Inside this issue:

Club Corner 2

Small Animal News 2

CWF Program 3

Volunteer Central Info 4

Statewide Calendar of Events

5

Statewide News 6

Spa & Zen Garden Workshop

7

Chocolate Workshop 8

Crafting Day 9

Calendar 10

January 2020

CLOVER CHRONICLES Isabel la County

4-H Mark of Excellence Award 4-H’ers who are 11 or 12 years old are eligible to apply for the 4-H Mark of Excellence Award. To apply, write an essay on the theme, “Because of 4-H, I can....” Deadline for submission is February 1, to the Extension office. For more information, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/4_h_scholarships_and_recognition_program/4-h-awards-and-recognition-program/youth-recognition

Craft Day Saturday, February 8, 2020 It will be a very worthwhile event, especially after the hectic holiday season. Take some time for yourself to re-group and finish a project that got pushed aside due to seasonal chaos. Even if you don't have a craft-type project, pull out that pile of un-read magazines you really want to leaf through -- we have a couple very comfortable, plush lounging areas available. Bring your slippers and wear your comfy sweats to "hang out." We feed you all day long, have relaxing music, and you can hibernate or be as social with other attendees as you wish. In fact, encourage a friend to attend as well and have a gabbing session! This is also an excellent way to support the fair board's building project so we can get the multipurpose educational wing constructed. The registration fee covers several give-a-ways, a few small and easy crafting items you can share with family and friends -- and of course, all of your meals and snacks. Call Kim Vogel (989-506-1410) with any questions you may have. She would love to talk to you about it!

4-H STEAM Clubs We will be offering 4-H STEAM Clubs beginning this month. These clubs will meet 6 times in a 6-8 week period for 1-1.5 hours each time. Each club will focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and/or math. Club curriculum is mostly provided by 4-H, but club members will have opportunities to choose club names, club topics, serve as leaders/officers, and choose club activities. Current 4-H members are welcome to participate and we are excited to welcome county youth who are new to 4-H! If you are interested, please complete the survey below and we will contact you about upcoming clubs. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Lee Humphreys, 4-H STEAM Club Coordinator at humph186@msu.edu. Survey link: https://forms.gle/679WVdE96B2E3FeK9

Page 2 CLOVER CHRONICLES

CLUB CORNER

Canine Clovers - In December we worked on properly treating our dogs during training. We reviewed the Michigan 4-H Agility Standards and practiced two agility obstacles, the tire jump & weave poles. Evergreen - At our December meeting we collected donations for the local homeless shelter, discussed community service projects, broke out into small groups and then went Christmas caroling at Rosebush Manor. Pony Creek - We had our December meeting at the Dent Christmas Farm. We discussed business then played games and had a potluck. We will not have a meeting in January.

Small Animal News

• If you have been enrolled in a small animal project for at least two years and are enrolled as a Teen Leader, and are interested in applying to be a Teen Superintendent during fair week, please complete the appropriate form and turn it in at the Extension office no later than January 13. You will be contacted in February if you are selected for one of the positions.

• Reminder, if you live outside of Isabella County and plan to sell in the small animal auction, you will need approval from the Small Animal Association. Plan to attend their next meeting on Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Isabella County Building. If you have already met with the Small Animal Association to sell in the auction and were approved, you do not have to do it again.

• The next Small Animal Association meeting is January 16 at 7:00 p.m.

4-H Camp House For Rent 4-H Camp Association is looking for a renter

for the house located at the 4-H Camp. The

house is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, with a 1

car attached garage. Please call Don Kistler

at (989) 621-0447 for more information.

Shooting Sports Instructors Needed We are looking for volunteer leaders to become certified as 4-H Shooting Sports instructors in archery, rifle, and shotgun. Contact Kristi at the Extension office if you are interested or would like more information.

Youth Planning Committee for 4-H Exploration Days NEW this year - Exploration Days Scheme Team! We are looking for teens that would be interested in sitting on this committee to help plan 4-H Exploration Days. Here are some guidelines to help define what this team will be looking for.

Details of applying to be a Scheme Team Member: Must have attended 4-H Exploration Days at least once Must complete application by January 17 Have a recommendation from your local 4-H program coordinator

Requirements of a Scheme Team Member: Attend scheduled Zoom calls with full group, monthly until the event Arrive to MSU campus Tuesday evening before event begins for meet and greet with other members

Examples of what a Scheme Team Member will be doing: Design t-shirt Welcome committee to adults and youth on campus for the event Brainstorm extra activities for when there are not sessions Social Media sub committee Other ideas as developed through group discussion

Page 3 CLOVER CHRONICLES

4-H Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Program June 20-27, 2020 (for youth ages 14-19) Learn about our nation's government by participating in hands-on

leadership workshops and touring of historical sites in Washing-

ton, D.C. Participants will travel by charter bus to Washington

D.C. visiting the 911 Memorial in PA and stopping overnight in

Gettysburg, PA. 4-H CWF groups stay at the National 4-H Center

just outside Washington D.C. and travel to all of the sites of the

area, including Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, U.S.

