UMass 4-H Events Calendar
Date, Event, &Time | Location | Info or Registration |
6/20-6/22/25 State 4-H Horse Show | Three County Fairgrounds Northampton, MA | Show website: |
6/20-6/22/25 UMass 4-H Cattle Academy | Three County Fairgrounds Northampton, MA | Registration: |
6/22-6/24/25 Explore UMass | UMass Amherst Campus | MA 4-H’ers: Register through 4honline All others: Email ldubois[at]umass[dot]edu |
7/19/25 Hampshire County 4-H Fair | Cummington Fairgrounds Cummington, MA | Facebook page: |
7/25/25 12-7PM Worcester County 4-H Fair | Spencer Fairgrounds Spencer, MA | Contact: shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu |
7/26/25 9am-7pm Worcester County 4-H Fair | Spencer Fairgrounds Spencer, MA | Contact: shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu |
7/27/25 8AM-5PM Worcester County 4-H Fair | Spencer Fairgrounds Spencer, MA | Contact: shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu |
7/26/25 Hampden County 4-H Fair | Eastern States Exposition Mallary Complex West Springfield, MA | Information: |
8/1/25, 9 AM – 5 PM MA 4-H State Dairy Show | Franklin County Fairgrounds Greenfield, MA | Information: asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu |
8/15-24/25 Marshfield Fair | Marshfield Fairgrounds Marshfield, MA | Information: |
8/16/25 4-H Day at Heath Fair | Heath Fairgrounds Heath, MA | Information: |
| 8/22/25-8/24/24 | Middlesex County 4-H Fair | Information: https://www.facebook.com/4hmiddlesexfair.org |
8/30-31/25, 9 AM – 6 PM East Middleboro 4-H Fair | East Middleboro 4-H Club House 186 Thompson St. Middleboro, MA | Information: |
9/22/25, 10 AM – 3 PM MA 4-H Foundation Golf Tournament | Holden Hills Country Club Holden, MA | Information: |
Approaching Registration & Application Deadlines
Deadline | Event or Opportunity |
| Application or Info Link |
6/27/25 | Entries for Worcester 4-H Fair | Contact: shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu (shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu) | |
7/15/25 | MA 4-H State Dairy Show | Contact: asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu (asamuelson[at]umass[dot]edu) | |
7/23/25 | 2025 MA 4-H Photography Contest submission deadline | Contact: shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu (shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu) | |
9/11/25 | MA 4-H Foundation Golf Tournament registration deadline | Information: | |
Massachusetts Statewide Programming & Announcements
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.
UMass 4-H Career Exploration Series (CES)
NEXT PRESENTATION
Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Zachary Long
What do you think of when you hear “plastic surgery?” Celebrities? Reality TV shows like Botched? While that is a part of plastic surgery, there’s a whole different side that many people don’t even realize exists. And, unlike many other medical specialties, there’s more flexibility. You can work in a hospital, in a clinic, or in your own private practice! Join us and learn how Dr. Long became a plastic surgeon and what the specialty really entails!
When: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 7-8 PM (Eastern Time zone)
Where: Online (Zoom)
Cost: FREE
Link to register: https://bit.ly/4-HCES6-11-25
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)
MAY PRESENTATION
What did we learn from Allister Jones, 2D Animator, in May?
A career in animation can be difficult because you work from project to project, but the more you do the more you are known. This can result in a workflow that can drastically change.
What is something Allister would tell his younger self? Not to be afraid to talk to people. It’s very important in the industry to communicate, for jobs, with people working on different aspects of the project you are working on, etc.
What’s available in the animation world? Check out this resource: https://animatorsresourcekit.blog/
Are you interested in putting together a clip? Check out this resource for some “help”: https://sakugabooru.com
FAIRS!
Hampshire County 4-H Fair
The Hampshire County 4-H Fair will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025. It will be held at the Cummington Fairgrounds in Cummington, MA. If you are interested in finding out more about this event, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556582015968.
Worcester County 4-H Fair
The 75th Worcester County 4-H Fair will be held July 25-27 at the Spencer Fairgrounds.
This is open to all enrolled MA 4-H members.
Please contact Shelby Robin at shelbyrobin[at]umass[dot]edu for a copy of the Fair book, which includes the rules, classes, and entry forms.
Hampden County 4-H Fair
The Hampden County 4-H Fair will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025. It will take place at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E grounds), in the Mallary Complex in West Springfield. For more information check out their website at http://hampdencounty4hyouthfair.org/.
