February

Welcome to our Family Newsletter! The most up-to-date information about events and activities going on in Washington County 4-H. Please pass along to friends and family that might be interested in attending a 4-H event. You will also receive the monthly Clover Update at the beginning of each month highlighting regional and state events.

• Enroll/Re-enroll youth for the 2022-2023 4-H year through 4honline. (4-H year runs from Oct. 1 - Sept. 30) To participate fully in county fair and state events you must be enrolled by May 15.
  

• Enroll/Re-enroll as an adult volunteer. Complete the process now so you are ready to step in when you want to or are needed. Volunteer application.
• Pay County membership fee $25/youth or $100 max/family (youth only). Scholarships available.
• Once your enrollment is complete you can start registering for events and activities. Save time and complete the enrollment process now. 4honline
• All links and information about enrollment/fees can be found at the end of this newsletter.
  

• Still looking for a club to join?? Contact the club to confirm their meeting place and time. Feel free to attend multiple club meetings to find the right fit for your family. Once you have decided what club to join, please contact the club to make sure you are on their email list.

  4-H Clubs in Washington County

  4-H Club Bios

• Feel like you missed something? All Family Newsletters are posted on our county website under resources.

Looking for youth voice on the Washington County Extension Committee. There are two open positions on the Washington County Extension Committee for youth in grades 9-12 who live in Washington County. These positions are important in providing input to the University of Minnesota Extension and Washington County partnership, which includes the 4-H and Extension Master Gardener program. The commitment is five evening meetings a year for a one year term. Please contact Tammy McCulloch, Extension Regional Director to learn more and apply at tammym@umn.edu or 612-735-6161. What a great way to learn about local government, build your resume and ensure that Extension programs address community needs!

The County Fair Food Stand Committee would like to have advertising graphics done by you! The following posters are on the wish list.

Ice Pops (Otter Pops)

Breakfast at Hooley Hall

Daily Breakfast Special*

Daily Lunch/Dinner Special*

Soft Pretzels

Please have your final graphics completed on 8.5 x 11 paper and bring it to Creative Arts Night Friday, Feb. 24th beginning at 5:00 pm to be judged by your 4-H peers! The artwork will be then scanned for reproduction during the County Fair. Think about legibility, ease of read from a distance and walking by, catching people’s eyes, promoting food sales and 4-H. Please have a spot for hours to be applied for Breakfast and Daily Specials

We are now accepting applications for the Arts-In Director position for our 2023 show season! This is a paid position that works with the Performing Arts Development Committee and student directors to write the script, select music, and put together all aspects of the Arts-In encampment. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and previous Arts-In experience is preferred. Applications are due to the Extension office no later than February 24, 2023. Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions.

Download the application here!

Are you interested in learning more about the Performing Arts? Does your club want to put together a Share the Fun skit, but you’re not sure where to start? Then this workshop is for you! Join experienced Performing Arts and Share the Fun volunteers on Saturday, February 25th via zoom from 1-3 PM. Both youth leaders and adults are welcome - Youth leaders, parents, and club volunteers will learn how to create a Share the Fun skit! Contact Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu with any questions and for the zoom link.

Join us for our next Ambassador meeting on Monday, February 27 at the Washington County Government Center from 6-7 PM. On the agenda this month is our March Service project, team building games, and brainstorming for our April Cloverbud workshop! Treats will be provided. Reach out to Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions!

Don’t delay to register for our popular overnight camp with Washington and Dakota County 4-Hers, held June 12-14! Camp will once again be held at Baker Outdoor Learning Center in Maple Plaine, MN. Campers will participate in outdoor adventures, wilderness challenges, crafts, campfires, making new friends, and so much more!

Campers must have completed 3-8th grade (as of June 2023). Bus transportation will be provided from the Dakota County Northern Service Center in West St. Paul. Cost will be $150 per camper. Register and pay online through your 4HOnline account. Registration will close on May 12, or when camp is full. Limited spots available; register today!

Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions.

