Chester County, PA
CLOVERLINE
Inside this Edition
Program Announcements 1-4
Upcoming Events & Opps .........4-6
4-H Happenings…………………6-7
Upcoming Dates
Nov 13 Chester County PDC Meeting
Nov 15 Chester County 4-H Expressive Art Day
Nov 15 Animal Science Day, Penn State University
Nov 15 Food & Nutrition Day, Penn State University
Nov 21 Dairy and Dairy Goat Award Banquet, Goshen Fire Company
Nov 25 County Council Meeting
Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day – Extension Office Closed
Nov 28 PSU Campus Closure – Extension Office Closed
Nov 28-Dec 2 National 4-H Congress, Atlanta, GA
Nov 28-Dec14 TSC Fall Paper Clover Event
Dec TBD SLC Registration deadline
Dec 13 Deadline for Volunteers to Register to Read During Ag Literacy Week
Dec 15 Deadline for Farm Show Family Living – Department 24 Entries
Dec 22 Deadline for Farm Show Tagged Project Dropoff in Chester County 4-H Office BY 10:00 a.m.
Dec 24-Jan 2 Penn State Winter Break –Extension Office Closed
GIVE US A FOLLOW!
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!
4
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
-H Enrollment in the 2025-2026 Program Year
The 4-H Zsuite system is open to reenroll for the 2025-26 program year. ALL volunteers and members must be enrolled, and in the “Active” status to participate in club, county and regional activities. Contact our office if you have any questions. Invite your friends to join in the fun!
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 first 2 levels, green and white, are activities you can complete at the club level. Levels 3 to 5 require you to participate beyond your club level. There are many opportunities throughout the year that you can participate in which can count towards your Clover Awards, as well as help you learn new things and meet new people.
Clover awards applications are in ZSuite under record books or available in Cloverlink at Clover Awards
If you have any questions, please contact Toni Stuetz at 610-696-3500 or tmm113@psu.edu.
Save the Date for the Chester County 4-H Fair!
The 2026 fair dates are August 3-8, 2026. The full schedule is set to be released on June 1st. Use this time to talk to your club leader about project requirements!
Attention Chester County 4-H Volunteers and Leaders!
Registration is now open for the Leader Annual Update Training for Chester County 4-H. Please note that each club is required to send at least one volunteer. The two sessions are the same, so volunteers need only attend one of the sessions.
Please contact Toni or Audrey with any questions.
Farm Show Help Needed
Are you planning to attend the Farm Show this year? PA 4-H is now seeking volunteers to serve brisket and other BBQ goodies in the Hess BBQ Booth.
The Pennsylvania 4-H partnership continues with Hess BBQ and the PA Livestock Association, where 4-H is awarded a portion of the sales in exchange for our time staffing. Volunteers are recommended to be aged 13 or older as they will be handling money and serving food. Each volunteer who signs up to help in the booth should provide their own hat and will be able to borrow an apron for their shift. Someone over the age of 16 is required to be on every shift.
Sign up by November 13 to guarantee a parking pass. Sign-ups can continue through January 2, but parking passes are no longer guaranteed at that time. Register now at https://extension.psu.edu/4-h/farm-show, where you will see in real time the available shifts and the number of spots remaining.
The Farm Show will be held January 10-17, 2026, in Harrisburg.
Fall Paper Clover Campaign
Paper Clovers campaign Dates for the Fall 2025 Paper Clover Campaigns are: November 28 - December 14, 2025.
Help promote your club and Chester County 4-H by participating in the 2025 Paper Clover Campaign.
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Farm Show 2026
Exhibit 4-H projects in 4-H Opportunities at the PA Farm Show
Participating in the Farm Show is something many Pennsylvanians look forward to all year. It provides an opportunity to showcase the hard work and time invested in producing the best possible exhibits. The Farm Show runs from Saturday, January 10 to Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA.
4-H members can exhibit projects in 4-H Opportunities, Foods, Clothing, and 4-H Crafts (Expressive Arts) at the Pennsylvania Farm Show! 4-H Projects must have been exhibited at your county 4-H round-up/fair this year.
Please go to the Farm Show website and look for the Family Living Department 24 catalog. Select Department 24 and the premium list and rules will appear. Scroll through the list and determine if you have completed a project in the list this past year and whether it can be exhibited.
Your next step is to register online at https://pafarmshowfl.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/22736. NO onsite registration will be available.
Please register prior to 12/15/2025 so that entry tags will be mailed to you. Attach these pre-printed entry tags to your exhibits prior to delivery to the Farm Show.