Capitol, Iwo Jima Memorial, National Cathedral and the Holo-

caust Museum. Participants will also visit the Smithsonian Muse-

ums, Toby's Dinner Theatre, and the Armed Forces music pro-

gram, Twilight Tattoo. Participants will tour the Capitol and meet

with legislators and visit hearings on Capitol Hill Day. 4-H CWF

participants join committees such as legislative and communica-

tions to help conduct the program. Participants also attend leadership workshops and work as a

group to write and pass bills.

The cost of the 2020 4-H CWF program is $1,500.00 which includes all meals (except 7 meals in

transit), lodging and transportation. Registration and a $500.00 payment is due January 6.

For more information contact Connie Lange at langec@msu.edu or https://events.anr.msu.edu/

CWF2020/

4-H Ambassador Team volunteering at Christmas Outreach

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MSU Extension to launch new portal for volunteers in 2020

In early 2020, MSU Extension will launch Volunteer Central, a statewide volunteer

management database and screening system. Volunteers are the core of many MSU

Extension programs and the most essential partners MSU Extension has. As such, the

organization has made a major investment into Volunteer Central in an effort to improve

processes for both staff and volunteers. In the new system, volunteers will enjoy improved

features including easy-to-read dashboards and a one-stop application process, among other

advantages.

A unique feature of Volunteer Central is that each volunteer will have their own unique

online account and profile. Unlike 4-H Online, family profiles will not be permitted. This is

necessary to protect the confidentiality of each volunteer and the integrity of data in the

system. In preparation for the launch of Volunteer Central, those who currently share an

email address with another 4-H volunteer should make plans to create a separate email

address for each shared user.

Once you have created a new email address, please either:

1. Log in to 4-HOnline and add the newly created email address to the volunteer with whom

it should be associated; or

2. Contact Kristi Schreiber (schrei61@msu.edu) and share the newly created email address

and the volunteer with whom the account should be associated.

The email addresses in 4-H Online and shared with 4-H program coordinators will be used to

create access accounts for current volunteers in Volunteer Central.

In the coming weeks, look for additional information about Volunteer Central and when

current volunteers will have access to the system.

Page 5 CLOVER CHRONICLES

2019 Michigan

4-H Animal

Science

Sportsmanship

winner

Michigan 4-H congratulates

Caleb Hall, of Shiawassee

County, on being named the

2019 Michigan 4-H Animal

Science Sportsperson of the

Year!

Hall received nine nominations,

and that in itself is an incredible

accomplishment. Their

nomination letters were

accompanied by an enthusiastic

letter of support from Nikki

Hersch, Shiawassee County 4-H

program coordinator.

The nominators shared stories of

leadership, mentorship to other

4-H youth, determination and

passion for his animal projects,

and his bright personality.

Additionally, Hall was awarded

Shiawassee County’s John

& Joan Spindler Sportsmanship

Award in 2019.

Congratulations Caleb!

4-H Events and Workshops D j D j

jj

January 6: Resumes and Cover Letters Made Easy Online webinar Youth will learn to build a resume, even if they have limited work experience! Attendees will also receive a step-by-step guide for creating attention grabbing cover letters. Register now at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/ResumeCover/

January 7: 4-H State Award Program Overview Teen/Parent Training Online webinar This training will provide 4-H members/teens with an overview of the 4-H State Awards Program, as well as review the application and deadlines. https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-state-award-program-overview-teen-parent-training-january

January 8: Resumes and Cover Letters Made Easy Online webinar Youth will learn to build a resume, even if they have limited work experience! Attendees will also receive a step-by-step guide for creating attention grabbing cover letters. Register now at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/ResumeCover/

January 15: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) St. Joseph County Intermediate School District, Centreville YQCA is an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being and character awareness for youth ages 8 to 18. https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/youth-for-the-quality-care-of-animals-yqca-st-joseph-county-01-15-20

January 31: 4-H Horse Judging Workshop MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, Lansing Join this Friday evening judging workshop followed by a practice contest on Saturday morning! The workshop will feature three classes and an opportunity to give oral reasons. This is an approved Michigan 4-H Horse Judges Seminar. https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-horse-judging-workshop

February 1: 4-H Benefit Clinic MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, Lansing Join us for an annual clinic, with a day full of clinics in the classroom and arena. Topics will include showmanship, trail, and barrel racing. https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-benefit-clinic-1

