Olmsted County 4-H News
May 2023
4-H Office News
Our office is still understaffed as we wait for a full-time individual to join our team. In the meantime, please schedule in advance with Mika if you would like to connect at the office as she is only in certain days throughout the week. As always, please reach out to Christine (mnext-olmsted@umn.edu) or Mika (mill7335@umn.edu) with any questions.
Fall Festival Committee Meeting
Our next committee meeting is scheduled for May 8 at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Please reach out to Mika if you are interested in joining our Fall Festival Committee - all clubs need to have representation on our Fall Festival Committee (ideally a youth and an adult). Join Zoom Meeting We still need reps from Interstate Hi-Flyers and Rock Dell 4-H clubs.
For 4-H Seniors
You're invited to apply for the Olmsted County 4-H Alumni Association Scholarship! Return your application to the Extension Office by June 15. You can find a complete list of 4-H scholarships on the Extension website.
4-H Seniors Foresight Bank Gift - don't forget the check your email for a graduation gift form. Foresight Bank is awarding all 4-H seniors a $100 gift if you mail in the form that was emailed to you.
4-H at the Olmsted County Fair
Information
The 2023 Olmsted County Premium Book was mailed to 4-H families back in March! The premium book includes all the details for the livestock and static projects your family can bring to the fair. Use it as your guide to sign up for projects in the FairEntry website, where you will register for all projects and animal classes between May 16 and June 15. (We will send an email when registration is available.) If you haven't received a copy, please contact the office.
For families exhibiting livestock - don't forget to stop by the office to pickup ear tags and have them IDed in 4HOnline by the May 15 deadline! For questions on ID requirements, Visit the Minnesota 4-H Animal ID webpage.
Club Volunteer Shifts at the Fair
A great county fair experience requires lots of volunteers in a variety of roles. Clubs should fill 2 static judging day, 1 set-up, 1 takedown, and 1 security spot. We ask that spots are filled with 1 youth and adult or one youth grades 9+. To thank you for fulfilling your club's commitment (all volunteer roles filled), your club will receive $200. We know it's early, but the sign-up is now live for anyone wanting to stay on top of their schedule! z.umn.edu/OlmstedFairVolunteer
County Fair Drop-in Help Nights
We're offering 2 drop-in help nights at the office before the May 15 (animal ID) and June 15 (FairEntry registration) deadlines. This is a great opportunity to get assistance with registration or make sure yours is complete!
Youth Programs
Day Camps in Olmsted County (Grades K-5)
Registration is now open in 4HOnline!
Who: Youth in grades K-2 are invited to participate and grade 3-5 campers will get to experience being junior camp counselors! While participating in many of the same activities, the junior camp counselors will be introduced to leadership skills as they support younger youth.
What: Campers will enjoy a variety of theme-related activities including science, art, recreation, snacks, and more! All June/July camps will include the start (or completion) of a project that can exhibited at the Olmsted County Fair!
Where/When: All Camps run 9 am-3:30 pm with an extended day option.
Walk on the Wild Side - Exploring Animals - June 28 (registration for grades 3-5 is full)
Chef for a Day - July 5 (registration for grades 3-5 is full)
Detective for a Day - August 9
Outdoor Adventures - August 16 (registration for grades 3-5 is full)
All Are Welcome! Looking to share these camps with friends? Send them to: z.umn.edu/OlmstedDayCamp
Be a Day Camp Counselor!
Do our Day Camps sound fun? Are you in Grades 6+ and interested in taking on a leadership role? Join us as a day camp counselor! Counselors assist with activities and sometimes lead parts of Day Camps alongside our intern. You can apply to be a counselor through the 4HOnline Olmsted County Day Camp Counselor Experience event.
Regional 4-H Camp at Whitewater State Park
Who: Grades 3-8
What: Youth will spend three days and two nights enjoying swimming, hiking, nature activities, games, art, music, crafts, educational programs, great food, cabin life, reflective campfires and more!
