December

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.

Time is running out! Here is your chance to win some extra cash for the upcoming Holidays. If you have enrolled and paid your membership fee of $25/per youth or $100 max per family for the 2022-2023 membership year, your family will be entered in our weekly drawing for a $50.00 dollar gift card just in time for the Holidays! We will start drawing on Monday November 14 and pick a new winner each week through December 19. So take a moment and go to your family account and re-enroll today! Your online enrollment along with paying your enrollment fee must be completed by December 16 to qualify. The earlier this is done the more chances to win! Gift cards will either be mailed out or be available for pick up from the office at the winner's discretion.

• Enroll/Re-enroll youth for the 2022-2023 4-H year through 4honline. (4-H year runs from Oct. 1 - Sept. 30) To participate fully in county fair you must be enrolled by May 15.
  

• Enroll/Re-enroll as an adult volunteer. Complete the process now so you are ready to step in when you want to or are needed.
• Pay County membership fee $25/youth or $100 max/family (youth only).
• Once your enrollment is complete you can start registering for events and activities. Save time and complete the enrollment process now.
• All links and information about enrollment/fees can be found at the end of this newsletter.
  

• Still looking for a club to join?? Contact the club to confirm their meeting place and time. Feel free to attend multiple club meetings to find the right fit for your family. Once you have decided what club to join, please contact the club to make sure you are on their email list.

  4-H Clubs in Washington County

  4-H Club Bios

• Feel like you missed something? All Family Newsletters are posted on our county website under resources.

It is with a heavy heart that I am leaving the Washington County Extension Office at the end of December. I will be completing my master's degree in School Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the Spring. I have loved working with all of the wonderful people in Washington County, including the members, volunteers, partner programs, and especially the magnificent team within the office. Though I will no longer work for 4-H, you better bet I will stick around as a volunteer and work to continue to give back to the program that made me what I am today.

A new Extension Educator will be joining the Washington County 4-H office in mid-January.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 7th from 5:00 - 8:00pm for the Arts-In Reunion at Hooley Hall! Please bring a snack or beverage to share. Pizza will be ordered for dinner. Some highlights of the night will include the video premiere of Cruisin' on the Key of Sea, brainstorming for next year, IMPROV, games, food and fun! You won't want to miss this year's Arts-In Reunion! Contact Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu with any questions. Register here! Deadline is January 2.

Join us on Saturday, January 14th from 4-8 PM at Baytown Hall for a Washington County Ambassador Retreat! An afternoon of leadership, development and fun for our Washington County 4-H Ambassador team! Dinner will be provided. All current Ambassadors are expected to attend. Reach out to Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu with any questions! Register here! Deadline is January 6.

It is that time of year that Project Bowl teams are forming! Project Bowl is a long-standing program in Minnesota 4-H and is the second most attended event of the year. In Project Bowl, teams of 3-6 youth build skills working and thinking together while testing their knowledge in one of the following areas: dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama/alpaca, poultry, and rabbit. Teams of 4 compete against another team of 4 using a buzzer system. You do not need to be enrolled in one of these projects to participate.

We are currently needing to secure coaches for teams. Coaches must be current screened 4-H volunteers, or be willing to be screened. The state 4-H website lists the resources to use for practices that will prepare the teams for the competitions.

Plant science will be a new project area in the 2023 Minnesota 4-H Project Bowl program, and it will be offered at the state bowl only. Teams must register by March 20. If a 4-H’er is on a different species team that does not qualify for state bowl, they may still participate in plant science at the state bowl.

There are four regional bowls, which lead to the state competition. Each has two divisions: Junior (grades 3-8) and Senior (grades 4 through 4-H graduation). 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! Our Regional Contest is scheduled for March 11 at Hastings High School. So much fun! To learn more about Project Bowls, go to; https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-events/regional-and-state-project-bowls

A project bowl coaches training will be held on Jan. 10. The purpose of the training is to prepare coaches to work with a bowl team and build the bowl program by developing confident coaches. During the webinar, we'll give an overview of the bowl program, share ideas for practices and answer questions. Watch for more information to come!

If you are interested in being on a team or coaching, please contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu

The January Livestock PDC Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 18 beginning at 7:00 pm. The location is TBD. Youth and adults are welcome to join this group. This committee helps with fair set-up, shows, improvements, ID processes, county fair auction, Information/Premium Book updates and educational activities! If you have questions or would like to know more about the Livestock PDC, contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu

Who: Washington County 4-H Members, grades K-13th

What: Food Revue is a county-level event where youth prepare a meal/dish (one serving), and create a table setting to go with the theme of the food item. Youth in grades 6th and above have an opportunity to earn a State Fair Trip!