Chester County 4-H will be packing and delivering non-perishable Department 24 Family Living projects to take to the Farm Show this year. ALL entries must be pre-registered before December 15th to receive entry tags. Tagged projects can be brought to the Penn State Extension Chester County Office by 10:00 a.m. on December 22, 2025. More details on Department 24 can be found here
If you prefer to drop off your own entry, they must be dropped off on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in Main Hall at the Farm Show Complex between 10am-6pm or mailed into the Complex prior to December 26.
• Items must be pre-tagged with an official Farm Show entry tag. Tags will be mailed to each exhibitor upon completion of early online registration.
• Items should come in a box with a Master List. The form can be found on the Farm Show website under Forms and Registration, Family Living.
• Items must be picked up at the Farm Show Complex on Saturday, January 17 from 5-6pm.
• NO entry fees will be charged. Any ribbons and premiums awarded to projects will be mailed directly to the exhibitor from the Farm Show Office.
• Additional instructions are included in the Department 24 Family Living rules.
Again, each 4-H member/leader should review the premium list of Department 24 to fully understand rules, regulations, and entry deadlines prior to making any entries. If you have questions, please contact Pam Tracey (4-H Educator, York County) – pat14@psu.edu or 717-840-7408.
Good luck and be sure to show off those great 4-H projects you completed this year!
Invite PA 4-H State Council to Your Next Event!
State Council is available for visiting clubs and presenting at county events, virtually or in-person! Submit a request form here.
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
4-H needs positive, caring, dedicated volunteers! Chester County is looking for a few volunteers to support existing clubs.
If you or anyone you know would be willing to help, please reach out to Toni Stuetz at 610-6963500 or tmm113@psu.edu. Leader training and ongoing support will be provided.
Chester County Teen Talk Line
Have you heard about the Teen Talk Line in Chester County?
Teen Talk Line is a peer support line which teens can call or text to chat about whatever is on their mind.
This is a free resource available to all teens of Chester County!
Donate to Chester County 4-H
Chester County has several options for giving to support the program. If you are interested in making a donation to the program it can be done at raise.psu.edu/Chester4HFund
If your company offers employee matching or donation for your service time, please contact the Penn State Extension Chester County Office at 610-6963500 or ChesterExt@psu.edu for more details.
New 4-H License Plate Design!
PennDOT has updated the design for special organization registration plates. What? You didn’t know that you can order a 4-H branded registration plate? You sure can!
An auto-assigned PennDOT plate costs $50 and a personalized plate is $186.
Applications and payment should be submitted to the PA 4-H State Office. For more information, instructions, and application, please visit the website:
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/getinvolved/support/pa-4-h-license-plate
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Recognition and Clover Award Program Ice Cream Social
On Saturday, January 24th (snow date January 25th), 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Attention Horse Members Coming Spring 2026 — Explore the World of Thoroughbred Horses!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to:
Work on a thoroughbred breeding farm?
Break and train thoroughbreds?
Be part of the action on behind the scenes of a track?
Work in veterinary medicine with these magnificent animals?
In Spring 2026, you just might have the chance to experience all of this and more!
Stay tuned for details on this exciting new opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of thoroughbred horses. Whether you are passionate about animal care, racing, or equine science, this program could be your gateway to a thrilling career path.
Camp Shehaqua Save the Dates - July 13 to 17, 2026
Plans are underway for a week of overnight camp this summer. Camp will be open to youth, ages 8 to14, as of January 1, 2025, for campers and counselors in training. Registration details will be released in ZSuite around March 15th.
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 early to be a counselor at 4-H Camp Shehaqua starting on December 1st, as counselor positions are limited to 36 spots from southeast Pennsylvania. Contact Toni Stuetz at tmm113@psu.edu or 610-696-3500.
Join the Southeast Region to Learn about Being a 4-H Officer!
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 position while enhancing life skill 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.
Registration is in ZSuite in the event “2026 4-H Officer Training (Southeast PA).” This event is being held on January 21, 2026.
You don't need to be a current 4-H officer to register! Come learn about the 4-H Officer positions!
Registration is Open for State Leadership Conference!
Waitlist spots are still available for this event, so be sure to get on the list today.
This event is for 4-H teens (4-H age 13-18) who want to reach their full leadership potential. This annual conference is a favorite of many Pennsylvania 4-H members. Attending workshops, networking with other 4-H youths, and being inspired by keynote speakers encourages 4-H teens to step into larger leadership roles in their clubs, community, and state!
PLEASE NOTE: You must be in active status in ZSuite before registering, so re-enrollment is required before signing up. Please allow extra time for your enrollment to be approved and moved into active status.
This year, the event will be held January 30 – February 1 at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College. Register now: https://4h.zsuite.org/eventregistrations/42736
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
2026 Archery Session Begins Saturday, January 24th!
Archery is a fascinating sport for all ages, combining focus, discipline, and fun. Whether you are brand new or looking to sharpen your skills, the 4-H Archery Discipline offers a welcoming and structured introduction to the sport.
