During the campaign period, paper clovers are sold for $1 at checkout, with proceeds benefiting 4-H programs where each store is located.

The spring 4-H Paper Clover Campaign begins April 26 at local Tractor Supply Company (TSC) stores. During the campaign period, paper clovers are sold for $1 at checkout, with proceeds benefiting 4-H programs where each store is located.

“For many years, the Paper Clover fundraiser has allowed us to provide thousands of 4-H youth across the country greater access to 4-H programs,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “We are thrilled about our continued partnership with Tractor Supply Company—it drives the excitement of local community participation and support for 4-H programs, and therefore the success of the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign.”

The 4-H Paper Clover fundraiser, a national partnership between TSC and 4-H, has been held in the spring and fall of each year since 2010 at each of Tractor Supply Company’s 1,600 stores – including the 81 stores in Michigan. Thanks to this partnership with TSC, more than $522,000 has been raised in Michigan since 2010 to support 4-H locally through the 4-H Paper Clover fundraiser.

From April 26 through May 7, customers at TSC stores will be able to buy paper 4-H clovers for $1 at checkout. Once again, funds donated during the campaign will be tracked online and recorded by state and by store. Visit www.tractorsupply.com/4-H for more information on the spring 2017 4-H Paper Clover Campaign and to view the donation tracker.

“The entire team at Tractor Supply is excited for the opportunity to team up with 4-H for the eighth consecutive year of Paper Clover fundraisers,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at TSC. “The support of our dedicated customers and team members has made a powerful, tangible effect on the lives of many 4-H students, who use 4-H programs to develop valuable life skills.”

The most recent Paper Clover event, held Oct. 5-16, raised $871,771 nationwide for 4-H; of that, $43,586 was donated in Michigan, ranking it sixth in the nation. Seventy percent of those funds supported county 4-H programs, 10 percent supported 4-H volunteer and teen leadership training workshops, 5 percent went for state 4-H programs, 5 percent went to the Michigan 4-H Foundation, and 10 percent went to National 4-H Council for underwriting the cost of the program.

The Gaylord TSC store in Otsego County was the top-selling Paper Clover store last fall. The store has been recognized as one of the top stores nationally as well.

“Our 4-H council organizes shifts for 4-H clubs to come in and sell clovers, usually for two hours at a time,” said Devora Davis, Otsego County MSU Extension 4-H program coordinator. “Sometimes clubs bring projects to do or animals to show. It helps having kids present as much as possible because they talk directly to the customers.

“I also use this time to recruit youth and adults to 4-H,” Davis added.

Davis also credits the Gaylord TSC store as being very supportive of the Paper Clover fundraiser and 4-H in general. The store not only provides visibility for 4-H during the Paper Clover fundraiser but also offers opportunities at other times throughout the year for club fundraisers and promotion at the store.

“The TSC employees are always helpful and even contact 4-H staff or volunteers when other events are going on in the store to see if we want to help out and support agriculture,” Davis said. “If there is a special event at the store, they ask if a club wants to have a bake sale to be present.”

The proceeds from the Paper Clover fundraiser in OtsegoCounty provide scholarships for 4-H members to attend local 4-H camps, 4-H workshops at KettunenCenter and 4-H Exploration Days at MSU.

The fall 4-H Paper Clover Campaign will launch on Oct. 3 at local Tractor Supply Company (TSC) stores across the nation. The $1 clovers will be available at checkout until Oct. 14. Funds will support county, state and national 4-H programming.

“For many years, the Paper Clover fundraiser has allowed us to provide thousands of 4-H youth across the country greater access to 4-H programs,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “We are thrilled about our continued partnership with Tractor Supply Company as it drives the excitement of local community participation and support for 4-H programs, and therefore the success of the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign.”

The 4-H Paper Clover Campaign, held biannually in the spring and fall since 2010, takes place at TSC’s 1,600 stores. This close partnership between 4-H and TSC allowed Michigan 4-H to raise nearly $55,000 in the spring 2018 campaign – the most ever raised during a Paper Clover Campaign in Michigan.

“The Paper Clover fundraiser is a significant part of Tractor Supply Company’s support of 4-H programs throughout the communities we serve,” said Christi Korzekwa, vice president, marketing, TSC. “We are proud to be able to provide essential funding to more than 1,000 county 4-H programs. These programs make a positive impact on young people that last a lifetime. The continued success of the Tractor Supply Paper Clover fundraisers demonstrate the importance of our 4-H partnership with our customers, team members and communities.”

