Clackamas County 4-H Newsletter

Happy New Year from the Clackamas County 4-H team! This past year, we were blessed to fill two open staff positions. We are looking forward to 2026 and all the amazing 4-H activities we have scheduled.

As we start the new year, we are also starting a new chapter in our 4-H communications. Welcome to our new newsletter format! We are excited to offer you a visually engaging and interactive format using the Smore program. Check out the buttons and features, including the Table of Contents, translation feature, and integrated buttons.

We’d love to know your thoughts on this new format. Please submit your feedback or suggestions using the link provided below. Everyone who participates will be entered in a special prize drawing!

Left to Right back row: Jan Williams, Kelly Redwine, Catalina Santamaria, Wendy Hein

Left to right front row: Katie Iverson, Jessica Inman, Maria Velador Gonzalez

Maria Velador Gonzalez joined our Clackamas County team at the end of October as a 4-H Program Coordinator. She will be working with both the Juntos and 4-H programs. Some of her work will be based at area high schools, but you will also find her working with clubs, STEP clubs, and overnight events.

We are excited to have all 4-H positions filled and to provide a wider variety of youth experiences in our county. We are assessing needs and planning new activities!

You must re-enroll each year to continue as a leader or member in Clackamas County 4-H. If your 2025-26 re-enrollment is not complete, you lose access to club meetings, newsletters, and information. Key deadlines are:

📆January 10, 2026

• ALL Horse project members who want to participate in Horse Pre-Fair &/or Fair
• ALL Dog project members who want to participate in Dog Pre-Fair &/or Fair
• ALL Re-enrolling members who want to participate in County Fair

📆April 1, 2026

• NEW members to Clackamas County 4-H who want to participate in County Fair

Enrollments and project additions are accepted year-round, but submissions after deadlines aren't fair-eligible. Participation is $45 per member if paid by January 10, or $50 after. Multnomah County youth add $15.

Remember these steps for 4-H clubs, leaders, and members to be fully enrolled:

• Register the club & list approved members – club contact leaders
• Enroll & complete training – all leaders
• Enroll & submit payment – all members
• Make sure any issues are resolved to get enrollments completed – all leaders and families.

Families: please log in to check that your enrollment is marked APPROVED and that you are enrolled in all your clubs and projects.

Club Contact Leaders: Log in to 4-HOnline to check your current club roster, verify that everyone has enrolled, and confirm that they signed up for the correct projects. Remember, member payments must be received at the Extension office by January 10.

We know enrollment can be challenging. Thank you for helping to “make the best better.” For questions, please contact Kelly Redwine, 4-H Office Specialist. We’re happy to help!

The Extension office will be closed:

📆January 1, 2026 - New Years Day

📆January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Please plan accordingly. Do you need to drop off a payment or enrollment packet? A drop-box is available for your use, located to the left of our front doors.

Remember, ALL Oregon 4-H animal science exhibitors over age nine (horse, rabbit, cavy, poultry, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, llama/alpaca, dogs, and cats) MUST have completed the Youth Quality Care for Animals (YQCA) training and earn a certificate that is REQUIRED for county and state fair entry.

If you received a YQCA certificate in 2025 and shared it with us, you are covered to participate through 2027. New members ages nine and up must complete the training and submit their certificate by June 1, 2026, to participate in 4-H shows and fairs.

UPCOMING TRAINING DATES

Clackamas County will be offering in-person training that counts toward certification in ALL animal projects. They are free for Clackamas 4-H members who register to attend.

All Animals (Certification)

📆Monday, February 23rd, 6-8pm - Extension Annex

📆Wednesday, April 29th, 6-8pm - Extension Annex

Statewide specialty trainings will be held via Zoom. Register through Clackamas County to be notified of the free classes. Note: The below trainings do not qualify you for livestock project exhibits.

Small Animals & Dogs

📆Thursday, January 29th, 6-7:30pm

📆Thursday, May 14th, 6-7:30pm

Horses

📆Tuesday, February 24th, 6-7:30pm

📆Wednesday, May 27th, 6-7:30pm

Need dates for your 2026 calendar? The 4-H Newsletter always includes a three-month calendar with meeting and event dates. You’ll also find save-the-date articles for major events that are later in the year. County events are posted on our 4-H webpage and include event details and sign-up information. You can click “See all events” to find more dates and see statewide 4-H and Extension events.

