Feb: Four Hs and Thriving Youth

In Jan. we looked at Hands for Service and developing youth spark. This month let’s look at 'Heart' and relationships, including youth adult partnerships. Heart: “I pledge my heart to greater loyalty”. When pledging greater loyalty, youth are expressing their capacity to work on empathy, compassion, and positive self-concept; to care for others and think larger than one’s self. Caring adult mentors can model and support these behaviors, and in doing so establish safe, trusting relationships.

4-H encourages us to establish settings that foster positive developmental relationships with youth that express care, challenge growth, and share power. In time, the relationship may become a partnership. Youth-adult partnerships (YAP) that are strong, positive, and trusting are critical for PYD. As youth grow, it is imperative that they are given more responsibility and a voice to allow for shared power and responsibility. Research shows that youth engaged in YAP benefit in areas such as public speaking, collaboration, increased interpersonal skills, and greater community connections.

Here are a few ways youth can grow in this area: being accountable for responsibilities, exposure to new ideas and opportunities (try a new 4-H event), navigating situations (setting learning goals, designing/ demoing activities, then reflecting on experiences), and practicing inclusion, respect, teamwork, & collaboration (create a youth mentoring group, a welcoming cohort). We hope this give youth and adults something to discuss and implement. Please continue to share your experiences with us so we can share with our larger 4-H community.

Check out what was shared from our clubs in last month’s 'Hands to Service' and developing spark in the ICYMI section below.

Regards,

Gretchen

P.S. Our monthly newsletter and AAC 4-H calendar are on the main page of the county 4-H website. Our website should be your “Go To” for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow us on Facebook at 'Anne Arundel County 4-H'; links at the bottom of this newsletter.

2022 4-H Online Enrollment

All 4-H Member, Clover, and UME Volunteer re- enrollments must be completed between January - March 1 via 4-H Online. Current members simply log into their family account from last year using their email & password and re-enroll each person listed on your account.

• Please do not create a new account if you were a member in 2021. Vol re-enrolling guide
• The $10 participation fee for youth members is paid in 4-H Online. Volunteers are always free!! :)
• We suggest using a computer (not your iphone) on stable wifi to minimalize issues.
• Roles selected in 4-H Online must match the signed description in your hard copy volunteer file. Both the enrollment and screening sections are to be completed.
• Volunteers need to have a “Member Email” in 4-H Online for the UME Volunteer Background Check. This is not a field that we can make required, but it is necessary that volunteers provide an individual and active email that is DIFFERENT from their family profile email. Personal emails MUST be entered in your Profile section.
• Once a 4-Her enrolls, they will receive an automated message to the email address associated with the member profile encouraging them to complete the Common Measures "4-H Experience" survey. Please complete the annual survey as this is a great way for us to learn about the experiences our youth have within their 4-H program.
  
• If your are a NEW Volunteer, you cannot choose "volunteer" as you role; please select "New Applicant". Click here for a guide.

Adult Record Book Reviewers Requested

Record books are in! Thank you to all the Unit Leaders for gathering and dropping them off. The next step is reviewing.

We are looking for reviewers to read through and give youth written feedback. No experience necessary, just an interest in assisting youth with developing life skills. As a reviewer you will also gain insight as to what 4-H youth are learning by doing their projects. If interested or would like more information please email Gretchen: gsumbrum@umd.edu.

Mandatory Livestock meeting for youth completing Market Projects, February 16, 2022, 6:30pm via Zoom. This includes the following species - turkey, rabbit, steer, swine, goat, and sheep. A zoom link has been forwarded to all Livestock Auction participants and unit leaders.

AAC Youth Club Officer Workshop: Wednesday 2/23/22, 6:30-8:00pm @ the AAC Extension Office.

Calling all current club officers! Come with your leadership team and your annual plan. At the meeting we will review setting an agenda, running a meeting using Parliamentary Procedures, share what is working and work through any struggles. Even if you haven't had a meeting yet, you can start your planning at the workshop. It’s also a great way to meet other 4-Hers in leadership positions in our county! Register here by Feb 16, 2022.

AAC Public Speaking Workshop will be held on March 10, 2022, at the UME-AAC Office from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Our AAC Public Speaking Contest is coming up soon. 4-H Youth will discuss the contest - rules, scoring and then practice - as well as learn some tips to make their presentation a positive learning experience with real-life applications. Sign up via our google form found here.

