March
Family Newsletter - March 11, 2021
Remember you must be enrolled in 4-H to participate! There are links at the end of this newsletter with more information about enrollment. If you have any problems with registrations or printing forms or need more information on enrollment please contact our office at 430-6800 or email mnext-washington@umn.edu
Please pay your membership fees
Thank you for enrolling in Washington County 4-H, now let's get you active!
Some of you enrolled a long time ago while others may be just today. Either way, your current status says "awaiting approval". The reason it says that is because Washington County has a yearly enrollment fee of $25.00 per member (including Cloverbuds) or $100 max per family for 4 or more children. We ask that you please send payment to our office address listed below or make an appointment.
Checks should be made out to Washington County 4-H and sent to the following address:
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
**For those using online banking, please be sure to include Washington County 4-H as checks made out to just Washington County go directly to the property tax office**
We don't want anyone to miss out so please just let us know if you need a scholarship for enrollment. You will find the scholarship link at the end of this newsletter. If you are looking for additional information or are no longer interested in 4-H, please let us know so we can take you off our email list.
Washington County Extension has a new website!
New! Reading Buddies Seeking Youth Leaders - Tuesdays & Thursdays at 4 PM
Are you looking for a new leadership opportunity, without even leaving your house? 4-H is partnering with Washington County Libraries to provide reading buddies! Young readers will be paired with a 4-H mentor and staff facilitator for interactive reading practice over zoom. Each child will have a 15-minute time slot with their reading buddy, between 4-5:15 PM.
Lama Project Meeting - March 23
Those interested in learning more about showing and caring for llamas are invited to attend upcoming meetings on Tuesday, March 23, beginning at 7:00 pm at Hooley Hall on the Washington County Fairgrounds. Dan Whittaker will lead this meeting, if you have questions, you can contact Dan at; llamadan@aol.com If you have not signed up previously to attend these meetings, please let us know if you will be attending by completing the link below.
Dog Training Orientation - April 6
Dog training orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th at Hooley Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. All dog project members and a parent are expected to attend this orientation, even if you have participated in previous years. If you are unable to attend orientation, please register for training and the Dog project so we know who is interested.
Since dog training is just around the corner, it is also time to think about making sure your dogs’ shots are up to date and getting your health form signed by your veterinarian. You cannot start training without proper vaccinations and a completed Dog ID form.
We will have a dog training demonstration day on Tuesday, April 13th at Hooley Hall at 6:00 p.m. that we encourage you to attend as well to get more of a feel regarding what the classes actually are. The schedule will be explained more fully at orientation; TENTATIVELY agility and rally will be on Sunday evenings (starting April 18), with obedience and showmanship on Tuesday evenings (starting April 20). The training dates will be posted on the Washington County 4-H Dog website in April.
Contact Megan Slater with any questions at slate187@umn.edu.
Cooperative Care for Dogs Workshop - April 10
How does your dog react to nail trims? Does he let you brush his teeth without complaint? Can the groomer handle him with ease? Are vet visits enjoyable?
Husbandry is a term that covers all types of necessary physical care. Grooming and veterinary procedures fall into this category. In this seminar, we will begin teaching our dogs to cooperate with us for a variety of required behaviors. We will do a quick review of operant and classical conditioning training methods. The ultimate goal is to have dogs who are relaxed and calm for procedures that will benefit their health and well-being.
This class is appropriate for dogs of all ages and at all levels of training. If you want to bring your dog, you will need to have current 2021 Dog ID's on file.
Join us from 10:00 am to Noon on April 10th at The Greater Dog located at 1815 Greeley St. S., Stillwater, MN 55082. Pre-register by April 8th, the workshop is free!
The May Project Pursuit will be one event you will not want to miss! The Ambassadors have been planning this event to get participants excited for summer. Some of the fun will include: A gardening workshop, learning about animal science with LIVE animals, and exploring STEM with a guest speaker.
This event will be open for youth grades K-5th. Registration is $10 and due by April 23rd. After April 23rd, the price increases to $20. Don’t delay registering!
Mark your calendars - May 21, 2021
Friday, May 21 at the Washington County Fairgrounds Park Pavillion.
Once again, we have merged all our incredible performing arts groups into one night. The
audience will enjoy the talents of individuals or groups showcasing their abilities with singing, dancing, musical instruments, monologue, AS WELL as our Share the Fun skits and One Act Plays. We know there are many talented 4-Hers in our county so please help us make this an awesome event!
