January - February
Kalamazoo County
2013
January - February 2013 4-H
Family Newsletter
4-H Prepares Michigan’s Children and Youth for the Future
Involvement in 4-H can
help kids
EXPLORE
new ideas,
EXPERIENCE
new opportunities,
build friendships, and
learn skills designed
to help them
ACHIEVE.
Kalamazoo County
MSU Extension
3299 Gull Rd.,
Wing 2, Rm. 410
Mailing Address:
PO Box 42
Nazareth, MI 49074-0042
www.msue.msu.edu/kalamazoo
Fax: 269-384-8035
Veronica Bolhuis
Program Instructor
Traditional 4-H Youth Programs
Phone: 269-383-8867
bolhuisv@anr.msu.edu
Simone Snyder
Program Coordinator
Urban Youth Programs
4-H Youth Development
Phone: 269-383-8878
snydersi@anr.msu.edu
Leaders Banquet
Thursday, January 24th
Niko’s Landing
5852 King Highway, Comstock
Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Leader’s Banquet is a chance for 4-H to say THANK YOU to all of our dedicated
leaders! Please mark your calendar now to join in the celebration! We will be
recognizing the following 4-H Leaders at this year’s Leader’s Banquet. Please check
to see if we have your years of completed service correct or if you have been missed.
Contact the 4-H staff with any corrections. Leader’s Banquet is provided at no
charge by Leaders Council to all registered leaders of Kalamazoo County 4-H.
Please call the 4-H office before January 10th to RSVP.
Thank You
Thank You
1st Year
Lauren Whitehurst
10th Year
Dr. Rusel Hollister
5th Year
15th Year
Bonna Perrin
Kristi Rigterink
Cheryl Booth
Lisa Melnik
Rhonda Elliott
Janey Tomillo
Sheryl Vander Roest
Robin Peck
Chris Kellogg
Lacie Ranes
Don Gillespie
25th Year
David Dyer
60 Years
Thelma Buckham
Thank You
Kalamazoo County 4-H News
18th Annual 4-H Benefit Auction
Saturday, February 23rd
10:30 a.m.
Health & Community Services Bldg.
3299 Gull Road - Walnut Room
What “cool” stuff have you rounded up to place in the auction?
Forms are available at the Extension 4-H office. Remember each 4-H family is responsible for procuring
at least one donated item. Bring auction items to the Walnut Room at the Health & Community
Services Bldg., 3299 Gull Road, on Friday, February 22 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Please make sure all your
paper work is completed.
A fun family outing with food and lots of great items to bid on.
Bring your friends and make it a day!
***********************************************
State Awards
4-H members 13 to 19 are eligible to apply for State Awards as individuals or as a group. You must be
currently enrolled in the project you wish to compete and have completed at least 3 years. New applications are available online at 4h.msue.msu.edu/4h/4_H_recognition_program and are due to the 4 -H office by March 1, 2013. A workshop meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 30th at 7:00
p.m. in Room C at the fairgrounds. Please R.S.V.P. to the 4-H Office (383-8867) if you are interested. State Awards winners are selected at Exploration Days in June at MSU and attendance is a requirement. If you enjoy competition and meeting people from all over the state then you’ll love State
Awards. Find out what the best of the best are doing and challenge yourself!
*****************************
PQA CERTIFICATION
PQA certification will be held at the Nazareth Complex on April 18th at 6:00 pm. If you are planning on selling at
the fair, please remember that you need to be PQA certified. Call Veronica Bolhuis for more information at 383-8867.
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 2
Kalamazoo County 4-H News
EXPLORATION DAYS
JUNE 19 - 21, 2013
The early signup meeting will be held on Friday, March 8th at 6:30 pm in the Georgian Room
at Nazareth. Sign up early to ensure you receive your first choice session!
-------
MARK OF
EXCELLENCE
This is an award program for 4-H members ages 11 and 12. To participate, write an essay on
the topic, “Because of 4-H, I can…” All essays must be typed in a 12 point font or written in blue
or black ink on 8 ½ “by 11” paper in 500 words or less. Essays are limited to 2 pages and should
be attached only by a paperclip. Binders and folders are not to be used. All essays must be
turned into the 4-H office by March 1, 2013. Two members from Kalamazoo County will be
selected and recognized during the State Awards Celebration, which takes place in conjunction
with the 2013 Exploration Days program in June. Participation in Exploration Days is not required,
but highly recommended,
Good luck!
