Sibley County 4-H Newsletter
December 2021

Congratulations to Our Awards Night Recipients!
On Sunday, November 21 we celebrated the accomplishments of our 4-H members and volunteers. Our 73rd Annual Awards Night was held at the Sibley East High School in Arlington. Congratulations to the following awards winners.
- Ambie of Honor: Jessica Willegal
- Most Empowering Ambassador: Kadin Seeman
- Most Active Ambassador: Aly Dieball
- Top Secretaries: 1st – Lilly Dose; 2nd – Grady Schuft; 3rd – Brennir Peterson
- Top Treasurers: 1st – Rachael Dose and Eden Messerli; 2nd – Matthew Burns; 3rd – Ava Meuffels
- Top Reporters: 1st – Dawson Wibstad; 2nd – Jessica Willegal
- Outstanding Graduates: Stephanie Mashuga and Ian Malinowski
- 4-H Scholarships: Aly Dieball and Kylie Unger
- Chuck Yahnke Memorial Award: Aly Dieball and Baleigh Peterson
- Adult Leader Award: Doug Seeman
- Business Friend of 4-H: Olson Cattle Company
- Friend of 4-H: Steve Saxton
- 4-H Alumni Award: Ken Mueller
- Record Award Winners: Beef – Ella Doehling; Citizenship – Abby Willegal; Creative Arts/Crafts – Ella Doehling; Dog – Abby Willegal; Food Preservation – Jessica Willegal; Food Review – Abby Willegal; Fruit, Vegetable, & Herb Gardening – Abby Willegal; Goat – Jessica Willegal; Health – Abby Willegal; Horticulture/ Flower Gardening – Ella Doehling; Pets – Jessica Willegal; Poultry – Jessica Willegal; Rabbit – Abby Willegal; Safety – Kelly Willegal; Sheep – Jessica Willegal; Shop – Brennir Peterson; Swine – Brennir Peterson; Veterinary Science – Jessica Willegal; Wildlife Biology – Kelly Willegal; Youth Leadership – Jessica Willegal
- 4-H Week Display: Blazin’ West Stars
- Community Pride: Blazin’ West Stars
- Club with the Most New Members: Blazin’ West Stars
- Club of the Year Award: Blazin’s West Stars
Thank you to the High Island Clovers 4-H Club for planning the event!
Winter Weather CheckIt is again that time of year. Inclement weather is upon us! If the weather causes cancellations or postponements of 4-H events, listen to one of the following local radio stations: KDUZ - Hutchinson 320-587-2140 and KNUJ - New Ulm 507-359-2921. If any of the county schools are canceled or have an early out due to weather, the evening county-wide 4-H events are canceled. | Next Federation and Leader's Council MeetingThe next Federation Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 24, 2022 with Leader’s Council starting at 7:00 p.m. and Federation starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Sibley County Service Center. Please plan on having EVERY club represented. The Federation delegates are the link between the clubs and the Federation. If you can’t make it, please try and find a replacement. This year the Federation will be having a drawing for $25 and $10 gift cards for 4-H members that attend each of the federation meetings. The drawing will take place at the end of each meeting. | Project MeetingsProject meetings are a great way for 4-H members to learn more about their projects. Project meetings can happen in the club or on the county level. If you have ideas for project meetings that you would like to see, or if you or someone you know is interested in teaching a project meeting, please let Connie know. The fall and winter months are a great time to hold project meetings and now is the time to get those meetings scheduled. |
Winter Weather Check
It is again that time of year. Inclement weather is upon us! If the weather causes cancellations or postponements of 4-H events, listen to one of the following local radio stations: KDUZ - Hutchinson 320-587-2140 and KNUJ - New Ulm 507-359-2921. If any of the county schools are canceled or have an early out due to weather, the evening county-wide 4-H events are canceled.
Next Federation and Leader's Council Meeting
The next Federation Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 24, 2022 with Leader’s Council starting at 7:00 p.m. and Federation starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Sibley County Service Center. Please plan on having EVERY club represented. The Federation delegates are the link between the clubs and the Federation. If you can’t make it, please try and find a replacement.
This year the Federation will be having a drawing for $25 and $10 gift cards for 4-H members that attend each of the federation meetings. The drawing will take place at the end of each meeting.
Project Meetings
Project meetings are a great way for 4-H members to learn more about their projects. Project meetings can happen in the club or on the county level. If you have ideas for project meetings that you would like to see, or if you or someone you know is interested in teaching a project meeting, please let Connie know. The fall and winter months are a great time to hold project meetings and now is the time to get those meetings scheduled.
Leading a 4-H Club Web Page has Launched
Resources for leading a 4-H club are newly organized and searchable from the Extension website. This update provides the highest quality resources and makes them easier to find for club leaders, volunteers and staff.
Dig around the page to explore these categories:
Beginning a 4-H year
Leading a 4-H meeting
Managing 4-H club operations
Ways to support 4-H members
4-H meeting resources are organized around an agenda that focuses on education and engagement rather than just the business meeting.
