Douglas 4-H Buzz
February 2024 Edition
Market Beef ID Deadline is February 15
The market beef ID deadline is fast approaching! Information was mailed to those enrolled in the beef project as of January 7, 2024. This deadline is for those identifying and exhibiting a beef market animal (beef steer, market beef heifer, dairy steer) with a birthdate of January 1, 2023-August 31, 2023; a finished market animal at the time of the county fair. These animals need to be ear tagged and identified in mn.4honline.com by February 15, 2024. All other beef animals (breeding heifer, cow/calf, prospect calf) are identified later in the year. You can find all the information about tagging and ID process here. Ear tags are to be ordered through the google form. If you have questions or concerns, please email Jodi at hintz010@umn.edu or call the office at 320-762-3890.
Quilt Quest 2024
Youth 4th grade and up are invited to join Jodi and MaryAnn for a fun-filled quilting adventure. Participants will meet virtually, to make a quilt top using the pattern “Do the Shuffle.” Explore tips and techniques of using the tools and tricks of making a quilt. The cost for this event FREE, however you will need to purchase supplies to complete the quilt. A supply list will be provided during the first class. How to videos will be available for assistance. This event will be held virtually Sundays, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Feb 25, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 & Apr 28, 2024. Registration closes February 22. Please email questions to Jodi at hintz010@umn.edu
Sunday, Feb 25, 2024, 05:00 PM
Douglas County 4-H Winter Horse Project Day - Location Change
The annual winter horse project day is scheduled for Sunday, February 25 from 1-3:30 p.m. at Ridge Crossing Arena (13339 210th Ave Glenwood, MN 56334). Come explore opportunities the horse project has to offer and start preparing! All ages and adults welcome; including Cloverbuds. Registration is open in mn.4honline.com, search for Douglas County 4-H Winter Horse Project Day. Please register by the Wednesday, February 21 deadline.
Sunday, Feb 25, 2024, 01:00 PM
13339 210th Ave, Glenwood, MN, USA
Goat Project Workshop
Are you interested in learning more about the goat project? If so, then come and join our goat project workshop on Sunday, March 10 from 1-3 p.m. at Douglas County Public Works.
Dr. Mackenzie Westby, DVM will talk about immunizations and health. We will discuss nutrition, diseases, 4-H identification process and animal selection. There will be two tracks; one for dairy goats and one for meat goats. All ages and parents/guardians are welcome. This clinic is organized and presented by the Bumgarner, Bundermann and Hokanson families. Door prizes, tasting and local MN 4-H State Ag Ambassador will be present! Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!
A second clinic is planned for Sunday, May 5 at 1 p.m. with the location TBD. Topics for that workshop are daily hair care, clipping, fitting and showmanship demonstrations. Watch for more information to come. To register, please email or call Kelly Bumgarner at kelly@prairielakesdental.com or 320-491-4234. Please register by Wednesday, March 6.
Sunday, Mar 10, 2024, 01:00 PM
Douglas County Public Works, Willow Drive, Alexandria, MN, USA
Annual 4-H Rabbit Fun Show
Looking for a rabbit judging experience before the county fair? Mark your calendars for this fun show and gain experience showing. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., judging begins at 11:30 a.m. This event is sponsored by Douglas County 4-H and Moses and Aaron 4-H Club. Cost is $ 3 for each rabbit entered. For more information or questions, please email Jackie at jkokett@umn.edu
- Rabbits for sale - get yours before the May 15 deadline (4-H breeds only, no crossbreds)
- Please bring a tarp to place under your rabbit carrier
- Rabbit tattooing available
- Ribbons awarded for best of breed and best opposite (classes with five or more same breed)
- Medallions awarded for showmanship in senior, intermediate and junior divisions
- Medallions awarded for best in show and reserve in show
- Food stand, door prizes and silent auction available
- Rabbit Tracks will be on site with a nice selection of rabbit supplies available for purchase
Sunday, Apr 28, 2024, 10:30 AM
Brandon City Hall and Auditorium, 105 Holmes Ave, Brandon, MN 56315
T.A. 'Dad' Erickson Community Service Grant Application
Douglas County 4-H Clubs/programs are eligible to apply for this service-learning grant, This $250 grant is for service learning projects led by youth. The deadline for this application is February 15. Drop off at Extension office or email to Jodi Hintzen at hintz010@umn.edu or Jackie Kokett at jkokett@umn.edu . Completed and funded projects require an impact form and presentation at a future leaders council meeting.
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.
4-H Exhibits
A 4-H exhibit is something that 4-H'ers can make and show and the fair or other showcase event to demonstrate what they learned in the project area.
VEGETABLE/HERG GARDENING
Grow you own food! You might choose to grow your favorite herb, or vegetable. Explore how to plant, water, fertilize and prune your plant, how to manage weeds, insects, and diseases. Explore and try new varieties or new growing methods.
