Week at a Glance:

School's OUT and Summer's IN! Here are some Updates:

• Clubs on Summer Break: Sewing Club and Spot On Shooting

• Farmers Market Fridays are back - every other week, 4-H Entrepreneurs are welcome to sell products with advance notice.

Bake 4th of July Parade & Decorating Potluck

We had so much fun at the Freedom Fest parade last year and we are doing it again this year! Our Family Fun event for the summer will be a potluck at Josie's house to make decorations for the float. Then join the parade and ride on the float on July 4th. Please bring candy to toss. Please RSVP for both events to Josie. Can't make the parade? Please donate a bag of candy for member to toss.

More Freedom Fest Opportunities

Ms. Kate is helping to coordinate the Cadillac Freedom Festival. The Kids Community Carnival needs community members and organizations to volunteer to host a station at the event. We had several 4-H teens and volunteers help last year and we'd love to have your help again, right after the parade. More Info here: https://bit.ly/FFCarnival24

Don't miss the Freedom 5K race and the Kid and Pet Parade! This is a great time to show off your goat, sheep, rabbit or other furry friends. Registration here: https://www.cadillacfreedomfestival.com/events

Full-Time AmeriCorps Member Wanted! Apply by July 8th.

2024 Host Family Applications Open!

We only have ten more Japanese youth participants left and the deadline is in two weeks!!!

When: Arrival (tentative) in Grand Rapids from July 21 to August 16

How: A host family completes the States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs online application and have a youth to match as a host brother/sister (be within 3 years of age), be Michigan 4-H adult Gold Volunteers, participate in an interview and home visit process. 

Applications to host: www.states4hexchange.org

Questions: contact Jan Brinn brinn@msu.edu or Co-Coordinator John Wurm wurmj@msu.edu.

Recently, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in cattle, cats and commercial poultry flocks across the country and Michigan. MSU Extension and its state partners are continuing to monitor the situation and providing outreach to help mitigate the spread of HPAI. Livestock and poultry owners are strongly encouraged to take proactive measures to defend against additional outbreaks in Michigan. Check out the following resources helpful information on biosecurity:

• How you can reduce biosecurity risks in 4-H projects (8 part series)
• Biosecurity for Dairy and Beef Cattle Farms
• Remain Vigilant to Protect against HPAI
• Avian Influenza

NORTHERN DISTRICT FAIR REMINDERS:

• All market projects are required to complete a record book while raising the animal. This can include photos and weights from day 1, so be sure to look at your record books now: NDF Record Books
• 4-H fitting and showmanship guides explain the steps to showing the animal for judging and are available on our website for those looking to practice: About Wexford 4-H - Wexford County (msu.edu)
• Learn to keep your animal healthy
• Learn what makes a quality project
• Share with others about your project
• Rabbit Tattoo Clinic – July 8 (Required for all market rabbits)
• Cornish Chicken Pick Up – July 10
• Work Bee - July 13th, 9 am - Noon
• Invite buyers to the auction with buyer letter (free gate entry) - build community relationships (reinvite last year's buyers)
• Create cage signs to advertise your project / thank last year's buyer
• Purchase or create a buyer gift and thank you buyer signs
• Prepare show clothes according to rules

Starting this Summer! Wexford 4-H Teen Committee

Wexford 4-H Members ages 13-19 are invited to join the new teen committee of the Leaders Council!

What teens will do:

• plan fun events for 4-H families to meet each other
• help the 4-H leaders understand what teens in our communities want
• learn how groups work together to make decisions and keep records
• help direct the 4-H program into the future, like ideas for fundraisers
• act as role models for younger 4-H'ers to look up to
• represent 4-H at community, statewide, and national events

Start a New Club: Babysitting

Wexford County 4-H has hosted several short-term babysitting training programs over the last few years. Many of these members would be interested in a club they can join after the training to keep learning as they start their babysitting businesses. Requires 6 meetings over the year on your schedule.

Take Over an Existing Club: Sewing Club

Wexford 4-H is seeking 2 volunteers with sewing experience to assist and/or lead sewing club meetings in the coming year. Our club is very popular and could expand in the near future. We have many supplies waiting to be used, a class set of machines, and many resources available to support volunteers.

Start A Short-term Club: Self-Defense

Would you be interested in teaching teens about personal safety, situational awareness, self-defense, and mental and physical health? We have interest in a summer club geared towards teens that are going off to college. Requires 6-8 meetings on your schedule.

To learn more about volunteering, contact Kate:

Kingka26@msu.edu | 231-779-9480

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned