Douglas 4-H Buzz
April, 2023 Edition
4-H Rabbit Fun Show in Douglas County
Mark your calendars for our annual 4-H Rabbit Fun Show on Sunday, April 30! Here’s your opportunity for a judging experience before the county fair or to purchase rabbits before the May 15 deadline!
This event will take place at the Brandon Auditorium located at 105 Holmes Ave, Brandon, MN 56315. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and judging begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $ 3 per rabbit. This show has lots to offer!
A huge shout out and thank you to Moses & Aaron 4-H Club for partnering with Douglas County 4-H to host and run this event.
May 15 Animal ID Deadline!
Livestock Quality Assurance Training (LQA & E)
Pope County 4-H is hosting an in person LQA & E Training for both Level 1 & 2 on Saturday, June 10 from 9 am-12 pm at the Pope County Fairgrounds. This event is open to current 4-H members in grades 6 and up who need LQA & E training prior to the State Fair.
Deadline to register is May 29. For more information check out https://extension.umn.edu/event/pope-county-lqae-person-training
An in-person workshop will not be held in Alexandria this year.
Attention Swine Exhibitors
We have previously limited swine exhibitors to two exhibits between market barrow, market gilt or breeding gilt. This year we are allowing youth grades 3 and up to exhibit three swine if they choose. Exhibitors could exhibit a breeding gilt (Jan, Feb or March), a market gilt and a market barrow. However, you are not able to exhibit two of the same; for example two breeding gilts or two market barrows. If you have questions, please contact the office.
Register Now for Regional 4-H Camp in Morris
The regional 4-H camp is scheduled for June 20-22 at the University of Minnesota Morris campus. Youth in grades 3-6 are invited to attend this unique camp experience.
Youth participate in program offerings packed with educational sessions, large and small group activities and a whole lot of fun! Youth learn new skills and make new friendships.
This year's track topics to choose from include In Focus, Performing Arts, Moving & Shaking, Farmin' Frenzy, Bugging Out, Straight as an Arrow and Outdoor Survivalist 2.0.
Cost is $ 160 but Douglas County 4-H will pay $ 80 towards this fee for enrolled Douglas County 4-H members (active status) that attend.
Register now for best selection in mn.4honline.com or contact the office for assistance.
4-H Dog Training
Want to learn how to care for and train a dog?
Tackle leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork?
Compete in a 4-H dog show?
The Douglas County 4-H program is offering dog obedience training starting in April for youth grade 3 and up. Trainers cover obedience, rally, showmanship and agility.
Check out the website or these links for full details.
Share the Fun - April 16
Save the date for Share the Fun - April 16 at Osakis High School! What is Share the Fun? Share the fun is an opportunity for clubs to work together to create a performance of some kind. It can be a skit, a talent act, a comedy routine, any type of performance is great! If just a couple individuals in your club want to participate, that is fine to, it does not have to be the whole club.
If you need ideas or more information, please reach out to Jodi at hintz010@umn.edu for assistance. There are opportunities for winning skits to perform at the Minnesota State Fair and cash prizes for performing arts 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Give it a try and start planning now!
Contact the Extension office if you are planning a skit or performance by Friday, March 31 at 320-762-3890 or hintz010@umn.edu.
Junior Camp at Faith Haven
Camp registration at mn.4honline.com on or before registration deadline of May 22.
YELLO (Youth Exploring Leadership Outloud)
Are you ready to build personal leadership skills that boost confidence and develop strategies to overcome barriers and achieve goals? Engage in team-building exercises and get to know youth from across Minnesota!
YELLO is held June 13-16 for youth 7th grade and up at Bemidji State University. Fuel that leader within! This conference is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors. Experience educational workshops, group networking, inspiring messages, field trips and opportunities to contribute to the local community through service projects.
Register for this event when it opens in April at mn.4honline.com. If you need assistance registering, please contact the office at 320-762-3890 or refer to this guide https://z.umn.edu/eventguide . Cost is $ 275; Douglas County 4-H will contribute $135 towards the registration fee for active Douglas County 4-H members. Transportation to and from YELLO will be provided for an additional fee of $ 50. Check the website extension.umn.edu and search for YELLO to learn more.
Harvest Pack Scheduled for Thursday, April 13
The Forada Lions have invited Douglas County 4-H to help with the upcoming Harvest Pack April 13 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Forada Fire Hall. Please come 15 minutes early for instructions. We had a great turnout last time so hope to see many of you there again this year! This is for any age youth and parents/guardians are welcome also.
