Nobles County Clover Digest
March 15, 2024
Fruit, Puffin & Frozen Food Pick Up
HIRING: Food Stand Manager and/or Worker
The 4-H Food Stand will require at least two paid staff for successful operation this summer. We are now seeking qualified candidates for our food stand manager and/or worker positions. Please share either job description (manager or worker) with qualified candidates. Resumes and cover letters will be accepted until April 15. Interviews will be held after April 15.
March Cloverbuds
All youth in grades K-2 are invited to Cloverbuds on Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 in the Farmers Room. The Rushmore Central Hustlers have a fun spring-themed event planned. RSVP by Monday, March 18. Save the date for April Cloverbuds on April 11 with the Graham Lake Braves.
Nobles County 4-H Summer Programming
Nobles County 4-H is excited to offer a plethora of summer programming again this year. Day camps for youth in grades K-5 and summer programs for youth in grades 6-13 will fill our summer with fun! Registration for summer events will open in 4-H Online in early April. We hope you will join us and invite your friends.
Welcome summer intern, Kayla!
Kayla B. will be joining our team this summer as our 4-H intern! Kayla is a student at SMSU in Marshall and is studying music education. Kayla will start in the office on May 6. We are excited for Kayla to assist with summer programming and the county fair.
Babysitting Clinic
Are you interested in learning the ins and outs of babysitting? In partnership with Adrian Community Education, Nobles County 4-H is hosting a babysitting clinic for youth in grades 5-8, May 28-31 from 8:00 - 11:00 am at the Adrian Elementary Commons. This class will train participants on babysitting basics, food and nutrition, emergency preparedness, and the business of babysitting. Attendance at all four sessions is required. The cost of the class is $20, payable to Adrian Community Education. Register my May 10 at: z.umn.edu/24NoblesSuperSitters.
Help us collect one-use plastic!
In preparation for a summer day camp, we need your help collecting clean, one-use plastic items. We are looking for items like laundry detergent jugs, yogurt containers, bottle caps, soap bottles, and more. Please be sure to rinse your plastic containers and ensure they are clean before donating them. One-use plastic items can be dropped off at the Extension Office during officer hours or brought to the April Federation Meeting.
April Federation Meeting
All youth and volunteers are invited to attend the April Federation Meeting on April 15 at the Farmers Room. The advisory committee will meet at 6:30 pm and Federation will begin at 7:00 pm.
April Animal Science Meeting
The animal science committee will meet on April 22 at 6:00 pm in the Farmers Room. All youth and volunteers are invited to attend. We will discuss the premium book and work on planning an animal science day camp.
Join the Nobles County Livestock Chats
A chat for 4-H livestock information in Nobles County including deadlines, workshops and new ideas. You are welcome to ask questions and share ideas in this chat. All members of this chat will abide by the MN 4-H Code of Conduct (www.4-H.umn.edu/policy). GroupMe is a group texting app that sends messages to an app or to your text messages via SMS. The direct links to each chat is available on the information sheet. All members are asked to join the livestock chat and may join other chats as they are interested.
Ear Tags Available
It is once again time to start thinking about Animal ID for the 2024 competition season. For completed and updated information regarding ID requirements for 2024 please refer to the all species letter.
Tags and taggers are available at the Nobles County Extension Office during office hours (Monday - Thursday, 8:00 - 4:00 pm).
In 2024, ear tags will be sold for $2.00/tag. Please have exact change. Taggers are available for check out from the office. A $30 check deposit is required to check out the tagger. When the tagger is returned to the office, the check deposit will be shredded.
Be sure to review the deadlines and guidelines for your species and ask questions as they arise.
Regional, State and National Events
Sign-up for 4-H Camp at Lake Shetek
4-H camp is a great way to have fun outdoors and meet new friends! This multi-county 4-H camp will be held in southwest Minnesota on the shores of Lake Shetek at Shetek Lutheran Ministries. There will be educational sessions and camp activities, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, outdoor games, campfire and more. Register by May 10 for a discount. Learn more and register.
STEM Training
The 4-H STEM 101 training is a dynamic and immersive experience designed to ignite curiosity and passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among adult learners. Through hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and mentorship from experienced educators and volunteers, participants are exposed to a wide array of STEM disciplines, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This comprehensive training equips 4-H Volunteers with the knowledge and confidence to excel in STEM fields, preparing them to become future leaders and innovators in an increasingly technology-driven world. This will be held in the 4-H building on the fairgrounds in Slayton, MN on April 6th.
