In addition to Dakota County 4-H college scholarships, Extension Development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities. Visit our website for detailed information on the applications, letters of recommendation needed, and amounts awarded. Applications are available and accepted online only. The online application does not auto-save—we suggest applicants prepare their responses in another document to copy/paste into the scholarship form when they have enough time to complete the process. Questions can be directed to mnextdev@umn.edu with "Attn: scholarships", or call 612-624-7971. Apply by April 1. Learn more.

Every year, we recognize a group of exceptional youth leaders that have contributed many hours of service to our program. The Key Award recognizes your contributions to your club and the community and encourages you to grow as an outstanding citizen. For young women, the award is a gold key mounted on an attractive necklace. For young men, the gold key is on a tie tack.

In order to apply for this award, you must meet the requirements that are detailed in the application. Applications are due to Dakota County Extension Office by April 1 to the Dakota County Extension Office in Farmington.

Learn how 3D printing works and how to make a 3D model you can print yourself! In this workshop we’ll introduce the concepts of 3D printing machines, preparing a 3D model for printing and designing a 3D model using friendly tools. There will be an opportunity to print your own design after the workshop and we’ll discuss opportunities to make prints at your local Public Library using their 3D printers.

When: Saturday, March 25; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. West in Farmington

Who: 4-H’ers grades 5 and up

Cost: Free!

Registration: Register in 4-H Online by March 22. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide at z.umn.edu/4hEvent.

If you have any questions, please contact Kris Vatter, kvatter@umn.edu.

Free! (Registration required)

9 - 11am

• April 22 - Location- Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington, Registration Deadline April 14

• May 20 - Location TBD, Registration Deadline May 12

Join the fun at the Cloverbud and Sprouts workshops! The University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Cloverbud (K-2) and Sprouts (3-5) Programs are designed specifically for youth in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. Participants must be enrolled in Kindergarten and at least 5 years of age as of September 1 of the current year to enroll as a Cloverbud. Dakota County 4-H members are welcome to bring non-4-H friends to workshops!

All participants must be enrolled in 4-H Online before attending, for liability purposes.

Questions can be directed to Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu.

We will be holding twice a month sessions throughout the winter and spring months. This program, led by youth leaders involved with the Horseless Horse and Horse projects, will allow youth to work with horses in a variety of ways while on the ground. Youth will be required to wear horse riding helmets when in proximity to the horses for in-person events (4-H does supply the helmets for youth to use during the practices if needed). Dress appropriately for the weather, the barn can be chilly. Each session will include an education piece and hands on activities with horses.

Youth need to enroll in 4-H Online prior to participating in HLH activities. Once enrolled in 4-H Online, sign-up to attend the bi-weekly sessions. Horseless Horse: Horseless Horse Meeting SignUp (signupgenius.com)

Waiver: Lucky U Stables waiver; please complete prior to attending.

What: Horseless Horse Project Meetings

Who: Youth 3rd grade and up

Where: Lucky U Stables, 11050 Manning Ave. South, Hastings

When: March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16, June 6, 20, July 18

Time: 7-8 p.m.

Registration: Horseless Horse program registration closes May 15. For assistance with registration, please refer to the 4-H Online event registration guide . If you are new to 4-H please select the ‘Virtual 4-H’ or ‘In Person Camp/Event’ club. In the projects field choose ‘horse and and horseless horse’ and any other project areas you have an interest in.

Cost: $25 per participant; checks payable to Dakota County 4-H, please mail or drop off to: Dakota County 4-H, 4100 220th Street West, Suite 101, Farmington, MN 55024 with 'HLH' noted in the memo line of your check.

Contact Kirsten at kapeders@umn.edu if you have questions or for more information.

Join the Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors for their final virtual trivia night on March 9. This is a great opportunity for youth grades 3 and up to learn more about plant science, and possibly even put their knowledge to the test in the new plant science project bowl which will be offered on April 15 in Foley. It's also a way to get youth excited about crop scouting opportunities this spring and summer. Trivia night will be from 7-7:30 p.m. on March 9. Learn more and register.

Get your food passports ready as we travel to a different country, learn about their culture and create some of their favorite meals or desserts! Our destination will be a mystery until you get your ingredient list. More details will be emailed upon registration. Tasty Tuesdays is held virtually on Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; March 14, 28, April 4, 11

Audience: Youth in grades K-13.

Cost: Free

Registration: Register through 4-H Online.

As Spring creeps in, the world becomes alive with new growth and life! Join us on March 13 at 7 p.m. as staff will lead you through activities to create your own nature journal and develop your observation skills! We will also be joined by Kristen Masel, Extension Librarian and trained in Forest Bathing. She will give a quick introduction to the practice and lead us through an observation activity. An email with supplies needed and instructions for the evening webinar will be sent to those registered.

Sign up to receive link to join. Registration required.

Coming in April - Join us as we hear the journey of Pam Wright, a professional wilderness guide in northern Minnesota and owner of Soka Outdoors, on her thru-hike of the Superior Hiking Trail! Final adventure speaker date: May 8.

Growing sunflowers is fun and beautiful; growing giant sunflowers is even better! Join this summer challenge to receive seeds and instructions on planting and growing your monster sunflower. Throughout the summer, you'll receive email updates about monster sunflowers at your county fair, or you can join us for our final contest in the fall. How tall do you think your sunflower will get? Take the challenge and let’s find out! This challenge is for all youth in kindergarten and up, and is free to all. Register by May 1 to receive sunflower seeds and a learning guide. Learn more and register.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers loans for individual young people to start and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection to their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization. Projects financed with an FSA youth loan need to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills. For more information on loan purposes and project requirements, visit the FSA website or contact your local FSA office.

The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that the 2023 YELLO leadership conference will beheld June 13-16 at Bemidji State University. Registration opens April 1. Dakota County 4-H will pay half the registration fee for 4-H members that work an additional food or malt stand shift at the Dakota County Fair.

Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors.