With the New Year comes exciting changes for the 4-H Program! I’m thrilled to share that I’m expecting my second child and will be taking some time off for maternity leave. Our office is already preparing to ensure a smooth and easy transition for everyone during this time.

If all goes according to plan, my maternity leave will begin at the end of January and last for about 10 weeks. I plan to return in mid-April. Because of this timeline, we will not be holding Clover College this year. This program typically requires months of planning, and since that preparation period overlaps with my leave, it simply isn’t feasible to make it happen this year.

But don’t worry—we’re still bringing the spirit of Clover College to life in a new way! Instead of one large event, I’ll be offering several smaller programs with a similar feel, in collaboration with our local libraries. While I already partner with libraries for youth programming, these special sessions will now be featured on the 4-H Programming Calendar under SPARKS Day Programming.

These programs will rotate throughout the county, and some will be repeated. So if one session is too far away, check the calendar—you might find the same program offered closer to home!

If you have a topic you’re passionate about or would like to teach something, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s make this a fun and engaging year for our 4-H youth, even with a few changes along the way!