Mat-Su/Copper River March Newsletter
Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District News
A place where youth, volunteers, and professionals Make the Best Better!
March 26, 2024
Something to Celebrate
- 4-H IGNITE
- District Horse Contest
A Note From Kalea
Spring break-up has extra pleasant. I've been enjoying the extra hours of sunlight, the warmer temps, and planting starts.
There is so much coming in spring and summer. I hope you are getting excited! Try something new and invite a friend!
If your club is planning an event that is open to the District, please let me know so I can get it on the calendar. This helps us get the word out and avoid conflicting activities.
April is a great time to plan a service learning project. The 4-H pledge includes "larger service." I know clubs have been at this all year. If your club has already completed service projects, please share so we can feature them in this newsletter. Look for a Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center grounds clean-up day the last weekend in May (weather dependent based on dry ground).
Go be awesome to yourself and others,
Kalea
IGNITE 2024
I was one of the six Alaskans to be chosen to go to a conference called IGNITE, held in Washington D.C. At this conference I learned about Hydraulics, Animal Health, and a lot about connecting your creativity to STEM projects.
I also thought it was fun to talk to kids from other states and tell them where I was from, what I enjoy doing, and what 4-H projects I am working on. I got to trade pins, but I didn’t know that Alaska pins were so rare to the kids down there, so when I traded pins, I got surrounded by people who wanted to trade pins. I was still able to trade pins and got at least 25 other state pins. I enjoyed this opportunity, learned a lot from it, and hope that many other kids will also get to take this trip in future years.
-Tybee Repnow, Colony Clovers
District Horse Contest Success
Well done Ayla Bakk, Marianne Bakk, Kyrie Cook, Lydia Hanson, Lillian Kula, Alexis Malone, Josie Monnin, Amelia Post, Evelyn Post, Elsa Rodriguez, Natiley Robinson, Faith Stewart, Tarin Thomas, Christine Voth, Tayson Wilson, and Krista Wold!
These 4-H'ers ages 9-18 spent months studying and preparing. The Horse Contest is an opportunity for youth to learn and improve many life skills such as public speaking, decision-making, teamwork, and critical thinking, all while learning how to become a better horseman! This is just one way 4-H prepares our communities' youth to be civic minded engaged leaders for an ever changing world. 4-H members participate in quiz bowl, horse judging, hippology, demonstrations, and speeches.
Results
Horse Bowl
Reserve Champion Team:
Lillian, Josie, Christine, Krista
Grand Champion Team:
Lydia, Faith, Lexi, Elsa
High Point Junior:
2. Kyrie/Tarin (1 each)
1. Ella (2)
High Point Senior:
5. Faith/Krista (2 each)
4. Lexi (5)
3. Lydiea (6)
2. Elsa (16)
1. Lillian (17)
Hippology
Reserve Champion Team:
Kyrie, Natiley, Josie (272)
Grand Champion Team:
Lexi, Lydia, Faith, Elsa (279)
Exam Phase High Point
Junior:
3. Tarin (77)
2. Kyrie (79)
1. Lexi (93)
Senior:
3. Elsa (89)
2. Lydia (92)
1. Lexi
Judging High Point
Junior:
3. Natiley (92)
2. Marianne (94)
1. Tayson (95)
Senior:
3. Lexi/Lydia (92 each)
4. Lillian (94)
1. Elsa (95)
Stations High Point
Junior:
3. Kyrie (56)
2. Evie (63)
1. Marianne (66)
Senior:
3. Lydia (76)
2. Elsa (80)
1. Lexi (83)
Judging
Reserve Champion Team:
Kyrie, Natiley, Josie (399)
Grand Champion Team:
Lexi, Elsa, Faith, Lydia (408)
High Point Junior:
3. Evie (129)
2. Marianne (132)
1. Tayson (133)
High Point Intermediate:
3. Kyrie & Josie (131)
2. Lillian (133)
1. Natiley (137)
High Point Senior:
3. Lexi (131)
2. Lydia (136)
1. Elsa (139)
Public Speaking (14-18)
First place:
Lillian (89)
Demonstration (13 and under)
Third place:
Millie (74)
Second place:
Evie (91)
First place:
Kyrie (93)
Demonstration (14-18)
Third place:
Elsa (95)
Second place:
Lydia (96)
First place:
Lexi (98)
Thank you to all those volunteers that made this event happen.
District Public Presentation Day
Saturday 4 May 10:00 am at CES office (1509 S. Georgeson Dr.). 4-H presentations Contests include the following categories: Demonstrations, Illustrated Talks & Speeches.
Are you really great at giving your dog a bath? Share your secret skills!
Do you make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches this side of the Atlantic
Ocean? Share your recipe!
Do you love to talk about raising pigs for fair? Share your experiences!
Your presentation doesn't have to be on your 4-H project (it can be!), but should
be on something that really interests you.
For more information visit the state website. Don't miss the Presentation Guide at the bottom of that page. Now is the time to prepare! Send questions to kmhogate@alaska.edu
Registration goes live Monday 1 April. Sign-up in ZSuite Events no later than Monday 29 April.
State Presentation Contest in June. Grand and Reserve Champion of each age in each category from each District are eligible to participate.
