Friday Forecast - 9/30/2022
Dakota County 4-H Weekly Newsletter- September 30, 2022
Welcome to the Dakota County 4-H Friday Forecast
National 4-H Week!
The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited for you to join them during National 4-H Week and participate in the daily themes throughout the week!
Service Sunday- Share a Service Project
Make a Meme Monday- Create a 4-H meme, upload it to z.umn.edu/4HMemeUpload and we will share them Saturday!
Teach it Tuesday-Share how you have taught others about a 4-H project or activity you have done.
Wear it Wednesday-Wear your favorite 4-H shirt! Use #MN4HProud
Thankful Thursday-Thank someone who has been an important part of your 4-H journey
Flashback Friday-Share one of your favorite 4-H memories
Share your posts on Facebook (Minnesota 4-H and DakotaCounty4H), Instagram (@minnesota4h) and Twitter (@MN4H)! Be sure to use the #mn4h and to tag Minnesota 4-H and in your post!
Put out your yard signs!
If you have a Dakota County ‘You Belong Here’ yard sign, please display it now. Thanks!
4-H re-enrollment is open! Re-enroll by Oct. 15 for chance to win gift card
4-H Online is open for the 2022-23 4-H year! All 4-H members and volunteers must re-enroll each 4-H year. Re-enroll by Oct. 15 to be entered in the drawing for a $75 Target gift card.
When re-enrolling you will:
- Select your 4-H club
- Sign-up for projects; you will only receive email communication for projects you have signed up for so review your project list to be sure you didn't miss a project
Review and update:
- Family's contact and demographic information
- Each family member's health and emergency contact information
Log in to 4-H Online here to complete the re-enrollment process. See the 4-H Online enrollment guide for step-by-step instructions.
If you have questions or would like to opt-out of 4-H, please email frand004@umn.edu
Please pay your annual membership dues
4-H county membership dues of $25/member are paid every year. Dues should be paid before participating in 4-H events including club meeting, workshops, county fair and state event. Family Member Dues Payment Form 2022-2023
Dues payments can be mailed to the Extension Office or placed in the drop box between the front doors of the Extension Office. Scholarships are available to cover dues if needed and can be requested by completing the dues payment form.
How to register in 4-H Online for 4-H events/workshops
Registration for 4-H workshops and events will take place in 4-H Online. The 4-H Online event registration guide has step-by-step instructions to walk you through how to register. To register for an event in 4-H Online, the participant must be an active member in 4-H Online. If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” or “In Person Camp/Event” club for your county. In the projects field, choose the project your primary focus is on and any other project areas you have an interest in. Please contact Cherie if you have questions.
MN State Fair
Curious how Dakota County 4H’ers did at the Great Minnesota Get Together? Click this link and scroll down to Dakota County to view the complete list.
Officer Training- October 18
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYx4fZSfwiRI37BVVqYV998eSTjTGzk1AA80nG0asGumKO1A/viewform
4-H Cloverbud and Sprouts workshop schedule 2022-23
4-H Cloverbud and Sprouts workshop are from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington on the following dates:
Oct. 15 - registration deadline Oct. 7
Nov. 5 - registration deadline Oct. 28
Dec. 3 - registration deadline Nov. 25
Jan. 28 - registration deadline Jan. 20
Feb. 11 - registration deadline Feb. 3
March 4 - registration deadline Feb. 24
April 22 - registration deadline April 14
- May 20 - registration deadline May 12
Registration is required one week before the workshop to ensure enough supplies are on-hand for participants and to allow ambassadors and staff time to order and prepare materials.
Gr. K-2 "Leaf It To Me" Cloverbud workshop-Oct. 15; registration due Oct. 7
Sign up to join the fun on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington for this in-person, fun fall-themed workshop. Depending on weather, participants will be outside for a portion of the workshop. Other activities include fall-themed crafts and hands-on fun.
Cloverbud workshops are fun-filled events led by the Dakota County 4-H Ambassador team. Workshops feature age-appropriate programs focusing on fun, safe, non-competitive activities meant to engage youth and create new friendships. The University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Cloverbud Program is designed specifically for youth in grades Kindergarten through second grade (K-2). Participants must be enrolled in Kindergarten and at least 5 years of age as of Sept. 1 of the current year to enroll as a Cloverbud. Dakota County 4-H Cloverbud members are welcome to bring non-4-H friends (grade K-2) to workshops too!
Participants register for the cloverbud workshop in 4-HOnline. The 4-H Online event registration guide will walk you through how to register. Contact Cherie if you have questions. If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” or “In Person Camp/Event” club for your county. In the projects field, choose the project your primary focus is on and any other project areas you have an interest in.
