Mass 4H Newsletter 2025 Vol. 5:1

NEW 4-H Volunteer CORI Process

UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development has a new digital online CORI and Re-CORI submission process, that is effective immediately. New volunteers will receive CORI paperwork, a submission link, and instructions from Kim Henderson.

Existing volunteers will need to re-submit a copy of their license and CORI paperwork every three years. 4-H staff will alert you a month in advance of when you are due to be re-CORI checked. Kim Henderson will send you the paperwork, a submission link, and instructions. CORI paperwork can be notarized by a public notary or signed by a 4-H staff member.

National 4-H Leadership Trips 

At this time we would like to thank all those who have supported our 4-H teens who have applied for a National 4-H Leadership trip. Over the years volunteers have worked with them on their records, supported them to take on leadership roles, and encouraged them to apply. Recently some of helped review resumes and write letters of recommendation so thank you. We are looking forward to reviewing the applications. 

As we start the 2025-2026 delegation selection let’s look back on our Spring 2025 National Leadership trip delegations.

National 4-H Conference:

Massachusetts 4-H delegation enjoyed the sights and sounds of Washington DC. Working hard on presentations for federal partner agencies and USDA!  The Massachusetts 4-H delegation also included chaperones, Plymouth County Extension Director, Molly Vollmer, and MA 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Robert Kordenbrock.

• Miru Kunst – Engaging in NASA Earth Science, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• 

  Kaelyn McLoughlin – Public Lands: Empowerment and Access, U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

• Nate Murphy - Building the Energy Sector Workforce, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• Lindel Tucker - Public Lands: Empowerment and Access, U.S. Forest Service (USF

Ignite: 

The UMass 4-H Youth development Program had its largest group to date thanks to a Corteva Grant with National 4-H Council and some extra spots earned for registering during an incentive program at the start of registration. Susan Barrows was a Youth in Action finalist who was invited to present workshops on Public Speaking and  Civic Engagement so she and her mom Karla added to the excitement. Here is our group and see more about their Lead to Change Spotlight and the Corteva grant in STEM Updates:

Anthony Copeland, Brady Lipper, Bristol Card, David Roman, Jhaneil Ramirez, Leianne Laine, Marnie Sonnabend, Mary Riley, Meghan Riley, Molly Quinn, Pheobe Klein, Rupinika Golla, Sai Hitesh Vuppala, Siddharth Monagari, Star Flateau, William Jones, Brianna Patel, Susan Barrows along with Blake Dinius, Lauren DuBois, Jennifer Sonaband, Derek Alford, Meg Riley and Karla Barrows.

UMass 4-H Career Exploration Series (CES)

NEXT PRESENTATION 2D ANIMATOR, ALLISTER JONES

 Animation is used in movies, TV shows, video games, and media - So what's it like to be an animator?

Come find out! Ask Animator Allister Jones what questions you have and find out if this might be a good career for you.

• Ask the questions that are important to you.

• When: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 7-8 PM (Eastern Time zone)

• Where: Online (Zoom)

• Cost: FREE

• Link to register: https://bit.ly/4-HCES5-14-25

If you, or someone you know, are interested in a specific field, please let Angelica know, and she will do her best to find someone to present in that field. adiaz[at]umass[dot]edu (adiaz[at]umass[dot]edu) 

 Upcoming presentation:

June 11, Plastic Surgeon

 What did we learn from Amanda Kinchla, Food Scientist, in April?

• She had no idea what “food science” was until she saw a poster at UMass after she was already a student there in a different degree program.
• She wished she had found the program earlier because she would have been able to participate in more of the fun science challenges they hold in the program.
• Did you know:
• There is a national Leafy Green Board.
• Natick, MA is one of the places MREs (meal ready-to-eat) are developed.
• Her prediction:
• In the next 20 years, there will be an increase in plant-based customized nutrition.

 Explore UMass!

Explore UMass 2025

Join us for a 3-day, 2-night immersive 4-H STEM experience on the UMass Amherst Campus! Participants aged 12-16 will be staying overnight at a college dorm, eating at UMass’ world-renowned dining commons, and engaging in hands-on STEM workshops and activities with peers. Youth participants will attend one of four day-long sessions: Vet Science, Food Science, Health Sciences, or Pollinator Science. Based on interest ranking (1-4, with one being the top choice), youth will be assigned a track. *Please note youth are not guaranteed their top choice.

The drop-off is on Sunday, June 22nd from 2:00-3:00 pm, and pick-up will be on Tuesday, June 24th from 1:45-2:15 pm. You are responsible for transportation to and from the campus.

Current Mass 4-H Members, please register on 4-H Online. The deadline is June 1st.

