Douglas 4-H Buzz
June, 2022 Edition

Welcome New Staff
Welcome Erin Anderson, Office Support Specialist
Erin started employment with Douglas County on April 1 and will spend time between two offices - Land and Resource Management and Douglas County Extension. Erin is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener volunteer and will work with horticulture and 4-H programs in her new role.
Greetings fellow earthlings! My name is Erin Anderson, and I feel very blessed and lucky to join the U of M Extension team in Douglas County.
Some of my earliest memories are of helping my mom in the garden on our small (unprosperous) farm in Todd County. Did the dirt get in my blood? Or was it already there? …… I’m not sure of the answer.
I have been outside connecting with the marvelous wonders of the natural world all my life. I follow my curiosities and educate myself by observation and research. I look forward to working with 4-H programs to help support the pursuit of learning. We all have our “sparks” and flourish when we follow them.
As an adult, I learned that my mother often fled to the garden “just to be alone.” I kept following her, so she put me to work. (I have 6 siblings. 😊)
Welcome Jonnie as 4-H Summer Intern
Hi, my name is Jonnie Loecken, I grew up in Freeport MN and was apart of the Stearns County 4-H program for 14 years. There I participated in the summer camps, robotics team, exchange club, federation, and junior leaders club. This summer I look forward to seeing how different or alike the Douglas program is to what I have experienced and also working with all of you.
Be sure to introduce yourself and say hi to Erin and Jonnie next time you stop in.
Douglas County at the Fair & 4-H Premium Book
Exploring Watercolors
Tuesday, June 28th, 6-7:30pm
305 8th Avenue West
Alexandria, MN
Learn painting watercolor techniques and special effects from trained art teachers of the Cardboard Cares organization. Participants will practice what they've learned with a guided step-by-step paint along and learn how to enter art into the county and state fair.
This event is for youth who completed grades 3-6 and will be held in Conference Room C located on the 2nd floor of the Douglas County Courthouse. Go up the stairs to the second floor and follow signs. Space is limited for this free event so register today. Art supplies provided and take home project included.
Register by logging into mn.4honline and click events. Search for Douglas County 4-H presents Exploring Watercolors and click register. If you have any questions, contact the office.
Hiring Now for Youth Food Stand Cashiers!
Help Wanted!
4-H'ers entering the 7th grade or higher are encouraged to apply for a cashier opportunity at the 4-H Food Stand. The Food Stand is 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 will be provided prior to operations.
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
- Have fun!
- Assist in a meaningful way to raise funds for the Douglas County 4-H program
Details of the cashier opportunity:
- Each cashier will be required to come to computer cashier training in the evening on Monday, August 8. Pre-fair roundup/cleanup at the Food Stand Saturday, August 13 in the morning (exact time to be TBD)
- Cashiers will be required to cashier a minimum of four 4 hour shifts over the course of fair-week.
- A minimum of six cashiers will be selected (maybe more)
- A promotional t-shirt or cap will be provided to wear during shifts and will be yours to keep after the fair.
- Award for the position will be a flat rate of $100
Click here to apply.
Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training (LQA&E)Livestock Quality Assurance training helps youth provide excellent care for their food animals and ensure a high level of food safety to consumers. We designed it to enhance the educational experience of 4-H animal science projects. Do you hope to exhibit with 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair? All 4-H livestock exhibitors must complete livestock quality assurance training. Register by logging into mn.4honline and click events. Search for Douglas County 4-H Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics (LQA&E) and click register. If you have any questions, contact the office. | Smokey Timbers Camp Watch for more information on Smokey Timbers campout coming this fall for youth grades 4-7. This exciting two-day, overnight camp will be organized and chaperoned by youth and adult volunteers and staff. Youth will participate in fun activities and games, discover the outdoors and explore the many opportunities 4-H has to offer. Stay tuned. | Demonstrations Are a 4-H TraditionWe Challenge You to Give It a Try - Give a 4-H Demonstration A demonstration shows the step-by-step process for making or building something, presents an example of the way a product should look or taste, illustrates the correct way to do something, or teaches a new skill. In person and pre-recorded demonstration options available. In-person demonstrations will be held Thursday, June 23 starting at 4 p.m. in the meeting room across from the Extension Office (2nd floor of courthouse). Pre-recorded demonstrations will be accepted no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 20; email recordings to hintz010@umn.edu. Register by logging into mn.4honline.com and click events. Search for Demonstration Day - Douglas County and click register. If you have questions, please call the office at 320-762-3890. |
Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training (LQA&E)
Livestock Quality Assurance training helps youth provide excellent care for their food animals and ensure a high level of food safety to consumers. We designed it to enhance the educational experience of 4-H animal science projects.
