Oakland County 4-H Connections (October 2020)

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October 2020

Oakland County Youth Excel at 2020 Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase

Mi State Fair

Thirty-seven Oakland County youth didn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic slow down their opportunity to demonstrate the skill, mastery and hard work they put into this year’s 4-H projects. These outstanding 4-H’ers took part in the first-ever Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase, hosted by the Michigan State Fair and Michigan State University Extension. This virtual platform allowed youth ages 5-19 to exhibit their work in all project areas alongside peers from across the state.

“Michigan 4-H’ers and other youth work hard all year long on their many projects, and that didn’t stop when the pandemic hit,” said Jake DeDecker, state 4-H leader with MSU Extension. “In fact, many youth took that extra time and poured their efforts into projects and activities. By partnering with the Michigan State Fair, we were able to provide youth with a new and exciting way to showcase what they’ve worked on while receiving recognition for their accomplishments and obtaining valuable feedback for their personal development.”

To participate, youth entered photos and videos of their individual projects through the online FairEntry platform. There were a wide variety of participation options, including traditional classes like showmanship, breeding and market classes for livestock and companion animals, and still exhibits such as crafts, creative writing and baking. Youth were also able to enter projects that are not always showcased in a typical fair, including educational projects and demonstrations in areas such as shooting sports, urban agriculture and leadership, among others.

In total, more than 400 youth from 63 Michigan counties entered more than 2,000 projects in the inaugural event. Evaluation began on August 24 with youth receiving an A, B or C rating, as determined by project standards.

Congratulations to the following Oakland County youth for exhibiting in the first ever Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase! 

Adam Dukhan Oscar Vartanian
Aubrey Stockwell Peter Sardo II
Caitlynn Kruyer Preston Heckman
Chase Benson Sadie Benson
Chloe LaBelle Serene Daouk
Chloe Moore Shelby Schudlich
Ethan Heckman Allie Purves
Finn Heckman Catriona Thomas
Jenna Viaene Gauge Wylie
Kaitlyn Keen Isabelle Vartanian
Kalin Benson Micaela Kenyon
Kate Head Olivia Hill
Kaydence Schudlich Sarah Liford
Keagan Heckman Shelby Oberdorf
Ky Kelley Sophia Pierce
Kylie Ossege Tara Bottiglia
Mariam Dukhan Taylor Bottiglia
Morgan Bodway Travis Liford
Natalie Keen  

In addition to the opportunity to showcase their skills and receive accolades for their hard work, participants in the statewide event will also had the opportunity to apply for up to $50,000 in scholarships, generously provided by the Michigan State Fair and in partnership with the Michigan 4-H Foundation. The following Oakland County youth received scholarships totaling approximately $10,000:

Virtual Showcase Scholarship Winners: Urban Scholarship Winners:
Sarah Elizabeth Liford Aaron Hutka
Kylie A. Ossege Chloe LaBelle
Travis Ray Liford Eli Measom
  Hannah Measom
  Makayla Dotson
  Rachel Siporin
  Susanna Khanuk

 

Livestock Scholarship Winners:
Caitlynn Kruyer Beef
Allie Purves Poultry
Sadie Benson Poultry
Morgan Bodway Poultry
Isabelle Vantanian Rabbit
Shelby Oberdorf Rabbit

 “A major focus within our event has always been giving back to the community and encouraging the educational and personal development of Michigan’s youth,” said Blair Bowman, Michigan State Fair manager. “We are thrilled that we are able to continue and expand upon that tradition through this new virtual platform.”

To view additional placings for the 2020 Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase, visit the FairEntry public link.

