Friday Forecast
Dakota County 4-H Weekly Newsletter- December 17, 2021
Enroll in Dakota County 4-H today!
4-H Online enrollment is open for the 2021-22 4-H year! Youth are required to re-enroll each year in 4-H Online 2.0. For liability purposes, 4-H’ers need to have a completed enrollment on file to participate in club, county and regional/state events. Enrollment support can be found here. 4-H membership dues must be paid to be entered in the incentive drawings.
4-H members who re-enroll in 4-H Online AND submit their annual dues payment to the Dakota County Extension Office by January 15 will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. Both steps must be completed to be entered in the drawing. Families need to submit the Family Member Dues Payment Form 2021-2022 with payment to be included in the drawing. Contact Cherie at frand004@umn.edu if you have questions. Dues payments can be mailed to the Extension Office or placed in the drop box between the front doors of the Extension Office.
Seeking 4-H Project Workshop Instructors and Ideas
Do you have a special interest or skill to share? Have an idea for a workshop or a connection for a workshop that you feel the 4-H’ers would enjoy? Let us know!!! 4-H staff are looking for volunteers to help lead new workshops this winter. If you have an interest in leading a workshop or have a suggestion of a great new idea please contact Abby at tor0016@umn.edu.
Some specific classes looking for instructors include;
- Valentines Candy/ Cookie Decorating
- Fishing Sports- fishing lure making
- Graphic Design
- Cultural Cooking
- Shop/ Wood Science
- Photography
- Drama/ Theatre/ Performing Arts
- Career Exploration
- Demonstrations
Native American Beadwork Workshop - Jan. 22; registration due Jan. 14
Grade K-2: Mechanics In Motion Cloverbud Workshop - Jan. 22; must register by Jan. 14
Sign up to join the fun on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington for this in-person, fun motion-themed workshop. Other activities include learning about automatons, creating crafts and participating in hands-on-fun. Cloverbud workshops are fun-filled events led by the Dakota County 4-H Ambassador team. Workshops feature age-appropriate programs focusing on fun, safe, non-competitive activities meant to engage youth and create new friendships. The University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Cloverbud Program is designed specifically for youth in grades Kindergarten through second grade (K-2). Participants must be enrolled in Kindergarten and at least 5 years of age as of Sept. 1 of the current year to enroll as a Cloverbud. Dakota County 4-H Cloverbud members are welcome to bring non-4-H friends (grade K-2) to workshops too! Participants will register for the cloverbud workshop in 4-H Online. Registration due Friday, Jan. 14. The 4-H Online event registration guide will walk you through how to register. Contact Cherie if you have questions. If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” or “In Person Camp/Event” club for your county. In the projects field, choose the project your primary focus is on and any other project areas you have an interest in.
Cloverbud workshop: Feb. 12, March 5, April 23, May 14Grade 3-5: Mechanics In Motion Sprouts Workshop - Jan. 22; must register by Jan. 14
The Dakota County 4-H Sprouts program is back for the 2021-22 year. The Jan. 22 workshop will be motion-themed. This free in-person workshop will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington. Other activities include learning about automatons, creating crafts and participating in hands-on-fun. Workshops and activities are geared toward 4-H youth currently in grades 3-5. Sprouts is a new group designed as a continuation of the cloverbud program. New and returning members are welcome to join in on the fun! At the Sprouts workshops, youth will meet new friends, participate and practice leading activities, and create exciting projects! Participants will register for the Sprouts workshops in 4-H Online. Registration due Friday, Jan. 14. The 4-H Online event registration guide will walk you through how to register. Contact Cherie if you have questions. If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” or “In Person Camp/Event” club for your county. In the projects field, choose the project your primary focus is on and any other project areas you have an interest in. Contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu if you have any questions about the workshop.
Sprouts workshops: Feb. 12, March 5, April 23, May 14.
