January

Welcome to our Family Newsletter! The most up-to-date information about events and activities going on in Washington County 4-H! Please pass along to friends and family that might be interested in attending a 4-H event. You will also receive the monthly Clover Update highlighting regional and state events.

There are links at the end of this newsletter with more information about enrollment. If you have any problems with registrations or need more information on enrollment please contact our office by email at mnext-washington@umn.edu or phone at 651-430-6800. While the 4-H year is a year-round organization, you must be enrolled BEFORE May 15th to avoid any penalties. This is also the deadline that all animals must be identified in your family account (except poultry unless leasing).

Town of May 4-H Club hosts Ice Fishing Tournament

When: Saturday, Jan. 15th from 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Forest Lake, MN parking available at the boat landing parking lot between the 2nd and 3rd pool of Forest Lake, near 3rd Gear Restaurant.

Address: 8241 North Shore Trail, Forest Lake, MN 55025 (boat landing parking is across the street from the restaurant and the lake (22351 Inman Ave. N., Forest Lake)

We will meet on the ice on the boat landing side of 3rd Gear Restaurant near “Willow Point”. The day will start with a brief workshop for beginners at 1:30 p.m. At 2:00 p.m. we will set up and start fishing. Measuring and counting of fish will take place throughout the day, with checkout and awarding of prizes taking place at 4:30 p.m. Join us this Saturday at Forest Lake for a great family event.

Sing up today! https://forms.gle/k4eS8GpHrJk6KmUQA

Join us on Saturday, January 22nd from 1-3 PM for bowling and socializing at Stillwater Bowl!

If you're in 7th grade and up and interested in learning more about the Washington County Ambassador program, this event is for you! Come hang out with the Ambassadors, meet new friends, bowl, eat pizza and HAVE FUN! Register here.

Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions.

4-H families are invited to attend Federation Meetings held in October, January, April and June. There will be a business meeting along with a program. The next Federation Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 24th, beginning at 7:00 pm over zoom. Our program for the evening will be Paige Newcomb sharing her experience attending the National 4-H Congress that was recently held in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact Ann Church at churc109@umn.edu for zoom link.

Are you interested in expanding your leadership skills at the county level? Join us at our next Ambassador meeting on Monday, January 24th at 6 PM via zoom. After some games and socializing, we will be planning our next Cloverbud workshop, scheduled for Saturday, February 19th! Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions.

Join the meeting here!

4-H staff will host a New Family Orientation on Tuesday, January 25th from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. This Orientation will be held over zoom. Topics covered will include; 4-H basics, project areas, upcoming spring project registrations, etc. We will allow extra time for your questions! If you can join us, please sign up. The zoom link will be sent to those who pre-register at https://forms.gle/ohPRwE26tbi76Yev7

Join us as we kick off the new year with a monthly STEM workshop! Each month we are planning a new workshop with new and exciting topics. January is geared toward grades 5 through 9. You must be enrolled to participate, so re-enroll today! Please pre-register so we have enough supplies.

There is still time to sign up for the STEM workshop on January 29th! Come to Hooley Hall from 9 to noon to learn about chemical reactions, making a cold lava lamp, tricks with ice, a phylogenetic tree, and testing products. The cost is $10 (Payment collected at the door) and is open to 5th to 9th-grade members. Register at https://z.umn.edu/januarystemworkshop. For more information about STEM or upcoming STEM workshops, contact Caitlin at crademac@umn.edu.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 5th for Food Review 2022! Join us for this fun event where you can showcase your cooking skills and qualify for a State Fair trip (grade 6 and above). Open to all 4-H members including Cloverbuds! Learn more by reading the flyer below.

Plans are also being made to offer a Valentine's Food Workshop that will be held in conjunction with Food Review on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Hooley Hall. Anyone participating in Food Review will also be able to participate in the Foods Workshop around your judging time.

Deadline to register for Food Revue is January 28th https://forms.gle/CuuyaEqDZzQbuMUo7

Date: Saturday, Feb 5th 10:00 – noon

Where: Hooley Hall on the Washington County Fairgrounds

What: 4-H Foods Workshop with a hint of Valentines! Tis the season of love! Come learn how to make a pizza starting from scratch. Youth attending will bring their pizza’s home to bake! 4-Hers will also be making some delicious Valentines treats!

