May 4, 2021

April 17th was our District Presentation Day. Joseph H. with the Copper Nuggets 4-H Club was our only presenter this year. He did a great job and it was awesome to listen to his prepared speech live, rather than a recording. 

The Ice Cream Flavor Contest is underway!! Our registrants will be picking up their base flavors in the next 2 days to begin their recipe creations. Stay tuned to see what deliciousness they come up with!

​A kindly donation of 2 knitting machines are coming to the office this month. If your club or a youth in your club is interested in checking one out, please let me know! I'll have more details soon.

​Ads:
-GOAT: Mini Alpine Buck. Owner is willing to donate to a 4-H youth interested in raising mini alpines. Contact Marlene Wenger marwen@cvinternet.net for more information.
-TURKEY POULTS: Colony Clovers 4-H club has some turkey poults for sale. These are the giant broad breasted whites. Hens and Toms available.  $12 each. Text (907) 355-1310 or (907) 841-3334
-FREE PERCHERON/MORGAN MARE: Please call 907-232-3982 for more details. She does not do well on the hills in our pen during the winter. She refuses to move much and then gets stiff. She needs a pen built on level ground, must have very limited access to grass, and eats low-sugar or soaked hay. She hasn't been ridden all winter. She's very good on trails, great with obstacles, and doesn't spook easily. See a picture of her HERE.

Dates to keep an eye on:
Thursday 5/6 at 6:30pm: Volunteer Leaders Association monthly meeting. We are allowed to have an in-person as well as video meeting. Our maximum number of bodies allowed in the meeting is 20. Sign up on this google doc to attend. Sign-up is required as well as masks, screening questions, and social distancing. If you are unable to or choose not to wear a mask, please participate via the zoom ID link 945 296 187. In-person meeting will be at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Rd. Palmer, Kerttula Hall Rm 208.

Thursday 5/6 at 7:00pm: MatSu Livestock Committee monthly meeting. As with the VLA meeting at 6:30, we are allowed to have in-person meetings at the Farm. 20 people max and the same safety guidelines as above. If you feel you are ill or cannot accept the UAF safety guidelines, please attend via the zoom meeting ID link: 945 296 187. Sign up is required for this meeting as well. A separate sign up sheet will be posted on the Livestock Facebook group page.

​Tuesday 5/18 at 7:00pm is the 4-H State AVLO (Alaska Volunteer Leaders Organization) monthly meeting. Please join in to find out how this state volunteer-run organization can help you and your club! Zoom meeting ID and agenda are available on the calendar on our webpage.

June 9-10: Rally Days at the Palmer Fairgrounds. More information coming.

Tuesday 6/15: Registration is due for Leggett's Livestock Clinic. Clinic is July 29-30. Information and registration form can be found HERE. 

We now have a new listserv for getting information out quickly and easily. I will be adding you all active members to the listserv. If you decide you want to unsubscribe, please just click the link at the bottom of the email. All emails posted to the list will be subject to approval, so try to keep the emails short and to the point and applicable to the entire district. The listserv address is: UAF-MSCR4HFamilies-Outreach@alaska.edu

​As always, keep an eye on the calendar for up-to-date information on happenings in our 4-H District and Statewide. Let me know if you have anything you would like shared and I'll pop it into our next installment.


Have a great rest of your week everyone!


​Ann

​April 27, 2021
EXCITING NEWS: TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER! We are partnering with Motley Moo Creamery in Anchorage for an Ice Cream Flavor Contest!! Mat-Su/CR 4-H youth (8-18) can find more information and sign up in EVENTS on 4h.zsuite.org 

• Sign up will be until the night of 4/27 TONIGHT
• Flavor base and recipe cards will be handed out early May (if you are outside of the Palmer/Wasilla area, register and then email me about options for participation; we will make it work!)
• Winner will be announced early June
• 4-H specialty flavor will be sold all summer and at the Palmer State Fair!

Ads:
-GOAT: Mini Alpine Buck. Owner is willing to donate to a 4-H youth interested in raising mini alpines. Contact Marlene Wenger marwen@cvinternet.net for more information.
-TURKEY POULTS: Colony Clovers 4-H club has some turkey poults for sale. These are the giant broad breasted whites. Hens and Toms available.  They are 10 days old today. $12 each. Text (907) 355-1310 or (907) 841-3334

​Dates to keep an eye on:
Thursday 5/6 at 6:30pm: Volunteer Leaders Association monthly meeting. We are allowed to have an in-person as well as video meeting. Our maximum number of bodies allowed in the meeting is 20. Sign up on this google doc to attend. Sign-up is required as well as masks, screening questions, and social distancing. If you are unable to or choose not to wear a mask, please participate via the zoom ID link 945 296 187. In-person meeting will be at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Rd. Palmer, Kerttula Hall Rm 208.

