Newsletter

University of Maryland Extension Talbot County 28577 Mary’s Court Suite 1, Easton, MD 21601 (410) 822-1244

Tom Hutson, 4-H Educator - thutson@umd.edu Bonnie Turley, 4-H Program Assistant - bturley@umd.edu

Talbot County 4-H Youth Development Maryland 4-H is the University of Maryland’s youth development program. Members learn

project information and life skills including communication, leadership, and citizenship.

May 19, 2020

Upcoming Events ***Due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions, the University of Maryland has canceled all in-person 4-H activities through July 31. We will find out later about the rest of the summer and fall. Please note that online/virtual 4-H activities and club meetings are permitted/encouraged.*** Tractor Safety Certification – Postponed

This year’s training has been postponed due to COVID-19. Chris Johnston of Queen Anne’s 4-H and Beth Hill of Kent 4-H will try to find suitable dates and are considering an online option.

Talbot County 4-H Visual Presentations (Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks) – Changed to Virtual Visual Presentations As you know, part of completing a 4-H project is doing a communication activity (project-related talk). This year the virus prevented us from meeting in person. However, members may do a demonstration or illustrated talk at home and share it over an online club meeting. They may also record it, upload the video to YouTube or another site, and e-mail the link to Tom or Bonnie. We will preview the presentation and post it to our Talbot County, Maryland 4-H Youth Development Facebook page so everyone can watch it! You can get to the page with this link: https://www.facebook.com/Talbot-County-Maryland-4-H-Youth-Development-112614457049412/. Be sure to like our Facebook page—NOT just a post you see—if you want to receive updates when we post something new.

Remember that a demonstration is step-by-step explanation of how to complete a task. You may use props and other visual aids. An illustrated talk is a project-related talk that uses posters or other visual aids to illustrate the points you are making. Here is a link to our Public Speaking Guide. See pages 9-11 for demonstration and illustrated talk planning forms.

Autumn Redman is our first Talbot 4-H member to post a demonstration online! She does an excellent job showing a step-by-step process for sewing a mask. This demonstration counts as a project talk to help her complete her healthy living project. Here is a link where you can watch Autumn's Video.

Eastern Shore Spring Show – Changed to a Virtual Show The show allows 4-H members to exhibit their livestock, rabbit/cavy, and dog project animals. Due to the virus, this year we will have a virtual show. Showmanship will not be an option, but

members will upload photos of their animals along with market animal measurements that will be used to estimate weights. Dog exhibitors will upload short videos. Details will be available soon. WE ENCOURAGE ALL TALBOT 4-H ANIMAL PROJECT MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPRING SHOW AS A GUARANTEED WAY TO EXHIBIT YOUR ANIMALS THIS YEAR. Talbot 4-H Livestock Tagging and Weighing Day – CANCELED Maryland 4-H Issue Forum – Changed to a July 1 Virtual Forum

This year’s Forum topic is water quality. If you are interested in environmental issues, you will definitely want to participate in this program. There will be a variety of topics, but all of them will relate to steps people can take to reduce water pollution and enhance water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Registration details will be available soon.

Talbot County Fair – All In-Person 4-H Events Have Been Canceled through July, BUT the Fair Board is Exploring Other Options Such as Fall Exhibition Days Unfortunately, the in-person fair we love so much cannot take place in July due to COVID-19 restrictions that have canceled all in-person 4-H events through July 31. However, the Fair Board is trying to come up with exhibition options for future dates, possibly in the fall. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, WE ENCOURAGE ALL TALBOT 4-H ANIMAL PROJECT MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIRTUAL EASTERN SHORE SPRING SHOW AS A GUARANTEED VENUE FOR EXHIBITING YOUR ANIMALS THIS YEAR! This is especially important for market hog exhibitors because your hogs will be too big to show if we are able to hold fair-related events sometime this fall. We are also looking into the possibility of using your spring show placings to determine what your Talbot County Fair 4-H placings would have been. See “Eastern Shore Spring Show” above for details. Cecil County 4-H Camp – Canceled

All of this summer’s Maryland 4-H camps have been canceled.

