Jackson Journal
June 2023
Welcome to the new Jackson County Extension Educator - Caitlyn Krueger!
I am super excited to be a part of the Extension family and use my talents to serve youth and families as the new Extension Educator for Jackson County. I was previously a 1st grade teacher for 5 years in Redwood Falls, MN. And was recently serving as the 4-H Program Associate for Lyon and Redwood Counties. My experience with 4-H and agricultural experiences go as far back as I can remember.
I’m a dairy girl at heart. My family still owns and operates a small dairy farm outside of Caledonia, MN. Since I was 2, I was showing dairy cattle at the Houston Co. Fair with my family. I was actively involved in 4-H and FFA through my eligible years and even after high school was involved with the dairy industry while attending North Dakota State University. Even though my major was Elementary Education, I was heavily involved in the agricultural organization Saddle and Sirloin in addition to the Bison Dairy Club. I also was on the Dairy Judging Team and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority.
After college graduation, I participated in the IFYE program (an international exchange program) where I traveled to Finland and India over a span of 6 months. While abroad I learned about those country's 4-H programs, agricultural practices, and education systems. I also participated in the day to day life experiences with my various host families. I currently serve as the MN IFYE State Coordinator and a member of the IFYE Program Development Committee. Other community activities include serving as Co-President for Redwood Falls Lions Club, serving as a member of Redwood Co. Farm Bureau, and running, The Sisu Teacher, my own tutoring business. In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, reading, antiquing, hunting, and hanging out with friends and family.
I look forward to helping Jackson County with the 4-H programming already going on in addition to starting some new programs based on the on passions and sparks of Jackson County youth. Please feel free to stop into the Extension Office anytime and say “hi!”.
Welcome to the new Jackson County Extension Administrative Assistant - Jazlyn Meyer
I am so excited to be here and learn more about Jackson County Extension, 4-H, and the community!
I was born and raised in Martin County where my family owns a small farm. Growing up I was involved heavily in 4-H, from serving in both club and federation councils to providing workshops and day camps as a county ambassador. I showed a variety of general projects as well as exhibited rabbits, horses, and sheep over the course of 12 years. After graduating from Fairmont Jr/Sr High School in 2018, I moved to Mankato to further my education. I graduated from South Central College in 2022 with my Associate's Degree and continued my education at MSU-Mankato for a short time before deciding to take a break to return to work.
I have always wanted to work for the University of Minnesota and stay involved in 4-H so over the past few years I have been able to serve as Summer Intern in Jackson (2020/2021) and Waseca (2022), as well as Interim in Martin County last year. My love for 4-H and Extension runs deep!
I look forward to meeting and working with everyone here in Jackson County and hope to provide you with all your University of Minnesota Extension needs!
Welcome Back to our Summer Intern - Abby Ignaszewski
I am Abby Ignaszewski and am the 2023 Summer Intern. I served as the 2022 Summer intern and am excited to be back for another year! I live in Jackson County and was a part of the Delafield Digger 4-H club when I was a youth. Currently, I am going to college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln pursuing a Forensic Science degree. I am excited to be a part of the office staff again this summer!
FairEntry VS 4-H Online
What is the difference between FairEntry and 4-H Online?
4-H Online enrolls you into the 4-H program, it signs you up for project areas, and it ID's your animals you will be using to participate in 4-H.
In Fair Entry you register to participate in the fair. It tells us what you are planning to show at the fair.
If you ID-ed your animals in 4-H Online or selected project areas of interest, you now need register for the classes you are planning on showing in FairEntry.
Fair registration deadline is June 15.
Premium Book and Fair Registration
Here is the 2023 Premium Book! We encourage you to look through it as you consider which projects to exhibit this year.
FairEntry is LIVE now and will close on June 15th.
If you have any questions, we welcome you to reach out to any of us at the Jackson County Extension Office.
Animal Science Updates 2023
Here is the link to the updates: Minnesota 4-H AnSci Updates for 2023
**Reminder - Starting this year, due to new staff, we will be asking for livestock registration materials prior to the fair.
This will help prepare for the show process as we streamline our system. Please ensure your registration papers for all your registered animals are in by July 24 to the Jackson County Extension Office.
If you are wondering which animals need their registration papers please check in 4-H Online or contact the Jackson County Extension Office as we would be happy to help!
County Fair Camping
Summer Day Camps
There is still time to sign-up for Jackson County Day Camps!
Follow the link below to sign-up.
June 14th from 9:30am-noon
Ashley Park in Jackson
June 28th from 9:30am-noon
Heron Lake City Park
To register, contact the Jackson County Extension 4-H Office at
507-662-5293, email mnext-jackson@umn.edu, or complete a registration form at: z.umn.edu/JacksonCounty4HDayCamp2023
Local Summer Programs
We have many surrounding counties offering various summer programs for youth of all ages. Check out what’s happening nearby and feel free to partake in the 4-H fun! As a member of 4-H, you are not locked into participating in just Jackson County programs!
Check these out!
Pollinator Day Camp - Cottonwood County https://z.umn.edu/PollinatorDayCamp
3-day Horse Clinic - Cottonwood County https://z.umn.edu/3DayHorseClinic
Jackson County Ambassador Meeting
There will be an ambassador (Grades 6-13) meeting
on June 12 from 5 pm-6:30 pm at the Jackson Co. Ext.
office. We will be discussing what it means to be a
4-H Ambassador, upcoming summer events, and
planning county fair Ambassador participation.
Please RSVP by June 9, 2023. Join us for pizza! We
will need at least 5 youth RSVP or it will be canceled.
Here is the link to register: https://z.umn.edu/JacksonCoAmbieMtg
Food Stand Meeting
The food stand committee has purchased 2 new fryers!
Our next committee meeting will be June 20 starting at 6:30 pm.
LQA&E Training
To be eligible to participate in showing livestock at the State Fair, youth must have an active LQA&E (Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics) or YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals) certification before the county fair.
If you have questions about your certification status, please contact the Extension Office.
To find a local LQA&E training you can go here: MN LQA&E Trainings
To learn how to complete YQCA training go here: How to YQCA
Jackson County Calendar!
Egg to Show
Sunday, June 25
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Martin County Fairgrounds, Fairmont
Grades: All ages, K-2 attend with an adult
Cost: no cost; meal included
Register by June 10
4-H STEM Explorers Day Camp
Tuesday, June 27
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Grades: 6-8
Cost: $20 (include materials, snack and
lunch + $15 for optional rock climbing
Registration Deadline: June 16
Advisory/Federation Meeting
Federation Meeting will begin at 7:30
Monday, Jun 19, 2023, 06:30 PM
Multi-Purpose Senior Citizen, Main Street, Lakefield, MN, USA
Jackson County 4-H
Email: mnext-jackson@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/jackson
Location: 607 State Highway 86, Lakefield, MN
Phone: 507-662-5293
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacksoncountymn4h/