Marquette County Fair 2011

The 2011 Marquette County Fair Junior Beef Steer, Lamb & Swine Show & Sale Preliminary Entry Blank is now available for download.

Please mail completed Junior Beef Steer form(s) BY March 1^st 2011,
and completed Lamb & Swine form(s) BY June 1^st 2011 to: 

Emily Bruce, Livestock Superintendent, Box 2, Arnold, MI 49819

2011 Marquette County Fair
Market Livestock Record Books for Steer, Lamb, & Swine:

Beginner Record Book (9-10 YRS)
Intermediate Record Book (11-13 YRS)
Advanced Record Book (14-19 YRS)

4-H Capital Experience 2011

Preparing for Active Citizenship

4-H Capitol Experience is an annual 4-day conference that focuses on civic engagement and public policy. More than 100 teens from around the state converge on Lansing, Michigan, to experience state government in action!

Since 1982, Michigan teens have had the opportunity to learn how they can get involved with influencing policy issues. After choosing a current issue, participants interact with legislators, state agency staff, lobbyists and other resource people to learn how policy is made. Through educational experiences, teens will:

• Discover how to be actively involved in influencing policy decisions
• Understand the responsibilities of a citizen
• Explore different aspects of a policy issue that may affect individuals and communities
• Explore various careers in public policy
• Learn about the policy process at the state level
• Bill writing session
• Network with teens from around the state

Teens who attend 4-H Capitol Experience have the opportunity for an in-depth meeting with someone who works either in or is involved with state government. In addition, simulations and activities are incorporated to reinforce and apply what is learned about government. At the end of the conference, the teens leave with the charge to share what they have learned with others and get involved with other leadership and civic engagement activities in their communities!

Want to know what it's like to attend Capital Experience from the perspective of a youth participant?  Check out the story and pictures of Gentian W., a Marquette County 4-H member who attended the conference last year.  Go to: http://www.upriders.com/Archives/2010/03/CapitolExperience.htm to read Gentian's story. 

About the 2011 Conference

When and Where:

The conference begins with registration on Sunday, March 20, 2011, from 3 to 4 p.m. and ends on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. Tours and agency visits will take place at the State Capitol and surrounding area.

Who Should Attend:

High school students at least 14 years old and adult participant-chaperons who are interested in gaining skills and knowledge to develop their leadership, citizenship and community service skills and apply what is learned in their communities. All participants must have pictured identification.

Cost:

Registration cost includes all meals, lodging and material fees. Counties will be billed after the event. Cost: $295 4-H members, $305 non4-H members.  The Marquette County 4-H Council provides full or partial scholarships to conference participants, depending on how many people attend from Marquette County.  

Registration Deadlines:

Registrations are due in the county offices by February 4, 2011.
Registrations are due in the State 4-H Office by February 11, 2011.

For more information, including the application packet, go to the 4-H Capital Experience website: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/capexp.html

or Contact Brian Wibby at the Marquette County MSU Extension office.

4-H International Exchange Programs

Bring the world into your home next summer!  Did you know that Michigan 4-H sponsors International Exchange Programs that give Michigan families the opportunity to host youth from other countries?  Michigan 4-H youth can also travel to different countries throughout the world as part of this program.

During the summer of 2011, Michigan will be hosting youth from Belize, Poland and Japan.  Families need to have a youth of the same age and gender as their exchangee living in the home to participate in the program.  

Japan Inbound Hosting Opportunity

About 60 Japanese students between the ages of 12 and 16 will travel to Michigan during the summer of 2011.  These young people are excited to learn about your family's customs and culture, your values, foods, clothes, and lifestyle. But mostly they want to make friends, meet other young people, and try communicating in English!

Would you consider opening your home to one of these students, or their chaperone?  The exchange takes place mid-July to mid-August, 2011.  Students are matched with host siblings of the same age and gender. Host families do not need to plan special activities. 

You may wonder - what is the impact of participating as a host family? 

According to reports from six families that hosted in 2007-2008, host brothers/sisters gained an understanding that they have a lot in common with people from other cultures.  They also learned to care about and appreciate people who are different from themselves.  Host youth were able to experience what it means to be a good representative of the United States and how important it is to learn to communicate with others from different cultures.  Host siblings were able to work through misunderstandings. 

Host youth reported that communicating in a language other than English was even more difficult than anticipated but other things were not as difficult as expected.  Some of these things included the exchange student getting homesick (most did not), not getting along with the Japanese youth (most did just fine) and making mistakes because of not understanding the Japanese culture and customs (people seem to have more similarities than differences).