Maryland State Fair (Still on for Now!) August 27–September 7 Note 1: According to the tentative schedule for 2020, 4-H indoor entries will be entered Tuesday, August 25 and judged Wednesday, August 26. This is a day earlier than in past years.

Looking Ahead… 4-H Ambassadors and Council Meetings Tuesday, September 15 at the Extension Office (Soil Conservation suite)

4-H Ambassadors: This group of youth leaders serves as a liaison between Talbot 4-H and local communities. They help us promote 4-H to the public. 4-H Council: This group provides input for 4-H programs and events. Clubs are asked to send member and volunteer representatives to report

about recent club activities and take important information back to share with members and their families. National 4-H Week October 4–10 Every year, National 4-H sets aside a week in October to highlight 4-H Youth Development, the accomplishments of clubs and members, and the life skills that members are learning. We encourage our clubs to figure out new and creative ways bring positive attention to the program this week. Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign

October 7–October 18

CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER, COVID-19, ETC. If weather or other conditions cause schools to close or cancel after-school activities, in-person Talbot 4-H meetings and events for are also canceled. Weekend 4-H activities may also be canceled, so be sure to check your e-mail for updates.

4-H is Open to Everyone! University of Maryland programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

If you require special assistance to participate in Extension programs, please contact the Extension Office in advance.

Talbot 4-H Always Welcomes New Volunteers and Clubs If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer or starting a 4-H club, contact Tom or Bonnie at the Extension Office, (410) 822-1244. We will be glad to set up an orientation and help you become a volunteer, but we will need to wait until the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

Parents, if you are already helping at club events and want to become an official 4-H volunteer, talk to Tom and Bonnie. Becoming a volunteer is easy, and the application/orientation process does not take much time. Better yet, becoming a volunteer provides you with liability coverage under the Maryland Tort Claims Act.

Reenrollment Update: Some Members/Volunteers are Still Inactive for 2020

The website developers have fixed many of the enrollment system glitches! If you had trouble adding animal projects when you enrolled, you should be able to go back into 4-H Online (v2.4honline.com) and select your animal projects! If you had

trouble submitting payments, your payment may have finally been processed or you may need to submit it again. If you have not enrolled for 2020, go to https://v2.4honline.com, click Maryland, and log in using the Family option. Until you reenroll, the system will have you listed as inactive. A MEMBER’S AGE ON JANUARY 1 DETERMINES HIS/HER 4-H AGE. Members never change age levels in the middle of a year because it would cause confusion for 4-H contests and events. (For example, even if you turn 11 on January 2 you are still a junior for the rest of the calendar year.) Clovers—ages 5-7, Juniors—ages 8-10, Intermediates—ages 11-13, Seniors—ages 14-18. When members enroll, you agree to follow the 4-H Youth Code of Conduct (based on Character Counts) and the Animal Science Code of Ethics if you have animal projects. Parents, please review the code with your children. The Extension Office can give you a printed copy if you need one. Volunteers agree to the Adult Code of Conduct too. When members enroll online, the system will direct you to a payment screen. If you do not have a credit/debit card or need to request scholarship help with your family’s fees, contact Tom or Bonnie. We do not want the fee to be a barrier to a child’s participation. If your club plans to cover the enrollment fees for its members, your family needs to pay online first and then give your receipt to your club leader for reimbursement. Leaders, thank you for your help!

Support the Maryland 4-H Foundation The Maryland 4-H Foundation provides financial support to the Maryland 4-H program through club, county, regional, and state events; national project and leadership-based trips; scholarships; and much more. The Foundation holds several fundraising events each year. Proceeds support the Awards Gala, national trips, and a variety of educational initiatives across the state. Talbot 4-H greatly appreciates your contributions to and participation in Foundation fundraisers. Would you like to learn more about the role of the Maryland 4-H Foundation in promoting youth development across the state? Go online to www.mymaryland4hfoundation.com.