Do you hope to exhibit with 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair? All 4-H livestock exhibitors must complete livestock quality assurance training.
Register by logging into mn.4honline and click events. Search for Douglas County 4-H Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics (LQA&E) and click register. If you have any questions, contact the office.
Smokey Timbers Camp
Youth will participate in fun activities and games, discover the outdoors and explore the many opportunities 4-H has to offer. Stay tuned.
Demonstrations Are a 4-H Tradition
We Challenge You to Give It a Try - Give a 4-H Demonstration
A demonstration shows the step-by-step process for making or building something, presents an example of the way a product should look or taste, illustrates the correct way to do something, or teaches a new skill.
In person and pre-recorded demonstration options available. In-person demonstrations will be held Thursday, June 23 starting at 4 p.m. in the meeting room across from the Extension Office (2nd floor of courthouse). Pre-recorded demonstrations will be accepted no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 20; email recordings to hintz010@umn.edu. Register by logging into mn.4honline.com and click events. Search for Demonstration Day - Douglas County and click register. If you have questions, please call the office at 320-762-3890.
It's Not Summer Without 4-H Day Camps!
We are excited to offer five in person outdoor day camp experiences for youth who completed grades K-3! These popular camps are offered at different locations in the county (transportation is on your own) for just $ 5 per camp! Signup for one or all five.
All camps start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Participants should dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and their own sack lunch; light snacks will be provided.
Please drop off or mail cash or check payments (payable to University of Minnesota Extension) to the Extension office located on the second floor of the Douglas County Courthouse. We are located at 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria and can be reached at 320-762-3890 with questions.
- July 13 - Explore Engineering & Motion (Alexandria City Park in Alexandria). Build and make things go!
- July 20 - Explore Chemistry & Polymers (Lake Osagi Park in Osakis). Mix things together to create new!
- July 27 - Explore Art (Brandon Lions Park in Brandon). Paint, draw, create and more!
- August 10 - Explore Nature (Curt Felt Memorial Park in Alexandria). Experience the world around you!
- August 19 - Explore the County Fair (Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria). Experience all things fair - food, fun and excitement.
To register go to your family profile in mn.4honline.com, click events on the left-hand side and use the search screen to find daycamp(s) of choice and click it to register. There will be a registration specific to each day camp.
It's Back - Design Station Workshop in July!
- Wednesday, July 20 (grades K-5)
- Thursday, July 21 (grades 6 & +)
Come to Alexandria's Design Station located at 4417 County RD 82 SE and create your own sign art. Last year's workshops were a huge hit so we can't wait to offer these workshops again. All supplies and materials are provided. If we don't reach our participant numbers for each day, we will combine the two groups and offer one workshop; to be held either July 20 or 21. Watch for full details and registration material coming soon!
It's County Fair Time, Now What?
Wednesday, June 8th, 6-7:30pm
800 3rd Avenue West
Alexandria, MN
- 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
A lot happens before and during the county fair. This free workshop, held 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 on or before Tuesday, June 7.
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!
Summer Horse Riding Lessons
Are you a Douglas County 4-H'er 3rd grade and up wanting to learn about horse showmanship, basic riding, pleasure and horsemanship classes? These summer riding lessons are great for newcomers and experienced riders! This year's instructor is Taylor Bollman Anderson, a Douglas County 4-H alumni, and she's ready to get started. Supplies needed include halter, lead rope, horse, bridle, saddle and helmet. Long pants and boots are also required for riders.
Classes are offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays from June 7 through August 9 (no lessons July 26) and held at the Dan Neller Horse Arena at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. An informational meeting will take place Tuesday, May 31 for participants and parents from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the horse arena. Please do NOT bring your horse to this information meeting. All horses need to be identified in mn.4honline.com, have negative coggins document uploaded in mn.4honline.com or turned into the Extension office and also brought to lessons prior to bringing horse to lessons. For more information or questions, please call the office at 320-762-3890.