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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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Although Spring has officially sprung, we are in that transitional period when we can never be sure what the weather is going to be like from day to day. However, we can rely on one constant:
Our work - as 4-H members, volunteers
and staff - will always pay off as we continue "to make the best better."
Once again, I am delighted to bring you an issue of Michigan 4-H Today that
(1) highlights stories of amazing accomplishments by our members,
(2) congratulates many of them and
(3) provides resources (curricula, funding, events, programs) with opportunities for youth and volunteers to grow as individuals and empower others to do so.
I hope you find these stories as inspiring as I do and the resources helpful as you continue the wonderful work of 4-H in your community.
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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To appreciate the enduring and powerful impact 4-H can have on the life of its members, read this article
from a June 2012 issue of The Mining Journal, which describes the difference 4-H has made on the life of
one of its members, Gentian Waller (pictured right performing with her sister, RiLee). The Waller sisters are both long-standing members of Marquette County 4-H.
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Revolution of Responsibility
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This issue features two more outstanding examples of Michigan 4-H members who are participating in the nationwide 4-H Revolution of Responsibility campaign. The campaign is an effort by youth to identify community issues and take action to defeat the standing obstacles and solve the problem. The aim of the uncommon youth efforts is to create a culture-changing revolution nationwide by building strong, positive communities.
 Hannah Montgomery, a 16-year-old Cass County 4-H'er combined her love for dogs, volunteering and her desire to teach and came up with a way to make a positive impact on her community, the Dash to Read literacy program. This program has had a dramatic impact on at-risk 1st- through 3rd graders in her community. In recognition of her many volunteering services and the creation of Dash to Read, the United Way  bestowed on Montgomery its Live United Youth Award. To read more about Hannah and the Dash to Read program, go to the Michigan 4-H web site.
In the spring of 2012, Alyssa Modrich, a St. Clair County 4-H teen leader faced a dilemma: Her laying hens produced more eggs than they had in previous years; her refrigerator was overflowing with egg cartons; and her usual customers did not need any more eggs. 4-H Project EGGcellence, was born in response to local food pantry need for donations. Due to a community effort, Alyssa's project has donated 100 dozen eggs throughout her community. You can read the entire inspiring story on the Michigan 4-H web site.
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4-H Highlights - Past, Present, Future
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Congratulations!
 In early February, Michigan 4-H announced the selection of the following scholarship recipients. For more information about these scholarships, go to the Michigan 4-H web site. Winners of the MSU 4-H Scholarship, which provides a $2,500 annual scholarship renewable for 4 years of undergraduate, full-time enrollment at MSU are:
Funds for the Michigan Rabbit and Cavy 4-H Scholarship - that provides a $500 scholarship to 4 students - are generated through the annual 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Auction that is held every January at the Michigan 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show. (Read more about this event below.) This year's recipients are:
Students eligible for the MSU Pre-College Program Scholarships are in 8th, 9th or 10th grade following their MSU precollege program (such as 4-H Exploration Days, 4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp, 4-H Discovery Camp or 4-H Capitol Experience) involvement. Of the 61 scholarships awarded, 80 percent went to 4-H precollege program participants from 34 counties in 11 of the MSU Extension's 13 districts! This year's winners of these scholarships ($2,000 applied to their first year at MSU as a degree-seeking student) are listed here. If recipients have not already done so, we encourage them to send a thank-you note to MSU Admissions Director James Cotter, using the contact information listed in their selection notification letter.
Long-time Sanilac County 4-H member and current 4-H volunteer, Sarah Michalek, was recently chosen the 2012-2013 (and first) recipient of the Nick Bellows Scholarship from the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Inc. at MSU. The $3,500 scholarship is named in honor of Nick Bellows, the former chief executive officer of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. You may read all about Sarah, the scholarship and the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Inc. in this February 5 article from the Michigan Farmer.
A long-time, former Ionia County 4-H'er, Adam Guernsey, recently received the 2012-2013 Velmar Green Scholarship from the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Inc., at MSU. The $3,500 scholarship, named in honor of innovative dairy leader Velmar Green of Elsie, was established in 2009 by the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) to recognize Green for his 40 years of service to the MMPA board of directors.