Diamond Clover Level 6 Service Projects Jason Blades Hrynko, Sara Chapple, Ashton Milhollan, Brian Milhollan, and Pippa Milhollan were working on their 2020 service projects this spring until their project activities were placed on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. They will continue working when the

restrictions have been lifted. We want everyone to know that it is fine if a project takes more than one year to complete. Several of our projects have taken two or three years.

Seniors, Do You Plan to Submit Diamond Clover Level 6 Proposals this Fall? Let’s Get Them Ready NOW!

The process of preparing a level 6 proposal can be a long one. A member needs to come up with an idea, meet with the county Diamond Clover committee for support and feedback, possibly do research to support the project, and get the draft of the proposal in good shape prior to the fall submission deadline. Now is an excellent time to get the majority of the proposal writing work done. If you wait until August or September, there may not be enough time for the committee to get everyone’s proposal

prepared for submission. Although we cannot meet in person, Tom, Bonnie, and Diamond Clover Specialist Ms. Deb Urry can meet with you over the phone or internet to help you begin working on your proposal.

Leadership Trip Opportunities for 4-H Seniors

4-H seniors, you are eligible to apply for out-of-state trips. Information about the trips is available online at extension.umd.edu/4-h. There are specific deadlines for submission of senior portfolios if you want to apply for a trip, so pay close attention to the deadlines. Some national trips have been postponed. Talbot member Elaina Steinly will be attending the National 4-H Conference this fall. It was originally scheduled for this spring.

International Exchange Opportunities for 4-H Seniors We previously shared information about international exchange opportunities through Maryland 4-H. If you are interested in one of these trips, check the information available through the Maryland 4-H website: extension.umd.edu/4-h. Exchange trips are currently on hold.

Financial Literacy Training Available for 4-H Members and Clubs

You may know Laura Heikes from the Midway booths at the Talbot County Fair, but Ms. Laura is important to Extension in other ways. She is a member of our Extension Advisory Council and is always looking for ways to support our programs. She works for Shore United Bank, and she and her colleagues are

interested in offering financial literacy training for 4-H members and clubs. If YOUR club is interested in learning about money management, please contact Tom or Bonnie so they can get you in touch with Ms. Laura. We will ask her if she can design an online training to meet your interests/needs and adjust it to fit the amount of time you have available.

Animal Science Updates

Ethics: ALWAYS Do the Right Thing! Members who work on animal projects, when you enroll online you agree to go by the Maryland 4-H Code of Animal Science Ethics. This means that you will treat your animals humanely. If you are working with livestock that will eventually be eaten by people, you also agree to make sure the animals are free of substances such as medicines that might be harmful. Parents and leaders, if your children are working on animal projects please go over the code of ethics with them. The Extension Office can provide you a printed copy of the document.

Animal Project Records Can Help You Organize Your Information There are special animal science project records that you may use instead of the standard 4-H project record. These forms give you space to keep track of important details related to many animal species and are much more useful for animal project members than the generic project record. Find them online: extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/animal-science-resources.

Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Regulation Highlights

(1) Be sure to read carefully the Maryland Department of Agriculture animal health web page to make sure you are meeting all animal regulations.

Go online to http://mda.maryland.gov/AnimalHealth/Pages/default.aspx. (2) Cattle and swine entering Maryland fairs and shows must have an official Radio

Frequency Identification (RFID) ear tag AND a Maryland 4-H tag. The state is requiring RFID tags for tracking in case of disease outbreaks. RFID tags can be used to trace animals to their points of origin. MDA expects breeders to put in the tags at the point of origin (birth). If you plan to buy cattle or hogs that do not have RFID tags, ask the breeder to tag them BEFORE you buy them. If this is not possible, you will need a veterinarian to put them in for you. YOU WILL NOT NEED MARYLAND 4-H EAR TAGS

THIS YEAR FOR THE VIRTUAL EASTERN SHORE SPRING SHOW, BUT YOU WILL NEED THEM IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE MARYLAND STATE FAIR OR IF WE HAVE FALL SHOWS.