Where: Whitewater State Park
When: June 22-24 (Grades 6-8) and June 25-27 (Grades 3-5)
Registration is open in 4HOnline until June 2! For full details, visit the Extension website.
*Thanks to countywide fundraisers, youth are eligible to be reimbursed for half the program fee by Olmsted County 4-H. To apply, complete the reimbursement form: z.umn.edu/OlmstedReimbursement
As mentioned above, Olmsted County 4-H youth can request to be reimbursed for half the program fee by filling out the reimbursement request form.
Shooting Sports & Wildlife
- Archery: 4-H'ers must have completed grades 3+, practices are at the Goodhue County Fairgrounds on June 6, 8, 13, 15, and 20, July 19, and August 1 and 22, registration for archery is currently full, but if you'd like to be put on a waiting list, let Christine know.
- Shotgun/Trap Shooting: 4-H'ers must have completed grades 7+, practices are at the Pine Island White Pines Sportsman's Club on May 18 and 25, June 22, July 20, and August 3 and 17, register by May 16
State Arts-In
Youth in grades 9+ can register for State Arts-In. Registrants will rank their choices of "majors" to participate in: band, tech, costuming, and performing. Directors will make final selections of major choices. Those who register by June 30 will receive a $50 discount. Registration and program details (including online info sessions for youth and families) can be found at z.umn.edu/statearts-in.
New Haven Sodbusters Club
Project Legacy
New Haven Sodbusters Club
Animal Science Meetings & Information
Horse Project
Did you know that we have a Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project facebook page? Follow us for reminders on upcoming Horse Project Events!
- Next Meeting - Our next meeting will be May 21 at 4 pm. Agenda Topics will include: upcoming summer horse opportunities, fair award sponsorships, and more!
- Fun Show - The Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project is holding a fun show on July 9! Find more information, including a show bill, on our website.
Beef Project
Join the Beef Project Development Committee to plan for the 2023 4-H year! Next meeting - Sunday May 16 at 6 pm at the Fair Board Office (1402 Fairgrounds Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904)
Rabbit Tattoo Clinic and Showmanship Practice
Join the Olmsted County 4-H Rabbit Project on May 9th at 5 pm at Aune Hall! This will be an informational session to learn more about the rabbit project, tattooing, and showmanship.
Dog Training Practice
Dog training practice will be held on May 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 6-8 pm at Building 40 at Graham Park. More information on Dog Training here.
Other Information
Information for Youth and Adult Club Leaders
To find a summary of recently shared Information for Youth and Adult Club Leaders, quick links, and club leader FAQs, visit our webpage article.
- Club Activities: In addition to resources shared last month, MN 4-H has published some fun, new activities in a variety of themes and themed agendas. You can check them out on the Youth Development curriculum Library webpage.
- Since December, the newsletter has been sent to only re-enrolled families! Make sure to remind your club to re-enroll if they haven't done so yet. The Olmsted County 4-H Newsletter is sent on the first of each month, so if someone didn't receive it, have them contact the office and we'll figure out why.
- Please ensure you have a representative on the Fall Festival Committee. If not, please know that it is the club leader's responsibility to be on email list for the event and communicate updates and expectations to the club.
Volunteer Training - Youth Aspirations
While many higher education preparatory programs focus on grades, test scores and financing, recent research in the field of youth development suggests that cultivating and fostering higher education aspirations may be a missing piece. Join Dr. Joanna Tzenis on Tuesday, May 2 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. to learn how you can sustain the college and university aspirations of young people while helping them identify and strategize around emergent challenges. This 75-minute training is open to Minnesota 4-H volunteers, potential volunteers and youth leaders.
Contact Information
Email: mnext-olmsted@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/olmsted
Location: 1421 3rd Avenue Southeast, Rochester, MN, USA
Phone: 507-328-6214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Olmsted4H