Anne Arundel County 4-H Happenings

Spring is here!

Diamond Clover goals are set. Record books are started. Project time has begun!

Coming up: An awesome new horse communications workshop is being offered, bowls & skillathons are happening, camping registration opens Friday and the fairs are coming soon!

🍀 Lucky for you, this monthly newsletter is all you need to help you find your 'life skills' pot of gold. And with 4-H, there's always plenty of 4-leaf clovers! 😉

REMINDER: All returning certified UME 4-H Volunteer enrollments must be approved in 4-H Online by March 1, 2024 for the volunteer to continue serving without interruption. Returning volunteers who do not have an approved enrollment by March 1 are not appointed to serve and are not protected from liability under the Maryland Tort Claims Act (MTCA) until they complete re-enrollment.

2024 Re-enrollment through 4-H Online

All 4-H Member, Clover, and UME Volunteer re-enrollments must be completed via 4-H Online.

4-H Membership Cards are your 'free entrance' to the fair!

Re-enrollment: To enroll, simply log into your family 4-H Online profile and click 'Enroll Now' next to your name. Remember to use your family account from last year (same email & password) and re-enroll each person listed on your account. *Please do not create a new account* 4-H Youth Members and Clovers can submit $10 participation fee through 4-H Online. Volunteers are always free!! :)

• Youth: Enrollment is the same as prior years.
• Re-enrolling Volunteers:
• If you were a volunteer last year, please enroll as a 'CLUB VOLUNTEER"
• Roles chosen online must match the Role description you signed, i.e. Organizational leader, Activity leader, etc.
• **NEW for 2024 Re-enrollment is a 3-step process; Enrollment, Screening, and Training Refresher (an 8 min. video). You must complete all sections; total time to re-enroll is ~10 - 15 mins. The entire video (which appears in a pop-up format) should be viewed from a computer. You must watch the whole video to the end (click your way through) or your re-enrollment is not complete. Do not complete the survey at the end - not required.
• New Volunteers: This takes a few weeks once fully completed. There is a 1-hour Orientation video, references must be checked, and a background check must be completed. Here is a 'cheat sheet' to assist you.

Registration will open Friday 3/15/24!

Registration form an be found on the camping webpage.

Join us July 21 – July 26, 2024, in the spectacular vistas of the Western Maryland 4-H Center in Garrett County, Maryland for the Anne Arundel County 4-H Camp. All youth ages 8-15 are welcome to make new friends, learn new skills, experience the great outdoors, and have fun! Your child does not have to be a member of 4-H, or live in Anne Arundel County to attend our 4-H Camp!

• Staffed by camp professionals and capable, well trained volunteers & teen leaders.

• Health center and 24-hour medical staff

• Accredited by the American Camp Association!

• Registration is at a first come, first serve basis so get your application in early.

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation Inc. supports the county 4-H program by providing scholarships to county 4-H members and volunteers, as well as hosting county-wide social events (like the 4-H Cookout and 4-H Ice Cream Social at the Anne Arundel County Fair). For further information, check out our AAC 4-H Foundation webpage. Questions: aacounty4hfoundation@gmail.com.

Congratulations to these AAC awardees honored on 2/18/24 at the 2024 Maryland 4-H Awards Gala/Achievement Program.

We are so proud of our county honorees!

• Abbey Bearden - Maryland 4-H Dairy Bowl Team
• Michael Merriam - Maryland 4-H Dairy Bowl Team
• Summer Mrotek - Maryland 4-H Horse Judging Team (Horse Judging High Senior Individual) and National 4-H Congress
• Jacqueline Merriam - Maryland 4-H Horse Judging Team Coach
• Danielle Kahler - 4-H Alumni Plaque Award
• Sean Merriam - Sandy Spring Bank Scholarship

Our Annual Public Speaking Contest was held on Saturday 3/9/24 at Baldwin Early Learning Center.

This event helps youth develop skills for communicating with real audiences, organizing and preparing a speech, practicing speech delivery skills, learning presentation skills, and developing self-confidence.

County winners eligible to advance to the State Public Speaking Contest held at Maryland Day on 4/27/24 at UMD, College Park. The results were as follows:

Demonstration

• Juniors

• 1st, Connor C - Sand!

• 2nd, Anna W - Vascular System of a Flower

• Intermediates

• 1st, Flora W - How to make banana and peanut butter ice cream

Interpretation

• Clover

• Nina J - Maple

• Junior

• 1st, AvaLynn J - I Love You Stinky Face

• Intermediate

• 1st, Niko G - This is the Moment by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse

Prepared

• Junior

• 1st, Sofia R - All about Horses

• Senior

• 1st, Evie G - Entomophagy: Past, Present, Future?