To register for this opportunity use this link: z.umn.edu/2024STEMregistration. The deadline to register is April 2nd.
Feed for Success
Wondering how to help your 4-H market animals reach a healthy rate of gain? Want to learn more on how to feed your 4-H production animal to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition for growth? Join us for this free workshop series to learn how to determine your feeding program goals for your market or production animals leading up to showtime. You'll learn from nutritionists and Extension Educators who specialize in each livestock species.
After Effects animation video workshop
Learn cutting edge ways to add visual effects to your videos and films with this in person workshop! The workshop will take place on Saturday April 6, 10a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Paul. with lunch provided. Register by March 25 at https://z.umn.edu/4HAfterEffects.
University on the Prairie
Learning is fun at the University on the Prairie program! Students entering grades 7-13 this fall can have an adventure in science and career exploration at the Southwest Research & Outreach Center, near Lamberton, June 24-25, 2024. Find more information here: University on the Prairie | UMN Extension
Area Horse Clinics
Youth interested in learning more about the horse project are invited to two area clinics in June. Learn more about the Cottonwood County and Murray County horse clinic.
Exploring Your Future
Exploring your future is a five-session series designed for youth to explore and identify their personal aspirations for the future through interactive activities that encourage creativity, self-awareness, critical thinking, goal setting and self-discovery. Personalized for youth in grades 7-11, session content is designed to spark curiosity and plant the seeds that will motivate youth to make plans for their personal pathway to the valued future of their choice. Youth will have the opportunity to learn about financial planning, admission processes, career exploration and more! Learn more and register.
General Livestock Skill-a-thon
Want to test your skills and knowledge in general livestock (beef, sheep, swine, and meat goat)? Check out this new opportunity to participate in a General Livestock SkillaThon contest right here in Minnesota on April 13 in Redwood Falls. 4-Hers in grades 3-13 are invited to attend this free event. Participants may register as a team or individually by April 1. Additional information and registration can be found at z.umn.edu/GLSkillaThon.
Archery Invitational
You are invited to participate in the first annual Stevens County 4-H Archery Invitational on April 13. This is the new date for the invitational that was rescheduled from March 2.
Showcase your archery skills and learn from peers, coaches, and volunteers in a positive environment. The archery invitational will be held in Gym 91 in the Morris Area High School in Morris. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the event starting at 10 a.m.
Southwest Photography Workshop
Zoom in on your camera skills with youth across the southwest region! Youth in grades K-13 will learn from experts and participate in a photo challenge. Register in 4-H Online by April 22: https://2024sw-photography.4honline.com.
Rockets Away!
Join us on Earth Day from your launching pads at home for the first session in our series as we discover rocket science! Learn how rockets are designed and how they lift into space. Youth in grades 3-8 can learn more and register online.
Wildlife Wednesdays
Discover the wonderful world of wildlife around you with Wildlife Wednesdays! Join us as we explore and uncover the fascinating lives of wildlife with wildlife experts, biologists, and Master Naturalists. This series of wonder and wander will promote conservation knowledge and spark lifelong respect for the environment around us!
Sessions will be held virtually from 7 - 8 p.m. as follows: Jan. 31; Feb. 7, 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17 and 24.
For youth in grades K-13. There are no deadlines for this series.
Tasty Tuesdays: Bread
Come toss around some flour with us as we create a variety of breads that you can enjoy on their own or partner up with pastas, chilis, and soups, including Minnesota's famous wild rice soup! You might find a dessert bread to add as a treat! We'll learn about the mysterious chemical reactions that are part of making these bountiful breads. This series will bring lots of hands-on learning, and you won't be able to keep your hands off the dough!
Sessions will be held virtually from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Feb. 13, 27; March 5, 12, 19; April 2, 16.
For youth in grades K-13. There are no deadlines for this series.
Volunteer Webinars: 4-H for All Abilities: Creating Inclusive Environments for Youth with Disabilities
This webinar series takes a deep dive into topics highlighted in the 2023 annual volunteer training focused on 4-H for All Abilities: Creating Inclusive Environments for Youth with Disabilities.
For those unable to attend the first deep dive, a recording of the webinar is available here. Please make sure to submit your feedback by completing the post webinar evaluation. Also, please share this recording with those that might be interested.
There are two more deep dives into topics from the 2023 AVT training. We encourage you to promote these trainings to your volunteers and/or even consider hosting a watch party. These webinars are open to 4-H volunteers, potential volunteers, and youth leaders.
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