4-H FORECAST for Pipestone County
news & notes for 4-H families | April 2024
Congrats - Top Sales People
The annual Pipestone County 4-H fundraiser has come to a close! What a great job our 4-Hers did! Local 4-H families participated in the fundraiser of selling World’s Finest Chocolates, Pastry Puffins and MinnTex Fruit. Each family was asked to sell $60 worth of candy, and a couple boxes of each fruit and puffins. The individuals listed below far exceeded that amount. Top sales peoples are awarded for selling candy as well as a combination of fruit and puffins. Each of the top three sales people are awarded $75, $50 and $25 for their efforts in the fundraiser. All of our 4-H family’s efforts are extremely appreciated, we couldn’t do it without you all. But I would like to congratulate our top sales people again, great job.
Top Candy Sales
1. Finley, Becklan & Maren Whipkey ($502 in sales)
2. Autumn, Summer, & Benjamin LaBrune ($384 in sales)
3. Jacob, Julie, John Miller ($336 in sales)
Top Fruit/Puffin Sales
1. Alyssa, Lauren, Hailey Steuck ($2026 in sales)
2. Ethan & Lucas Faber ($965 in sales)
3. Kendyl & Alika Houselog ($924 in sales)
Livestock Quality Assurance Training
June 6, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Registration deadline - May 30
In need of your Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics (LQA&E) training? Pipestone and Rock County staff will be teaming up to offer Level 1 & 2 LQA&E training. This training is required for any youth, in grades 6 and up, who wish to exhibit beef, dairy, dairy goats, llama, meat goats, poultry, rabbit, sheep or swine at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. Certification is good for three fair seasons. There are two levels of certification, based on your age and prior certification. Learn more about LQA training here.
Audience
Do you hope to exhibit with 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair? All 4-H livestock exhibitors must complete livestock quality assurance training to participate. For youth grades 6 through post-secondary (grade 13)
Cost
Free
Registration
Registration deadline is May 30, 2024.
Register via 4HOnline here.
For assistance, refer to the event registration guide at z.umn.edu/4hEvent or contact the Extension Office. If you would prefer to take the online training (valid for one fair season), please follow this link to the instructions. Once completed please send a copy of your certificate to 4-H staff for verification. If you are unable to attend the training in Pipestone County but would prefer an in-person training, would prefer to complete the online course or just want more information about LQA&E please view the link here.
National Volunteer Week April 21-27
Let's celebrate our volunteers! National Volunteer Week is April 21-27, 2024 and we want to recognize our outstanding Pipestone County 4-H volunteers for the amazing work they do for our local program! Many of you serve in numerous roles andour 4-H members are so lucky to have your support, time, and efforts. Thank you again! To continue to recognize our local volunteers we want to start a volunteer spotlight on social media, please send Brandi or Macy an email /message of a volunteer you would like to highlight and info you think we should share about that individual.
Brandi Schaap: bmraatz@umn.edu
Macy Hulstein: mhulstei@umn.edu
It's that time of the year for 4-H livestock families. It's important for new and seasoned members to pay attention to the important information related to the Animal Identification process as there can be changes from year to year.
As a reminder, you will receive a packet of information in the mail, as well as an email with all animal ID information as related to the species projects you are signed up for in 4HOnline.
1. Get started with these resources:
- 4HOnline: login mn.4honline.com
- Family tip sheet for enrolling and re-enrolling
2. Read about information specific to your animal species.
- See all requirement details by species and class.
- You must follow all of these requirements, whether you own or lease your animal. - You can find the animal ID letters specific to each species at the bottom of this page
3. Animal ID Entry Process
- Utilize the Animal ID worksheets at z.umn.edu/mn4hanimalID to help determine what information is needed.
- Use the identification requirements sheet to determine what each type of animals need for identification.
Here are some other helpful resources to help with animal identification:
4. Need more info related to ID requirements for all species? Further information about the animal identification process can be found at z.umn.edu/mn4hanimalID If you have any questions or concerns contact the Extension Office. ph. 507-825-1190
Summer Horse Planning Meeting
Summer will be here sooner than we think, meaning it’s time to start thinking about what summer plans will look like for those involved in the 4-H horse project. If you have a desire to help plan and/or give input for summer horse practices, workshops, and/or the horse program in general please take the time to fill out this Doodle Poll to determine the best date for the Summer Horse Planning Meeting.
General Livestock SkillaThon
Registration Deadline April 1
Event - Saturday, April 13
Want to test your skills and knowledge in general livestock (beef, sheep, swine, and meat goat)? Livestock Skillathon Contests provide a valuable educational experience for youth. The overall content of these contests provide a framework for youth to learn a variety of topics related to production, management, products, equipment, and more. For the first time, Minnesota 4-H will be offering a General Livestock SkillaThon contest to 4-H youth in grades 3- post high school.
The event will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Redwood County Government Center in Redwood Falls, MN. 4-Hers can participate in this event individually or as a team, and will be free to attend. Registration is due by April 1.
For additional information or to register please visit this Link.
IMPORTANT: This event is for practice only and not a qualifying event for a Regional/State competition.
If you have any questions please contact Kirstin Koch at kochx040@umn.edu or Brandi Schaap at bmraatz@umn.edu.