The Performing Arts winners will be invited to perform on-stage at the County Fair. Our top two Share the Fun acts will be invited to perform at the Minnesota State Fair! We want many One Act Plays and Share the Fun skits to fill out our evening of entertainment. Club leaders; please consider finding a talented adult to lead your members in a fun-filled play.
Also, keep in mind that participation in this festival can be submitted in your Performing Arts Project record and as part of your county fair exhibit. There is no fee to participate in or attend this event!! For more information contact Megan Slater - slate187@umn.edu or 651-430-6805.
Talent Show Guidelines
- Performances should be no longer than 5 minutes.
A “talent” includes singing, dancing, musical instruments, monologue, clowning, etc.
No piano is available at the fairgrounds but you may provide your own keyboard.
Open to all 4-H and Cloverbud members.
One form should be submitted per group or individual talent act.
Talent Awards
Each performer receives a participation ribbon.
First, second, and third place pins and certificates will be awarded.
Winners will be offered the opportunity of performing the same act at the Park Pavilion stage at the Washington County fair on the Sunday of the fair at 2 pm.
Share the Fun Guidelines
“Share the Fun” consists of skits performed by 4-H members and Cloverbuds. Most acts are created by the participants and can be anything from acting out fairy tales to song and dance routines, to whatever your creative mind can dream up! The guidelines are as follows:
Clubs may have one act for every 15 club members: 1-15 club members = one act, 16-30 club members = two acts, 31-45 club members = three acts, 46-60 club members = four acts.
A participant can perform in only one act but can assist off-stage with other acts.
The number of club participants in an act is not limited.
Different clubs may not combine to present one Share the Fun act.
Each performance may last up to six minutes, not including set-up and take-down time. Acts over 6 minutes are not eligible for the State Fair.
You are responsible for supplying your own keyboard if one is needed for your act.
Share the Fun Awards
Award of Distinction certificates will be presented to each Share the Fun act
Participation Ribbons will be given to all participants.
First, Second, and Third place winners will receive certificates.
The 1st and 2nd place acts have the opportunity to perform at the Minnesota State Fair during the general encampment. There is a cost for participating and staying at the State Fair.
One Act Play Guidelines
Plays should be no longer than 30 minutes.
Plays do not have to be a 4-H related theme.
Clubs can enter more than one play, and clubs may team up to present a play, but a 4-H member can be cast in only one play.
Every cast member must be a 4-H member in 3rd grade or older. No Cloverbuds.
Limited lighting and sound requests can be accommodated the evening of the event.
If there is only one OAP registered, the play will be presented as a performance and not for competition.
One Act Play Awards
Each performer receives a participation ribbon.
Each play will receive a club Recognition Award.
Certificates will be given to Outstanding Performers.
Don't wait, start entering your animal ID's now!
Due to the fact we are using a newer 4hOnline system, all previous animal IDs did not carry over meaning you will need to enter all your animal information for this year. Some dairy and rabbit was entered by staff due to the volume of ID's for those species. If there are animals already entered for your family, please check that all information is correct, you should be able to edit before the deadline of May 17th.
Before the weather gets any nicer it might be a good time to get your beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, llama, meat goat, poultry (pigeons/doves), rabbit, sheep, swine ID's entered. You must be enrolled in 4-H to do this. Please be sure to include photographs of your horse, dog and llama. A current Coggins for horse can be added by the family before May 17th (because May 15 falls on a Saturday). After that date, a current Coggins must be emailed to the office staff to upload. Same for registration papers on cattle.
All animals except pets for pet show and poultry (excluding pigeons/doves) need to have an ID in 4hOnline. Directions for families can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1trACACuPmaqfkxOz8krTbe8R7-hWg8wsLbc7mzaxO4w/edit
Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training (Please read-mandatory training!)
LQA&E Training Requirements:
All youth participating as a State Fair 4-H livestock exhibitor in beef, dairy, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, meat goat, dairy goat, and llama must have completed livestock quality assurance training. Certification is good for 3 fair seasons. If you are due to be certified, there are two training options available;
Option 1 - LQA&E face to face Training
Participation in a face-to-face 3-hour Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics (LQA&E) training offered in various locations around the state. This certification is valid for three fair seasons. 4-Hers completing grades 3-5 complete Level 1. 4-Hers completing grades 9-13 typically certify in Level 2. 4-Hers completing grades 6-8 may be certified in either Level I or Level II. The determination of which Level to certify at for grades 6-8 should be based on the livestock project experience the 4-Her possesses.
