By John Ammon and Abigail Hemphill
2025-2026 Lassen County 4H Ambassadors
4-H members started the new year in January with our Home Arts Extravaganza hosted by committee members from Milford and South County 4-H.
There were multiple tables where we had a variety of arts and crafts and healthy foods. The members had a great time making the fun crafts that they were able to bring home!
The healthy snacks they created also were a favorite of all the members.
We also had a photography and cookie contest where our top two from each age division received a gift card to Tractor Supply. The 1st and 2nd place cookie contest winners were junior level – Nathan Cardenas, Intermediate level – Bailey Adams and Marigold Meadows and for the senior level – Layton Allen and Russell Mallery.
The 1st and 2nd place winners of the photo contest were junior level – Nathan Cardenas and Cory Deehan, Intermediate level-Isabel Hunsicker and Jace Dickson, and Senior level-Megan von Helf and Molly Dickson.
Committee members from Johnstonville 4-H hosted Presentation Day, our county public speaking competition, on February 22nd. Members presented in the following categories: demonstrations, persuasive prepared speeches, informative prepared talks, illustrated talks, educational displays, interpretive reading, and cultural arts.
The public speaking project performed a humorous “Share the Fun Skit” entitled, “Why did the Chicken Cross the Road?” Lastly, a Job Interview Contest was provided to help members gain confidence with their job application skills.
The job interview contest involved the members presenting a cover letter and resume and participating in a job interview. All members who received a blue or gold seal are eligible to compete at Regionals on March 28th in Fort Jones. From Regionals, members may qualify to compete at the State Presentation Day held at UC Davis in May.
Thank you again to all the community members who helped serve as Evaluators and Tabulators at this event!
Sunday, March 1st was Beef and Dairy Market Steer Tagging Day. All Beef and Dairy Market steer exhibitors are required to have ownership of their projects at least 120 days before the fair and to fulfill this requirement they brought their projects into the fairgrounds to be weighed and to receive their fair ear tags.
For the next two weeks, 4-H will continue to hold their Sponsorship fundraiser. When you donate for a sponsorship, you receive a decal signifying your sponsorship of Lassen County 4-H. Your sponsorship goes towards our county-wide 4-H events and projects such as Favorite Foods Day, Horticulture Day, Shooting Sports, fair awards, community service, scholarships, etc.
There are eight levels of sponsorship and sponsor levels beginning with a $25 Sponsor level and ending with a $1,000 Diamond level. Gold level and above receive BBQ tickets to the 4-H BBQ held on Tuesday night before the fair opens. This year the BBQ will followed by the Miss Lassen County pageant.
If you haven’t located a 4-H member to purchase a sponsorship, please contact the 4-H office at 1.530.251.8285 or the UC Extension office at 1.530.251.2601. Thank you to all who have already donated!
We have Small Animal Skills Day coming up on March 28th. The committee from Richmond 4-H is planning a very educational and “hands on” event involving small animals like dogs, poultry, ducks, geese, rabbits, and cavies (guinea pigs).
As we prepare for fair, 4-H is also looking for community members and/or businesses to sponsor the 4-H fair awards. Fair award donors are recognized on social media, on a banner at the fair, at the time the award is presented at the fair, in the 4-H newsletter, and in next year’s fair premium book.
If you are interested in sponsoring an award, please contact Mandie Jaso, the 4-H Fair Award Committee chair, at 1.707.845.2610.
Lastly, we, the 2025-26 4-H Ambassadors, are putting on a Cloverbud Camp Smart Adventure Day on May 17th at 3:00 p.m. with the help of our past and potential future ambassadors. The Cloverbuds (4-H members who are five to eight years old) will participate in fun outdoor activities and learn some of the essential skills for being outdoors.
Please look for upcoming information regarding the event on the 4-H Facebook page and in the 4-H Roundup newsletter.
