- Author: Megna Nayar
About the Author
Megna Nayar is a 4-H Alumna and former State Ambassador from Santa Clara County. She started in 4-H when she was in the 7th grade. Her first project was the Computer Science Pathway team, and she also started a baking club. Megna became a Santa Clara County Ambassador and was a State Ambassador in 2021-22. Megna is now majoring in Economics at UC Santa Barbara.
It feels like the State Leadership Conference (SLC) just happened, but we're already starting to plan for next year! Applications are open now until October 30, 2024 for the 2025 State Leadership Conference.
About the SLC Planning Team
Being a SLC Planning Team member is a rewarding, but challenging role. There is a large time commitment with being on the Planning Team, but the skills and lessons you learn from this experience make it very valuable. I was able to learn more about the logistics of putting together such an expansive conference, and had more input into how SLC was organized. This was incredibly helpful for growing my project management, organization, and collaboration skills, which has been a huge asset in my college and professional career so far.
I gained insight into the importance of delegation in large projects such as the State Leadership Conference.
The Planning Team has various teams within it, such as Education (Make it Meaningful), Logistics (Make it Happen), and Recreation (Make it Fun). I saw first-hand how integral this was for a successful conference.
My experience
My time on the Planning Team was during 2021, when SLC was still virtual. This was a very different experience than what it is today, but even virtually I gained so much.
I was on the Education Committee, which includes selecting educational workshops, the keynote speaker, and incorporating the State Ambassador platform. Going through the numerous workshop proposals and making decisions on which would ultimately be presented was a hard task, but it was very rewarding to be able to see these workshops in action during the conference. I was able to speak with participants afterwards, and hearing everything they took away from the workshops made me feel as though I had helped make an impact on their SLC experience.
Why you should join the Planning Team
Being on the Planning Team gave me the chance to make lasting connections with the youth and adults involved in SLC. Through them, I was able to learn about other amazing opportunities.
If you are a youth interested in taking on larger leadership roles within California 4-H, such as being a State Ambassador, joining the Planning Team is a great first step.
Planning Team applications are open until October 30, 2024.
To be on the SLC Planning Team, you must:
- Be currently enrolled as a 4-H Youth Senior member or 4-H Adult Volunteer
- Have attended SLC at least once
- Have experience working in a youth-adult partnership on a committee
Please be aware of the time commitment required to be a part of this dynamic team!
- Required meetings: 4-6 virtual meetings, plus sub-committee meetings, with 1-2 in-person*
- Attend SLC 2025*: Arrive 1 day early and 1 day after it ends. The tentative dates will be July 23-28, 2025 at UC Davis campus.
*Travel for meetings will be reimbursable per UC policy. Room and Board at SLC is included for planning team members
APPLY TODAY
Gain valuable experience and create lasting memories for yourself and SLC participants!
Application due October 30, 2024.
The first planning meeting is Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 6:30 pm.
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- Author: Eve Solana Roxane Dowdell
- Editor: Suzanne Morikawa
During the first week of February, I flew a total of 10 hours to the Nation's capital, Washington D.C., to facilitate a meeting hosted by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The meeting was a public information gathering session for the Committee on Out of School Time Settings.
The Committee collected insights through a discussion between young people and staff from various out-of-school programs on the east coast. My role was to connect with the youth speakers, guide their insightful conversation, and make them feel at ease. The six youth speakers made my job smooth and pleasant. They shared their lived experiences participating in or supporting out-of-school programs. From the elementary schooler to the high school graduate, these young rockstars contributed their perspectives on program quality, barriers to access, and measuring success.
This amazing opportunity was above and beyond what I could have imagined. I learned about different out-of-school programs, interacted with their leaders, and met passionate, prudent people from the National Academies (See image below to see a few.) As a California 4-H alumna, former State Ambassador, and current California 4-H Communications Intern, my participation accentuated the positive impact that youth development organizations like 4-H have on youth.
Fulfilling My Spark
On my three-day trip, I strolled in Downtown Washington D.C., lunched at the Judiciary Park, and tasted yummy treats from allergy-friendly restaurants. PUH! (or "finally" in English) To top it off, I finally got the opportunity to visit the Starbucks Signing Store! This Starbucks store is staffed by a diverse team of employees who are all fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). As an avid ASL student, signer, and enthusiast, visiting the store has been a dream of mine since my first years of high school. I excitedly ordered myself a venti coffee, communicating fully in ASL. I am actively working to become an ASL interpreter—this visit not only solidified that goal but reinforced my desire.
Keep scrolling for some photos from my trip.
I am at a loss for words to describe the gratitude and giddiness I felt before, during, and now, after this trip. I continuously pinched myself in Washington D.C. because this adventure felt like a dream. Fortunately, it was indeed a dream come true.
Editor's note
Watch Eve in action! The website includes a video recording of the entire meeting, broken up into four parts. You can see the change in the youth presenters as Eve makes them more comfortable with speaking and sharing in front of a room of adults. You can hear similarities to how 4-H engages youth and encourages them to thrive. Eve shares about her 4-H experiences to fill in spaces when the youth are thinking about their answers.
