OTTAWA COUNTY HAPPENINGS Volume 22 Issue 2 JANUARY 2007 Welcome New Leaders Please extend a warm welcome to the latest group of new leaders who have completed their training and are officially on board! Beth Canter is from Grand Rapids. She was a 4-H leader in Kent County about 17 years ago and is ready to get back in the saddle. She will be starting a new 4-H horse club here in Ottawa County. Katie Harris is formerly a member of Grand River 4-H in Coopersville. Katie is now in college and will be helping the Grand River club with a variety of projects. Tisha Harris is the parent of a member of Spirit Seekers 4-H Club in Grand Haven and she will be helping out with the horse project and perhaps some other things. Michelle McCrory married into a 4-H family since both her husband and mother-in-law are 4-H leaders. She will be helping with both Dairy Beef Country and Lamont Snip-N-Snap and will be responsible for teaching rabbit and poultry showmanship as well as sewing and crafts. Darlene Modzeleski lives on the North West side of Grand Rapids and will be working with Beth Canter in starting a horse club. Marilyn Snippe lives in Grand Haven and is a parent of a member from Spirit Seekers. That club is dividing up and Marilyn will help lead the new Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club. Lori Streur will be the new administrative leader of the Silver Spurs horse club in Grand Haven. MICHIGAN 4-H YOUTH PROGRAM Pony Projects to Be Measured In the 2007 program year all Ottawa County 4-H pony projects will be measured unless they have an official breed registration height card which shows they are less than 56 inches (1/2 inch allowance for shoes). At least three different dates in May will be available to having your pony measured. Locations will be the Berlin Fairgrounds, Hudsonville Fairgrounds and one other location. Ponies that measure into the horse range will be able to change their ID card from Pony to Horse at that time. Miniature horses will be measured by the club leader. Members of the horse committee will measure the ponies. Check your Happenings and Horse mailings for detailed information once the dates and locations are set. Capitol Experience in Lansing If you want to experience our state capitol and learn more about government then this trip is for you! It is an annual 4 day conference that focuses on civic engagement and public policy. More than 100 4-H teens from around the state converge in Lansing to experience government in action! The date is: March 18 to 21, 2007 Cost: $255 current members and leaders (partial scholarship help is available) Application Deadline is February 9, 2007
Special 4-H Horse Leader Wanted Do you have some time to give? The Therapeutic Riders of West Michigan 4-H Horse Club is looking for a few good leaders. Specifically they need one or two people to help them on Thursday evenings teaching horse showmanship or supervising notebook meetings. They meet twice per month until April when they begin meeting every week. They do have two leaders who can be there most of the time, but need fill in help and extra assistance many weeks. This would be a marvelous opportunity for an older teen who is interested in exploring possibilities for a future career in the area of special education or who just wants to do some community service and also work with horses and riders. The club meets from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. They also have occasional field trips on Saturdays. If you are interested in becoming involved please call Jeri Wilks at 837-6112 or e-mail them at thwm12@peoplepc.com 4-H International Exchanges There are several opportunities to host international students or go on an exchange. Australia: Out bound, participants will live with a host family for about six weeks mid June to July. Must be at least 16 years old. Estimated cost is $3,800 plus cost of getting to St. Paul, Minnesota for departure. Coordinator is Renee Applegate who you can reach by e-mail at applega1@msu.edu or call at 517-432-7624. Belize: Michigan will host 6 to 8 delegates to Michigan June 22 to July 6 th. Host youth will then travel to Belize July 17 to August 3 rd. Estimated cost is $2,000. Coordinator is Pat Dignum. E-mail her at dignum@msu.edu or call her at 989-831- 7500. Poland: Inbound only. Michigan will host approximately 18 youth and 2 adult chaperones. Host families are needed for a month long stay. Contact Rene Applegate. (see Australia) Japan: Michigan will host 60 youth ages 12 to 16 from July 22 to August 20. Coordinator is Vera Wiltse who you can e-mail at wiltese@msu.edu or call at 517-355-5191 Outgoing: Estimated cost for one month is $3,175. Contact Jan Brinn at brinn@msu.edu or call 269-673-0370. 