Calling all youth leaders interested in being a 4-H Resident Camp Counselor! Camp counselors provide camp games, lead cabin activities, and supervise all aspects of your campers’ day. Selected camp counselors assist in planning camp and receive required counselor training throughout the planning process. Join us at Baker Outdoor Learning Center from June 12-14, 2023 for lots of fun, leadership, and lifelong friendships. Counselors must have completed 9th grade by the start of summer camp. Deadline to apply is March 30, 2023. Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions. Apply to be a camp counselor here!

4-H staff will host a New Family Orientation starting at 6:30 PM on Monday April 3 at the Stillwater Government Center. Topics covered will include; 4-H basics, project areas, upcoming spring project registrations, animal ID deadline and more. We will allow extra time for your questions! If you can join us, please pre-register at z.umn.edu/WashingtonNewFamilyNight

Save the date for our next Cloverbud Workshop! The workshop will be held on April 22nd at Baytown Hall from 9 AM - NOON. The Ambassadors are busy planning the event and we’ll give you a hint… it’s on Earth Day!

The Washington County 4-H Shooting Sports program is participating in a Pheasants Forever fundraiser this year to help keep the costs of the Shooting Sports project down for the families who participate. We are selling raffle tickets for $10 each. 100 percent of the proceeds from the Pheasants Forever raffle ticket sales will go back to the Washington County 4-H Shooting Sports program!

There are five awesome prizes for the raffle:

1st place is a CZ-USA 1210 Shotgun

2nd place is a $1000 Joe's Sporting Goods gift card

3rd place is a $500 Joe's Sporting Goods gift card

4th place is a $100 Joe's Sporting Goods gift card

5th place is a $50 Joe's Sporting Goods gift card

Checks can be made payable to: Washington County Pheasants Forever

The raffle drawing will occur on May 9, 2023. Retain the stub with the purchasers contact information (the purchaser retains the descriptive portion of the ticket). All unsold tickets, checks and cash must be returned to one of the Shooting Sports trainers or the 4-H Extension Office in Stillwater by Monday, April 24, 2023.

Please contact Ann at: churc109@umn.edu if you are interested in participating in this fundraiser. We can mail the tickets to your home or you can arrange for a pickup. All 4-H families are welcome to participate in this fundraiser!

Registration material has been emailed to all families enrolled in the Shooting Sports Project for the 2023 year. If you did not receive that email, please go into your 4honline account and enroll in the Shooting Sports Project, this will ensure you receive future emails.

You can find the forms to register on our website at; Washington County 4-H website

Here are the 4 steps to register;

1. Enroll in 4-H and the Shooting Sports project through your family account in 4honline.
2. 4-H’ers registering for 22 Rifle, Trap, and/or Black Powder must have complete a Fire Arms Safety course prior to participating in these 4-H disciplines. Fire Arms Safety courses are offered in various locations. In addition, Oakdale Gun Club requires a signed waiver (you will find at the website link above). If you are participating in 22 Rifle, Trap and/or Black Powder, please make sure the Oakdale consent is signed and returned to our office either through the mail or scanned and emailed.
3. Complete the Shooting Sports registration form by May 15.
4. There is a $40.00/participant or $80.00 max per family to help cover expenses of the program. Payment must be received before attending training. Checks need to be made out to Washington County 4-H mailed to the office at; Washington County 4-H, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN 55082. Scholarship money is available if needed, contact our office for information.

Most 4-H youth would say that the highlight of their 4-H experience is the county and/or state fair. The county fair provides youth an opportunity to showcase their projects and what they have learned over the past year. Most project areas (except for Photography and Creative Arts) do not have a limit on how many exhibits can be entered. Spring break season will soon be here, what better time than to start forming some ideas and getting a start on those fair projects! Need ideas on what to bring to the county fair? Check out the resource guide: County Fair Project Ideas

Remember to keep General/Static Project Judging Day open! - Saturday, July 29

County Fair week is; Wednesday, August 2 - August 6! Don’t miss the fun!

National 4-H volunteer week is coming up April 16-22. We are so fortunate to have many special volunteers in Washington County. Take a minute and tell us how that special person(s) made a positive 4-H experience for you or your family. Just a sentence or two about someone from your club, an activity or project area who made a difference. If you have a photo, even better! This can be from both members and adults. Please email that information to Kathy at eber0002@umn.edu by April 1.