AAC Public Speaking Contest will be held on March 26, 2022 at the Baldwin Early Learning Center (921 Generals Hwy, Millersville) starting at 9:00am. Through the 4-H Public Speaking Contest, youth have an opportunity to write a speech or a public service announcement (PSA) and deliver it to an audience. This event helps youth develop skills for communicating to real audiences, organize and prepare a speech, practice speech delivery skills, learn presentation skills, and develop self-confidence. Ribbons awarded by 4-H age category (Jr, Int, Sen) for 1st-3rd place.

County winners will have the opportunity to advance to the State Public Speaking Contest held on April 23, 2022 at the Carroll County Extension Office. Please check out our web page for more information, rules, etc... Sign up to participate via this google form.

*** JUDGES NEEDED. No experience/special credentials needed. Join us for a fun experience. Please email Gretchen for more info: gsumbrum@umd.edu.

AAC Variety Show. 4pm, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Baldwin Church, 921 Generals Hwy, Millersville. What's your talent? The AAC 4-H Foundation is once again sponsoring the Variety Show! Be part of a group or do your own thing. There's signing, dancing, skits, playing instruments, and much more. Join us as part of the show or an audience member. It's a family event so young and old alike will enjoy the presentations. Here is a link to information, registration, rules and judging forms. Contact Joan Mauritzen at jm0037@prattlibrary.org for general questions or Mary Thomas at hackyt@aol.com for club acts.

*** Adults interested in judging, please reach out to Gretchen, gsumbrum@umd.edu.

Save the Date! Anne Arundel County 4-H Summer Camp will be July 24-29, 2022. Please watch for details in the coming months. More information will be shared via newsletter and our website.

We look forward to a fun-filled week with all of our 4-H friends!

Regional 4-H Youth Event

4-H Dairy Fun Day

Saturday, February 12, 2022, 9:30-11:30 AM, to be held virtually on Zoom. Participants will learn about, practice and try their hand at a virtual skillathon and quiz bowl. You will need access to a computer and a cell phone/tablet, each device will need Internet connection. Registration deadline: February 9, 2022. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the zoom. Register at: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrd-uhrj0rGtEElvr7eGXp8TziYHE4jgRy

Regional 4-H Youth Event

4-H Dog Fun Day

Sunday, February 20, 2022, 1:00-3:00 PM, to be held virtually.

Participants will learn about, practice and try their hand at a skillathon and a quiz bowl, along with other fun activities. You will need access to a computer and a cell phone/tablet, each device will need Internet connection. Register via 4-H Online by February 17, 2022.

Prior to the event, registered participants will receive an email containing information about joining the zoom.

State 4-H Youth Event

Council's Launch Into Leadership

Join the fun on February 26, 2022; 1:00 - 3:00 PM at this youth led VIRTUAL event.

• An Officers Forum for current club officers to connect, share ideas and ask questions from other officers in the same role.

• A Leadership Workshop led by State Council members on a age specific topic

• Learn fun Ice Breakers and Energizers that you can use at a virtual or in-person club meeting.

Registration required to attend: https://go.umd.edu/LIL2022

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

State 4-H Youth and Adult Event

Horseman's Party

The Maryland 4-H Horsemen’s Party will be going VIRTUAL again for 2022! Mark your calendars and plan to join us February 28. Now in its 35th year, the Maryland Horsemen's Party serves as the primary fundraiser for the Sallie Robertson Memorial 4-H Horse Endowment Fund which supports 4-H equine educational programs, the annual trip for 4-Hers representing Maryland at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-Up, along with scholarships for 4-H volunteers to attend leadership conferences, equine-related workshops and National 4-H Congress. Several other horse program awards and honors are presented that night as well. More information can be found here: 4-H Horse Program.

State 4-H Youth Event

Horse Bowl Contest

The 2022 Maryland Horse Bowl Contest will be held over TWO dates: March 5-6, 2022 and will be conducted using the online platform called QuizBowl Pro in combination with Zoom. 4-H Horse Bowl provides an opportunity for youth teams to face off in front of a panel of judges; there are both individual and team responses. The contest will feature all 3 age divisions, however Seniors who compete in the contest will be invited to a separate Senior Invitational Buzz-Off that will be used to determine the 2022 Maryland 4-H State Horse Bowl Team. Full details are on the MD 4-H website under Horse Activities Continued, Horse Bowl Contest tab.

