Douglas 4-H Buzz
June, 2023 Edition
Douglas County 4-H at the Fair & Premium Books
It's Not Summer Without 4-H Daycamps!
Looking for fun learning experiences for your K-3rd graders this summer (grade completed), Douglas County 4-H has you covered. We will offer five daycamps, with a variety of activities and learning opportunities. Open to 4-H members and friends, capping each camp at 20 participants.
Wednesday, July 12 - Discover Animals (Alexandria City Park)
Wednesday, July 19 - Discover Water (Legacy of the Lakes Museum)
Wednesday, July 26 - Discover Science (Brandon Lions Park)
Wednesday, August 9 - Discover Art (Lake Osagi Park)
Friday, August 18 - Discover County Fair (Douglas County Fairgrounds)
Camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., transportation is on your own. Youth bring their own sack lunch for noon meal. Cost is $ 5 per camp (cash or check to U of M) paid to Extension office the Monday prior to camp.
Visit mn.4honline.com, login to your profile, select events and search for daycamp of interest; you will need to register for each camp separately. For questions or assistance registering, please contact the Extension office at 320-762-3890. We hope to see you there!
The 4-H Mystery Trip is Back for Youth Who Completed Grades 6-9!!!
All transportation and lunch provided, please pack a sack lunch for dinner. Registration fee is $ 25 with a deadline of Monday, June 12 (or earlier if spots fill). Register at mn.4honline.com. So adventurers, are you ready? For questions, call the office at 320-762-3890.
Monday, Jun 19, 2023, 09:00 AM
Top Secret
It's County Fair Time, Now What?
A lot happens before and during the county fair. This free workshop, held Wednesday, June 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, is designed for youth and parents and will help you prepare and learn what to expect. Register by logging into mn.4honline and click events. Search for It's County Fair Time Now What and click register.
This is a great review for existing members and families and especially important for first and second year members and families. Learn the what, how and why of county fair! What's covered?
- Premium book
- County fair registration
- Events that take place prior to fair
- Fair exhibit check-in and judging
- Volunteer opportunities at the fair
- Foodstand
- What you should know when it comes to exhibiting animals
- Fairground tours
- Practice judging activity
- Questions and answers
Give a 4-H Demonstration in June
4-H demonstrations provide an opportunity for youth to demonstrate what they know about a particular topic. It can be a how to demonstration physically showing how to make, create or cook something or it could be an informational presentation using computer software or visual aids. All grades of youth are welcome and encouraged to participate.
This event is Tuesday, June 27 in the meeting room across from the Extension office (2nd floor of the courthouse.) The first scheduled demonstrations start at 4:00 pm.; youth receive a scheduled time to be judged in advance. Livestock demonstrations involving a live animal are judged at the county fair.
Register in mn.4honline.com and click on events on the the lefthand side and search for Douglas County 4-H Demonstration Day - 2023.
Please contact the office if you have questions, need assistance registering or would like resources.
Pie There! A Food & Nutrition Workshop!
Want to learn how to make delicious pies and dig deeper into the the food and nutrition project area? Join us at Country Blossom Farms in Alexandria and experience making pies from start to finish. Participants will make pies for the 4-H food stand and take raw pie crust dough home to make their own pie to exhibit at the county fair.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 27 from 6-9 p.m. for youth grades 4 and up. Youth need to wear long pants, bring a baseball cap, have their hair tied back and wear closed toe shoes (tennis shoes are great). There is no cost to attend. Space is limited to don't delay, visit mn.4honline.com to register. We hope to see many pies at the county fair this summer!
Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training Required for State Fair Animal Science Participation!
All youth participating as a State Fair 4-H livestock exhibitor in beef, dairy, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, meat goat, dairy goat, and llama - alpaca must have completed a livestock quality assurance training in which there are two training options 1) a 3 hour in-person workshop (LQA&E), or 2) a 1 hour on-line training (YQCA). Youth completing either quality assurance training option will receive a certificate of completion.
· Certification is required for state fair grade/age eligible youth prior to their home county fair, the deadline for Douglas County is Monday, August 14.
· The training accommodates multi-levels of learning for all ages. The level of training required is determined by the grade/age of the youth at the time the training takes place.
