MURRAY COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Fundraiser
Forms Due to Club Leaders by February 16!!
Club leaders, let the office know if you need any assistance....
Thank you all for participating in the fundraiser! Your efforts go a long way towards improving our program through educational opportunities, field trips, state fair trips, and summer camps!
Livestock ID Tags Available
Market Beef and Dairy Steer Deadline is February 15!
Tags are now available at the Extension office if you plan on exhibiting Market Beef or Dairy Steers at the Murray County Fair!
Please remember, you need to register your tag information in 4-H Online!
Scholarship Opportunity!
Attention High School Seniors and Freshman College Students!
The family of Andrea Ruesch established a 4-H scholarship in memory of her dedication and contributions to the Minnesota 4-H program. Based on the family's belief in positive youth development, the focus of this scholarship is on demonstrated learning through hands-on experience and using what you have learned to help others (youth leadership).
This is a one-time $1,000 scholarship and at least four scholarships will be awarded annually.
For 4-H members who are high school seniors or first-year college students. They must currently be enrolled in one of the counties listed: Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock and Watonwan.
The application must be submitted by March 1.
Learn more or apply here!
See FULL listing of available scholarships here.
We need your help!
Community Night Ideas:
We are looking to host another community night event before spring gets done. One of our ideas was to host an event revolving around ethnic foods and their origins. We are looking to YOU for feedback on whether or not you think this would be an event you would attend. We are also open to different ideas that you may have! Check out the poll below....
What would you like to see as our next community night event
Internship Opportunity
Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems Intern
There is an ANR internship open for Murray/ Pipestone County. Learn about the exciting world of agriculture, horticulture and natural sciences by joining the ANR Summer Internship Program! This opportunity allows college students to gain first-hand experience doing work that matters. If you are interested, please apply here.
Re-enrollment
Please complete your re-enrollment for the 2023-2024 year, visit 4-Honline to complete this task. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Extension staff!
Activity ideas for your Club!
Need activity ideas for your 4-H club? Check out our Youth Development Curriculum Library for fun, educational lesson and activity resources designed for youth workers, 4-H volunteers, and youth themselves! 86 resources and counting! More content is added every month. Current categories: Animals and livestock, civic engagement and leadership, Cloverbuds (K-2), environment and earth science, expressive arts and communication, family and consumer science, gardening and agriculture, healthy living, icebreakers, games, and reflection activities, including youth of all abilities, independent learning, outdoor adventures, STEM, and themed 4-H club agenda samples. If you have specific content you’d like to see, contact Jessica Russo at pier0239@umn.edu.
Mark your Calendars!
Murray County 4-H 2023-2024 Schedule of Events
Please take a moment to download or print the 2023 - 2024 Murray County 4-H calendar.
Save the Date!
Important Upcoming Dates:
February 15, 2024 - Market Beef and Dairy Steers ID due
February 16, 2024 - Fundraisers due to club leaders
March 9, 2024 - Fundraiser delivery date
Helping Hands Award Application is OPEN!
Available December 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024
4-H club and group projects can focus on STEM, agriscience, healthy living, outdoor adventures, equity, leadership, global connection, social inclusion, the arts, creative writing, and photography. Funds can also be used for skill building, for example, a group training on building inclusiveness skills that can be applied to making club activities more inclusive.
What if your idea doesn't fit within any of these categories? Please still submit it!
Ambassador Updates
Attention Ambassador Team:
There will not be a meeting the first weekend in March. Ambassadors will be helping host the Cloverbud PJ party March 22nd from 6 - 8 pm. This year's theme will be Superhero's! Ambassadors should plan on being at the 4-H building at 5:30 March 22 if they are able to help.
April 7th will be the Ambassador Outing to Sioux Falls for Team Building and Celebrating all the work the ambassador team completed this year. More details to follow.
4-H After School Adventures
There is still time to sign up for the remaining sessions!
Calling all youth grades K - 6. After School Adventures will be starting in October and meeting once a month in both Fulda and Slayton. We will meet the first week of October and then the second Tuesday (Fulda) and the second Thursday (MCC) from after school until 5pm. $5 per session or $30 for all seven. Sign up at here and search under events. Can't wait to see you all!
Tasty Tuesdays: Bountiful Breads
Virtual Sessions!
Come toss around some flour with us as we create a variety of breads that you can enjoy on their own or partner up with pastas, chilis, and soups, including Minnesota's famous wild rice soup! You might find a dessert bread to add as a treat! We'll learn about the mysterious chemical reactions that are part of making these bountiful breads. This series will bring lots of hands-on learning, and you won't be able to keep your hands off the dough!