Host parents noticed that their son/daughter gained the skills of making new friends, accepting differences, working in cooperation with others and being comfortable in new situations.  Adults found a new respect for having to care for someone who is a long way from home and learned skills of how to be tolerant of differences.  Living with people they didn’t know was a unique positive experience.

Two families reported that they gained a helpful awareness of how they relate to each other.  Several families shared that they learned how to be more patient and that the host experience brought their family closer together.  Gaining a respect for how brave the young Japanese girl was to travel from her home to a strange country and stay with people she never met before was enlightening for one family.  The resounding theme of what the families gained was basically patience, understanding and friendship!

Results from the 2003 Japanese Exchange Program Evaluation conducted by Dr. Mary E. Arnold of Oregon State University reveal that youth who participate as hosts to international visitors reported gains in life and personal skills that were similar to those who traveled to Japan.  From learning to appreciate other people and cultures, to developing important social skills, to forming a self and career identity, youth participating in the exchange experience report that it has a high level of impact on their lives.  This has important program implications as the results show that it is not necessary to travel to another country in order to have a significant inter-cultural experience!

Poland Inbound Hosting Opportunity:


Teens, ages14 to 19 as of January 1, 2011, from around Michigan are invited to host students traveling here from Poland from June 24 to approximately July 21, 2011.  This hosting opportunity is coordinated by Michigan State University Extension, 4-H Youth Development Global and Cultural Programs.

Youth who host students this summer will have the chance to make life-long international friends and have the opportunity to travel to Poland in 2012.

Check out the Polish Exchange brochure for more info: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/cyf/youth/global/forms/Poland-Belize/PolandBrochure2011.pdf

For a host family application or more information contact your county 4-H Extension Educator at the MSU Extension office or contact the trip Coordinator:

Polish Exchange trip coordinator, Jan Brinn at 269-673-0370 Ext. 2555 or at brinn@msu.edu.  

Japan Exchange trip coordinator, Wanda Repke at 231-922-4825 or at repke@msu.edu

Belize Exchange trip coordinator, Pat Waugh at 810-667-0341 or at waughpat@msu.edu

4-H Halloween Party 2010

Marquette County 4-H Awards Program

2010 Marquette County 4-H Awards Program forms are available to download!

The Awards Program and Banquet will be held:

November 7, 2010

1:00 pm

Negaunee Township Hall

42 State Highway M35
Negaunee, MI 49866

Individual Awards

As in past years, 4-H youth members need to fill out the Individual Awards Information Sheet.  Each enrolled 4-H member is eligible for a year pin and a project pin.  The same project pin and/or award cannot be received two years in a row. Cloverbuds will receive a year badge and certificate.  

Leadership, Citizenship, and Achievement Awards

Youth ages 12 – 19 (4-H age determined by age of child on 1/1/2010) are also eligible for Leadership, Citizenship, and Achievement Awards.  Youth must fill out a cover sheet for these awards and write an essay.

Volunteer and Community 4-H Awards

Also, be sure to make nominations for Volunteer & Community 4-H Awards.  Youth, leaders, volunteers and parents are encouraged to fill out a nomination sheet.  This is your opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions and efforts that others make to 4-H!

Deadline

Forms are due to the Marquette County MSU Extension office before Friday, October 8th, 2010.  Only those who submit completed forms by the October 8^th deadline will be considered for awards. 

Download the Forms

4-H Club Leaders can provide you with printed copies of the awards forms or you may download and print the forms yourself by clicking on the following links:

Individual Awards Information Sheet

Leadership, Citizenship and Achievement Awards Sheet

Volunteer and Community Awards Nomination Sheet

Awards Handbook

The Awards Handbook provides more information on the awards process and eligibility for all awards.  If you have questions about the awards, please contact your club leader or the MSU Extension office.  Download the Marquette County 4-H Awards Handbook

Upcoming Kettunen Center 4-H Workshops!

Are your looking to take your 4-H project to the next level? Want to meet other 4-H members and leaders from across Michigan who share your interests? Attend a workshop at the Kettunen Center this year!

The Kettunen Center is a full-service conference and retreat facility, owned and operated by the Michigan 4-H Foundation. It is located outside Tustin, Michigan, just 20 minutes south of Cadillac.  

Michigan 4-H Youth Development annually offers a variety of adult and teen training events at Kettunen Center.  These events range from content- and subject matter-specific workshops to youth development and leadership development-focused sessions. These events are designed to build skills and knowledge of adults and teens who volunteer or work with young people in non-formal educational settings. The learning lab events are designed to provide young people with hands-on developmental or subject matter experiences.