2013 Michigan 4-H Capitol Experience for Teens
Teens, ever wonder what it’s like to be a legislator? A lobbyist? Someone who makes policies that affect millions of people? Do you know that teens working together can make a difference in laws and policy at the state
and local level? High school age teens, if you are interested in changing government and moving Michigan to
a positive future, you are invited to apply for the March 17-20, 2013 4-H Capitol Experience held in Lansing,
Michigan. For four days in March, you will learn how government really works. You will choose one interest
area, including environment, equality and personal rights, health, jobs and the economy, agriculture and crime,
drugs and personal safety. Through the “Michigan Legislative Simulation” you will get to propose a law and
work through the process of how an idea becomes a law. The total cost is $310 for 4 -H members and $320 for
non-4-H members; this covers costs for great meals, lodging (hint: bring your swimming suit), travel to various locations around Lansing, resource materials and fun! Partial scholarships are available. Your application
must be to your county 4-H office by February 6, 2013. Check out the Capitol Experience website for an
event application at http://4h.msue.msu.edu/4h/4_h_capitol_experience.
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 3
Kalamazoo County 4-H News
NEW LEADERS NEEDED!
Parents: Discover 4-H projects together with
your child, volunteer to be a 4-H Leader! It’s
not hard to share your knowledge and talents
with young people. You can explore a new project and learn right along with the members using our excellent resources, meeting supplies,
suggestions and activities. As a leader you have
the flexibility to decide topics, meeting dates
and times. New Leader training is provided at
our VSP meetings in November, February or
March. Interviews and training will
be held on Monday, February 25,
2013 at 6pm. New leader training
will also be held in March 25, 2013
Imagine your own satisfaction at watching a
young person blossom through your mentoring
help. Leader applications are available from
your Community Club Leader, 4-H staff or on
our Web site.
http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?
pageet_id=27606&page_id=611392&msue_portal_i
d=25643
SET THE ALARM ON YOUR BLACKBERRY, iPhone, PDA,
computer calendar, etc. !
!! UPCOMING DEADLINES & EVENTS !!
February 22, 2013 – Auction items to be dropped off in
the Walnut Room before 5:00 pm
February 23, 2013 - 4-H Benefit Auction
9:30 am. Nazareth Complex.
March 8, 2013 - 4-H Exploration Days Early Sign-up
6:30 pm Nazareth Complex.
March 16, 2013 - LSA Auction at Bob Gibson’s farm
March 18, 2013 - 4-H Horse Leaders Tack Sale 5 p.m.
to 9 pm Fairgrounds
April 1, 2013 - 4-H New Member Enrollment Deadline
April 12, 2013 - 4-H Senior and Upperclassmen Scholarship Deadline
April 12, 2013 - 4-H King & Queen and Prince & Princess Application Deadline
April 22, 2013 - 4-H Scholarship Interviews - 6 p.m.
April 22, 2013 - 4-H King & Queen Interviews and
Prince & Princess Interviews
May 30, 2013 - 4-H Exploration Days Orientation 6:30
p.m.
June 19 - 21, 2013 - MSU Exploration Days
July 1, 2013 - Fair Entry Deadline
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 4
Kalamazoo County 4-H News
4-H SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP
Kalamazoo County 4-H Leaders Council scholarship deadline is April 12, 2013 to the 4-H office. Applications are available at www.msue.msu.edu/kalamazoo or at the 4-H office. Your Member Award Record Book
must be handed in with your application. Applicants will be selected based upon their Member Award Record
Book, statement of your reason for attending college and an interview. If you need help completing your
Member Award Record Book please contact the 4-H staff.
PROGRAM EVALUATION NOTICE
As a participant in the 4-H program your child may be asked to help with the evaluation of the program. Your
child may be asked to complete a short survey about what he/she learned or did as a result of the program.
Surveys could be given before the program begins and/ or after the program has ended. Surveys take no
more than 10 minutes to complete. All surveys are confidential. Youth are not required to participate in the
evaluation. If you or your child does not wish to participate it will not affect involvement in any programs of
Michigan State University.
If you do not want your child to participate in program evaluations or have questions about the evaluation,
contact Veronica Bolhuis – 4-H Program Instructor at (269) 383-8867.
2013 COUNTY FAIR DATES: AUGUST 5 - 10
Fair week is determined by counting back four weeks from Labor Day.
MSU SPARTAN WOMEN’S
BASKETBALL GAME
This annual event is lots of fun. Please hold Sunday, March 3, 2013 open. The game
starts at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. If you would still like to go we have extra.
If you would like tickets, please call the 4-H office by January 18, 2013.
