Email: mnext-isanti@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/isanti
Location: 555 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 763-689-1810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isanticounty4h
Twitter: @IsantiCounty4H

Take a look at this week's volunteer spotlight on Krisanne Wessel!

We are very pleased to announce that Cora Rost will be working with Isanti County 4-H during the remainder of J.C. Johnson’s leave, through February 24.

Get to know Cora by reading this great introduction:

Hi, I’m Cora Rost, the new Interim 4-H Extension Educator for Isanti County. I am working with youth development programs throughout Isanti County.

I love gardening and all things plant science. My career path into informal education started with my degree in Plant Science from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN, where I loved working in the greenhouses and running experiments on plants in the fields. I worked with a variety of flowering plants such as Chrysanthemums, Gladiolus and Flax, but my research focused on Pyrethrum, a daisy-like plant that is used to make insecticides. I am also an avid houseplant collector.

I currently live in White Bear Lake with my cats Milo and Iris. I enjoy crocheting hats to donate to local charities, snowshoeing, and in the summer I like to kayak.

I was actively involved in 4-H when I was growing up. My main project areas were photography, horse, and plant science. And I am currently a member of the MN 4-H Photography Project Development Committee. We are working to improve the photography project by creating slideshows, videos, and fun photo challenges for youth.

I look forward to becoming more involved in 4-H programs and offering fun experiences and hands-on learning opportunities for 4-H youth and their families.

Mark your calendars! B-BOP and LQA&E are scheduled for February 17-18, 2023. Both events are in partnership with Chisago County 4-H. Registration will open on January 16th via 4-H Online.

B-BOP is our livestock learning overnight for youth in grades 3-6. You can learn more by viewing our flyer.

Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics (LQA&E) is a required training for all youth 6th grade and up who would like to take an animal to the State Fair or NE Livestock Show.

The Swine Project has voted to allow youth to show seven pigs each, allowing youth to show one pig in each class. Previously, youth were only allowed to show five pigs.

Thank you for taking part in 4-H. Your input is greatly appreciated in shaping the future of the NE Livestock Show. We want to learn more about your experience and listen to your ideas to help us make 4-H better. Please share your opinions through the NE Livestock Show survey found here: https://z.umn.edu/NELivestockFeedback

Additionally, the show managers are looking for youth and adult volunteers to serve as NE Livestock Show committee members. Applications are due December 20 and the first meeting will be held via Zoom on January 3, 2023, at 6:00 pm. For more information and to apply, please visit here: https://z.umn.edu/NELivestockShowCommittee

Register for BLU and TEEL leadership workshops! Registration is now open for youth leadership workshops BLU (for youth in grades 6 - 9) and TEEL (for youth in grades 10+). Both workshops will take place in February and this year's theme is "Seasons of Growth."

Learn more and register.

Check out info on the 2023 4-H Regional and State Project Bowls today! Coaches and 4-H'ers (grades 3+) interested in learning more about the 4-H Project Bowl program should check our website for dates, locations, rules, references and more. Get ready to learn more about your dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama/alpaca, poultry and rabbit projects! New this year at the State Bowl - plant science, with a focus on crops!

Learn more and register.

Are you looking for work experience in the youth development field? Apply now for county and regional-based 4-H summer intern positions throughout the state of Minnesota. Each internship will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about University of Minnesota Extension and explore job opportunities in 4-H Youth Development.

Learn more and apply.

Youth in grades 3 and up are invited to join 4-H Animal Discovery, an exploratory learning series highlighting two animal species: dog and poultry. In this five-session virtual series, youth can expect fun, interactive lessons, at-home challenges and group reflection supported by 4-H members, volunteers and staff.

This virtual series will kick off on Feb. 6 and will continue every other week on Mondays from 7-8 p.m. through April 3. Live sessions will be followed by at-home learning activities that are easy and fun to complete.

Registration is due Feb. 1. Learn more and register at z.umn.edu/4HAnimalDiscovery2023.

Join us on Jan. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m. for a PDC kickoff webinar to get your animal science committees off to a great start.

Members of the state animal science team will cover the basics of a PDC, its purpose, policies and rules, finances, and ideas for educational experiences.

Gather your committees or promote viewing from home by registering on the website to obtain the link to join.

Learn more and register.

As these last couple weeks have highlighted, the weather in Minnesota can be difficult to navigate.

Isanti County 4-H Events will be evaluated for weather related cancellations during severe winter conditions, including low temperatures, snow, ice, and visibility. Typically we align with school cancellations.

Whenever possible we will make cancellation decisions at least 2 hours prior to any event. Event cancellations will be communicated to all registered participants via email and posted on the Facebook page.

Do you have a special interest or skill to share? Have an idea for a workshop or a connection for a workshop that you feel the 4-H’ers would enjoy? Let us know!!! 4-H staff are looking for volunteers to help lead new workshops this upcoming 4-H year. If you are interested in leading a workshop or have a suggestion for a great new idea please contact Cora.

Some specific classes looking for instructors include;

• Cake decorating
• Canning/food preservation
• Fishing Sports- fishing lure making
• Graphic Design
• Cultural Cooking
• Shop/ Wood Science
• Photography
• Drama/ Theatre/ Performing Arts
• Career Exploration
• Arts
• Demonstrations
• Opportunities are endless, we would love to hear your ideas!!!

4-H is an out-of-school, hands-on learning program for people age 5-19. Youth choose a project that’s interesting to them and explore it with peers and caring adults. 4-H clubs are groups of youth who want to learn together and meet in every part of Minnesota.

Email: mnext-isanti@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/isanti
Location: 555 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 763-689-1810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isanticounty4h
Twitter: @IsantiCounty4H

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