(3) Poultry exhibitors must contact Ms. Karla Wieland Cherry at dkcherry4@aol.com or

another poultry tester to have your birds tested for Pullorum-Typhoid prior to the fair. Poultry regulations often change during the fair season, so check the Maryland Department of Agriculture website regularly for regulation changes. ALTHOUGH WE WILL NOT HAVE A JULY POULTRY SHOW, IF WE HAVE A SHOW IN THE FALL YOUR BIRDS WILL NEED TO BE TESTED PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

4-H Animal Ownership Deadlines for Fairs and Shows If you will be showing 4-H animals at the next county fair, you must own your animals (or have a signed lease agreement if applicable) by the dates listed below. Maryland 4-H allows you lease performance animals such as horses and registered breeding livestock but NOT market animals. January 1 beef and dairy steers May 1 swine, lambs, goats, commercial beef heifers, commercial

breeding sheep June 1 registered heifers, performance animal leases All other ownership deadlines are determined by each county fair’s show rules.

Animal Science Project Requirements

Animal Registration Forms – COMPLETE THEM ONLINE THIS YEAR! Every year, part of completing your animal project is filling out the proper livestock or rabbit/cavy/poultry registration forms or animal ID cards for dogs and horses/ponies. These forms show that the animals you register are YOUR project animals. Filling out these forms also helps you learn record-keeping skills.

If you have cattle, swine, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, or cavies as project animals, please complete your online registration by June 1. o Livestock Registration Form

Fill it out online through the TALBOT COUNTY 4-H WEBSITE or using this DIRECT LINK.

o Poultry, Rabbit, and Cavy Registration Form Fill it out online through the TALBOT COUNTY 4-H WEBSITE or using this DIRECT LINK.

If you are LEASING a performance animal such as a dairy cow, please have a signed copy of your lease agreement by June 1. If you can, e-mail a copy to Tom or Bonnie. o Performance Animal Leases

If you have dogs or horses and ponies as project animals, please complete your online registration forms by June 1. o Dog ID Form

Fill it out online through the TALBOT COUNTY 4-H WEBSITE or using this DIRECT LINK.

o Horse and Pony ID Form Fill it our online through the TALBOT COUNTY 4-H WEBSITE or using this DIRECT LINK.

• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

All livestock that will be entered in fairs and shows must have a valid certificate of veterinary inspection that has been completed by a licensed vet. The certificate is good for 90 days. You MUST have a copy of it with you at each fair or show. A CVI IS NOT REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO VIRTUAL SHOWS SUCH AS THE VIRTUAL EASTERN SHORE SPRING SHOW.

• Vaccinations If your animals require vaccinations for admission to fairs and shows, they should be vaccinated at least 15 days prior to the first show so that the vaccines have time to take effect. VACCINATIONS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD HEALTH PRACTICE, BUT THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO VIRTUAL SHOWS.

• Self-Certification of Animal Health Even though veterinarians fill out certificates of veterinary inspection, YOU know your animals best. For this reason, you are expected to complete the self-certification of animal health form for species such as livestock, poultry, rabbits and horses. Look over your animals at home right before you load them to take them to a fair or show, and fill out the form. You MUST have a copy of the form with you at each fair or show. IMPORTANT: If your animals show ANY SIGNS OF ILLNESS when you are preparing to take them to a show, LEAVE THEM AT HOME so you do not risk spreading diseases to other people’s animals! SELF-CERTIFICATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR VIRUTAL SHOWS, BUT YOU IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK YOUR ANIMALS EVERY DAY FOR SIGNS OF ILLNESS.

• REMEMBER: Take your certificate of veterinary inspection, vaccination records, and self-certification of animal health to EVERY in-person fair or show you enter!!!!!

• Miscellaneous Information o An animal can be tagged as commercial (breeding) OR market (for sale) but not both. o Project animals MUST be registered in the member’s name or follow approved leasing

procedures. o 4-H Clovers are NOT permitted to show animals in 4-H fairs and shows. This is a rule

that follows the National 4-H Council policy. (Note: Some OPEN shows allow children of clover age to participate.)

o The Maryland State Fair schedule of events and shows has changed slightly this year. Please check the updated schedule online.

Be Sure to Complete Your Online Animal Husbandry and Quality Assurance Training!