Thursday 5/6 at 7:00pm: MatSu Livestock Committee monthly meeting. As with the VLA meeting at 6:30, we are allowed to have in-person meetings at the Farm. 20 people max and the same safety guidelines as above. If you feel you are ill or cannot accept the UAF safety guidelines, please attend via the zoom meeting ID link: 945 296 187. Sign up is required for this meeting as well. Sign up sheet will be posted on the Livestock Facebook group page.

Tuesday 5/18 at 7:00pm is the 4-H State AVLO (Alaska Volunteer Leaders Organization) monthly meeting. Please join in to find out how this state volunteer-run organization can help you and your club! Zoom meeting ID and agenda are available on the calendar on our webpage.

Through the end of April: the Triple Crown Showcase Competition, sponsored by the Pioneer Peak 4-H Club and leaders Crystal Roberts and Milly Tormey. Please see the flyer below and download the packet.

June 9-10: Rally Days at the Palmer Fairgrounds. More information coming.
Tuesday 6/15: Registration is due for Leggett's Livestock Clinic. Clinic is July 29-30. Information and registration form can be found HERE. 


We are in the process of switching over email listservs with the University. As soon as the process is solid, I'll let you all know. This will make it easier for YOU to share information with the rest of the District. 
As always, keep an eye on the calendar for up-to-date information on happenings in our 4-H District and Statewide. Let me know if you have anything you would like shared and I'll pop it into our next installment.


Have a great rest of your week everyone!


​Ann

April 13, 2021

A HUGE THANK YOU to all of the kiddos who signed up and received the Edible Soil Science Kits!! I've gotten some great feedback and it sounds like the kids had a great time. If you didn't get the chance to sign up or receive a kit, you can still download the instructions from our webpage. 

More EXCITING NEWS: We are partnering with Motley Moo Creamery in Anchorage for an Ice Cream Flavor Contest!! Mat-Su/CR 4-H youth (8-18) can find more information and sign up in EVENTS on 4h.zsuite.org 

• Sign up will be until 4/27
• Flavor base and recipe cards will be handed out early May
• Winner will be announced early June
• 4-H specialty flavor will be sold all summer and at the Palmer State Fair!

Dates to keep track of:

DUE 4/15: SENIORS: Scholarship applications DUE for the Volunteer Leaders Association Scholarship, and the Livestock Committee Scholarship. Applications can be downloaded from our MS/CR scholarship WEBPAGE. These are DUE at the farm office on the 15th (not postmarked). The office is still closed to the public, except for appointments. I have a 4-H box located outside the front door of Kerttula Hall that has an envelope inside for completed scholarship applications. I check this daily. If you do not feel comfortable leaving it in the box, please email me to set up a time for hand-off.

Tuesday 4/20 at 7:00pm is the 4-H State AVLO (Alaska Volunteer Leaders Organization) monthly meeting. Please join in to find out how this state volunteer-run organization can help you and your club! Zoom meeting ID and agenda are available on the calendar on our webpage.

4/21: 4:00pm Market Livestock Workshop: Blood Draws, etc., sponsored by Pioneer Peak 4-H. Limited to 10 enrolled 4-H teens. Contact Millie Tormey 907-460-0736 for more information and registration.

Through the end of April: the Triple Crown Showcase Competition, sponsored by the Pioneer Peak 4-H Club and leaders Crystal Roberts and Milly Tormey. Please see the flyer below and download the packet.

Registration now open for our Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District Presentation Day (4/17). Go to events in 4h.zsuite.org to register your presentation! We will be taking appointments for in-person presentations as well as live video presentations. The state presentation day will be in June this year. The District presentations will all be LIVE and in front of judges (video or in-person).....no sending in recordings.

As always, keep an eye on the calendar for up-to-date information on happenings in our 4-H District and Statewide. Let me know if you have anything you would like shared and I'll pop it into our next installment.

Have a great rest of your week everyone!
​Ann

Parents, Leaders, and Teens:

Livestock Committee Meetings

• 1st Thursday of each month at 7pm
• In-person at the CES office or on Zoom
  • Alaska.zoom.us
    • 945 296 187

These meetings will keep you updated and give you an opportunity to address the committee with any conflicts.

Livestock Camp Dates: July 29-30

• Registration information will be coming soon. 
• Camp sessions WILL count as clinics for auction participation requirements. 
• Deadline to register will be June 15th.