Non-members & 4-H’ers from a state other than Massachusetts, please contact Lauren DuBois at ldubois[at]umass[dot]edu between May 1st and June 1st to reserve your spot. Space is limited; registration approval will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The cost of the program is $200.00 which includes 2 overnights in a resident hall and food.
Payments can either be made online or by check. Payment details will be provided once the paperwork is submitted.

We have scholarships and fee assistance available for active Mass 4-H members as needed.
Please reach out to 4-H Educator, Lauren DuBois at ldubois[at]umass[dot]edu with any questions.

 2025 Massachusetts 4-H State Photography Contest

 Enter your best photographs in this year's contest for the chance for your photos to be displayed at the Big E in September! Open to all enrolled Mass 4-H members.
Members may enter up to 5 photos each
Entries are due at the Auburn office by July 23 and will be judged at the Spencer Fairgrounds on July 25 with the Worcester County 4-H Fair.
Please contact Shelby Robin at shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu for more information and the complete list of rules and classes

4-H STEM Updates

Corteva grant with National 4-H Council:

The UMass 4-H Youth Development Program received a grant to focus on a Pollinator project. The grant has several key components.

• Have youth attend Ignite in Washington D.C. 

• Recruit at least 10 more teens 

• Share their project at Explore UMass in June

• Create pollinator gardens in the community

• Do outreach on the importance of pollinators in the community this summer at fairs

One piece of the Ignite experience is developing a Lead to Change Project to conduct back in their community.  Though our group was large they formed strong bonds and decided to work together and expand on the Corteva grant with those is the STEM track committed to creating web content, videos and QR code signs for the gardens.    Stay tuned for more details so you can learn more, stop by and visit their displays or even join in on some garden installations. Blake Dinius, Plymouth County Entomologist was one of the chaperones whom will be working with them along with Meg Riley with the Careers in Ag program, Lauren DuBois our Urban Educator in Springfield, our community partner in Leominster Derek Alford and Kim Pond our SET Liaison.

Some of our delegation interviewed.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AQjWLkyQ7/

STEM Club Highlight

4-H Alarm Robotics team accomplished many firsts, four offseason events, fully CADed robot, Advantage Scope implemented, vision implemented, 2 stage elevator and carriage successfully implemented, 5 FLL Explore teams and a Discover class and tons of impactful outreach!! Congratulation on their accomplishment and reaching over 350 youth with their outreach and creating additional “sparks”. They also participated in the #firstlike a girl and will be presenting at the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation Annual Meeting on May 7th.

Animal Verification Forms

Now is the time to print off your Animal Verification Forms to plan for the upcoming show season. Lease Forms are also due at the same time. Animal Verification Forms are to be completed for all livestock, dogs, and horses that you plan to show at a 4-H fair, dog academies, and/or Big E 4-H Shows. Note: Lambs and kids born after June 1st are still eligible to show based on your fair’s requirements, but you will still need to file a Verification Form on them once they are born. Verification Forms are due to your county/regional 4-H office by the following dates:

• New Date: May 1st – Horse (only if planning to show at the Sept. New England 4-H Horse Show at the Big E)
• May 1st – Dog, Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, and Working Steers
• June 1st – Goat, Sheep, Llama, Alpaca and Swine

Links to Verification and Lease forms:
• Livestock Verification Form - https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/pdf-doc-ppt/ma_4-h_animal…
• Livestock Lease Form - https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/pdf-doc-ppt/2010_livestoc…
• Horse Verification Form - https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/pdf-doc-ppt/ma_4-h_horse_…
• Dog Verification Form – See Cathy Acampora for updated form acampora[at]umass[dot]edu

 Livestock

2025 UMASS 4-H CATTLE ACADEMY

Registration for the 2025 UMASS 4-H Cattle Academy is now open! This event will take place from June 20-22nd at the Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton, MA. Youth who have a beef, dairy, or working steer project or are thinking about trying out a cattle project are invited to experience hands-on learning in washing, fitting, clipping, showmanship, and more!

Please register by June 1, 2025 at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=C4vQe5UzwU2Uu9Cy5WpJf3K2BK4vMsxAgdTcTMMZYC5URVpIWFQyNDdCOUFaRFhXREdQNk9SMFVOTS4u. 

See you at the academy!

4-H Poultry

The embryology program is piloting a virtual component this year! This has allowed the program to reach more kids in new ways. Classrooms meet for two Zoom sessions a week during the hatch and have an in-class lesson from the animal science specialist. 

Shout out to schools in Amherst, Canton, Easthampton, Pelham, West Springfield, and Wilbraham for helping us launch a new “tech twist” on a “tried and true” program in MA 4-H.

