Mat-Su/Copper River January Newsletter

Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District

A place where youth, volunteers, and professionals Make the Best Better!

January 2024 Newsletter

Something to Celebrate

Successful 2023 4-H Year
2022-23 Senior Feature (below)
4-H Find-Out Night
New Officers Elected
MEFEC Open House
National 4-H Congress
Colony Christmas Parade Float
Pie Contest Winners
4-H Memory
4-H Why?

4-H Grows Here

A note from Kalea

Wasn't our fall glorious and exceptionally enjoyable? Then suddenly winter arrived. Hope everyone is taking advantage and skiing, ice skating, sledding, and building snowmen. There certainly is no shortage of snow! Or staying inside warm by the wood stove!

Now is a great time of year to be setting club and project goals. Set time aside to discuss and plan service learning, educational, and recreation activities. Be thinking of indoor projects that can be put away to enter in the fair next fall. The holidays are a great time to work on cooking, arts and crafts, consumer science, photography, sewing, service, and many other projects. Let me know if you need ideas!

We had a wonderful achievement night at the end of October. Thank you to the Horse Council for spearheading this. Thanks to all of you, it was a busy and fun year in 4-H. It has been a pleasure working with youth and volunteers during my six months as Program Coordinator. I witnessed thinking, loyalty, service, and healthy living. Here's to even more in 2024!

4-H is doing meaningful work with youth. I'd really like to showcases all the phenomenal youth of the Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H District to our community and state. If you have a 4-H win, please share with me. Likewise, this newsletter celebrates our members. Please submit announcements and items to be included in the next District Newsletter no later than Monday 19 February. I'd love to highlight your club successes!

Remember, if you are volunteering with 4-H you must complete all leader training prior to interacting with youth. The new 4-H year began in October; all youth should be registered to participate in meetings, workshops, and projects. If you need assistance with ZSuite, please email Ann Kowenstrot amkowenstrot@alaska.edu.

With the new year upon us, take a moment to see what you did Best and how you can make it Better!

Go be awesome to yourself and others,

Kalea

4-H Horse

The Year in Pictures

Group photo

Thank you to those families that submitted pictures. If you have photos to share in our district newsletter, please email to kmhogate@alaska.edu.

Senior Spotlight 2022-23

Tirzah Parker of Rimrock Riders has been a member of 4-H for six years. Her first 4-H projects were showmanship of chickens and goats. Her favorite 4-H memory is three competitions at one event (cooking, design, and art). Tirzah says 4-H has taught her "how to serve and connect with my community." She would like to thank Cathy Glaser and Dorothy Jacobson for offering a club and providing resources and leadership.

Students at work

Stuart McQuillin of No Ka Oi has been a member of 4-H for seven years. His first 4-H project was Market Swine. Stuart's favorite 4-H memory was when he won Reserve Grand Champion for Showmanship of Swine. 4-H has taught him how to deal with problems in projects that he can apply to life in general. Stuart would like to thank his parents and says, "My mom is awesome."

Ice stadium photo

Samara Johnson of Grow'em and Show'em has been a member of 4-H for nine years. Her first 4-H project was Market Swine. Samara's favorite 4-H memory is the first time she won showmanship with her pig, Apallo, during her third year in 4-H at 12 years old. Samara says, "I worked really hard that year and poured all of my summer into this project. When I got to the Fair I won Showmanship with my pig and I won Master Showman! I was ecstatic! That experience is what really motivated me to keep going and putting my all into my projects every year." Samara says, "4-H has taught me responsibility, leadership skills, work ethic, consistency, commitment, and sportsmanship." She would like to thank Rayne Reynolds, her 4-H leader for teaching her all she know's about showmanship and what it means to be a 4-H'er. Samara says, "He has been a great example and father figure. I’m really grateful for the opportunities he has provided me."

Student and man next to swine

Aurora Herbert of Winners Circle has been a member of 4-H for three years. Her very first 4-H project was a Market Turkey. Aurora's favorite 4-H memory was trying to wrangle all the pigs when they would escape her first year. Aurora says, "4-H has taught me more about responsibility and leadership. I would like to thank both my brothers for being willing to take care of my animals, as well as theirs, when I was not able to."