Resources to prepare below.
State Livestock Contest
Friday-Saturday 3-4 May Tanana District
Want to form a team, coach a team, or practice for the Contest? Email kmhogate@alaska.edu
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:
Print your 4-H Record Books here.
Need help accessing and using the ZSuite online record book?
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.
Leaders: Learn all that can do for you! Use this .
Check out our website here.
Participating in Junior Market Livestock Auction project?
Register for before you attend mandatory April 4 meeting.
Sign up for . Sign up for the .
*Participant registration for Jr. Market Livestock Auction is here no later than April 15.
Workshops
All workshops are open to any enrolled 4-H member. The following qualify as Market Livestock workshops:
*TODAY* Starting Turkey Poults - 3/28
6:00-7:00 pm (4441 N. Palmer Fishhook Rd. Palmer)
Learn:
- How to set up a brooder
- How to prepare for poults
- How to care for poults in the first few days
- How to ensure proper nutrition
Contact callijoy.sr@gmail.com with questions.
Care and Tending of Young Beef and Swine 4/4
6:00-7:00 pm Palmer
Learn:
- Haltering, training, and showing of young beef
- Quality nutrition for young beef
- Walking, training, and preparing for showing swine
- Quality nutrition for swine
*RSVP required No Later than Monday 1 April to troopmckee@gmail.com; limited space
Quiz Bowl Competition Large Livestock 4/8
5:00 pm at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm (4350 Bodenburg Lp. Palmer)
Learn:
- Rules and purpose of Quiz Bowl
- How to participate
RSVP required No Later than Monday 1 April to dcroberts@mtaonline.net
Non-Market Livestock workshop:
Public Presentation Contest Planning with Palmer Toastmasters 4/6
10:00 am-12:00pm at CES Office (1509 S. Georgeson Dr. Palmer)
4-H members interested in participating in District Public Presentation Contest come
learn parts of a presentation and receive assistance in planning and practicing your
presentation. Bring your presentation ideas!
State 4-H Livestock Contest Series 4/3 What is Livestock Judging? 5:00-6:00 pm CES office (1509 S. Georgeson Dr.) 6:00-6:30 pm practice/team organization. If planning to attend, please email kmhogate@alaska.edu to RSVP.
Horse Project Record Book 4/20
2:00-4:00 pm at Vagabond Blues (642 S Alaska St. Suite /ces/4-h/quick-links/district-directory/mat-su-copper-river/newsletters/208, Palmer)
4-H members completing the Horse Project can work on their Record Book, ask questions,
receive guidance, and plan topics for future Horse Project workshops.
Alaska 4-H State Livestock Contest Series
Here's a great opportunity to learn more about the Alaska State 4-H Livestock Contest!
Register on your account here by logging in, clicking on the Contest Series link under your Events tab, and selecting which sessions you'd like to attend.
- Learn about the contest segments
- Get to know other 4-H'ers
- Ask questions about this year's contest
- Come to one or all sessions
Dates and Sessions:
- Wednesday 3 April 5:00-6:00 pm: What is Livestock Judging?*
- Tuesday 9 April 5:00-6:00 pm: What is Skill-a-Thon?
- Monday 15 April 5:00-6:00 pm: What is Quiz Bowl?
- Wednesday 17April 5:00-6:00 pm: Livestock Contest Q & A
Come to one session or come to all and get to know the contest segments and fellow 4-H'ers who are also excited about the livestock contest!
Open to all 4-H members, leaders, coaches, parents, and volunteers. If not enrolled, contact Cassandra Rankin before noon on the day of the session for the meeting link crankin4@alaska.edu
*We will meet as a District at CES office for 4/3 session and for 30 minute planning session after. RSVP to kmhogate@alaska.edu.
Thank you Volunteers!
Thank you to those volunteers who have put on Mandatory Livestock Meetings in February and March, and to those who will host next week for the April meeting.
When you see them, express your gratitude! The presentation is comprehensive and informative.
Rally Days
Rally Days is 5-6 June
Mark your calendar: 6/5 required for all Jr. Market Livestock Auction projects, 6/6 optional workshops
Look for times coming soon.
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 check-out the Equine Symposium from 11:00-3:00 pm and support contestants Saturday at Colony High School from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Horse Symposium in conjunction with State Horse Contest at Colony High School 11:00
am-3:00 pm. This is a community event where local equestrian experts come together
to share knowledge, merchandise, and club information. The Symposium provides an
opportunity to learn from experts, make connections, and enhance the understanding
of the role of horses in healthy lifestyles.
*If you are looking for volunteer hours, there is opportunity for youth to volunteer
for the State Horse Contest and Symposium. Please send youth name and best contact
to kmhogate@alaska.edu.
BOGS
Bogs has NEW 4-H Farm Boots. For every purchase, Bogs donates $5 to 4-H.
Watch the video here:
April Meetings
Horse Council 5:45-6:45 pm Mess Hall (1509 S. Georgeson Dr.)
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 829 8902 4894
Passcode: 502967
Livestock Council 7:30-8:30 pm CES office Room 208
(1509 S. Georgeson Dr.)
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 836 3072 2979
Passcode: 122961
Agendas and Minutes can be accessed below.
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.