Part 1
- 3:17 Eve is introduced to facilitate the youth discussion
- 30:25-31:22 Eve shares about her experience at Ag Day at the Capitol to spark discussion about the ways their afterschool program gave them experiences that impacted them.
Part 4
The youth panel and program staff answer Q&A. The discussions continue about why quality youth programs are needed and should be supported, and the impact they make on youth.
Eve's facilitation skills impressed the Committee on Out of School Time Settings and they invited her to continue as a facilitator for Part 2 on April 18th. That meeting included a 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador from Hopi 4-H in Arizona. The recording of that meeting will be posted on their website.
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- Author: Laura Snell
Hello All,
I just wanted to give a little update on the 2024 DG Colt Challenge. This is our fifth year completing this program. There are 19 youth from 14 counties in California and Southern Oregon. This year's challenge is open to new 2024 trainers and all returning trainers and horses from the past five years.
The 2024 Colt Challenge competition will be held June 22nd in Alturas, CA at the Junior Livestock Showgrounds on the corner of 8th and Nagle. We will start with registration at noon and classes will start at 1pm. There will be three classes like years past, obstacle, halter, and showmanship. For returning horses, who are over three, there will be an option for equitation on horseback and to complete the obstacle course on horseback.
Video Challenge
Each April we have held a video challenge for youth to show us how far they have come with their horses. This was a great activity during Covid but has continued to be a highlight and opportunity to share more about our youth and their horses with partners and interested parties. Videos were evaluated on 4 criteria: Creativity, Horse Behavior, Trainer Ability, and Grooming. The winners this year are below, please enjoy watching their videos. Thank you for your support of this program and the unique opportunity it provides for youth in California. Please feel free to share this with other contacts that may be interested in the success of this program as well.
Third Place Olivia and Chili, San Luis Obispo County – Creston 4-H Club
Second Place Gracelyn and Wren, Shasta County – Foothill High School FFA
"Wren and the $1M Halter" (can only be watched on YouTube)
First Place Merideth and Cosmo, San Diego County – Surfside 4-H
Mustang Camp, June 28-29 in Susanville
This year we are also hosting a Mustang Camp in Susanville June 28-29th to reach youth who want to learn about wild horses but are maybe not in a situation to take a wild horse home yet. This is part of a national grant funded by BLM with a group of west-wide extension agents. Registration closes June 14th.
Thank you for your continued support of this program,
Laura
/h2>/h3>/h3>/h3>/h2>- Author: Steven Worker
Guidebook and workshop series helps 4-H project leaders learn about their roles, responsibilities, lesson planning, making learning engaging, and working with youth leaders.
California 4-H relies on and recognizes adult 4-H volunteer educators who bring knowledge, experience, and passion to work with youth. Adult 4-H volunteer educators who provide learning experiences (as project leaders) are one of the most important influences on youth development and educational outcomes. California 4-H committed to preparing our volunteers to facilitate high quality youth development and learning experiences to 4-H youth members.
An Update to the 4-H Project Leaders Guide
In August 2023, the UC 4-H Volunteer Educators' Guide: For Those Facilitating 4-H Educational Experiences, authored by a team of 4-H Advisors, was published as a 40-page peer reviewed publication. It was a needed revision to the 2007 4-H Project Leaders' Digest, in order to incorporate the new 4-H Thriving Model of Youth Development, and other emerging research on education.
The guide is useful for 4-H volunteers in community club projects, afterschool club programs, day camps, special interest (SPIN) clubs, teenagers-as-teachers programs, and other educational experiences. The guide provides an overview of the 4-H Youth Development Program, its mission and goals; key program content areas; best practices; volunteer expectations and support; and a look at the underlying science of youth development that support the 4-H approach.
Online Workshop Series for 4-H Project Leaders
In September/October 2023, the volunteer workgroup launched an online workshop series to help make the written guide “come alive” and support 4-H volunteers in meeting, sharing, and learning.
The entire series consists of 4, 2-hour sessions for a total of 8 hours. While the series is probably most beneficial to new 4-H volunteer educators, even those who have been project leaders for years have learned something new.
Thus far, 80 4-H volunteers from 30 counties have completed the 8-hour series! See the list of those who completed the 8-hour series (updated April 1, 2024).
We found statistically significant improvement in all learning objectives:
- Nurturing youth sparks, sense of belonging, and positive relationships with adults;
- Facilitating hands-on experiential education and planning your project;
- Working with all ages and abilities; and
- Creating effective youth-adult partnerships & working with youth leaders.
The sessions were valuable in helping 4-H volunteers strengthen their knowledge of important youth development and educational concepts needed to implement high quality 4-H learning experiences.
“What were the most important things you learned you plan to use in your 4-H projects?”
"I got some ideas on how to development better relationships with youth and ideas on how to help them find their sparks."
"I really appreciated all the very practical suggestions about how to actually strengthen the foundational components - there are several I will by trying out in or projects and meetings."
"I learned I can lean on the established material for youth development. Feeling supported in this new endeavor as I am new to this."