The workshops are FREE but registration is required one week before the workshop to ensure enough supplies are on-hand for participants and to allow ambassadors and staff time to order and prepare materials.
Additional Cloverbud workshop: Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 28, Feb. 11, March 4, April 22, May 20
*Please note: dates, times and locations are subject to change.
Gr. 3-5 "Leaf It To Me" Sprouts Workshop-Oct. 15; registration due by Oct. 7
The Dakota County 4-H Sprouts program is back for the 2022-23 year. This free in-person workshop will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington. The workshop will be fall-themed and depending on weather, participants will be outside for a portion of the workshop. Other activities include making a fall-themed project and meeting new friends.
Workshops and activities are geared toward 4-H youth currently in grades 3-5. Sprouts is a group designed as a continuation of the cloverbud program. New and returning members are welcome to join in on the fun! At the Sprouts workshops, youth will meet new friends, participate in activities, and create exciting projects!
Participants will register for the Sprouts workshops in 4-H Online. Registration due Friday, Oct. 7. The 4-H Online event registration guide will walk you through how to register. Contact Cherie if you have questions. If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” or “In Person Camp/Event” club for your county. In the projects field, choose the project your primary focus is on and any other project areas you have an interest in.
The workshops are FREE but registration is required one week before the workshop to ensure enough supplies are on-hand for participants and to allow ambassadors and staff time to order and prepare materials.
Contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu if you have questions about the workshop.
Additional Sprouts workshops: Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 28, Feb. 11, March 4, April 22, May 20
It's not too early to start your 4-H agronomy exhibits
Join the state ambassador service challenges! October: Build bat houses
The state ambies have created ten monthly challenges for individual youth and/or youth groups to complete and will have social media features supporting each effort.
Additionally, we hope to encourage youth to identify environment-related action opportunities in their local communities where they can also make a positive impact.
Here are some of the upcoming challenges, and some additional resources:
- October: Build bat houses.
- November: Collect and compost pumpkins and gourds.
- Plan it out packet - A resource for individuals or groups to plan out a service project in their local community.
- Service reporting form - To capture the collective impact of Minnesota 4-Hers, we need to collect the data! Encourage your members to submit their projects, regardless of whether or not they are environmentally focused!
Middle and high school students encouraged to join the local ambassadors
The Dakota County 4-H ambassador program is open to youth in grades 6-13, who enjoy volunteering and working with younger members. The ambassador program is a great way to share your leadership skills while helping your community. The 4-H ambassador program allows youth to take part in activities to help them become leaders and good citizens. A 4-H ambassador is a self-motivated, enthusiastic leader who promotes the organization using the skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities acquired in 4-H. They serve to strengthen the 4-H program through public relations and serve as a positive role model for younger members. Some past activities include: participating in community service projects, planning and leading Cloverbud activities, and promoting 4-H at various events throughout Dakota County.
Any questions, contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu.
Apply for the Minnesota 4-H food partner challenge by Oct. 31
Apply online to receive financial support to launch a service project. Application deadline: Oct 31.
Let's Talk about Gender Identity
Want to learn more about how to support your LGBTQ+ friends and family? Let’s Talk about Gender Identity is a five-session series designed to provide a safe place for youth to have important conversations about gender identity and learn to be better allies. Youth will be able to connect, share, and hear from 4-H Alumni in a safe and supportive environment facilitated by their peers online during October. For more information go to: https://z.umn.edu/LTAGI
Horse Project Members
The next regional horse meeting is on Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 10 a.m. - noon.
The regional meetings will be in person. These meetings are a great way to learn more about the 4-H horse program and help to make decisions to strengthen the program for the future and give your input! This meeting allows you time to ask questions and also talk with others from your region about the Minnesota 4-H program. This is your chance to learn, get your questions answered and provide input to the current reps to bring back to the state horse pdc.
The October regional meeting is where we will be electing new members from each region to the state horse PDC. The state horse PDC is the advisory board for the Minnesota 4-H Horse program! We want you to get involved! It is a great way to learn about new opportunities, have a voice in decisions that affect the program and a way to connect with other horse enthusiasts to strengthen the Minnesota 4-H Horse Program. We will be electing 1 adult rep from each region to a 2-year term to the state horse PDC and 2 youth reps from each region to the state horse PDC.
We will also be discussing all proposed rule changes to the 4-H horse program and making recommendations for our regional reps to take back to the state horse PDC.
Please join us! We need you to continue to make the horse program strong!
Here is the link to submit any rulebook changes you might have. Please submit these by October 1 to the rulebook change link.