4-H members have an opportunity to learn and work with Llama’s, thanks to the generosity of Dan Whittaker. Project meetings will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, Tuesday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 28 at Hooley Hall on the fairgrounds beginning at 7:00 pm. Dan will introduce the llama/alpaca project along with basic terminology and care of the animals prior to working with the live animals on his farm later in the spring. If you are interested, please contact Dan directly at; llamadan@aol.com or Ann Church at; churc109@umn.edu If any of these meetings are canceled due to weather, a message will be left at; 651-430-6809.

Youth and adults interested in getting more involved in the Horse Project are welcome to attend the upcoming Horse PDC meeting scheduled for Monday, March 13th beginning at 6:30 pm at the Stillwater Gov’t Center. To learn more, contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu

The Horse Camp Committee will meet on Monday, March 13th beginning at 7:30 pm at the Stillwater Gov’t Center. If you would like to help with Horse Camp, please contact Lisa Kalka at; kalkax2@live.com or Ann at: churc109@umn.edu

A fun and informative Horse Project Day is being planned for Saturday, March 18! Please save the date and watch for more details in the next newsletter!

Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training is required of any youth 6th grade and above that would take a state fair livestock trip. It is required for youth exhibiting dairy, beef, sheep, swine, goats, llama, rabbit and poultry. 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 animals science projects.

Washington County 4-H will be offering Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics Training on Friday, June 23 from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm at the Krueger Farm located in the south end of the county. Watch for more details to come!

Youth in grades 4 and up are invited to join us for a fun-filled quilting adventure. Participants will meet virtually to make a quilt top using the fat quarter fizz pattern. Together we will explore tips and techniques for quilt-making.

Sessions will be held via Zoom from 5 to 6 p.m. on the following Sundays:

• Feb. 26
• March 5
• March 12
• March 26
• April 2
• April 30

In addition to the virtual sessions, how-to videos will be available for assistance.

Register in 4-H Online by Feb. 22.

Get your food passports ready as we travel to a different country, learn about their culture and create some of their favorite meals or desserts! Our destination will be a mystery until you get your ingredient list! You don't want to miss out on this exciting food adventure! Our arrival dates for our mystery destinations are: February 14, 28; March 14, 28; April 4 and 11 from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Registration is currently open and there is no deadline.

https://z.umn.edu/TastyTuesdaysPassport

Registration is currently open and there is no registration deadline. To register, log in, or if Registration is new to 4-H, enroll, at https://mn.4honline.com. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide at z.umn.edu/4hEvent

Calling all wildlife lovers - registration is now open for another round of Zooming Into Wildlife! This unique series will give youth the opportunity to use a trail camera while meeting weekly over Zoom to share their photos, plus hear from engaging guest speakers.

Learn more at z.umn.edu/2023ZoomingIntoWildlife

Register at z.umn.edu/4-HZoomingIntoWildlife2023Reg

What do frogs, snakes and turtles have in common? Join us and learn more about Herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. We will go undercover and discover the mysteries of our cold blooded friends as we learn how they can become one of your new 4-H projects! Hop and slither to the sessions on the following dates: February 2, 16; March 2,16,30; and April 6, 20 from 7pm - 8pm via Zoom. Registration is open and there is no deadline. For grades K -13

https://z.umn.edu/AmazingAmphibiansandRoamingReptiles

Registration is currently open and there is no registration deadline. To register, log in, or if new to 4-H, enroll, at https://mn.4honline.com. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide at z.umn.edu/4hEvent

The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that the 2023 YELLO leadership conference will take place June 13 - 16 at Bemidji State University!

Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors.

What happens at YELLO?

This annual event aims to engage youth in building leadership skills, developing positive relationships with peers and adults, and planning how to take future action.

Activities include:

• Youth-led leadership learning: The State Ambassadors select a leadership-related topic to focus on for the year. They engage with topical experts and/or practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of the related research and then build age-appropriate lessons to deliver during the event.
• Service and education: Participants engage in hands-on service to learn about civic responsibility while also making positive contributions to the community. This year’s service focus is on food insecurity.
• Deep dives and workshops: Youth engage with the campus and/or community to learn deeply about special topics while gaining understanding of potential future careers, academic programs, or other opportunities for engagement in 4-H and beyond.
• Exploring Bemidji: Youth will get an opportunity to have some fun in the community! This could include seeing local attractions, attending arts and cultural events, or visiting other entertainment venues.
• Social events: Youth will be able to network with one another in fun ways. In the past, this has included talent shows, game nights, dances, etc.

