UConn 4-H

Each year outstanding 4-H volunteers are selected to receive recognition for their contributions to the University of Connecticut 4-H Program. These awards are recognized at the State and National levels to show our appreciation of individuals that leave a lasting impact on our program and communities. Nominations for volunteers close July 1st to the County and July 15th to the State.

Historical volunteer award winners can be found on our website, https://4-h.extension.uconn.edu/4-h-volunteer-awards/

Are you are registered 4-H member looking for opportunities to get health checks for fairs? See the attached flyers for opportunities to get animal health checks this weekend.

Please contact the local county office for more information.

UConn 4-H Hartford County
UConn 4-H New London County

This past weekend UConn 4-H hosted the UConn goat clinic, a one-day hands on program which allowed participants to exhibit their own goats, participate in a clipping, evaluation and showmanship workshops and finish the day with a mock show.

Thank you again to all our sponsors and presenters for making this event possible

Thank you to all our sponsors for supporting the UConn goat clinic this year! We look forward to seeing our participants for the event this Saturday.

Fenton River Veterinary Hospital
Dunkin'
Tolland County Agricultural Center
Farm Credit

This is a reminder that UConn 4-H Goat Clinic Registration closes on Friday, May 1.

This hands-on event will be held on Saturday, May 30th at the Tolland Agricultural Center (Vernon, CT) and is open to youth 7-18 and 4-H parents and volunteers. Hands-on workshops on showmanship, fitting and evaluation for both meat and dairy goats. Participants are encouraged to attend with a goat or indicate during registration that they will be borrowing a goat. Deadline for registration is May 1st. Space is limited, registering early is highly recommended.

This past weekend participants from across the State joined at the Horsebarn Hill arena in Storrs for the annual horse judging event. Congratulations to all our participants!

Congratulations to our UConn 4-H Rising Star and Hall of Fame Winners!

The UConn 4-H Hall of Fame provides statewide recognition for individuals and external organizations with significant contributions to the UConn 4-H Youth Development program on every level, preserves UConn 4-H history and development, and has the potential to increase awareness of the 4-H Youth Development program. Potential recipients include 4-H volunteers, 4-H supporters, external collaborating organizations and businesses, community leaders and retired Cooperative Extension staff.

UConn 4-H recognizes volunteers who have demonstrated significant dedication and achievement in their first
10 years of 4-H volunteerism by awarding the UConn 4-H Rising Star Volunteer Award. Individuals must have 4-H volunteer involvement at the county, state, regional and/or national level

Congratulations to all our award winners!

Last month UConn 4-H recognized Hogan Eng at the annual CAHNR awards ceremony in the Rome Ballroom for being the recipient of the UConn 4-H Leadership Award.

The UConn 4-H Leadership Award recognizes individuals providing leadership to organized clubs for a minimum of three years.

Also recognized were Peg Hall and Stephen Zoppa for Meritorious Service & Alumni Awards respectively. You can read more about these outstanding individuals by visiting our page, https://4-h.extension.uconn.edu/4-h-volunteer-awards/

Think you know an outstanding volunteer? Nominate them before the July 1st County deadline s.uconn.edu/volunteer26

Power Surge 4-H Robotics
UConn 4-H Fairfield County
UConn Extension

Another congratulations goes out to Patricia Miele Bianchi and Samantha Spain for being named National Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer and Volunteer of the Year Awards respectively!

Pat Miele Bianchi has significantly contributed to the 4-H community in Connecticut for 49 years. Her current roles include serving as a National 4-H Conference Chaperone, Hartford County 4-H Fair Association Advisor and a Hartford County 4-H Camp Board Trustee. Previously, she was a club leader, a Hartford County 4-H Fair Association Director and member of the Hartford County 4-H Advisory Committee. Patricia's willingness to take on various tasks makes her a role model for 4-H youth and the community, showcasing her commitment to the 4-H program. She leverages her experiences as a 4-H member and volunteer to highlight the positive influence of 4-H on young people's lives, always striving to "Make the Best Better."

Samantha Spain has been an incredibly active, supportive, and positive presence in Hartford County 4-H since joining as a leader 9 years ago with Athena’s Warriors 4-H Robotics Club. In an average year, there are 25+ members in her robotics club. Sam organizes over 40 4-H meetings annually with an additional 12 special meetings and 10 competitions/field trips. Sam attends numerous build sessions throughout the year; sometimes they occur seven days a week. In addition to the 500 hours she clocks leading the 4-H Team each year, she allocates countless hours to coordinating and traveling to FIRST regional and district competitions. Sam is a strong advocate of 4-H amongst the FIRST robotics community and regularly promotes 4-H to others.

Thank you to these incredible volunteers for their service to UConn 4-H!

Congratulations to June Zoppa on being selected as a National 4-H Hall Fame Class of 2026 Inductee.

June Zoppa is a lifelong 4‑H volunteer and leader with more than 52 years of service to Hartford County 4‑H. She has made a difference in the lives of UConn 4-H members and volunteers as a club leader, Hartford County 4-H Fair Association Advisor, Hartford County 4-H Advisory Committee Treasurer and Chair, and Hartford County 4-H Camp Board Trustee. She has also served in numerous state 4-H committee roles including chaperoning trips.

June will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame this fall at the national ceremony.

UConn 4-H Hartford County
UConn Extension
UConn CAHNR
4-H