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Michigan 4-H Today
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Welcome to Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development!
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 It is such a wonderful time of the year as we prepare for the holidays with family and friends. This is a great time to reflect on our successes of the past year and the opportunities the New Year brings. Although the new 4-H year actually began in September, I hope you will take time to celebrate the successes and growth you have experienced personally, those of the children you work with (your own or club members) and the difference 4-H makes in communities across the state, because of the efforts of young people, volunteers and staff.
This month's edition of Michigan 4-H Today is, as usual, full of great information, highlights of innovative and effective programs and updates on future trainings and events we hope you will take part in. To start, read about all of the people to whom we are extending congratulations. Nice going everyone!
At this time of the year, when gift giving is often the norm, you can help support one of our great 4-H programs, Michigan Operation Military Kids, with just a daily click on your computer monitor. Read about it in the "Help Wanted" section below. This opportunity will be open until December 16.
We also have a new Michigan 4-H Today feature to report. It is now easier for individuals to subscribe to the newsletter. New subscribers can simply press on the subscription link found in the lower left-hand corner of the Michigan 4-H home page or on the upper right-hand corner of the Michigan 4-H Today page.
Finally, I want to let you know that due to the holidays and vacations, the January issue of Michigan 4-H Today will be coming out in the second full week of January. If you have stories you would like to see included in this next edition, be sure to send them to us. Instructions for submitting stories are below in the "Submission Guidelines" section.
Until then, Happy Holidays to all of you!
Julie Chapin
State Leader, Michigan 4-H Youth Development
Director, MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute
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Impact
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How a National Grant Filters Down to the Local Level and Makes an Impact
 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through National 4-H Headquarters awarded a grant to Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) 4-H Youth Development to support the coordination of a multistate health initiative. This initiative's outcome is to increase the physical activity and fitness of military and nonmilitary youth participating in 4-H programming, during out-of-school time.
One way this grant will benefit Bay County youth by making them more aware of the importance of physical activity and equipping them to change their attitudes and behaviors about overall fitness. Over the next 2 months, MSU Extension Bay County 4-H staff will hold events with their identified local partners: Shining Star Dance Academy, Hampton Elementary School and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County in 4 locations.
Through this initiative, youth will learn how to: (1) stay physically active during the winter,
(2) incorporate physical activity into everyday activities, (3) track activities and fitness both online and through pedometers and (4) eat healthy snacks such as smoothies.
For more information about this program at a statewide level, contact B'Onko Sadler or Molly Frendo. To receive details about this program in Bay County, contact Jodi Schulz or Jodi Wrzesinski.
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4-H Highlights - Past, Present and Future
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Congratulations
 For decades, the Michigan State University collegiate dairy judging team sought to take first place in oral reasons at the World Dairy Expo. This year, MSU's team brought home the title. The team consists of 4 former Michigan 4-H members:
Together, these young people have been in 4-H for an amazing 48 years!
The team is pictured above with their coach, Dr. Joe Domecq, specialist in the MSU Department of Animal Science. MSU was one of 21 teams competing at the 91st annual event held October 4-8 in Madison, Wisconsin. Sponsors for the MSU and Michigan 4-H dairy judging programs are ABS Global, Inc., NorthStar Cooperative, the Michigan Holstein Association, the Michigan District 1 and District 6 Holstein Associations; the Michigan Jersey Cattle Club, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, the Michigan Milk Producers Association and the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation. For more information about the Michigan 4-H dairy program, contact Joe Domecq.
Samantha Boettcher, a 13-year-old 4-H member in Allegan County 4-H and Kalamazoo County 4-H, placed 4th out of 133 contestants in the nationwide Nasco 2011 Showing and Grooming Contest: Show Us Your Show Animal. Boettcher, from Gobles, wrote an essay about her steer. Contestants were required to submit an essay (of 800 words or less), accompanied by a photo, about their relationship with their animal and experience preparing for the event. Essays were judged on uniqueness and creativity.
