CLOVERLINE
Program Announcements 1-2
Upcoming Events & Opps 3-7
4-H Happenings..........................8-9
Upcoming Dates
Jan 18 Volunteer Recognition & Clover Awards Ice Cream Social
Jan 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day –Extension Office Closed
Jan 31 Camp Counselor applications due in ZSuite
Jan 31 Deadline for volunteer reenrollment
Jan 31-Feb2 State Leadership Conference at Penn State
Feb 14 Livestock Banquet, Conestoga Mennonite Church, Morgantown
Feb 15 Stir It Up Saturday
Feb 17 Presidents’ Day – Government Services Center Closed; Extension Office working remotely
Mar 31 Deadline for returning 4-H member reenrollment
Sometimes emails get missed!
Volunteers, parents, and members are encouraged to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay current on all upcoming opportunities and deadlines. Check updates on ZSuite too!
Please enroll yourself as a 4-H volunteer and encourage your club families to reenroll their children in ZSuite. Instructions for reenrolling are available here. The upcoming reenrollment deadlines are:
January 31 Volunteer deadline March 31 Member deadline
Both volunteers and members MUST be enrolled to participate in 4-H club meetings and events. Need help reenrolling? Contact the Penn State Extension Chester County Office for assistance at 610-696-3500 or ChesterExt@psu.edu
Invite your friends to join in the fun!
The 2025 fair dates are August 4-9, 2025. The full schedule is set to be released in the spring. Use this time to talk to your club leader about project requirements.
Pennsylvania 4-H Week will be March 16-22, 2025!
Volunteer Help Needed
4-H needs positive, caring, dedicated volunteers we need YOU! Chester County 4-H is looking for a few volunteers to support existing clubs. We have a need for a sewing volunteer to help with our Phoenixville Sew Much Fun Afterschool Club and two volunteers to help expand our Cloverbuds Club in Honey Brook. If you or anyone you know would be willing to help, please reach out to Toni Stuetz at tmm113@psu.edu or 610-696-3500. Leader training and ongoing support will be provided.
Clover
Awards
Now is the time to start working on your Clover Awards. The Clover Award program is open to ALL Chester County 4-H members.
The Purpose: To encourage 4-H members to engage in a variety of projects and activities, in addition to enabling members to acquire the seven Leadership Life Skills – Communicating, Decision Making and Problem Solving, Getting Along with Others, Learning to Learn, Managing, Understanding Self, and Working in Groups.
Background: The Pennsylvania State 4-H Clover Award program encompasses the progression of leadership skill development in 4-H members as they grow in the 4-H program. The application can be found in our Cloverlink folder Clover Awards
If you have any questions, please contact Toni Stuetz at 610-696-3500 or tmm113@psu.edu
Club Treasurers and Leaders
ALL 4-H clubs will be receiving their 4-H club’s Annual Financial Report for the 2023-2024 calendar year. The financial reports are being sent to the club organizational leader. Please be sure they get to the correct club representative since they are due back by January 31, 2025 Please direct any questions to Toni at tmm113@psu.edu
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
National 4-H STEM Challenge - Food For Thought
Please spread the word to your clubs about our STEM day camp where members will have the opportunity to participate in the National 4-H STEM Challenge, Food for Thought.
Through this hands-on program, participants will learn about food security by playing the Food Fighter board game, becoming entrepreneurs and thinking critically about food waste reduction, becoming engineers by designing and building efficient growing environments, and fostering an understanding of plant cultivation and its role in food security.
DATE: February 15, 2025
TIME: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Chester County Government Services Center, Suite 351E
COST: Free!
WHO CAN ATTTEND: Open to 4-H members, ages 8 and older. New youth can enroll in 4-H to participate.
REGISTRATION: Register in ZSuite by February 7, 2025.
Learn about Being a 4-H Officer!
January 14th | 6:30-8:30 PM | Zoom
The objective of the training is to provide an experience to empower youth in the 4-H club setting to take active leadership roles in their elected positions while enhancing life skills development such as leadership, decision making, problem solving, and communication. Additionally, through this training, youth officers will be better prepared to successfully navigate their officer positions.
Register in ZSuite under the event 2025 4-H Officer Training (Southeast PA). You do not need to be a current 4-H officer to register! Come learn about the 4-H Officer positions!
Livestock Awards Banquet
What: Chester County 4-H Livestock Awards Banquet
When: February 14, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Conestoga Mennonite Church Hall, 2779 Main Street, Morgantown, PA 19543
Who are invited: Beef, Sheep, Swine, Market Goat showman and families, Leaders, and Award Sponsors
Registration is required for the banquet on ZSuite by January 31st!