4-H Outdoor Adventure Challenge Training A unique training opportunity through 4-H is the outdoor adventure training available for 4-H leaders (and teens 16 and up). You must attend all required trainings and two specialty trainings as well as have current CPR and First Aid certification. You can choose from a weekend series or week long training. Weekend Series: Orientation April 27 to 29 on the Manistee River near Cadillac Canoeing Beginner July 20 to 22 - Manistee Or Advanced July 6 to 8 - UP Backpacking Oct. 19 to 21 - Gaylord Week Long Series: Orientation April 27 to 29 Week long training June 30 to July 8 in the UP Specialty Trainings: (must complete two) Basic Coastal Kayaking Aug. 3 to 5 in UP Rock Climbing Sept. 14 to 16 Big Bay, UP Caving Oct. 5 to 7 in Indiana Winter Camping January 18 to 20 in Gaylord The cost is $232 ($132. for teens). Partial scholarships are available from the Ottawa County 4-H Council. More information is available from the 4-H office. Deadline for registering is April 16, 2007 2007 Michigan Week Youth Photo Contest Entry Deadline Feb 15th Youth ages 9 to 19 as of Jan 1, 2007 are invited to submit their photos of Michigan historic sites to the Michigan Week Youth Photo Contest. This contest helps document Michigan s historic sites as well as showcase budding photographers work. Each youth can submit up to two photos. An historic site is any site that is 50 years old or older. Examples are bridges, lighthouses, barns, railroad depots, restaurants, old school houses etc. There are thousands of possibilities even here in Ottawa County! To learn more go directly on line to: www.michigan.gov/michiganweek 2 HAPPENINGS
4-H Exploration Days is designed to: Help you learn new ideas, techniques and skills you can use personally and in your 4-H groups and communities. Offer in-depth action learning through sessions in your interest areas. Provide opportunities and experiences above and beyond what is available in your county or region. Enhance your personal growth by giving you opportunities to develop responsibility, independence, accountability, decisionmaking, time management and teamwork skills. Meet new people and make new friends from different places and with different backgrounds from across the state. Give you access to the Michigan State University campus and its wealth of resources. Nearly 200 fun, action-filled classroom and field trip sessions are offered annually. The sessions take place throughout the Michigan State University campus and at various off-campus locations. Participants attend one or two sessions throughout their three-day stay. They are housed in three Michigan State University residence halls. Resource people include 4-H campus and county staff, subject-matter campus specialists and members of 4-H volunteer and member advisory committees. Together they determine and develop the content for the vast selection of sessions. They also serve as session instructors and helpers during the event. 4-H members and volunteers receive higher caliber training during the sessions than what may be available in their local communities or counties. When The next 4-H Exploration Days will be held June 20 to 22, 2007 (Wednesday to Friday.) For Whom To attend the event you must be at least aged 11 by January 1, 2007. Fees The full-time registration fee is $155. The fee includes all meals, shared lodging, a T-shirt and sessions. Partial scholarships are available. Look for your registration book in March. Charlotte s Web features 4-H Many 4-H families are heading out to the movies this month to take in Charlotte s Web. The movie features 4-H prominently and is recommended by the F.I.L.M. Institute (Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies). An activity guide called Charlotte s Web: Becoming a True Friend is available on line. It features interactive group activities suitable for 4-H clubs with youth ages 8 to 12. Find it at: www.youthfilmproject.org/film/charlottesweb.htm State Awards Applications Due March 1, 2007 Any member age 13 to 19 (as of Jan 1, 2007) is welcomed to meet the challenge of the State 4-H Awards program. Filling out the award application is not easy, BUT it is rewarding and there is help available! Any teen interested should call us to get an application. The first draft is due March 1 st to our county office. Those making it through the first round are invited to resubmit for state competition by May 1 st. Those who are in state competition go to Exploration Days where they are interviewed and the final selections are made. Girls wear formal gowns and boys dress up in suits or tuxes and they grace the huge stage at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts at MSU. Ask anyone who has gone in the Participant evaluation responses are past and they will tell you it is a overwhelmingly positive. Parents and 4-H challenge but it is FUN and volunteers have remarked that they notice many REWARDING! If you need help improvements in their children's interest, call Liz at 846-8250 or Erin at knowledge and social skills after they attend 4-H 550-3403. We are there for Exploration Days. Participants often return to MSU you! as students due to the positive experiences they've had during 4-H Exploration Days. 3 HAPPENINGS