📆Saturday, March 7, 2026 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Clackamas Fairgrounds

Mark your calendar to attend the first annual 4-H Helping Hands Day of Community Service! Your club is invited to participate in one of two ways:

Apply to host a table:

• Your club will team up with a local nonprofit, learn about their mission, and create much-needed items that support their work.
• Together, we can make a bigger impact than working alone!
• March 7, all participating clubs will gather at the Fairgrounds to set up stations and assemble even more items—powered by community volunteers and shared service.
• Submit your Application by January 30
• For more information, watch the Recorded Informational Zoom Meeting.

Attend as a Volunteer:

• Attend March 7th to help assemble donation items for organizations that serve our communities.

Questions? Email 📧 Jan Williams or 📧Katie Iverson

📆Wednesday, January 21st, 6-7:30pm

📆Wednesday, February 18th, 6-7:30pm

📆Wednesday, March 25th, 6-7:30pm

The next Club Leader Trainings will be held in the Extension Annex on these dates and times. Contact Jessica at least two weeks in advance to sign up.

📆Wednesday, January 28th, 9-11am OR 7-9pm

📆Wednesday, April 16th, 9-11am OR 7-9pm

A warm welcome to the new leaders joining our group of dedicated and caring volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer, please contact Jessica Inman!

To keep our members safe, OSU requires that all volunteers complete a Criminal History Check every two years. In between these checks, you are required to self-report any convictions. We also follow up on reports from others in our 4-H community who may know of a conviction or serious accusation. Visit this website to determine if you need to report and how to report:

Hello Clackamas County community! My name is Maria Velador Gonzalez, and I am the new programming coordinator for Juntos/4-H. I am very excited to reinitiate and create new programs and opportunities with you. Juntos/4-H is an opportunity to imagine together what kind of programming we would like to see and have access to.

Juntos/4-H is here to support and uplift the Latinx community of Clackamas! We will provide programming in partnership with schools to help families understand post-graduation opportunities and prepare their students for a better future. The components of Juntos/4-H include learning and preparation for college or vocational careers, along with access to cultural, hands-on activities that support the exploration of their interests and curiosity.

A little about me: I was born in Portland, OR, with roots firmly in Zacatecas. I graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor's in Social Work and a certification in Chicano/Latino studies, and received my Master's from Loyola University Chicago. I am someone who loves spending time outdoors, in parks, mountains, lakes, and you might even catch me out on the streets buying some coffee! I didn't grow up in 4-H programs, but I did grow up in several community programs, which I give a lot of thanks and credit to for promoting the importance of living a life full of experiences and community!

Juntos/4-H has kicked off and wrapped up 2025 by providing many FAFSA/ORSAA nights and drop-in hours at the surrounding high schools, including Rex Putnam, Clackamas High School, and Adrienne C. Nelson. More than 15 families have submitted their FAFSA/ORSAA applications, bringing them one step closer to their youth’s future in higher education. Many of those youth also received support in applying to a multitude of colleges and universities, opening their doors toward an array of opportunities.

For those who may not be aware, FAFSA/ORSAA are Federal and/or State-funded applications that provide financial aid to families based on need. If you have navigated these applications before, you know that they are and can be a tedious process, ultimately turning into a barrier for many families. Not knowing how to navigate systems, whether due to a language barrier or an overall lack of understanding given the amount of information and documents requested, is a challenge Juntos/4-H is willing to tackle alongside families.

Juntos/4-H is excited to be working with families to support their youth’s goals and aspirations beyond high school, as well as to imagine and create the programming they would like to see here in Clackamas County now.

Wrapping up with a Family Holiday Gathering, where families came together at the Extension Office to celebrate in community and enjoy comfort food, such as tamales and champurrado. They are known to keep the heart and stomach warm. Families got to participate in many of the holiday craft stations, taking home a nice family picture plus frame, as well as other little knick-knacks.

📆Applications for awards and college scholarships DUE February 17 BY 4:30 pm

Submit all applications to the County for review before state approval. Please email applications as attachments or links to Wendy Hein by 📆 February 17, no later than 4:30 pm. After committee review, members may upload their final drafts to the state 4-H office by March 1.