Sessions will be held virtually from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Feb. 13, 27; March 5, 12, 19; April 2, 16.
Learn more and register here.
Rockets Away!
Aerospace Series
Join us on Earth Day from your launching pads at home for the first session in our series as we discover rocket science! Learn how rockets are designed and how they lift into space. May the Force Be with You as we come together dressed up as our favorite Star Wars characters and blast off!
Who: Youth in grades 3 -8
Launching Dates: April 22 and 29 we will Zoom and learn.
On May 4th we will gather at a galaxy near you!
Time for this date will be determined.
Time: 7 pm - 8 pm
Cost: Each participant will receive a kit with starter supplies for our virtual sessions. The cost per kit is $20 (check with your local Extension Office for scholarship opportunities)
Checks should be made to Lyon County 4-H, and mailed to 500 Fairgrounds Road, Marshall MN 56258
*Space is limited to 50 participants - sign up soon!
Register here: 2024 Rockets Away! - Google Forms
Deadline to register is April 15. For more information contact Brian McNeill, Regional Extension Educator at mcnei006@umn.edu, Sam Jens, Lyon County 4-H Extension Educator at jens0593@umn.edu, or Suzanne Souza, Big Stone County 4-H Local Extension Educator at souza004@umn.edu.
Southwest Regional Photography Workshop
Zoom in on your camera skills with youth across the southwest region! Youth in grades K-13 will learn from experts and participate in a photo challenge. Register in 4-H Online by April 22: https://2024sw-photography.4honline.com.
Archery Tournament
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Hello Southwest Folks! Stevens County 4-H is super EXCITED to share that we are hosting our first Stevens County 4-H Archery Invitational open to all in our SW Region! Mark your calendars for March 2! There will also be an opportunity to test your knowledge with a wildlife skillathon! Funds raised through this event will go towards helping us fund our own shooting sports trailer. Deadline to register is February 26. This event can count for archery and wildlife hours for those interested in competing at the state shoot this fall!
When: March 2, 2024
*Registration begins at 9am, competition begins at 10 am
*Youth are able to select what time works best for them to compete (there are 4 sessions total)
Where: Morris Area High School
Who: Youth in grades 4th-13th grade
Cost: $20
Find more details and register here: https://extension.umn.edu/event/stevens-county-4-h-archery-invitational
Livestock in a Box series
Can still sign up for the remaining sessions!
The animal science team is excited to roll out the second collection of learning kits for youth who are new to 4-H animal projects. The Minnesota 4-H Livestock in a Box series will explore four livestock species: pets (dog and cat), beef, sheep and swine.
Each box will introduce youth to breed identification, nutrition, health, care, and careers associated with each animal. Lessons and activities will be designed for youth in grades 4-7 to explore without (much) adult assistance and will focus on hands-on learning. Each box will include all supplies necessary for the lesson activities.
Beginning in early November, we'll begin marketing this learning series directly to Minnesota families. Boxes will be $25 each, which includes shipping directly to homes. Families may select individual boxes or order the entire series. Supplies are limited, so we encourage families to order the boxes they want as soon as possible. Livestock in a Box can be ordered just as if you were signing up for an event in 4-H online.
Ordered boxes will be prepared and delivered to families according to the following schedule:
- December: Pet [dog & cat]
- January: Beef
- February: Sheep
- March: Swine
Nominate a Sophomore for a National Leadership Development Program!
Deadline is March 1!
Minnesota 4-H is excited to have been selected to pilot the Roth Leadership Development Program. We need your help to identify our five Minnesota participants! The program is a 2-year commitment open only to current high school sophomores. Youth will engage with others across the nation to develop a better understanding of entrepreneurial leadership skills such as verbal and written communication, creative thinking, conflict resolution, and financial management. They will work towards a final project that applies their learning through a community-impact project.
Selected youth will participate in approximately five hours/month of activities virtually and will attend two face-to-face gatherings - the first in Atlanta, Georgia, in May 2024; and the final as a program showcase in the fall of 2025. Youth who complete the program will receive a scholarship for post-secondary pursuits (minimum of $4000/youth, but may be larger), and will benefit from a network of contacts built through the program.
Beef Quality Assurance
See upcoming workshops!
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program provides those who work with beef cattle the opportunity to learn more about best management practices, herd health and animal stewardship. The program's goal is to create a better-quality beef supply and increase consumer confidence.