4-H Building Leadership & Understand (BLU) Leadership WorkshopThe 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:
To learn more about BLU and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HBLU | 4-H Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) Leadership WorkshopThe 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:
To learn more about TEEL and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HTEEL | Camp and Leadership Scholarships The Sibley County 4-H Federation offers to pay 90% for first time attendees and 75% for anyone that has attended that event in the past. These scholarships are eligible to currently enrolled 4-H members. Events that are included in these scholarships are BLU, TEEL, YELLO, camps, State Arts In, and any other activity that happens within the state. Out of state competition trips and National 4-H conferences also have scholarship opportunities. Please contact the Sibley County Extension office if you have any questions how the scholarships work. |
4-H Building Leadership & Understand (BLU) Leadership Workshop
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
4-H Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) Leadership Workshop
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
Camp and Leadership Scholarships
Out of state competition trips and National 4-H conferences also have scholarship opportunities.
Please contact the Sibley County Extension office if you have any questions how the scholarships work.
Teel Leaders Wanted!
What is TEEL? TEEL is a leadership workshop for youth in grades 10 - 12 that was developed from the Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) model. BLU is a set of regional-based workshops for youth in grades 6+ to gain valuable leadership skills while connecting with peers from other counties and regions. As participants typically experienced the same content and activities, we heard from older youth that they wanted something different, more advanced, and just for them. We listened to that feedback and in 2020 created and piloted a new BLU experience just for older youth in grades 10+. TEEL builds on the leadership skills that older youth developed at BLU and through their lived experiences within and outside of 4-H. At TEEL, teens will engage in large and small group discussions and learning opportunities designed and facilitated by a team of older youth and young adult leaders, many of whom are 4-H alumni.
Who can be a TEEL leader? 4-H youth in grades 12 - 13 and those who have previously attended TEEL are eligible leaders. We also welcome recent 4-H alumni to join. Prospective leaders should have a desire to work with and positively influence high school youth. Prior leadership roles or attendance at BLU or TEEL is a plus, but not required.
What will TEEL leaders do? Leaders will work alongside the state civic engagement and leadership team to plan and facilitate TEEL. Work will include developing lessons and activities, facilitating discussions in small groups, and helping to promote the regional TEEL experiences. Leaders will receive training on facilitating discussions and have access to many different resources, activities and lesson plans.
Nominate youth or young adults to be TEEL leaders! We'd like your help identifying and recruiting TEEL leaders. If you know youth or young adults who are eligible, and that you think would be great for TEEL, nominate them using this form. Submit your nominations by Friday, December 10.
LQA&E Volunteer Trainers Needed
| 2022 Helping Hands Award2022 Helping Hands Award applications are now open! The new deadline to submit applications is Feb. 1, 2022 (must be postmarked or emailed). The Helping Hands Award helps fund worthy youth development programs or projects that Minnesota 4-H club youth seek to pursue in partnership with supportive adults, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. Project emphasis can focus on leadership, service, citizenship, brick and mortar, or new ideas. Average awards are between $200 and $2,000. Interested local 4-H clubs or federations should work with a University of Minnesota Extension educator in their county to apply for this award. | College Application Opportunity for 4-H YouthThe University of Minnesota Twin Cities has waived the application fee for 4-H youth. Students applying for fall 2022 can also do so without any essays, letters of recommendation, or ACT/SAT score requirements. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities will host a Virtual Application Workshop & Information Session for 4-H Youth on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 4 - 5 p.m. Register today. If students have any questions about the session or would like to connect with a U of M admissions counselor, please have them reach out at z.umn.edu/ContactAdmissions, 612-625-2008, or 1-800-752-1000. |
LQA&E Volunteer Trainers Needed
Updated LQA&E lesson plans and curriculum will be used for the 2022 fair season. Lessons that will be updated include:
Level 1: Ethics, proper injection sites, proper facilities and proper nutrition.
Level 2: Ethics and animal science projects, antibiotics in animal agriculture, food safety, and managing for animal care and well-being.
Sibley County is in search of volunteers to attend an upcoming Train the Trainer webinar on February 3 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Please contact Connie if you are able to attend this training to get more information.
2022 Helping Hands Award
2022 Helping Hands Award applications are now open!
The new deadline to submit applications is Feb. 1, 2022 (must be postmarked or emailed).
The Helping Hands Award helps fund worthy youth development programs or projects that Minnesota 4-H club youth seek to pursue in partnership with supportive adults, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. Project emphasis can focus on leadership, service, citizenship, brick and mortar, or new ideas. Average awards are between $200 and $2,000.
Interested local 4-H clubs or federations should work with a University of Minnesota Extension educator in their county to apply for this award.
College Application Opportunity for 4-H Youth
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has waived the application fee for 4-H youth. Students applying for fall 2022 can also do so without any essays, letters of recommendation, or ACT/SAT score requirements.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities will host a Virtual Application Workshop & Information Session for 4-H Youth on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 4 - 5 p.m. Register today.
If students have any questions about the session or would like to connect with a U of M admissions counselor, please have them reach out at z.umn.edu/ContactAdmissions, 612-625-2008, or 1-800-752-1000.
Important Dates
December 31, 2021 - New Year's Holiday (Sibley County Extension Office Closed)
January 17, 2022 - Martin Luther King Holiday (Sibley County Extension Office Closed)
January 24, 2022 - Job Interview Contest @ 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Sibley County Extension Office
January 24, 2022 - Leaders Council @ 7:00 p.m. and Federation Meeting @ 7:30 p.m. at the Sibley County Service Center
February 6, 2022 - Beef Weigh In (Location to be determined)
February 8, 2022 - Ribbon Auction Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. and PDC Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. at the Sibley County Service Center
March 11, 2022 - Share the Fun/Performing Arts @ 7:00 p.m. (Location to be determined)