Seventy percent of the funds raised supports county 4-H programs; 10 percent supports 4-H volunteer and teen leadership training workshops; 5 percent will go to state 4-H programs; 5 percent will go to the Michigan 4-H Foundation and 10 percent to National 4-H Council for underwriting the cost of the program. All funds donated during the fall campaign can be tracked online and will be recorded by state and by store. Visit www.tractorsupply.com/4-H for more information about the Paper Clover Campaign.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that supports Michigan 4-H Youth Development. For more information about the Michigan 4-H Foundation, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org. Michigan 4-H Youth Development is the youth-serving program of Michigan State University Extension. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit www.4h.msue.msu.edu. National 4-H Council is the private sector, nonprofit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org.

Tractor Supply Co. operates more than 1,600 stores in 49 states. TSC stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of farmers and ranchers. For more information on TSC, visit www.TractorSupply.com.

From Vantage, Fall 2015

Since 2010, 4-H participants at 4-H Renewable Energy Camp have explored ideas, research and opportunities in the field of energy as it relates to natural resources and agriculture.

The 2015 4-H Renewable Energy Camp, held July 6-10 at Michigan State University, was sponsored in part by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. Gifts to 4-H Renewable Energy Camp support the science literacy priority area for the Campaign for Michigan 4-H’s Future.

During the camp, the 39 youth participants aged 13-19 learned about solar, wind and bioenergy, heard from experts in the field and visited renewable energy production sites.

“The youth spent five days exploring ideas, research and hands-on opportunities in the field of energy,” said Insa Raymond, MSU Extension educator responsible for 4-H Renewable Energy Camp. “They interacted with leading scientists and engineers at MSU and in the industry, who provided insights into the latest innovations in biofuel production and technology and other alternatives to fossil-based fuels such as solar and wind energy. The field of renewable energy and related technology and career opportunities are growing and changing fast. At the Renewable Energy Camp, youth were exposed to  degrees, jobs and career opportunities within this exciting new field.”

The teens visited companies that are taking the latest discoveries of science and turning them into real products that have impact in local communities and around the world.  They toured and did hands-on activities at Carbon Green Bioenergy, Kellogg Biological Station, HomeWorks and a substation specializing in the transfer of wind energy.

Natalie Modrich, St. Clair County 4-H’er, has attended the camp three times and will serve as a teen adviser in 2016.

“4-H Renewable Energy Camp is a week filled with non-stop knowledge, hands-on interaction and idea sharing with people from all over Michigan – sometimes even other states,” Modrich said. “It’s a very beneficial and educational yet fun week that is well worth part of your summer vacation.”

Youth also conducted experiments, made biofuel, designed and tested wind turbines, and designed and raced solar-powered cars. Participants were also granted access to many of the resources that the MSU campus has to offer, including many lab tours and faculty presentations.

“My favorite part of 4-H Renewable Energy Camp is the hands-on activities we complete while meeting new people. My first time attending camp, at only 13 years old, I used technology in the labs that I could have only dreamed about,” she said. “Making biofuel for the first time throughout the duration of the week was very educational. I had no idea so many tests had to be done before it went to market.

“We take a plethora of field trips in such a short amount of time; as a result, we are able to experience many real-world scenarios of how renewable energy is affecting our lives every day,” Modrich said.

“My biggest take-away from camp is how much using renewable energy will benefit our future. For example, cutting back on petroleum usage by using biofuel such as ethanol and using earth’s renewable resources,such as wind, water and sun to collect energy,” she said.

“As a teen adviser for next year’s camp, I will help plan and schedule the week. After attending this camp before, I know what we liked and didn’t like. Also, what events or activities may be beneficial to add or replace,” Modrich said.

Modrich is a junior in high school and has been in 4-H for 12 years. She is a member of the Top Hats & Tails 4-H Club and serves as treasurer of the Rustic Ramblers 4-H Club.

“I would like to study materials science and engineering at Iowa State University,” Modrich said.

In fact, 97 percent of 4-H Renewable Energy Camp participants surveyed reported that the camp prepared them to attend college, and 89 percent indicated that they were more likely to pursue a career in the renewable energy field as a result.