Producers need to participate in only one training option to become BQA certified. Only one person from each operation is required to be certified to ensure the entire operation follows the BQA standards. However, everyone who handles and manages fed cattle is encouraged to become BQA certified. Certification is good for three years.
February 20, 2024 - BQA Online Training - Register Here
April 9, 2024 - BQA Online Training - Register Here
4-H Science Sprouts Winter Series
Registration is now OPEN!
Discover how gravity influences plant growth and observe roots in action! Join us for an exciting winter series of 4-H Science Sprouts. This opportunity is open to youth in grades 3+ who are interested in plants and science. Online sessions will take place January 22, February 26, and March 25 from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Throughout this series, we'll explore how gravity affects plant life and delve into the fascinating world of root growth. We'll cover agronomy and horticulture topics tailored to the season using STEM. While there's no cost for the program, we'll share a list of optional supplies for those who want to try hands-on experiments at home. We'll send the list out a week before each gathering. Let's explore the wonders of science together in this engaging winter series! Learn more and register.
4-H Youth in Action
The 4-H Youth in Action program amplifies the diverse stories and leadership of 4-H youth who are making a difference in their communities every day. It is a premiere community of 4-H’ers who are preparing for their future while showcasing how 4-H changed their lives and equipped them to change the lives of others.
Applicants must be:
- A current 4-H member or recent alumnus.
- At least 15 by April 1, 2024, and not have turned 20 before Jan. 1, 2024.
There will be an informational session for youth and families on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. Even if they cannot attend, they should still register to get a link to the recording.
We're offering an opportunity for youth to get feedback on their applications if they submit them here by March 11. They will receive feedback by March 18, and then have time to submit by April 1.
National 4-H Conference
The 2024 National 4-H Conference will be held April 19 - 24, 2024
The National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H civic engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world.
This year Lindsey Hause was selected as a Minnesota Representative and Sophia Gaul who attended last year was asked back as a Youth Team Leader. Encourage your 4-hers to reach out to Lindsey or Sophia to learn all about their experiences.
Find more information on the National 4-H Conference website.
Wildlife Wednesdays
Explore and Uncover the Fascinating Lives of Wildlife
Have you ever looked out your window and wondered about the animals that share the same environment as you do? How do they stay warm in the winter? Why do some of our winged friends fly south when the weather changes and some hang around? Discover the wonderful world of wildlife around you with Wildlife Wednesdays!
This series of wonder and wander will bring to youth conservation knowledge and the start of lifelong respect for the environment around us.
Sessions will be held virtually, 7 - 8 p.m., on Wednesdays from January 31 to April 24, except February 14.
Go here to register for this FREE event!
Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
Contact your local Extension staff on how to create a team!
WHEP is a hands-on environmental education program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to youth. It provides participants an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition in teams of 3 - 4 similarly aged individuals, led by a local 4-H volunteer coach.
4-H Green Superheros of Science is BACK!
The registration deadline is Thursday, March 7, or until spots are filled.
The 4-H Green Superheros of Science, a Cloverbud focused STEM learning series, is back this spring and there are new experiments that will spark curiosity and fun! This program is especially great for new Cloverbud members and families interested in 4-H. Registrations will fill up fast!
Youth in grades K-3 will engage in fun weekly science and engineering experiments that spark curiosity and discovery. Participants will receive a kit of supplies. Each week’s experiments include a lesson plan for children and caring adults to explore together. "How to" videos created by teens will guide youth and families in doing the activities at home before a weekly interactive live Zoom gathering led by teen superheros.
The 4-H Green Superheroes will "show and tell" what they explored, tested and discovered during live gatherings on:
- Tuesday, April 9 from 6:30 - 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 16, from 6:30 - 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 23 from 6:30 - 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 30 from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Cost: $20 - this includes a supply kit for the experiments
Participants can register via 4-HOnline under "events". Click on the event called "4-H Green Superheroes of Science". This link will help guide participants in registering via 4-H Online: z.umn.edu/4hEvent.
New Volunteers
Welcome Jamie!
Jamie Opdahl is our newest Murray County 4-H volunteer!
Jamie was previously active in 4-H and has decided to be a leader for the Badger Lake 4-H club with her husband Chris (Buck) Opdahl.
Thank you for your willingness to give back!
Kim Hause
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County
📍2848 BROADWAY AVE ☎️(507)-836-1144 ✉️hausek@umn.edu
SLAYTON, MN 56172
Mallory Vos
Administrative Assistant, Murray County Extension
📍2848 Broadway Ave ☎️ 507-836-6927 ✉ carl5049@umn.edu
Slayton, MN 56172
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