Save the Dates
- May 6 (Saturday) - Engineering Design Day to be held in Alexandria. Come and learn what you can build and do in the engineering design project.
- June 7 (Wednesday) - It's County Fair Time, Now What workshop
- June 27 (Tuesday) - 4-H Demonstration judging
- July 12 (Wednesday) - Discover Animals day camp at Alexandria City Park
- July 19 (Wednesday) - Discover Water day camp at Legacy of the Lakes Museum
- July 26 (Wednesday) - Discover Science day camp at Brandon Lions Park in Brandon
- August 9 (Wednesday) - Discover Art day camp at Lake Osagi Park in Osakis
- August 18 (Friday) - Discover County Fair day camp at Douglas County Fairgrounds
More information on these fun opportunities coming soon.
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.
CLOTHING & TEXTILES
This is a project area with many opportunities to explore the world of textiles and clothing. Dive into the creativity of making clothing, or buying a thrift store item and upcycle it or you can learn about the fashion industry and how to make smart purchases with your clothing dollar.
- Learn how to use a sewing machine to make clothing or home decor items.
- Utilize your purchasing power by researching the cost of clothing
- Explore the world of thrift shops to stretch your clothing dollar
- Build confidence by sharing what you know and presenting your outfit to the public in a fashion show.
Create an exhibit
As you explore the many aspects of clothing and textiles, you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- An article of clothing you sewed
- An article of clothing from a thrift store, hand me downs, or garage sale that you altered to fit or create a new piece of clothing
- Educational display about different types of fibers used in garment construction
- Educational display about how clothing is made and what working conditions are like in factories.
- Purchase an outfit and share a booklet on why you purchased it and how it fits into your existing wardrobe and figure out the cost per wear.
- Model an outfit you purchased or made at a public fashion revue, where you share your knowledge of design choices and develop poise and confidence.
- Sew a pillow, garment bag, duffle bag, pillowcase, drawstring bag, laundry bag etc. and share what skills you learned.
- Educational poster on a topic of your choice: career opportunities, how fabric is made, evolution of clothing, cost comparison, care of fabric etc.
CLOVERBUDS
A Cloverbud is a 4-H member who is in kindergarten through second grade. Cloverbuds explore and learn by doing fun activities, guided by adult volunteers. Cloverbud programs are age appropriate designed specifically for this age group. Activities including fairs and showcases are non-competitive. The purpose of the 4-H Cloverbud program is to support the positive development of children as they explore their world, discover possibilities, build self-esteem and practice basic social skills. These will be the basis for becoming competent, caring, contributing citizens. Programs may be delivered in several different ways, including:
- Day camps
- After school activities
- Activities hosted by a 4-H community club but not operated as a club
- Club, group, or program specifically for Cloverbuds
- County fair special activities
Cloverbud programs are developmentally age appropriate:
- Fun, positive, activity centered
- Focused on life skills development through the five components of the experiential learning cycle (experience, share, process, generalize and apply)
- Non-competitive, incorporating cooperative learning
- Safe for children and designed to manage risk.
Create an exhibit
Cloverbuds can bring what they are interested in to the fair or showcase event. The exhibit is evaluated allowing the youth to share their experience. Cloverbuds receive special ribbons and can create an exhibit to bring to their fair or showcase event. These might include:
- Artwork
- A report from school
- Something they made in a Cloverbud program or other learning activity including school, bible camp, 4-H day camp and community activities.
- An item they made with the help of a caring adult
- Cloverbuds may bring animals in a prescribed environment where a youth leader or adult is in charge of the animal.
CONSUMER EDUCATION & MONEY MANAGEMENT
You need to manage money throughout your life. Good money managers have less stress in their lives and more choices. Improve your skills and become an informed consumer.
- Learn the difference between wants and needs
- Identify, set and evaluate goals
- Track expenses and income
- Research your purchasing power
Create an exhibit
- Create a booklet or poster comparing the costs and features of four models of the same consumer item
- Give an example of a consumer complaint and how it was or might be settled.
- Create a game, teaching plan or activity for teaching a group of people to be smarter consumers. What was the result?
- Analyze a TV commercial, print or internet ad. Explain the ad's argument, audience, emotional appeal, how it is constructed etc.
- Find three different sources of the same information. How do they differ? Why?
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