Douglas 4-H Buzz
January, 2024 Edition
End of the Year is Approaching, Re-Enroll Today!!!
October 1 kicked off the new 4-H year and we still have a number of families that haven't re-enrolled for the 2023-2024 4-H year. It really is quick and easy. After January 1, 2024, families that have not re-enrolled will no longer receive communication from the Douglas County Extension office including local offerings, deadlines (including animal ID'ing and tagging) and reminders. If you need help, reach out to the Extension office at mnext-douglas@umn.edu or 320-762-3890.
Importance of 4-H Event Registration
4-H events are one of the favorite parts of our job. Please help us help you put on quality programs.
When we plan and structure 4-H events for our members and families, registration and payment for that event in a timely matter (if there is a cost) is so important for the following reasons:
- Purchase supplies- staff need lead time to purchase and organize the supplies, so we have enough for everyone, that allows all participants to have a great experience
- Recruit enough youth and adult volunteers-many times youth and adults need to rearrange their work schedule or plans to help us at various events, and it is important to have the correct youth/adult/youth leader ratio to provide the best program we can.
- Dietary, ability and health considerations-staff need time to arrange for any youth who have special requests or dietary needs, and for youth who may need special accommodations. If we don’t know who is coming, we are not able to plan for those accommodations, needs and implement.
- We typically have a minimum number of participants (in order to hold an event) and many times we have a maximum number of participants due to space limitations or the content of the program.
We realize that everyone is busy and making plans can be challenging, but please do the best you can to sign up ahead of time and secure your spot. If something happens and your member becomes ill or can’t attend, please let us know, ahead of time, so if we have a waiting list, we can accommodate other members.
If you need a refresher how to register for an event in mn.4honline.com, please refer to this 4-H Online event registration guide.
Watch for Market Beef Information!
Those enrolled in the beef project wanting to exhibit a market beef (beef steer, market heifer or dairy steer) born in 2023 and at finished weight at county fair time need to identify their animals in mn.4honline.com by Thursday, February 15. Watch for information coming in the mail soon.
Douglas County 4-H New Member Family Day
Are you new to 4-H or looking for more information on the program? This workshop is for new members and families to learn what 4-H has to offer.
Youth participate in hands on activities and fun while the adults can ask questions and learn about exciting opportunities in Douglas County 4-H and beyond. Snacks provided.
This free event is scheduled for Sunday, January 21 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Douglas County Public Works. To register, log into mn.4honline.com and click on events on the left-hand side and find Douglas County 4-H New Member-Family Day. Look for this graphic. Register by Wednesday, January 17 deadline.
Join us for BLU or TEEL - 3, 2, 1, Blast into Leadership!
Two leadership workshops are offered in February! Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) is a youth-led workshop for youth in grades 6-9 that strengthens leadership, communication, and relationship skills. Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) is for youth in grades 10+ who want to boost their leadership skills becoming better leaders all while having a great time.
This year’s theme is "3, 2, 1, Blast off into Leadership!" Youth will learn about communication skills and the intake of information through engaging activities and discussions.
To learn more about BLU and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HBLU and to learn more about TEEL and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HTEEL. Douglas County 4-H pays half the $ 100 registration fee. Kicks off February 3 at 1:30 p.m. and ends February 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Castaway Club in Detroit Lakes. Deadline to register in mn.4honline.com is Friday, January 19.
Winter Horse Project Day - Sunday, February 25
Our annual winter horse project day is scheduled for Sunday, February 25 from 1-3 p.m. at Douglas County Public Works. Come and explore opportunities the horse project has to offer and start preparing. All ages and adults are welcome including Cloverbuds. Watch for more information coming directly to those enrolled in the horse project.
Share the Fun
What is share the fun you ask? Share the fun is an opportunity for clubs to work together to create a performance of some kind, typically a skit, but can be a talent act, comedy routine or song and dance number.
If just a couple of members from your club want to participate that is OK, it does not have to be the whole club. If you need ideas or more information, please reach out to Jodi at hintz010@umn.edu , and she can help you come up with creative ideas and give you encouragement. It really is a fun event to participate in so give it a try!
The top two clubs are able to perform at the Minnesota State fair, funds are available to help with costs, all ages can participate in the skit at the state fair. In addition, there is a talent contest, so dust off those performing skills and sing, dance, or perform your way to cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Watch for a date soon!
It's Project Bowl Season!
Two project bowl teams are forming in Douglas County - General Livestock and Dog. Project Bowls are an exciting way for youth to explore a project area, develop teamwork, build self-confidence and develop decision making skills. Project Bowls are a team "knowledge bowl style" contest.
General Livestock Project Bowl informational meeting took place in December but if interested, you still have time. Reach out to the Extension office ASAP.
Dog Project Bowl informational meeting scheduled for Monday, January 8 at 6 p.m. in Conference Room C in the Douglas County Courthouse (second floor across from Extension Office.)