To help prepare youth participants for the future, the 4-H Renewable Energy Camp educational activities are also aligned with Michigan education standards and allow youth participants to earn digital badges for their portfolios. Similarly to scouting badges, digital badges visibly represent skills or goals a person has accomplished.

“Instead of wearing the badges, individuals place the digital badges in a digital backpack,” said Jacob DeDecker, associate state 4-H leader and MSU Extension specialist.  “Think of it as an online space to keep and sort all your badges. These badges can then show up on Facebook, Twitter and web pages to share with teachers or prospective employers.”

Youth participating in 4-H Renewable Energy Camp have the opportunity to earn digital badges in solar energy, wind energy and bioenergy. Youth research a problem, design a solution and present their findings to the entire camp.

“Learning how to problem solve, work as a team and communicate are important life skills. In addition, youth engaged in these activities meet certain core science competencies that schools try to teach in the classroom,” DeDecker said.

A team of MSU Extension staff members are working on a process to allow youth to receive school credit for the digital badges they earn by learning and demonstrating key competencies during out-of-school time activities such as  summer science camps.

“The project is still ongoing, and we have much more to research before an answer is provided, but what we do know is that digital badges offer a unique opportunity for students to show learning accomplishments. We also know that students, schools, after-school providers, colleges and employers all have interest and something to gain by pursuing this concept,” DeDecker said.

Annually, Michigan 4-H youth gather at Michigan State University during summer months to participate in the 4-H Renewable Energy Camp. The five-day precollege program, taught by industry experts,  introduces youth to ideas, research and opportunities in the renewable energy field.

“Our world is changing, and renewable energy is an important part of that change,” said Tracy D’Augustino, Michigan State University Extension science and youth development educator. “4-H Renewable Energy Camp is giving today’s youth an opportunity to engage with and explore renewable energy to help solve the growing need for renewable energy knowledge throughout Michigan and across the world.”

4-H participants choose either a solar/wind energy track or a biofuel track. To expand their knowledge about their chosen topic, youth visit on- and off-campus locations and laboratories that give them a look at cutting-edge technology and the chance to engage in hands-on learning opportunities.

“My favorite part about the 4-H Renewable Energy Camp is the chance I have to learn about new technologies in the field and to help teach the next generation about scientists and engineers,” said Jonah Wojnar, Eaton County 4-H’er and 4-H Renewable Energy Camp teen facilitator. “I knew I was going to be an electrical engineer in my future, but this camp

solidified what I was going to study in that field, and I am proud to help other people make that decision as well, especially during the current climate crisis.”

The 4-H Renewable Energy Camp has a long history of encouraging career exploration and college enrollment in its participants. Of the youth who participated in the camp between 2015 and 2017, 80 percent enrolled in college within six months following high school. That number is 24 percent higher than the Michigan average.

“The 4-H Renewable Energy Camp offers numerous fun, interesting and unique activities and opportunities related to career exploration of this field,” said Safia Aladlouni, Oakland County 4-H’er  and 4-H Renewable Energy Camp teen facilitator. “It offers participants the chance to live on MSU’s campus, experience college life, and familiarize themselves with topics they may not have had a lot of exposure to in school.”

Providing experiences to youth such as Jonah and Safia would not be possible without the support of generous individuals and organizations. The 4-H Renewable Energy Camp is sponsored in part by HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan. Camp sponsors value empowering youth to create solutions for the energy issues the world is facing today.

A new partnership with Chemical Bank will expand the reach of 4-H youth financial literacy education.

The Money Smart Youth Financial Literacy Program, a new partnership with the Chemical Bank Foundation, provides youth with opportunities to increase their personal financial knowledge, practice money management skills and in turn apply these skills and knowledge to becoming financially smart and secure.

“At Chemical Bank, we believe in the importance of promoting financial literacy with our customers and in our communities, and the earlier people learn these skills in life, the better off they will be in the future,” said Lynn Kerber, Chemical Bank Foundation president. “The 4-H Money Smart Youth project helps youth learn a variety of skills ranging from the basics of saving to more complex skills such as investing, cash flow and understanding credit.”

4-H Money Smart Youth engages youth in financial education learning and also trains adult volunteers on how to engage youth around financial literacy learning. Additionally, Raising Money Smart Children workshops will be offered for parents and children to learn basic money management skills together.

