Jess will be joining the staff as an Interim Extension Educator until a permanent person has been hired. We’re happy to have her onboard!

Hello, My name is Jessica Beissel and I am the interim for the 4-H Youth Development position here in Dakota County. I grew up as a very active member of the Dakota County 4-H program and have always had a passion for it! I am married with three kids and I’ve led a 4-H Club in Dakota County for the last several years, which my family is a part of. We spend our time at 4-H events, cattle shows or on the ball fields!

I’m excited to become more involved in the 4-H programs and to offer fun experiences and learning opportunities for 4-H youth and their families. I can be reached at reed0324@umn.edu.

The position is currently posted here, with an anticipated start date sometime in May.

Interested in horses? Want to learn more about the 4-H Horse, Horseless Horse and Horse Training projects? If so, then you don't want to miss Horse Boot Camp workshop that includes a special appearance by Ladybug, the mini horse. Both 4-H'ers and friends are invited.

Youth and adult members of the Horse Project Development Committee (PDC) are hosting an evening with information, food, prizes, making horse treats, and miniature horses.

There will be tables to learn about the various classes (Pleasure, Games, Western Heritage, etc), tack/equipment, and care along with 4-H specific info on Animal ID, county fair information, animal leasing, and enrollment.

What: 4-H Horse Project Boot Camp

Who: 4-H'ers and friends - grade 3+, volunteers, parents

When: Tuesday, March 21, 6-7:30 p.m.

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

Ladybug, the mini horse, will be available from 6 to 7 p.m. for petting and photo-ops. Prize drawings for all youth in attendance!

• No Horseless Horse at Lucky U on March 21 - members should attend this event.

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.

Join the fun in a hands-on workshop on Saturday, April 22 from 9 to 11:15 a.m. (note time) at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. W. in Farmington. Youth will be engaged in a CSI Detective activity hosted by Science Made Fun, 4-H led crafts, games and more! Workshop is for youth grades K-2.

Registration is due Friday, April 14. Participants register for the cloverbud workshop in 4-H Online. The 4-H Online event registration guide will walk you through how to register. Contact Cherie if you have questions. If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” or “In Person Camp/Event” club for your county. In the projects field, choose the project your primary focus is on and any other project areas you have an interest in.

May Cloverbuds workshop is May 20; location TBD; registration deadline May 12.

Contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu if you have questions.

Join the fun in a hands-on workshop on Saturday, Saturday, April 22 from 9 to 11:15 a.m. (note time) at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. W. in Farmington. Youth will be engaged in a CSI Detective activity hosted by Science Made Fun, 4-H led crafts, games and more!! Workshop is for youth grades 3-5.

Registration is due Friday, April 14. Participants register for the sprouts workshop in 4-H Online. The 4-H Online event registration guide will walk you through how to register. Contact Cherie if you have questions. If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” or “In Person Camp/Event” club for your county. In the projects field, choose the project your primary focus is on and any other project areas you have an interest in.

May Sprouts workshop is May 20; location TBD; registration deadline May 12.

Contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu if you have questions.

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 in Farmington by April 1.

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.

It's time to start preparing for summer animal science programming. Join us on Thursday, April 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a two-part session at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. West in Farmington. The first part will be our normal county PDC meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. where attendees will discuss and plan workshops, guest presenters, and bonus trip applications. Following the local discussions will be a webinar hosted by the state animal science team. This is for local livestock PDC volunteers/youth and interested staff and will be held from 7 to 8 p.m.

Free! (Registration required)

9-11a.m.

• 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.

Join us as we explore our natural world's slimy, stinky, stomach-turning underbelly! We'll be presenting hands-on activities during the spring series that will make the science disgustingly tangible. Zoom sessions held virtually on Tuesdays from March 21 through April 25. Youth in grades K - 6. Free. Learn more and register.

Join the online event each month to hear from inspiring speakers, such as professionals in the outdoor industry, authors and youth in the 4-H Program!

Join us on April 10 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. Registration required.

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. 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 Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that the 2023 YELLO leadership conference will be held June 13-16 at Bemidji State University. 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. Transportation available from Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center.

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.

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.