To support state award applicants, a workshop will be offered on 📆Saturday, January 24, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Register to receive the Zoom link to attend in person at the Extension Annex. If you missed the Record Book turn-in this year, contact Wendy Hein to be nominated for state awards and opportunities.

🔗State Awards for Communication, Citizenship, and Leadership

One award in each area will be given to both an Intermediate and a Senior 4-H member, nominated based on their record books. The application includes relevant 4-H Resume pages and other required pieces. One or two county winners for each award will be forwarded to the state office.

🔗Excellence in Teamwork - Team Community Service

This award recognizes a team of two or more who completed a community-impact project in the last year. A description and photos are required. One county team will be forwarded to the state office.

🔗College Scholarships

High school seniors are invited to apply for state 4-H scholarships. Review the state 4-H website for criteria and applications. There are two types: State and Fair; some are only for OSU. Required: transcripts, 4-H Resume, and 4-H Story.

🔗National 4-H Congress

For members interested in other national opportunities, consider the National 4-H Congress. The application includes the 4-H Resume, a 4-H Story, and photos. Members were nominated to apply based on their record books. The final selection takes place at Summer Conference.

It is official, Summer Conference dates are June 24 – 27, 2026. We are looking forward to sending another excellent delegation to this teen leadership event this year. We also need two to three additional chaperones! Contact 📧 Wendy if you can help.

🔗Applications and information about the Junior Superintendent program are online. Youth ages 13 and up are eligible; applications are 📆DUE April 1.

This is an excellent opportunity for 4-H members to build leadership skills and serve the community. Each project area has different expectations for Junior Superintendents. For details, contact the Superintendent of your desired project.

Reminder: Junior Superintendents must reapply each year, even if previously accepted.

Are you passionate about 4-H and eager to share that enthusiasm? Do you follow the latest trends? If you've ever thought you could create more youth-friendly social media content, we want to hear from you. Join our team and share your energy!

Clackamas County 4‑H is building a crew of high‑school‑aged content creators to help tell the real stories of 4‑H—your stories. We’re looking for creative individuals eager to produce videos, photos, and social media content while gaining real-world experience to boost their resumes.

Details on our upcoming info session and application process will be announced soon. Don’t miss your opportunity to become a 4-H content creator.

Get ready to shine. Your 4-H story begins now!

Oregon 4-H is offering summer overnight camp sessions open to all youth at the Oregon Outdoor Education Center, west of Salem (formerly the 4-H Center). All lodging and meals are included in these five-day/four-night experiences. All youth are welcome at any session—no need to be a 4-H member or reside in a specific county.

…and so much more!

⛺ Wild Rivers July Camp - Ages 9-13 - $625 - July 17th - July 21st

⛺ Wildlife Stewards July Camp - Ages 8-12 - $625 - July 28th - August 1st

⛺ Wildlife Stewards August Camp - Ages 8-12 - $625 - August 4th - August 8th

⛺ Wild Rivers August Camp - Ages 9-13 - $625 - August 11th - August 15th

Financial Assistance is available for Clackamas County 4-H members. Click below for more information and to register.

Spring Classic is a statewide 4-H event where county teams compete in Skill-a-thons, Quiz Bowls, Judging, and Knowledge contests. Clackamas County will be qualifying Intermediates and Seniors in all events this winter. 4-H Faculty approval is required for all contestants. Contests for Dog, Small Animal, Horse, and Livestock projects will be held 📆 April 24-26 in Redmond, OR.

Clackamas County recommends that members enter no more than three contests at Spring Classic across all project areas. If you think you will qualify for multiple contests and project areas, make a plan before committing to a team. Members are responsible for checking the schedule to ensure they can complete the contests without significant conflicts and to devote time to studying and team practices / preparation.

Interested youth should attend their project Advisory Committee meetings to learn more.

Our annual communication contest now welcomes entries in Horse, Livestock, Dogs, and Small Animals. Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors are invited to participate and may choose from three presentation styles. Please note that the rules differ from those at the County Fair, so review the contest guidelines beforehand. The top two Intermediates and Seniors in each project group with blue ribbons will qualify for Spring Classic.