Members who exhibit alpacas, cattle, goats, horses, llamas, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and swine are REQUIRED to take this online training to be eligible to show your animals. Complete the training the first year you work on a new animal project and every year you change age levels (junior to intermediate, intermediate to senior). Juniors do the introductory section. Intermediates and seniors also do the sections for the

individual species; any year you add a new species, you complete the section for that species. Here is a link to the state animal science page with the AHQA link: https://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/animal-science-resources. Complete the training no later than June 15, but please try to finish it by June 1 because the website may get overloaded the closer we get to the 15th.

Do You Have Animal Project QUESTIONS? Contact Tom, Bonnie, or Susan Behrens with your general 4-H livestock questions. Others experts include Tresa Hutchison (swine, goats, rabbits), Ryan Snow (dairy). Cindy Spies or Justine Spies (beef and sheep), Karla Wieland-Cherry (poultry and dogs), and Shannon Dill (horses).

Good Luck to Josh Cherry, Our ONE 2020 Talbot 4-H High School Senior!

Last year we had twelve graduating seniors in our program, and this year we have one. Josh Cherry joined Talbot 4-H when he was a clover. His parents started the Saddle and Paws 4-H Club that year and have served as leaders ever since. It is hard to believe that so many years have passed and Josh is all grown up! Over the years, he has participated in numerous 4-H project areas. His favorite projects are animal science and shooting sports. Due to COVID-19, Josh and other high school seniors will be graduating without in-person ceremonies. Maryland 4-H is working to highlight this year’s seniors. The photo to the right is a screenshot of the Maryland 4-H Facebook page where Josh is featured. Good luck with your future endeavors and your firefighting work. We will miss you and would enjoy having you as a 4-H volunteer someday.

Fun Activities to Do at Home

Maryland 4-H Has a Web Page with Learning Activities for Members and Volunteers. Check it Out!

https://extension.umd.edu/4-h/learning-home

On the Next Few Pages Are Activities We Have Found That May Be of Interest to Members Who Are Looking for Things to Do at Home. Enjoy!

Maryland Department of the Environment's

"Rethink Recycling" Sculpture Contest

The 19th annual sculpture contest will be held on Friday, November 20, 2020 at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in Baltimore. MDE would like to extend this invitation to high school students. Two entries will be accepted from each high school (additional entries may become available later). The contest gives

students the chance to be inventive and create a sculpture made from recyclable or reused materials (see ARD Rules Guideline). Judges will select an overall winning sculpture along with individual recognition for creativity, workmanship and use of materials. Additionally, a “People’s Choice Award” is given. Past contests received national recognition and television news airtime. Prizes provided from corporate and non-profit organization sponsors will be awarded to all contest entrants. Past prizes have included items such as gift cards, tablets and laptops.

Space is limited so please submit the School Entry Form to confirm your school’s participation. The Individual Entry Form(s) should be submitted to MDE, once the participants are selected.

For more information regarding the "Rethink Recycling" Sculpture Contest, please contact Christy Bujnovszky at christy.bujnovszky@maryland.gov or at 410-537-4190.

National 4-H Fishing Curriculum Knot-Tying Activity: Appropriate for Social Distancing!

Do You Love to Read? Here Is a Challenge for You!

Maryland 4-H Clover Corner Reading Challenge

Connecting to our community through literature. The Maryland 4-H Program has created a reading challenge called “Clover Corner” which is creating connections through literature by featuring stories read by 4-H professionals, 4-H members, and other extension professionals. Some of these stories also include the whole family from children as readers to videographers. Now it is time for you to join our challenge.

Visit the websites below to learn more about this challenge and how you can participate. Links 4-H Clover Corner Reading Challenge Guide https://go.umd.edu/4HCloverCornerGuide Visit the 4-H Clover Corner YouTube Channel to see examples by visiting https://go.umd.edu/4HCloverCornerChannel 4-H Clover Corner Submission Form https://go.umd.edu/CloverCorner

Important 4-H Websites Maryland 4-H Program Information extension.umd.edu/4-h U of MD Extension Talbot County/4-H extension.umd.edu/talbot-county Order 4-H Project Books & Supplies shop4h.org National 4-H 4-h.org University of Maryland Extension – State extension.umd.edu Talbot Agriculture and Education Center talbotagcenter.org Talbot County Fair talbotcountyfair.org Maryland State Fair marylandstatefair.com Maryland 4-H Foundation mymaryland4hfoundation.com

Here is the May 4-H Spirit Challenge. See How Many Activities You Can Complete!

