Mass 4H Newsletter 2024 Vol. 10:1

BIG E

A huge thank you to parents, volunteers and staff who helped make things possible for our 4-H members to participate and Congratulations on all the accomplishement achieved by our members.  The NEW Big E jackets were a hit! For more details on the different delegations and pictures visit our Facebook page.

UMass 4-H Career Exploration Series (CES)

The first presenter of the year will be Michaela Nix, with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, on Wednesday, October 9, 7-8 PM.  From Michaela:

How many kids grow up saying they want to study marine biology?

How many fulfill that dream?

Growing up, many kids, like myself, love the ocean and the animals that call it home, but as time goes on they leave that dream in the past.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) is a nonprofit organization that supports scientific research, promotes public safety, and educates the community to inspire white shark conservation.

Do you love sharks? Do you love the ocean? Do you want to protect them and their environment?

Don't give up on your childhood dream! Learn about how dedication and passion can take you far!

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_uw1ufklqfLVtYjlPF2NB0PSGyuvGjFnjBpcbu0CB9M/viewform?edit_requested=true

CES is held on the second Wednesday of the month, from 7-8 PM, via Zoom. This program is designed to connect youth with professionals. This program is not recorded, it is held in such a way that it allows the youth participants access to interact with the professionals and ask the questions they want. The program itself is geared towards middle and high school age youth, but all are welcome!

Is there a career that you are interested in? Send Angelica an email expressing your interest, and she will try to find a professional in that field willing to participate. Email her at adiaz@umass.edu.

 

Register Now! Record Book Judge Trainings

What is “Security”? What is “Food Insecurity”? This year’s Challenge will have you explore and try two challenges. There is an Entrepreneurial Activity around using food scraps like the invention of Tater Tots, and an Engineering activity along with a game. This year’s game has a cooperative element like last year, but it also has an individual part, making it competitive too. There is a "Sorry" gameboard vibe to this year’s game.

The 2025 STEAM Festival will have classes for you to enter your projects and more:

• Shoe Box Float

• PSA in video / Poster
• Scratch or Coded Game around Ag or Food Insecurity
• Your Greenhouse Designs
• Entrepreneurial “Chew on This” - written or video

 

Additional Resource Available to Club:

We still have several conductivity kits in the office with Arduino’s, breadboards and basic construction supplies while supplies last. Reach out to Kim Pond kima@umass.edu if interested. Now supported by Arduino: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cc.arduino.sciencejournal&hl=en_US&pli=1

120 years ago, we were ready.

Ready to get our hands dirty,

Ready to learn by doing,

Ready to push the power of youth forward.

And as our inspiration grew, so did we.

When we expanded into every corner of America,

We were ready.

Ready to ask questions about the world,

To show up for our community,

To become the leaders we were always meant to be.

And when we evolved into the unstoppable force we are today,

We were ready.

Ready to open our arms to every opportunity,

Every path,

And every child–

Generation after generation.

Over six million of us have been inspired by 4-H.

It’s time to inspire six million more.

We were ready then. We’re beyond ready now.

After all, it’s always been in our DNA.

Beyond ready for school.

Beyond ready for work.

Beyond ready for life—

And everything that comes with it

 

National 4-H News & Opportunities

National 4-H Week October 6-12

Tractor Supply 4-H campaign Update

Holiday Ornaments
Launching on October 7th, limited‑edition collectible 4‑H holiday ornaments will be available in Tractor Supply stores nationwide. Featuring three unique designs for 2024, these ornaments are sure to become a cherished family tradition for 4‑H'ers for years to come. 100% of the funds raised from ornament sales will benefit 4‑H.

New Paper Clover Dates: November 29th – December 15th
To embrace the holiday spirit, the Paper Clover campaign will move from October to November and December this year, officially launching on Black Friday! Running from November 29th to December 15th

“Tractor Supply proudly began our partnership with 4-H in 2010 and we have since helped raise over $20 million through our Paper Clover fundraisers. The success of these campaigns has impacted over 80,000 students by providing them with hands-on learning experiences through projects in STEM, agriculture, healthy living, and civic engagement.