Age: Enrolled 4-H members ages 3 and up!

Cost for Foods Workshop: $15 (checks should be made out to Washington County 4-H)

Deadline to register is: Friday, January 28th! Register at https://forms.gle/zim9wRGGyfmkHgZU7

Food Revue will also be taking place in Hooley Hall on Feb. 5th beginning at 9:30 am. Food Revue is a 4-H event where members set up a table placing with a food item they have made (see above for more details on this event if you would like to participate). Food Revue is a yearly event that is open to all 4-H members including Cloverbuds. State Fair trips are awarded to youth who will complete 6th grade and up at the end of this school year. Youth are invited to participate in both Food Revue and the Foods Workshop, remember to register for both if you plan to participate!

4-H families are invited to attend a Moonlight Guided Snowshoeing Hike at Carpenter Nature Center! This event is being held for Washington County 4-H’ers and their families on Thursday, Feb 17 to utilize the full moon! A naturalist will be leading our group on this exciting adventure. If the snow conditions do not warrant snowshoeing, we will meet and walk on the trails. Numbers are limited, so please complete the registration early!

When: Thursday, Feb. 17 from 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm (please arrive at 6:45 pm)

Where; Carpenter Nature Center

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center

12805 St. Croix Trail S

Hastings, MN 55033

Deadline to register: Thursday, Feb. 10th! Register at https://forms.gle/nXMjWYuhkxwoNNV4A

Cost: $10 per participant for those renting snowshoes

If you have your own snowshoes, cost is $5/participant. If there is not enough snow for snowshoeing, the fee would be $5 per person. Please make checks payable to; Washington County 4-H or bring exact amount of cash on the evening of the event.

Calling all Cloverbuds! Join us at Hooley Hall on Saturday, February 19th from 9 AM - Noon for a day full of STEM. We will have guest scientists, Ambassador led experiments, games, food and fun. All Cloverbuds and non 4-Hers in grades K-2 are invited to come meet new friends and participate in hands-on project learning. We plan to spend time outside, so come dressed for the weather! Pizza lunch will be included.

Cost is $10 if sent in by the deadline of February 9. After February 9, cost is $20 and must be prepaid for supplies and pizza.

Pre-register at https://forms.gle/aY3MfwrdVhbU6xyj8

Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu or Caitlin at crademac@umn.edu with any questions.

The second most attended event during the 4-H year is the Project Bowl competition. Patterned after the golden-oldie television show "College Bowl", it challenges teams of 3-6 youth on their knowledge of 4-H project areas: Dairy, Dog, General Livestock, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit and Wildlife.

Junior (grades 3 - 8) and Senior (grades 4 - 4-H graduation). Regional winners advance to the State Project Bowl and state winners in dairy, general livestock, horse, and poultry go on to national contests. Get your friends together, study hard, and most of all HAVE FUN during the Project Bowl season! Dates of the 2022 Regional Bowl Contest are March 12 at Hastings High School. April 9 is the tentative date for the State Bowl competition for teams advancing on to State from the Regional competition.

Anyone interested in participating on a Bowl Team or has a team already put together should contact the office at; mnextwashington@umn.edu or call 651-430-6800 for registration materials due Feb. 1st. Team fees are covered by the county.

Horse Project Bowl Teams are forming!

The Horse Project Bowl teams will be coached by Liberty and Allison Belter. If you are interested in being on a team, please contact Ann @ churc109@umn.edu or the coaches listed above.

General Livestock Project Bowl Team

Youth interested in being on a General Livestock Judging Team which includes; Beef, Sheep and Swine should contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu. Washington County 4-H’ers will be joining with Dakota County to form teams.

Llama Project Bowl Teams are forming!

We will have a llama team or two if we have a 2nd coach step up! Barbara Mehta will serve as one coach, but we will need a co-coach for this team(s). If you are interested in co-coaching or being a part of a Llama team, please connect Barbara at; barbara.mehta512@gmail.com

Dog Project Bowl Teams

We have had Dog Bowl Teams in past years. If there is interest this year, we will need a coach to step up. Resources are available and will be provided. If you are a 4-H member interested in being on a Dog Bowl Team or an adult willing to coach, please let Ann know at; churc109@umn.edu

Rabbit Bowl

Are there youth interested in being on a Rabbit Bowl team. We may potentially have a coach, Let Ann know if there is interest at: churc109@umn.edu .

