Upcoming 4-H Calendar of Events
Date & Event |
Location |
Info or Registration |
|---|---|---|
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6/22-6/23 Annual MA State 4-H Horse Show |
Three County Fairgrounds Northampton, Massachusetts |
Registration in 4honline |
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6/23-6/25 Explore UMass |
UMass Amherst |
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7/20 Hampshire County Fair |
Cummington Fairgrounds |
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7/22-7/28 Barnstable County Fair |
Cape Cod Fairgrounds
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7/26-7/28 Worcester County 4-H Fair |
Spencer Fairgrounds Spencer, MA |
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7/27, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Hampden County Fair |
Mallary Complex at the Eastern States Exposition |
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8/2-8/4 State 4-H Dairy Show |
Franklin County Fairgrounds Greenfield, MA |
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8/16-8/25 Marshfield Fair |
Marshfield Fairgrounds 140 Main St., Marshfield |
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8/17 4-H Day at the Heath Fair |
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More info coming soon! |
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8/18, 6:30 -8:00 PM Records Judge Training |
Zoom |
Register: |
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8/23-8/25 Middlesex County 4-H Fair |
Middlesex 4-H Fair Grounds Westford, MA |
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8/31-9/1 East Middleboro Fair |
East Middleboro Fairgrounds 183 Thompson St., Middleboro |
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9/7-9/8 Western MA Regional Horse Show |
Three County Fairgrounds Northampton, Massachusetts |
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9/13-9/29 Big E |
1305 Memorial Ave West Springfield, MA 01089 |
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9/18, 6:30 -8:00 PM Records Judge Training |
Zoom |
Register: |
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10/4-10/14 Topsfield Fair |
Topsfield Fair Grounds Essex County, MA |
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10/21, 6:30 -8:00 PM Records Judge Training |
Zoom |
Register: |
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10/24, 6:30 -8:00 PM Records Judge Training |
Zoom |
Register: |
Approaching Deadlines
|
Deadline |
Event or Opportunity |
Application or Info Link |
|---|---|---|
|
6/26/24 |
Worcester County 4-H Fair Entries Due Open to ALL MA 4-H'ers |
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7/13/24 |
Marshfield Fair Entries Due |
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7/17/24 |
Hampden County 4-H Fair Entries Due |
Massachusetts Statewide Programming & Announcements
Important NewsBlast Updates and Changes
The NewsBlast is getting some updates! UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development is going through an extensive website updating process. A result of the updating process is that it will be much easier for 4-H staff to post and manage the NewsBlast as a website page, rather than a PDF attached to email. Our tests have shown that the information on the website is accessible on all mobile devices, computers, tablets, and laptops.
Beginning in July, the NewsBlast will be posted on the website and the 4-H Program Director will send a monthly update and link to the website through 4-H Online to all enrolled members, volunteers, and families. Information that is pertinent to regional, statewide, and national 4-H programs will still be listed in the NewsBlast, as well as all upcoming program dates. The 4-H community is still encouraged to share opportunities that encourage regional, statewide, and national participation. We will have a submission form for the 4-H community to submit these requests. County and Regional 4-H Educators will email weekly updates about local happenings to the 4-H community in their specific areas.
Massachusetts 4-H will rely on our Massachusetts 4-H Program Facebook Page to highlight specific club and county opportunities, as well as highlight individual club, member, and volunteer achievements. Our Facebook Page will continue to share fun and educational information related to the 4-H Program. There will be a submission form for the 4-H community to submit Facebook Posts requests to 4-H staff.
Thank you for your continued support of 4-H. We hope that these changes ensure easier access to information about the Massachusetts 4-H Program!
Register Now! Record Book Judge Trainings
Are you a 4-H volunteer who has judged record books in the past or would like to judge them next year?
The UMass 4-H Records Program is one of the longstanding statewide programs for 4-H youth. Maintaining record books throughout the year teaches 4-H youth how to set goals, execute plans, reflect on learning, and use tools that help develop executive functioning skills to last a lifetime!
UMass 4-H Staff will be hosting a series of record book judge training sessions between now and October so that we can gather a robust group of trained judges to provide valuable feedback to the 4-H youth across the state who have dedicated their time to completing and submitting record books in October. The time commitment for this volunteer opportunity includes a one and a half hour training between now and October, a Zoom refresher training and judge orientation in November, and one to two solid days of participation in our statewide records judging events.
This amazing program is only possible with dedicated volunteer support. This is a wonderful way to engage in a short-term volunteer opportunity that has a lasting impact on youth.
Use this link to register for a Zoom Records Judge Training on one of the following dates:
- August 18, 2024 6:30-8PM
- September 18, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
- October 21, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
- October 24, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
Animal Science Programs & Updates
4-H Dairy Program
STATE 4-H Dairy SHOW
The MA 4-H Dairy Show will take place Friday, August 2nd through Sunday, August 4th at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, MA. Entries are due July 15th. Please email Andrew at asamuelson@umass.edu to get a copy of the show book.
4-H Fun Fact
Did you know?
In the late 1800’s, researchers discovered adults in the farming community did not readily accept new agricultural developments on university campuses but found that young people were open to new thinking and would experiment with new ideas and share their experiences with adults. In this way, rural youth programs introduced new agriculture technology to communities.
The idea of practical and “hands-on” learning came from the desire to connect public school education to country life. Building community clubs to help solve agricultural challenges was a first step toward youth learning more about the industries in their community. From: https://4-h.org/about/history/
Learn more!
4-H History – National 4-H
https://4-h.org/about/history/
National 4-H History Preservation Program
https://4-hhistorypreservation.com/Index_Data.asp
National 4-H News & Opportunities
4-H Military Partnership
Did you know?
- About 9% of the people in UMass 4-H have a military connected family member?
- The share of women veterans will increase from 11% this year to 18% in 2048.
- Today, 28% of veterans are younger than 50, compared with a projected 34% in 2048.
For more information on the changes in our veteran populations check out the PEW Research Center report https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/08/the-changing-face-of-americas-veteran-population/
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!
Club Grant Applications Due June 30th
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
