Country Kickers 4-H Club, a Pinal County 4-H Club that meets in Apache Junction.
Hello,
Thanks to everyone who attended tonight. We have added the agenda to the tab on our blog for those that could not make it to review. We also sent an email earlier today with a link to the club by laws, and the reimbursement opportunities.
If there are any questions do not hesitate to reach out!
We voted on a new T-Shirt design! Thank you to those who participated. We will be working with the graphic designer now and watch soon for an order form.
Thank you,
Michelle
Think you know your horses? 🤔🐴
Ready to put your horse knowledge to the test? Then Horse Skill-a-thon is the place to be! 🎉
The Horse Advisory Committee is excited to host TWO Horse Skill-a-thon contests this year! That means you have TWO chances to show off what you know, earn points, and compete for the top spot! 🏆
📚 Junior • Intermediate • Senior
We will combine your scores from both contests, and at the second contest we’ll crown the Top Two in each division! 🥇🥈
🐎 January 30 – Maricopa, AZ
🐎 April 3 – Apache Junction, AZ
Registration is now open in ZSuites, so don’t wait until the last minute! Registration will close one week before each contest.
This is a great way to learn more about horses, challenge yourself, and have some fun with your fellow 4-H horse friends! Whether you’re a Skill-a-thon pro or this is your first time, come test your knowledge! 💪🐴
So grab those study guides, dust off your horse knowledge, and SADDLE UP! 🤠
Will you be one of our Skill-a-thon champions? 🏆
👉 Register in ZSuites today!
#PinalCounty4H #4HHorse #HorseSkillAThon #4HStrong #SaddleUp #TestYourHorseKnowledge 🐴
Attention 4-H Horse Project Members!
Please see the attached flyer for information about an upcoming Ranch Riding Clinic open to all Pinal County 4-H Horse Project members!
📅 Date: November 7, 2026Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Registration opens October 1, 2026, and space will be limited to ensure an individualized learning environment for all participants.
We hope to see you there! 🐎
amilies, it’s time to saddle up and get registered for the new 4-H year! 🤠🎉
If you haven’t already, please log into ZSuite and complete your enrollment as soon as possible. 📲✅
Why is this so important? As our project meetings start getting underway, we need every member to be officially enrolled so we have the appropriate 4-H insurance coverage while participating in 4-H activities and project meetings.
Whether you’re working with horses, small and large livestock or another project, please don’t wait! 🐴🐷🐰🐶
👉 Log into ZSuite today and get your enrollment completed!
Let’s kick off another AMAZING 4-H year filled with learning, friendship, teamwork, and lots of fun! 💙🍀
See you at the next project meeting! 🎉
We are SO excited to get this new 4-H year rolling! 🐴🐷🐑🐶 We are expecting around 30 members this year, and we can’t wait to see all the fun, learning, friendships, and adventures ahead!
At our September meeting, you’ll get to:
✨ Meet your project leaders
✨ Meet new and returning club members
✨ Learn more about our club and what to expect this year
✨ Get important information for the year ahead
🎨 AND tackle a fun little art project!
We also want to make sure everyone starts the year on the same page! Our club bylaws are an important part of how our club operates. Please take some time to read through them, especially the meeting and volunteer requirements.
We’ll share the bylaws link here and will also provide everyone with a copy at our September meeting.
We’re having a 4-H Club T-Shirt Design Contest! 🎨👚
Have your kiddos put their creativity to work and come up with some fun ideas for this year’s club shirt! They can draw their design ideas and bring them to the September meeting.
The kids will get to share their ideas, vote on their favorite design, and then we’ll work with our shirt designer to turn the winning idea into an official Country Kickers 4-H shirt! 🤩
We can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
September 17th • 6:00 PM • AJ Multi Gen Center Room B118
🐴 Let’s make this a GREAT 4-H year! 🐴
As always, please reach out if you have any questions. We’re excited to have you all along for the ride!
Lock, Load, and Join Us!
The University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension, Pinal County
4-H Youth Development Program
Pinal County Shooting Sports Committee Meeting
Got an interest in Shooting Sports? Then we want YOU in the room.
Come hang out, meet the crew, and help shape what our program looks like this year.
Snacks, good people, and a say in how things run, what's not to love?
Mark Your Calendar: Thursday, September 3 at 5:30 PM
Location:
What's on Deck: We're electing a new committee board and mapping out our county qualifying shoot. Big decisions, real impact, and we want your fingerprints on it.
Who Should Show Up: Anyone already knee-deep in Shooting Sports, and anyone curious about jumping in and serving on the committee. All experience levels welcome. Bring a friend!