 Contests
Monsanto is offering farm moms across the nation the opportunity to win up to $10,000 through its annual America's Farmers Mom of the Year Contest. To nominate your favorite farm mom, simply share a very brief (300-word or less) essay explaining how she contributes to her family, farm, community and the agricultural industry. Entries are due by April 23, 2013. For terms and conditions and more information about the contest, visit the web site listed above.
April 30 is the deadline for the following 3 applications and full details can be obtained on the listed web sites:
- The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and to our planet. Prize winners receive $2,500 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project and several other benefits.
- The Great American NO BULL Challenge is the first, student-led, national video contest and Teen Video Awards show dedicated to bullying prevention and promoting empathy, respect and inclusive communities that use the power of music and the magic of filmmaking. All 50 nominees will receive a golden ticket to attend the star-studded NO BULL Teen Video Awards show.
- The Power of Children Awards: Making a Difference is an annual event to honor and further empower 6th- to 11th-grade youth who have made a significant impact on the lives of others, demonstrated selflessness and exhibited a commitment to service and the betterment of society. Each awardee will receive a $2,000 grant to continue his or her extraordinary work, a 4-year postsecondary scholarship to a participating institution of higher learning and other recognition.
National 4-H has announced the Teens Take on Health Video Challenge. They invite teens to send them a plan to tackle health challenges in their family, school or community by submitting a 90-minute video. The grand prize is $1,000 and $2,500 for the winner's youth program or classroom. The top 5 finalists also win $500. Videos must be submitted by May 3 to be eligible. The official contest rules are here.
Events
 Wrap-Ups
 This year's State 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show, held at the MSU Pavilion on January 25, drew more than 1,000 animal entries (910 rabbits and 102 cavies) and 295 youth from 38 counties. The show winners can be found on the 4-H web site.
More than 5,000 fans were on hand at the MSU Jack Breslin Student Events Center March 3 to celebrate MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development at the eighth annual MSUE 4-H Day With the Lady Spartans. Those involved with 4-H or MSU Extension were among the fifth largest crowd in MSU women's basketball history and they cheered the Spartans to victory against the Wisconsin Badgers in their final home game of the season. You can read all of the details here.
Teens from across Michigan gathered at the state Capitol March 17 to 20 for the annual 4-H Capitol Experience. The 4-day conference gave youth the chance to become involved in civic engagement and public policy and it provided an in-depth look at state government. As 4-H Educator Jackie Martin expressed it, the conference's goal is to help youth "to learn that their voice is important even before they are able to vote." Read all about the conference here.
Coming Soon
For the second year in a row, youth and their families will have the chance to explore how science is involved in everyday life and especially at the baseball park, when The Lansing Lugnuts and Michigan 4-H host 4-H Science Day With the Lugnuts, April 13 at Cooley Law School Stadium. According to Nick Grueser, the Lugnuts general manager, families who come  to the game on 4-H Science Day will ". . . get to enjoy an experience that we don't offer to any other group," as they "interact with Lugnuts coaches and employees through the various demonstrations that will take place that day." Event features include the science of throwing a curve ball with one of the team pitchers, the science behind keeping a baseball field green, event food safety and more. To be seated together, groups and counties interested in attending should order all tickets together. Tickets can be purchased (1) online, (2) by downloading and mailing in the flyer or (3) by contacting Bill Adler by email or by phone at 517-827-2486. The cost is $10 a person and children under age 2 are free. Additional details are available on the 4-H web site.
Speaking of science, there are several, awesome, 4-H animal-science opportunities coming up in the next few months. (See the calendar of upcoming events below to view them.) They all present great opportunities for young people to participate in a state-level event. In addition, 3 of these events (the Goat Expo, State 4-H/FFA Meats Evaluation and Technology Career Development Event and Poultry Palooza) also provide opportunities for youth in the food-science project area.
Farther Down the Road, But With Swiftly Approaching Deadlines
More than 2,500 students and adult chaperones will be on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus June 19 to 21 for the 44th annual 4-H Exploration Days. This precollege program is for  students ages 11 to 19 and adult volunteers from all over Michigan. Participants stay in residence halls and attend sessions in their areas of interest ranging from veterinary medicine to web design, performing arts, environmental education and many more. More than 200 hands-on classroom and field-trip sessions are offered. Those interested in attending, whether 4-H members or not, should contact their county MSU Extension office at 1-888-MSUE-4MI. Registration is open until April 30. Early registration is encouraged because sessions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about 4-H Exploration Days, visit the web site listed above.