This year's workshop schedule:

4-H Clothing & Textiles Volunteer Workshop - October 16–17, 2010

4-H Goat Teen & Adult Volunteer Workshop - October 22–24, 2010

4-H Poultry Teen & Adult Volunteer Workshop - October 30–31, 2010

4-H Teen Horse Volunteer Leaders Conference - November 19–21, 2010

4-H Horse Show Judges & Managers Conference - January 7–9, 2011

4-H Teen Citizenship, Leadership & Service Conference - January 22–23, 2011

4-H Entrepreneurship Teen & Adult Volunteer Leader Workshop - February 12–13, 2011

4-H Veterinary Science Teen & Adult Volunteer Workshop - February 25–26, 2011

4-H Beef, Sheep & Swine Teen & Adult Volunteer Workshop - February 26–27, 2011

4-H Recreation Leadership & Camp Counselor Workshop - March 4–6, 2011

4-H Science Workshop - March 11–13, 2011

4-H Environmental & Outdoor Education, Plant Science & Entomology Workshop - March 18–20, 2011

4-H Healthy Living - April 1–3, 2011

4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop - April 29–May 1, 2011

For a brief description of each of these workshops, please visit http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/4htrain.html#802

For detailed descriptions, including costs, or to register for a workshop, please contact your local Michigan State University Extension office.

Marquette County Horse Club hosting "Haunted Hay Ride"

Marquette County Horse Club is hosting a "Haunted Hay Ride" to be held at the Mqt Co fairgrounds. The club is inviting all area youth, 4-H, boy scout groups etc.. to give them a hand putting this on by being "actors" or scary people, doing ticket sales, etc.and in turn, all the money made at the event will be split between the volunteering clubs. 


This is a great way for youth groups to do some fundraising and for everyone to have fun helping out with a community event.  If you or your 4-H Club are interested in participating in this event, or if you would like more information, please contact Andi Goriesky: andigoriesky24@gmail.com or 906-942-7111.

4-H Challenge Seekers

Challenge Seekers in Action!

$10,000 Grant!

4-H Clubs from Marquette and Alger County have been awarded $10,000 from a grant provided by Michigan State University 4-H Youth Development.  The Marquette Breakfast Rotary Club also has supported the club with a grant to support their programs.

The U.P. Challenge Seekers 4-H Club (Marquette County) and the Alger County Challenge Seekers 4-H Club will use the grant funding to purchase equipment to support their clubs projects and to provide outdoor adventure challenge opportunities to youth in the two counties.  The clubs plan on purchasing canoes, backpacking equipment, camping supplies, and trailers to use during future club outings.

Club Activities

The U.P. Challenge Seekers 4-H Club is open to youth ages 9-14, and focuses on outdoor and nature experiences, including hiking, rock climbing, camping, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, and wilderness survival skills.

Membership Meeting:

The U.P. Challenge Seekers (Marquette County) is seeking new members, and will be hosting their 2010-2011 4-H Program Year "Kick-Off" Meeting on September 16. 2010, 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the NMU's PIEF Building.  Youth and adults volunteers interested in joining the club are welcome to attend!

At the September 16th meeting club leaders will discuss plans for the upcoming year and youth will have an opportunity to climb the rock wall. Youth interested in climbing the rock wall should wear stretchy clothing and closed-toed shoes. 

Monthly club meetings will be held at the NMU PIEF from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.  Meetings are scheduled for October 21, November 18, December 16, January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, and May 19.  Dates for trips will be discussed at the September 16th meeting.

Trips and activities are planned by the 4-H Youth and held quarterly.  This year's trips include hiking a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, an Ice Caves Hike, Kayaking, Camping at Harlow Lake Cabins, Winter Camping, and a Summer 2011 3-day U.P. backpacking adventure!

For more information about the club, please contact:
Kathy Wright - Club Co-Leader - (906-346-9668) 
Kim Frost - Club Co-Leader - (906-942-7911) 
or
Brian Wibby - 4-H Youth Development Educator (906-475-5731 or wibby@msu.edu)

U.P. State Fair 2010

August 16-22, 2010

Escanaba, MI

The U.P. State Fair Exhibitor's Guide to Classes and Awards is available on the web.  The U.P. State Fair website also has lots of information about this year's events.

If you will be showing livestock at the fair, don't forget to complete your record book! 

Junior Livestock Record Books are also available to download here:

Beginner Junior Livestock Record Book  (ages 9-10)

Intermediate Junior Livestock Record Book (ages 11-13)
Advanced Junior Livestock Record Book (ages 14-19)

Goldmine Girls - "Count on US!" at 2010 4-H Expo Days

The Goldmine Girls, a band made up of Gentian and RiLee Waller (two very talented Marquette County 4-H members!) performed at the 2010 MSU 4-H Exploration Days Talent Show at the MSU Wharton Center in East Lansing, MI.   The video clip includes two songs by the Goldmine Girls at the talent show: a rockin' dulcimer song and their original 4-H song "Count on Us!"  Enjoy!