Leadership Opportunity for Teens
Attention 4-H Members, 13 and older! WE NEED YOU!
The Chester County 4-H County Teen Council is a great opportunity for you to be part of a fun club. The goal of County Teen Council is to help develop leadership skills amongst its members and to develop county-wide programs for members to interact. The club meets once a month at the Chester County Government Services Center. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Contact Toni Stuetz at tmm113@psu.edu or 610-696-3500 for more details.
“Pride and Polish Day” at Chester County 4-H Center
The Chesco Outdoors Club invites all Chester County 4-H clubs (members, parents, and volunteers) to help with a property clean-up of the Chester County 4-H Center on Sunday, February 16th The clean-up will target removal of invasive and nuisance vines and Autumn Olive species, as well as trash, that is plaguing the perimeter of the grounds at the 4-H Center. Activities will begin at 1:30 p.m. Participants should plan to bring hand tools (long handled loppers, hand saws) for this task. Please dress for the weather.
Pizza and refreshments will be served. Please register by emailing the Chesco Outdoors Club leader, Susan Sanoski, by email at susansanoski8802@comcast.net. In order to get a headcount for food, the deadline to sign up will be February 14th.
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
PA 4-H Animal Science Camp Dates Announced
Animal Science Camp will take place on May 16-18, 2025, at Penn State’s University Park campus. This camp is for 4-H members, ages 13 and older, who are enrolled in a relevant animal science project (equine, livestock, dairy, or vet science). Registration will open in ZSuite in mid-January (following the Farm Show).
Registration fills VERY QUICKLY. Parents and members, please sign up as soon as the registration opens so that you do not miss out!
Volunteer Recognition and Clover Award Program Ice Cream Social
On Saturday, January 18th (snow date Jan 19th), we will be holding an awards program to recognize those 4-H members receiving Clover Awards for last year, as well as our amazing volunteers. This Ice Cream Social is a family event and will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Chester County Government Services Center.
Regional 4-H Fashion and Textile Revue
The Regional 4-H Fashion and Textile Revue is a contest opportunity for 4-H members, ages 8 to18 as of January 1, 2025, to exhibit their clothing and other textiles projects. The event will take place on Monday, July 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Penn State Berks Campus, 1800 Broadcasting Rd, Reading, PA 19610. More details will be shared through the sewing club leaders. Feel free to contact Toni at tmm113@psu.edu or 610-696-3500 for more details. Registration will be in ZSuite later this spring.
Engineering Design Challenge
Watch for details this spring!
Team Horse Power
The Team Horse Power program continues to provide leadership opportunities for teens involved with the horse project. This program has been a great instrument for members who want to be actively involved as mentors and youth leaders in the 4-H horse program. Applications must be received by Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Applicants must be at least 14 years of age and have successfully completed Level 1 and 2 of the 4-H Horsemanship Skills Program.
For more information about the program visit: https:// bit.ly/3y3Tlup
***Reminder - The 2025 State Dressage Championship Show will be held July 19th and 20th
2025 Regional 4-H Communications Contest
The Regional 4-H Communications Contest is hosted by Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill Counties. The contest is open to youth, ages 5-18 (as of January 1, 2025).
The registration for the 2025 Regional 4-H Communications Contest is live in ZSuite. Participants will upload their entries under the ZSuite event link that you will receive after you register. The registration and upload deadline is February 16, 2025.
Members may enter one or all four contest categories.
CONTEST CATEGORIES
Demonstration - In the demonstration category, 4-H members should prepare a demonstration on a topic relating to the 4-H program, or another preferred area of interest. Unlike a prepared speech, a demonstration should involve the 4-H member using visual aids and/or movements. In this category, 4-H members are encouraged to get creative, and perform the “how to” that they are presenting, i.e., how to cook a certain recipe, how to prepare a 4-H animal science project for a show, how to capture the best photo, etc.
Demonstration Time Allotments:
> Cloverbud: 1-3 minutes
> Junior: 3-5 minutes
> Intermediate: 4-6 minutes
> Senior: 5-7 minutes
Pledge Presentation - In the pledge presentation category, 4-H members should recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge. If available, it is recommended for the member to use a small American Flag and 4-H Flag to face as they recite the pledges. If a member does not have a flag available, they can use a printout of one or recite the pledges without one. It is important for 4-H members to include the appropriate gestures for each respective pledge. The 4-H member reciting the pledges should start with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the 4-H pledge.
There are no time limits for this category, as the submission will be the length of the two pledges.
Prepared Speech - In the prepared speech category, 4-H members should prepare a speech on a topic of their choice to be presented within the respective time allotments for their age division. In this category, it should be apparent through the content of the speech that the 4-H member has spent time researching the topic or has previous knowledge about the topic. The 4-H member is welcome, and encouraged, to create a speech about their own topic. Note cards may be used during the presentation.