Teen Club meets each month in Allendale All teens are invited to join the Teen Club for their monthly meetings in Allendale at the library (just west of Family Fare) in the Roon Room (note there are two sections of the Roon Room and we often meet in the back half where you have to walk through the library to enter! ) Meetings are held the 2 nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. There is pizza and pop for everyone. Topics discussed include service projects, Lock-In, State Awards, Supershowmanship clinic, and teen activities. Join us for fun, conversation, good food and meaningful activities. Next meeting: Thursday, February 8 th 7:00 p.m. Location: Roon Room Allendale Library Contact: President Beth Wikstrom at 677-1212 Vice-President Caleb Klingenberg at 688-5830 Advisor: Erin McCarthy at 550-3403 Important State Events Here is a list of important state events you won t want to miss: Rabbit and Cavy Workshop April 14 to 15 Goat Expo April 28 Exploration Days June 20 22 State Goat Show June 23 Rabbit and Cavy Expo July 7 State 4-H Horse Show August 10 12 State 4-H Dog show August 18 4-H Participation Fees We have had some questions about the new participation fees that MSU has instated. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) When is the $10 due? In Ottawa County the participation fee will not be due until May 1 st. Is it $10 for each club I am a member of? NO, each youth only pays $10 regardless of how many clubs they are members in! How do you figure the family rate? For each family with youth in 4-H there is a maximum participation fee of $30. This means if a family has four or more children in 4-H they only pay $30 total. Where do we send the money? Some clubs are electing to pay as a group. In this case your club may do fund raising or may bill the families themselves. Your $10 fee is between you and your club. However other clubs have elected to have us bill you directly. In that case bills will be sent to the administrative leader of the club and they will hand them out to you. In this situation the $10 is paid directly to Ottawa County 4-H. Can I pay early? Some families have already paid, but it will be easier for us if you wait until your club is ready to pay or until we send you a bill. It is very important that we keep an accurate count and are able to document all payments. How does one get the fee waived? All clubs have been able to request information on fee waiving. Those that do will be contacted later in the spring to discuss the issue. For each member for whom the fee is waived we must find a sponsorship or apply for a grant to cover the cost. How will my participation fee be used? That is an excellent question. One half of the fee will go to MSU 4-H and will help pay for educational materials and state events. The other half of the fee will go to the Ottawa County 4-H Council. There are state requirements for how the fees are spent. They may only be used for programming and educational materials to support and expand current programs. Do 5 to 8 year olds pay the fee? In Ottawa County payment of the participation fee for our non competitive youth is voluntary. We will find sponsors for all of the youth in this group who need to be covered. How will this participation fee help 4-H? For the first time in a long time we will have money available locally for programming. This might pay for new workshops, educational materials (including video) and additional opportunities for our youth! I think everyone can agree that it is a good thing and can truly strengthen our program. 4 HAPPENINGS
Holland Michigan March 23, 2007 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. $20. in advance $22. at door Unlimited Laser Tag and Mini Golf 8 video game tokens POP & Pizza for all Big Screen Movie Room
