University of Vermont Extension 4-H wants to send 4 youth to participate in National 4-H Conference, also known as the USDA Secretary’s Conference!

At National 4-H Conference, youth from all over the country gather to share their unique perspectives with government agencies. Youth learn about the federal government, work directly with a federal agency on a challenging problem that sparks their interest, meet other 4-H youth, and explore Washington D.C.  Agencies that youth worked with in 2023 include NASA, The Defense Department, The PeaceCorp, The National Parks Service, The Environmental Protection Agency, and The Smithsonian.

This program is open to high school youth ages 15-19 active in the 4-H program through clubs or other 4-H activities. We are looking for 4 youth who are involved in their communities and want to learn how to make a greater impact. The conference will be held April 19-24, 2024.

The cost of the conference will be covered. Participants selected will be responsible for their own airfare and spending money, approximately $250. Additional financial support from county 4-H foundations or other civic organizations may be available.

Applications are due to Sarah Kleinman by January 26, 2024.

For more information, see the 2024 Conference Application and program description, visit NIFA.USDA.GOV/NATIONAL-4-H-CONFERENCE, or watch a short intro video at https://youtu.be/6BRrjpxL19E.

Join us for a showcase of unique, hands-on STEM learning! Presented by the UVM STEM Ambassadors on Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on UVM Campus, Waterman Building, 85 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05405.

Register online at https://go.uvm.edu/x2.

Geared towards middle grades, but youth in grades 3-9 are welcome! Choose from a range of STEM activities, including:

• ...3...2...1… Blast Off: Recyclable Rockets
• Biomimicry: Where Nature Inspires Invention
• Robo Dance Off: Robots Groove
• Slime Defenders: The Power of Antibodies
• And more!

Please call or email Margaret Coan at 802-656-7635 or margaret.coan@uvm.edu with Showcase questions. 

Download the Sheep and Goat Quiz Bowl flyer. Takes place at the UVM Extension Office, 140 Kennedy Drive, South Burlington, VT.

Come join the fun and test your knowledge about sheep and goats, and related topics in this “Jeopardy”-like question/answer contest. 4-H members ages 8 to 18 (as of Jan. 1, 2024) have the opportunity to buzz-in their answers and test their knowledge. No prior experience required, just come and have fun! All youth must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the contest.

Check-in starts at 9:45 a.m. and Quiz Bowl ends after lunch and awards. End time depends on the number of participants.

Call or email Wendy Sorrell at 802-656-7641 or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu by Wednesday, April 17, 2024 to register.

To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Wendy Sorrell at 802-656-7641 or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu April 5, 2024 so we may assist you.

Download the 4-H Day at the Capitol flyer (PDF). 

4-H members in middle school and high school (sixth through twelfth grade) are invited to spend a day at the Vermont State Capitol during April vacation. We’ll tour the capitol and the Vermont Supreme Court, and will learn about the legislative process, meet officials, and share our 4-H stories.  After the group program concludes in the afternoon, consider planning to meet with your legislators or visit the Vermont Historical Society Museum.

Lunch is on your own.  Appropriate attire is business casual or 4-H swag dress.

Register online at https://go.uvm.edu/capitolday by Wednesday, April 17.  For program questions, call or email Emily Harvey Lacroix at (802) 476-2003 or emily.lacroix@uvm.edu.

To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Corinne Cooper at (802) 476-2003 or corinne.cooper@uvm.edu by Thursday, April 4, 2024 so we may assist you.

Download the 2024 State 4-H Hippology flyer. 

Location: Danville School, 148 Peacham Road, Danville, VT 05828

Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (check-in starts at 9:30)

Bring lunch, snacks, drinks, pencils, and a clipboard. 

Fee is $5 per participant, payable at the door.

Register online by Wednesday, April 21, 2023 at https://go.uvm.edu/2024hippology.

For questions, or to request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Wendy Sorrell at 802-656-7641 or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu by Friday, April 12, 2024 so we may assist you.

This year’s dairy judging tour will visit two farms: Howvale Farm and Hoyt Hill Farm, both in Tunbridge.

Registered 4-H dairy members ages 8 to 18 (as of Jan. 1, 2024) will judge various breeds of bovine dairy animals at two farms that have generously opened their doors to the 4-H program. Come test your knowledge of conformation and learn about desirable traits from experts in the field.

Register by Friday, April 19 online at https://go.uvm.edu/ijw4z.

To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Corinne Cooper at 802-656-4820 or Corinne .Cooper@uvm.edu by Friday, April 5, 2024 so we may assist you. For program questions or to volunteer, call or email 4-H Educator Contact Molly McFaun at 802-656-4820 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu.

Flyer (PDF)

At H.M. Savage Farm, in Chester. 

4-H members compete in judging of horses in-hand and under saddle. Open to 4-H members ages 8–18 as of January 1, 2024.

Register by Tuesday, April 30, 2024. $5 per participant.