Speech Time allotments:
> Cloverbud: 1-3 minutes
> Junior: 3-5 minutes
> Intermediate: 4-6 minutes
> Senior: 5-7 minutes
Radio Spot - In the radio spot category, the 4-H member should prepare and recite a short clip promoting the 4-H program, a 4-H activity, or their 4-H club. This short clip should be creative and catchy, like a radio advertisement that may be heard on the radio, Pandora®, or Spotify®.
Radio Spot Time allotments:
> Cloverbud: up to 30 seconds
> Junior: up to 30 seconds
> Intermediate: 40-50 seconds
> Senior: 30-60 seconds
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Camp Shehaqua Save the Dates - July 7 to 11, 2025
Plans are underway for a week of overnight camp this summer. We are working through contracts and hope to have details to release next month. Camp will be open to youth, ages 8 to14, as of January 1, 2025, for campers and counselors in training.
Counselor applications will be open for teens, 4-H age 15 and older, and are interested in growing as a 4-H leader, making new friends, and having a great week at camp. Apply to be a counselor at 4-H Camp Shehaqua today! Apply early because space fills up quickly. Counselor applications are now open in ZSuite under Events. That application deadline is January 31st. Contact Toni Stuetz at tmm113@psu.edu or 610-696-3500.
Summer 4-H Help Needed!!!
Chester County 4-H is looking for individuals to work with 4-H youth this summer in the following positions:
Camp Shehaqua Lifeguard
Camp Shehaqua Cooks
Please contact the Penn State Extension Chester County Office at ChesterExt@psu.edu or 610-696-3500 if you have an interest in any of these positions or would like more information.
PA 4-H Animal Science Knowledge Contests
Knowledge contests will be held at Penn State’s University Park campus on two separate dates. Watch for registration in the early spring. Contests are open to youth, 10 and older. Seniors, 14 and older, can qualify for national competitions in many contests.
PA 4-H Bowl and Skillathon Day
May 31, 2025 - Contests include Avian Bowl, Canine Bowl and Skillathon, Dairy Bowl, Horse Bowl, Hippology, Livestock Skillathon, and Rabbit and Cavy Bowl and Skillathon.
PA 4-H Judging Contest Day
June 17, 2025 - Contests include Dairy Judging, Horse Judging, Poultry Judging, and Livestock Judging. Meat Judging is also scheduled for this date and location.
Stir It Up Saturdays
Event Description: Stir It Up Saturdays will be back for 2025! Stir it up Saturdays is a series of virtual cooking events. It is offered for free to all 4-H'ers anywhere in the state. Participants must have a parent or guardian present while cooking. To participate, simply add the Stir It Up Saturdays club to your reenrollment.
Topics will include The Power of Protein, Dairy Delites, Breads around the World, and Great Greens.
Event Date: January 18, February 15, March 15, and April 12
Location: Virtual
Who Can Participate?: 4-H members between the ages of 8-18 (4-H age) and all volunteers
Cost: Free
Scholarship Opportunity
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors is excited to announce the application period for scholarships and awards aimed at township youth and youth organizations is open! Applications are due by January 31, 2025.
Four $1,500 scholarships are available to high school juniors and seniors: two Local Government Achievement scholarships and two Academic Achievement scholarships.
• The Local Government Achievement scholarship is an opportunity for students to highlight outstanding citizenship through public service and community involvement.
• The Academic Achievement scholarship is awarded to students who exhibit enthusiasm toward education by maintaining high academic standards.
High school students can click here for more information and to apply online. Applications are now being accepted! Questions can be directed to Policy & Research Analyst and Scholarship Program Coordinator Katie Lizza at klizza@psats.org.
PSATS achievement scholarships, funded in partnership with the Pennsylvania Leadership Institute, inspire the next generation of local leaders!
AMAZING 4-H OPPORTUNITY!
Are you interested in a career in veterinary medicine or herd management? If you are, then this exciting announcement for Chester County 4-H animal science members is for you!
Chester County 4-H and the New Bolton Center School of Veterinary Medicine have teamed up to offer enrolled members the opportunity to attend a hands-on Livestock Birthing Lab experience. The program presenters will be Tamara Dobbie, DVM, DACT, Associate Professor of Clinical Reproduction and her associates. 4-H members will use various clinical resources in the teaching laboratory, including a bovine simulator model. This program will address birthing and dystocia in sheep, goat, horse, and cattle species.
