Welcome to Bowers School Farm 4-H Club!

2023

Adult Leadership

Lauren Dalgleish 4-H Parent Leader

Alan Jaros

Bowers Farm Director

​

Carlie Thueme Resident Farmer & 4-H Resource Leader

​

Lisa �Mazzola

Oakland County 4-H Coordinator

​

Margaret Kotula

4-H Fair Board Member

​

Kate Bell

Bowers Farm Manager

​

What is 4-H?

​

• It is a youth development program focused on civic engagement, healthy living and science
• allows kids to learn about agriculture and the importance of farming
• very hands on, we learn by doing
• gives kids the tools to be successful outside of school; learning life skills like: dependability, responsibility, people skills, taking initiative
• for children ages 5.75 - 19

​

We are encouraged to take on leadership roles.

�Oakland County 4-H (248) 858-0889 or email

 4hOakland@anr.msu.edu​

What is Bowers 4-H Club?

• Our Club was founded 20+ years ago, and is a 93 acre full functioning farm
• Connect with the community often at Open Barn, Winter Park, Fall Fest, etc.
• Made up of kids all ages
• Enrollment currently around 50 active members, �space for 100

​

Bowers 4-H Club Meetings

• Monthly meetings are at the Farm with a different animal focus each month
• Run by the Youth Leadership of the club with parent support.
• We bring in guest speakers to learn about potential career opportunities
• Meetings follow the parliamentary process
• Activity or project following each formal meeting: At the Rabbit meeting we made sock rabbits with rice
• Treasurer reviews all of the money spent and received while providing fundraising updates

We are currently fundraising for a sheep handling system through a lemonade stand at Open Barn.

​

​

What does Bowers 4-H Club do around the farm?

• Chores
• Maintenance aka “special projects”
• Tours
• Volunteer at community events
• Work with Animals; lease animals
• Tend to the Garden

Bowers 4-H Club “Big Events”

• Officer Elections
• Fall Festival
• Winter Park
• Holiday Celebration
• Leasing Program
• Fair
• Projects with Bowers Farm Staff
• State-wide shows and exhibitions

​

​

Expectations

• Families must PRE-Register for the current year.
• Families must formally enroll in 4-H via Oakland County 4-H Website. Opens Mid September and Closes Mid October.
• Parents/Guardians are expected to be at meetings and events
• Join / Pay the registration fee on Bowers School Farm website.
• Participation
• accumulate 50 hours in the current 4-H year (Sept-Aug), Pre-Leasing hours (Sept-Apr), Leasing Hours (Apr-Jul)
• regularly attend

meetings/events

• Check email for club updates / communication!

​

​

​

​

How we fund 4H programs + activities

Club fees

Oakland County 4-H Fair

• Fair is one of the highlights of the 4-H year
• after 4th of July weekend, Bowers 4-H members will show their animals at the competitions
• Club members are expected to care for their animals during the fair, at the fairground, many members camp for the week
• Market animals are sold at fair and do not return to Bowers Farm.
• Creative options and non-animal projects are available through Ellis Barn

Submitting photography

​

​

Leasing Program

​

• Biggest program we run through the year
• Busiest time of year if you choose to lease an animal
• Starts in late April through mid July
• (Oakland County Fair dates for 2023 are July 7-16, 2023)
• Bowers animals offered for “lease”
• Sheep
• Goats
• Pigs
• Cows for more experienced members

Hour Requirement to lease: 50 hrs Significant Commitment

• Open Barn volunteer time
• Weekend Chores
• Clinics
• There is a planning meeting to go over expectations in January

1^st year member options: progress showdown, at home project

​

Parent Participation

• This is not a “drop off” activity for your child
• When a youth reaches the age of 16, they are eligible to be considered to be dropped off/ self drive.
• Parents are wanted and needed on site for activities
• Club is run by kids, supported by parents – always looking for additional, talent, help and friendships.

Questions?????