“The exposure to financial education as youth will help young people develop financially smart habits and know how and where to seek out additional information when they are older,” said Laurie Rivetto, MSU Extension 4-H educator. “We ‘don’t know what we don’t know,’ so allowing youth to interact with financial terms, reconcile an account or developing a personal budget exposes them to skills that they will utilize throughout their lives.”

According to the 2015 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 70 percent of American adults are worried about their personal finances, and 75 percent agree that they could benefit from advice and answers to everyday financial questions from a professional. Sixty percent of Americans say they continue to spend without a budget. These adult behaviors are very likely a carryover from lack of financial experience as youth.

“Our hope is that youth will feel more prepared and more competent about their finances and less worried about what they are doing than research shows today’s adult is,” Rivetto said.
Chemical Bank’s support helps 4-H engage youth through camps, skill training events and ongoing 4-H educational activities designed to provide real-life experiences and practice in money management to improve youth spending and saving behaviors and risk awareness.

“The partnership with Chemical Bank allows our team to greatly expand the programming that we are doing and to have a specific focus on youth financial education. This has allowed us to develop enhanced programs such as in-depth 4-H treasurer training and money management SPIN clubs. We will be able to have a money management focus during 4-H Exploration Days 2018 through this support,” Rivetto said.

(A 4-H SPIN club is a combination of the concept of special interest groups with the 4-H club model. 4-H SPIN clubs focus on a specific topic – in this case money management – and take place within a specific length of time.)

“This partnership has also allowed us to gather substantial data by the development and implementation of follow-up evaluation processes to learn more about the impact of 4-H financial education work through our team’s direct work and through the impact of our 4-H volunteers,” Rivetto added.

Chemical Bank has been a strong supporter of Michigan 4-H since the mid-1980s, providing statewide support for 4-H and Kettunen Center as well as county 4-H support from local branches.

“In addition to providing youth with opportunities to develop skills like those presented in the Money Smart program, 4-H’s diverse programming and the learning opportunities provided in areas such as engineering, leadership development and community service are valuable skills that can help prepare youth for jobs not only in the financial industry but in a number of different areas as well,” Kerber said.

“The Michigan 4-H Foundation is an organization that is closely aligned with Chemical Bank’s ideals, and we wholeheartedly support 4-H’s focus on youth development. Chemical Bank supports organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where we live, work and play, and we believe in supporting organizations like 4-H who share the same values,” she added.

Since 2015, the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan has grown its commitment to 4-H by providing general support for statewide 4-H programs in addition to its annual sponsorship of the 4-H Renewable Energy Camp.

“We see those individuals who go through programs like 4-H – they are so much better prepared for life,” said Jim Zook, executive director of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM).

The 4-H Renewable Energy Camp is a week-long event at Michigan State University each summer where youth learn about solar, wind and bioenergy from experts in the field. Youth also visit renewable energy production sites.

“Young people that attend the 4-H Renewable Energy Camp are typically from non-rural areas. It is a great way to expose youth to agriculture and show the great careers in both renewable energy and agricultural fields,” Zook said.

Ninety-seven percent of 4-H Renewable Energy Camp participants surveyed reported that the camp prepared them to attend college, and 89 percent indicated that they were more likely to pursue a career in the renewable energy field as a result of attending.

“Better preparing young people for our working world is a way we can make our industry better. 4-H gives them practical experience and teaches our youth that if you work hard you will be rewarded for your work,” he added.

Prior to his role at CMPM, Zook served as a crop agent for MSU Extension and later as Tuscola County Extension director (CED). He was born and raised on his family’s farm in central Illinois and received a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. He worked in the farm supply business before to moving to Michigan in 1999. He helped facilitate discussions for Michigan Corn Processors that eventually led to the state’s first ethanol facility, in Caro, and then helped co-found and manage the ethanol facility in Woodbury.

“As a former CED myself, I know the impact 4-H has as a whole,” Zook said. “There are so many great 4-H programs throughout the state. We give to the foundation to allow it to meet the needs of 4-H as they arise. Youth learn life skills, common sense, problem solving, working with others – all skills which are critical to surviving. 4-H accomplishes all of that.