 Samantha Griffith, Maritza Hernandez, Courtney Souva and Katie Walters (pictured right, with their coach, Melissa Souva) represented Michigan 4-H, when they competed at the 2011 National 4-H Meat Evaluation and Identification Contest on October 25 in Manhattan, Kansas, where they earned 10th-place honors. Griffith, Hernandez and Souva and their coach are members of the Bronson Pioneers, a Branch County 4-H group, while Walters is a member of the Barnyard Buddies of St. Joseph County 4-H. They qualified for the contest by winning the Michigan 4-H/FFA Meats Judging Contest in April. Since then, they have practiced judging carcasses and identifying meat cuts at Klopfenstein and Ware, Michigan State University, Union City Meats, Pease Packing and local grocery stores in Sturgis and Coldwater. In addition to judging beef and pork carcasses, fresh hams and identifying 40 cuts of meat from beef, pork, and lamb, the competition also required contestants to give 3 sets of oral reasons. Visit their Facebook page.
Emily Bertucci and Clara Churchill, both members of The Posse 4-H Club in Marquette County, achieved honors among more than 330 of the nation's most knowledgeable 4-H Horse Program members during the 2011 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup, an annual event hosted November 5 to 6 by the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky. The pair earned 7th place in the Team Presentation contest for their speech titled, "Therapeutic Riding - Striding Towards Success." Their coach is Jill Churchill of Sands Township.
States' 4-H International Exchange Programs bestowed its Outstanding Quality Program Award on Michigan 4-H on November 11, 2011. It also selected Shirley Garrity and Ron and Ruth Nord, Michigan volunteers, for its Volunteer Appreciation Award. At the same time, the group's chair and president singled out Jackson County 4-H Extension Educator and the Michigan 4-H Exchange Program Coordinator, Renée Applegate and Marquette County 4-H Extension Educator Brian Wibby for their exceptional work in Michigan's program and at its annual conference.
Precollege Scholarship Update
 This fall, 36 counties worked with 4-H'ers to submit MSU Pre-College Scholarship applications. Michigan 4-H submitted to MSU Admissions its top 60 applications (the maximum number we could submit due to Admissions' limit) from 4-H Capitol Experience, 4-H Exploration Days and 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp. These applicants represent our entire state, from the western UP to the southeast corner of the Lower Peninsula. According to Judy Ratkos, senior Extension program leader, this year's applicant pool is strong both academically and in their leadership and service, as well. From all the MSU precollege programs that submit applications, Admissions will select a total of 60 scholarship recipients. Those selections are expected to be announced by January 20. All applicants will receive a letter informing them of the results of their application.
Kett Center Tree in Place of Pride for Detroit's Holiday Festivities
In the spirit of the holiday season, a piece of Michigan 4-H lit up Detroit's night sky on November 18. Dressed in 25,000 lights, the 69-foot tall, 38-foot wide, 6-ton Norway spruce tree, from a teaching arboretum at Kettunen Center, is now on display in Detroit's Campus Martius Park in honor of the holidays.
Speaking about the tree-lighting ceremony, John Grix, Kettunen Center director, reflected on what a wonderful time it was. "It was an opportunity to see the tree all lit up, realizing it was truly the right decision by us to donate the tree to Detroit and to have so many people see and enjoy it," said Grix. "It's been really neat for not only Kettunen Center but for our community as well, to have representation in Detroit. We are very proud."
In 1963, Ira Bull, a faculty member in MSU's Forestry Department planted the spruce. Since then, the tree has grown so much it has taken over a large part of the arboretum. Here are a couple of short videos of the tree arriving in Detroit and being placed in the park on November 2.
Coming Soon: 4-H Day at the Breslin Center
On January 15, 2012, the stands at the MSU Breslin Center will be even greener than usual as up to 5,000 extra fans gather to celebrate the Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development program. They'll be there not only to cheer themselves, but also to help the MSU Women's Basketball Team claim victory over Ohio State. To learn all of the details, go to the article on the 4-H web site and to get your free tickets, contact your local county Extension 4-H office before January 9.