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 5
Kalamazoo 4-H News
MSU MEATS LAB TOUR
All livestock members, leaders, superintendents and family members that are interested in going to the MSU
Meats Lab Tour should know that this year it will be part of the Green and White swine show. You don't have
to be a swine member to go. It will take place on Friday, January 25. We need to be at MSU Livestock Pavilion by 3:45 pm. We will leave our fair grounds by 2:00 pm. The cost to take the tour is $5.00 person. There
might be a small cost to ride our bus. We will be stopping on the way back for dinner, bring extra for this. As
of now no time is set to arrive back in Kalamazoo. Please call or e-mail the 4-H office by January 14 if you are
interested in going. If there is not enough interest we will cancel the trip. We hope to see you on the 25th.
Mike Dyer and Jill Carlson
2013 BIRTHDAY CAKE SCHEDULE
January 2013
February 2013
March 2013
April 2013
May 2013
Tri-United
Pavilion
Climax
Cooper
Alamo
September 2013
October 2013
November 2013
December 2013
Scotts
Augusta
Galesburg
Hickory
Cakes should be delivered to Woodside at Friendship Village (1300 North Drake). Please furnish two 9”x 13”
or three 8” cakes. Cakes should be delivered between 8:00 am and noon on the First Wednesday of the month
or the day before from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Cakes should be decorated but NO writing. Leave your name,
address and club name when dropping off cakes. Contact Lynda Doorlag (381-8837, ext. 466).
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Kalamazoo County 4-H Youth Development - https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kalamazoo-County-4-H-YouthProgram/122047197873078?fref=ts
Michigan 4-H - https://www.facebook.com/#!/Michigan4H?fref=ts
Kalamazoo County Dairy Project link - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/359337366181/
Kalamazoo County Rabbit Project - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/195384267151802/
Kalamazoo County Dog Project - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/147649262038773/
Kalamazoo County Teen Club - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/188725345004/
Kalamazoo County Feeder Calf Club - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/264639983534/
Alamo Achievers 4-H club - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/495459130465211/
Augusta United 4-H Club - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/AugustaUnited/
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 6
Kalamazoo 4-H Club News
FEEDER CALF
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! The feeder club had a
great time on our trip in November to the National American International Livestock Exhibition in Louisville KY. We saw a beef show, a draft horse show, and a rodeo, and we got to
shop for show supplies in the biggest livestock marketplace around! Thank you to Mike Dyer
for driving us to Kentucky and thank you to everyone that went on the trip – it was full of fun
memories!
The first meeting of the year will be held on Thursday, January 31 in Room C at the fairgrounds—County Center
Bldg at 6:30 pm. We will be going over what to look for in selecting your calf and various sicknesses that they can
get. Hope to see you there!
Don’t forget to look for the club page on Facebook at the following link http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/
groups/264639983534/ . If you have any questions, give Greg or Sara a call.
DAIRY
Time to get back in the swing of the dairy club and it is exciting to see so many new members!
We will have our first meeting Wednesday, January 30 at Vlietstra Dairy farm (5288 Ravine Rd).
We will be going over selecting your heifer and sicknesses that they can get as well as getting
meeting ideas for the rest of the year. If you are unable to make it that night, you are welcome
to join the feeder calf club at their meeting on Thursday, January 31 – please see their article
for more info. You can join our Facebook page with the following link
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/359337366181/. If you have any questions
give Sara a call!
Poultry Project News
January 15th, 2013 is the date for the next project meeting. We will be gathering at the fairgrounds in room B
at 7pm. Right now, we don't have a meeting scheduled for February, but if there is enough interest, we may
be able to squeeze one in. We can talk about that in January. At the January meeting, we will start taking orders for the market project chicks and turkey poults. Start thinking about what projects you may want to tackle
and come to the meeting with your order. If you have any questions, give Jackie a call at 629-9664.
Archery Project Meeting
Congratulations to Bethy Washburn who won first place at the State Tournament in the Archery Division. This event took place the same day as still projects last August and Bethy left to have her still projects judged before the results were known. Her award was presented to her during the Fall Achievement
program in November.
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 7
Kalamazoo 4-H Club News
BEEF
The Beef Superintendent's will be making the rounds of the county to check the
calves and record tag numbers on Jan. 19, 2013 . We will try to call and let you know
what time to expect us to arrive. If anybody has a preference on time, they should call
Mike Moreland @ 269-746-4803.
Thanks, Mike.
Pavilion Club
Thank you to all of our members that made our bake sale at Wing Stadium such a
success. We were right next to the smell of the cinnamon almonds which helped to
draw the arts and crafters to our area. The hot apple cider and the hot cocoa were also
a huge success. Mr. Vail made sure that the beverages had all the toppings, sprinkles,
whipped cream, caramel and cinnamon.
