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December 2019

4-H Horse Council Has New Leadership!

Congrats to the new 2019-2020 Oakland County 4-H Horse Council officers:

• Youth President- Kylie Ossege
• Adult President-Kirsten Lahti
• Youth Vice President-Aubrey Stockwell
• Adult Vice President-Jeff Bodway
• Youth Secretary-Morgan Bodway
•  Adult Secretary-Melissa Zaluski
• Youth Treasurer- Caitlyn Krawczyk
• Adult Treasurer-Marita Ossege

The Oakland County 4-H Horse Council meets monthly (2^nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Fair Board Room) to provide guidance, leadership, direction and assistance in developing and conducting the county 4-H horse project, based on the needs as well as the interests of youth.  Meetings are open to anyone interested in the 4-H horse program! 

The Oakland County 4-H Horse Council supports the 4-H horse programs financially, including maintenance and improvements of the 4-H horse area facility at Springfield Oaks County Park (fairgrounds).  Along with the Oakland County 4-H office, the Council supports and coordinates many equestrian programs and activities throughout the year:

• Tack Sale at Springfield Oaks Activity Center
• Spring Round Up educational event
• Discovery Day clinic
• Open Horse Show Circuit (5-6 horse shows at fairgrounds)
• Horse Protégé Program (cloverbud/mentor program)
• Horse Camp at Springfield Oaks
• Tollgate Beginner Horse Camp(s)
• Oakland County Fair Horse Shows
• Annual Equestrian Awards

For more information, please contact Deb Morgan at morga194@msu.edu or 248-347-3860, ext. 279.

Lots of Holiday Shopping at the Oakland County 4-H Tack Sale

When: Saturday Dec. 7, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Springfield Oaks Activity Center 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg 
Admission: $1 per person 

Oakland County 4-H Horse Council is hosting the tack sale and looks forward to offering affordable, unique and necessary items just in time for the holidays! Vendor space has already sold out – so come and shop! 

This year we have vendors selling new and used tack. Several 4-H clubs will be offering one-of-a-kind gifts,horse tack, and equipment you need! Breakfast and lunch concessions on site offered by the Oakland County Fair Café! 

All proceeds from the sale of space and admission support the Oakland County 4-H Horse & Pony project!

For more info please contact Debbie Morgan at morga194@msu.edu or 248-347-3860 ext 279.

4-H Fashion Show

Friday, May 15, 2020 at 5 PM – 9 PM Waterford Central UMC 3882 Highland Rd, Waterford Township 48328

Get Ready for the 2020 4-H State Award Applications Process!

Michigan 4-H true leaders ages 11 and older have an opportunity to be recognized for the great work they do in 4-H by completing a state award application. A Michigan 4-H State Award is the highest honor bestowed on a Michigan 4-H member and provides an opportunity to receive recognition for their engagement in rich learning experiences that result in outstanding knowledge and life-skill development. State award applications are divided into four categories: Mark of Excellence essay contest (11-12 years old), junior state award (13-15 years old), senior state award (16-19 years old) and group awards (13-19 years old).  The application process and selection is determined by the age of the 4-H member. Final candidates for the junior, senior and group level awards in each project area will be selected to participate in the State Awards program during 4-H Exploration Days in June where final selection and announcement of winners will take place. More information about the Michigan 4-H State Award process can be found online at https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_scholarships_and_recognition_program/4-h-awards-and-recognition-program/youth-recognition. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2020. For more information, contact Betty Jo Krosnicki at nashbett@ msu.edu.

Support Michigan 4-H with Holiday Shopping!

Get ready for the holidays by supporting 4-H while making your purchases on AmazonSmile, SHOP 4-H Online and at JOANN’s Fabric. AmazonSmile will give 0.5% of eligible purchases to the Michigan 4-H Foundation when you shop at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-1539997.  Buy your favorite Michigan 4-Hers 4-H apparel and essentials at the SHOP 4-H Online Store (https://shop4-h.org/?rfsn=871792.16dd0) and 5% of the purchase will go back to Michigan 4-H!  JOANN’s Fabrics shoppers who use their free 4-H loyalty card (http://www.joann.com/4-h/) will save 15% while also giving 2.5% back to the National 4-H Council.

What can you do because of 4-H? Share for a chance to win!

Michigan 4-Hers ages 11-12 are encouraged to share how 4-H has impacted them through the 4-H Mark of Excellence Essay Contest. A great introduction to the Michigan 4-H State Awards program, Mark of Excellence contestants write a 500 word essay on the topic of “Because of 4-H, I can…” Winners will receive a certificate of recognition and medal to commemorate their accomplishment.

Essays are due to respective county 4-H offices by February 1. County 4-H programs then select up to two youth essays as their representatives and submit those names and essays to the State 4-H Awards Committee. The committee uses the essays to inform the public about what 4-H means to youth and copies are also shared with the Michigan State 4-H Office, Michigan 4-H Foundation, and Kettunen Center.

For more additional information and instructions, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_scholarships_and_recognition_program/4-h-awards-and-recognition-program/youth-recognition or contact Kelly Stelter at grandtke@msu.edu.

4-H Dog Patch Program

The Michigan 4-H Dog Patch Program is designed to recognize the personal achievements of individuals participating in the 4-H dog project area. The program has been in existence since 1987 and provides youth with goals to work towards in this project area. There are numerous patches available to reflect the varying disciplines in which youth can participate. In 2019, three new patches have been added; the Rally Intermediate, Rally Master and Beginning Novice. For more information about the Michigan 4-H Dog Patch Program or to order patches, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/4_h_dog_patch_program.

4-H Events and Workshops

December 3: Give Green Day
Statewide
Help Michigan 4-H reach their goal of raising $5,000 in a 24-hour period on Giving Tuesday. Funds raised provide 4-H participant scholarship grants for youth who are unable to pay the 4-H youth participation fee. https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4h-give-green-day

December 12: Start Your Own Insect Collection
Macomb County MSU Extension Office, Clinton Township
This class will introduce collecting and preserving insects. All participants receive an insect collection box, set of pins, and  leave the class with 10-20 pinned insects. https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/starting-your-own-insect-collection

December 14: Treat Yourself Workshop
Berrien County MSU Extension Office, Benton Harbor
A countywide project where youth will learn about chocolate and spa projects.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/berrien-county-4-h-treat-yourself-workshop

 December 15: 4-H Day at the Lions
Ford Field, Detroit
4-H members, families and friends are invited to the Dec. 15 Detroit Lions game. For every ticket purchased, $10 will go back to county 4-H programs.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-day-at-the-lions-19 

December 30: 4-H Spa-Delicious Countywide Project
Van Buren County MSU Extension Office, Paw Paw
Learn how to make homemade body products in this fun and educational class. Each participant takes home their own bath fizzies, sugar scrub, lip balm and air freshener! https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-spa-delicious-countywide-project 

February 1: Michigan 4-H Winterfest
Kettunen Center, Tustin
A crowd favorite every year, this statewide event is for youth ages 8-12. A special emphasis is placed on providing sessions that offer hands-on learning. View more 4-H events at https://www.canr.msu.edu/4h/events.

View more 4-H events at https://www.canr.msu.edu/4h/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.