Pigs in pen eating hay

Payten Ewart of Rimrock Riders has been a member of 4-H for nine years. Her very first 4-H projects were Foods and Market Lamb. At the 2023 Alaska State Fair Payten exhibited 22 entries in Foods (six of which were bread products), Arts and Crafts, Flowers and Garden, and Photography. She received one red, 21 blues, four purples, one Champion, and two Reserve Champion ribbons. Payten says, "4-H has taught me to always strive to make the best better and in doing so I have gained confidence in my abilities, learned communication skills, and leadership skills. I would like to thank my mom Amber Ewart, my grandpa and grandma John and Cathy, and my aunt Dorothy Jacobson."

4-H students

Notebook

Print your 4-H Record Books here.

A 4-H Memory from Samara Johnson of Grow'em and Show'em

Once upon a time, in a small town nestled amidst rolling hills and fields, there lived a determined young person with a passion for agriculture–Samara–and their 4-H journey was about to take an unforgettable turn with the arrival of a special companion.

It all began when Samara decided to raise a black heifer named Nieve. Nieve, which means “snow” in Spanish, was a beautiful and spirited calf that Samara chose for a 4-H project. From the moment they locked eyes, a bond began to form.

From the beginning, raising Nieve wasn’t without its challenges. Caring for a young heifer required dedication, patience, and hard work. Early mornings and late nights became the norm as Samara lovingly fed, groomed, and trained Nieve.

Their connection deepened as they spent countless hours together in barren and pasture. Naive’s ebony coat gleamed and her gentle eyes reflected Samara’s dedication. They shared moments of laughter and frustration, but the challenges only strengthened their bonds.

One day, a particularly memorable challenge arose. Nieve, curious and spirited, decided to test her strength during a routine walk through the field. With a sudden burst of energy, she began to pull Samara through the tall grass. It was a wild ride, but Samara held on, determined not to let go of her beloved heifer. AFter a tense struggle, Nieve relented, realizing that Samara was her partner not an adversary.

From that day forward, Samara and Nieve became an inseparable team. They triumphed over challenges, learned valuable life lessons about hard work, patience and the unbreakable bond between human and animal.

In the end, Samara cherished every moment of her 4-H journey with Nieve, knowing that the challenges they overcame together had not only shaped them as individuals, but had also left an undeniable mark on their hearts.

Like our !

Deadline

!!IMPORTANT!!

Participating in Junior Market Livestock Auction project? Register for 2023-24 4-H Year before you attend mandatory February 1, March 7, or April 4 meeting (only one required).
Sign up for Mandatory Meeting . Sign up for the MS/CR 4-H 2024 State Fair Livestock Show .

Opportunities

Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H has a plot at the Rebarchek Farm to place raised beds thanks to the Rebarchek Agriculture Park Project. If your club is interested in planning and building the planters, please email kmhogate@alaska.edu by 2/30.
Next Learning Tuesdays Workshops:
Beef 2/6
Sheep 2/20
at CES Office Room 208 (1509 S Georgeson Rd. Palmer) 3:00-4:30 pm to prepare for Livestock Contest.
Contact Dr. Sabrieta Holland with questions (alaskacowdoc@hotmail.com)
Livestock Judging Workshop 2/12 at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm (4350 Bodenburg Lp. Palmer) 5:00-6:00 pm - Class Focus: Livestock Judging overview, Practice placing classes, Oral Reasons, and Judging vocabulary.
Note: Those arriving more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed to sign the attendance sheet, but may still participate. *If possible bring a baseball cap to use during the lesson. Must RSVP (907) 232-3982; include First and Last name of each child.
District Horse Contest March 22-24. 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! Contact Mat-Su/Copper River Horse Council with questions.
Quiz Bowl hosted by Pioneer Peak 4-H in April: Participants will compete individually against 4-H members in their age group. Email kmhogate@alaska.edu for comprehensive list of questions. Contact Crystal Roberts for more information (dcroberts@mtaonline.net)