Rockets away - Virtual session
Get ready to blast off with us on Earth Day!
Join us virtually on April 22 and 29 from your launch pads at home as we discover rocket science. Together, we will learn how rockets are designed and how they lift into space.
After our virtual sessions, you are invited to come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character to celebrate May 4 with us in person (location and time to be determined).
Audience
Youth in grades 3-8
Cost
$20
Registration
Register by completing the online form. Register
Accessibility
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, complete the 4-H accommodations request form two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
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.
High school-aged camp counselors will connect with campers throughout the entire camp experience.
Youth who have completed grades 3-6 can choose one of two camp sessions
(three days/two nights):
- Camp session 1: Monday, June 17 at 1 p.m. - Wednesday, June 19 at 10:45 a.m.
- Camp session 2: Wednesday, June 19 at 1 p.m. - Friday, June 21 at 10:45 a.m.
Audience
Grades 3-6 (completed as of June 2024)
Cost
- $150 - Register March 1-May 10.
- $175 - Register May 11-27; a camp t-shirt is not guaranteed.
Registration fee includes meals and lodging for three days/two nights, supplies and a camp t-shirt.
Pipestone County 4-H reimburses family for half of registration fee.
Registration
Registration is from March 1 to May 10 in 4-H Online.
For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact Brandi Schaap at bmraatz@umn.edu.
Late registrations will be accepted until May 27 at a $175 registration fee.
Note: Late registrations are not guaranteed a camp t-shirt.
Bring a friend! No 4-H experience is required to attend. Not a 4-H member yet? Not wanting to enroll in the year-round 4-H program? You will still need to create an account (and be approved) to register for camp in 4-H Online. Select “In-Person Camp/Event” as your club option. Select any interest of your child for projects. After approval, you will be notified and can return to 4-H Online to register for this event.
Accessibility
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, contact Karen Beranek or complete the 4-H accommodations request form two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Apply to be a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador!
Applications for the 2024-2025 Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador team are open!
Youth in grades 10-12 can apply, and applications are due April 15. Learn more and apply.
2024 YELLO registration opens April 1. Register by May 10 for four days of learning and leadership. This year the State Ambassadors are excited to host youth in grades 7+ at the University of Minnesota-Morris June 12-15. YELLO is a great opportunity for leadership, team building, and meeting youth from across the state!
Pipestone County 4-H reimburses family for half of registration fee.
Minnesota 4-H Livestock Judging Camp
Do you want to enhance your livestock evaluation and selection skills? Do you want to become better with oral reasons? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then the Minnesota 4-H Livestock Judging Camp is for you!
Pipestone County 4-H reimburses family for half of registration fee.
4-H sensational soybean kits: Registration due May 1
Ready to dive into the world of plants? Join us for an exciting soybean growing experience with our 4-H sensational soybean kits!
Sign up to receive a self-guided soybean kit containing everything except the bucket and soil you need to grow soybeans.
Audience
Youth in grades 3 and up.
Cost
Free
Registration
Registration is required by May 1 in 4-H Online to receive supplies and the self-help guide.
For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact your local Extension educator.
Begin forming your crop scouting teams
Take on a challenge and form a 4-H or FFA crop scouting team! By being on a 4-H/FFA crop scouting team, you will learn skills like teamwork, communication, problem solving and predicting outcomes. All of these skills are what your future employers are looking for!
How to register
Register to participate in crop scouting on a team or individually by completing the online form.
Registration opens on May 1 and closes on July 1. However, to receive resources, teams must be registered by June 20.
What is my role as a 4-H Parent?
The parent/guardian in a child's life can play a variety of roles when it comes to the 4-H program. It's always highly encouraged that the caring adult(s) take an active role in the young person's experiences. 4-H staff and organizational leaders cannot meet the needs of all the 4-Hers in the club or program themselves. Parents/guardians should help make sure that their 4-Her has all the needed equipment/supplies needed for their project, assist with duties, help with record keeping, and help ensure deadlines are met. It's also super important for the guardians to guide, encourage and motivate the 4-H member. Help them make goals and give praise when they're reached.
In addition to being the support system for a 4-H member there are a variety of leadership roles open to adults, some of those roles are listed below. Club Leaders: coordinate the overall experiences at the club level. Work with the youth officers and any other adult leaders to organize activities/events. Project Leaders: Work with and lead members interested in specific project area(s). They help members set personal goals, help teach new skills, and serve as a resource for questions/guidance. Coaches: Different activities have additional team or individual competitions that allow the youth to showcase their learning. These individuals help educate and prepare youth for those opportunities. General Helper: work with clubs/teams/programs to meet the needs of the 4-Hers. They may attend meetings, provide transportation, assist at a program, and fill in as needed. This is just a snapshot of ways that adults can support and strengthen the 4-H program and the young people that participate in it. For additional information or to learn how an adult can get more involved, please contact the Extension Office.
Pipestone County Extension Office
Brandi Schaap, Extension Educator, 4-H
bmraatz@umn.edu or 507-825-1194
Macy Hulstein, Administrative Support Specialist
mhulstei@umn.edu or 507-825-1191
Email: mnext-pipestone@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/pipestone
Location: 1016 8th Ave SW., Pipestone, MN 56164
Phone: 507-825-1190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pipestoneco4h