For more information or questions, please contact the Extension office at 320-762-3890 or mnext-douglas@umn.edu
2024 Camp Counselor Applications Available Now
If you are in grades 7 and up and have been waiting to apply to be a 4-H camp counselor, now is your chance! Applications are being accepted through January 18 at 4:28 p.m. Complete the application online. There are two types of camp counselors:
- Junior camp counselors (grades 7-8)
- Senior camp counselors (grades 9 and up)
The 2024 4-H camp will be held June 25-27 at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Rabbit Fun Show - Save the Date!
The annual 4-H Rabbit Fun Show is set to take place Sunday, April 28 at the Brandon Auditorium in Brandon. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and judging begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $ 3 per rabbit entered. Rabbits will be for sale and ribbons and medallions will be awarded. There will be a food stand, door prizes and silent auction. Be sure to mark your calendar for April, you won't want to miss out!
4-H Projects
Driven by Youth Interest
Head to engage actively in learning.
Heart to demonstrate caring for others and their own learning.
Hands to share their experiences with others.
Health to experience success and learn to support their family, community, and world.
Project work can be overwhelming; where to begin, how to get started, what should I do are FAQ's surrounding project work. Some project areas are easier to figure out than others. Watch this space in future newsletters for project information and ideas.
4-H Exhibits
SHOOTING SPORTS
Learn important life skills through safe and educational experiences. You can explore wildlife and firearms safety. Participate in active disciplines depending on age including archery, BB, air trap, .22 and black powder. Learn ethical behavior and responsibility when it comes to shooting sports and equipment.
Create an Exhibit
After exploring all of the avenues you can learn about in this project area, you can create an exhibit to share your learning at a county fair or showcase. Exhibit ideas include:
- Create a display board demonstrating safety techniques applied to shooting activities, including range commands and range safety or eye and ear protection.
- Share information on shooting skills, such as basic safety rules, basic parts and functions of each piece of equipment or care and maintenance.
- Design and create shooting sports equipment, including a pellet stand, kneeling role, target stand or quiver.
- County Fun shoot is a local opportunity for youth to experience a shooting sports contest.
- Participants must be enrolled in the shooting sports project
- Participants must have received a minimum of seven hours on the line-marksmanship/safety instruction per discipline with certified instructors.
- Participants must have received a minimum of 5 hours of wildlife education.
- In order to participate in the Minnesota 4-H State Shoot, there are additional requirements to fulfill.
SMALL ENGINES/TRACTOR/AUTO/MARINE
Learn about the safety, fuels, maintenance, restoration and operation of tractors, small engines, machinery, automotive and marine engines, and components. There are so many engines and so little time, the possibilities are endless!
Create an Exhibit:
Once you have narrowed down your focus and decided on your field of study, you can create an exhibit to share your learning at a showcase or county fair. Exhibit possibilities include:
- A small engine that has been reconditioned or repaired.
- A device constructed by a member utilizing a small engine.
- Display on the parts of an engine, etc.
- Exhibit focusing on any area such as automotive, implement, heavy machinery, tractor or marine.
- Restored, reconditioned, rebuild tractor, boat, car or golf cart.
- Exhibit representing learning about tractor safety, history of, purchasing decision, establishing a custom business with your field or lawn tractor.
- Modify equipment for another purpose or to be more accessible to all.
SMALL GRAINS/LEGUMES/FORAGES
This project area is a smaller focus of the larger agronomy/plant science project areas. Members focus on growing small grains, legumes, and/or forages. Learning can include experimenting with different varieties, exploring use of technology and careers available.
Create an Exhibit:
After exploring and learning about small grains/legumes and/or forages, you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- A crop sample with variety labeled and planting method, two quart jar of wheat, oats, soybeans, barley, rye etc.
- A dried sample of alfalfa or other grass.
- Specialty crops such as sugar beets, edible beans, popcorn in a clear container equaling 8 cups.
- A display about weed and pest control and pros and cons.
- A report about testing your soil and adding nutrients.
- Display explaining costs of production and/or marketing.
TECHNOLOGY
This expanding project area includes aquatic robotics, computers and robotics. Expand your understanding of technology as you explore the impact of computers and robots on society. You'll gain skills in engineering design, research and development while learning to analyze and interpret data. Explore the impact of computers and robotics on society and how they make our lives better.
Create an exhibit:
Once you have chosen your area of concentration in technology, you can create an exhibit to bring to the fair. These might include:
- Robot and display of how you built, programmed, created the robot and its purpose.
- Explain the foundations of computers and explore how computers work for various projects.
- Create an educational app.
- Design computer hardware/software.
- Display of careers in technology.
- Exhibit an ROV and operation, show to use.
Jodi Hintzen at hintz010@umn.edu or Jackie Kokett at jkokett@umn.edu
Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas
Location: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN, USA
Phone: 320-762-3890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/
Twitter: @UMNExt