Visual Presentation

• Junior

• 1st, Gavin C - Tornado Talk Time

• 2nd (tied), Scout K - A Young Explorer's Guide to Foraging Maryland in Spring

• 2nd (tied) Kelsey C - Knitting: Easier Than it Seems

• Intermediate

• 1st, Emily C - Dairy Cow Stomach Anatomy

• 2nd, Kynzie R - Got goats?

• Senior

• 1st, Jaidyn R - Agriculture

Extemporaneous

• Junior

• 1st, Anna W

• Intermediate

• 1st, Flora W

• Senior

• 1st, Max G

• 2nd, Ender G

We could especially like to Thank the Judges: Paige Merriam, Dawn White, Mary Thomas, Amber Ketchum, Jessica Crawford, Jared Reece and Rav Chatterjee.

We also appreciate the All Stars of AAC for providing free snacks!

Hope everyone enjoyed their experience!

By James M

"This month Kinder Farm Park 4-H Club organized a Valentine’s Day service project to make Valentine’s cards for the residents of Brightview Senior Center in Severna Park. Club members made over 80 handmade valentines. We had a great time working on this project. Alice C said, “I had a lot of fun making the cards! I made four cards and got to use a lot of my art supplies. It felt really nice making someone’s day better.” Blaise W said, “I enjoyed making the cards very much and want to make even more! It was fun choosing pictures of farm animals to use in my designs. It makes me feel happy to know the seniors received the cards.” Projects like this one are important to do because they help decrease loneliness and let people know that they are loved and there are people thinking about them. It also reminds us that even with small actions we can make a big difference in someone’s life. Ellis W said, “I enjoyed designing the cards on the computer and printing them out. It feels nice and fun to know the cards will go to seniors.” The staff at Brightview were very appreciative of the cards and told us that they planned to give their residents the cards at their Valentine’s dinner. We really enjoyed doing this service project."

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

We appreciate all you do for our programs!

Information about all state-sponsored Animal Science programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences or contact Chris Anderson, AS specialist: canders2@umd.edu for more info.

Maryland 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest

The 2024 Maryland 4-H State Dairy Quiz Bowl event will be held on Saturday, April 20 at the Carroll County Extension Office. There will be a $5.00 entry fee for each contestant.

4-H members wishing to participate should contact their county/city 4-H office. Official registration for the contest is submitted via the 4-H Online registration system by April 5, 2024. Counties may enter up to a maximum of eight members (comprised of a team of four members and four additional individuals or a team of four members/one alternate and three additional individuals) in each of the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions.

NOTE: Dairy bowl questions are due to April via email at adhall@umd.edu by March 11, 2024, using the Excel spreadsheet template provided. Please submit up to 5 Phase B/Group Questions and up to 30 Phase C/Toss Up Questions for each age division. The question database will be emailed out by March 18th.

NOTE: Written tests are to be taken between March 27-April 5 and are due back to April by April 10th. (Tests will be emailed to county offices by March 26)

Contest rules are available on the Maryland 4-H Animal Science webpage at: https://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/animal-science-resources.

Maryland 4-H Horse Communications Workshop

NEW for 2024! State 4-H Horse Communications Working Day! Join us on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the State 4-H Center located in College Park, MD for a Horse Communications Working Day! Youth and adults will learn about what the horse communications contest is, why it is important, and how to structure each type of presentation. Additionally, we will have breakout groups where youth will have one-on-one time with State 4-H Horse Communications coach Karen Scott to provide structured feedback on their presentation!

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024

• Time: 8:30am - 12:30 pm

• Location: State 4-H Center 8020 Greenmead Dr., College Park, MD 20740

• Fee: Free

• Registration Closes: March 15, 2024

Eligibility

This clinic is open to 4-H youth members and volunteers who are interested in learning more about Horse Communications.

How to Register

Registration for this event is through 4-H Online. To access the registration log in to your 4-H Online family profile and click on the Events tab. You can find an Event Registration “how to” guide on the Maryland 4-H website.

All event registrations must be submitted by 11:59 pm on March 15, 2024. Contact State 4-H Equine Coordinator Rebecca Bittner at regunder@umd.edu for more information.

Shotgun Instructor Training

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024

• Time: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

• Location: Dug Hill Rod & Gun Club, 4100 Wine Rd, Westminster MD

• Fee: $100.00

• Participation: Maximum 25 participants. A waitlist will be established when filled.

• Registration Closes: March 15, 2024

Eligibility

Certified UME 4-H Volunteers who will serve as 4-H Shotgun Instructors for 4-H clubs or programs. Volunteers must have an approved enrollment for 2024.

Pre-Event Coursework

Participants are required to complete 4-5 hours of online coursework prior to the start of the training. A link to this training will be sent in your approval and confirmation email. This is a mandatory requirement to attend the Instructor Training. Individuals who are unable to complete the online coursework prior to the start of in-person training will forfeit their spot and be asked to attend a future training. Complete information and rules can be found on the Maryland 4-H website.