RSVP by September 2nd: Maria Melendez, Administrative Assistant
Questions/Concerns: Esther Turner, Associate Agent, 4-H YD Program
eturner@cals.arizona.edu ǀ (520) 340-4815
Can't wait to see you there!
Maria Melendez Administrative Assistant Pinal County Office THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Pinal County Cooperative Extension 820 East Cottonwood Lane, Bldg C Casa Grande AZ 85122-2758 (520) 836-5221 | |
Annual Enrollment is now OPEN
Keep in mind that our club will be offering the following projects:
Horse, Market Swine, Market Lamb or Goat
Poultry and Rabbit - we are going to get some assistance on this one
Cloverbuds
We hope to add soon : Outdoor Adventures, Cake Decorating and Welding (parents are in the process of getting certified) Meetings can be held as long as another certified volunteer is in attendance!
We love growing our club so if you want to volunteer and we add more projects let us know!
Good Morning,
Pinal County 4-H enrollment is now open for the 2026–27 program year!
All youth member and volunteer leader enrollments must be completed online. To enroll, please visit https://4h.zsuite.org.
Youth members must be between the ages of 5 and 19 as of January 1, 2027, to participate. A $25 Program Management Fee is required for each youth member and can be paid online using a credit or debit card.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the enrollment process, please feel free to contact Maria Melendez at mmelende@cals.arizona.edu.
We look forward to another great 4-H year!
Annual Enrollment is now OPEN
Keep in mind that our club will be offering the following projects:
Horse, Market Swine, Market Lamb or Goat
Poultry and Rabbit - we are going to get some assistance on this one
Cloverbuds
We hope to add soon : Outdoor Adventures, Cake Decorating and Welding (parents are in the process of getting certified) Meetings can be held as long as another certified volunteer is in attendance!
We love growing our club so if you want to volunteer and we add more projects let us know!
Good Morning,
Pinal County 4-H enrollment is now open for the 2026–27 program year!
All youth member and volunteer leader enrollments must be completed online. To enroll, please visit https://4h.zsuite.org.
Youth members must be between the ages of 5 and 19 as of January 1, 2027, to participate. A $25 Program Management Fee is required for each youth member and can be paid online using a credit or debit card.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the enrollment process, please feel free to contact Maria Melendez at mmelende@cals.arizona.edu.
We look forward to another great 4-H year!
Hello 4-H Families,
For those of you that will be planning to return for the new 4-H year 2026-2027 that new year will begin October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Open enrollment will begin in ZSuites during the week of August 7th.
This meeting we will be reviewing our budget and what the youth members want to put their dollars towards from volunteering at the LDD rodeo.
Here are some examples of what has been this past year: (requirment was to volounteer to LDD)
YQCA - Club covered cost $13 each member for annual certification
Horse Project Members - $50 HAC spoonsorship, Vaccines Fall/Spring (certain amt)
Animal Clinic/Camps - $150
Summer Camp Pinal Co - $250
Horse Project Meeting- $150 to a trainer
Small Stock- $50 guest speaker
Small Stock- $50 towards project (feed, supplies)
Large Livestock - $100 towards project (feed, supplies)
Club TShirt- one per new member
State Horse Show Qualifer- $50 toward entry fee
Start talking to them now about what this might look like and what they would like to suggest to be voted upon. Once you have spoken with them please take a moment and send your feed back to us at countrykickers4h@gmail.com so that we can compile their request to be prepared for the August meeting.
Thank you!
Hello,
This is a remind that all club members who volounteered at the Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo are eligible to receive $150 towards a summer show camp/clinic for the current projects they are enrolled in for the 2025-2026 4-H year.
This benefit will expire on 9.30.2026 as that is when the current 4-H year will end.
If you have attended a summer show camp/clinic please provide the receipt to our club email at countrykickers4h@gmail.com. You will be required to provide a presentatation at our August 20, 2026 community club meeting about what you learned at that camp/clinic.
If you have any questions please let us know.
Thank you.
Dear 4-H Families,
I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to take a moment to reach out about something important for the future of our club.
First, I want to say thank you to all of the families, volunteers, and especially our project leaders who dedicate so much of their personal time to our members. Our leaders spend countless hours preparing lessons, organizing trainings, planning meetings, and creating hands-on learning opportunities so our youth can grow, learn, and succeed. Their commitment to our club does not go unnoticed.
Over the past several months, it has been discouraging and frustrating to see low attendance numbers at both project meetings and club meetings. We understand that families are busy and schedules can be challenging, but participation is an important part of what makes a 4-H club successful and meaningful for everyone involved.
I also want to acknowledge my part in this. At the beginning of the year, I should have done a better job communicating and reviewing our club bylaws and attendance expectations with all families. Moving forward, I believe it is important that we revisit our club constitution and bylaws together as a club community. We need to have open discussions regarding attendance requirements, member expectations, and any amendments that may need to be made so that our bylaws continue to reflect the needs and goals of our club.