The next session of the Chester County 4-H Archery Club will be meeting for eight weeks starting January 24, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the Chester County 4-H Center in Honey Brook. All participants must be enrolled in 4-H. To complete registration, visit https://4h.zsuite.org and select Chester County 4-H Archery Club!
Our program emphasizes fundamentals of archery form, safe and supportive learning environment, progressive skill development, and positive youth development. Chester County 4-H will provide bows and safety equipment for all participants.
As with all 4-H projects, our goal is to help youth grow into competent, caring, and contributing citizens of good character. Guided by caring adult mentors, participants will enjoy a series of hands-on learning experiences that build confidence and lifelong skills.
Come join us and discover the joy of archery!
4-H HAPPENINGS
Chester County 4-H Sweetens the State 4-H Horse Show with Candyland-Themed Stall
Display
Chester County 4-H brought color and creativity to the State 4-H Horse Show with a vibrant Candyland-themed stall display. Their slogan, “You're in for a treat, Chester County can't be beat!” set a festive tone. Stalls featured candy-themed decorations creating a whimsical Candyland walk. Rider and horse information appeared on themed playing cards, and a game character pointed to emergency contacts. The hospitality stall included a Candyland house backdrop, candy props, and sweet treats for guests. A giant Candyland game board served as the end cap, tying the display together.
Exhibitors donated candy and a themed gift basket for the silent auction. Custom sweatshirts by Bora Stitch of West Chester added a stylish finish to Chester County’s sweet success.
Hippology Team Heads to the All-American Quarter Horse Congress!
The Chester County 4-H Hippology Team competed at the prestigious All-American Quarter Horse Congress Youth Horse Event in Columbus, Ohio! Competing against top-tier teams from across the country, Chester County proudly placed 14th overall, landing solidly in the middle of a highly competitive field.
But what is Hippology? It is more than just horse knowledge it’s the ultimate test of equine expertise! This dynamic contest combines multiple elements of the 4-H horse program into one thrilling challenge, including judging horse conformation and performance, a rigorous written exam, identification and anatomy of equine parts and equipment, and collaborative team problem-solving.
The Chester County team’s performance at Congress reflects months of hard work, learning, and love for the equine world. Special thanks to team coaches, Pamela Taws & Karen Zmuida, and the Northern Chester County 4-H volunteers for their commitment to the team!
The trip was generously sponsored by contributions donated by the Delaware-Chester County Farm Bureau and an anonymous horse youth advocate.
4-H HAPPENINGS
PA 4-H State Horse Show
Thirteen talented riders and eight dedicated volunteer leaders proudly represented the Chester County 4-H Horse Program at the PA State 4-H Horse Show.
Haley Clark and her miniature horse, Shrinky Dink, dazzled once again, claiming the Mini Division State Championship for the 4th consecutive year and marking 5 total wins in her incredible 4-H career! Shrinky Dink gave his all in Class 71: Miniature Horse In-Hand Trail (ages 14–18), earning 6th place, and followed up with a 4th place in Miniature Horse Jumping. Haley also competed aboard Pepperjack, placing 3rd in Open Trail Ponies and 9th in Western Pleasure Ponies.
With grace and precision, Audrey Ibach and her handsome gelding, Million Dollar Man (aka Rhett), captured their third consecutive Championship in Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (ages 15–18). The pair also placed 9th in Classic Hunter Under Saddle Horses (ages 14–18), 3rd in Working Hunter Horses, and 5th in Hunter Hack Horses.
Keela Hafycz and her horse, Reba Joe Jack, brought the crowd to its feet with blazing speed and flawless turns. Their thrilling rides earned three Championships in the 8–13 age division for Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, and Bow-Tie Racing.
JW Healy and his mare, Randa, raced to their 2nd State 4-H Horse Show Championship run in Barrel Racing (ages 8–12) and claimed Reserve Champion in Raised Box Keyhole Ponies. They also placed 7th in Class 39: Bow-Tie Race Ponies (ages 8-13).
In the breathtaking Low Working Hunter Pony class, Ella DeCosta and her stunning Arabian, TB Bin Bintu Britni, emerged as Champions! Ella also earned 4th place in Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat (ages 8–11).
Jazz Sapp and Moxiemillion impressed in Pleasure Pony Driving, placing 4th, a step up from their previous showing at the PA 4-H State Horse Show. Jazz’s studies paid off as she was named Reserve Champion in the Junior Skill-a-thon contest.
Dressed to the nines, Clayton Platchek rode his quarter horse, Shirley Its Me, in Ranch Pleasure (ages 8–13) and secured a 7th place finish.
