Mat-Su/Copper River February Newsletter
Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District News
A place where youth, volunteers, and professionals Make the Best Better!
February 29, 2024
Something to Celebrate
- 4-H Youth in Governance
- Pillars of Character
- 4-H Why
- 4-H Discount Joann Fabric
A Note From Kalea
I hope everyone has been battling the chilling wind and winning! As the daylight returns I am looking forward to spring and summer (breakup and road construction season). Most of you have been planning your 4-H projects for months, some since October. Remember, it's never too late to add something new.
Don't forget we are about to SPRING forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10! It will mean losing an hour of sleep and moving the clocks around your house forward one hour (am I the only one who doesn't use a cell phone as my alarm clock?). The sun will rise and set an hour later, but not for long in this Land of the Midnight Sun.
One of most important elements of the 4-H Thriving model that creates belonging and builds relationships is a welcoming environment. Reach out to new members. Learn their names, make sure they understand what is going on, let them know they are a part of the group, and make them feel valued.
Go be awesome to yourself and others,
Kalea
Youth In Governance
We look forward to hearing from our Mat-Su/Copper River members of YIG after their week in Juneau!
My 4-H Why from Alison Dennis of Knik River Riders
Why I participate in 4-H is something I wasn't sure I could answer at first, but then I really started thinking. Is it because I like to see my friends? Is it because I get to ride more often? None of these quite felt right so I dug even deeper and it finally made sense.
Those who don't do 4-H see us as a random club that hangs out around cows and horses all day because, duh, who doesn't love cows and horses, but it's SO much more. 4-H is a community. Yes, it's built upon a mutual love of livestock and equestrian sports, but it's also a place where you learn to grow through the everyday challenges and struggles of life. They make the best better. And 4-H isn't just about horses! Horses! Horses! We give back to the community because we are a part of the community.
It's a place where confidence is planted and maturity is grown. So why do I participate in 4-H? Because I want to be the best me I can be, with clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service, and better living.
. . . and What it means to make the best better
As a 4-H'er have you ever truly asked yourself this question? When you make the best better, you take the light they already have and make it shine brighter; you take their spirit and make it stronger. When you stumble or fall off you get back up and get back on. You take the strength that you already have inside of you and build it up to make it stronger than it ever was. You can't get better from the sidelines. You have to get out there and give it your best and hope to improve upon it. What it means to me might be different from what it means to someone else. But to me making the best better means not giving up.
Print your 4-H Record Books here.
Rally Days 4-5 June
Mark your calendar: 6/4 required for all Jr. Market Livestock Auction projects, 6/5 optional workshops
More information coming soon.
Trustworthiness - be honest, stand for what is right- Respect -be courteous and considerate, accept differences
- Responsibility - try your best, be accountable, persevere
- Fairness - listen to others, treat others equally
- Caring - be compassionate and kind, express gratitude
- Citizenship - be a good neighbor and volunteer, pursue the common good
Need help accessing and using the ZSuite online record book? Use this User Help Guide here.
Leaders: Learn all that ZSuite can do for you! Use this Club Volunteer Administration Guide here.
Check out our website here.
Please submit your 4-H events, memories, and whys to kmhogate@alaska.edu by the second Monday of every month to be included in the next newsletter.
Participating in Junior Market Livestock Auction project?
Register for 2023-24 4-H Year here before you attend mandatory March 7 or April 4 meeting (only one required).
Sign up for Mandatory Meeting here. Sign up for the MS/CR 4-H 2024 State Fair Livestock Show here.
Participant registration for Jr. Market Livestock Auction is here.
Workshops
Learning Tuesday Workshop - 3/5
Quiz Bowl Review and Skeletal Anatomy at CES office (1509 S. Georgeson Dr.) from 3:00-4:30 pm.
Bring note cards, your Record Book, and something to write with. For questions email kmhogate@alaska.edu.
YQCA 3/12
An in-person workshop is offered Tuesday 12 March from 4:00-5:30 pm at the CES office (1509 S. Georgeson Dr.). Class limited to 40 members; please RSVP kmhogate@alaska.edu to attend. Enrollment required prior to class; link will be provided at time of RSVP.
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals is an Alaska 4-H requirement for members enrolled in any Market beef, dairy cattle, goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, swine, and yak projects. It may also be completed online: https://yqcaprogram.org
Northland Pioneer Grange 2024 Scholarship
The Grange is offering a $2,000 scholarship opportunity to students in their senior year from high schools within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Chugiak, Alaska area who are interested in pursuing a degree in one or more of the following:
Agriculture, Forestry, Food/Home Economics, Natural Resources Management, Plant, Animal, and/or Soil Science, Veterinary Medicine OR a degree that would advance rural community development.
Due April 8; Direct questions to Brad Sworts Northland.Grange@gmail.com.
Check your email for introduction letter scholarship application.
District Public Presentation Day
Saturday 6 April at CES office (1509 S. Georgeson Dr.). 4-H presentations Contests include the following categories: Demonstrations, Illustrated Talks & Speeches. For more information visit the state website. Don't miss the Presentation Guide at the bottom of the page. Now is the time to prepare! Sign-up will be open after spring break.
State Presentation Contest in June.
District Horse Contest
The Mat-Su District has horse contest this year on 22-23 March. There will be horse bowl, horse judging, hippology, demonstrations, and public speeches. Come support Saturday at CES office for Demonstration Public Speaking from 9:30 am-2:30 pm.
State Horse Contest
The Mat-Su District will host the state horse contest this year on 12-13 April. There will be horse bowl, horse judging, hippology, demonstrations, and public speeches. Come support Saturday at Colony High School from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Poultry Fun Show Workshop
Saturday 13 April
Rebarchec Agricultural Park Barn (2075 Glenn Hwy., Rebarchek Rd.)
Clean and groom your chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and gamebirds to compete in
breed classes, and choose your best-trained bird to help you compete in Poultry Showmanship!
Check-in 10:00 am
Judging 11:00 am
**Pre-Registration required!*
Entries are due by email: beavandmichele@proton.me
by Monday 18 March
Check your email for registration form and further information.
State Livestock Contest
Friday-Saturday 3-4 May Tanana District
Contest Segments:
- Livestock Judging
- Skill-a-Thon
- Public Speaking
- Quiz Bowl
- Art Show
Contact Cassy Rankin with questions:
(907) 398.3588 crankin4@alaska.edu
Resources to Prepare below:
Discount
Current & Alumni members, parents of members, volunteers, and 4-H staff
Save 15% off total in-store and online purchases every day with 4-H Rewards. Click here for more information.
#joannloves4h
Special VLA Meeting
In lieu of Thursday 7 March VLA meeting, attend Monday 11 March 6:00-7:00 pm CES office (1509 S Georegeson Dr.) if you have completed ALL volunteer training.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://alaska.zoom.us/j/82989024894?pwd=eDNUakx0cXhzdk8vNzErNFQxVkh0UT09
Meeting ID: 829 8902 4894
Passcode: 502967
CLUB NEWS
Greetings to all club reporters or presidents − this column is for you! We’d all love to hear what your club is doing! Please send in a few sentences or more about your club activities, projects, officers, etc.