4-H LOCK-IN March 23, 2007 ORGANIZED BY OTTAWA COUNTY 4-H TEEN CLUB NAME DATE OF BIRTH (Must be 12 by January 1, 2007) ADDRESS CITY ZIP PARENT/S NAME 4-H MEMBER? YES NO 4-H CLUB & COUNTY OR FRIEND OF "I give my permission as the parent/legal guardian of the above named youth for him/her to participate in the 4-H Lock-In for Ottawa County. I agree that he/she will abide by all rules set forth." Check here if you will attend as an adult chaperone. (free) Signature Phone: (Where you can be reached the night of Lock-In) $20 per Youth includes admission, unlimited laser tag, mini golf, 8 video game tokens & food. $22 at the door. Pre-registration due March 16 t. Please make check payable to Ottawa County 4-H, 333 Clinton St., Grand Haven, MI 49417
4-H Global & Cultural Detectives Workshop April 21 22, 2007 Kettunen Center Detectives are good at getting the facts and at solving mysteries! In the 4-H Global and Cultural Education Workshop, participants can choose to become a Global Detective or a Cultural Detective. This workshop is for volunteers, both adults and teens (aged 13 by January 1, 2007) and other youth educators. Reservations are due April 6 to your county MSU Extension office. 4-H Global Detectives will: Become familiar with many cultures and countries from around the world through food, dance, music, crafts, simulation games and discussion. Learn about Heifer International programs including Read to Feed: Children Changing the World and Get It: Global Education to Improve Tomorrow. Experience Life in the Global Village by looking at the many issues that face young people around the world and how youth can address these issues through political involvement. Experience the rich world of Latino culture by using the 4-H curriculum called Qué Rico! La Cultura Discover the joy of World Dance and Music. Find loads of club activities in Exploring the World through Games. Learn What s for Dinner in China. And much more! 4-H Cultural Detectives will: Take a field trip to document people, places and cultural traditions in the Tustin area (such as a barn, sawmill, sheep farm, maple sugar operation or folk artist). Learn how to survey sites and interview people. Find out how to create a digital documentation. Share the digital documentation with all the workshop participants. Plan how to use these detective skills back home to document your community s cultural treasures. The 4-H Global and Cultural Education Youth Advisory Committee will be involved in teaching this workshop along with other extraordinary people from around Michigan. 2006/2007 Kettunen Center 4-H PEP Instructor Update 2/10-11 4-H Vet Science Workshop 2/23-24 4-H Beef, Sheep & Swine Workshop 2/24-25 Family Weekend: Jungle Journey 2007 3/17-18 Environmental & Outdoor Ed Workshop 3/24-25 4-H Global Investigators Workshop 4/21-22 Shooting Sports Trainers Workshop 4/26-29 Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop 4/27-29 2007 Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference 4/27-29 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Leaders Workshop 5/5-6 Project F.I.S.H. Workshop 5/18-20 4-H Talent Review Auditions Got talent? Like to sing, dance, perform? The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) has a great opportunity for you at their annual national conference. This year it will be held in Grand Rapids at the DeVos Center. A 4-H talent review Live to Perform, Perform to Live will be held at the conference for the attendees. The conference planners are looking for 4-H members with the HOTTEST talents and giving them a chance to perform on stage before an audience of 1,500. Acts can be any type vocal, dance, instrumental, comedy anything fun and exciting. Participants will be selected from audition tapes or DVDs. Selected youth need to be in Grand Rapids from July 14 to 17. Hotel accommodations and meals will be provided. This is a fantastic opportunity. If you are interested, call Beth Franz at 269-445-4438 or e-mail her at franzeli@msu.edu. All entries are due by February 28, 2007. HORSEQUEST Need information about horses? With information ranging from finding the best horse for your child to riding techniques to horse diseases, nutrition and care, HorseQuest brings the best of the best university researchbased information on the horses to us via its most popular information source, the internet. The website for HorseQuest is: www.extension.org/horses 5 HAPPENINGS
