Mass 4H Newsletter 2024 Vol. 9:1

UMass 4-H Career Exploration Series (CES)

CES is back for the 2024-2025 4-H Year. It 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.

 

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

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

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

Don't forget the dash!

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

Kim Pond, MA 4-H Military Liaison, and Shelby Robin, Central MA 4-H Educator attended the 4-H Military Partnership Conference in Alexandria Virginia in May, presented and heard from guest speakers from our military partners. Some highlights:

• Patricia Barron, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy spoke about the partnership and how it is important to their mission readiness by supporting the family and youth.
• Kim Pond, who is also our 4-H SET Liaison, shared past Aerospace/Rocketry workshops done with our military partners and had the pleasure of Sergeant Major Stephen Minyard, Senior Enlisted Advisor for Assistant Secretary of Defense Manpower and Reserve Affairs joining one of her groups.
• Many other presentations from the School Liaison Office, Military One Source were very informative, but a very memorable inspirational talk by a military youth stands out about 4-H and more importantly his journey with Public Speaking.
  • Shift our mindset
  • Try new things
  • Accept the uncomfortable
  • Nurture the spark
  • Don’t give up

Also, the overall message for all including Volunteers and staff “You are Enough”

• 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
    • September - Emily Golinsky from Bright Moose, LLC
    • October (No program due to NAE4-HYDP Conference)
    • November - Foods curriculum series by Purdue University Summer Fun: (I can grab more pictures too)
    • December- Passport to the World by the University of Illinois
• We had several military teens attend Explore UMass in June
• Activities were conducted on Military Appreciation Day for the MANG camps late July and early August.
• August 14th Aviation Day at Barnes in Westfield – with 4-H STEM Activities by Kim Pond
• August 25th: Family Day Welcome Event at Joint Base Cape Cod
• Coming up Vashon Wallace-Hiltpold presenting at the MANG Youth Symposium on September 13-15 & Military Appreciation Day at the Big E on Friday, September 13th.

Kim Pond, MA 4-H Military Liaison, completed the 4-H Military Partnership Leadership Academy in August and is working to build connections and communities across Massachusetts. As we build a network and set up meetings if you are connected to military youth or know someone who is please reach out at kima@umass.edu.

• Sandi Shepherd-Gay supports 4-H attending Joint Base Cape Cod Military Community Support Network and the Coast Guard Youth Center
• Vashon Wallace-Hiltpold is our local connection to Hanscom AFB Youth Center
• Shelby Robin – is attending the 4-H Military Partnership pre-conference at NAE4-HYDP and is looking forward to connecting more with military families in the Central part of the state.
• MA National Guard Child and Youth Programs has a new Lead and assistant this year and collaboration is already off to a great start and looking forward to the new year.
• Our first meeting is scheduled for 11:30 am via zoom on October 10th before the kickoff of the new 4-H year.
• Did you know that having 4-H clubs at the base’s youth center is part of the program and for some branches included in their inspection reports? Also, how 4-H Curriculum and activities align well with their missions, and having the objections and links to the frameworks helps their leads complete their activity plans?
• Looking to explore Hypersonics in the 2024-2025 year

Massachusetts 4-H Foundation 

Shirley Kane Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament

Save the Date for the 22nd Annual Shirley Kane Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament. The Massachusetts 4-H Foundation will hold the Shirley Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament, its largest fundraiser, on Monday, September 16th, 2024. Consider signing on as a tournament sponsor if you are part of a 4-H advisory council or own a company. You’ll get valuable publicity for your organization, plus support our future leaders. Visit our website to sponsor or play!

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 June 30th 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