100% of funds raised through our two Paper Clover fundraisers directly benefit 4-H and the kids and teens they work with - 90% of donations directly support 4-H youth in the state it was raised, and the remaining 10% supports national 4-H programming.” https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/cms/4h

4-H Military Partnership

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY AT THE BIG E – FOLLOW-UP STORY

A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THOSE WHO HELPED WITH THE DISPLAY AND/OR MADE CARDS FOR Military Appreciation Day. The cards came out great and they will be sorted and distributed to several places across the state. If you are interested in what you and/or your club could do, reach out to Kim Pond at kima@umass.edu.

     

MILITARY PARTNERSHIP 4-H WEEK & STEM OPPORTUNITIES

NEW THIS YEAR! In support of National 4-H Week, the Military Partnership 4-H Youth Development Specialists are hosting virtual events for military-connected youth and families. These programs are FREE and open to all, although parents must register youth to receive the private Zoom link.

The DoD and Service 4-H Youth Development Specialists are hosting two virtual programs for military-connected youth to celebrate National 4-H Week and Zoom into a new 4-H year! Programs target youth aged 7-13 years old. Older youth are welcome to join, as are younger ones (who may need a sibling's or parent's help). All military-connected families are invited to attend the FREE programs. Each program will be repeated in the same evening, to accommodate different time zones. Register at: 4hvcoss.regfox.com/zoom-into-4-h-october-2024

• October 8 – Zoom into 4-H: Ice Cream in a Bag, programs include. making ice cream with supplies from home, playing 4-H trivia, and other fun activities. Choice of 6:30 pm or 8:30 pm EST
• October 23 – National 4-H STEM Challenge: Food for Thought includes activities and discussion regarding food security, Know to Grow, and Chew on This. The program includes guest speaker, Dr. Courtney P. Paolicelli, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy subject matter expert on food security. The STEM Challenge program is designed specifically to reach Guard and Reserve children and youth but is open to all military-connected youth. Choice of 6:30 pm or 8:30 pm EST

The 4-H Military Partnership is also collecting names and brief bios of military-connected youth who were in 4-H. Please encourage people to share their story at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZ6apFdY-0iRokfhiagsQaT4u98gZwSLK8wnpXQiYgVnoIfA/viewform

Also, if you work or volunteer with military families, please be sure to sign up for our social media FB account: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4hmilitarypartnershippdta/ Updates on webinars from MECEC, 4-H Military Partnership opportunities like Third Thursdays, and more.

• For a little more background: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/external/4-h-military-partnership/

 

• Third Thursday Webinars- 2 pm EST https://www.4-hmilitarypartnership.org/third-thursday-together.html
  • November - Foods curriculum series by Purdue University Summer Fun: (I can grab more pictures too)

Massachusetts 4-H Foundation 

 

Next Club Grant Applications Due October 31st

 

Did you know that ALL Massachusetts 4-H Clubs are eligible for one club grant per calendar year? These funds range from $100 to $500 depending on the size of the club, and can be used for supplies, special projects, and more! Club grant applications are due October 31st for this quarter. Visit https://www.mass4hfoundation.org/for-families-clubs/grants-and-awards/ to apply.

Give to the Foundation 

Donate today online or set up a recurring donation. Thank you for your support of Massachusetts 4-H!

4-H Partner Organizations

 

 

UMass 4-H Policies

University Information about Flu, Covid-19, and RSV for Fall 2024

Guidelines: All respiratory virus updates are posted on the EHS homepage on the following website: UMass Public Health Promotion Center & Vaccine Clinic Information | Environmental Health & Safety | UMass Amherst, which includes the latest guidance from MA DPH on what to do if you have symptoms, test positive or exposed. 

UMass Amherst follows the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) guidance for respiratory viruses like Flu, COVID-19 and RSV

• If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus (isolation), please follow this guidance.
• If you have tested positive for a respiratory virus (such as COVID-19), but do not have symptoms, please follow this guidance.
• If you were exposed to someone with a respiratory virus illness (exposure precautions), please follow this guidance.

UMass Extension 4-H Offices and Contact Information