Participants can attend only one of two sessions: January 30th and February 20th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The minimum age is 12 years and over. Current enrollment in Chester County 4-H is required, and registration is through ZSuite only
Register for the January session: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/35394 Register for the February session: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/35412
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 10 REGISTERED YOUTH AND 2 CLEARED AND ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS PER SESSION.
This is a free workshop.
CLUB CORNER
Welcome to our NEW page - Club Corner!
Please share your club meeting experiences with the Chester County 4-H Office! Email photos of projects, activities and guest speakers with a caption to ChesterExt@psu.edu and we will share it in this section of the newsletter!
Gumtree 4-H Club of Lincoln University made gingerbread houses and barns during their December meeting.
The Chester County 4-H Air Pistol club wrapped up the winter session. William Chapman takes aim at the indoor range located in the 4-H Center Expo Hall.
The Chesco Outdoors Club hiked Ridley Creek State Park. Their educational topic related to hiking safety on trails during hunting season. The next club meeting is planned for January 26th at 1:30 PM at the 4-H Center.
The SPARKS 4-H Club completed construction of a side mounted birdhouse as part of the Wildlife All Around Us project series.
Northern Chester County 4-H Archery Club Enrollment Still Open!
The Northern Chester County 4-H Archery Club still has seven open member slots to be filled! If you would like to participate in this special interest Archery club, please do not hesitate to enroll in ZSuite This club will meet for eight weeks from January 25th to the end of March at the Chester County 4-H Center and will begin shooting indoors in the Expo room. 4-H members will receive basic archery instruction on use and safety, and will get plenty of time on the range!
Congratulations to all our 4-H members participating in the Pennsylvania Farm Show!!! Watch our Facebook page for results and highlights.
In the PA Farm Show Inaugural Market Turkey Contest, Megan Johnson won 1st place Showmanship, Reserve Champion, and 2nd place in the weight category. Congratulations, Megan!
January 4-11 2023 PA Farm Show
Congratulations to Megan Johnson and Nidhi Suchindra on their Best in Show textiles at the PA Farm Show! Megan’s Best in Show 2024 quilt squares were also featured on the Farm Show quilts this year.
2024-2025 Calendar of Events*
January 18 Volunteer Recognition & Clover Awards Ice Cream Social (snow date - January 19)
January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Extension Office Closed
January 31 Camp Counselor applications due in ZSuite
January 31 Deadline for volunteer re-enrollment
Jan 31-Feb2 State Leadership Conference at Penn State
February 14 Livestock Banquet, Conestoga Mennonite Church, Morgantown
February 15 Stir It Up Saturday
February 17 Presidents’ Day – Government Services Center Closed; Extension Office working remotely
March TBD Registration Deadline for Window Display Contest
March TBD 4-H Animal Science Bowl and Skillathon Webinar
March TBD 4-H Camp Counselor Training
March 16-22 Pennsylvania 4-H Week / Chester County Window Display Contest
March 17-21 Ag Literacy Week
March 31 Deadline for returning 4-H member reenrollment
April TBD Chester County 4-H Market Steer Weigh-In, Romano 4-H Center, Honey Brook, PA
April TBD Springton Manor Farm Sheep and Wool Day
April TBD TSC Spring Paper Clover
April 1 Deadline to Submit Diamond Clover Awards Proposals
*Dates, events, and locations are subject to change.
Chester County Penn State Extension 4-H Team
Toni M. Stuetz, 4-H Extension Educator
Audrey Reith 4-H Extension Educator
Kim Myers, Office Manager
ADDRESS
Jen Cerimele, Administrative Support
Ruth Sitko, Interim Business Operations Manager
Amy Bradford, Client Relations Manager
Stay Connected
Penn State Extension, Chester County
601 Westtown Road, Suite 370
West Chester, PA 19382 WEBSITE
http://extension.psu.edu/4-h/counties/chester
WEBSITES TO REMEMBER
Chester County Penn State Extension
https://extension.psu.edu/chester-county
Chester County 4-H
4-H Enrollment System 4h.zsuite.org
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/chester
Pennsylvania 4-H
http://extension.psu.edu/4-h
4-H Mall Catalog http://shop4-h.org
Club Officer Training Modules
http://extension.psu.edu/4-h/members/officer-trainingmodules
Building a Safe Penn State - Reporting Child Abuse Training http://lrn.psu.edu/
E-Learning for 4-H Volunteers https://extension.psu.edu/4-h-volunteer-orientation
Reserve Romano 4-H Center of Chester County Romano4hcenter@gmail.com
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a non-formal educational youth-development program of the United States Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/ programs/4-h
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Chester County Extension Office at 610-696-3500 in advance of your participation or visit.
The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information, or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901, Email: oeoa@psu.edu, Tel 814-863-0471.
© The Pennsylvania State University 2025