Talbot County 4-H Council Meeting Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. OVER ZOOM!

President – Abigail Meadows abs (Acting President Josh Hrynko) Vice President – Kate Chapple abs from Council portion Secretary – Ashanty Perez abs Historian – Ag. Center/Fair Board Representative – In Attendance Della Andrew, Jason Blades Hrynko, Ava Brown, Katie Chapple, Jack Chapple, Sara Chapple, Carol Frampton, Bree Haufe, Billy Haufe, Melodie Haufe Josh Hrynko, Linda Hrynko, Hayden Hutchison, Tom Hutson, Amanda Kane, Ashton Milhollan, Brian Milhollan, Pippa Milhollan, EJ Milhollan, Sherye Nickerson, Bonnie Turley, Karla Wieland-Cherry

Call to Order and Pledges

Updates from 4-H Council, Ambassadors, and State Council • State Council – Jason told us that last Sunday they had a Zoom meeting. Their topic for the year

was changed to water and how clean water relates to the epidemic that is going on. They had a guest speaker who talked about purifying water.

• Ambassadors

• Other

Old Business • Review of Past/Ongoing Events and Activities

o New Diamond Clover Level 6 Projects – Jason has already built ten benches for seniors at the Ag. Center and is building two for Davita in Denton. Ashton is doing a catio for Baywater Animal Rescue. Brian is doing a bridge and trails for Baywater Animal Rescue. Pippa is doing a dog park that will also be open to outsiders going there to walk their dogs. The projects are on hold for now!

o Tobacco Vendor Education Service Project (see Skipjacks update)

• Chromebook Availability – Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester 4-H have a set of Chromebooks (stored in Caroline County) that are to be used for youth computer science activities. Contact Mr. Tom or Ms. Bonnie if your club needs computers for online activities.

• Talbot Humane and Baywater Animal Rescue Need Food – The shelter always needs pet

food, especially cat food. Donations are greatly appreciated.

• Other Old Business? Club Activity Reports • Talbot 4-H Clovers (submitted by Sherye Nickerson and Amanda Kane and club rep. Sophia

Myers) The Clovers have been busy working on school assignments since the shutdown began. School has been taking up almost all of everyone’s time. Below is a message about a service project from volunteer Sherye Nickerson, one of the leaders for the Talbot 4-H Clovers 4-H Club.

Hi, I am working on a community service project alongside the Maryland Food Bank. I am collecting hygiene products such as soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, shampoo, conditioner, etc. for those in Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester counties who may have fallen on hard times during the COVID 19 crisis. Those who are food insecure most likely will also be cutting back on purchasing personal hygiene products as well.

I know that clubs are not meeting right now, but I am hoping that there may be a few clubs that would be willing to help with the project from their homes.

It would be great to see 4-H continuing to serve others in the community during a time of need.

Thank you and hope to hear from some groups!

Sherye Nickerson, sheryeh@gmail.com

• Busy Beavers (submitted by Linda Hrynko, Della Andrew, and club reps. Jason Blades Hrynko and

Emily Branic) The Busy Beavers have not been busy as a club, but individually we have been. Ian has been riding his cousin’s go-kart. Emily has been making mint cupcakes that taste like toothpaste. Tyler and Autumn Redman have been making masks for people and cooking, and working on their healthy living activities. Jason has finished his original 10 benches for his level 6 diamond clover, but he has people asking him for more. Josh, Ava and Jason made masks, specifically for children. They were quickly distributed, as not many masks were available for kids. Josh has been chasing ducks and cleaned up the Spring Hill Cemetery with the Jason, Ava and the rest of his family. Ava has been hanging out with friends and planting flowers. Ava has been working on her quilt for this year. We are working on having a phone conference by our club members so we can plan on having a phone conference for our and we can present short presentations about our projects. Jason did the zoom meeting with the State Council. Water and Covid 19 is the State Council topic. We discussed the Covid Impact on the county fairs.