Our December meeting was really a Christmas Party which included the White Elephant
game for the members. We had an ugly sweater contest and I have to admit all of the sweaters were great. I have to say
that my favorite was the University of Michigan, maze and blue sweater. Pretty clever. The members also received
their pins for their years of membership in 4-H.
We are all preparing for the 4-H auction in February. If you have not attended this event in the past, try to do so this
year. It is great fun and there are many nice things to bid on. Last year there was even a trip to Florida. You won't want
to miss the fun.
Pavilion Busy Clovers
SCOTTS BUSY YOUTH
Scott's Busy youth is hosting a Family New Years eve event at the Scott's Community Center. $2/ person includes
snacks, music, games, movies.
And the 5th annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance will be held Feb 23 2013 at the Scott's Community Center. Tickets are $10
and it includes pasta dinner with salad, dessert and dancing to follow. The 4h members will start serving at 6pm. This
would make a great valentine gift!
CAT PROJECT
Attention All Cat Lovers If you are interested in showing a cat at the 2013 Fair, please let Debbie Hedges or Veronica Bolhius
know. We are planning a field trip to a local cat show and I would like to get out some new cat materials to
anyone who may want to show. Please contact the Fair office or Debbie Hedges, cat superintendent at 269624-1184. Thank you.
Swine Meeting
Our first meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 pm. We
will meet at the fairgrounds in Room B. Note the location change. Hope to see
you all there.
Mike and Jill
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 8
7
14
21
28
Leader’s Council
7pm, Fairgrounds
13
20
27
Mon
6
Sun
29
22
15
County Poultry Meeting - Fairgrounds,
Room B, 7PM
17
Horse Council 7:00,
Nazareth Complex
10
3
Thu
18
11
4
30 Dairy Meeting @
Vlietstra Dairy Farm
State Awards Training, 7pm, both @
Fairgrounds, room C
31 Feeder Calf
meeting - Fairgrounds—Room C
6:30 pm
23
24
25
Photography - 5-6 PM Annual Leader’s BanFairgrounds, room C quet, 6:30 PM
Niko’s Landing,
Comstock
16
Livestock Superintendants Association
Fairgrounds Room C
@ 7pm
9
Cakes-Tri-United
MSUE Office Closed
8
2
Wed
1
Tue
January 2013
Fri
Teen Team Building
&Self Discovery workshop, 4-H Volunteer
Academy -Kettunen
Center –Jan 26-27
26
19
Teen Leadership and
Community Change
conference, Jan 1920, Kettunen Center
12
5
Sat
4
11
18
25
VSP 6PM
Leader’s Council &
Rabbit Meeting 7pm,
Fairgrounds
10
17
24
Mon
3
Sun
26
County Wide Swine
meeting, 7pm, Room
B, Fairgrounds
19
12
5
Tue
27
Buymanship/Fashion
Review , Fairgrounds,
Room C @ 5– 6 PM
20
Livestock Superintendants Association
- Fairgrounds, Room C
@ 7PM
13
Cakes—Pavilion
6
Wed
28
21
Horse Council Exec.
6:30, Horse Council
7:00
14
7
Thu
Fri
Drop off Auction
items 3-7pm
22
15
8
1
February 2013
4-H Leader’s
Council Benefit
Auction, 10:30 AM
23
16
9
2
Sat
Calendar of Events and Special Points of Interest
MSU 4-H Events
4-H Lock in Your Potential: Teen Team Building and SelfDiscovery
Green and White Swine Youth Fair and Open Hog
Workshop 108
Show
January 26-27, 2013—Kettunen Center
January 25-26, 2013
Are you ready to lock in your potential? Get ready to learn about
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
yourself and grow as you develop key skills that will help you be
Entry deadline is January 7, 2013.
successful now and in the future. Youth and adults who particiIncluded in the Event this year is a Meats Clinic on Friday. Top- pate in this workshop will be lead on an exciting and hands-on
ics will include how carcasses are processed and what are impor- path down self-discovery. Imagine all the people you’ll meet and
tant characteristics for ideal pork cuts. Back for 2013 is a Show- places you’ll go when you discover your own personal
manship Clinic on Friday evening!Green & White Registration
best. Topics to explore include personal financial management,
Information
bullying, interpersonal communication, conflict management,
personal strengths and weaknesses, community service, peer4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show
helping skills, facilitative leadership, club team building, netJanuary 26, 2013
working skills and much more. If you’re an adult or teen volunMSU Pavilion, East Lansing
teer age 13 (as of January 1, 2013) and up and interested in learnThis one day event open to all Michigan 4-H ,members is held
ing how to "Make Your Best Better," this workshop is for
annually at the MSU Pavilion on MSU campus in East Lansing,
Michigan. Free to the public, 8 am to 8 pm in the MSU Pavilion you! Please visit this site often for future updates.
