Every year, we recognize a group of exceptional youth leaders that have contributed many hours of service to our program. The Key Award recognizes your contributions to your club and the community and encourages you to grow as an outstanding citizen. In order to apply for this award, youth must meet the requirements that are detailed in the application. Applications are due to Dakota County Extension Office in Farmington by April 1.

In addition to Dakota County 4-H college scholarships, Extension Development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities. Visit our website for detailed information on the applications, letters of recommendation needed, and amounts awarded. Applications are available and accepted online only. The online application does not auto-save—we suggest applicants prepare their responses in another document to copy/paste into the scholarship form when they have enough time to complete the process. Questions can be directed to mnextdev@umn.edu with "Attn: scholarships", or call 612-624-7971. Apply by April 1. Learn more.

If your family is planning on exhibiting an animal at the 2023 fair, now is the time to start preparing. You will need to identify all 4-H animal projects; breeding heifers, cow/calf pairs, prospect calves (steers and heifers), dairy, dairy goats, meat goats, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, poultry (doves and pigeons), rabbits, sheep, and swine. Animals MUST be identified in 4-H Online by May 15, 2023. All market beef should have been identified by February 15, 2023.

Do you need a MN 4-H ear tag? Double check the MN 4-H Animal Science identification requirements table for information on ID requirements for each species. If you need MN 4-H ear tags, please fill out the Tag Request Form to order your ear tags no later than April 21 to allow staff time to coordinate your tag and tagger pick up. Taggers are available for you to check out and use.

If you have questions, please contact Rachel Rezac (for swine, dairy, goat & poultry) at 651-480-7754 or reza0027@umn.edu or Jessica Beissel (for beef, sheep, rabbit) at 651-210-0762 or reed0324@umn.edu or Cherie Frandrup at 651-480-7702 or frand004@umn.edu.

MN 4-H Animal Science Projects

It's time to start preparing for summer animal science programming. Join us on Thursday, April 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a two-part session at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. West in Farmington. Please RSVP by April 10 for food planning purposes.

Pizza will be served 5:45-6 p.m. with the county Livestock PDC meeting following from 6 to 7 p.m. Youth and adult attendees will discuss and plan workshops, guest presenters, and bonus trip applications. A webinar hosted by the state animal science team follows from 7 to 8 p.m.

Any youth (6th grade and up) and volunteers who has an interest in animal science programming should attend.

During the webinar they'll highlight system-wide policies and processes to strengthen the animal science program, discuss updates connected with livestock species, and offer educational resources. We hope you'll join us! Any questions contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu or Jessica Beissel at reed0324@umn.edu.

This program, led by youth leaders involved with the Horseless Horse and Horse projects, will allow youth to work with horses in a variety of ways while on the ground. Each session will include an education piece and hands on activities with horses.

What: Horseless Horse Project Meetings

Who: Youth 3rd grade and up; must be enrolled in 4-H Online

Where: Lucky U Stables, 11050 Manning Ave S, Hastings

When: April 4, 18, May 2, 16, June 6 and 20, July 18

Time: 7-8 p.m.

Registration: Register in SignUp Genius to attend each session. Participants should be enrolled in 4-H Online signed up for the Horseless Horse project in 4-H Online. Refer to the 4-H Online enrollment for families guide for assistance.

Waiver: Participants complete waiver prior to attending.

Cost: $25 per participant; payable to Dakota County 4-H. Please mail or drop off to: Dakota County 4-H, 4100 220th Street West, Suite 101, Farmington, MN 55024 with 'HLH' noted in the memo line of your check.

Youth will be required to wear horse riding helmets when in proximity to the horses for in-person events (4-H does supply the helmets for youth to use during the practices). Dress appropriately for the weather, the barn can be chilly.

Contact Kirsten at kapeders@umn.edu if you have questions or for more information.

The Dakota County 4-H Dog Project will kickoff with a Zoom meeting on Monday, April 24 at 7 p.m..

Dog training classes will begin on Monday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m. and continue through August (except for holidays and Fair). Watch Friday Forecast for more details on registration and training classes.

Join the fun in a hands-on workshop on Saturday, April 22 from 9 to 11:15 a.m. (note time) at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. W. in Farmington. Youth will be engaged in a CSI Detective activity hosted by Science Made Fun, 4-H led crafts, games and more! Workshop is for youth grades K-2.

Registration is due Friday, April 14. Participants register for the cloverbud workshop in 4-H Online. 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.

May Cloverbuds workshop is May 20; location TBD; registration deadline May 12.

Contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu if you have questions.

Join the fun in a hands-on workshop on Saturday, Saturday, April 22 from 9 to 11:15 a.m. (note time) at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. W. in Farmington. Youth will be engaged in a CSI Detective activity hosted by Science Made Fun, 4-H led crafts, games and more!! Workshop is for youth grades 3-5.

Registration is due Friday, April 14. Participants register for the sprouts workshop in 4-H Online. 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.

May Sprouts workshop is May 20; location TBD; registration deadline May 12.

Contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu if you have questions.