• Chapel District (submitted by Susan Behrens, Tresa Hutchison, and Lyla Roe)

Chapel District 4-H members have been busy doing schoolwork. Several members are doing crafts and gardening projects. Livestock projects are ongoing no matter the outcome of summer fairs. A first time ever Zoom meeting was held in May with five members, two leaders, three parents, and Mr. Tom in attendance. Pledges were said and reports were given. Animal facts were shared. Quality assurance skills were encouraged. Making a pot to start vegetable and flower seeds from cardboard cylinders was demonstrated. Zoom meetings may continue for several months. Chapel District 4-H Club sends all the best to fellow Talbot 4-H members and leaders. Stay healthy. Stay Safe.

• Chesapeake Bay (submitted by Melodie Haufe and club rep. Bree Haufe) The Chesapeake Bay 4-H club had their induction of new officers at our February meeting. Bree Haufe presented Andrew Ottey with his own engraved president’s gavel. Andrew then presented all the

members with their awards and pins for his first duty as president. We collected food and toys for the Talbot Humane Society since they were in desperate need of cat food. We spent most of the meeting starting on decorations for our 2020 Festival of Trees to benefit Talbot Hospice. For our March meeting, we all brought in items and made our basket for the 2020 Achievement Banquet Silent Auction. We were able to make a string art project thanks to Mr. Tom and Miss Bonnie gathering and supplying us with all the necessary materials. Mr. Tom even came to the meeting to help instruct us on the string art. Another item ready for the fair. We also bundled our tree ornaments into groups of three for easier installation during Festival of Trees.

Our April meeting was to be at the Ottey’s home so we can visit their new surprise baby goat, but Covid-19 changed that and we had to do our first ever Zoom meeting, but we still get to see and hear Shamrock. He was such a

delight to watch during this time. Everyone loved him. The members shared what their time in quarantine was like and Andrew Ottey shared what it was like to be an essential worker at Weis and working 40 hours a week to keep the shelves stocked for us. Quite a lot of responsibility for a 17 year old.

• Green Clover (submitted by Carol Frampton and club rep. Abigail Meadows) Members are continuing to work on their project activities at home while the stay-at-home order is in place. In February, everyone did practice speeches. In March, they had their regular meeting and talked about progress on sewing projects. They also made hand puppets as an activity. In April and May members have been working on various project activities. Ms. Carol has made more than 250 masks for people who need them. If you know someone who needs masks, just let Ms. Carol know.

• Saddle, Paws, and STEAM (submitted by Karla Wieland-Cherry and club reps. Levi Nickerson and Emily Nikolauk)

Saddle Paw and STEAM Meeting Minutes February 1st, 2020, 2pm

David and Karla Cherry’s House By: Sherye Nickerson (Levi absent)

17 Total, 2, Leaders,7 members, 6 Adults, 4 Guest The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Cherry. We opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4 H pledge. Emily Nikolauck then read the agenda for the day’s meeting. We have 4 guests in attendance, Kinsley, Zoe, Aubrey and Sophia. Treasurer Report as of February 1, 2020: $0.00. Art Council Grant was given to Sherye Nickersont to fill out and submit. Mrs. Cherry then went over upcoming events in the county for Talbot 4Hers. The club will be participating in the Oral speaking contest on February 24h, 2020. The 4H awards ceremony will be March 13th, 2020 at the Easton High School. Mrs. Karla is working on a slide presentation and encourages everyone to send her pictures.

The club did four activities. First, we painted pictures using paint, construction paper and brushes. While we were doing that, each of us went out with Mrs. Karla and picked out a chicken. Then we collected sticks, broke them in 4 equal pieces and will use yarn to make a picture frame. Afterwards we did hand washing activity using a special light that shows the dirt on our hands. We learned the importance of proper hand washing etc. As a fun exercise activity we then had a mini horse race. The Adults got to participate as well! Meeting was adjourned at 3:45pm. March meeting date TBD.