“We are helping build the foundation we so desperately need when it comes to future policymakers and businesses. We look to 4-H and youth programs to help build future leaders today,” Zook said. “It’s a two-way street – we know if we help give to youth today, they will strive to be better tomorrow.”

The Corn Marketing Program works to grow the corn industry in Michigan through foreign and domestic market development, promotion, education and research that stimulates the demand for corn.

“We look for new markets, educate policymakers and help our farmers be more profitable. Our mission is also about empowering tomorrow’s growers and helping them pave the way for the future.”

For every bushel of corn grown in Michigan and sold, one penny comes to the CMPM to be used for research, education, market development and promotion. The CMPM was enacted in March 1993 after farmers across the state petitioned the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to develop a check-off program for commodities grown and sold in Michigan. Every five years the program is voted on by the state’s corn farmers. The MDA director has oversight over the program, and nine farmer members are appointed by the governor for three-year terms on the CMPM Board of Directors.

From Vantage, Fall 2015

Family Farm and Home partnered with Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation to host a statewide in-store fundraiser to benefit 4-H programming in each of the communities where Family Farm and Home stores are located.

“We appreciate Family Farm and Home’s support of 4-H programs and look forward to continuing to partner on this effort,” said Julie Chapin, state 4-H leader and director of Michigan State University Extension children and youth programs.

From Aug. 29 through Sept. 7, the 32 Family Farm and Home stores in Michigan collectively raised over $6,000 for Michigan 4-H. During this period, Family Farm and Home cashiers asked customers to donate $1 to Michigan 4-H. In return, customers received a coupon and information about 4-H. The funds raised will support 4-H youth development activities in the county where each store resides.

“Our 4-H donation campaign is a great opportunity for both Family Farm and Home and the communities we do business in to support our local 4-H programs,” said Tim Fansler, Family Farm and Home co-president and chief merchandising officer. “We’re proud to be able to give back to an organization that fosters learning and growth in our community’s youth, and we appreciate our relationship with the Michigan 4-H.”

 

County 4-H endowments near campaign goals in Clinton and Ionia counties

Since 2015, Homeworks Tri-County Electric Cooperative has partnered with Michigan 4-H as both a sponsor and host site for the 4-H Renewable Energy Camp. During this five-day camp, youth explore ideas, research and opportunities in the energy field as it relates to natural resources and agriculture. Homeworks has also been a longtime 4-H supporter at the local level.

This year, Homeworks provided $5,000 each to the Clinton and Ionia county 4-H endowment funds.

“HomeWorks has a large membership (consumer base) in Clinton and Ionia counties, and supporting 4-H in these counties supports our members that are involved in agriculture and their children that seek careers in agriculture,” said Mark Kappler, president and CEO of Homeworks.

A not-for-profit based in Portland, Michigan, Homeworks is a membership-owned utility serving 26,000 locations in 13 mid-Michigan counties with electricity, propane and internet.

“Roughly 60 percent of our electric sales are agriculturally based – crop farms, dairies, poultry, swine, food processing, etc.,” he said. “We believe that our rural youth are the future to Michigan’s agriculture and the safety of our food supply.”

The 4-H endowment funds in Clinton and Ionia counties will provide a perpetual source of funding for local 4-H programs for generations to come. Annual interest earnings from the county endowment funds can provide annual support for 4-H program delivery, including scholarships for 4-H youth for out-of-county learning experiences and participation fees, or development of new programs and learning materials, or any future areas of great need to advance the county 4-H program.

Eleven counties, including Clinton and Ionia, continue to fundraise toward their local goals for the 4-H county endowment match campaign. Clinton and Ionia counties are both in need of approximately $5,000 to meet their $50,000 goals. Gifts are welcome at any time to continue to grow any county 4-H endowment fund.

The $10,000 endowment minimum was met by all 31 counties participating in the county 4-H endowment campaign. Twenty of the participating counties have met or exceeded their local campaign goals, including nine counties that raised $50,000 or more in local gifts. Learn more about the county 4-H endowment campaign.

JOANN Fabrics and National 4-H Council have teamed up to empower the next generation of makers by connecting more Michigan young people to experiences where they can learn by doing, creating and making. By providing local 4-H clubs with resources and tools to run impactful programs, JOANN will bring the 4-H experience to more kids in need.