How to Register

Registration for this event is through 4-H Online. To access the event registration log in to your 4-H Online family profile and click on the Events tab. You can find an Event Registration “how to” guide on the Maryland 4-H website. All event registrations must be submitted by 11:59 pm on March 15, 2024.

The 2024 Maryland 4-H Sporting Clays Fundraiser

As a kick off to the 2024 Maryland 4-H Shooting Sports Year, the shooting sports program would like to invite you to join us for the 2024 Maryland 4-H Sporting Clays Fundraiser!

• Location: Schrader’s Outdoors, 16090 Oakland Road Henderson, MD 21640 http://schradersoutdoors.com
• Registration: Registration begins at 9:00 am. Shooter pre-registration is not required. (Registration can be done in advance by mail, online: https://www.jotform.com/build/240250943950050 or in person on the day of the event.) As part of the fundraiser, attendees are welcome to track their own scores but we will not be holding an official awards ceremony or giving out prizes. (930a-1pm)
• We will have a food truck available on the grounds from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

• $50 per shooter

Gun Raffle:

Beretta A 300 camo 12 gauge.
$5 for one ticket or $10 for 3 tickets. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online: https://www.jotform.com/build/240250943950050 or in person on the day of the event.

We will draw the winner following the event and announce it by email and on our UME Social Media Platforms! We will work directly with the winner to get them their prize.

Sponsorship Opportunities (Must be purchased by April 6, 2024):

Event Sponsor $500 - Includes 4 shooters, station sign, full page ad and 8 raffle tickets

Station Sign (similar to golf tee signs) $100

Program Book Ad - Full Page $100

Program Book Ad- Half Page $50

Program Book Ad - Quarter Page $25

Profit Sharing for County 4-H Shooting Sports Programs: We will offer this opportunity for your County 4-H Shooting Sports Program to share directly in the profits from this event. We have decided to do a 50/50 split on the sales of Program Book Ads and Shooting Station Signs. The gun raffle tickets will not be included as part of the profit share program.

Sponsorships can be purchased online: https://www.jotform.com/build/240250943950050 or by mail using the attached sponsorship information.

For event information: Rebecca Bittner at 301-314-7145, regunder@umd.edu

Information about all state-sponsored STEM programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/stem

or contact Mark DeMorra, STEM specialist: mdemorra@umd.edu for more info.

**** STAY TUNED! ****

The University of Maryland's annual springtime open house returns in April. Experience a day of learning, fun and discovery. Find it all and more in College Park at Maryland Day!

• • • Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • University of Maryland, College Park
    • Free admission and parking
    • https://marylandday.umd.edu/
      

Mark your 📅 - the FOURth day of the FOURth month - which means on Tuesday, April 4th, we will be launching our fifth $4 for 4-H Annual Giving Day! Save the date and join in showing your Maryland 4-H Pride and donating online through gifts of $4 increments.

Applications are open for Summer 2024 'Creating Leadership & Professional Development Through Extension Internships'. Undergraduate students from certification programs, 4-year and 2-year institutions are invited to apply. Visit https://go.umd.edu/extensioninternships to learn more and to apply. Here is a video of past Internship experiences: https://youtu.be/4Q-C1EiVObA?feature=shared:

Below is a statement from our 2023 AAC Intern (former AAC 4-Her , now college student) Heather Knauss:

"Hi, I’m the Ag/FS and 4-H intern at the Anne Arundel County Extension office from the summer of 2023. The internship program is such a fun experience! On the Ag/FS side of things I got to help out at the urban farm with weeding, harvesting, and I documented/managed our moth count. On the 4-H side of things, I got to help out with lesson planning and teaching. That’s not all, the other interns in the program may work at other offices but there are multiple social events during the program to meet them and become friends. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in agriculture, education, or even communications as there are also blogs and public speaking opportunities."

See our "AAC 4-H 2024 Calendar' for more details. Updates will be made as they become available. All newsletters are uploaded to our AAC website.

March

3/16 - Horse Communications Workshop

3/13-3/17 - Ignite by 4-H

3/23 - MD State 4-H Dairy Skillathon Contest

3/23 - Shotgun Instructor Training

April

4/1 - 7/31 - Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance (AH&QA)

4/4 - $4 for 4-H

4/13 - Sporting Clays Fundraiser

4/20 - Dairy Quiz Bowl

4/27 - MD State Public Speaking Contest and Maryland Day at UMD

7/21 - 7/26 Camp!

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 canceled.

4-H Health Policy: MD 4-H activities must comply with local directives for indoor or outdoor gatherings, following AACPS advisories.

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.

Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/4-h-youth-development

Location: 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, USA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACO4H
➡ Phone: *** NEW PHONE NUMBER/SYSTEM*** ⬅

• Joy direct: 301-226-7478
• Main number: 301-226-7470

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

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