National 4-H Week to be celebrated Oct. 4 - 10

Staff List

Diane Wisnewski
4-H Educator/Supervisor
wisnews3@msu.edu
248-858-0529

Ari McCaskill
4-H Program Coordinator
mccaski5@msu.edu
248-858-0890

Deb Morgan
4-H Program Coordinator
morga194@msu.edu
248-347-3860, ext.279

Jason Scott
4-H Program Coordinator
jscott@msu.edu
248-858-0892

Kelly Morris
4-H Administrative Assistant
kemorris@msu.edu
248-858-0889

April Clos
4-H Administrative Assistant
closapri@msu.edu
248-858-0889


ITS

MSU Extension

Oakland County 4-H
1200 N. Telegraph Road
North Office Bldg. 26E
Pontiac, Michigan 48341
Phone 248-858-0889
Fax 248-858-1477

www.oakgov.com/msu/4H


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Oakland County 4-H Program Update for Leaders, Parents and Youth

Oakland County 4-H Program Update for Leaders, Parents and Youth

Update on:

  • Club Registration
  • 4-H Online Sign-Up
  • County Awards
  • Virtual 4-H Opportunities
  • Financial Accountability
  • and more.....

https://msu.zoom.us/j/92101167899?pwd=NHRVeDZyQ2lKc3FVUk5qMW5GYkNFdz09
Meeting ID: 921 0116 7899
Passcode: 754791


4-H Club Year-end/Re-Enrollment Paperwork Due

Hi 4-H Club Leader,

It’s that time of year again when we collect the year-end paperwork from club leaders and re-enroll the club for the new program year!  If your club is returning for the 2020-2021 program year please fill out these forms.
Some things to remember before submitting paperwork:

  • Fill out all forms completely.  
  • Information from the Club Profile Sheet will be included in our Club Directory.
  • If the club has any membership restrictions (i.e. maximum number of members, member ages, enrollment deadline), please let us know.
  • Reminder: there will be no participation fees this program year, 9/1/2020 - 8/31/21.
  • If the club has a bank account (required for treasuries over $100), please make sure bank statements are being mailed to the main office (MSU Extension, Oakland County 4-H, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI  48341).  This is a REQUIREMENT for ALL 4-H bank accounts.  Copies of all bank statements will be requested if they have not been received in our office. 
  • If you need assistance in completing the Annual Financial Report, or if you do not have the Financial Manual to reference, please let Ari, Deb or Jason know.
  • If the club is disbanding, please contact your program coordinator asap so we can discuss next steps

MSU Tollgate’s virtual STEAM

Trees

For students in grades K-2 this fall, we'll explore The Secret Life of Trees as we investigate big ideas - how trees have amazing features that help them survive and grow. Kids act out the life cycle of a tree, collect and organize leaves, create bar graphs, explore why leaves change colors, play games about tree needs, create a model of a tree, and much more!  https://events.anr.msu.edu/TollgateVirtualTreesWeekly/

Follow the Nutrient Trail

For grades 3rd and up, an exciting interactive series called Follow the Nutrient Trail explores how plants and animals depend on other living things to help them survive. We’ll follow the nutrient trail of consumers, producers, and decomposers as we meet our plants, goats, chickens, and red wiggler friends, the worms! Visiting the garden, greenhouse, orchard, and animal barn, students will investigate how the energy of the sun and nutrients travel through the nutrient cycle. Designed for learners in grades 3rd and up. https://events.anr.msu.edu/TollgateVirtualNutrientCycleWeekly/

Tollgate Group Virtual Farm Series

These programs are being run for teachers and their in-person and hybrid students, too! Start dates and times can be tailored to meet teacher’s class schedules. Teachers, register here: https://events.anr.msu.edu/TollgateGroupVirtualFarmSeries/

Statewide

Guidelines for Positive Youth Development Virtually

Guidelines for Positive Youth Development Virtually

As Michigan 4-H staff, volunteers and youth continue to practice safe social distancing, 4-H programs have moved online and many 4-H clubs are connecting virtually. To help both 4-H staff and volunteers view the 4-H Guiding Principles through a virtual lens, MSU Extension recently developed “Michigan 4-H Guiding Principles for Positive Youth Development: Virtual Programming Focus.” This resource is a great tool for adults interacting with 4-H’ers to review as the consider they best ways to optimize 4-H programming for the online world.

