UI Extension, Gem/Boise County 4-H Program

06/03/2026

Hey Gem/Boise County 4-H''ers! Check this out....This Friday!!!

05/28/2026

STEM + Archery = colorful fun! 🎯👕🌈

Our 4-H Archery members recently combined science, creativity, and target practice in a unique tie-dye activity. Members tested their accuracy by shooting balloons filled with dye over white t-shirts. When the balloons burst, they created one-of-a-kind wearable art masterpieces!

Leader Carol Sandahl also shared how velocity plays an important role in archery, giving youth a hands-on look at STEM concepts in action. Learning through experience is what 4-H is all about!

Great job to all of our young archers for their focus, creativity, and willingness to try something new!

05/28/2026

The Owyhee County Ag Department and 4-H will be hosting the 2026 Mustang Camp on June 16th & 17th. This is a statewide event open to both registered active 4-H members, non-members and adults.

This overnight camp is designed for youth in grades 7–12 and focuses on promoting healthy lands and healthy horses. Participants will learn about public land management, rangelands, wild horses and burros, and the important relationship between healthy lands and healthy horses. It is a great hands-on educational opportunity that encourages conservation stewardship and youth engagement outside of the classroom.

Camp Details:
• Dates: June 16–17, 2026
• Location: Owyhee County
• Cost: $100
• Grades: 7th–12th
• Registration closes June 14, 2026

Please see the attached flyer for additional information. You can also learn more and register here:
https://extension.usu.edu/utah4h/events/mustang-camp

05/27/2026

Part of the work at the Extension office extends into our local classrooms through the efforts of our Enrichment Coordinator and Extension Specialist, Rose Sparks. This past week, 2nd graders at Shadow Butte Elementary learned how to make and fly their own kites in one of her programs. Mrs. Sparks says, "Nothing is sweeter than to watch kids enjoy the simple things in life!!! Does the heart good. 😄"

05/22/2026

05/20/2026

Rabbit Clinics ahead! Rabbit project members, mark your calendars for June and July clinics designed to get you ready for fair! Gem Boise County 4-H Ambassadors are hosting this series of four clinics to give you hands on practice.

05/19/2026

There’s never a dull moment in 4-H! From competing in contests and attending educational clinics to spending countless hours working with livestock and developing lifelong skills, our 4-H’ers stay busy all weekend long and their hard work continues to shine!

This weekend, the 2026 4-H District Horse Judging & Hippology Contest took place in Payette, and our teams represented Gem County incredibly well! 🐴💚

Huge congratulations to our Jr. and Sr. Horse Contest teams: The Mini Mares and The Saddle Sisters!

🏆 The Mini Mares — Olivia, Taylen, Danika, and Violet
• Top Jr. Hippology Team
• 3rd Place Jr. Horse Judging Team

Congratulations to:
⭐ Taylen — Top Jr. Hippology Horse Judger
⭐ Olivia — Top Jr. Hippology Individual & Top Jr. Stations

The Mini Mares have qualified for the Idaho State Horse Contest in July!

🏆 The Saddle Sisters took Top Sr. Team honors in BOTH contests and are also headed to the Idaho State Horse Contest in July!

Special congratulations to:
⭐ Rylee — Top Written Exam Score, Top Sr. Hippology Individual, and 4th Place Sr. Horse Judging Individual
⭐ Evie & Peyton (Valley and Canyon Co.) — 2nd and 3rd Place Sr. Hippology Individuals
⭐ Evie — Top Hippology Stations Score

It was a successful day for the entire team, and we couldn’t be more proud of these girls and the dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship they continue to demonstrate. Way to go, everyone! 🎉

📸credit: DeNee Morehouse

05/12/2026

Our Mystery 4-H Alumni was our very own Rose Sparks! Here is what she had to say about the impact of 4-H on her life:

"Growing up in a remote farmhouse with four siblings, I didn’t have many opportunities to step outside my comfort zone, until I found 4-H. 4-H pushed me to meet new people and experience new environments, helping me build confidence in ways I never expected. My leader taught me practical skills like cooking and sewing that I still use today, but even more importantly, they showed me how to learn from other adults and develop strong social skills. 4-H didn’t just teach me projects, it helped shape who I am."

Thank you for playing along and congratulations if you guessed correctly!

Are you or someone you know a 4-H alumni? We'd love to feature you in the next newsletter. contact Jennifer at [email protected] to find out more.

05/06/2026

Tonight is sheep and goat weigh-in! If you are a 4-H or FFA member enrolled in a market sheep/goat project, we will see you tonight!

Shearing begins at 4pm, weigh in at 5pm.

Please call the office if you have any questions or if you didn't get an email with all the details. See you soon!