October
Family Newsletter - October 7, 2021
Remember you must re-enroll yearly to participate in 4-H! 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).
Welcome Caitlin Rademacher!
Caitlin Rademacher, a recent 4-H grad, is joining our Washington County 4-H team, part-time, as an Interim Extension Educator. Caitlin is currently attending UW-River Falls to obtain a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. She will be working with us until January 1. We are looking forward to having Caitlin on board!
Horse PDC Meeting -Monday, October 11
The Horse PDC will meet on Monday, October 11, beginning at 7:00 pm at the Gov’t Center. This committee helps plan and execute camps, clinics, county fair, project days, educational events, etc. Election of officers will take place for the new 4-H year. If you have an interest in the horse project, come join us!
Club Officer Training - Monday, October 25
CALLING all Club Officers! We will host Club Officer Training on Monday, October 25th beginning at 6:30 pm at the Gov’t Center! We will begin the evening with PIZZA, Install our new Exec Board Officers, have a quick Federation Meeting and move into Officer Training! We will wrap up by 8:00 pm. Every Club Officer should attend this training to help you navigate your new role in the coming year! PLEASE RSVP so we have enough food and supplies! Any questions, contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu
Federation Meeting - Monday, October 25
We will have a short Federation Meeting on Monday, October 25 along with Club Officer Training. We will begin the meeting with pizza at 6:30 pm, Install our new Exec Board Officers, and move into Club Officer Training.
Don't forget to sign up to be a 2021-2022 Washington County Ambassador!
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!
Our next meeting will be on Monday, October 25th at 5:30 at the Government Center. Pizza will be served at 6:30, with the Club Officer Training and Federation meeting to follow!
Fill out this quick google form to show your interest in the Washington County 4-H Ambassador program:
Teen Teachers needed for Youth Teaching Youth!
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.
4-H Fall Open House - Saturday, November 6
We are hosting our 6th Annual 4-H Open House on Saturday, November 6, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the fairgrounds! The Open House is intended to help new and inquiring families to learn more about our wonderful 4-H program here in Washington County! Clubs will have tables set up with information about their club and activities. We plan to have some smaller animals on-site, as well as activities put on by the Ambassadors. PDC’s are asked to send one representative to answer questions about your project area. Ann and Megan will have a Q & A for families during the day as well. Please let your friends, families, and others who may be interested in learning more about 4-H attend this event.
Cloverbud Workshop - Saturday, November 20
Join us for Cloverbud Learning Day - an event you will not want to miss! This workshop will be filled with fun hands-on activities, all while learning more about 4-H. All Cloverbuds and non-4-Hers in grades K-2 are invited to come to 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.
The cost is $10 if sent in by the deadline of November 10. After November 10, the cost is $20 and must be prepaid for supplies and pizza.
Questions? Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu
Winter Project Pursuit - Saturday, December 4
Join in the fun on Saturday, December 4th from 9 AM-Noon for a Project Pursuit at Hooley Hall on the Washington County Fairgrounds! Project Pursuit is intended for youth to try different project areas and get new ideas for possible exhibits for the fair. The Winter Project Pursuit will have experienced and exciting presenters. Some of the fun will include A candle-making workshop, wildlife workshop, a short service project, and much more!
This event will be open for youth grades 3+. Registration is $10 and due by November 22nd. After November 22nd, the price increases to $20. Don’t delay registering!
Questions? Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu
Club Leader Meeting & Volunteer Training
Club Leader Meeting
There will be a virtual Club Leader Meeting on Thursday, October 28 beginning at 7:00 pm. - please mark your calendars! A link will be sent prior to the meeting date to all Club Leaders!
Attention Washington County Volunteers!
Facilitating Youth Sparks: Minnesota 4-H Annual Volunteer Training
Join 4-H volunteers from across the state to learn about Facilitating Youth Sparks. This 90-minute volunteer training will increase your understanding of sparks and how you can support youth in their development. Participants will discuss how to assist youth in overcoming barriers to developing sparks. Adult volunteers and teen-aged youth leaders are invited. Make sure your club, project area or program are represented at this training!
Online webinar dates
October 26, 7:30 PM - register for Oct 26 training
November 4, 6:30 PM - register for Nov 4 training
Learn more and participate.https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/4-h-volunteer/train/for-all-volunteers
Fun State-Wide Events!
4-H Ag and Hort Afternoon Adventures begin Oct. 12
Make plans to attend 4-H Ag and Hort Afternoon Adventures beginning Oct. 12. Afternoon Adventures are for youth in grades 3-5. These virtual experiences will engage youth in a variety of topics related to agronomy and horticulture. Each month there will be a new topic and two challenges related to that topic.
Learn more and register.https://extension.umn.edu/projects-and-more/4-h-agronomy
Down on the Farm is returning this fall for youth in grades K-3
Down on the Farm registration is now open! Register by Oct. 2 to explore the wonderful world of animal science through hands-on activities and guest speakers. Kids in grades K-3 will learn about six different animals on Saturday mornings from Oct. 2 - Nov. 13. All sessions are free.
Learn more and register.https://extension.umn.edu/statewide-4-h-news/down-farm-returning-fall-youth-grades-k-3
Fall into Tasty Tuesdays with us!
Fall brings school days, football games, and festivities that keep us on the go. We have some warm, tasty recipes that are toasty and will satisfy your tummies after a long day! Registration is now open for youth in grades K-13. There is no registration deadline!
Learn more and register.https://extension.umn.edu/projects-and-more/4-h-family-consumer-science-projects
Club Reports Needed
St. Croix Clovers
Looking for a winter shop project?
Winter is coming and a great time to catch up on some projects, right? We have 2 projects in mind;
A new sign is needed to replace the 4-H sign that is located on the fairgrounds property on Hwy 5. That current sign has been weathering storms since 2009, so it is due to be replaced.
We could use a new 4-H Food Stand sign to replace the current worn sign.
If there is a youth in the shop project or an adult who would like to take on one or both of these projects, please let Ann know at; churc109@umn.edu
New Member Information
New Family Survey
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.
Washington County Extension website - the place to find information!
- 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
County membership fee update!
As you may have noticed, shortly after you enrolled online you were approved. We have been promised an online payment option is coming in October so until we learn what this will look like we are not holding enrollments until payment is received and you will most likely be invoiced once we learn more details. 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.
Washington County 4-H
Ann Church
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6809
churc109@umn.edu
Megan Slater
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6805
slate187@umn.edu
Kathy Erf
Principal Office & Administrative Specialist
(651) 430-6800
eber0002@umn.edu
Email: mnext-washington@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/washington
Location: 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN, USA
Phone: 651-430-6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonCounty4HMinnesota/?eid=ARD3CbY40ZXk23UD59FlaMaXZPKXCGDBzsQS7-RO0gKl7wFyNEUm8dWZoBgNFIOlA6YV2fuq5GLnRX-s