Clare County 4-H Program

09/01/2026

📢 Attention Clare County 4-H Club Leaders and Volunteers! 📢

All Clare County 4-H Club Leaders and Volunteers are expected to attend the Annual Leader Update on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00 PM at the Pere Marquette District Library.

This year's training will focus on the core requirements of Beyond Ready Clubs and provide essential information for the upcoming 4-H year. We will review expectations, resources, and key updates that every leader needs to know to help their club succeed.

✅ Learn about Beyond Ready Club requirements
✅ Connect with fellow leaders
✅ Get ready for the new 4-H year
✅ Stay informed on important updates

This meeting serves as an important opportunity to ensure all leaders have the information needed to meet club requirements and provide quality programming for youth.

Following the Leader Update, we will hold the 4-H Council meeting, where elections for President, Youth Vice President, and Secretary will take place. We encourage leaders to stay, participate, and support youth leadership by bringing youth members to attend as well.

📅 Tuesday, September 23
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Pere Marquette District Library

We look forward to seeing all of our club leaders there as we kick off another great year of Clare County 4-H!

08/31/2026

Hello Clare County 4-H Families and Volunteers,

The September Clare County 4-H Newsletter is now available! As we begin a new 4-H year, be sure to take a few minutes to read through important county and statewide updates, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and key deadlines.

Reminder: All 4-H youth members, Gold Volunteers, and Silver Volunteers are required to enroll in 4-H Online for the 2026-2027 4-H year. Enrollment opens September 3. Returning volunteers and members should re-enroll by December 1

We're also looking for volunteers to help grow Clare County 4-H! If you have a hobby, skill, or passion you'd like to share with youth through a SPIN Club or as a club volunteer, we'd love to hear from you. Training, curriculum, and support are available.

📄 Read the September Newsletter:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/clare/uploads/files/4-H%20Clare%20County%20Newsletter%20-%20September%202026.pdf

Thank you for being part of Clare County 4-H. We look forward to another great year!

Sincerely,

Renee Sanders
Clare County 4-H Program Coordinator
Michigan State University Extension

08/30/2026

Leaders: Don't Forget!
Year end paperwork is due Tuesday September 1.

08/29/2026

Clare County 4-H Award Nominations are Due August 31.

08/27/2026

Starting in October, the Wild Spartans Series is back! Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! Follow along as we climb through bogs, peer into bear dens, mist net songbirds, snorkel for fish, or perhaps even tag deer. Meet natural resources professionals, learn about their field work, and the education and career path they've followed to get there. Monthly Sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm EST starting in October. Each 30-60 minute session will feature 1-2 guest speakers. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A with scientists. This free virtual series is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19 years. Pre-registration is required: https://www.canr.msu.edu/environmental_outdoor_education/wild-spartans-series

08/26/2026

Fall is a great time to learn, connect, and grow as a 4-H volunteer! Join us for a Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar in 2026! Whether you're new to volunteering or have years of experience, these webinars offer practical tips and fresh ideas to help you make an even greater impact. View topics and register: https://www.canr.msu.edu/volunteering/mi-4-h-volunteer-webinar-series. We look forward to learning with you online!

08/25/2026

🌟 Ready to Take Your 4-H Leadership to the Next Level?

Applications are now open for the Michigan 4-H State Youth Leadership Council (SYLC), Michigan 4-H's highest youth leadership opportunity for young people ages 15-19!
As a SYLC member, you'll represent Michigan 4-H across the state, promote 4-H through local and statewide activities, and help shape the future of 4-H programs by sharing youth perspectives and ideas.

✅ Build skills in public speaking, advocacy, communication, and leadership
✅ Connect with 4-H youth from across Michigan
✅ Expand your knowledge beyond your county's programs
✅ Make a difference in the Michigan 4-H community

If you're passionate about leadership, service, and helping others grow through 4-H, consider applying today!

Click here for a SYLC application - https://forms.gle/eVcKTTJEzwc29jxdA (Applications are due September 4, 2026)

Click here to learn more about SYLC - https://www.canr.msu.edu/sylc/index

08/20/2026

🐰🐔🐐🐑🐷🥛 The Clare County 4-H Cloverbud Show Was a Barnyard Blast! 🥛🐷🐑🐐🐔🐰

Ten enthusiastic Cloverbuds took center stage at this year's Cloverbud Show, showing off everything from chickens and rabbits to goats, sheep, swine, and dairy cattle. Thankfully, we had eight amazing teen judges ready for the challenge!

Unlike the "big kid" shows, our Cloverbud Show is all about learning, confidence, and fun. Each Cloverbud received one-on-one attention from the judges, who asked questions, shared encouragement, and made every young exhibitor feel like a champion.

Every Cloverbud went home with ribbons, prizes, and a trophy, but more importantly, they left with smiles, new experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime. A huge thank you to our teen judges for making the day so special and helping our youngest 4-H members shine!

💚 The future of 4-H is looking bright... and apparently it's covered in feathers, fur, and a little bit of livestock slobber! 💚

08/19/2026

Registration closes September 7 for the Fall 2026 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Workshop in Lenox! Join us for 2 days of classes at the Huron Pointe Sportsmen's Association. Classes will focus on everything you need to know to teach Shooting Sports fundamentals as part of a 4-H Youth Development Program. Follow this link to learn more and register: https://events.anr.msu.edu/2026FallWorkshop/

08/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YSgS8qva7/

Congratulations Sr. Ranch Pleasure Grand Champion: Zoie Z. of Van Buren County.
Reserve Champion: Sarah M. from Gratiot County.
Top 5: Madelyn G. of Cass County
Brooklyn M. of Clare County
Olivia V. from Ottawa County