Qillow Project Workshop
What is a Qillow? A Qillow is a lap quilt that folds in to a built in pocket, creating a pillow. Workshop is for 4-H members grade 3 and older; however 4th and 5th grade members or members with minimal sewing experience must bring an adult helper to assist them. Participants should be comfortable with a sewing machine. If possible, please bring your own sewing machine if you have one so you are familiar with the machine. A limited number of machines are available to use at the workshop; please reserve a machine when registering. Instruction booklet will be handed out so you can finish at home if you do not finish in class. Class Jan. 29 - 9 .m. - 1 p.m.; Feb. 5- 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Dakota County Extension Office. Fabric kit provided by the instructor. Must register by Jan. 19 to allow time for the instructor to purchase supplies.
Participants will register for this workshop in 4-H Online. The 4-H Online event registration guide will walk you through how to register. Contact Cherie if you have questions.
Project Bowl Interest Form Due Today!
Sign up to become a Dakota County 4-H Ambassador!
Sign-up here to participate in the 2021-22 Ambassador program.
The Dakota County 4-H Ambassador program allows youth to take part in activities to help them become leaders and good citizens. A 4-H Ambassador is a self-motivated, enthusiastic leader who promotes the organization using the skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities acquired in 4-H. They serve to strengthen the 4-H program through public relations and serve as a positive role model for younger members. Some past activities include: participating in community service projects, planning and leading Cloverbud activities, and promoting 4-H throughout Dakota County. Contact Rachel reza0027@umn.edu for information on the Ambassador program.
Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU)
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.
Photography Scavenger Hunt
SPAM Museum Virtual Tour
Have an hour to spare? Spend it visiting a local Minnesota treasure, and learn some interesting facts along the way. Join from the comfort of your home on Tuesday, December 28 at 10 a.m.
The SPAM™tastic Live Virtual Tour gives an inside look into the SPAM™ Museum, telling of Hormel Foods and the growth of the SPAM™ brand throughout history and throughout the world.
You'll learn how Hormel Foods started 129 years ago, how SPAM™ products played a role in WWII, what REALLY makes up SPAM™ Classic, the story behind the Hormel® Black Label® bacon motorcycle and so much more!
This virtual tour is presented via Zoom.
Everyone that participates in the tour will be put in a random drawing for SPAM Merchandise.
The event is free and limited to 20 participants.
https://z.umn.edu/spam2021Careers Down on the Farm explore the wonderful world of agricultural-related careers
Hosts Needed for Free Little Pantries
Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
4-H WHEP is a hands-on environmental education program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to youth in grades 3-13. WHEP provides participants an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in an annual friendly competition with teams of 3-4 similarly aged individuals.
The Minnesota 4-H State WHEP Competition will be held April 30, 2022. The winning senior WHEP team (14-19 years of age) will attend the annual National WHEP Contest, typically held the last full week of July.
You will learn:
- Wildlife terms and concepts
- Wildlife habitats
- How to judge the quality of wildlife habitats
- Wildlife habitat management practices
- Wildlife damage management
If you are interested in being part of a team or coaching, let Abby know at torg0016@umn.edu. Learn more about being a WHEP coach.
Hooked on Fishing
Looking for Volunteers to become certified Shooting Sports and Wildlife Instructors
Dates and information and registration can be found at; https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-events/4-h-shooting-sports-and-wildlife-leader-certification
PowerPoint Party!
Improve your public speaking skills as you prepare to present at our free virtual 4-H PowerPoint party! Each week during this four-session webinar series, you will be given the tools you need to give a stellar persuasive speech on a topic or subject matter that is important to you.
What’s a PowerPoint party?
It’s a virtual social gathering where you give a short slide deck presentation on a topic that is important to you. There is no judgement on the topic you pick. It’s a fun way to get together as we learn more about each other and a wide variety of topic areas.
Youth in grades 8-12. You must be enrolled in 4-H to participate.