📆 Pre-registration is due by January 5

Registration is OPEN for the 2026 National 4-H Shooting Sports Quiz Bowl, open to ALL 4-H youth, whether enrolled in Shooting Sports or not. You may take the online quiz anytime between January 5 and 9, 2026. The cost is only $10/individual or $40/team (Teams consist of 3-4 teammates, and team members will be automatically scored in the individual division at no additional charge. Team division will use the oldest team member's age).

The Quiz Bowl is a knowledge-based virtual event with questions from all 4-H Shooting Sports disciplines (Archery, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzle Loading, Hunting Skill, and Western Heritage) and general 4-H knowledge. Study guides are available on the national website. Scoring is based on your completion time and number of correct answers.

REGISTRATION LINKS

Junior Team

Intermediate or Senior Team

Junior Individual

Intermediate or Senior Individual

For more information, contact Todd Williver.

We are pleased to announce that Clackamas County 4-H members Ethan Cannon-Ziolko and Amelia Todd have been selected as Oregon delegates to the Ignite by 4-H Conference in Washington, DC. Oregon 4-H sends a select team to this event each March.

Four members represented Clackamas County at the statewide Ranch Horse Invitational in September.

✨Congratulations to these members who took top awards✨

🏆 Reserve Intermediate High Point

🏆 Champion Intermediate Working Ranch Horse

🏆 Reserve High Point Intermediate Ranch Horse Trail

🏆 Champion Intermediate Ranchmanship

🏆 Reserve High Point Senior

🏆 Medalion Senior ID Test and Skills

🏆 Reserve High Point Senior Ranchmanship

Special Message from Coach Jaime Hudson

Congratulations to our amazing Oregon Horse 4-H Communications Team at Nationals! My heart is just bursting with pride. Finnley rocked it with a 5th place finish in Individual Presentations, and Cassidy brought home CHAMPION in Public Speaking! Sydney and Harper didn’t place this time, but the growth, bravery, and heart they showed was nothing short of inspiring. They delivered a beautiful speech and pushed through some big, scary challenges with so much courage.

As a team, we brought home 7th Place Communications Team at Nationals… and that’s HUGE.

The work, the late nights, the tears, the confidence-building, the nerves, the support for each other… we saw it all. And it was worth every second.

None of this happens alone. A huge thank you to Ty for helping coach this team with me this year. Your support, encouragement, and belief in these kids made all the difference. We are so grateful for you. I am so incredibly proud of each one of you. You represented Oregon, Clackamas County, and yourselves with grace, grit, and HEART.

Special message from Coach Jennifer Ziolko:

Last week, as their coach, I had the pleasure of taking the Oregon 4-H Poultry Judging Nationals Team (Collin, Ethan, Harlow, and Mikey) to the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference , which was a part of the North American International Livestock Exposition. Thank you to Pamela Spurgeon for being the assistant coach and traveling with us. She was a great navigator through Louisville.

The Competition

During the 4-hour long competition, they rotated through 15 classes (stations). Using official USDA standards, they had to evaluate:

• Poultry Meat
• Further-processed products (think nuggets or other breaded products)
• Eggs
• Past Production Hens- examine live hens to rank them from best egg producer to least
• Provide oral reasoning

The team ended up placing 16th (out of 28). Individually, Ethan placed 39th (out of 88). We talked with other teams and discovered they had participated in several other competitions this Fall. For being our first National competition, I’m proud of the team. It’s a great group of kids and we all learned a lot together!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to help our team get to Kentucky. And thank you to 4-H for the opportunity. The 4-Hers are learning leadership, critical thinking and communication skills through these opportunities.

Volunteers are needed for everything from a single afternoon to a year-long commitment. Contact the Extension office today to learn how YOU can make a difference for 4-H members and leaders!

Thank-you notes
Thank-you notes encourage award donors to continue supporting our program. If you haven’t done so yet, please write your notes and mail them. You can also bring them to the Extension office, and we will deliver them for you!

Congratulations to everyone who received county recognition at the Awards and Recognition Event on November 15! Thank you to the Clackamas County 4-H Ambassador Team for their work preparing this special evening. Please pick up any unclaimed awards and record books at the Extension office, as our budget does not allow us to mail awards.

📆 Items not picked up by January 30 will be recycled.