Fair Dates Berlin Fair July 13 to 21 February 1 February 6 February 8 February 26 March 1 March 1 March 1 March 8 March 23 April 20-21 Holland Fair July 23 to 28 Hudsonville Fair August 17 to 25 Dates to Remember 4-H Council Dairy Committee Teen Club Dog Leaders Meeting Berlin Feeder Weigh-In State Awards Due 4-H Council Teen Club Teen Club Lock-In Spring Achievements Llama and Alpaca Seminar Camelid Health Lecture Series When: Saturday, February 10, 2007 Where: G-150 Veterinary Medical Center at MSU Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. RSVP to Linda Jacques (517) 353-3182 jacquesl@cvm.msu.edu Admission: $ 10 per person (advance reservation) $15 at the door. All proceeds directed to food animal scholarship fund. Refreshments served - hospital tours available by request. Spring Achievements Our Spring Achievements have been set for the weekend of April 21 st. Clothing construction and some still exhibits will be judged Friday late afternoon and evening, style judging will be Saturday morning and the style show and awards presentation will be early afternoon on Saturday. Construction Judging: Friday - April 20, 2007 Style Judging: Saturday - April 21, 2007-01-23 Still Exhibit Judging: Friday & Saturday Style Show & Awards: Saturday - April 21, 2007 A planning meeting will be held in March with the date to be announced. Mandatory Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for 4-H Cattle Projects Starting March 1, 2007, Michigan requires that all cattle be identified with radio frequency ear tags prior to movement from Michigan premises. This includes 4-H project animals. Some calves will have been purchased from a farm that already has placed RFID tags in them. However, some calves may have been purchased before the tags were in place. Those calves will need to have tags put in them to comply with Michigan law. If your calf needs a tag, you must first obtain a national identification number. Call the Michigan Department of Agriculture at 866-870-5136 to obtain your number and to place an order for tags. The RFID tags cost $2 each. The applicator is $20 but you may share or borrow an applicator from someone else. The tag goes in the calves left ear (the left ear is on the left side of the animal when viewed from behind). It should be placed between the cartilage ribs about one-fourth of the distance from the head. The female part of the tag should always be placed on the inside of the ear with the male stud on the back of the ear. Make sure the back and front numbers correspond before placing the tag. Feeder Calf Vaccines By West Michigan Vet Services 3 months of age Bovishield 4+L5 (IM0 Vision 7 with Somnus ( Sub Q) 4 months of age Bovishield 4+L5 (IM0 Vision 7 with Somnus ( Sub Q) Any brand of vaccine is acceptable. It is also advantageous to give Pasturella (Mannheimia) vaccination 1 to 2 months prior to fair. You may also give this two weeks prior to weaning to help stop pneumonia problems. Calves younger than 3-4 months may not get full immunity so they may need a third booster 3-4 weeks later. Allergic reactions may occur with any vaccine given to calves. It may be wise to have epinephrine available if needed. 5cc per calf IM is given if there is an allergic reaction. Signs would include foaming at the mouth and labored breathing within a few minutes after giving the vaccinations. 6 HAPPENINGS
4-H FAIR DECLARATION FORM DUE AT 4-H OFFICE MARCH 1, 2007 OR MAY BE FAXED TO: 616-846-0655 Member Name: Back # (one member per form, please) Club: Phone # Parent Signature Leader Signature NON MARKET ANIMALS: Dairy Cows: # of adult cows # of heifer calves... at Berlin # of adult cows # of heifer calves...at Holland # of adult cows # of heifer calves... at Hudsonville Goats: # of goats # of pens... at Berlin # of goats # of pens...at Holland # of goats # of pens... at Hudsonville Poultry: No declaration needed until June 1 st. Previous limits on cages will be in effect. Rabbits: No declaration needed until June 1 st. Previous limits on cages will be in effect. MARKET PROJECTS: Each member limited to two species per year (one bovine) CHECK ONLY ONE FAIR Lambs Berlin Hogs Berlin (1 Hog/Mem) Holland Hudsonville Holland (2 Hog/Mem) Hudsonville (2 Hog/Mem) Market Rabbits Berlin only Market Goat Holland only IN THE EVENT OF OVER CROWDING, LIST YOUR PREFERENCE OF FAIRS MARK 1 ST, 2 ND & 3 RD CHOICE OF FAIRS Berlin Holland Hudsonville 7 HAPPENINGS
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND HAVEN MI PERMIT NO. 26 Ottawa County 333 Clinton Street Grand Haven, MI 49417-1329 HAPPENINGS IS PUBLISHED PERIODICALLY BY THE OTTAWA COUNTY 4-H OFFICE 333 CLINTON STREET GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417 ELIZABETH C. WELLS EXTENSION 4-H YOUTH AGENT wellselz@msu.edu JOAN BIESECKER 4-H SECRETARY ottawa4h@yahoo.com GRAND HAVEN: 846-8250 GRAND RAPIDS: 662-3100 X 8250 HOLLAND/ZEELAND: 392-3111 X 8250 MUSKEGON: 728-4297 X 8250 NE OTTAWA COUNTY: 1-800-764-4111 X 8250 FAX 846-0655 www.msue.msu.edu/ottawa www.ottawa4h.blogspot.com 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, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. 8 HAPPENINGS