The 4-H Teen Leadership & Community Change Conference
If you are a teen interested in community change or know someone who is, check out the 4-H Teen Leadership & Community Change Conference. It's coming to Kettunen Center on January 21 to 22, 2012. This conference brings teens, ages 14 (by January 1, 2012) and up, from across the state to learn youth-leadership and community-change skills. After the opening activity, there are many small-group sessions. More features of the conference include a dance and karaoke, night sledding and great food. The $58 cost - for 4-H youth and volunteers - covers 4 meals, 1 overnight and all resource fees. Registration is due by January 6, 2012. For the program announcement or a 1-page flyer with a full listing of session titles, click the conference link above.
4-H Capitol Experience: Down the Road, But Time to Start Thinking About It
 4-H Capitol Experience is for teens (aged 14 by January 1, 2012) who want to know how government works and how to impact public policy locally. The registration deadline is February 10, 2012. And now, thanks to a grant from the Dow Chemical Company Foundation, scholarships are now available for the March 18 to 21, 2012 event which will be held in Lansing, Michigan. In December, scholarship information will be sent by email directly to MSUE staff with youth responsibilities. Information will also be posted on the web site.
25 Years Later: Time Capsule to Be Opened!
In 1987, the 4-H Exploration Days' theme was a celebration of Michigan's sesquicentennial year. Thus, the Michigan 4-H program created a time capsule at that would be opened 25 years later. That time has come and at the 2012 4-H Exploration Days, the capsule (containing an item from each county, representative of the area of the state at that time) will be opened. Wonder what your county put in the time capsule? Check it out during the 2012 event! After the ceremonious opening, each item will be posted for viewing on the Exploration Days Facebook fan page.
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Upcoming Events
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Ongoing
October 1, 2011-May 31, 2012
Michigan 4-H Soybean Essay Contest
Statewide
December
December 2-4
4-H Adult Horse Volunteer Leader Conference
Kettunen Center, Tustin
December 10
4-H Bi State Poultry Clinic
Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing
January
January 15
Breslin Center, MSU
January 21-22
Kettunen Center, Tustin
January 28
4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
January 31
Emerald Clover Society 2012 Class Nomination Deadline
February
February 24-25
4-H Veterinary Science Teen and Adult Volunteer Leader Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
February 25-26
4-H Beef, Sheep and Swine Teen and Adult Volunteer Leader Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
March
March 10-11
4-H Science Teen and Adult Volunteer Leader Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
March 16-18
4-H Environmental and Outdoor Education, Plant Science and Entomology Teen and Adult Volunteer Leader Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
March 18-21
4-H Capitol Experience
Lansing
March 31-April 2
4-H Entrepreneurship Teen and Adult Volunteer Leader Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
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Help Wanted
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We Need Your Help and It's So Easy!
Martin Waymire Advocacy Communication (MWAC), a public relations firm located in Lansing, has chosen Michigan Operation Military Kids (OMK), a 4-H program, as one of the recipients of its 2011 Gives Project, its annual holiday-donation program.
What is the Gives Project? MWAC wants to give a holiday gift that demonstrates the true meaning of the season. Instead of giving branded trinkets to its clients and friends, MWAC selects select  charities helping those truly in need and donates its holiday gift budget to them. This year, the Gives Project theme is Heroes: People Who Save Lives and Protect Us. MWAC selected OMK because it demonstrates true heroism and would like to recognize it for the support it provides our troops and their children and youth.
How does it work? It's simple; just go to MWAC's web site and vote for the organization to which would like them to donate. Last year (the project's first), more than 1,300 people voted. The charity receiving the most votes will get the largest donation from MWAC. However, the great thing is that no matter where a charity places in the voting, it will receive a donation.
Please go online and vote once each day until 11:59 pm, December 16 for OMK to help military youth affected by so many deployments. With the gift OMK receives, we will be able to fund even more events and opportunities for military children and youth. And pass this message along to others who support OMK. Thanks so much!