Awards and/or record books to pick up:

A. Logan Ackerman, Sophia Allee, Karsen Anderson, Cheri Axmaker
B. Stephanie Bonfield, Kellie Brant
C. Miranda Carroll, Owen Cochell, Carmajo Collins
D. Isabelle Delavan
E. Finley Egerdahl, Violet Egerdahl, Melody Eisenzimmer, Hazel Estrada
F. Beth Faulhaber, Jen Figueroa, Crista Fitzgerald
G. Hailey Gaytan, Jennifer Gayton, Steven Gayton, Sylvia Gehred, Tami Guttridge
H. Darrell Hansen, Justin Harlon, Christina Hellman, Abigail Hudson
K. Allison Koester, Faith Koester, Sarah Koester, Kayla Kowalski
L. Debra Lelm-James
M. Hailey Magenheimer, Jen Martin, Lucy Matinez, Missy Miller
N. Colleen Nichols, Taylor Nichols, Ella Nowell
P. Sonya Pred, Lily Press
R. Samantha Rands, Makayla Ricketts, Ruth Ricketts, Christie Rivera, Merissa Rivera, Nora Rivera
S. Elvie Sandino-Taylor, Sadie Schweitzer, Reagan Schwenk, Carrie Smelser
T. Sarah Traxler
W. Olivia Weber, Rob Weber, Katie Weigel, Derek Wells, Lilly Whitehead, Avah Willard, Hudson Willard, Peter Willard, Kristy Wille, Dalaniegh Wood

Many 4-H activities can lead to tax deductions, and a few may require you to pay taxes. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you fill out your tax return this year. Remember to consult your tax advisor or www.irs.gov for details.

· Most donations made to 4-H clubs or advisories are deductible. You must have a receipt showing what you donated and whether you received anything in return. You may need additional documentation to prove the value.

· Volunteer expenses, such as photocopying and travel costs, are deductible. You cannot deduct the value of your time.

· Payments for market animals at auction, show entry fees, and costs for most project areas are not tax-deductible.

· 4-H members earning over $600 from projects may need to file a tax return. Market animal sales should be reported on Schedule F.

All clubs that fundraise and collect money must manage those assets in accordance with the policies and guidelines specified in the 4-H Operations and Best Practices Guide. This information is updated and designed to clarify roles, responsibilities, and relationships among the entities of the Oregon 4-H Program, 4-H clubs & 4-H committees, the County 4-H Association, and the Oregon 4-H Foundation. It also serves to share best practices for effective and prudent financial account management for all funds raised and expended in the name of 4-H.

Please look over this guide with your club. If you have questions, contact Jan Williams.

The 2026 Winter and Spring series of interactive and fun online workshops is coming! Each workshop includes one activity class per week, in 45-minute sessions, offered on Wednesday afternoons from 4:45 to 5:30 pm. Registered participants receive a kit with the materials needed for the workshops they sign up for. The kits are free to Clackamas County youth (participants do not have to be current 4-H members) and $10 each for youth outside of Clackamas County*.

(*must be Oregon residents)

Space is limited. Registration is required. Cloverbuds may join with an adult or older teen. Registration details will be emailed to 4-H families.

📆January: 4-H Foods (FULL) – Use kit ingredients and tools to prepare foods with us. Learn tips and techniques for blue-ribbon exhibits

📆February: Explore STEAM 4-H – Try projects in Engineering, Science, and Art. Registration opens mid-January

📆March: Horticulture – Help pollinators, create indoor gardens, and start seeds for outdoors. Registration opens mid-February

📆April: 4-H Explore 4-H – We will explore Art, Fiber Art, Natural Science, and Educational displays in April as we begin preparing for the fair.

Contact Katie Iverson or Jan Williams with questions or ideas for other sessions.

The HEARTH Advisory continues to promote a year-round program with expanded participation and educational opportunities. Adults/leaders and youth should expect to support the program and attend committee meetings and training. The Clackamas County HEARTH committee has supported and will continue to support online classes and will offer in-person workshops and events in 2026. Please plan to participate in or help with workshops and project education to earn the participation credits your youth need for eligibility for higher placings at County Fair.

📆 February 16, 2026, Extension annex or online

Watch your email in early February for your invitation to this meeting! This meeting is REQUIRED for at least one leader and/or parent of a HEARTH project club/independent with 4-H youth members. Participation in this will make youth in your clubs eligible to receive awards and higher placings in the HEARTH project classes at the Clackamas County 4-H Fair.