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

STATEWIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Page 6 CLOVER CHRONICLES

MSU Extension to launch new portal for volunteers in 2020

In early 2020, MSU Extension will launch Volunteer Central, a statewide volunteer management database and screening system. Volunteers are the core of many MSU Extension programs and the most essential partners MSU Extension has. As such, the organization has made a major investment into Volunteer Central in an effort to improve processes for both staff and volunteers. In the new system, volunteers will enjoy improved features including easy-to-read dashboards and a one-stop application process, among other advantages. A unique feature of Volunteer Central is that each volunteer will have their own unique online account and profile. Unlike 4-H Online, family profiles will not be permitted. This is necessary to protect the confidentiality of each volunteer and the integrity of data in the system. In preparation for the launch of Volunteer Central, those who currently share an email address with another 4-H volunteer should make plans to create a separate email address for each shared user. For those who may need help with this task, holiday time with family, friends and neighbors is a great opportunity to ask for assistance in this area. Once you have created a new email address, please either: 1. Log in to 4-HOnline and add the newly created email address to the volunteer with

whom it should be associated; or 2. Contact your local 4-H program coordinator and share the newly created email address

and the volunteer with whom the account should be associated. The email addresses in 4-H Online and shared with 4-H program coordinators will be used to create access accounts for current volunteers in Volunteer Central. In the coming weeks, look for additional information about Volunteer Central and when current volunteers will have access to the system. In the meantime, please contact your local 4-H program coordinator with any questions or concerns.

4-H Day at the Breslin tickets available

Join us for the 15th annual celebration of MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development at the MSU Women’s Basketball game. The Spartans will host the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday, March 1, at the Breslin Center on MSU's campus. Game time is still to be determined (either 12 p.m. or 2 p.m.). Gates open 1.5 hours before tip-off, come early to enjoy all the fun activities going on around the concourse. Tickets are free to 4-H youth and their families, 4-H volunteers and MSU Extension staff and their families. NEW THIS YEAR: 4-H members and guests will obtain their own tickets online. Use the ticket link (https://fevo.me/34iKc1r) to claim as many free tickets as desired. Once at the link, select the number of tickets required and click "add to cart." The tickets will be added to your cart, free of charge. Once done, click "CHECKOUT." Fill in your first and last name, email and phone number. In the space that says “Let’s make it memorable. Name your event:” please type in your county followed by 4-H (ex. Ingham County 4-H). Once you name your event, you will need to fill in your address. After filling out all the information on the screen, click "CONFIRM." You will receive an email with your tickets. You can either scan tickets off your phone at the game or print them from your email and bring them to the game so they can be scanned at entry.

2020 Michigan

4-H State Award

Changes

Are you making plans to apply

for a 2020 Michigan 4-H State

Award? Take note of the

exciting changes to this year’s

program!

• The awards program will be

held on Wednesday evening of

4-H Exploration Days.

• Senior interviews will be held

via Zoom during the week of

June 9.

• This will open up the

opportunity for all State Award

delegates to attend both first

and second half sessions at 4-

H Exploration Days.

• Applications will be submitted

with the MSU Extension events

management system.

Learn more and apply at:

extension.msu.edu/4H

StateAwards.

STATEWIDE NEWS AREA

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SAVE THE DATES

Spa & Zen Garden Workshop January 30, 2020

Chocolate Workshop February 11, 2020

Dairy Feeder Weigh-In March 14, 2020

New Volunteer Leader Orientation March 25, 2020

4-H Exploration Days June 24 - 26, 2020

4-H Summer (overnight) Camp July 7-9, 2020

4-H Cloverbud Camp July 14 & 15, 2020

Isabella County Youth & Farm Fair July 19 - 25, 2020

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, 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.

“Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the MSU Extension office at (989) 317-

4079 at least 5 days prior to the scheduled event to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after

this time will be met when possible.”

Kristi Schreiber, 4-H Program Coordinator schrei61@msu.edu

Nonie Gross, Secretary

Paul Gross, Extension Educator Eric Karbowski, Extension Educator

Kara Lynch, Extension Educator Sabrina McGee, SNAP-ED PI

Isabella County 4-H Calendar

January 1

OFFICE CLOSED

16 Small Animal Association @ MSUE 7 PM

20 OFFICE CLOSED

28 4-H Council @ MSUE 7 PM

30 Spa & Zen Garden Workshop @ MSUE

6 PM

Michigan State University Extension Isabella County 200 N. Main Street Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

Phone: (989) 317-4079 Fax: (989) 773-1622 Web: https://www.canr.msu.edu/isabella/

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Isabella County 4-H events:

Text “@6c82ek6” to “81010”