Volunteer Opportunity: 4-H is seeking individuals to serve on the 2022 Maryland Horse Bowl, Communications, Hippology, and Horse Judging Contest committees. It takes many hands to conduct each contest. Interested individuals should contact Becca Bittner, Equine and Environmental Science Coordinator, at regunder@umd.edu.

State 4-H Youth Event
Horse Communication Contest

The 2022 Maryland Horse Communications Contest will again be held virtually. Registration for the contest will be open from April 4-18th. This contest provides an opportunity for 4-H youth to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. Members will submit a recording of their speech or demonstration for judges to evaluate between April 4-18. Awards are offered in each of the three age divisions. Contest rules are posted here.

State 4-H Youth Event

Career AGsperience Program

Youth between 13-18 years old are invited to attend the Career AGsperience Program 6:30-7:45pm, January 12 - February 16, 2022 (Wednesday nights) OR February 26, 2022, 9:30am - 3:30 pm at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Come explore career planning, resume development, internship acquisition, interviewing skills, business etiquette, agriculture related careers and beyond. Information gained will be great for any career/college choice, not just Agriculture related. Link to registration form.

NOTE: All events, County, State, and National, are subject to change due to ongoing health crisis.

*** Be sure to share your club's next event with us so we can help you spread the word! ***

The Maryland 4-H Foundation hosted the 2022 Maryland Gala with a broadcast gala presentation on their Facebook and You Tube pages💻 on Friday, January 28, 2022. We would like to congratulate the following AAC 4-H members on the following accomplishments:

Aneka - Diamond Clover Level 6 Award, Kinder Farm Club

Sadie - Emerald Clover Level 5 Award, Kinder Farm Club

Felicia - Emerald Clover Level 5 Award, Kinder Farm Club

Ms. Jacqueline - 2021 MD Horse Judging Team, Friendship Outdoors Club

Elizabeth - Maryland 4-H Dairy Bowl Team. Dairy Leasing Club

And our own 4-H Educator, Gretchen Sumbrum, Chaperone for the National 4-H Conference Delegation

⭐⭐The Anne Arundel County 4-H All Stars ⭐⭐ are proud to offer both academic and 4-H camp scholarships to our County 4-H members. Academic scholarships are open to any County 4-H members/alumni pursuing post-secondary education at an institution of higher learning. 4-H Camp scholarships are offered to teen staff and first year campers.

The 2021-2022 Academic Scholarship recipients are:

1. Marina – Marina was a member of the AAC 4-H Dairy Leasing Club. She served in various leadership positions including President, Vice President, and Club Photographer. Marina was also a teen leader at the Anne Arundel County 4-H Resident Camp for 3 years and served on the Maryland 4-H State Council. She was a member of the Maryland delegation to the 2017 National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA and was a Maryland delegate to Camp Miniwanca in Shelby, MI. Marina was also selected as a member of the four person team that represented Maryland at the National Dairy Bowl Contest in Louisville, KY in the fall of 2018. She was a member of the Maryland State Fair Dairy Team, where she interacted with and educated the public about cows and the dairy industry. Marina is attending the University of Maryland, College Park and is majoring in Agricultural Resource Economics with a concentration of Agricultural Business and a minor in Global Poverty.

2. Olivia – Olivia was a member of the Kinder Farm Park 4-H Livestock Club, where she held the positions of President and Vice President. With her club, she volunteered at the Kinder Farm Park Fall Festival and Easter egg hunt and with clean-up at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. She helped raise funds for 4-H in partnership with Tractor Supply Company. Olivia was also a teen leader at the Anne Arundel County 4-H Resident Camp and was a member of the Maryland 4-H State Council, where she organized a food drive.In 2019, Olivia was the Anne Arundel County Fair Queen and Miss Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau. Olivia is attending the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy, Ohio. She is majoring in Structural and Pipe Welding.