A 4-H club should be about much more than simply attending fair or exhibiting projects. It should be about learning responsibility, leadership, teamwork, service, commitment, and building relationships within our community. It is about showing up, supporting one another, participating in projects, and helping create a positive experience for all members — especially our younger youth who look up to the older members as role models.
Our club is strongest when families, members, volunteers, and leaders work together toward a common goal. I truly believe we can continue building a positive and successful club environment, but it will take communication, participation, and commitment from all of us.
Here is a link to our current bylaws: Current By Laws
Please review the bylaws and submit any recommended changes or amendments to countrykickers4h@gmail.com no later than July 15th. All proposed changes will be reviewed and voted on during our August 20th Community Club Meeting.
Thank you for your continued support of our club and our youth. I look forward to having these conversations together and working as a team to strengthen our 4-H community.
Sincerely,
Michelle Weese
Community Club Leader
We need YOU to help represent our youth members by serving as a Youth Representative on the Horse Advisory Board! 🤠💚
This is your chance to:
✨ Share ideas and help make decisions for the horse program
✨ Build leadership and teamwork skills
✨ Help volunteer at horse shows, clinics, and events
✨ Be a voice for youth in our county horse program
✨ Meet and work alongside other passionate horse members
📅 Position Details:
✔ One-year term
✔ Must attend the Fall Meeting in person
✔ Participate in monthly Zoom meetings
✔ Be willing to volunteer and help throughout the year
If you love the horse program and want to get more involved, we would love to have you apply!
📋 Application Link: Link Here
📧 Email completed applications to: pinalcounty4hhorse@gmail.com
⏰ Applications are due by July 15th!
Step up, get involved, and help make this an amazing year for our 4-H horse community! 🐎💚
Dear Club Members,
We want to share with you that we have begun to work on planning project meetings and have updated the calendar with horse and swine project meeting dates.
Please be sure to add our google calendar to your phones calendar to be in sync with club happenings.
Here is a link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/2?cid=Y291bnRyeWtpY2tlcnM0aEBnbWFpbC5jb20
We want club members to attend project meetings because these meetings are where members gain hands-on experience, build skills, and make progress in their projects. Regular attendance helps members:
In addition, our current club bylaws require members to attend at least 50% of project meetings to be eligible to participate in the county fair and horse shows. This attendance requirement helps ensure that members are actively involved, learning project skills, and contributing to the success of the club.
Project meetings are an important part of the 4-H experience and provide the foundation for learning, growth, and achievement throughout the year.
If you have any questions do not hestiate to reach out. Have a great day!
Hello Club Members,
I wanted to reach out to you all to keep you updated on what we will be looking at for the new 4-H year that begins Sept 1 through Oct 31.
We are able to confirm that we will be offering the following projects with leaders: (meeting dates are being determined and will be posted as soon as those project leaders provide me dates)
Horse - Erika and Emily
Swine - Michelle, and Heidi offered to lend a hand
Lamb/Goat - April (Savy's mom) has offered to help with this
Cloverbuds - Brittany
Outdoor Adventures ( Hiking stuff) - Brittany - nothing to crazy but a few times to get togehter when it cools down for some hikes suitable for all of our 4-H members.
Needs:
Small Stock Leader - (Rabbit/Poultry)
Holstein calf - Only one member is interested so far but never raised one. So a leader would be ideal.
In Progress:
Cake Decorating - Cheyenne (Elloise's mom) is getting certified
Welding - Randy (Ellosie's dad) is getting certified
If anyone is interested in volunteering to help with these projects please reach out. Keep an eye out for us to be posting project meeting dates as they become available.
Thanks,
Michelle
Dear 4-H Horse Families,
The Horse Advisory Committee (HAC) is currently accepting suggestions, edits, and proposed changes to the county horse rulebook. We encourage all families to take the time to carefully review the current rulebook and provide any feedback or recommendations you may have. Here is a link to the current county rulebook. Here is a link to the State Rulebook just for reference since we cannot change these rules.
Please keep in mind that many of our county rules align directly with the State 4-H Horse Rulebook, and those rules cannot be changed at the county level. However, there are several county-specific rules and procedures that may be reviewed and updated as needed.
We ask that all suggested changes be submitted to the HAC by July 15th. After that date, all submitted recommendations will be compiled into a formal document to be reviewed, discussed, and voted upon at the annual HAC meeting on August 15th by the newly elected Horse Advisory Board Committee. You may email your suggestions to pinalcounty4hhorse@gmail.com.
Thank you for taking an active role in helping us continue to improve and strengthen our county horse program. We appreciate your support and involvement.
