4-H Today

The first monthly 4-H “Animal Science Blast” - part of the I Know MI Numbers science-literacy initiative - was held January 24, 2012 at the Otsego District Public Library.

Byron Center probably isn’t the first place you’d think of when talking about not having enough to eat, but the local food pantry is helping feed at least 250 families who would otherwise feel the very real pinch of hunger. 4-H’er Nate Seese saw the need for high-quality protein at the food pantry and decided to find a way to help.

On January 15, 2012, the stands at the MSU Breslin Center will be even greener than usual as up to 5,000 extra fans gather to celebrate the Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development program. They’ll be there not only to cheer themselves, but also to help the MSU Women’s Basketball team claim victory over Ohio State.

While contributing to a coastal inventory, this year’s 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp (GLNR) participants discovered a federally and state-threatened plant.

On October 9, 2011, members from the North Central 4-H Club and the 4-H Country Kids Club, their parents, volunteer leaders and local Master Gardeners showed up at the new Montcalm County 4-H Fairgrounds, where they spent the day planting, mulching and watering 88 trees.

The Lansing warehouse bulged with books of every size, for youth of all ages. Cars, pick-ups, vans and trucks from all over the state steadily pulled up to the overhead doors and filled every unoccupied space (some passengers even held boxes on their laps!) in the vehicle with boxes of "paper gold" better known as books. 

Feeding the hungry. Watching over our lakes. Creating new businesses. You might think these are things for which our politicians are taking responsibility. But the group stepping forward to say, “We are,” isn’t made up of legislators. They’re kids.

Michigan 4-H’s Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp selected as one of 10 in the nation to be part of National 4-H case study on successful science programs.  

Members of the Barry County F3 ENERGY! 4-H Club are learning about nutrition education and the culinary arts, while growing fresh vegetables to sell locally to restaurants or at farm markets.

Read here about the highly successful 2011 4-H Mentoring Weekend, held at Kettunen Center.