The Livestock PDC (Project Development Committee) will kick off the new year with a meeting on Wednesday, January 19th beginning at 7:00 pm over zoom. Anyone interested in getting involved in the livestock projects is welcome to join us! Topics typically discussed at the January Meeting include; tagging/identification process, yearly budget, and potential educational events. If you are not currently on the committee and would like to be a part of this group, contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu for the zoom link! New members are always welcome!

All Market Beef and Dairy Steers need to be tagged and entered into 4honline no later than Tuesday, Feb 15. Details will be emailed to families enrolled in the Beef Project. All 4-Her’s must be re-enrolled in 4-H to enter an animal ID. Any questions, please contact Ann Church at churc109@umn.edun

Anyone interested in learning more about the Llama project is invited to join the first project meeting of the year on Tuesday, Feb. 22, starting at 7:00 pm at Hooley Hall on the fairgrounds. We are very fortunate to have Dan Whittaker work with youth interested in the llama project! Thank you Dan! If you want to learn more about the Llama project and steps to lease an animal, please plan to attend this meeting or contact Dan with questions at; llamadan@aol.com

In an effort to help families find individuals who are willing to lease project animals we are asking for some help. We are often asked by families if they can lease an animal and the short answer is YES! The next question is "Who can I contact about leasing a . . .(species)?" Well, that is a bit harder.

Perhaps you are a 4-H alumni, a farmer, a boarder, or know someone who is willing to help a new project member get started in learning about a particular species. If that is the case we want to hear from you! If you are a member looking to learn more about a species, we want to hear from you too!

Let's help each other! Please fill out a short survey so we can get the process going. All animals need to be ID'ed by May 16th to show at the fair.

Are you interested in acting? St. Croix Clover is looking for more 4-Hers to join them for the cast of this year's One Act Play. The production will be The Pied Piper. Any 4-Her in 3rd grade and up is welcome to participate. Auditions will take place in early January with rehearsals starting later in January. The play will be performed during the Performing Arts Festival in May. Please contact Liberty Belter, 651-428-5185 or tenderheartschildcare@yahoo.com

Do you want to participate in our Performing Arts Night in May, but you’re not sure where to begin? You’re in luck! Our Performing Arts PDC would like to put on a Share the Fun & Performing Arts workshop for interested clubs. Come and learn how to put together a Share the Fun skit and One Act Play, or learn more about the Performing Arts in general. Please let us know what would best help the adult leaders coordinating these projects for their club!

We are now accepting applications for the Arts-In Director position for our 2022 show season! This is a paid position that works with the Performing Arts Development Committee and student directors to write a script, select music, and put together all aspects of the Arts-In encampment. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and previous Arts-In experience is preferred. Applications are due to the Extension office no later than February 4th, 2022. Contact Megan with any questions at slate187@umn.edu.

Fill out the application here

We're bringing the reading buddy experience back in 2022, in-person! Washington County 4-H is partnering with the Washington County Libraries to pair children with a 4-H reading buddy and staff member. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their reading skills with a 4-H mentor for 15-minute sessions at the Hardwood Creek Library in Forest Lake, and the Lake Elmo Library. Young readers who are interested can sign up through the Washington County Library system.

Sessions will take place on various Tuesday's and Thursday’s starting in January. Volunteers are able to sign up for as many sessions as they are able. See specific dates and locations in registration form. Additional dates/times will be added as we move into the spring. Register to be a teen teacher here.

Are you in 7th grade or above? Do you want to build your leadership skills and meet new friends? The Washington County 4-H Ambassadors meet once a month to plan workshops and camps for younger members, service projects, and fun social events! This is a great opportunity to expand your leadership to the next level while meeting friends from around the county. All skill levels and experience are welcome!

Fill out this quick google form to show your interest in the Washington County 4-H Ambassador program:

Are you in grades 9-12 and interested in teaching your younger peers? Youth Teaching Youth is for you! Teen Teachers teach in elementary school classrooms and library settings. Training and guided curriculum options are provided. We are looking for teens in the South Washington County, Stillwater, and Forest Lake Area Schools. Don't miss this opportunity to build your resume and improve your public speaking skills in a supportive environment. Contact Megan Slater if you are interested in learning more at slate187@umn.edu.

