and camp closing celebration with career development and teambuilding. Leadership opportunities June 24 – Aug. 23.  Learn more or register here.

MSU 4-H Tollgate Farm Summer Camp

Eight weeks of summer camp themes for ages 6 - 19 run June 24 - Aug. 23 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Aftercare is available 4 – 6 p.m. with preregistration. Ages 6 – 14

Every day at Tollgate Farm summer camp is an exciting adventure with a different theme. A typical day includes making nutritious snacks in Garden Kitchen, caring for our farm animals, sowing seeds in the garden, engaging in a creative week-long STEM project, and investigating the natural world of field, forest, and pond. Iconic Tollgate camp weeks include Green Science Adventure, Farm Animal Camp, Water Camp, Top Chef Food Camp. Exciting new themes include Time Travelers History on the Farm Camp, Red Planet Survival Camp, Wildlife Animal Adventure.  Teen Specialty Camp Track this year offers teens 13-14 years camp opportunities including Winged Wonders Traveling Camp, Advanced Outdoor Adventure Challenge, Vet Science, and Eco-Challenge. Some weeks include field trips or overnights. For youth ages 9 – 14, there are four weeks of Horse Camp including equine science, Colonial Horse Camp, and Western and English Horse Camps! Check out the joy of fun, farm, and friends at MSU Tollgate Farm Summer Camp. 

Michigan 4-H Foundation opens 2019-20 grant cycle

Awarded annually, the Michigan 4-H Foundation recently opened their grant and award opportunities for the 2019-2020 season. Open to 4-H volunteer leaders, members and staff, the grants and awards support local 4-H clubs and county programs, as well as recognize members of the 4-H community. All applications are due June 1. Opportunities include:   Michigan 4-H Legacy Grants of $1,000. These grants are awarded to support development of a new program or initiative, or to strengthen, enhance or expand a current program that’s making a difference. 4-H On-Target Grants of $500. These grants support 4-H Shooting Sports programs to enhance existing programs, develop a new program, or offer a special experience related to 4-H Shooting Sports. The Collins 4-H Youth Horticulture Grant of $350. This grant is available only to 4-H youth clubs and supports advancement of club work in plant science and horticulture activities. 4-H Educational Garden Grants of $1,000. These grants support the creation of local 4-H educational gardens in Michigan. Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award (includes $1,000 grant). This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of 4-H agricultural volunteers. Learn more or apply online at http://mi4hfdtn.org/grants. Questions? Contact the Michigan 4-H Foundation at 517-353-6692.

Michigan 4-H to host new summer experience: 4-H Spartan Coding Camp

In collaboration with CodeNow, MSU Extension 4-H is excited to offer a new STEM experience for this summer: 4-H Spartan Coding Camp! This 5-day residential camp brings high-school aged youth to the campus of MSU, July 7-11. Whether you have prior computer coding knowledge, or have never even thought about it, you will gain valuable coding skills at this fun STEM camp. Learn to develop and launch your own tech ideas; discover the essentials of web design and development; design and code an application from scratch; and attract users for your product! The fun doesn’t stop there: at the end of camp you’ll be given a series of take-home activities that allow you to further hone your coding skills. To learn more, visit www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-spartan-coding-camp. Registration information will be available soon; to receive a direct email regarding registration, please contact Christine Miller at johns832@msu.edu or 517-552-6905.

Raise Your Hand for Michigan 4-H!

Until May 15, Michigan 4-H members, parents, volunteers, alumni and friends have the opportunity to help Michigan 4-H win $20K as part of the Raise Your Hand campaign. Do your part to help grow experiences for Michigan 4-H youth by voting for Michigan at 4-H.org/RaiseYourHand.Even if you have previously registered, your vote still counts this year so raise your hand again to help Michigan take the lead! Want to help further? Encourage your friends and family to raise their hands as well! Email your networks or tweet, post and share your #4HGrown experiences on social media, asking your fellow 4-H supporters for their help.

Save the date for 4-H Day at Michigan’s Adventure

Celebrate the beginning of summer with Michigan 4-H during 4-H Day at Michigan’s Adventure, June 8. Michigan 4-H youth, alumni, staff and supporters are invited to wear their 4-H gear while enjoying Michigan Adventure’s park and attractions. Tickets are available at a reduced rate of $26 per person; as an additional option, you may purchase a 4-H Day meal for $7. Reservations are required. Learn more at https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-day-at-michigan-s-adventure.

4-H Events and Workshops

May 4: Alcona 4-H Hot Shots Fundraiser Shoot

Lost Lake Woods Club, Lincoln

This fun event for all ages is open to the public. Purchase rounds and win prizes in three different events: Turkey Trap Shoot, Red Bird Skeet and 2-Man Flurry—5 Stand.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/alcona-4-h-hot-shots-fundraiser-shoot

May 5: Ornithology

Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason

Do wild birds fascinate you? Learn about wild bird calls, how to identify birds and get the chance to make bird feeders and build bird houses.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/ornithology

May 14: Michigan 4-H / FFA Meats Judging Contest MSU Meat Laboratory, East Lansing

Show your ability to evaluate carcasses and identify meats, individually and as a team for the chance to win a prize.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-ffa-meats-judging-contest

May 15: Resumes Made Easy

MSU Extension Office, Lapeer

This workshop will help teens build a resume from their classes, clubs, volunteer activities and skills, even with limited paid work experience.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/resumes-made-easy

May 18: OCHDC Open Youth Horse Show

Oceana County Fairgrounds, Hart

Prepare your horse for show season at this youth horse show open to participants age 5 to 19. Ribbons will be awarded for first to sixth place and daily high point awards.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/2019-ochdc-open-youth-horse-show

May 20: 4-H Exhibitor Education Series: Communicating with Your Buyer

Lake City Christian Reformed Church, Lake City

Participants will learn best practices when writing buyer’s letters and thank you notes in an interactive session. Registration is required.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-exhibitor-education-series-communicating-with-your-buyer

May 28: 4-H Exhibitor Education Series: Preparing for Show Day

Missaukee Agricultural Youth Show Fairgrounds, Falmouth

Prepare yourself and your goat for fair! This hands-on session will include info on feeding, fitting and showmanship! Participants welcomed to bring their own goat to practice their skills.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-exhibitor-education-series-preparing-for-show-day  

For the most up-to-date events listing, go to http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events

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.