Youth interested in exploring Michigan resources in a social setting, while participating in fun  and engaging activities this summer, can apply to 4-H Discovery Camp. Open to youth aged 13 to 19, the camp takes place June 24 to 28 at Michigan State University. 4-H Discovery Camp allows participants to experience campus life, conduct experiments, learn how to make biofuel, ask questions and problem solve new ideas as they team up with leading MSU researchers. Youth will also tour campus labs, the Kellogg Biological Station, Carbon Green Bioenergy, a wind farm and the MSU Power Plant. For more details including the cost and the online application, go to the web site given above. But hurry because space is limited and campers will be chosen on the basis of their submitted applications (which are due to Jake DeDecker at the State 4-H Office by April 19). You may also contact Jacob DeDecker by email or telephone at 517-432-7604 for further information.
4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp is an annual, 3-time national award-winning camp that mixes summer camp fun and hands-on science education. The camp will be held  July 28 to August 3 at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle. This Michigan State University precollege program is for teens aged 13 to 15 or those who will enter 8th through 10th grade in the fall. Campers learn from natural-resource experts in fields including Great Lakes coastal and fisheries management, limnology, wildlife, forestry, geography, geology and environmental education. Registration is now open. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through May 1. Space is limited to 70 campers so early application is encouraged. For detailed information and to apply for the camp, visit the web site listed above or contact Judy Ratkos by email or by phone at 517-432-7613.
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Upcoming Events
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April
April 13
4-H Science Day With the Lansing Lugnuts
Cooley Law School Stadium, Lansing
4-H Horse Spotlight on Speed Clinic Show
MSU Pavilion
State 4-H Goat Expo
Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing
April 13-14
4-H Build Your Future: 4-H Entrepreneurship and Career Connections
Kettunen Center, Tustin
April 19
State 4-H/FFA Meats Evaluation and Technology Career Development Event
Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing
April 19-20
4-H Equine Educational Expo (formerly 4-H Horse Jamboree)
Anthony Hall, MSU
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
April 19-21
Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference
Kettunen Center, Tustin
April 26-28
4-H Shooting Sports Instructors Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
May
May 4
4-H Poultry Palooza
Gratiot County Fair for Youth, Alma
June
June 1
4-H Rabbit and Cavy Expo
Anthony Hall, MSU, East Lansing
June 19-21
4-H Exploration Days
MSU, East Lansing
June 21-23
State 4-H Trail Ride
Whiskey Creek Campground, Custer
June 23-28
National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational
Heartland Public Shooting Park, Grand Island, Nebraska
June 24-28
4-H Discovery Camp
MSU, East Lansing
June 29
State 4-H Goat Show
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
TBA
4-H/MMPA Milk Marketing Tour (contact Julie Chapin)
Novi
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Help Wanted
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 The Michigan 4-H Global and Cultural Education web page now has the list of month-long Japanese Labo students who will be coming this summer. You will also find the forms that host families should use. They can be completed and submitted online! Once the family's paperwork and interview reports are turned in to Brian Wibby, the Japanese summer month-long coordinator, these young people will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis. Keep checking the same web page for a listing of the Polish delegates.
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More Michigan 4-H News
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Sherry Grice's 30-year career in Michigan 4-H, it also provides a great deal of information about what 4-H is and does.
March 13 -According to this article in the Farmer's Advance, Lenawee County 4-H received a $2,500 grant from the BP Fueling Communities Program, due to a nomination from Avery Oil and Propane, Inc. of Tecumseh.
Read this inspiring story from The Allegan County News about Madeline O'Brien, a long-time Ottawa County 4-H member, who is fostering a year-old puppy for Paws With a Cause.
March 14 - This article in the Livingston Daily.com reports that, among other individuals, Livingston County 4-H volunteer, Judy Paulsen, was honored for her many years of dedicated service at the Livingston County United Way's annual meeting.
March 15 - Read this account from the SooEveningNews.com of Chippewa County 4-H's participation in the Michigan 4-H China Art Project , which is part of the Michigan 4-H China Project.