Getting Started

1. Follow this link to register for participation in the 2021 MatSu/Copper River District 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Auction https://forms.gle/vN9nH65usnmxCGG5A
2. Registration is due April 23rd at midnight
3. You MUST BE ENROLLED as a 4-H/FFA member by April 23rd
   1. enroll in 4-H HERE

This registration (above link) includes a copy of the contract and a place to digitally sign it. This takes the place of turning in a paper copy of the contract this year. 
The mandatory meeting video can be found on the district website, along with the record books, and educational inserts.
http://www.alaska4h.org/forms-and-helpsheets.html

LIVESTOCK SCHOLARSHIP

• Applications due to the CES office: 4/15/21
• Scholarships can be found HERE.

CLINIC OPPORTUNITIES

• https://www.canr.msu.edu/animal_science/Resources/livestock-learning-videos?fbclid=IwAR2ER_HsPwm8n4WoHV9ad42tSEknUBX_d3uStC8hSmtCtztWpPrs9HGqHPs
• http://www.alaska4h.org/alaska-4-h-livestock.html

Ask to join the MatSu/Copper River 4-H Livestock Group Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/458848018051363

Date Change: Rally Days has been  moved to June 9 & 10. Please disregard the Rally Days dates listed in the contract.

4halaska@gmail.com
Heather Corbridge, President
MatSu/Copper River Livestock Committee
P.O. Box 1741
Palmer, AK 99645
907-227-6986

March 31, 2021
The April theme at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center is "Earth Day" and there are a lot of great programs to check out. Head over to the facebook events page for more details and how to register. Younger kiddos will have the opportunity to learn about soil science through an edible at-home learning kit. Sign up HERE. The older youth program is a bit different this month. We will host a service project at the farm. More information to come. 

Other fun things happening tomorrow and in April:

4/1: 6:00pm Volunteer Leaders Association monthly meeting. We are allowed to have an in-person as well as video meeting. Our maximum number of bodies allowed in the meeting is 20. Sign up on this google doc to attend. Sign-up is required as well as masks, screening questions, and social distancing. If you are unable to or choose not to wear a mask, please participate via the zoom ID link 945 296 187. In-person meeting will be at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Rd. Palmer, Kerttula Hall Rm 208.

4/1: 6:30pm Livestock Q&A and 7:00pm MatSu Livestock Committee monthly meeting. As with the VLA meeting at 6, we are allowed to have in-person meetings at the Farm. 20 people max and the same safety guidelines as above. If you feel you are ill or cannot accept the UAF safety guidelines, please attend via the zoom meeting ID link: 945 296 187.

Due 4/15: SENIORS: Scholarship applications DUE for the Volunteer Leaders Association Scholarship, and the Livestock Committee Scholarship. Applications can be downloaded from our MS/CR scholarship WEBPAGE.
4/21: 4:00pm Market Livestock Workshop: Blood Draws, etc., sponsored by Pioneer Peak 4-H. Limited to 10 enrolled 4-H teens. Contact Millie Tormey 907-460-0736 for more information and registration.

Through the end of April: the Triple Crown Showcase Competition, sponsored by the Pioneer Peak 4-H Club and leaders Crystal Roberts and Milly Tormey. Please see the flyer below and download the packet.

Registration now open for our Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District Presentation Day. Go to events in 4h.zsuite.org to register your presentation! We will be taking appointments for in-person presentations as well as live video presentations. The state presentation day will be in June this year. The District presentations will all be LIVE and in front of judges (video or in-person).....no sending in recordings.

Tuesday 4/20 at 7:00pm is the 4-H State AVLO (Alaska Volunteer Leaders Organization) monthly meeting. Please join in to find out how this state volunteer-run organization can help you and your club! Zoom meeting ID and agenda are available on the calendar on our webpage.

Registration is open through April 10 for the Alaska State 4-H Shooting Sports Championship Quiz Bowl. Cost is $5/youth participant. Registration is through the events on 4h.zsuite.org. Open to all youth signed up in the shooting sports project.


As always, keep an eye on the calendar for up-to-date information on happenings in our 4-H District and Statewide. Let me know if you have anything you would like shared and I'll pop it into our next installment.


Have a great rest of your week everyone!


​Ann

Parents, Leaders, and Teens:

Livestock Committee Meetings

• 1st Thursday of each month at 7pm
• In-person at the CES office or on Zoom
  • Alaska.zoom.us
    • 945 296 187

These meetings are the best way to keep informed about the livestock project. This is also where you can get any questions answered. If you have a conflict with any of the required meeting dates, you will need to reach out to the committee prior to the event to see if other arrangements can be made.