“Studies show many students lose their natural love of learning between kindergarten and their senior year of high school,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “4-H programming allows students to participate in projects where they can design, create and make for themselves. These hands-on experiences are proven to rekindle a love of learning, strengthen creativity and imaginative thinking, and improve motor skills, coordination and self-esteem. Our partnership with JOANN will allow us to expand those experiences and help more students across the nation continue to learn and grow.”

This new partnership included several components: an in-store service activity, a paper clover campaign, an everyday 4-H reward card discount and a style review contest.

In-store service activity
To kick-off the new partnership, JOANN hosted in-store events nationwide on Feb. 3 where local 4-H’ers made custom Valentine’s Day cards to deliver to local charities or organizations. JOANN stores provided the supplies and space to create the cards to brighten someone’s day. A number of in-store events were held in Michigan, including at the Grand Rapids JOANN store. The cards were donated to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.

JOANN Paper Clover
The JOANN Paper Clover campaign took place Feb. 1 to Mar. 31 across JOANN’s nearly 900 locations nationwide, including the 43 stores in Michigan. 4-H supporters were able to share their hearts and show their support of 4-H by purchasing $1 and $4 Paper Clovers at checkout to equip Michigan 4-H with resources to reach more kids in need.

Michigan ranked third in the nation raising a total of $22,795 to support Michigan 4-H programs. Each Paper Clover included instructions for a special Valentine’s Day craft idea for customers to create and share with someone special. With the $4 Paper Clover, customers also received a coupon for $4 off their next purchase.

4-H Reward Card
As part of the 4-H and JOANN partnership, current and lifetime 4-H members, parents of members, volunteers and 4-H staff can save 15 percent off total in-store and online purchases every day with 4-H Rewards. JOANN will give a minimum of 2.5 percent of every eligible transaction to 4-H.

Style Review Contest
Additionally, 4-H members aged 15 to 19 participated in an online style review contest in February in which 4-H’ers submitted their clothing construction projects. Rhea Chiawa, of Hill County, Georgia, was selected as the winner and will be touring the JOANN Fabric and Crafts Stores headquarters and attending the Kent State Fashion Show April 27-29.

“We know every child is unique, and we all think, learn and grow differently,” said Jill Soltau, president and CEO of JOANN. “We’re glad to be partnering with 4-H to give more young people the opportunity to learn by using their hearts, hands and minds. The programming 4-H provides offers invaluable skills that members can use throughout their lives, and we are committed to helping future generations embrace creativity and learning.”

JOANN stores to offer Valentine’s version of the Paper Clover to support Michigan 4-H

Michigan 4-H and JOANN Fabrics stores want to see more Michigan kids learning by doing, creating and making. Thousands of local 4-H members, staff, volunteers and supporters will join with JOANN customers to ensure more kids get that chance through a new Paper Clover campaign to bring hands-on 4-H programs to Michigan.

The Paper Clover campaign will take place in 865 JOANN Fabrics stores nationwide, including the 43 stores in Michigan. Now extended through March 31, 2018 supporters will have a chance to share their hearts and show their love for 4-H by purchasing $1 and $4 Paper Clovers to equip Michigan 4-H with resources to reach more kids in need.

Proceeds from the Paper Clover campaign will support Michigan 4-H programs. Each Paper Clover will include instructions for a special Valentine’s Day craft idea that customers can create to share with someone special. With the $4 Paper Clover, customers will also receive a coupon for $4 off their next purchase.

In-store event

On Feb. 3, local 4-H’ers will also partner with their local JOANN stores to hand-make and deliver custom Valentine’s Day cards to local charities or organizations.

Studies show that many students lose their natural love of learning somewhere between kindergarten and their senior year of high school. When more Michigan youth have access to local 4-H programming, they will participate in hands-on projects where they can design, create and make for themselves. These experiences are proven to rekindle a love of learning and produce a variety of benefits – from strengthening their creativity and imaginative thinking to improving their motor skills, coordination and self-esteem.

Save 15% with JOANN 4‑H Rewards

Additionally, current and lifetime 4‑H members, parents of members, volunteers and 4‑H staff can save 15% off total in-store and online purchases every day with 4‑H Rewards. JOANN will give a minimum of 2.5% of every eligible transaction to 4‑H. Learn more at www.4-h.org/JOANN.

To learn more about the national partnership, visit www.4-h.org/JOANN.