"Talking with other project leaders, and learning tips from more experienced leaders on how to engage youth."
"There is a project plan form after I planned my meetings completely. I will be printing the form and using it."
"Really great to learn more about the 4-H project plan. I've led projects for 5 years and this will be the first year I prepare one (a bit belatedly). Thank you!"
"I'm definitely sharing the project planning document with other project leaders in my club. This was a very helpful tool I was not aware of. Thank you!"
"The importance to have all ages being involved in the projects and allowing the older members teach the younger members."
"The characteristics and implication for activities for each age group presented nicely and I will consider this more in the project activities."
"How to tailor each project/project meeting to all the different age groups and learning abilities."
"Hart's Ladder (thinking how to move up to upper level would help me plan activities & project meetings). Leadership Competence Chart was wonderful."
"Give members more options to voice what they want to learn and how they can learn it. Give them more opportunities to lead and help in any way they can."
Fall 2024 Workshop Series for 4-H Project Leaders
The series is being offered again on Wednesdays in September 2024. Registration is now open! Register
/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>/h3>- Author: Erica Pettey
Ten 4-H counties participated in the UC Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Field Day on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The 4-H teams competed in contests on Vet Science and Light Horse Judging, as well as the State Qualifier for 4-H Livestock Judging.
Placer County 4-H - Livestock Judging Team
Placer County 4-H had 4-H youth competing in both the Senior and Junior age divisions. In the Junior Division, the Ophir 4-H club was represented by Gabby, Julia, and Cameron. In the Senior Division, the 2024 CA 4-H State Champion Livestock Judging team was led by Joey S., Gabriella, Moriah, and Ella from Ophir 4-H Club. Ella was Second Overall High Point Individual and Gabriella was Third Overall High Point Individual. Fellow Ophir 4-H member, Matt, also competed in the Senior Division as an individual. They are coached by project leader Liza Stefani and Lucus Delap from Chico State University. This hard-working and enthusiastic team qualified to represent California 4-H at a national 4-H livestock judging contest in the 2024-2025 program year. They are excited to travel to Denver, CO to compete in the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held during the Western National Roundup in January 2025.
Merced County 4-H - Livestock Judging Team
The Merced County 4-H Livestock Judging team was split between the Junior and Senior age divisions. The Junior Team was led by Kai, Maysie, Anya, and Aubree from McSwain 4-H Club with Keira from Ballico 4-H Club competing as an individual in the Senior Division. This talented young group is coached by Leah Sanches and took home High Point banners in both age divisions. Kai earned High Point banners for Junior Individual Overall, Beef, and Goats/Sheep. Maysie was Third Overall High Point Junior. In the Senior Division, Keira earned individual awards for High Point Overall, Beef, Goats/Sheep, Swine, and Reasons.
San Mateo County 4-H "Team of Two"
The San Mateo County 4-H Livestock Judging “team of two” was led by Lucy and Fynn from the San Carlos Eaton Hills 4-H Club. They had a great day and were ranked second overall to earn a Reserve Champion Team banner. This small team did not have the required third member needed to qualify to represent California 4-H at a national competition this year.
“We are both from San Carlos Eaton Hills 4-H club in San Mateo County. We are very interested in animal science and love raising livestock. However, there are not many opportunities to get involved in agriculture or animal science where we live. This year, we decided to try livestock judging for the first time. We didn't know what to expect, but we ended up doing well and we learned a lot. Next year, we hope to find more people in our county to join a livestock judging project. We look forward to continuing with livestock judging and getting better for next year.” - written by Fynn and Lucy
Other counties that participated
San Luis Obispo County 4-H
The San Luis Obispo County 4-H team included Brooklyn and Josie in the Senior Division and Karis and Krew in the Junior Division. Karis was Second Overall Junior and High Point Junior in Reasons and Swine.
Sonoma County 4-H
The Sonoma County 4-H team included Trenton W. in the Senior division plus Ryan V., John J., Ryan S., and Bella C. in the Junior Division. The Sonoma County 4-H Junior Team was second place overall with their combined individual scores.
El Dorado County 4-H
The El Dorado County 4-H team included Rebeca R. and Shelby S. in the Senior Division and Emilee R. in the Junior Division.
Alameda County 4-H
The Alamedia County 4-H team included Makaela in the Junior Division and Kylie in the Senior Division.
Marin County 4-H
The Marin County 4-H team included Clare M. in the Senior Division and Frank M. in the Junior Division.
Yolo County 4-H was represented by Abigail B., Maxine C., and Addyson in the Junior Division.
Amador County 4-H youth in the Vet Science and Light Horse Judging contests
“Our Vet Science team placed 4th out of a huge number of teams and we were by far the youngest (ages 11, 13, 13, 15) next to all high school groups. Our Light Horse Judging member won all of the 4-H individual divisions with 1st and 2nds. No team placing since we didn't have a full team and were only allowed to compete as individuals.” - written by coach Kelsi Williams
Light Horse: Lily and Ama
Vet Science: Lexi, Saveah, Cecilia, and Haydin
Coach: Dr. Kelsi Williams