November 10, 2023
Washington County 4-H Family Newsletter
November 8, 2023
Welcome to our Family Newsletter! The most up-to-date information about events and activities going on in Washington County 4-H. Please pass along to friends and family that might be interested in attending a 4-H event. You will also receive the monthly Clover Update at the beginning of each month highlighting regional and state events.
Re-enroll now!
Families are encouraged to enroll/re-enroll early to get the most out of 4-H in the coming year. The most important part of re-enrolling is updating your information. Maybe you have a new email, new projects to add, changing to a different club, updating the grade you are in or any health updates. All of this and more can be done though your family account in 4honline. https://v2.4honline.com/
Remember you must re-enroll yearly to participate in 4-H! If you have any problems with registrations or need more information on enrollment please contact our office by email at mnext-washington@umn.edu or phone at 651-430-6800. While the 4-H year is a year-round organization, you must be enrolled BEFORE May 15th to avoid any penalties. This is also the deadline that all animals must be identified in your family account.
Enrollment fee
As you will notice, shortly (perhaps a day or two) after you enroll online you are approved. Monthly email reminders are sent to families to pay their membership fee. Membership fees help keep our programs affordable for all, please pay your membership fee or fill out a scholarship form below. We accept checks/cash at any time. Sorry no credit cards.
Washington County has a yearly enrollment fee of $25.00 per member (youth only) or $100 max per family for 4 or more children. We ask that you please send payment to our office or use the drop box at the main entrance of the Stillwater Government Center in a clearly marked envelope.
Checks should be made out to Washington County 4-H and sent to the following address:
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
**For those using online banking, please be sure to include Washington County 4-H as checks made out to just Washington County go directly to the property tax office**
We don't want anyone to miss out so if you need help, please just let us know by completing a scholarship form.
Order your Washington County 4-H T-shirt today!
Show your 4-H pride with our new 2023-2024 t-shirt! This year’s design is printed on heather gray.
Youth who have paid their yearly enrollment fee can order a shirt for $10. Adults shirts are $20.
Use this link to order shirts for you and your family: z.umn.edu/Washington4-Hshirts
Upcoming events
Raptor Center visits Washington County 4-H - Nov. 11
Join us at Hooley Hall for a visit with birds from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center for an afternoon of wildlife biology education!
We will meet three different birds and learn about the work that goes into caring for these creatures. This is a great opportunity for youth interested in animals, birding, or going into a biology/veterinary career!
Saturday, November 11 from 2pm-3pm at the Washington County Fairgrounds (Hooley Hall)
If you’re interested in volunteering with STEM programming, please contact Ashton! kules010@umn.edu Registration link: z.umn.edu/raptorvisit
Cloverbud Workshop - Nov. 18
Join us for our Fall Cloverbud Workshop on Saturday, November 18 from 9 AM - Noon at St. Croix Preparatory Academy! This "Fall Fun" event for cloverbuds is planned and led by our own Washington County 4-H Ambassadors and will include crafts, games, and meeting new friends! We will be spending time outside, so come dressed for the weather. All Cloverbuds and non 4-Hers in grades K-2 are invited to come meet new friends and participate in hands-on project learning. Pizza lunch will be included.
Cost is $10 if sent in by the deadline of November 10. After November 10, cost is $20 and must be prepaid for supplies and pizza.
Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions!
Project Pursuit - Dec. 2
Back by popular demand, Maureen Hauck will be returning this year to lead our December Project Pursuit! The workshop will take place on Saturday, December 2 from 9 AM - Noon at Baytown Hall. Come be creative and inspired in designing a small book that could be used as a personal journal, memory keeper, or sketchbook. You will learn how to make a sewn panel book and some other techniques to embellish your book. The workshop will cost $10 and all materials and pizza lunch will be provided.
Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions!
Project Bowl Teams
Are Washington County 4-H’ers ready to start forming Project Bowl teams for the 2024 competitions? Check out the information below to see if this is something for you! Additional details can be found here; Minnesota Project Bowl information
What is 4-H Project Bowl?
Project Bowl teams are made up of 3-6 youth. Each has two divisions: Junior (grades 3-8) and Senior (grades 4 through 4-H graduation). 4-H areas: dairy, dog, general livestock(includes all of the following species; beef, sheep, swine & market goat), horse, llama/alpaca, poultry, and rabbit.
New in 2024, the age divisions have been restructured to provide three age categories with the dairy and general livestock contests. The new team divisions for dairy and general livestock will be junior (grades 3-5), intermediate (grades 3-8) and senior (grades 4+).
Why should I consider participating in Project Bowl?
