Spotlight for New Members
Lincoln County 4-H #2
4-H Demonstrations
One of the most important skills that 4-H members can learn is speaking in front of a group and building their communication skills. One way to do this is by completing a 4-H demonstration at your 4-H Club Meeting. Do you like flowers or gardening? You may want to give a demonstration on how to plant a flower pot or how you planted your garden!
Demonstrations and illustrated presentations are a lot like show and tell. Members are encouraged to demonstrate and present at club meetings and/or county events to share their learning. Two 4-H members may work together as team presenters. Additional information on this topic is available from the Projects & Resources Website.
Types of Demonstrations
There are many different types of demonstrations:
Presentations & Speeches: An oral presentation that presents an idea, concept,
viewpoint or experience in an educational or informative format. Most often consists of interaction with supporting visuals (i.e. PowerPoint, models, and posters).
Demonstrations: An oral presentation that includes demonstrating the hands-on steps required to accomplish a task or process. Should be a finished product upon conclusion.
Interactive Demonstrations: An Interactive, continuous presentation. More time is allowed for audience involvement and interaction.
Livestock Demonstrations: An oral presentation that includes demonstrating a concept related to the livestock industry. This type of demonstration includes the use of an animal.
Demonstration Help
Demonstration and Illustrated Presentation Tips:
1. Introduction: Interesting, short, complete, and attention-getting! It should include who you are, what your presentation is about, and why you feel it is important.
2. Topic: Should be related to a project, interest or activity.
3. Appearance: Please dress appropriate; well groomed; with good posture; feet together; and smile!
4. Presentation: Use a natural voice; words distinct; poised; friendly; confident; convincing; well organized; originality shown.
5. Subject Matter: Emphasize important points. Information accurate, complete, usable.
6. Workmanship: Skillful; good teamwork, if a team; time and materials well used; work and speech coordinated; table neat and orderly with visuals easily viewable by audience.
7. Equipment: Suitable for demonstration or illustrated presentation. Good visual aids, if needed.
8. Conclusion: Stress important points in summary. Show finished product if there is one. Definite closing (be creative, tie it in with the introduction); questions are answered.
4-H Activities
4-H offers a wide variety of events and activities for you to become involved in beyond your club. You should always be reading the most recent version of the Clover Update to look for current events and activities as 4-H is always developing new opportunities for its 4-H members. Also, watch for 4-H Friday’s that we send out, they are packed with many opportunities and information!
You can also check out the county calendar of events on our 4-H website; this would also be a great website to bookmark for future reference.
Other Popular MN 4-H Events
Minnesota State Fair
BLU (Leadership Building Conference)
State Horse Show
State Shooting Sports Contest
State Dog Show
A full list of State 4-H Opportunities can be found at https://extension.umn.edu/fairs-events-and-training#events
4-H Opportunities
Day Camps – These camps are one day programs for youth K-3rd grades. It is a typically a themed event that involves learning activities, crafts, healthy snacks and recreation. The camps are typically held in the summer months
Judging Teams - A judging team experience provides members with the opportunity to use decision making skills by comparison. Livestock teams analyze the animal’s conformation and potential productivity. Points are also given for oral reasons for the decisions. Possible judging teams include Horse, General Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Rabbit and Consumer Decision Making.
4-H Volunteers
4-H utilizes volunteers in a number of ways to achieve our mission. Volunteers serve our organization in a number of ways: Club Leaders, Activity Volunteers, Coaches, Chaperones and more! We’re always looking for volunteers to share their knowledge and expertise with young people. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with 4-H, visit https://extension.umn.edu/4-h/volunteering-4-h
Animal ID
We have an important Livestock deadline coming up on May 15. All animals being shown by 4-H members in grades 3+ MUST be ID’ed in 4-H Online or the Extension Office by May 15. A letter outlining identification requirements and how to complete identification was mailed to all project members. You can find it on our website here If you plan to exhibit livestock at the County Fair and have questions about this deadline, please contact our office. More information to come later.
Cloverbuds (K-2): Cloverbuds may show their own animal or another 4-H'ers identified animal.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health requires all animals at exhibitions to have official ID (tag or tattoo); this includes Cloverbuds. When you see things about the May 15th animal ID deadline know that Cloverbud ID information does not need to be included in 4-H Online.
Helpful Websites
Minnesota 4-H
http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-h/
4-H Online (Enrollment in 4-H)
Lincoln County Extension
https://local.extension.umn.edu/local/lincoln
Lincoln County 4-H Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/lincolncountymn4H/
4-H Projects & Resources
4-H Extension Educator, Gabby Nemitz
319 N Rebecca PO Box 29 Ivanhoe, MN 56142
507-694-1421 gnemitz@umn.edu