• Skipjacks (submitted by Melanie Chapple, Victoria Milhollan, and Brian Milhollan)

The Skipjacks are staying busy with their school work and 4-H projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members are continuing to bake up some goodies while staying safe in their homes. February Meeting: The Skipjacks were visited by Logan Harris from the Talbot County Health Department. She gave a presentation on the Tobacco Education Project and the new tobacco laws that were enacted in Maryland. Members were then given a list of all retailers that sell tobacco in the county. They set out in February and March to educate the retailers about these laws and to make sure their licenses were up to date.

Also at the February meeting, members participated in the Cake Pinterest Challenge. Members put their cake making and decorating skills to the challenge of making a cake like something that had been seen on Pinterest. Many members “nailed it”. Members also finished their woodworking/painting project where they decorated a wood structure with a scarecrow on one side and a snowman on the other side. On February 25th, a few of our members were able to participate in the Talbot County Public speaking contest. Congratulations goes out to Sara Chapple for getting Grand Champion in the Radio Spot Senior division and Kate Chapple for getting Reserve Champion in the Radio Spot Senior division. Jack Chapple was awarded Grand Champion in the Radio Spot Intermediate division and

Pippa Milhollan placed third in the Senior Prepared Speech division. McKenna Brach conquered her nerves and also participated in the Junior Prepared Speech division.

The Skipjacks held their March meeting at Willow Construction. They participated in another Pinterest Challenge – a cookie taste challenge. Members baked a couple of dozen cookies each and were judged on their flavors. Following the meeting, members took the remaining cookies to the Easton Police Station and Easton Fire Department. They also completed an arts and crafts project of painting on canvases. See the photos below. Before the Stay at Home orders were issued, a few members made an educational video about how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members were disappointed that the Awards ceremony was cancelled, but leader Victoria Milhollan picked up the awards from the Extension office and distributed them to the members.

In April, the Skipjacks held their first Zoom meeting. They discussed team building and its importance in developing leadership skills. They also discussed arts and craft projects that they could work on to get ready for the Talbot County Fair. Ashton Milhollan also put together a collage of some of the things that 4-Hers can do! This collage was shared to the Facebook page: 4-Hers Teaching Others.

This month, we discussed that we wanted to do something to give back to the essential workers that are helping to keep our community safe and healthy. Each family that participates in our club partnered with Willow Construction and purchased donuts and coffee for the Easton Police Station, Sheriff’s Office and Department of Corrections, and the Talbot County Emergency Medical Services teams. They are looking forward to finding ways to “give back” this summer.

• Extension Office We have been working on lots of projects at home and have been trying to help members and volunteers who need help with various needs. We have participated in many online meetings. Ms. Bonnie has been searching for learning activities that we can use in the future. Mr. Tom is working on several new projects including an expansion of the state AGsploration program. He is also a co-leader of a committee that is revising the Diamond Clover levels to make them fit together better. We are now trying to figure out how we hold do the STEM Festival this fall if it has to be online.

New Business

• Online Enrollment is Getting Easier The website developers have fixed many of the website glitches. If the system did not let you select animal projects, you can now go into it and select them. Also, if you submitted payment for 2020 online and received an error message in the past, you may need to resubmit your payment if it did not automatically process after the website update.

• Have You Done Innovative Project or Club Activities during the Stay-at-Home Order?

• Upcoming Events: Review the Newsletter Calendar of Events for Details o ALL IN-PERSON 4-H ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CANCELED THROUGH JULY 31. ONLINE

ACTIVITIES ARE ENCOURAGED. o Animal Project Registration Forms will be filled out ONLINE this year.

• Other New Business?

Next 4-H Council Meeting Date: Tuesday, September 15 Council meetings are usually held the third Tuesday every other month (except July) from 6 to 7 p.m. (Ambassadors meet from 5 to 6 p.m.) Remaining 2020 Meeting Dates: September 15 November 17