 NATIONAL POULTRY AND EGG CONFERENCE: AVIAN BOWL TEAM

Practice for this year's National Poultry and Egg Competitions is underway! Any 4-H youth is welcome to attend practices to see what it's all about. There are openings on the Avian Bowl Team. If you are at least 15, have an interest in knowledge bowls and/or poultry, and like to have fun learning, this group is for you. Reach out to Andrew at asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu for more information.

 CALLING ALL POULTRY YOUTH AND VOLUNTEERS!

Andrew Samuelson will be launching a new state-wide poultry advisory committee! This committee will be supporting our county-level programs, and participation in the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference and will be launching an annual workshop as well! We will be organizing it in the fall. If you have any interest in being a part of the advisory, please reach out to Andrew Samuelson at asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu (asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu).

4-H Horse Program

2025 STATE 4-H HORSE SHOW

The 2025 State 4-H Horse show is now open for entries!
Join us at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, MA June 20-22nd for our 42nd annual horse show. We have a variety of divisions including walk trot, alumni, small equine, and gymkhana.

Here is the show book: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Loc-dqxY8a8JFd-TkDMmi1Zha3yK_sjC/view
Here is the show website: https://ma4hhorseshow.blogspot.com/

Enter through 4-H Online or by mail (instructions are in the show book). Entries are due June 1st.
Please contact Shelby Robin (shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu) with questions.

4-H Dog Program

2025 MASSACHUSETTS 4-H DOG ACADEMY

It will take place on May 16-8 at the Camp Frank A Day YMCA camp in East Brookfield, a 3-day academy for dog project members to learn more about the world of dogs. Members can sign up for classes in showmanship, Obedience, Agility, Happy Ratter, Paint Your Dog, First Aid, Dog Fitness, and so much more. Dogs must be evaluated by a dog club leader or committee member to participate- dogs must have been training in dog clubs or active dog projects to participate and will need to be under the control of the youth member. Youth members will be solely responsible for the care of their dog while at the academy. Members enrolled in dog clubs will have first priority to sign up, and then it will be opened to those not in a dog club but are involved in the dog project. Sign-up will start in mid-March on 4honline for enrolled dog club members, then on April 1 for dog project members. The cost is $100 for sleepover members and $50 for just Saturday participation.

For more information, contact Cathy Acampora at acampora[at]umass[dot]edu (acampora[at]umass[dot]edu) or 774-343-5054.

4-H Goat Program

2025 MA 4-H GOAT ACADEMY

The 2025 MA 4-H Goat Academy will take place on May 31, 2025, in Lancaster, MA, from 9-4. This event is sponsored by MA 4-H Goat Advisory. Registration is now open. MA 4-H’ers should register by March 31st. On April 1, registration will open for out-of-state participants. Please see the attached flyer for academy information and a link to register. See you on May 31st!

National 4-H News & Opportunities

Month is Military Appreciation Month

Military Appreciation Month was introduced in 1999 by Sen. John McCain to encourage Americans to reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers, sailors, and all current and former military personnel. May culminates with a celebration of Memorial Day, which is set aside to honor military members who have passed away. Here is a list of sites to learn more about Memorial Day and other national holidays and celebrations:
History of Memorial Day https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history
Learn more about Military Holidays and celebrations at: https://www.militaryfood.org/military-holidays-and-observances

Beyond Ready Training

The 4-H Military Partnership team at NC State University is hosting a 4-H Beyond Ready Training for Extension, Military, and professionals who support military-connected youth and programs on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  The training will be held at the Windham County Extension Office located at 139 Wolf Den Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234. 

This interactive training is geared toward supporting work with military-connected families and provides an opportunity to share and learn as we work together to ensure youth are Beyond Ready!  

To attend the 4-H Military Partnership Beyond Ready training, register on the 4-H Military Partnership website by May 16, 2025.  Lunch and training materials will be provided. A Save the Date card is attached so you care share within your organization so others may join us for a day of networking and fun to support military connected youth, families & professionals

If you have any questions, contact David Brittain (dlbritta[at]ncsu[dot]edu (dlbritta[at]ncsu[dot]edu)) or Marc Cournoyer (marc[dot]cournoyer[at]uconn[dot]edu (marc[dot]cournoyer[at]uconn[dot]edu)).  

Upcoming Third Thursdays Professional Development Opportunities: 2pm EST

              May 15^th - How to appreciate the neurospicy youth in 4-H programs

              June 12^th (2^nd Tuesday) - Navigating Change: Tools for Thriving in Early Adolescence

              July 17^th - ​Characteristics of Leaders

 Register at https://www.4-hmilitarypartnership.org/third-thursday-together.html

Massachusetts 4-H Foundation

Hats off to 4-H! 