Registration for YELLO will open in April. The cost to attend YELLO is $275, with an additional $50 fee for opting in to ride the bus. Youth will register via 4-H Online.

• February 24 - County wide Creative Arts Night @ Hooley Hall (More details coming!)
• February 24 - Graphic Designs for 4-H Food Stand due

• February 25 - Dog Project Tricks Seminar - 9-11AM @ The Greater Dog, 1815 Greeley St. S #3, Stillwater, MN 55082
• April 4 - 4-H Dog Orientation, learn about how dog training will work in Washington County. Turn in your Dog ID paperwork and training fees.
• April 11 - Dog Demo Night. Learn about the different classes offered through live demonstrations.
• April 18 - Dog Training starts
• April 23 - Tentative start date for Dog Agility.
• July 29-30 - County 4-H Dog Show

• March 13 - Horse Project Development Committee Mtg. - 6:30 PM Stillwater Government Center
• March 13 - Horse Camp Meeting - 7:30 PM Stillwater Government Center
• March 18 - Horse Project Day - Save the date!
• June 11 - 14 - Washington County Horse Camp (Registration emailed to horse members early April)

• February 15 - Market Beef/Dairy Steer ID deadline
• February 28 - Llama Project Mtg. - 7:00 PM @ Washington County Fairgrounds
• May 15 - Animal ID deadline (Dog, Horse, Llama, Rabbit, Dairy, Breeding Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat (market & dairy) and leased poultry).
• June 23 - In person Livestock Quality Assurance Training - 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Krueger Farm, Cottage Grove, MN

• Feb. 25 - Performing Arts Workshop - Youth leaders, parents, and club volunteers wanting to learn how to create a Share the Fun skit! Register here! by Feb. 15
• April 14 - Performing Arts Night - Performing Arts Night will be held on Friday, April 14 at the Stillwater Middle School Auditorium from 6-9 PM. Now is the time to start brainstorming your One Act Plays and Share the Fun skits with your clubs! All Performing Arts performance and non-performance acts will once again be judged on this night. Reach out to Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu or Avis Peters at avisapeters@hotmail.com with any questions.

• Save the Date - Arts-In Encampment

  Arts-In is a 30-minute original musical performed daily at the Washington County Fair and twice at the Minnesota State Fair. The show is put together over the 4-day encampment held at the Washington County Fairgrounds in July. The cast consists of performers, band members, and the technical crew. The 2023 dates include:

  • Auditions - July 9

  • Encampment - July 16-19

  • Dress Rehearsal - August 1

  • Washington County Fair - August 2-6

  Student Director applications coming soon! Contact Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu with any questions.

• April 24 - Final date to turn in Pheasants Forever Raffle tickets
• May 15 - Final date to register for the Shooting Sports program. Details can be found on our county website. Shooting Sports Information

• June 12-15 - Our popular 4-H Summer Resident Camp will take place at Baker Outdoor Learning Center. Grades 3-8. Registration is now open in 4honline! (Online payment accepted)
• July 10-13 - 4-H Summer Day Camps will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds, Day Camps are open to grades K-6. Registration available late May/early June.

• July 1 - County fair registration deadline. Final selection of projects and animals need to be entered in FairEntry by this date.
• July 29 - 4-H General/Static project judging (Saturday)
• July 29-30 - County 4-H Dog Show
• Aug. 2-6 - Washington County Fair

• May 15, 2023
• Participation is limited after May 15 (Not eligible for champions, auction, premiums or state trips) Blue, red and white ribbons only.

• May 20 - WCMG Plant Sale & Garden Expo - https://washingtoncountymg.org/wcmg-plant-sale/

The Woodbury 4-H Club met on February 12, 2023. We played an ice breaker game where we wrote down a fact about ourselves and everyone had to guess who the fact was about. Our business meeting was held and voted on what to do for a club Fun Night. Noelle gave a Shooting Sports Project talk and then we created snack packs for Solid Ground. We ended the night with a snack provided by Alexis and Kat.