View the Michigan 4-H Guiding Principles for Positive Youth Development online at www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan-4-h-guiding-principles-for-positive-youth-development-virtual-programming-focus.


National 4-H Week To Be Celebrated Oct. 4 - 10

National 4-H Week to be celebrated Oct. 4 - 10

National 4-H Week to be celebrated Oct. 4 - 10

For the 78th consecutive year, millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week from October 4-10. The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week, Opportunity4All, is a campaign that was created  by National 4-H Council to rally support for Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and identify solutions to eliminate the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America.

With so many children struggling to reach their full potential, 4-H believes that young people, in partnership with adults, can play a key role in creating a more promising and equitable future for youth, families and communities across the country. In 4-H, we believe every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed. We believe every child should have the skills they need to make a difference in the world. 

To help bring awareness to the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H, Michigan 4-H is encouraging 4-H youth, volunteers, staff and supporters to celebrate National 4-H Week in their communities. A few ways to do that while maintain safe social distancing include:

  • Share how 4-H has inspired you or your kids on social media channels and with individuals in your community.
  • Show your 4-H pride by wearing your 4-H apparel on Wednesday, Oct. 7, the official 4-H Spirit Day.
  • Write an op-ed for your local paper to tell your Michigan 4-H story or submit it to MSU Extension for the Meet Michigan 4-H’ers series.
  • Decorate an Opportunity4All sign and share your pictures and captions of what opportunity means to you using the hashtag #Opportunity4All on social media.
  • Use a National 4‑H Week Zoom background on your virtual meetings.

4-H Scholarships Available

4-H scholarships available

Outstanding Michigan 4-H members who are involved at county, regional, state, national or international levels are eligible to apply for Michigan 4-H scholarships to help fund their college experience.

A number of scholarship opportunities exist, ranging in value from $500 to $2,500. All applications are due by November 1.

Learn more and access applications materials at: www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_scholarships_and_recognition_program/4_h_scholarships.


Support 4-H with the Tractor Supply Co. Paper Clover Campaign

Support 4-H with the Tractor Supply Co. Paper Clover Campaign

Tractor Supply Company (TSC) customers across the nation will have the opportunity to support 4-H youth by purchasing a $1 clover at checkouts when shopping both in stores or online at www.TractorSupply.com from Oct. 7-18.

Funds raised will support county, state and national 4-H programming. To learn more regarding the campaign, visit https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/cms/4h.


4-H Events and Workshops

October 8: MSU Tollgate Farm Follow The Nutrient Trail Interactive Weekly Series Online
Follow the nutrient trail of consumers, producers and decomposers as you meet Tollgate’s goats, chickens and worms during this 5-week series that occurs each Thursday. Students will interact with staff and question, hypothesize, experiment, analyze data, conclude and question again through hands-on STEAM challenges.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/msu-tollgate-farm-fall-virtual-follow-the-nutrient-trail-interactive-weekly-series

October 10: 4-H Coding Weekend Workshop - An Intro to Coding Online via Zoom
Students will spend four days (weekends of October 10-11 and 17-18) learning how to code and develop an application to solve a technical problem that they define. This workshop is for any high school students of all coding skill levels and experience.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-coding-weekend-workshops-an-intro-to-coding

October 12: Adulting 101 Online via Zoom
The exciting Adulting 101 series is offered to high school youth to help prepare for life on their own. This 3-week series will occur each Monday and cover Interviews for Success, Household Tasks, and Making a Spending Plan.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adulting-101-fall-series-mondays

October 17: 4-H in the Kitchen Live! Ultimate Grilled Cheese Online via Zoom
Participants , ages 5 –19, will learn how to make Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwiches using low and non-fat ingredients. Participants will receive the recipe two days in advance.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-in-the-kitchen-live-ultimate-grilled-cheese

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