Create an exhibit
Once you have designed and planted your vegetable plot, your fruits, or herbs you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. When exhibiting be sure to include information on the vegetables and herbs included in the exhibit. These might include:
- A vegetable collection of six different kinds of vegetables for example one large specimen (cabbage, squash, melon, pumpkin, cauliflower etc.) three different medium vegetables specimens of 3 each (tomatoes, onions, peppers, cucumbers, kohlrabi, carrots, beets, turnips etc.) Two small vegetable specimens and 6-12 of each (green beans, peas, lima beans etc.)
- A vegetable plate of three different kids of vegetables including one large, one medium (3 each) and one small (6-12 each)
- Educational display showing some aspect of raising or using herbs
- A herb container garden
- A dried sample of herbs you have raised, harvested, and dried
- Display comparing three varieties of the same kind of vegetable
- A mini vegetable garden planted in a tub
- Display showing different growing methods, use of fertilizer, location, watering, thinned versus un-thinned vegetables
- A largest vegetable contest including: squash, cabbage, pumpkin, melons, field corn or cucumber
VETERINARY SCIENCE
Investigate how to keep animals healthy, learn about basic anatomy, research diseases and prevention. Explore veterinary careers.
Create an exhibit
Once you have narrowed down your focus in the field of veterinary science you can create an exhibit to share at your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- A display focused on technology or industry advancements in veterinary science
- An exhibit on diseases of animals focusing on the history, management and/or prevention
- Display on use of medications in veterinary science
- A report on surgical and non-surgical procedures used in veterinary science
- An exhibit focused on careers in veterinary science
- Model of the skeletal systems of an animal
VIDEO/FILMMAKING
Discover how videos are used in your daily life, for school projects or in a future career. Videography is art, communications, and technology all at the same time. Learn how to create and connect media messages through video/film.
Create and exhibit
After exploring all of the possibilities around video and filmmaking and deciding on your video story you can create an exhibit to share at your fair or showcase event. Any electronic device capable of capturing a video image can be used. If you use a drone youth must meet operator requirements. These might include:
- Showcase various video/film techniques
- A selected subject, include a storyboard or outline
- A poster that illustrates how a camera or device works, how to care for your equipment.
- A video made by blending computer technology and traditional camera created film
- Trail camera video and how you have used it
- A video/film using Claymation or stop action.
- Documentary of an issue in your community
- This is not a slide show.
WATER RESOURCES
Wetlands are important as they store water, clean it, and help prevent flooding. Learn how to protect wetlands and water quality, and we depend on our state’s wetlands. Explore surface water, groundwater, pollution and how to be a good water steward.
Create and exhibit
Once you have explored, researched and investigated the world of water resources, you can create an exhibit to share at your fair or showcase event.
- Demonstrate water’s unique chemical/physical properties, such as how heat and salt affect water density or how a wetland ecosystem changes throughout the seasons.
- Exhibit showing how water is necessary for life, such as a display on water/wetland ecosystem services like filtration or nutrient cycles from plants.
- Share how water connects earth systems displaying local water cycle or watershed
- Research and report a local water body’s thermoclines or nutrient cycles.
- Map out local, regional, state, or global water bodies and water quality
WILDLIFE BIOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
Explore Minnesota’s diverse wildlife habitat in prairies, forests, wetlands or your own backyard. Learn about wildlife populations, what impacts their habitats, and how to become a good steward of the land.
Create and exhibit
As you explore the unlimited possibilities in this project area you can create an exhibit to share at your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- Create a guide of local wild animals include habitat, diet, and shelter needs
- Explore and share basic concepts of wildlife management.
- Explain factors that threaten or endanger animal species such as urbanization, climate change or habitat loss
- Build a birdhouse, bat house or nesting structure include how and why
- Display a collection of identified wildlife scat (droppings), skulls, or skins. How do they differ?
- Journal your experience shadowing or volunteering at a nature center or park.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Learn how to be a leader in your club or community. Develop communication skills and build relationships with others. You might serve as a club officer, camp counselor, Cloverbud leader or more. Find the leader within you and make a positive impact.
Create and exhibit
Once you have served your community and made an impact you can share what you have learned and how your skills have developed through creating an exhibit to share at your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- A report on your youth leadership experience-planning, implementation, impact, and personal growth
- Develop a career and or college prep portfolio
- Present how you’ve built an understanding of leadership
- Share about leadership programs you have attended or led
- Explain how you have served as a mentor and/or teacher to younger youth
- Display sharing about skills you have developed serving as a club or county officer
Contact Information:
Jodi Hintzen, Extension Educator, hintz010@umn.edu
Jackie Kokett, Extension Educator, jkokett@umn.edu
Douglas County Extension
Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas
Address: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308 (Courthouse, 2nd floor)
Phone: 320-762-3890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/
Twitter: @UMNExt
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