On Sunday, November 20 we celebrated the accomplishments of our 4-H members and volunteers. Our 74th Annual Awards Night was held at the Sibley East High School in Arlington. Congratulations to the following award winners.

Ambie of Honor - Jessica Willegal; Most Empowering Ambassador – Brennir Peterson; Most Active Ambassador – Jessica Willegal. Top Secretaries – 1st – Abby Willegal; 2nd – Lilly Dose; 3rd – Madison Dahlke. Top Treasurers – 1st – Ella Doehling; 2nd – Eden Messerli; 3rd – Matthew Burns. Top Reporters – 1st – Dawson Wibstad; 2nd – Lauren Schaffer.

Outstanding Graduates – Baleigh Peterson and Aly Dieball. 4-H Scholarships – Cody Sievert and Jessica Willegal. Chuck Yahnke Memorial Award – Jessica Willegal and Sophie Klehr.

Adult Leader Award – Julie Sievert. Business Friend of 4-H – Brick House Meats. Friend of 4-H – Stephanie Brandt. 4-H Alumni Award – Stacie Mueller.

Record Award Winners – Beef – Jessica Willegal; Creative Arts/Crafts – Ella Doehling; Dairy - Kelly Willegal; Demonstration - Jessica Willegal; Dog – Abby Willegal; Food & Nutrition – Jessica Willegal; Goat – Jessica Willegal; Horse - Nora Doehling; Horticulture/ Flower Gardening – Kelly Willegal; Industrial Technology - Ella Doehling; Mechanical Science - Eli Doehling; Needle Arts - Kelly Willegal; Performing Arts - Jessica Willegal; Poultry – Cody Gilbertson; Rabbit – Nora Doehling; Safety – Kelly Willegal; Sheep – Jessica Willegal; Science of Animals - Nora Doehling; Swine – Molly Mueller; Veterinary Science – Jessica Willegal; Youth Leadership – Jessica Willegal.

4-H Week Display – Blazin’ West Starts for the most ambitious display and Transit Trailblazers for the most creative. Community Pride – Arlington Conquerors. Club with the Most New Members – Arlington Conquerors. Club of the Year Award – Blazin’s West Stars.

Thank you to the Rush River Rushers 4-H Club for planning the event!

One of Sibley County 4-H Federation goals is to strongly encourage youth to take advantage of all the great opportunities that are also available outside of Sibley County. Below is a list of a couple great opportunities that are coming up in the next couple of months. We would highly recommend these leadership opportunities. Remember, if this is your first time going, Sibley County 4-H Federation will pay for 90% of your costs and if second and beyond they cover 75%. If we have enough interest in going we can look into getting transportation.

Save the dates for the Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) and Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) regional workshops this February!

BLU is for youth in grades 6-9. They will participate in hands-on activities where they build leadership skills, form relationships with other youth, learn to work together and make a difference in their communities. BLU is facilitated by youth leaders from the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador program and supported by a team of adult chaperones.

TEEL is a workshop for youth in grades 10+ to gain valuable leadership skills while connecting with peers from other counties and regions. This workshop 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. It is designed and facilitated by a team of older youth and young adult leaders.

• Northwest BLU & TEEL: Feb. 4-5 at the Castaway Club.

• Northeast BLU & TEEL: Feb. 11-12 at the Long Lake Conservation Center

• Central BLU & TEEL: Feb. 11, Scout Base Camp, St. Paul

• Southwest BLU & TEEL: Feb. 18 at Southwest Minnesota State University

• Southeast BLU and TEEL: Feb. 25-26, Camp Victory, Zumbro Falls

January 1, 2023 - New Year's Holiday (Sibley County Extension Office Closed)

January 16, 2023 - Martin Luther King Holiday (Sibley County Extension Office Closed)

January 23, 2023 - Job Interview Contest, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Sibley County Service Center

January 23, 2023 - Federation Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Sibley County Service Center

January 29, 2023 - Beef Weigh In (Joy Cohrs Farm)