Agenda for the Day:

• Check in from 9:30-10:00 a.m.
• Contest starts after and goes until all the classes are judged and oral reason have completed.
• Bring lunch and a beverage.

To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Wendy Sorrell at 802-656-7641 or 1-800-651-0068 or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu by Friday, April 26, 2024 so we may assist you. Contact Wendy with questions.

Download the flyer (PDF)

This is a free, five-session, exploratory series to discover what families are interested in seeing 4-H offer in the Central Vermont area. We will have fun learning a new skill while exploring 4-H. All workshops will be held at the UVM Extension Berlin Office. 2024 session dates and activities:

• March 14 - Springtime Crafting
• April 11 - Learn to Crochet
• May 9 - Wigglebots and Beginning Robotics
• June 13 - Sew a Scrunchie, Buttons and Mending
• July 11 - Summer Crafting and Ice Cream Making

Open to all youth ages 8 to 18, and limited to 15 participants per session.  Download the "Try It Thursdays" flyer and register online at go.uvm.edu/2024airy.

To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Corinne Cooper at 802-656-4824 or corinne.cooper@uvm.edu three weeks prior to the session you wish to attend so we may assist you. 

Contact Molly McFaun 802-656-4820 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu with questions.

Download the Orange County Horse Clinic flyer (PDF).  

Location: Tunbridge Fairgrounds, 1 Fairground Lane, Tunbridge, VT 05077

Schedule:

• Horses can arrive at the fairgrounds between 4 and 8 p.m. on May 30.
• There will be an orientation meeting at 6:30 p.m. (May 30).
• Participants are off the grounds by 6 p.m. on June 2.

Details:

• Open to all youth (ages 8 and older), novice adults, and families – 4-H and non-4-H – with workshops for riders of all levels. Three days of affordable English and Western instruction, workshops, and fun activities for everyone!
• Event details including a schedule and packing list will be provided to registered participants.
• Clinic fee is $60. Fee covers 5 mounted lessons, daily equine workshops, and crafting. Camping fees are additional.

Registration:

• Register online by Monday, May 13, 2024 at https://go.uvm.edu/2024horseclinic.
• Completed paperwork and payment are due to the UVM Extension Berlin Office (327 US Route 302, Suite 1, Berlin, VT 05641) by Monday, May 20.
• To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call 866-860-1382 or email Corinne Cooper at corinne.cooper@uvm.edu by Monday, May 6, 2024 so we may assist you.
• Call or email 4-H Educator Molly McFaun at 866-860-1382 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu with clinic-specific questions.

At Addison County Fair and Field Days Fairgrounds in Vergennes.

Clinic is open to all youth ages 8 to 18 and adults are welcome to participate. The clinic will help riders improve horse skills and knowledge, and make new friends.

Program includes horseless activities on Saturday, June 1 at 9:30 a.m., and riding lessons and workshops throughout the day Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 a.m.

Bring your own food and drink. There will be a potluck on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Camping is available for a fee.

To register, email Martha Seifert for an information packet. Register by Monday, May 20, 2024. “Early bird” fee is $25; $35 after May 22. Fee covers all activities and payment information will be in the information/registration packet.

For questions or to request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please call or email Martha Seifert at 802-656-7547 or martha.seifert@uvm.edu by Thursday, May 9, 2024 so we may assist you.

Download the flyer (PDF)

We invite current 7-11th graders to join us for immersive research experiences in agrotechnology. Through topic-focused Science Cafes, Summer Academies, and Innovation Slams, participants will have an opportunity to learn from UVM faculty, staff and students, conduct their own experiments and share their findings!

Flyer (PDF)

For youth entering grades 7-11 who are interested in the environment and ready to explore, in depth, their passion for Vermont's natural resources.

• Who: Any students entering grades 7-11 in the Fall of 2024
• What: Natural Resources Management Academy
• Where: Green Mountain Conservation Camp, Buck Lake, Woodbury, VT
• When: July 12-14, 2024 (starts at 7 p.m. Friday, ends 12:15 p.m. Sunday)
• Deadline: Registration closes on June 14, 2024
• Cost: $130.

Space is limited to 30 participants — sign up now! Register online here.

Questions? Email Amy Miller.

To request language interpretation/translation assistance and/or a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Amy.Miller@uvm.edu or call 802-656-7580 by June 14, 2024 so we may assist you.

Download the flier (PDF).

Save the dates for the 2024 Military Teen Future Leader Camp at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont:

• Saturday, July 13 - Sunday, July 21
• Saturday, July 27 - Sunday, August 4

Details on how to apply will be available in March 2024. Visit https://go.uvm.edu/flc2024 for more information. Download the camp flyer for more information about this camp opportunity.

FLC is available to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. High School graduates will only be allowed to attend FLC if accepted and committed to attending Norwich University. They must have made the first-year enrollment deposit prior to enrolling in FLC.

Contact UVM Extension 4-H Health and Wellness Program Coordinator Anthony Sgherza at asgherza@uvm.edu or 802-656-7606 with questions.