Getting Started

1. Follow this link to register for participation in the 2021 MatSu/Copper River District 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Auction https://forms.gle/vN9nH65usnmxCGG5A
2. Registration is due April 23rd at midnight
3. You MUST BE REGISTERED as a 4-H/FFA member by April 23rd

This registration (above link) includes a copy of the contract and a place to digitally sign it. This takes the place of turning in a paper copy of the contract this year. 
The mandatory meeting video can be found on the district website, along with the record books, and educational inserts.
http://www.alaska4h.org/forms-and-helpsheets.html
Be on the look-out for clinic opportunities. They are being posted on the MatSu/Copper River 4-H Livestock Group Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/458848018051363
An effort is being made to include them on the 4-H website as well 

Date Change:
Rally Days has been  moved to June 9 & 10. Please disregard the Rally Days dates listed in the contract.
​
4halaska@gmail.com
MatSu/Copper River Livestock Committee
P.O. Box 1741
Palmer, AK 99645

First a huge THANK YOU to the AVLO for putting on a great Virtual Leaders Forum on February 20th. Lots of great information was shared: presentations, livestock handling and showmanship, calculating feed costs, the new 4-H Ambassador program, upcoming events in the shooting sports project, creative ways to keep kiddos (and adults) engaged via video meetings, etc. Thanks to all who participated!

The March theme at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center is "Sustainable Living" and there are a lot of great programs to check out. Head over to the facebook events page for more details and how to register. The youth programs are:

• ​Tuesday 3/9 from 4-5pm: Have fun with recycling! geared towards younger kiddos (ages 5-11) We will talk about things you can recycle, things you can't, and have a fun game.
• Tuesday 3/23 from 4-5pm: March Photo Challenge: submit your photos that depict this month's photo theme "H is for Hands"....we are looking for a service-based photo. Use your imagination and be creative! Upload your photos via the contact form HERE or email them to me: abiddle@alaska.edu We will have a zoom meeting on the 23rd, if you would like to join and share your thoughts behind your photo and offer tips and constructive suggestions to other aspiring photographers.

Other fun things happening this month:

• Due 3/19: Warren N. Cuddy Memorial Scholarship for seniors in high school. Download the application HERE.
• Thursday 3/4 is the Mat-Su/Copper River Volunteer Leaders Association and the Mat-Su Market Livestock Committee meetings. The fun starts at 6 with VLA to begin. Opportunities for livestock questions and discussion will be offered. Zoom meeting ID 945296187
• Through the end of April: the Triple Crown Showcase Competition, sponsored by the Pioneer Peak 4-H Club and leaders Crystal Roberts and Milly Tormey. Please see the flyer below and download the packet.
• Registration now open for our Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District Presentation Day. Go to events in 4h.zsuite.org to register your presentation! We will be taking appointments for in-person presentations as well as live video presentations. The state presentation day will be in June this year.
• Tuesday 3/7 at 7:00pm is the State Livestock Informational Meetings. Meeting info in the flyer below. Contact Cassy for more information: crankin4@alaska.edu
• Tuesday 3/16 at 7:00pm is the 4-H State AVLO (Alaska Volunteer Leaders Organization) monthly meeting. Please join in to find out how this state volunteer-run organization can help you and your club! Zoom meeting ID and agenda will be available on the calendar soon.
• Registration is open through March 31 for the Alaska State 4-H Shooting Sports Postal Match.  Cost is $5/discipline. You can sign up for as many as you want. Registration is through the events on 4h.zsuite.org. Open to all youth signed up in the shooting sports project.

As always, keep an eye on the calendar for up-to-date information on happenings in our 4-H District and Statewide. Let me know if you have anything you would like shared and I'll pop it into our next installment.

Have a great rest of your week everyone! Get out and enjoy the sunshine.

​Ann

Everyone is welcomed to attend the State 4-H Alaska Volunteer Leaders Organization Virtual Forum this Saturday. You don't have to attend the whole day. Check out the schedule and agenda HERE to find the hour-long sessions that you might be interested in learning more about.

Other fun things:

• Teen Valentine's Activity happening NOW through February. Thanks to Crystal Roberts and Millie Tormey for organizing this super great service opportunity! See the flyer below.
• Showcase Competition: now through May 1. Hosted by Pioneer Peak 4-H Club and your VLA. The packet of information can be downloaded HERE
• SAVE THE DATE: Mat-Su/Copper River Presentation Day April 17. More information and registration will be coming. Head over to our 4-H Presentation page to get started!
• Tuesday 2/23: Emergency Preparedness Jeopardy! Ages 14-18. Head over to the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center Facebook events page to register.

Happy February to All! February is National Emergency Preparedness Month. 