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More Michigan 4-H News
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November 7 - According to this article from the Battle Creek Enquirer, the Young Explorers 4-H Club of Marshall (with participation also from Gobles) led Michigan 4-H in the Friends of Our Troops holiday fan-mail campaign participation.
November 21 - This article from the Petoskey News reports on a Harbor Springs resident who received a Beacon of Light Award from the Food Bank Council of Michigan in part for purchasing livestock at the local 4-H livestock auction to process for families.
November 22 - Read this article from the Sturgis Journal that describes the St. Joseph County 4-H Award and Leader-Donor Banquet, held November 17 at which dozens of people were recognized.
November 26 - You will enjoy reading the coverage of the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden in this article from Ann Arbor.com.
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Resources
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Michigan 4-H Guiding Principles for Positive Youth Development
Michigan 4-H has 7 Guiding Principles for Positive Youth Development. These principles help us plan better and safer programs for Michigan's youth and they assist volunteer leaders and parents understand how Michigan 4-H programs are developed. The principle highlighted this month is:
 Guiding Principle 2. Youth are physically and emotionally safe.
Youth will learn more and participate more fully when they feel physically and emotionally safe. A structured yet flexible environment encourages honesty, trust and respect among all youth and adults.
Elements of effective practice:
- Adult and youth volunteers model constructive ways for providing feedback and addressing situations, behaviors and emotions.
- Activities and programs are held in environments that maximize the safety and well-being of participants.
- Youth are encouraged to try new experiences through positive risk-taking.
- Rules, expectations and consequences are clear, consistent, developmentally appropriate and applied fairly.
When planning a 4-H activity, think about the physical risks involved in it, minimize them, instruct youth and volunteers about how to use proper safety equipment, and have a plan for emergencies. Keeping children emotionally safe is just as important as keeping them physically safe. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open to both youth and adult participants' behaviors and words at your 4-H meetings and events. We hear about bullying in the media on a regular basis. Make sure this is not happening in your club. Also be sure to get everyone involved. Get to know each young person and his or her parents. Kids will feel safe if they feel valued.
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Submission Guidelines
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This is a newsletter for and about Michigan 4-H Youth Development. It is a means by which we can communicate with one another and promote our great program impacts, showcase resources, spotlight staff, volunteers, members, alumni and curriculum. Therefore, we want articles that are not only pertinent to Michigan 4-H, but which have the most complete information possible and that will capture the reader's interest.
To that end, we are asking you to submit articles that are concise and contain answers to the questions who, what, where, when, how and why. We will be happy to include Internet links that will take the reader to the pertinent information. Therefore, please make sure links are live and take the reader right to the spot with the information not to a general Web page where the reader will have to hunt to find the information. To help highlight articles, we would like to include pictures. So, send us a few pictures with your article. Be sure they are the highest-possible resolution and do not embed them in the text.
Ideas for article content might include those that feature:
1. Programs (One that is upcoming or has been successfully completed)
2. Grants (Possibilities, already funded and running or successfully completed)
3. Scholarships (Possibilities or winner announcements)
4. Resources (New or updated curricula)
5. Honor, Awards
So we can meet publishing deadlines, please email your articles in Word or WordPerfect (no PDFs) to Priscilla Martin by the 15th of each month.
Note: To print a copy of this newsletter complete with formatting, prior to printing from Internet Explorer, go to:
1. Tools
2. Select Internet Options
3. Press Advanced
4. Scroll down to Printing and check "Print background colors and images"
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Contact Information
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Michigan 4-H Today is a monthly newsletter for all those interested in 4-H Youth Development programs including its members, parents, volunteers, staff, alumni and retirees. It is published by the Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development office and it is distributed online.
Please contact Michigan 4-H Today:
Priscilla Martin, Editor
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Phone: 517-432-7635
Email: pjmartin@msu.edu
Fax: 517-353-4846
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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. Thomas G. Coon, 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.
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