Minnesota 4-H youth are required to participate in one of two training options to be eligible for participation in the Minnesota 4-H State Fair shows. Participation in the training will promote responsible care of animals, help youth make informed decisions in animal care, and ensure that 4-H members understand the commitment to providing safe food products to consumers. Douglas County is not hosting an in person training this year
Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics In-Person Training
For more information or questions, please contact Ethan Willoughby at willo093@umn.edu or 218-998-8762 or Sarah Downhour at sarahu@umn.edu or 218-385-5421. This event will take place at the Henning Community Center, cost is $ 5. Register at mn.4honline.com
Thursday, Jun 22, 2023, 06:00 PM
Henning Community Center, 2nd Street, Henning, MN, USA
Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics In-Person Training
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2023, 08:00 AM
1230 North Armstrong Avenue, Litchfield, MN, USA
Horse Riding Lessons
Register at mn.4honline.com, login to your profile, select events and search for Douglas County 4-H Horse Riding Lessons. For questions or assistance registering, please contact the Extension office at 320-762-3890. You may also refer to this guide.
County 4-H Service Project
Join us Monday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at Douglas County Public Works located at 526 Willow Drive in Alexandria (prior to leader's council meeting). Youth will cut out and package items for those who want to take home and sew them. We have examples and instructions for all ages and levels. Youth are welcome to stay for the Leader's Council Meeting or leave once this activity is complete. Hope to see you there!
County Fair Exhibit Registration
Now is the time to register what exhibits you are brining to the fair, both animal science and static/general exhibits. Registration opens June 1 and closes on July 17. To register your exhibits go to http://douglasmn-county.fairentry.com and log in with the same user name and password as the enrollment program. For a help guide and video check out https://z.umn.edu/howguide Please refer to page 37 of the 4-H Premium Book for more information about registering county fair exhibits.
County Fair Camping and Admission Tickets!
There are opportunities to purchase admission tickets and secure a camping spot for 4-H exhibitors. These are through the Douglas County Agricultural Association and available at https://www.dcmnfair.com/p/tickets . 4-H members who exhibit at the fair and are age 11 and up receive an admission pass at the 4-H Exhibit Building Monday, or Tuesday of fair week. If you choose not to exhibit, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A PASS!
Silent Auction at County Fair for Alzheimer's Research
The Working Wonders 4-H Club is sponsoring a silent auction to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research. Please consider making an exhibit to donate. Auction items can be made by 4-H members, clubs and/or alumni! Sample auction items: fine arts and crafts, quilts, jewelry, plants, fishing lures, bench, shelf, or clothing items. Live rabbit or processed animals can be up for auction as well! For more information refer to the back of your premium book!
Hiring Now for Youth Food Stand Cashiers
Help wanted! 4-H'ers entering 7th grade or higher are encouraged to apply for a cashier opportunity at the 4-H Food Stand. We are in need of enthusiastic and responsible youth to run our cash registers during the course of the fair. Training on the use of our computerized cash register system is provided prior to operations. Click here to apply!
Benefits of the cashier opportunity:
- Learn and practice customer service skills
- Learn and practice how to properly handle money in a retail situation
- Provide experience for future job opportunities
- Assist in a meaningful way to raise funds for Douglas County 4-H
- Have fun!
Details of the cashier opportunity:
- Each cashier is required to come to computer cashier training on Monday, August 7 during pre-fair cleanup and/or Saturday, August 12 TBD
- Cashiers are required to cashier a minimum of four 4 hour shifts over the course of the fair week
- A minimum of six cashiers are selected (maybe more)
- A promotional t-shirt and/or cap are provided to wear during shifts and for you to keep
- Award for the position is a flat rate of $100
Welcome Sarah and Callie
We're very excited to have two new faces in the Extension office. Sarah Trousil started May 1 as the Office Support Specialist and Callie Taveirne started May 22 as the 4-H Summer Intern.
Sarah Trousil
My name is Sarah Trousil. I was in 4-H for a short time but during that time I learned very many skills that I still use today. While in 4-H I showed beef and also participated in crafts and photography. I attended college at Ridgewater College in Willmar. There I received a degree in Ag Business with an emphasis in Livestock and Crops. I am excited to work alongside the amazing people at the Extension office.
Callie Taveirne
Hello, my name is Callie Taveirne, I am currently a college student studying biology and chemistry in the pre-dental program at Concordia! I have been involved in the Douglas County 4-H program ever since I was little and enjoyed showing projects and animals at the fair, being a counselor at camps, attending events, having fun with all my 4-H friends, and of course going to state fair. In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors and at the lake, hanging out with friends and family and trying new things! I love the 4-H program and am looking forward to my position as the summer intern. I am super excited to meet new 4-Hers and see those I already know at the day camps and various other events we have planned for the summer.
4-H Projects
4-H believes that youth learn best by doing. That's why all 4-H'ers are encouraged to participate in hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture, and civic engagement. Youth can concentrate on one project area, or they can try as many as they like.
Driven by Youth Interest
Youth drive their own choices. As in the 4-H pledge, they use their:
Head to engage actively in learning.
Heart to demonstrate caring for others and their own learning.
Hands to share their experiences with others.
Health to experience success and learn to support their family, community, and world.