Samantha Barrowcliff, astride her gelding Theodore, rode with style to a 6th place ribbon in Classic Hunter Under Saddle Horses (ages 14–18).
Additional Chester County riders who proudly participated in the PA 4-H State Horse Show included: Paige Chudnofsky, Makenzie Platchek, Ella Stansfield, Madison Tome, and Finnley Boyle.
Throughout the event, tremendous effort and camaraderie were on full display. Chester County riders proved that teamwork, talent, and spirit are the winning combination because: “You’re in for a treat, Chester County can’t be beat!”
Hayley Clark
Audrey Ibach
Keela Hafycz
JW Healy
Ella DeCosta Jazz Sapp
Clayton Platchek
Samantha Barrowcliff
Paige Chudnofsky
McKenzie Platchek
Ella Stansfield
Madison Tome
Finnley Boyle
2025-2026 Calendar of Events*
November 13 Chester County Program Development Committee Meeting, West Chester, PA
November 15 Chester County 4-H Expressive Art Day
November 15 Animal Science Day, Penn State University
November 15 Food & Nutrition Day, Penn State University
November 21 Dairy and Dairy Goat Award Banquet, Goshen Fire Company
November 25 County Council Meeting
November 27 Thanksgiving Day – Extension Office Closed
November 28 PSU Campus Closure – Extension Office Closed
Nov 28-Dec 2 National 4-H Congress, Atlanta, GA
Nov 28-Dec14 TSC Fall Paper Clover Event
December TBD SLC Registration deadline
December 13 Deadline for Volunteers to Register to Read During Ag Literacy Week
December 15 Deadline for Farm Show Family Living – Department 24 Entries
December 22 Deadline for Farm Show Tagged Project Dropoff in Chester County 4-H Office BY 10:00 a.m.
Dec 24-Jan 2 Penn State Winter Break – Extension Office Closed
January 10-17 2026 PA Farm Show
January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Extension Office Closed
January 21 2026 4-H Southeast PA Officers Training
January 22 SLC Orientation
January 24 Volunteer Recognition & Clover Awards Ice Cream Social (snow date - January 25)
January 31 Deadline for volunteer re-enrollment
Jan 30-Feb 1 State Leadership Conference at Penn State
February TBD Registration and Upload Deadline for Regional 4-H Communications Contest
February 1 Entries due for Chester County 4-H T-shirt Design Contest
February 2 Camp Counselor applications due in ZSuite
February 14 Livestock Banquet, Conestoga Mennonite Church, Morgantown
February 17 Presidents’ Day – Government Services Center Closed; Extension Office working remotely
March TBD 4-H Camp Counselor Training
March TBD 4-H Animal Science Bowl and Skillathon Webinar
March 7 Registration Deadline for Window Display Contest
March 12-16 Ignite Conference, Washington, DC
March 16-22 Pennsylvania 4-H Week / Chester County Window Display Contest
March 17-21 Ag Literacy Week
March 20 Deadline to Submit Diamond Clover Award Proposals to Chester County 4-H for Review
March 31 ZSuite Re-Enrollment Deadline for all Returning 4-H Youth Members
April TBD 4-H Hog Selection, Chester County 4-H Center
April TBD Chester County 4-H Market Steer Weigh-in, Chester County 4-H Center
April TBD Livestock Leaders Council, Chester County 4-H Center
April 1 Deadline to Submit Diamond Clover Awards Proposals to Penn State University
April 18 Paper Clover Campaign Begins
April 22 Penn State Extension Annual Conference – Extension Office Closed
April 22 County Council Meeting, Chester County Extension Office
May TBD Animal Science Camps, Penn State University Park Campus
May TBD Champions Choice Lamb Camp, Chester County 4-H Center
May TBD Chester County Dairy Weekend, Chester County 4-H Center
May TBD Deadline for Entering Engineering Design Challenge Registration and Videos in ZSuite
May TBD Market Lamb/Kid Weigh-in and Tagging, Chester County 4-H Center
May TBD PA 4-H State Horse Bowl and Hippology Contests, University Park Campus
May TBD Springton Manor Sheep and Wool Day
May 5 Paper Clover Campaign Ends
May 25 Memorial Day - Extension Office Closed
*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
Bo Holobovich, 4-H Program Assistant
ADDRESS
Kim Myers, Office Manager
Jen Cerimele, Administrative Support
Denine Chemnitz, Business Operations Manager
Amy Bradford, Client Relations Manager
Stay Connected
WEBSITE
Penn State Extension, Chester County
601 Westtown Road, Suite 370
West Chester, PA 19382
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
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Training http://lrn.psu.edu/
E-Learning for 4-H Volunteers https://extension.psu.edu/4-h-volunteer-orientation
Donate to Chester County 4-H http://raise.psu.edu/4HChester
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