CLUB LEADERS WITH CLUB BANK ACCOUNTS: please check out this IRS update letter from our 4-H State Program Leader. This is regarding filing your 990-N for this year.

I hope everyone is staying warm and cozy this chilly weekend!  Lots of fun activities and events coming up this month and beyond:

• All February: Valentine's Activity: activities to keep engaged in service this month. THANK YOU to Crystal Roberts and Millie Tormey for organizing and leading. See flyer below for details.
• Showcase Competition: now through April! Download the activity packet HERE to rack up points for awesome prizes! Thanks to Crystal and Millie, once again!
• 2/8-12: Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE): Youth Track is 2/8-9. Students 22 and under can register for FREE to this virtual event this year. ​
  • ​Link to the general AFE schedule is HERE
  • Students can register HERE using the AFE Student option
• 2/9: Preparedness Virtual Scavenger Hunt 4pm (for youth 7-13): Register through the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center facebook events page 
• 2/9: Alaska State 4-H Livestock Meeting: see the flyer below for more information and how to access the zoom password
• 2/12-15: The Great Backyard Bird Count: world-wide. Head over to HERE for more info on how you and your family can participate in this citizen science event!
• 2/16: Alaska Volunteer Leaders Organization (AVLO) monthly meeting 7pm: zoom ID and info in the District calendar
• 2/20: AVLO Virtual Forum (all day): head over to the event webpage for the schedule and how to register
• 2/23: Virtual Preparedness Jeopardy! 4pm (for youth 14-18): Register through the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center facebook events page

Other news and info that may be of interest:

• Market goats available:
  100% Boer Wethers
  4 months old - Have already reached market weight
  Call: 631-2871

Please let me know if you have something you would like included in this blog or newsletter! Keep an eye on the District calendar for up-to-date information. Have a great end to your weekend!

Ann

Hello Everyone! Another month has flown by. As we are looking forward to the increasing daylight and dreams of summertime, we have a lot going on in our 4-H District and Statewide! Please check these things out and always keep an eye on our district calendar for events.

• Alaska Teen Media Institute (ATMI) is still meeting on Thursdays at 3 via zoom. They are looking for high school aged-youth to learn the ins and outs of media design and production, and also they are looking for youth to interview (both on camera and off) for inclusion in the development of some 4-H PSAs. Contact Kendra at klcalhoun@alaska.edu for all the information (meeting ID, etc.)
• The Alaska 4-H Statewide Shooting Sports Program is conducting Jeopardy! nights. Check out their webpage for more information.
• The Alaska State 4-H Horse Development Committee is having another fun contest, this time a "Horse Questions Series". Go to https://bit.ly/horsequestions to register.
• Deadline 2/1: Teen Winter Writing Activity. Please see the flyer below for information on how to enter!
• 2/4:
  • 6:30 VLA meeting for our district (all active leaders welcomed): Zoom ID: 945 296 187 
  • 7:00 MatSu Livestock Committee meeting: Zoom ID: 945 296 187 (same as VLA, so might as well just stay on the line, right?)
• February is Preparedness Month at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. There are a lot of great virtual programs in which to take part. Register through the Matanuska Farm and Extension Center Facebook Events page. Of special interest are 2 youth programs:
  • 2/9 4-5pm Virtual Preparedness Scavenger Hunt (geared towards kiddos aged 7-13), and
  • 2/23 4-5pm Virtual Preparedness Jeopardy! (geared towards youth 14-18)
• 2/8-12: Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE): Youth Track is 2/8-9. Students 22 and under can register for FREE to this virtual event this year. ​
  • ​Link to the general AFE schedule is HERE
  • Students can register HERE using the AFE Student option
• 2/12-15: National 4-H Summit for Healthy Living: DEADLINE to register is January 29th. See the flyer below, go HERE for info, and/or contact Reina rhhasting@alaska.edu for more information.
• 2/20: SAVE THE DATE: The Alaska 4-H Volunteers Leaders Organization Volunteers Virtual Forum. A day of fun, networking, sharing ideas, and leader workshops. Questions? Contact AVLO President Priscilla Rice: ak4hstateleaders@gmail.com or 907-347-3570

I have put a listing of all district clubs and leader contact info on our main webpage. If you do not want your information listed, please let me know how you would like prospective 4-H youth and parents to contact you.

LIVESTOCK FOLKS: I have uploaded the most current forms and inserts to the Livestock webpage. 

Other news and info that may be of interest:

• Market goats available:
  100% Boer Wethers
  4 months old - Have already reached market weight
  Call: 631-2871

Please let me know if you have something you would like included in this blog or newsletter! Have a great weekend!

Ann