The 4-H Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) program is an exciting and fun leadership adventure that brings together youth from across the state of Minnesota. Hosted by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors, each retreat uses a youth-teaching-youth model to teach a leadership topic, participate in team-building activities, and meet other youth from their region.

BLU will be held at five different locations with one day and overnight experiences offered:

• Feb. 5 - 6: Northeast - Long Lake Conservation Center, Palisade.

• Feb. 5 - 6: Southeast - Camp Victory, Zumbro Falls.

• Feb. 12 - 13: Northwest - Castaway Club, Detroit Lakes.

• Feb. 19: Southwest - Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall.

• Feb. 26: Central- University of Minnesota-St Paul Student Center

To learn more about BLU and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HBLU.

The 4-H Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) program is an exciting and fun leadership adventure that brings together youth from across the state of Minnesota. TEEL is a workshop that builds on the leadership skills older youth have developed at BLU and through their lived experience both within and outside of 4-H. Teens will engage in large and small group discussions and learning designed and facilitated by a team of older youth and young adult leaders.

This year TEEL will be held in five different locations:

• Feb. 5 - 6: Northeast - Long Lake Conservation Center, Palisade.

• Feb. 5 - 6: Southeast - Camp Victory, Zumbro Falls.

• Feb. 12 - 13: Northwest - Castaway Club, Detroit Lakes.

• Feb. 19: Southwest - Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall.

• Feb. 26: Central- University of Minnesota-St Paul Student Center

To learn more about TEEL and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HTEEL.

Dress warm, step outside and explore what our parks have to offer in the wintertime! From watching wildlife as we walk the snowy trails to trying your hand at some new activities like snowshoeing or cross country skiing.

Join us virtually as we discover amazing things to do in the winter at a park near you! Zoom links will be sent out prior to each date.

• Jan. 11 - No need to stay indoors playing games in the winter! Take part in the numerous winter outdoor games and activities happening around you!
• Jan. 18 - Dress warm and get outside as we head to the park and explore the trails!
• Jan. 25 - S'mores are not just a summer time treat over the campfire! Learn how to cook some great winter time campfire meals.
• Feb. 1 - Where there are parks there could be lakes...and that means ice fishing! Learn the secrets to ice fishing and how to stay safe on the ice!
• Feb. 8 - Exploring deep into the parks can be exciting, but making sure you have what you need packed in a backpack is important. Join us as we share some tips on winter survival.
• Feb. 15 - Snowmobiling the hills is exciting and adventurous. Learn about snowmobile trails, safety and protecting yourself from the cold when you ride the hills.

Register in 4honline.com under events, Passports to Parks Winter Edition 2021 - 2022.

• February 15 - All Market Beef and Dairy Steers will need to be identified by the Feb. 15th ID deadline. More information will be emailed directly to those enrolled in the beef project in mid January.
• April 12 - Dog Orientation. Time to get your Dog ID completed and uploaded to 4honline. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aZnG9UoAdit_z7ElBHiHM8b10XaIbVHHdE6lyonEZlU/edit
• April 19 - Dog Demo Night
• April 26 - Weekly Dog training starts!
• May 16 - Animal identification deadline - All animals coming to the fair need to be identified by this date in your 4honline family account. This is a state deadline and consequences apply (no state trips, no premium, no auction, etc.) if you miss this deadline. Only exceptions are as follows; market beef (due Feb. 15), poultry (leased birds and doves/pigeons need to be ID'ed) & pet show animals.
• June 12-15 - Washington County Horse Camp. Must be enrolled in 4-H and provide your own horse. Registration opens April 1 and will be emailed to those enrolled in the Horse project.
• July 30-31 - County Dog Show
• Aug. 3-7 - Washington County Fair (All animal shows except Dog)

• Feb. 19 - Hooley Hall from 9:00am-12:00pm (Details above)
• March - Date TBD. Possible rocket/astronomy themed.
• April 30 - STEM Workshop with Master Gardeners

• May 13 - Performing Arts Night - Our Performing Arts Night is scheduled for Friday, May 13th at the Park Pavilion on the Washington County Fairgrounds. This will be a night for Share the Fun skits, One Act plays, and Performing Arts judging.