Find all the information and registration at https://z.umn.edu/4hpowerpoint
4-H STEM Inventors
Explore the possibilities of inventions with 4-H! We will look to past inventors for inspiration and have the opportunity to design new inventions or research an inventor of choice.
4-H Inventors will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesday from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on the following dates:
- January 26
- February 2
- February 9
- February 16
- February 23
- March 2
Audience: Youth in grades 3-6
Registration Info: https://extension.umn.edu/event/4-h-inventors-6
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
In the summer of 2022, Minnesota 4-H will bring youth to the Washington, DC, area to participate in the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) conference. At CWF, youth will explore careers, engage in workshops, tour historic landmarks in DC, and meet other teens from across the US. Each participants will also develop a plan to take action on an issue they care about when they return home. This experience is open to youth members who are at least 14 years old and complete with the 9th grade at the time of the trip.
Minnesota 4-H will attend CWF June 19-24 (potential travel day on June 18, TBD in January). Virtual pre-departure meetings are monthly, starting in March. Registration for this experience is currently open through January 10, and is limited to 45 youth at this time. Chaperone information will be posted in late January. More information is available at: https://z.umn.edu/4H-CWF
Beef Project Updates
Rate of gain requirement has been removed from 4-H livestock auction qualification.
Dakota County will be offering an ear tagging and weigh in event for Dakota County market beef animals. Date to be announced in early January; watch your email and Friday Forecast for details.
Weigh in is optional for beef families for 2022.
All 4-H market beef must be tagged with a MN 4-H ear tag, available from the Dakota County Extension Office in Farmington. Tags must be pre-ordered. Animals coming to the weigh in event will be tagged with a MN 4-H ear tag.
If you do not attend weigh in, you are responsible for picking up ear tags from the Extension Office and tagging your own animals before the Feb. 15 deadline.
Families who plan to participate in the weigh in event, must pre-register by Jan. 21 (link will be available in early January.) If there is enough interest from families to weigh (and tag beef with a MN 4-H ear tag), we will determine if the weigh-in will continue as scheduled.
Horseless Horse Program
Livestock PDC Kickoff Webinar- hosted by the state Animal Science Team, January 10
What exactly is the role of the Project Development Committee? How does it support the mission of the MN 4-H program and local county program? How do we structure our committee? How do finances work? Who gets to make rules and policies? Join us for an informational webinar to help kickoff your Animal Science PDC work for the year!
January 10, 7-8 pm
Find out more at: https://z.umn.edu/4HPDCKickoff
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.
Dakota County 4-H college scholarship applications due March 15
Dakota County 4-H members who are high school seniors that will be graduating in 2022 and will be attending an accredited college, university, community college or technical college during the fall 2022 quarter/semester are eligible to apply for the following scholarships. Review each scholarship application for specific application requirements. Please note these scholarships are open to all enrolled Dakota County 4-H members. Contact Anja if you have questions.
Minnesota 4-H has many college scholarship opportunities
See the MN 4-H scholarships, grants, and awards page for specific details for each scholarship. Review each scholarship for specific details and application deadlines.
4-H Office Holiday Hours
Our staff wishes all of our 4-H friends and families a wonderful Holiday Season! Our office will be closed from Dec. 22 – Jan. 3 for staff to enjoy time with their families. We hope you can all take some time to reflect, relax, and rejuvenate so we are ready to roll in 2022! Happy Holidays!
Dakota County 4-H Contacts
Abby Wagner: torg0016@umn.edu, 651-480-7752
Anja Johnson: akoester@umn.edu, 651-480-7758
Rachel Rezac: reza0027@umn.edu, 651-480-7754
Kirsten Pederson: kapeders@umn.edu, 651-480-7722
Cherie Frandrup: frand004@umn.edu, 651-480-7700
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/dakota
Location: 4100 220th Street West, Farmington, MN, USA
Phone: 651-480-7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dakota.county4h