Central Regional Meeting - Contact Cindy Goldade with questions 763-218-6301
Northwest Saddle Club
26950 Lyons Street NE
North Branch, Mn 55056
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15 through October 15 each year. This is a great opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
Why does the celebration start on the 15th of September?
Most of the cultural celebrations on our calendar begin on the first day of a month and run to the end of that month. But Hispanic Heritage Month always starts on September 15. And that’s because that particular date has great historical significance.
There are five Latin American countries that gained their independence on that day:
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
In addition, Mexico celebrates their independence on September 16. And Chile’s Independence Day is September 18. Later, Belize was added to the list when it declared independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981.
- Barbara Van Deinse, Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA), a non-profit association of youth-serving organizations.
Congratulations to the new MN 4-H Ag Ambassadors from Dakota County!
The 2022-2023 Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors have been selected from a competitive pool of applicants. These 4-H members from across Minnesota were chosen for their passion for 4-H and agriculture, as well as their readiness to be role models for Minnesota 4-H members.
The agriculture ambassadors can be seen at many different events throughout the year, including Farmfest and the Ag Day Gala. They also support 4-H agriculture related programs, such as 4-H crop scouting, ag-related day camps and opportunities at the state fair.
Congratulations to Nick B., Allison D. and Ilan B.
Ag Ed Reps
Youth who are in 6th grade and above and have an interest in agriculture or would like to learn more are invited to become part of the Dakota/Rice Agriculture Education Representative group this year. This group of youth meets on a monthly basis. Some months include tours of local agriculture related businesses while other months involve planning for the upcoming year. Effort is made in planning meetings around youth schedules which means they land on different days of the week and may be in person or virtual.
Youth voice helps determine the group activities. Besides career exploration, other possible opportunities might include educating community members and peers, getting involved at county fairs, participating in after school programming, etc.
On Saturday, October 29 at 10:30 am, we will be offering a sneak peek of this program at the Braun Turf Farm. Exact location will be shared with registered participants after the October 24 registration deadline. Registration for this event will be accepted through 4Honline.
To apply for the Ag Ed Rep program, complete the appropriate form by November 1:
1st year Ag Ed Reps -https://z.umn.edu/AgEdRep1styear
Returning Ag Ed Reps- https://z.umn.edu/AgEdRepreturning
Adult Volunteer Opportunities!
2022 Minnesota 4-H Annual Volunteer Training: Learning as Adventure; Oct 25 or Oct. 27
This year's training will focus on learning as adventure and how volunteers can create a place for youth to grow their learning comfort zones. Current and prospective Minnesota 4-H volunteers and youth leaders are invited to join us for an evening of youth development education. Attend one of two Zoom trainings: Oct. 25, 7-8:15 p.m. or Oct. 27, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Facilitators will share practical activities and tools to support young people in managing stress, stepping into new experiences with courage, and taking ownership of their learning. Registration is required. Learn more and register.
New year brings new project workshops! Seeking instructors and ideas
Do you have a special interest or skill to share? Have an idea for a workshop or a connection for a workshop that you feel the 4-H’ers would enjoy? Let us know!!! 4-H staff are looking for volunteers to help lead new workshops this upcoming 4-H year. If you are interested in leading a workshop or have a suggestion for a great new idea please contact Abby.
Some specific classes looking for instructors include;
- Cake decorating
- Canning/food preservation
- Fishing Sports- fishing lure making
- Graphic Design
- Cultural Cooking
- Shop/ Wood Science
- Photography
- Drama/ Theatre/ Performing Arts
- Career Exploration
- Arts
- Demonstrations
- Opportunities are endless, we would love to hear your ideas!!!
The leading a 4-H club web page has launched
Resources for club leaders and volunteers leading a 4-H club have been reorganized. Explore these categories: Beginning the 4-H year, leading a 4-H club meeting (organized around a sample agenda), managing 4-H club operations, and ways to support club members. Suggest improvements to the site by using the gray “feedback” button on the right side of the screen.
Volunteer & Club Leader Helpful Resources
Dakota County 4-H Contacts
Abby Wagner: torg0016@umn.edu, 651-480-7752
Kris Vatter: kvatter@umn.edu; 651-480-7758
Rachel Rezac: reza0027@umn.edu, 651-480-7754
Kirsten Pederson: kapeders@umn.edu, 651-480-7722
Cherie Frandrup: frand004@umn.edu, 651-480-7702
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/dakota
Location: 4100 220th Street West, Suite 101, Farmington, MN, USA
Phone: 651-480-7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dakota.county4h