Ionia County 4-H

08/25/2026

Thank you Family Farm and Home in Portland for donating painting tools to our Heart and Hands Quilters 4-H Club. We appreciate you!

08/25/2026

Ionia County, THANK YOU! 🎉

The MSU Extension & 4-H millage passed, and we want to celebrate with YOU! 💚🍀

Please join us on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00 PM at the MSU Extension Ionia County Office, 50 E. Sprague Rd., Ionia.

This will be an evening to:
❤️ Thank our amazing community for supporting MSU Extension & 4-H
🎉 Celebrate this important investment in Ionia County
🌱 Share what the millage means for the future of our programs
💡 Take a look at what comes next!

🌭 Hotdogs & chips will be served!

We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Ionia County community and look forward to celebrating this exciting step forward with you!

Come celebrate with us! We hope to see you there! 🍀

08/25/2026

🌟 Ready to Take Your 4-H Leadership to the Next Level?

Applications are now open for the Michigan 4-H State Youth Leadership Council (SYLC), Michigan 4-H's highest youth leadership opportunity for young people ages 15-19!
As a SYLC member, you'll represent Michigan 4-H across the state, promote 4-H through local and statewide activities, and help shape the future of 4-H programs by sharing youth perspectives and ideas.

✅ Build skills in public speaking, advocacy, communication, and leadership
✅ Connect with 4-H youth from across Michigan
✅ Expand your knowledge beyond your county's programs
✅ Make a difference in the Michigan 4-H community

If you're passionate about leadership, service, and helping others grow through 4-H, consider applying today!

Click here for a SYLC application - https://forms.gle/eVcKTTJEzwc29jxdA (Applications are due September 4, 2026)

Click here to learn more about SYLC - https://www.canr.msu.edu/sylc/index

08/17/2026

MSU Extension Fall Horse Management Series Looking to strengthen your horse care skills this fall? Join MSU Extension for a three session series packed with practical, science based information every horse owner can use.
September 8 – Toxic Plants & Emergency Preparedness Learn how to spot toxic plants in Michigan pastures and get simple, effective steps to prepare your farm and horses for emergencies.
October 13 – Horse Nutrition & Pasture Management Build confidence in feeding your horse well and managing pastures for healthier forage and long term productivity.
November 10 – Biosecurity in the Barn & Manure Management Discover everyday practices that reduce disease risks and improve manure handling for a cleaner, safer farm.
Whether you’re new to horse ownership or have years of experience, this series offers practical tips you can put to use right away.

08/17/2026

Fall is a great time to learn, connect, and grow as a 4-H volunteer! Join us for a Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar in 2026! Whether you're new to volunteering or have years of experience, these webinars offer practical tips and fresh ideas to help you make an even greater impact. View topics and register: https://www.canr.msu.edu/volunteering/mi-4-h-volunteer-webinar-series. We look forward to learning with you online!

08/11/2026

08/11/2026

🐴🔥 4-H’ERS… ARE YOU READY TO GO GOOSECHASE?! 🦆🎯
Think you know horses?
Think you’ve got what it takes to rack up the points?
Think you can beat your friends?! 👀🏆
The 2026 Michigan 4-H State Horse Show GooseChase is ON! 🎉
📅 August 13–23, 2026
Get ready to:
🐎 Test your horse knowledge
📸 Take fun photos & videos
💰 Put your money-management skills to work
🤝 Meet new people
💪 Show off your leadership & sportsmanship
🎯 Complete challenges and EARN POINTS!
🏆 And YES… there are PRIZES!
Thanks to our sponsor, MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)! 💚
You don’t have to be the best rider. You don’t have to know everything. You just have to be ready to PLAY, LEARN, COMPETE & HAVE FUN!
📲 SCAN THE QR CODE & JOIN THE CHASE!
Or click the link:
https://join.goosechase.com/d0b4d25d-91da-4724-b491-b97170d1d87f
🔥 The missions are waiting. The points are up for grabs. The question is…
🦆🐴 ARE YOU READY TO CHASE?! 🐴🦆

08/06/2026

The Ionia County MSU Extension & 4-H millage has PASSED! 💚
I cannot put into words what this means for our youth, families, volunteers, farmers, and communities across Ionia County. This vote is more than a millage—it is an investment in the future of our county and the programs that help people learn, grow, lead, and thrive.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported the millage, shared information, answered questions, put up signs, talked with their neighbors, voted, and believed in the value of MSU Extension and 4-H.
And to our incredible 4-H families, volunteers, leaders, and supporters—THANK YOU! Your voices and your dedication matter. ❤️
This has been a long road, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who stood beside us along the way.
Ionia County chose to invest in its people, its youth, and its future. 🌱🍀
Here’s to continuing the work and making an even bigger difference together!

08/06/2026

🎤 Michigan 4-H Business Pitch Contest 🎤
Do you have a great idea to share? What problem would you solve? What business would you start?
The Michigan 4-H Pitch Contest gives youth ages 8–19 the opportunity to develop and present their ideas.
Need inspiration? Here are a few examples:
💼 Business: Horse tack cleaning or repair service, livestock fitting business, pet sitting, lawn care, photography, homemade baked goods, or farm services.
🌎 Advocacy: Mental health awareness, water quality, pollinator protection, agricultural literacy, food insecurity, or animal welfare.
🎓 Career: Veterinarian, agricultural engineer, electrician, teacher, conservation officer, nurse, graphic designer, or small business owner.
Whether you're already running a business or simply brainstorming your next big idea, the Michigan 4-H Business Pitch Contest is your chance to think like an entrepreneur, strengthen your communication skills, and share your ideas with others.
📅 Entries are due August 7, 2026.
Submit your entry through the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase.
🏆 Prizes provided by MSU Federal Credit Union.
Learn more and enter at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan4-hbusinesspitchcontest

08/06/2026

Registration for the 2026 National 4-H Dairy Conference is now open! The conference will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and any interested Michigan 4-H youth are encouraged to attend! The conference is open to any 4-H youth who have not gone previously. If you are interested in attending, please submit the completed forms to Kendra at [email protected] by September 4th, 2026.

Conference Information Can Be Found Here: National 4-H Dairy Conference – Broadening dairy youth horizons since 1954

Send a message to learn more