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Resources
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Curricula
Following last year's highly successful launch of a series of online, 4-H project snapshot sheets, the latest Michigan 4-H Project Snapshots (that feature photography, sheep, swine and dairy) have been posted and are ready for use by staff members, volunteers, 4-H'ers or future 4-H'ers interested in getting involved in these projects. The fact sheets let youth know what to expect when they are involved in a project. It covers "the big picture" from starting out in the project to learning more as the young person progresses further in the project to expanding his or her horizons as the 4-H'er becomes more knowledgeable about the project. View the 4-H  snapshots by clicking on the links below.
 MSU Extension's Be SAFE: Safe, Affirming and Fair Environments, bully prevention curriculum is designed for use in out-of-school settings. The curriculum's overall goals include promoting social and emotional learning and development, addressing and reducing bullying, preventing bullying behaviors by tapping the wisdom and assets of youth and adults, and developing positive relationships with peers and adults. As is true of all MSU Extension curricula, this publication draws from extensive research. Download a free PDF of the Introduction section of Be SAFE or order a copy of the 224-page guide at the MSU Extension Bookstore. More information about this curriculum is available in this February 21 article of MSUE Spotlight.
Events
See the attached document for upcoming events (during April, the Month of the Military Child, and from June through September) that may be of interest to military families. There are many great ways listed to honor, celebrate and support the families (especially the children and youth) affected by deployment. Remember to Purple Up on April 15.
 The 36th Annual American Youth Horse Council Symposium will be held April 12 to 14, 2013 in Hartford Connecticut. Visit the American Youth Horse Council 's web site for registration information.
The 2013 Science Festival will take place at MSU from April 12 to 21. This is an  opportunity for youth and their families to come to campus and to learn from faculty and students about science and research occurring on campus, how it impacts Michigan and their lives, and ways they can be involved. It will feature tours of labs and MSU farms, demonstrations, and hands-on fun for people of all ages. Best of all, all activities are free! For more information, including a detailed schedule visit the web site listed above.
Join the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) and its nonprofit partners as they celebrate service and volunteerism in Michigan with a Giving & Volunteering Day Celebration on April 24. This event is part of the statewide celebration of National Volunteer Week and it will salute all of the individuals, organizations and communities that serve Michigan. For more information about the event and to RSVP, click on the link above.
You are also invited to participate in the 2013 Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) which will take place April 26 to 28 to illuminate the efforts of Michigan's outstanding youth volunteers with one or more of these great ideas:
- Plan a GYSD event in your community
 - Post your project online at the Global Youth Service Day web site
- Share information about the 2013 GYSD on your web site or social-media accounts
- Encourage young people in your community to create their own GYSD projects
- If you are a young person, gather your friends to coordinate a project
To demonstrate the impact, Michigan GYSD can have, in 2012, more than 1,000 youth and 500 adults volunteered more than 400 hours in Michigan for GYSD. Those volunteers impacted more than 8,000 individuals.
Grants and Awards
The attached chart has details about many different grants or awards that are listed in order of their deadline. Included on the chart are a brief description of the grants and awards or prizes and web sites where complete details may be obtained.
Kettunen Center Technology
The Michigan 4-H Foundation's Kettunen Center has announced a tripling of its bandwidth to  support the technology needs of guests. The larger bandwidth capacity should be in place by the end of March. This new service will allow for improved programming and Internet access for participants in Kettunen Center programs For more information about how you can use Kettunen Center as a site for programs, family reunions or other events, contact Chris Gentry, Kett's director, by email or by phone at 231-839-2479.
MSU Extension News
Remember to check out the MSUE 4-H News section of the MSUE web site. It features news articles, written by MSU Extension educators around the state, that focus on everything imaginable. We've listed several of the more recent articles so you can see what we mean:
Training
The 4-H Outdoor Adventure Challenge (OAC) program uses the outdoors to help young people  develop a greater understanding, sensitivity and appreciation for themselves and the natural environment. For 2013, the 4-H OAC Leader Training has been restructured into 3 different levels so trainees will be able to start doing 4-H OAC activities with 4-H'ers as soon as they meet the requirements of each individual training segment. The promotional brochure, enrollment form and more details about the new training levels and fee structure are available online at the web site listed above. May 3 is the deadline for enrollment for the Level 1 Orientation. Remember, county 4-H participation fee dollars can be used to fund training scholarships to 4-H volunteers interested in becoming 4-H OAC leaders!
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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. Honors, 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 bimonthly 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
Room 240
446 West Circle Drive
East Lansing, MI 48824
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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