Volunteers needed for 4-H Ice Cream Booth Fundraiser

Download the 4-H ICE CREAM BOOTH SCHEDULE

The 2010 Marquette County Fair is just around the corner and we are in need of volunteers for the 4-H Ice Cream Booth.

The Marquette County 4-H Council raises funds at the ice cream booth to provide funding for youth development activities like Exploration Days and 4-H Camp. All youth who attended Exploration Days and 4-H Camp this year automatically received a scholarship, courtesy of the 4-H Council. Please show your appreciation by volunteering for two or more hours scooping ice cream during the 2010 Marquette County Fair!

Download an Ice Cream Booth schedule showing the dates and times that we need volunteers.  All Marquette County 4-H members, Exploration Days attendees and 4-H Camp participants are asked to volunteer for at least one 2-hour shift. (Parents: You are welcome to volunteer as well! Please let me know if you would like to volunteer with your child.)

Please select your top three choices (in case your first choice has already been filled!) and contact me via phone or email to let me know when you would like to volunteer to be a “Scooper”!

The 4-H Ice Cream Booth is located in the 4-H Building at the Marquette County Fairgrounds. Please plan on arriving at the booth a couple minutes before your shift is scheduled to begin. A booth manager will provide training and all the necessary supplies.

**On Wednesday, August 11 we need volunteers (youth or adult) to help serve lunch and scoop ice cream at the Ice Cream booth.  The Fair doesn't start until August 12, but the 4-H Council sells food to those who are setting up the fairgrounds and bringing in their animals and exhibits.  We appreciate the help of anyone who can sign up for a shift on Wednesday!!

Thanks for your help with the fundraiser and looking forward to seeing you at the fair!

2010 Marquette County Fair

August 12-15, 2010
Marquette County Fairgrounds
Sands Township
Marquette, Michigan
http://www.marquettecountyfair.com/

2010 Marquette County Fair Books are available online and to pick up at the Marquette County MSU Extension office.

Entry deadline is August 5, 2010 (excluding all horse shows and 8 & under)

Market Poulty and Market Rabbit Record Books are available to download.
Poultry and Rabbit Showmanship Reports are also available to download.

Market Livestock (Sheep, Swine, Beef) Record Books Available:
-  Beginner Record Book (ages 9-10)
-  Intermediate Record Book (ages 11-13)
-  Advanced Record Book (ages 14-19)

2010 North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Forum

October 7-10, 2010

Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center

Michigan State University

A fast paced, educational and fun event awaits you on the spectacular fall campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing!  The North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Forum brings together 4-H staff and volunteers from the 12 states of the North Central region, and is a great opportunity for 4-H volunteers (adult and youth) to:

 

-  Gain knowledge and insight.

-  Learn new teaching skills to take home and share within their 4-H clubs.

-  Develop healthy youth and adult educational partnerships.

-  Have a great time making new 4-H friends and exchanging ideas.

Take a look at the 2010 North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Forum Registration Booklet for more information on the conference, including costs, schedules, and the amazing break-out sessions that you can sign up for!

Don't miss this great opportunity!  The Forum won't be held again until 2012, and will be in a different state!

After you download the Registration Booklet and choose your break-out sessions, you can register online at the North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Forum website.  Conference registration cost is $200 for registrations received by August 15, 2010.  A $50.00 fee will be added to your registration cost is received after August 15.  Scholarships are available for Michigan participants. Those who register for the full conference will receive a $20 scholarship. Those attending only one day will receive a $10 scholarship. Those scholarships will be automatically deducted from the total amount due if participants use the on-line payment option. Refunds will be provided to those who register by mail and send a check.

Additionally, funds may be available from the Marquette County 4-H Council and/or the Marquette County MSU Extension office to help cover some of your registration costs.  If you are interested in attending the conference and would like more information on scholarships, please contact Brian Wibby at the Marquette County MSU Extension office.

Marquette County 4-H News to Use

The Marquette County 4-H News to Use, the e-newsletter compiled by the Marquette County MSU Extension office, is in transition. In order to share 4-H news, information, and opportunities in a more timely manner, I will now be using this Marquette County 4-H blog to share current happenings in the world of 4-H.

Looking forward to hearing your feedback on the new blog! As always, if you have something that you would like to share with other 4-H members, leaders, or clubs, please contact me! I will gladly post your information, stories, pictures, or videos on this blog so that you can share with other 4-H'ers!

Brian