You can support the Massachusetts 4-H program and get shade from the summer sun. With your purchase of a baseball, trucker, or bucket hat, Massachusetts 4-H will receive a portion of each sale for 4-H programming. Each hat shows that you love Massachusetts 4-H!

The Massachusetts 4-H Foundation is partnering with Bonfire for this fundraiser.

Visit bonfire.com/hats-off-to-4-h to purchase your hat by May 26th!

UMass Extension 4-H Policies

https://ag.umass.edu/mass4h/volunteers/for-current-ma-4-h-volunteers/volunteer-resources

 University Information about Flu, Covid-19, and RSV for Fall 2024

Guidelines: All respiratory virus updates are posted on the EHS homepage on the following website: UMass Public Health Promotion Center & Vaccine Clinic Information | Environmental Health & Safety | UMass Amherst, which includes the latest guidance from MA DPH on what to do if you have symptoms, test positive or exposed. 

UMass Amherst follows the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) guidance for respiratory viruses like Flu, COVID-19 and RSV

• If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus (isolation), please follow this guidance.

• If you have tested positive for a respiratory virus (such as COVID-19), but do not have symptoms, please follow this guidance.

• If you were exposed to someone with a respiratory virus illness (exposure precautions), please follow this guidance.

State 4-H Office

100 Venture Way, Suite 334; Hadley MA 01035   

Meg McDermott, State 4-H Director – memcdermott[at]umass[dot]edu (memcdermott[at]umass[dot]edu) 

Andrew Samuelson, 4-H Animal Science Specialist – asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu (asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu) 

Angélica Diaz-Heyman, 4-H School & Community Partnership Specialist – adiaz[at]umass[dot]edu (adiaz[at]umass[dot]edu) 

Western MA Office: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, & Hampden Counties

100 Venture Way, Suite 334; Hadley MA 01035

Erica MacLean 4-H Educator – ericamaclean[at]umass[dot]edu (ericamaclean[at]umass[dot]edu) 

Lauren DuBois, Urban 4-H Educator – ldubois[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (ldubois[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu)   

Lizmarie Ulloa, Urban 4-H Program Assistant – lulloa[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (lulloa[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu) 

Central Southeast MA Office: Worcester, Norfolk, & Bristol Counties

7 Midstate Drive, Suite 102; Auburn MA 01501

Kim Pond, 4-H SET Program Manager – kima[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (kima[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu)  

Shelby Robin, Worcester County 4-H Educator – shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu (shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu)  

Kathleen Scalera, Central Southeast Regional Program Assistant – kscalera[at]umass[dot]edu (kscalera[at]umass[dot]edu)

Kim Henderson, Southeast Region Administrative Assistant – khenders[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (khenders[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu) 

Martina Jasiewicz, Worcester County Administrative Assistant – mjasiewicz[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (mjasiewicz[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu) 

Northeastern MA Office: Essex, Middlesex & Suffolk Counties

UMass Mt. Ida Campus, Miller Hall; 100 Carlson Avenue, Newton, MA 02459 

Va Shon Wallace-Hiltpold, 4-H Educator – vwallace[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (vwallace[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu)  

Nancy McCarthy, Program Assistant – nmccarthy[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (nmccarthy[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu)

Debbie Beaubien, Administrative Assistant – debbieb[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (debbieb[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu)  

Plymouth County Office: Plymouth County

44 Obery Street, Plymouth MA 02360

Molly Vollmer, 4-H Educator: mvollmer[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (mvollmer[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu)  

Cathy Acampora, 4-H Educator: acampora[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu (acampora[at]umext[dot]umass[dot]edu)  

Meghan Riley, Ag Extension Educator: mriley[at]plymouthcountyma[dot]gov (mriley[at]plymouthcountyma[dot]gov)  

Katie Roberts, School & Community Educator: katroberts[at]umass[dot]edu

Cheryl Mechan, Administrative Assistant: cmechan[at]umass[dot]edu (cmechan[at]umass[dot]edu)  

Barnstable County Office: Barnstable County

Box 367, Barnstable MA 02630

Sandi Shepherd-Gay, Barnstable County Youth Extension Educator: sandi[dot]shepherdgay[at]capecod[dot]gov (sandi[dot]shepherdgay[at]capecod[dot]gov)

Laura Notarangelo, Administrative Assistant: laura[dot]notarangelo[at]capecod[dot]gov (laura[dot]notarangelo[at]capecod[dot]gov)