Karen Fifield Montmorency 4-H Program Coordinator

Hello everyone!  I am Karen Fifield an Extension Associate at the Montmorency/MSU Extension Office.  I have been in this position since 1998, doing various programs.  I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and the programs I do for our county.

First off, with the tiltle of Extension Associate comes a wide variety of things to do.  It is a broad title that allows multiple areas of porgramming to be covered.  The first and foremost area of programming that I am assigned to is 4-H youth development.  I began a love of 4-H many years ago when my children were young and I knew as a mother that I wanted a positive, educational, and fun environment for my children.  4-H was the answer.  So I started out as a volunteer and then became part of the program for the past seven years.  Dennis McClure and I work together to bring quality programs to youth in Montmorency County through 4-H.  It is a program that brings families together and provides opportunities that would interest everyone.

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For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory

Experience the Power of 4-H — Volunteer! 

• How to Start a Club
• Child Well-Being: Volunteer Selection Process
• Starting the Year Off Right: Tips and Tools for 4-H Volunteers
• Partner with Youth to Make a Difference in Communities
• Michigan 4-H Today
• About 4-H Ceremonies

Michigan 4-H sticks to some basic guiding principles that define how it approaches its work with youth. If you want to read the full document, you can download Michigan 4-H Guiding Principles as an Adobe PDF handout. 

Here’s the quick version.

1. Youth develop positive relationships with adults and peers.
2. Youth are physically and emotionally safe.
3. Youth are actively engaged in their own development.
4. Youth are considered participants rather than recipients in the learning process.
5. Youth develop skills that help them succeed. 
6. Youth recognize, understand and appreciate multiculturalism.
7. Youth grow and contribute as active citizens through service and leadership.

How to Join 4-H

Resources for Clubs and Members

Frequently Ask Questions about 4-H.

For more information regarding 4-H in Montmorency County click on the following links:

Montmorency County 4-H Family Handbook

Interested in becoming a 4-H Leader

4-H Enrollement Form (New & Re-Enrollment Member )

2011 4-H Youth Summer Camp

June 27-30 Ocqueoc Center

     Summer Camp is always fun for everyone. You are able to enjoy outdoor activities, learn to canoe, and visit the lamprey station. What is camp without a camp fire in the evening along with camp fire songs and stories? Camp welcomes youth 9 to 12 years old as participants and counselors that are 15 to 18 years old. Counselors must be youth oriented and focused on creating a positive memorable time for youth.

     Applications for counselors and youth participants will be available at the MSU Extension office in April. We are located in the Old Court house in Atlanta.

Fishing Camp 2010

4-H summer camp is one of the highlights for many 4-H members every summer and this year was no different.  The 4-H members that were able to attend camp were; Allan Cramer, Jessica Baur, Tiffany Bennett, Dominic Witherspoon, Adrian Oesch, Kenyon Oesch, Kayla Beauregard, Caleb Cumper, Darian Klein, Jacob Lawler, and Micah Pridemore.

It was an exciting time at Loon Lake Retreat July 5-8 for these Monmorency youth.

The theme this year was "Fishing".  The curriculum used for teaching kids to fish was Project F.I.S.H.(Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage).  Counselors and volunteers attended a training of Project F.I.S.H. on June 29th so they would be able to bring and share skills such as fishing, environmental stewardship, tackle crafting, and knot tying to campers.  Project F.I.S.H. can benefit and impact youth in many ways.

Some of the skills that we taught to the youth were:

• Angling Skills
• Understanding o Aquatic Ecology.
• Tackle Crafting Skills.
• Ethics and Responsibility as Anglers
• Understanding of Fisheries Management.

Many extra volunteers were enlisted to bring the experience of fishing to 4-H members.  Roger Frye, Katie Dahlgren, Carol Klein, and Stacey Oesch participated by teaching campers in various fishing techniques, fish identification and prints.  In addition, volunteers from Alcona, Otsego and Presque Isle Counties also shared their knowledge of fishing skills.  We would like to thank these volunteers for their efforts and for spending their time at 4-H summer camp.

• Each member that attended 4-H camp received a fishing pole, tackle box, tackle, a tee-shirt, a clock that they made, and an exciting experience of fishing.
• 4-H can make a difference in the lives of many youth.  We are thankful to the volunteers and for the participation that is given to the youth in the county.  This type of dedication demonstrates the importance and value we place on youth and the 4-H program in Montmorency County.

4-H Garden Seeds

In 4-H youth development there are many fun programs and activities that take place throughout the year.  One that happens this time of year is the garden seed distribution program.  This program is supported through Montmorency Soil District and 4-H.  The garden seed distribution program invites all youth of Montmorency County to sign up for free seeds and start planting!  There are at least 10 different types of seeds that are distributed to youth throughout Atlanta, Hillman, and Lewiston  schools. 

Participates that sign-up for the program are given a planting guide and simple instructions (there are no meetings to attend, and the program is free).  After working all summer to maintain their garden they are encouraged to display them at the Montmorency 4-H Fair. This years Montmorency 4-H County Fair is on August 16th-20th. Come join the fun.

Not only does this program help the children get involved with 4-H, but they are able to contribute food to their family that all can enjoy.

WATCH OUT FOR SIGN-UP FORMS IN YOUR CHILDRENS FRIDAY FOLDERS NEXT SPRING IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING!  Normally seeds are delivered to schools prior to Memorial Day.  The program is available to all children ages 5 and Up who reside in Montmorency County.  If you are Home Schooled please contact us at 989-785-8013 (email msue60@msu.edu) or stop by the Montmorency/MSU Extension office in the old courthouse building to sign-up.