Dakota County 4-H Day Camp will feature a public safety theme with special guests from the Farmington Fire Department and Swat Team, K-9 Unit, Dakota County Sheriff and Dakota Electric Association. Camp will also include outdoor games (weather permitting), hands-on activities, and FUN! Reserve your spot now!

Cost is $25 and includes camp t-shirt and snacks. Registration is due May 24.

Who: Youth that have completed grades K-5, June, 2023.

When: June 21, 2023

Time: Check-in: 8-8:30 a.m. Check-out: 4-4:30 p.m.

Where: Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 220th St. West in Farmington

Registration: Register in 4-H Online by May 24, under Events. For assistance, refer to the 4-H Online event registration guide.

Cost: $25/camper. Send payment to Dakota County 4-H, Attn: Day Camp, 4100 220th St. West, #101, Farmington, MN 55024. Checks payable to Dakota County 4-H.

Contact Kirsten at kapeders@umn.edu if you have questions.

Free! (Registration required)

9-11a.m.

• May 20 - Location TBD, Registration Deadline May 12
  

Join the fun at the Cloverbud and Sprouts workshops! The University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Cloverbud (K-2) and Sprouts (3-5) Programs are designed specifically for youth in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. Participants must be enrolled in Kindergarten and at least 5 years of age as of September 1 of the current year to enroll as a Cloverbud. Dakota County 4-H members are welcome to bring non-4-H friends to workshops!

All participants must be enrolled in 4-H Online before attending, for liability purposes.

Questions can be directed to Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu.

Are you interested in creating safe and welcoming spaces in your 4-H clubs or project events? Are you excited about helping make 4-H an inclusive space for youth of all abilities? This is an exciting opportunity for you!

Date: April 15
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Location: University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Registration: Register by Monday April 3.

The Inclusive 4-H Retreat is a half-day training for 4-H volunteers and youth in the central region area. This retreat is designed for volunteers, 4-H’ers, and their family members. Content is best for youth 6th grade and older. The purpose of the retreat is to provide an overview of ways to include youth with disabilities from diverse communities in your 4-H clubs. You will learn about creating welcoming environments, engaging youth in activities, and developing relationships. You do not need to have any prior knowledge or experience to attend this workshop. Workshop will be hands on participants will walk away with activities and ideas you can use right away in your 4-H spaces. Each attending household will receive a $25 gift card.

Contact: Anna Gilbertson, Extension Educator, Anoka County, annag@umn.edu or Darcy Cole, Extension Educator, McLeod County, dacole@umn.edu

Join the online event each month to hear from inspiring speakers, such as professionals in the outdoor industry, authors and youth in the 4-H Program!

Join us on April 10 as we hear the journey of Pam Wright, a professional wilderness guide in northern Minnesota and owner of Soka Outdoors, on her thru-hike of the Superior Hiking Trail. Registration required.

Youth in grades 3rd and up are invited to come join us virtually to discover and uncover the unknown world of seeds. We will be uncovering clues to identify a variety of seed from the different growing zones across Minnesota. Youth will use detective skills and tools to solve the Great Seed Mystery. Must be enrolled in MN 4-H and register for your kit by May 1st. There is a $5.00 fee for the kit. Learn more and register.

The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that the 2023 YELLO leadership conference will be held June 13-16 at Bemidji State University. Dakota County 4-H will pay half the registration fee for 4-H members that work an additional food or malt stand shift at the Dakota County Fair. Transportation available from Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center.

Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities.

Gopher Dairy Camp is a fun 3-day workshop for youth who want to improve their dairy cattle skills. Camp is open to all youth who have completed grades 6-9 but have not yet started 10th grade. Activities include dairy fitting and showmanship workshops, dairy showmanship contest, dairy foods workshop, and fun around the Twin Cities. Gopher Dairy Camp is hosted by the Gopher Dairy Club in cooperation with the Minnesota 4-H Dairy Project Committee and the Minnesota Livestock Breeders' Association. Cost is $75/camper.

Registration due May 5. Register and learn more.

Who: Youth 6th grade and above that would take a state fair livestock trip

When: Friday, June 23 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: Krueger Farm, 9819 Neal Ave. So., Hastings

Cost: $5 per 4-H'er; money collected at the event

Register: Deadline to register is Tuesday, June 20.

Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics (LQA&E) training is required of any youth 6th grade and above that would take a state fair livestock trip. It is required for youth exhibiting dairy, beef, sheep, swine, goats, llama, rabbit and poultry. Livestock Quality Assurance training helps youth provide excellent care for their food animals and ensure a high level of food safety to consumers. It is designed to enhance the educational experience of 4-H animals science projects. Training must be completed before your county fair.

Questions should be directed to Rachel Rezac, reza0027@umn.edu or Ann Church church109@umn.edu.

See the MN 4-H LQAE training page for additional training dates.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers loans for individual young people to start and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection to their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization. Projects financed with an FSA youth loan need to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills. For more information on loan purposes and project requirements, visit the FSA website or contact your local FSA office.