Participating in Project Bowl will not only help prepare youth for County Fair Knowledge Quizzes, State Fair Interviews, etc., but many youth acknowledge how it has prepared them for many high school and college science classes!
Who coaches teams? Each team will need 2 screened 4-H volunteers to coach a team. Coaches will set up practice schedules with team members and work with resources to help team members prepare for the contest.
When? Project Bowl teams typically start practicing either in-person and/or virtually in the months of December or January. There are 3 Regional Competitions held in the state during the month of March. The nearest one to Washington County would be held on Saturday, March 9th at Hastings High School. Typically it is an all day event, based on if the team advances to the finals.
How? Resources are listed on the Minnesota 4-H website under Project Bowl. Questions for the contests are taken from these resources.
Regional winners advance to the 4-H State Project Bowl. Winners at the state level in dairy, general livestock, horse and poultry go on to national contests!
Now is the time to gather your friends together, recruit a coach, study hard, and most of all have fun during the project bowl season! If you are interested in participating or coaching, please contact Ann @ churc109@umn.edu
Ambassador Registration
Don’t forget to register to be a 2023-2024 Washington County 4-H Ambassador! County Ambassadors are youth enrolled in grades 7-13 who want to take their leadership skills to the next level. Some opportunities include:
Planning and leading cloverbud workshops, service projects, and social events
Serving as a counselor at workshops and day camps
Running the Ambassador Booth at the County Fair
Serving as a spokesperson for the Washington County 4-H Program
Other outreach opportunities as assigned
Meeting new friends throughout the county and state!
If these opportunities interest you, fill out the Ambassador Application here! If you have questions, contact Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu or Abbey Rademacher at abbeyrademacher25@gmail.com for more information.
Apply to be on the animal science youth leadership team
Washington County animal science enthusiasts, don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Youth team members in grades 8+ will have the opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate a variety of animal science programs while exploring their passions and practicing leadership skills. You will serve as positive role models for Minnesota 4-H and the animal science program. This experience will offer an opportunity to network with peers, mentors and industry professionals. This program is a 1-year commitment from January, 2024 to December, 2024. Application deadline: Dec. 15. Learn more and apply.
Attend 2023 annual volunteer training: 4-H for All Abilities - Creating Inclusive Environments for Youth with Disabilities
Join 4-H volunteers from across the state to learn about creating inclusive learning environments. Almost 17% of public school students in Minnesota receive special education services - this means that all 4-H programs have participants with disabilities. Join us to explore how Minnesota 4-H volunteers can build their capacity to better support this important underserved audience of young people. We all have a stake in this work. This 90-minute volunteer training will increase your understanding of how to support the unique needs of all youth. Adult volunteers and teen-aged youth leaders are invited. Local 4-H programs are working hard to ensure that 2-3 volunteers from each club, project, activity, or event attend this annual volunteer training on behalf of their 4-H club, project area, or group. Statewide webinars are just one way to attend. Connect with your local 4-H Extension educator to learn more about this hybrid training and in-person options. Or, register to join us for one of the next statewide offerings on Nov. 14, or Dec. 13. Learn more and register.
Save the dates - 2024!
Food Revue - Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024
Washington County Horse Camp June 9 - June 12, 2024
Washington County Fair static judging - Saturday, July 27, 2024
Washington County Fair July 31 - August 4, 2024
Statewide Events
In Person Opportunities
4-H Outdoor Adventure Summit
Saturday November 18th
Time: 9 AM - 4PM
Camp Ihduhapi, Loretto, MN
All Grades
Cost: Varies by Session $0 - $10
Virtual Learning Opportunities
Minnesota 4-H livestock in a box series
This year's 4-H livestock in a box series will focus on the animal science project areas of pets (dog and cat), beef, sheep and swine. Each box will include all of the supplies necessary to complete lessons on breed identification, nutrition, health, care and associated careers. The lessons and hands-on learning activities are designed for youth in grades 4-7 to explore with little to no adult assistance. Boxes are $25 each, which includes shipping directly to homes. Families may select individual boxes or order the entire series. Learn more and register.
2023 Fall Tasty Tuesdays
Tuesdays: October 10th - December 5th
Time: 5:45 PM -6:45 PM
Zoom Meeting
All Grades
Free
4-H Arts & Crafts - Statewide
Thursdays: October 12th
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 1-5
Free
Amazing Amphibians and Roaming Reptiles
Thursdays: October 12th - December 7th
Time: 6:45 PM - 7:45PM
Zoom Meeting
All Grades
Free
4-H Explorers in Ag Around the World
Monday Oct. 16th at 8pm - Dec. 4th
Time: 8:00 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 6-8
Free
Science Sprouts, Fall 2023
If you missed it in October, it's not too late to sign up to join the 4-H plant science team for some fun science experiments in November! We’re going to be focusing on soybeans with virtual sessions on Nov. 20 and Dec. 18. If you sign up by Nov. 13, we’ll send you the list of supplies needed for the experiment if you want to try them along with us (supplies are optional). Learn more and register.