Exhibit Area.
4-H Volunteer Academy
Workshop 109
Kettunen Center Events
January 26-27, 2013—Kettunen Center
www.kettunencenter.org
This workshop will take adult and teen leaders through many
hands-on activities and simulations to better prepare them to be
4-H Horse Judges & Show Managers Conference
effective 4-H Volunteer Leaders. This workshop is open to teen
Workshop 106
leaders 16 years (as of January 1, 2013) and all adult 4-H leadJanuary 4-6, 2013 – Kettunen Center
ers. This is a great workshop for new and seasoned volunThis conference provides continuing education opportunities for
teers. Come and learn about experiential learning, life skills,
current Michigan 4-H Horse Regular & Conditional judges, Exmultiple intelligences, leadership styles and much more. Guarantension staff, 4-H Horse Judges Advisory Committee members,
teed to be a fun filled weekend. Please visit this site often for
State 4-H Horse Show committee members, horse superintenfuture updates.
dents/representatives from all Michigan counties and open horse
show managers. Participation can improve cooperation between
4-H Veterinarian Science Teen and Adult Volunteer Leader
show managers and judges, increase the quality of horse show
Workshop
management techniques, and allow the learning of creative and
Date: February 22, 2013 - February 23, 2013
innovative methods for making horse shows more educational for
Location: Kettunen Center, Tustin, MI
youth. The conference provides judges with updates in riding
Explore animal systems and learn about animal health for a broad
styles, class scoring, breed differences in events, and techniques array of animal species. Come prepared to learn from others, share
to be better communicators with management and youth exhibi- information and experiences, ask questions and quiz veterinarians
tors. Adults (non-4-H eligible) only. To register for this event go about their skills. You will also participate in hands-on demonstrato https://enrollment.4-h.org/events/268/splash. For more infor- tions that will teach you how to help members recognize healthy,
mation please view the Program Announcement for this event.
sick, or injured animals. Meet other youth that have developed outstanding veterinary science projects and gain ideas to help others
start their own vet science projects. Open to adult and teen volun4-H Teen Leadership & Community Change Conference
teers ages 13 (as of January 1, 2013) and older. Please visit this site
Workshop 107
often for future updates.
January 19-20, 2013—Kettunen Center
This powerful 2013 conference brings teens, age 13 and up, from
4-H Beef, Sheep & Swine Teen & Adult Volunteer Leader
across the state to learn youth leadership and civic engagement
skills. Adult volunteers are welcome, too. Following are quotes Workshop
from the 2012 conference participants: "I can be a greater [teen] February 23, 2013—February 24. 2013
Kettunen Center
leader and organize events to help my community." "I learned
If you are interested in beef cattle, sheep or swine projects - this
how my community service can help prepare me for my fuworkshop is for you.
ture." "Leadership can be easy and fun." "4-H gets to travel
around the world to help people who have little." "The discussions about service learning and helping my community will help
me." "I will be a more effective leader in my county
groups." The conference will be on the 4-H website in the fall
with a complete listing of all sessions offered. Please visit this
site often for future updates.
http://4h.msue.msu.edu/4h/events/2012
January - February 2013 4-H Family Newsletter
Page 11
Kalamazoo
County
MSU Extension
Bringing Knowledge to Life!
Our Mission
Helping people improve their lives
through an educational process that
applies knowledge to critical issues,
needs and opportunities.
Accommodations for persons with disabilities may
be requested by calling the MSU Extension Office
at (269) 383-8867 ten days before an Extensionsponsored event to ensure sufficient time to make
arrangements. Requests received after this date
will be met when possible. MSU is an affirmativeaction, equal-opportunity employer. MS U
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 & June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the USDA. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. The 4H name and emblem are protected under Title 18
U.S.C. 707. Reference to commercial products,
services or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU, MSU Extension, 4-H or
Calhoun County or bias against those not
mentioned. This information is for educational
purposes only.
4-H Youth Development
MSU Extension - Kalamazoo County
PO Box 42
Nazareth, MI. 49074-0042
______________________________________________
4-H Youth Development
Veronica Bolhuis, 4-H Program Instructor
Simone Snyder, 4-H Program Coordinator
Newsletter Prepared by Deb Redman