Washington and Dakota County 4-H plan to offer a ‘face to face’ 3-hour training on Friday, June 18 at the U of M Rosemount Beef Facility. (Please watch for updates in the newsletter as time gets closer for more details).
If you are not available to attend training offered by our county, you can attend another county's training. It will be your responsibility to send our office a copy of your completed certificate prior to the Washington County Fair. For additional face to face training dates and locations around the state, visit the state website page at; https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-events/4-h-livestock-quality-assurance-training-lqa
Option 2 - YQCA on-line Training
4-H members have the option of completing the 1-hour online offered via distance learning. This certification is valid for one fair season. The cost of this training is $12/child and is paid at the time of online registration with a credit card. Since training is good for one fair season, it will need to be completed annually. This is a nationally offered program and a registration fee is utilized to upkeep the system and update the training modules. To learn more about the online option, go to; https://drive.google.com/file/d/1baiyUOgWMIC2QKvdT3I7auCB5fCJjmD0/view
Training promotes responsible care of animals, making informed decisions in animal care, and providing safe consumer food products. Youth will receive a certificate of completion. Additional information concerning any Livestock Quality Assurance training in our county will be listed in upcoming 4-H newsletters.
If a 4-H member took the online training in 2020, it will be good for the 2021 fair season as well since there was not an in-person state fair last year.
Livestock in a Box Series
Minnesota 4-H is excited to offer a collection of monthly learning kits mailed directly to youth who are interested in exploring animal science! The Minnesota 4-H Livestock in a Box series will explore four livestock species: goats, rabbits, poultry and dairy.
- March: Goats
- April: Rabbits
- May: Poultry
- June: Dairy
Each box comes complete with four-five learning activities designed especially for the featured animal. All of the supplies needed for the activities are included in the box along with an extra item or two that connects to the featured species.
150th County Fair Planning Update
The Ag Society is hard at work and planning continues for the 150th anniversary. Committee members are looking for your favorite fair memory. Send your favorite memory to the Secretary at washingtoncofair@gmail.com
To recognize the contributions of the animal exhibitors, the committee is also asking for photos of you with your animal(s) for a special pictorial display in each barn. Ask your friends, your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles for their photos too! We would like to feature as many exhibitors as possible. Please forward a copy of your photo(s) or digital photo(s) to the Secretary at washingtoncofair@gmail.com or 19237 Meadowridge Ln N, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047. Include the name of the exhibitor and the year the photo was taken (or approximate year). Only send copies of photos, originals will not be returned.
Horse
- Horse Project Day - TBD
- Horse Camp - June 13-16, 2021 - Washington County Fairgrounds (Registration will be emailed to those currently enrolled in 4-H and the Horse project)
- County Horse Show - TBD - Washington County Fairgrounds
New Family Open House
- May 21, 2021 - Washington County Fairgrounds from 5:30-7:00 pm. Come and learn what 4-H has to offer. Ask staff questions, tour the fairgrounds and take in the Performing Arts Festival.
Performing Arts
- May 21, 2021 - Performing Arts Festival - Includes: Talent Show, One Act Play and Share the Fun skits. Registrations in this newsletter.
- Arts-In Auditions - Sunday, July 11, 2021 (4:00-10:00 p.m.)
- Arts-In Encampment - July 18-21, 2021 - Washington County Fairgrounds
Shooting Sports Update
Washington County Fair & County Show Dates
- General/Static (Non-animal) 4-H Project Judging at Co. Fair - Aug 3, 2021 (1-6 p.m.)
- Washington County Fair - Aug. 4 - Aug. 8, 2021
Are you enrolled in 4-H yet? Are you an active member?
You must be enrolled to participate. County fees remain at $25.00 per member/$100 max per family. Checks may be made out and sent to Washington County 4-H. 14949 62nd Street N., Stillwater, MN 55082
Washington County 4-H
Ann Church
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6809
churc109@umn.edu
Megan Slater
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6805
slate187@umn.edu
Annamarie Zack
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6807
Kathy Erf
Principal Office & Administrative Specialist
(651) 430-6800
eber0002@umn.edu
Email: mnext-washington@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/washington
Location: 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN, USA
Phone: 651-430-6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonCounty4HMinnesota/?eid=ARD3CbY40ZXk23UD59FlaMaXZPKXCGDBzsQS7-RO0gKl7wFyNEUm8dWZoBgNFIOlA6YV2fuq5GLnRX-s