MN 4-H Young Writers Club
Tuesdays: November 7th - December 5th
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 6 +
Free
Hybrid Opportunities
4-H Outdoor Wilderness Leadership & Service (OWLS) Application
Registration is now open for the 2024-25 cohort! This two-year adventure-based leadership program is designed to provide youth in grades 6-11 with intensive hands-on exploration in an area of interest associated with the outdoors, a Boundary Waters Canoe Area trip, and support to lead a conservation project. Cost is $350 for the two years, which includes three retreats and the canoe trip. Application deadline: Dec. 22. Learn more and apply.
Self-guided opportunities
Choose Your Outdoor Adventure
Self guided
Access anytime!
Steppin’ Outdoors with MN 4-H
Use a tracker to log your activity
Access anytime!
4-H Plastic Sculpture Challenge
Self guided
Access anytime!
Youth Independent Learning Guides
Self guided
Access anytime!
National 4-H leadership opportunities
Consider applying to participate in the National 4-H Conference or Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), two exciting 4-H experiences that take place in Washington, DC, and the surrounding area.
National 4-H Conference is a unique opportunity for 4-H members to share their voice with national decision makers. It’s the pinnacle experience in 4-H civic engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, nation, and world. Youth currently in grades 10 - 12 are invited to apply. Applications opened Oct. 1 and close on Nov. 14.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) brings youth together from across the US to gain skills and experiences to become effective change agents. This experience is open to 4-H youth currently in grades 9+. Registration will open Nov. 15, and close Dec. 15.
Congratulations
We are so proud of our Horse Hippology and Judging Teams who competed at the Arabian Nationals held in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the end of October. Congratulations to team members; Lily Bush, Kassidy Kalka, Norah Leyde and Addison Stohfus!
Hippology - 2nd place Hippology Judging
- 2nd place Individual Hippology Judging (Lily)
Judging Contest
- 5th overall Halter Judging (Kassidy)
- 10th overall Individual (Lily)
Looking forward to seeing what this young team will accomplish in the coming years! Special thanks to Lisa Kalka for coaching the team along with Jill Leyde and Jeanie Strohfus for going along as chaperones!
Club Corner
Calling all club reporters or secretaries!
Please send a short report about your club's activities. Email Kathy at eber0002@umn.edu after you have had your monthly meeting or an event! Include 1-3 photos if you can. Thank you!
Code of Conduct update
Consent to the code of conduct is part of enrollment. The code of conduct for youth, parents and volunteers has been updated to prohibit the possession or use of marijuana.
Roles of Local Youth Educators
Ann Church - Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Llama, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit), Horse, Shooting Sports, Federation, Community Clubs, Fair, Charters and Finance, Grant writing, Foods & Creative Arts projects.
Megan Slater - Youth Teaching Youth, Ambassadors, Performing Arts, Resident/Day Camps, Dog, Goat, Cloverbud.
Ashton Kulesa - STEM, Project Workshops, New Families, Food Stand, Outreach and Libraries.
Contact information is listed below.
University of Minnesota Extension
Families and youth
University of Minnesota Extension works across the lifespan. We create and support positive non-formal learning opportunities for youth. We foster resilient, healthy and secure futures for families and seniors. Extension works with Minnesotans to make informed decisions leading to better health and well-being. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/families-and-youth
Food, health and nutrition
University of Minnesota Extension improves food literacy, physical activity, food safety and healthy food access for Minnesotans and the food service industry. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/food-health-and-nutrition
Yard and garden
The best plants and gardening practices for Minnesota gardeners, homeowners and hobbyists to grow healthy lawns, landscapes and gardens. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden
Ann Church
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6809
churc109@umn.edu
Megan Slater
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6805
slate187@umn.edu
Ashton Kulesa
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6807
Kathy Erf
Principal Office & Administrative Specialist
(651) 430-6800 or (651) 430-6803
eber0002@umn.edu
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
(We are located in the Stillwater Government Center)
Office hours - Please call ahead as staff hours do vary.
8:00am-4:30pm (Monday-Thursday)
Friday by appointment
651-430-6800 or mnext-washington@umn.edu
© 2023, Regents of the University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this publication/material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to 612-624-2116.