Topics will include:

🍀 Upcoming events, classes, and workshops

🍀 HEARTH Fair project exhibit essentials

🍀 Awards and opportunities for additional success

🍀 Project-specific information provided by HEARTH County Fair Superintendents

For more information, contact Mel Jeffrey at 503-329-0503 or Jan Williams. Stay up-to-date via our Facebook page: Hearth Advisory, Clackamas County 4-H.

📆 Saturday, February 21, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm 4-H Hall, Fairgrounds

Junior, Intermediate, & Senior members: Attend skill-focused classes (60-90 mins). Choose one or more sessions.

🍀 Knitting – Learn how to knit or sharpen your knitting skills
🍀 Herbs – Explore and cook with fresh or dried herbs
🍀 STEM – Build and test a mini wind turbine to learn about energy

Watch for an email sent to all Clackamas 4-H families in mid-January for more information, class descriptions, and the registration link.

📆 Spring Break: March 25-27th - Clackamas County Fairgrounds

Try new skills in sewing, foods, arts, and more. Info and registration will be sent in February.

Volunteers needed; contact Jan Williams or Katie Iverson.

📆Saturday, March 21st - Fairgrounds, Canby

It's time to prepare for the Spring HEARTH Bake Sale fundraiser—a chance for clubs and members to meet fundraising and service requirements. Want to help?

🍰 Bake, bake, bake! Cookies, muffins, quick bread loaves, brownies, and cinnamon rolls are our best sellers. Caramel corn also sells well.

🍰 Help on the day of the sale! We need six to eight adults to package donations and sell to customers. We can also use a very limited number of people to bake brownies; the smell brings people in!

🍰 Take the Bake Sale to the Tack Sale! Intermediate and Senior members are welcome to walk through the barns with trays of treats. Teams of three to four youth participate together.

🍰 Cover the gate! We need teams of two people, either two adults or an adult and an older youth, to cover one of the entry gates. A team can cover the whole event, or we can run two shifts.

Join our monthly HEARTH Advisory Meetings for updates on opportunities and projects. The committee meets on the third Monday of most months at 7:00 pm at the Extension annex. Everyone is welcome.

Topics include:

🍀Upcoming events and workshops

🍀HEARTH County Fair planning, updates, and activities

🍀 Awards and fundraising needs

For more information, contact Mel Jeffrey (503-329-0503) or Jan Williams. Stay up to date on our Facebook page: Hearth Advisory, Clackamas County 4-H.

📆Saturday, January 31st - 1:00pm, Downtown Oregon City

Laura Jeffrey, photographer and 4-H Photography Superintendent, invites Junior through Senior 4-H members to a "next level" photography clinic. Learn tips and techniques for high-quality photos from a professional. Registration is required.

Join us for a walk around Oregon City’s historic downtown to learn techniques in photographing architectural structures. Bring whatever camera you are using or would like to learn. On our walk, we will photograph the old Courthouse, the Bank of Commerce, the Weinhard Building, the Municipal Elevator, and more!

Join us February-May from 1:30-4pm at the Clackamas County Extension Annex.

🧵 Participation is FREE.
🧵 Adult help/support is encouraged but not required.
🧵 Youth should have some sewing skills, but all skill levels are welcome.
🧵 Bring your machine or let us know if you need to borrow one.
🧵 Sewing supplies will be available but youth are encouraged to bring their own sewing kit.

👗The Fashion Revue Challenge for the 2026 fair season will be Fashion Inspired by Nature. Use your research, creativity, and imagination to create a garment, costume, or outfit inspired by nature.

Questions? Contact Karen Jeffrey-Markowski or Jan Williams.

Calling all Intermediate and Senior Livestock members and leaders – Clackamas County 4-H needs YOU to help us start a NEW team! We are recruiting leaders and members for Livestock Skill-a-thon and Quiz Bowl teams to compete in the Oregon State 4-H Spring Classic, to be held late April in Redmond, and in Judging at the State Fair.

ALL youth interested in participating in 2026 need to contact Jan Williams by 📆 March 1st.

These forms are needed for County and State Fair if you are showing market Beef, Sheep, Goats, and/or Swine. Records require info on early vaccinations and feed. Forms are available at the Extension office or on the 4-H website.