The 2021 4-H Camp scholarship recipients are:

Teen Staff: Ava, Rosemary, and Charlie

First Time Campers: Fiona, Grace, and Joseph

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation, Inc. would like to recognize our 2021 contest, award, and scholarship recipients:

• County Fair 4-H T-shirt Design Contest winner - Lucy, Trail Blazers Club

• Terry Cooper Unsung Hero Award - youth recipient - Lily, Trail Blazers Club

• John C. Kozenski, Jr. Kindness Award - Poultry Department at the County Fair - James, Harwood Club

• James R. Kahler Turkey Shoot 4-H Top Archer Award - Dylin, Friendship Outdoor Skills Club

• Maryland 4-H Teen Leadership Summit scholarship - Jillian, Trail Blazers Club

• 4-H Adult Camp Staff Training scholarships - Alex, Cindi, Cris, John, Mary

• National 4-H Project Accomplishment Trip scholarship, National Dairy Bowl - Elizabeth, Anne Arundel Dairy Leasing Club

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Please look for upcoming information on 4-H Foundation contests, awards, and scholarship opportunities in future editions of the County 4-H newsletter.

This past November, Elizabeth, of the Dairy Leasing Club,🐄 had the opportunity to compete at the national level and represent Maryland at the NAILE - North American International Livestock Exposition. NAILE is held each November in Louisville, KY, and is billed as the ‘world’s largest all-breed, purebred livestock exposition’ with nine major livestock divisions and competitors from all the 48 contiguous states. The National Dairy Bowl Competition is comprised of both an individual written examination and a team quiz bowl (buzzer competition). Elizabeth was thrilled to place 7th for the written exam and 8th in the quiz bowl competition with only one other teammate from MD, Sai, of Montgomery County (ideally, a team is 4 same-state members). A lifelong 4-Her, Elizabeth reflected: “This experience taught me…to remember the little moments and to capture the fun times there are to be had during wonderful trips like these because before you know it, you have aged out and are walking out of the conference room, name tag in hand for the very last time.”

We are so elated for Elizabeth and grateful for the contributions she has made to our county, state and national programs! We wish her continued success as she navigates the next chapter of her life.

*** Send us your 4-Her's accomplishments and special honors, we'll publish it here! ***

From club member Caleb: Wreaths Across America is an organization that coordinates wreath laying ceremonies across the nation. They do this to remember our fallen veterans, honor the people that serve and to teach kids the value of freedom. On December 17, 2021, five members of the Friendship Outdoor Skills Club attended the event at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. Almost 4,000 people attended! There were over 19,000 wreaths and all of the graves received one wreath. I was honored for the opportunity to participate with this charity. Great photos below 🔽

In December, the Linthicum 4-H Hi-Riders🐴 held their annual holiday celebration which included a pot luck dinner, gift exchange, 2022 Officer Installation, and toy/present collection for Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program.

The Angel Tree Program has been running for 40+ years and is one of the largest in-kind corporate giving programs in the National Capital Area. Every Christmas there are children who do not receive gifts because their families are struggling financially and the Hi-Riders strive to ensure that these children have a wonderful holiday with their families by donating gifts for children throughout our region. For more information visit: www.angeltreemd.org

Thank you, Hi-Riders, for your positive representation of 4-H and continued support to the Angel Tree Program!

Youth from our club made Valentine cards and donated candy for our annual Valentine Cards for the Troops. Even though we weren't able to meet in person and work on the cards as a group, we were still able to send 34 cards that were sent earlier this week. The items are going to a unit who has folks from Maryland deployed to the Middle East.

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation Inc. provides direct support to the county 4-H program by providing scholarships to county 4-H members and volunteers, and county-wide social events like the 4-H Cookout🍔, and 4-H Ice Cream Social 🍦at the County Fair (anyone else getting hungry?). The County 4-H Foundation also sponsors:

• 4-H Variety Show

• Terry Cooper Unsung Hero Award

• John C. Kozenski, Jr. Kindness Award

• James R. Kahler Turkey Shoot Top 4-H Archer Award

• County Fair 4-H T-shirt Design Contest

• County Fair 4-H T-shirts to 4-H participants

• Alumni gifts for members aging out of 4-H

The 4-H Foundation meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For additional information and meeting locations, please contact the Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation at our general mailbox at aacounty4hfoundation@gmail.com.

*** Share your club experiences with us and we'll include your event in our next newsletter! ***

Volunteer Refresher Course The state 4-H program is requiring all UME Volunteers who have been a UME Volunteer for 5 or more years to complete the Maryland 4-H Volunteer Refresher Training, if you have not already done so. It never hurts to get updated on information for volunteering with the Maryland 4-H Program. You can complete the Refresher Course anytime from the comfort of your own home by visiting this link.

