Becker County 4-H Clover Connection
January 2024 Issue 12 Vol 2
County News
Join the Ambassadors and Dance the Night Away!
The Becker County 4-H Ambassadors are holding their annual Winter Dance on February 9th from 6:30pm-10:00pm at the Extension Office. We will be having dance lessons from 6:30pm-7:00pm where you will learn mixer dances, line dances, circle dances, and much more.
- The dance is open to anyone in 4-H.
- Every 4-H member can bring one friend that is not in 4-H.
- Bring a snack to share with everyone
4-H Livestock Clinic
The Becker County 4-H Livestock Committee is hosting an educational livestock clinic for all youth. The clinic will be Saturday, February 24th from 9:00am-12:00pm on the campus of Minnesota State Technical College in Detroit Lakes. Learn about raising beef, swine, and sheep at this hands-on interactive workshop. There is no age requirement to attend, open to all ages. We will be focusing on the basics and general knowledge about each species. Here is a sneak peak at the agenda:
8:30 to 9:00- Check In
9:00 to 9:15- Welcome/Introductions
9:15 to 9:45- How to Choose Your Market Animal
9:45 to 10:45- Breakout Sessions (Choose 2)
- Swine (30 minutes)
- Beef (30 minutes)
- Sheep/Goat (30 minutes)
10:45 to 11:15- Feed and Nutrition for all Animals
11:15 to 11:45- Bio Security
11:45 to 12:00- Questions/Answers/Evaluations
12:00- Depart
Click here to register- https://beckerlivestockclinic.4honline.com
Market Beef ID's are due February 15
4-H animal ID deadlines are February 15 for Market Beef (Beef Steers, Market Heifers and Dairy Steers) and May 15 for all other animals requiring an ID.
If you plan to show a Market Beef at the Becker County Fair this summer, make sure you are enrolled in the beef project in 4HOnline. Information on market beef ID's were sent to enrolled project members on January 5.
Each 4-H market beef family needs to pick up ear tags (and possibly borrow a tag applicator) from the Extension Office. Please note: You must call or email Linda Perrine, office manager and place your order in advance and make an appointment to pick up your order. (218-846-7328 or perri015@umn.edu)
Keep enrollment up-to-date to ensure you are receiving information regarding your 4-H projects.
Market Beef & Dairy Steer Weigh In
Saturday February 17, 2024
Two locations and times available:
- 10am - 11am @ the Schauer Farm (12480 Co. Rd. 8 - Lake Park)
- 1pm - 2pm @ the Eckert Farm (36860 Rethwisch Lane- Frazee)
If you are showing market beef or dairy steers at the county fair, please bring your animals to one of these locations. If you do not bring your animal to one of these checkpoints, please contact the Beef Project Leader to set up a time for a home visit or alternative to verify the animals are properly ID’d by the deadline February 15, 2024.
Why participate?
- Your market animal’s Rate of Gain needs to be determined for the Livestock Auction Record
- Rate of Gain recognition and awards will be given at the fair
- Proper identification of your market animal needs to be verified
Why is rate of gain important?
Faster growth means that the animal achieves market weight in the shortest amount of time using the least amount of feed so that the highest price can be received. In most livestock species, the most cost-efficient feed conversion and the highest average daily gain are the primary factors determining efficiency of production.
Beef Project Leader
Tony Mitchell 218-850-3641
Fruit Sales
It's that time of the year again! Contact your club leader to get your 2024 Becker County 4-H Fruit Fundraiser information and order forms. Orders are due to your club leader NO LATER than February 29th. The planned fruit delivery date is Thursday, March 28th at the Kent Freeman Arena.
4-H Club Fundraising Opportunity
This fundraiser is simple and easy, and clubs will have the opportunity to raise as much as $1000 selling Bonnie’s note cards! We need to make room for new merchandise coming in 2024. Our typical note card fundraising offer allows clubs to make a $4 profit on each pack sold…. However, WITH THIS OFFER, CLUBS WILL MAKE $10 PER PACK!!!
Members of clubs can purchase these cards for themselves, as well as sell them to neighbors, friends, relatives, the veterinarian, the milk man, the dentist, the local banker and teachers too! Everyone is a potential customer!
To learn more about Bonnie and her artwork, visit: bonniemohr.com
If your club is interested contact Kate at kate@bonniemohr.com
State News
Change Lives, Teach Ag Conference
Attention all 4-Hers in 9th-12th grade with an interest in a potential career in education! Join us at the Change Lives, Teach Ag Conference on Friday, March 8. This event is organized by SMSU (Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall), UMN-TC (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities), and UMC (University of Minnesota - Crookston). It aims to introduce young individuals to careers in Agricultural Education. Participants will engage in interactive learning experiences and have the opportunity to connect with faculty and students from the three institutions. The conference is open to youth in 9th to 12th grade.
Interested? Please complete the application link by Monday, February 5. Successful chosen applicants will be notified no later than Friday, February 23. There is no cost to participate in the conference, excluding transportation to the event. Don't miss this chance to explore exciting possibilities in Agricultural Education!
4-H Explorers in Ag Around the World
Youth in grades 6-8 are invited to join us as we explore agriculture around the world. You aren't going to want to miss this agriculture exploration as we travel virtually to three countries in this self-guided program with opportunities to connect with people in other countries. A kick-off event will be held via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. From there, you’ll be given access to a Google site to explore a country each week. A guide will be provided to help you explore a farming practice within each country. 4-H Ag Ambassadors will check in weekly to discuss what you’re learning along the way. This year guest speakers will share more about agriculture in the countries participants are exploring. More info will be sent out upon registration. All guest speakers will be recorded for later viewing. Registration deadline: Feb. 12. Learn more and register.
Winter wonders: Explore plant growth and roots with 4-H Science Sprouts!
Discover how gravity influences plant growth and observe roots in action! Join us for an exciting winter series of 4-H Science Sprouts. This opportunity is open to youth in grades 3+ who are interested in plants and science. Online sessions will take place Feb. 26 and March 25 from 5 to 5:30 p.m. We'll explore how gravity affects plant life and delve into the fascinating world of root growth. We'll cover agronomy and horticulture topics tailored to the season using STEM. While there's no cost for the program, we'll share a list of optional supplies for those who want to try hands-on experiments at home. We'll send the list out a week before each gathering. Let's explore the wonders of science together in this engaging winter series! Learn more and register.
Club News
Calling All Club Reporters!
We are looking for you to submit your club news to be featured in the monthly newsletter. This is a great way to show off your reporter skills and feature your club and all of the awesome stuff your club does! Email your club news to Elliott at lawre735@umn.edu before the end of every month to be featured in that month's eNewsletter!
Upcoming Events
- 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting- 02/08/24 7:00pm @the extension office
- 4-H Ambi Winter Dance- 02/09/24 6:30pm @the extension office
- 4-H Leaders Meeting- 2/12/24 6:00pm @the extension office
- Ambassador Meeting- 2/12/24 7:00pm @the extension office
- Beef ID Deadline- 2/15/24
- Beef Weigh In- 2/17/24
- 4-H Council Meeting- 03/11/24 6:30pm @the extension office
© 2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.