A great resource for livestock members, join Oregon 4-H virtual animal science workshops via Zoom. Find links below or on the Oregon 4-H Events Page.

📆January 6, 6:00-7:30 pm– Choosing Your Market Animal
📆 February 5, 6:00-7:30 pm – Beef Feeding & Selection
📆 February 10, 6:00-7:30 pm – Horse Psychology
📆 March 2, 6:00-7:30 pm – Feeding Up Swine
📆 March 17, 6:00-7:30 pm – Feeding Up Sheep and Goats
📆 April 8, 6:00-7:30 pm – Poultry Pigeon & Turkey Showmanship
📆 May 21, 6:00-7:30 pm – Choosing Your Market Poultry and/or Rabbits
📆 June 9, 6:00-7:30 pm – Dog Showmanship

Visit the Oregon 4-H Animal Science website for videos and resources on all species.

Coming in June! 🚌 Intermediates and Seniors, watch for registration details in early 2026. For information, contact Doug Kitchen.

📆Saturday, February 21st, 8:30am-1:00pm, Fairgrounds, Canby

Dog Bowl allows 4-H dog members to test their knowledge of dogs and the 4-H dog project. This fun event is a low-key and friendly game for beginners and advanced members alike, no matter how much or little you know! Resources to study can be found on the website. Top-scoring intermediate and senior members will qualify to be on the Clackamas County Dog Bowl Team at the State 4-H Dog Bowl Contest held at Spring Classic. The Club Registration Form is now available and must be completed and submitted by the Club Leader.

Pre-registration is due by the Dog Advisory meeting on 📆February 2.

If you have questions or need more information, contact Jan Williams. Spectators are welcome.

If you are borrowing a dog from another family/individual to use as your 4-H project dog, you must submit a Clackamas County 4-H Record of Dog Lease to the 4-H Dog Advisory by 📆April 1, 2025. This is an annual requirement, even if you are using the same dog as last year.

Questions? Contact Jan Williams.

📆Saturday, January 10th

Registration information for Horse Bowl can be found on our website. A list of study resources has also been posted. Senior and Intermediate winners qualify to compete at the state 4-H Spring Classic. Pre-registration is due by 📆 January 5.

Many disease outbreaks can be traced back to a show or exhibition where horses from multiple locations gathered. For example, a recent outbreak of EHV-1 at a national event caused many people to cancel plans. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has implemented a new rule requiring all horse exhibitions to register their events in advance, meet certain equine health requirements, and gather information on the horses present. In 4-H, you will see us following these guidelines at events such as:

🐴Horse Fair and Pre-Fair

🐴County Horse Clinics

🐴Fundraiser Shows

The ODA is not asking clubs to register their meetings. Small local gatherings for pleasure riding or trail riding are exempt from the rule.

📆Saturday, February 21, Fairgrounds, Canby

These two popular clinics will be offered on the same day at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds. Back to Basics is for newer members or those using a new horse. It will start at 8:00 am and continue until about noon. The Trail Clinic will begin at 1:00 pm. To get the most out of the Trail Clinic, members should already possess basic riding skills and be able to back up, sidepass, and pivot.

Each clinic has a $10.00 registration fee. Pre-registration by February 13 is required to meet ODA guidelines. Watch for an online registration link in January.

Get your record books caught up now, so you have more time for riding later! Tonya Rourke (503-702-7265) and Denise Knight (503-829-7665) are available for clinics and consultations. They would love to help members, leaders, and parents learn about 4-H record books.

📆Saturday, March 21st, 2026 - 8:00am-1:30pm

📍Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Canby

Join us at the 4-H Tack Sale! Hundreds of vendors and thousands of people attend each spring.

$1 admission, $5 parking *CASH ONLY*

Want to have a booth?

Indoor and outdoor spaces available!

- Clackamas County 4-H Horse Club $10.00

- Non-Commercial $40.00 Indoor or $30.00 Outdoor

- Commercial $55.00 Indoor or $45.00 Outdoor

Booth Registration is due no later than March 1, 2026 or until spaces are filled.