Marshfield Fair
The Marshfield Fair is happening, August 15-24, 2025, at the Marshfield Fairgrounds in Marshfield Ma. All Massachusetts 4-H members are welcome to attend! 4-H & open youth shows are daily during the 10-day fair. Our 4-H members show beef, dairy, dogs, goats, horses, poultry (*no live birds this year) rabbits, sheep and swine. Participate in fitting and showmanship, enter your 4-H records, take knowledge tests, participate in quiz bowl and much, much more! 4-H members are welcome to do demonstrations, volunteer in our barns and come on 4-H Day, Wednesday Aug 20 for fun activities. All entry forms and show times are available at www.marshfieldfair.org Entries are due on July 11. The Plymouth County 4-H Office will be hosting fair paperwork days on July 8 and July 10 from 9 AM- 7 PM to help families complete their paperwork on time. Please contact the Plymouth County 4-H Office at 774-404-7020 or email Molly at mvollmer[at]umass[dot]edu with any questions.
4-H Day at the Heath Fair
4-H Day at the Heath Fair will be on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The fair takes place at Heath Fairgrounds (Heath, MA). For information on participating go to https://www.heathfair.org/. 4-H members that enter the Heath Fair will receive a 4-H premium in addition to premiums awarded by the Heath Fair, and a 4-H ribbon.
East Middleboro 4-H Fair
The East Middleboro 4-H Fair is happening Labor Day Weekend, Aug 30-31. All 4-H members are welcome to attend. This 4-H fair is held at the East Middleboro 4-H Club House at 186 Thompson Street in Middleboro, MA. The fair is free to attend, and 4-H members can exhibit in animal shows including cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, rabbits and poultry. Static exhibits will be displayed by East Middleboro 4-H Club members. Food, fundraising, games and more are available at this local 4-H only fair. For more information, please contact the Plymouth County 4-H Office at 774-404-7020 or email Molly at mvollmer[at]umass[dot]edu.
2025 Massachusetts 4-H State Photography Contest
2025 MA 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
The 2026 STEAM Festival will Celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States and you can use the summer to get started.
NEW: Barn Quilts (You can create a traditional barn quilt, design out with paper or even Legos.) Explore the history and culture behind barn quilts and if you are traveling this summer see if you see any in your travels. https://www.primitivestarquiltshop.com/blogs/quilt-shop-gathering-place…
STEM Planning Group - Wednesday July 9th at 7pm STEM Teens and Volunteers watch for an email with details.
National Aerospace Day is August 19th- Grab a piece of paper and make a paper airplane. See how far it can go. Lots of different designs to try. Share your photo to Facebook and tag the Massachusetts 4-H Program or send your pictures to Kim Pond at kima[at]umass[dot]edu
4-H Animal Science Updates
4-H Dairy
MA 4-H STATE DAIRY SHOW
The annual MA 4-H Dairy Show will take place on August 1-3, 2025, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. This event is open to enrolled Massachusetts 4-H dairy project members who have reached their 10th birthday by January 1st of the current year, but who have not reached their 19th birthday by January 1st of the current year. Entries are due July 15, 2025. Please email Andrew Samuelson for more information.
4-H Poultry
CALLING ALL POULTRY YOUTH AND VOLUNTEERS!
We are excited to announce that we 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).
Military Partnership
Military Partnership and PCS
Summertime sees a higher number of military family going through a PCS. What is a PCS? A PCS means a Permanent Change of Station which includes a longer-term military assignment where the service member is transferred to a new duty station, generally lasting two to four years. A military PCS move is the most common reason for military families to move from one duty station to the next and often occur during the school summer break.
How can 4-H help?
Unlike many larger states, Massachusetts doesn't have a lot of military housing, schools or youth center so a large majority of active military live in our communities along with our National Guard and Reserve families.
If you are having an open house or welcome night to kick off the new year share that us so we can forward those opportunity to our military partners. 4-H is in every state and duty station even over seas so can serve as a community connection.
- Write a welcome note or make a card youth-to-youth welcoming them to Massachusetts and highlight something fun they might want to check out.
- Develop a community service project to support:
- Coast Guard Families moving from Florida to the Cape might not have winter clothes so collect snow pants, boots...
- The cost of living is high in Massachusetts compared to some states so food or diaper drives can go a long way.
- Donate candy for Trunk or Treat events
- Sometime we are invited to have activities or help at Family Day Picnics, Trunk or Treats and Holiday Events
Massachusetts 4-H Foundation
Register for the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation's Golf Tournament
The 23rd annual Shirley Kane Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament will be held September 22, 2025. This is the Foundation’s largest single-day fundraiser and always a fun day. Registration is now open for sponsorship. You can choose from many different levels of sponsorship to promote your business. It’s also not too early to sign up to play! Visit our website at https://www.mass4hfoundation.org/events/golf-tournament/ for further details and to register.
UMass 4-H Policy
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.
UMass Extension 4-H Offices and Contact Information
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)
The UMass Extension 4-H E-NewsBlast is sent to all UMass 4-H families and volunteers. Unless otherwise noted, all virtual programming is available to 4-H members everywhere, no matter where you live or what club or group you belong to! Check these sites and your local county Facebook page for more details and for updates to programs: https://ag.umass.edu/mass4h and https://www.facebook.com/Mass4H/. Archived editions can be found at https://ag.umass.edu/mass4h. The NewsBlast is sent to family emails unless specific requests are made.