Project work can be overwhelming-where to begin, how to get started, what should I do are FAQ’s surrounding project work. Some project areas are easier to figure out than others. Watch this space in future newsletters for project information and ideas.
4-H Exhibits
A 4-H exhibit is something that 4-H'ers can make and show at the fair or other showcase event to demonstrate what they have learned in the project area.
ELECTRICITY
In the electricity project, you can study electricity as a force of nature. Where does it come from? Can we create it? How can we use it efficiently and safely? How can we harness it to do things we want to do?
- Build circuits and test voltages.
- Learn about wiring, lighting, safety issues, and more.
- Build a rocket launcher, burglar alarm, flashlight, compass, electromagnet, or electric motor.
- Research how solar power, wind turbines and other sources of energy create electricity
- How does electricity affect our daily lives
Create an exhibit
After studying electricity, you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- A detailed diagram of wiring in your home, including wattage, circuits, and type of wiring installation
- Working electrical item constructed for home, yard, or farm
- Rewire an antique lamp
- Electronic item built from a kit
- Display ideas include careers in electrical field, how electricity works, how it impacts the environment, cost analysis of electricity and more
ENTOMOLOGY
Entomology is the study of insects. There are WAY more insects on earth than there are people. Butterflies, dragonflies, bees, cockroaches, bed bugs and flies are just a few. Insects play a big part in our earth's ecosystem and food supply. You can study:
- One species of insect
- Discover pollinators
- Explore threats to insect survival
- Study diseases transmitted by insects
- Learn how insects can be used to solve crimes
Create an Exhibit
After discovering the world of insects, you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- Live bee or ant colony
- Display or booklet about insects, or careers in entomology
- Display or poster of the benefits of insects and how they contribute to our ecosystem
- Insect collection (examples include specialty collection such as a specific order, general collection of insects or insects native to Minnesota)
Check out this video for more information https://z.umn.edu/DC4hentomologybeesV
EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENT
Explore ecosystems and wildlife in a forest or your own backyard and learn how you can be a good steward of the land. You can learn about:
- Habitat where you live
- Conservation programs and practices
- What plants, and animals are native to the land around you
- How to better care for the land in your area
- Participate in a citizen science activity in your area-bird counts, weather collection
Create an exhibit
As you investigate your environment you can create an exhibit to bring to the county fair or your showcase event. These might include:
- Map of the ecosystem where you live
- Display about native plants in your area where you live
- Journal of what happens with growth and animals in a specific spot
- Report on environmental legislation
- Experiment with soil about erosion, nutrients, and quality
- Video of trail cam activity in a specific location
FISHING SPORTS
We are surrounded by water and lakes and fishing is a part of our culture. Take advantage of our natural resources and explore the world of fishing. You can learn about:
- Fish species and habitats
- Experiment with fishing gear, baits, and lures
- Tie knots, lines, and flies
- Research fishing regulations
- Explore fishing careers
- Journal about your fishing experiences
Create and exhibit
While experiencing the wonderful world of fishing you can create an exhibit to bring to the county fair or showcase: These might include:
- Display about the habitat and food needs of selected MN fish
- Create fishing knots, lures, and flies
- Display about fish identification
- Results of water testing area lakes and rivers for water quality and health for fish
- Serve your community by introducing others to fishing
- Research and display of different fishing equipment and the purpose and use of
- Booklet on the role of the DNR in fishing programs
For more information check out this video https://z.umn.edu/DC4hfishingsportsV
FLOWER GARDENING
Grow your own flowers! Dig deeper into the science behind growing flowers, arranging flowers, fairy gardens and more in this 4-H project. You can explore:
- Differences between annuals, biennials, and perennials.
- Design and plant a flower garden,
- Start flowers from seed,
- Create flower arrangements or do a science exhibit on a flower project.
- Research flower growing as a business and sell locally grown flowers
- Learn about soil, watering, fertilizer, propagation, and more.
Create an exhibit
While appreciating the beauty of flowers and how they can make our world more beautiful you can create an exhibit for your county fair or showcase. These might include:
- Three stems of one variety of annuals flowers
- One stem of a hardy perennial, or summer flowering bulbs
- Flower bouquet or arrangement
- Display about propagation or reproduction of flowers
- Results of experiment with different methods of growing flowers including soil type, nutrients, location
- Serve your community by creating a flower garden in a public space with permission of local government where needed
- Share a business plan for creating your own flower growing business
- A booklet about careers in the floral industry
Check out this video for more information https://z.umn.edu/DC4hflowergardeningV
Jodi Hintzen at hintz010@umn.edu or Jackie Kokett at jkokett@umn.edu
Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas
Location: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN, USA
Phone: 320-762-3890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/
Twitter: @UMNExt