Questions? Call Cindy at (503)580-1214

For participation in Horse Fair and/or Pre-Fair activities, the following completed information will be due for each member:

🍀Horse Project Identification Form and photos

🍀4-H Horse Pre-Fair and/or Western Gaming Pre-Fair Entries

🍀“I Did It Myself Horse” Identification Form

An email in February will include instructions on how to submit information online. Links will be on our Horse webpage. Have questions? Contact Horse Superintendent Mikenna Hallock at 503-290-9807.

Find volunteer opportunities, event updates, and timely reminders.

Information of interest to 4-H Horse Families can be found on two social platforms. We encourage you to join one or both to receive additional reminders and helpful tips from other volunteers.

Join the Facebook group Clackamas County 4H Horse Volunteers for volunteer postings and reminders about upcoming events.

Join the Band channel Horse Fair CC 4H by clicking here. Band is an app that can be used on a computer or phone. It is free, includes parental controls for youth members, and lets you customize alerts. View the Feed or Posts for information about upcoming events. Use Chat for general questions addressed to the whole group. This Band channel also serves as our announcement system during events.

We offer volunteer shift signups for most of our events using an online link. The links will be shared on both of these social media accounts. Keep in mind that we will use these sign-up logs to track volunteer hours throughout the year. Make sure that you include your club name when you sign up so that your club gets credit for your work.

If you lease a horse, it is up to you to complete a legal agreement with the horse’s owner. 4-H does not provide lease forms; you can find sample forms online. An excellent list of what to include in a lease can be found in your 4-H Horse Project Guide. If you want to show at Horse Fair, you will also want to review our county’s project horse rules (pages 30-32) to make sure your lease does not disqualify your horse.

You must have primary responsibility for the care, training, and riding of the horse from at least April 1 through County Fair (or State Fair), and the horse may not be placed in the hands of a professional trainer during this time. Only the 4-H member may show the horse after April 1. Lesson horses and “partial” or “sponsorship” leases may not qualify since the member rarely has primary responsibility for the horse.

Our monthly Horse Advisory meetings continue to be offered on the second Wednesday of the month in a hybrid format. You can either join the in-person group at the Extension annex or join on Zoom.

Our Zoom connection information for 2026 is:

Online connection link: https://beav.es/q7R

Phone number: 971-247-1195

Meeting ID: 995 3836 0624

Password: 44442024

Shaggy Days Horse Show - January 17, 2026. Hosted by Washington County 4-H at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds.

📆Saturday, February 7th, Check-In 7:30am, Fairgrounds, Canby

The annual Clackamas County 4-H Small Animal Show will be Saturday, February 7, at the Fairgrounds. The Frosty Fur and Feathers 4-H Show will include rabbits, cavies, poultry, and pigeons. 4-H members from all counties are invited to register – including Cloverbuds! If you have questions, please contact Daniel Johnson.

HPAI (Highly pathogenic avian influenza) cases continue to be reported in Oregon, including one in Clackamas County. Stay vigilant for signs of illness in birds and practice strict biosecurity with your poultry and waterfowl. We recommend that you not mix poultry and waterfowl at any club meetings.

Small Animal event on April 18 at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds.

We are looking for ideas and presenters for Rabbit and Cavy workshops. We also plan to offer help with tagging and banding animals so that everyone will have their unique ID attached before the County Fair entry begins.

Members in Cats, Herpetology, and Cloverbuds will be invited to register for Pet Fair later this spring.

Our monthly Small Advisory meetings continue to be offered on the third Tuesday of most months in a hybrid format. You can either join the in-person group at the Extension annex or join on Zoom. Our next meetings are on January 20 and March 17. There is no meeting in February.

Our Zoom connection information for 2026 is:

Zoom connection link

Phone number: 971-247-1195

Meeting ID: 972 6639 9778

Password: 44442024

Stay up to date with county, state, and national 4-H news on Facebook! Here are some of the pages and groups you might want to follow.

4-H

OSU Extension 4-H

OSU Extension Clackamas

Clackamas County 4-H Oregon

Hearth Advisory, Clackamas County 4-H

Clackamas County 4-H Small Animal Advisory

Clackamas County Dog 4-H

Clackamas County 4H Horse Advisory

Clackamas County 4H Horse Volunteers

Oregon 4-H Livestock Projects

Oregon 4-H Horse Projects

Oregon 4-H Dog Projects

Oregon 4-H Small Animal Projects

You can also find us on Instagram: @Clackamas4h