Respectfully,

Noelle Anderson

The Riverside Routers 4H club spent a morning packing meals at Feed My Starving Children for those less fortunate in Ethiopia. We used “where’s the beef” as our slogan each time we filled a box. And we’re surprised how quick we were able to pack approximately 300 little meals (10 boxes). It was a great way to give back around the holiday season!

Reporter,

Grant Gorgus

The last St. Croix Clovers meeting was held at Baytown hall on February 3rd. We made Valentines for senior living residents at Estates at Lindon. We had clover buds to junior leaders make different Valentine’s Day crafts.

Respectfully submitted,

Katie Anderson

We enjoyed a bowling party at Park Grove bowl in January. We had our February 4-H meeting on February 3rd. We talked about our upcoming sledding party and plant sale fundraiser. We also talked about 4-H activities we had recently participated in and many upcoming opportunities. The Cloverbuds enjoyed learning the 4-H pledge by making beaded bracelets. Our activity for the evening was making Valentine macrame gnomes.

Respectfully submitted,

Calissa Newton

Last year, many 4-H’ers enjoyed working at the Midwest Mopars Show held at the Washington County Fairgrounds. 4-H youth will be hired to help at the front gate with putting on Wristbands. Others will be helping park cars.

Dates of the event are; June 2, 3, and 4.

Time: 7:45 am until approximately 4:00 pm

$15.00 an hour CASH. Includes travel time also. Paid at the end of each day. If you are interested, please contact Dan Nielson Director, Midwest Mopars in the Park, Spectator Entry, 763-843-1510 Cell call or text. Dan will need to know if you are interested no later than May 15th.

Check out this state page for helpful resources!

https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/4-h-volunteer/

Apply to be a 4-H screened volunteer

https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/4-h-volunteer/

Free youth development curriculum library

The free youth development curriculum library keeps growing! There are currently 75 resources and an average of three are added per month. Be sure to bookmark the site and check back for new content!

This winter and spring, Extension's family-focused webinars support greater health, resilience and well-being for all.

Join one or more of these free webinars to learn more about shopping and cooking, wellness and recovery, making your home healthier and much more. Webinars on how to save money, manage debt and stay on a budget will be available in Spanish.

Free Extension webinars focus on family

Family News provides information and featured events that help families make informed decisions leading to better health and well-being. Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter.

Families are encouraged to enroll/re-enroll early in the fall to get the most out of 4-H in the coming year. The most important part of re-enrolling is updating your information. Maybe you have a new email, new projects to add, changing to a different club, updating the grade you are in or changing health information. All of this and more can be done though your family account in 4honline. https://v2.4honline.com/

Enrollment is required annually to participate in 4-H! 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 if you intend on participating in dog training or showing at the county fair.

Still looking for a club to join?? Please contact the club to make sure you are on their email list.

4-H Clubs in Washington County

4-H Club Bios

As you may have noticed, shortly after you enrolled online you were approved. Monthly email reminders are sent to families who have not paid their county fees up until the County Fair. Members who do not pay or fill out a scholarship request are flagged at the county fair. We continue to accept checks/cash at any time. Please pay your membership fee, county fees are used not only for programming but also towards salaries for county personnel. Without this income we will be forced to raise fees for all events.

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 by completing the scholarship form.

For the most comprehensive list of regional and state events and activities along with these 4-H resources.

• 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

Washington County Website

Staff will evaluate weather conditions and make a decision as to whether events will be canceled. Decisions to cancel an event will be based on;

• Forecasted low temperature and wind chill

• Total predicted snowfall

• The ability to safely operate vehicles (ice, snow, visibility)

• If area schools are canceled

To communicate a last minute cancellation, the staff leading the event will update their phone message to reflect the change of plans.

Ann Church - Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Llama, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit), Horse, Shooting Sports, Federation, Community Clubs, Fair, Charters and Finance, Grant writing, Foods & Creative Arts projects.

Megan Slater - Youth Teaching Youth, Ambassadors, Performing Arts, Resident/Day Camps, Dog, Goat and Cloverbud workshops.

Ashton Kulesa - STEM, Project Workshops, New Families, Food Stand, Outreach and Libraries.

Contact information is listed below.