• NEW THIS YEAR - Performing Arts will be judged on this day rather than during the General Project Judging day before the County Fair. This is to give participants a chance to showcase their talents and perform in front of an audience. Conference judging will still take place after the performances.

• May 16, 2022

• July 1 - County fair registration deadline. All projects/animals need to be entered in FairEntry by this date.
• July 30 - 4-H General/Static project judging (Saturday)
• Aug. 3-7 - Washington County Fair

If you missed the Fall Volunteer Training, there will be another chance to participate! Any 4-H volunteer is welcome to register and participate in the virtual training. Read more about Facilitating Youth Sparks at; Facilitating Youth Sparks. Volunteer training will be offered on Wednesday, February 9th, 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Register here.

We are in need of Certified Trainers for the 2022 Shooting Sports season. Certified Trainers for 4-H must be certified through the 4-H Program. Current trainers need to recertify every 7 years. There are some upcoming Training opportunities - check it out! Information and steps to become certified can be found at; https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-events/4-h-shooting-sports-and-wildlife-leader-certification

Last call for a coach!!!

4-H WHEP is a hands-on environmental education program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to youth in grades 3-13. WHEP provides participants an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in an annual friendly competition with teams of 3-4 similarly aged individuals.

The Minnesota 4-H State WHEP Competition will be held April 30, 2022. The winning senior WHEP team (14-19 years of age) will attend the annual National WHEP Contest, typically held the last full week of July.

You will learn:

Wildlife terms and concepts

Wildlife habitats

How to judge the quality of wildlife habitats

Wildlife habitat management practices

Wildlife damage management

A few families have indicated interest in being a part of a team. If we have interested youth, we will need a coach. During practices and the contest, 4-H requires 2 screened adults be present. If you are interested in coaching a WHEP team or have youth interested in being a part of a team, please contact; Ann at: churc@umn.edu

Learn more about being a WHEP coach.

No matter what winter may look like, we want to stay ahead of cabin fever and plan some fun winter workshops. It has been a few years but we would like to bring back “Creative Arts Day''. So we are looking for a volunteer or group of volunteers to help organize this workshop by coming up with a project or projects youth can make in an afternoon or morning. This would also include finding presenters to teach. If interested please contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu

The St Croix Clover’s meeting was super eventful this month. We had our usual business meeting at 6:30PM at Baytown Town Hall. We went through the events we wanted to do this year. Which included skiing, tubing, ice skating, and a possible 4-H dance! The Cloverbuds, who are third grade and under, went and made super cute paper snowflakes. We did a paper bag skit. All of the adults and other paper bag performers enjoyed watching each other's silly performances. There were various skits they put on; including a space fight, Santa and a family, Star Wars tooth fairy, and the extinction of dinosaurs. What funny names!! The St Croix Clovers had such fun at this meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Bridge Foley

We invite new families who have been enrolled in 4-H for less than 2 years to take a short survey.

We want to take this opportunity to gather some information on how to better serve you and make your 4-H experience a positive one like it has been for so many 4-H families before you. With all the project areas and directions that 4-Hers can explore and develop from we need your help in finding what areas we as staff need to focus on to meet the current needs of our families. Our goal is to take the results of this survey and implement future programming

This will only take a few minutes to complete and we thank you for your input.

For the most comprehensive list of county, regional and state events and activities along with these 4-H resources.

• Current and past Family Newsletters
• County Animal ID letters
• News articles about our larger ongoing project areas
• Events calendar
• County club map with contacts
• County Fair information as it becomes available
• Much more

As you may have noticed, shortly after you enrolled online you were approved. Monthly email reminders will be sent to families who have not paid their county fees. We continue to accept checks/cash at any time. Please pay your membership fee, county fees are used not only for programming but also towards salaries for county personnel.

Washington County has a yearly enrollment fee of $25.00 per member (youth only) or $100 max per family for 4 or more children. We ask that you please send payment to our office address listed below.

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 below. Also, if you would like to donate to the scholarship fund, this can be done at any time. Scholarship requests have increased dramatically in the past few years.