Best regards,
Pinal County 4-H Horse Advisory Committee
Hello 4-H Families,
Before we know it, the new season will be upon us! As we begin planning for the upcoming year, we would love your input to help us better understand what opportunities, activities, and programs our members are most interested in.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked below by June 15th. Your feedback will help us plan meetings, events, clinics, and other activities that best support our members and families.
Survey Link: [LINK HERE]
We appreciate your time and input as we work to make this upcoming season a successful and fun one for everyone involved!
Thank you,
Michelle- Community Club Leader
Dear 4-H Families,
I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to take a moment to reach out about something important for the future of our club.
First, I want to say thank you to all of the families, volunteers, and especially our project leaders who dedicate so much of their personal time to our members. Our leaders spend countless hours preparing lessons, organizing trainings, planning meetings, and creating hands-on learning opportunities so our youth can grow, learn, and succeed. Their commitment to our club does not go unnoticed.
Over the past several months, it has been discouraging and frustrating to see low attendance numbers at both project meetings and club meetings. We understand that families are busy and schedules can be challenging, but participation is an important part of what makes a 4-H club successful and meaningful for everyone involved.
I also want to acknowledge my part in this. At the beginning of the year, I should have done a better job communicating and reviewing our club bylaws and attendance expectations with all families. Moving forward, I believe it is important that we revisit our club constitution and bylaws together as a club community. We need to have open discussions regarding attendance requirements, member expectations, and any amendments that may need to be made so that our bylaws continue to reflect the needs and goals of our club.
A 4-H club should be about much more than simply attending fair or exhibiting projects. It should be about learning responsibility, leadership, teamwork, service, commitment, and building relationships within our community. It is about showing up, supporting one another, participating in projects, and helping create a positive experience for all members — especially our younger youth who look up to the older members as role models.
Our club is strongest when families, members, volunteers, and leaders work together toward a common goal. I truly believe we can continue building a positive and successful club environment, but it will take communication, participation, and commitment from all of us.
Here is a link to our current bylaws: Current By Laws
Please review the bylaws and submit any recommended changes or amendments to countrykickers4h@gmail.com no later than July 15th. All proposed changes will be reviewed and voted on during our August 20th Community Club Meeting.
Thank you for your continued support of our club and our youth. I look forward to having these conversations together and working as a team to strengthen our 4-H community.
Sincerely,
Michelle Weese
Community Club Leader
Hello 4-H Families,
Here are the dates for our monthly community club meeting for 2026-2027 they all will be held at the Apache Junction Multi Gen Center from 6pm to 8pm.
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 17
January 21
February 18
We encouarge you to stay with your child during the meeting so that you are aware of club happenings and at times meetings do not take the entire alloted time.
These community club meetings are the time that the entire club can get togehter to discuss any business needs, vote on items, special community service projects and any other important club items.
Open enrollment for the new 4-H year will begin August 5, 2026 in ZSuites.
At this time, we are able to confirm that we will offer the following projects:
Horse ( Erika and Emily)
Market Swine (Michelle)
Cloverbuds ( Possibly Brittany, because Tiffany's daughter Hayes is aging out of cloverbud) Need to confirm this.
We are working on certifcations for the following projects: (or some of you have mentioned you might be interested) Please text me so we can stay on top of this!!!
Small Stock - Possibly may have a leader
Market Lamb and Goat - Need some assistance here
Welding - parent is in certification process
Holstein Calf - need a leader
Outdoor Adventures - leader in process (hoping to just offer a few hikes throughout the 4-H year)
If you have a skill and are wanting to become certifed we are always looking for volunteers. We would love to continue to grow our club and offer more projects.
As project meetings become available we will have them added to the calendar. Here is a google link to our calender (save it and add to your calendar) https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/1?cid=Y291bnRyeWtpY2tlcnM0aEBnbWFpbC5jb20
We will still continue to use GROUP ME as our text communications.
How can you help this year!? Here is what I am looking for for extra help this upcoming season:
AJ Light Parade - First weekend in Dec. Need a committee to arrange truck/trailer/deco
Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo - Would love for 2 parents to tag team this and attend the meetings put on by committee, be our voice at these meetings. Organize sign up for that weekend, and other items related to this volounteer time.
Pinal County Fair Deco/Banners - looking for a volunteer to be in charge of knowing what the fair themes are, purchase deco with budget, hang deco at fair, take down deco at end of fair. Disturbute club banners to an adult in each species to hang over animal pens, then collect at fair.
Pinal County Fair- Club Booth- looking for a committee to help plan the booth following the theme, set up and tear down
Community Service- looking for 1-2 people to team up together to help plan and execute at least two events this year.