Annual Unit plans are due no later than Feb. 12. The hope is that youth and adult leaders work together to establish the plan allowing youth officers to step up and take responsibility. It may take more time to work through the process yet once established you will find the time spent is worth the effort. Youth begin to feel a sense of belonging, positive youth-adult relationships are formed, and there is often more youth engagement because the work done is in an area of interest, a spark. The underlined terms are the building blocks of all 4-H programs, the Developmental Context. Planning documents located on the county 4-H website under unit leaders.

Officer/ Board Rosters for Affiliated Groups are due no later than Feb. 12, 2022. Documents (rosters, plans, officers) located on the county 4-H website under group leaders.

Enrollment and Onboarding and Welcomes, Oh My! So many things to complete.

We would love to come to a meeting to assist with these processes. Leaders can email Gretchen with meeting dates/times; we can bring resources as requested and available. It's also an opportunity for us to meet and interact with your club members and families. We look forward to visiting.

Let's get together! We have 3 Volunteer / Leader Meetings planned for this year: 2/28, 6/22, and 10/4.

In Feb, we'll discuss... components of a positive youth development program, volunteer opportunities, and incorporating youth leaders into events. There will be unit specific information for current hot topics.

Bring your questions, thoughts and ideas. Please RSVP below for the Feb meeting. ⬇

In this part of the newsletter, we'll take a moment to discuss the basics of 4-H, how the University of Maryland Extension (UME) is structured, how 4-H fits into the UME, resources available to you at your UME county office, etc...

What is 4-H?

4-H is a federal governmental program administered through a land-grant university system in each state and territory. Researchers at experiment stations of the land-grant universities during the early 1900’s saw that adults in the farming community did not readily accept new agricultural discoveries. However, educators found that youth would experiment with these new ideas and then share their experiences and successes with the adults. Thus rural youth programs became a way to introduce new agriculture technology to the adults.

In the United States, the organization is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The national 4-H organization was formed in 1914, when the United States Congress created the Cooperative Extension Service of the USDA by passage of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914,. 4-H was founded with the purpose of instructing rural youth in improved farming and farm-homemaking practices. By the 1970s, it was broadening its goals to cover a full range of youth, and a wide range of life experiences, emphasizing personal growth and preparation for lifelong learning!🍀

Our 2022 Calendar is out!

Please follow this link to our website and click on the calendar icon.

All newsletters are now uploaded to our AAC website.

Updates will be made as they become available to us.

• Feb 1 - Club Leaders bring Record Books to UME-AAC

• Apr 3 - *Rescheduled event* Variety Show @ Baldwin Hall

• Feb 12 - Unit & Group Leader Spring Annual Forms due to UME-AAC/gsumbrum@umd.edu

• Feb 12 - 4-H Dairy Fun Day (virtual)

• Feb 16 - Mandatory Livestock meeting for market animals (Zoom invite)

• Feb 22 - Maryland 4-H Dog Fun Day (virtual)

• Feb 23 - Youth Club Officer Workshop @ UME-AAC

• Feb 26 - Launch into Leadership (virtual)

• Feb 28 - MD Horsemen's Party (virtual)

• Feb 28 - Club Leader's Meeting @ UME-AAC

• Mar 5-6 - MD Horse Bowl Contest (online platform)

• Mar 10 - Public Speaking Workshop @ UME-AAC

• Mar 26 - Public Speaking Contest @ Baldwin Early Learning Center

• July 24-29 - AAC 4-H Residential Camp 2022 ***Save the date***

4-H Inclement Weather Policy: If there is no school, or there is early dismissal in Anne Arundel County due to inclement weather, ALL 4-H events will be cancelled.

4-H Covid Policy: MD 4-H activities must comply with local directives for indoor or outdoor gatherings. If AACPS transitions to virtual learning, we are required to transition ALL indoor 4-H activities to virtual format (including 4-H Meetings). Outdoor activities are still permitted in alignment with local government requirements for masking, physical distance and capacity sizes.

Have questions, ideas or news to share? Please Email Joy Sim, jsim1@umd.edu, to be included in our UME -AAC 4-H monthly newsletter.

Gretchen Sumbrum, UME - AAC Educator Facebook

UME 4-H Facebook

Email: GSumbrum@umd.edu
Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/4-h-youth-development
Location: 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, USA
Phone: 4102223900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACO4H