NEW*** In addition, new this year is the 2023 4-H Fair Foodie Challenge that will take place the same morning! Youth can participate in both events!

When: Saturday, January 28, 2023 beginning at 9:30 AM

Set-up: 9:00 – 9:30 AM

Judging starts: 9:30 AM until done for both events

Exhibits must remain on display until judging is completed.

Where: Hooley Hall, Washington County Fairgrounds – 12300 North 40th St., Stillwater, MN

Register here!

NEW in 2023! 4-H members have the opportunity to create a menu item that will be enhance a current menu item sold at the County Fair Food Stand! The Challenge competition will take place on the same day as our annual Food Revue event scheduled for Saturday, Jan 28. The winner will have their food item featured during the county fair!

Who: Washington County 4-H Members, grades 6th and older. Individuals or teams of 2 may participate!

When: Saturday, January 28, 2023 @ Hooley Hall on the fairgrounds

Set up at: 9:30 am

Categories will include:

-Breakfast Item

-Lunch/Supper Item

You can enter in both categories.

Requirements of entries:

-the food item will need to contain 75% of items currently inventoried for the Food Stand (See list of ingredients on registration)

-the food item can contain up to 25% new ingredients

Entries will be judged on:

- Creativity

- Simplicity to replicate for large quantities and speed

- Presentation

- Taste

The Challenge winner will:

-have the opportunity to learn about food prep and sales working with the Food Stand Committee.

-will need to attend 2 Food Stand Committee Meetings prior to County Fair to learn about ordering food, prepping food, sales, etc.

-the 4-H member will need to be available during the county fair to prep your food item each day it is served. There may be a limit on how many of the featured food items will be sold each day at the County Fair.

-work with the Food Stand Committee to figure out how much added cost there will be to add their featured ingredients.

-4-H member will have the opportunity to learn the sales side (profit margins) when selling food.

-experience what it is like to work in food service.

-Prizes included!

To REGISTER for the Food Stand Challenge, go to: https://forms.gle/7xD4CyBBY66Lx1Wd8

Help support our local community by donating to the 4-H Food Drive. The Holidays is a great time to collect donations for those less fortunate however, the need does not go away the rest of the year. Winter time is one of the most stressful between heating costs and the need for extra clothing sometimes food becomes the luxury. Let's take a moment to help our neighbors and donate items everyone could use.

Top Food Shelf Needs

• Cash: $25 cash donation goes a long way in purchasing food
• Spices and Oil: Salt/pepper, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, salad dressing, condiments, olive oil
• Canned Meats: Tuna, chicken, salmon, sardines
• Grains: Pasta, whole grain pasta, rice, quinoa, couscous
• Household Paper Items: Paper towels, toilet paper
• Shelf Stable Items: Whole grain, hot or cold, kid-friendly cereal and ready to eat soup
• Hygiene Products: Soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers (sizes 5&6), tampons, maxipads

This event is being held in conjunction with our 4-H Food Revue and Fair Foodie Challenge. Come take a look at what our 4-H members are cooking up while leaving a donation for the local food shelf. We will be accepting donations from 9 AM - Noon on Saturday, January 28 at Hooley Hall. Your community thanks you!

All are invited to learn about the Washington County Shooting Sports Program Parents and youth interested in learning more about the Washington County 4-H Shooting Sports program are invited to attend an Orientation meeting on Monday, Jan 30th beginning at 7:00 pm at the Stillwater Gov’t Center(14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater). Our Trainers will be available to talk about the program and answer your questions. Registration material for the coming year will be available.

We will also kick off the Pheasants Forever Fundraiser to help keep registration fees low. Current 4-H members who participate in the Shooting Sports Program are encouraged to come to this meeting to sign up and pick up your raffle tickets. We are looking for a parent to help work with this fundraiser, if you can help, please contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu

In case of inclement weather, please let us know if you plan to attend the Orientation on the 30th by completing this link; Register here!

Washington County 4-H welcomes any adults willing to work with our Shooting Sports Program. The Shooting Sports Program includes the following disciplines; bb/pellet, archery, trap, black powder and rifle. We start the summer program in June. Archery and bb/pellet training is held on Monday evenings at the fairgrounds, while trap, black powder and rifle training takes place at the Oakdale Gun Club on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. The season ends at the State Shoot competition in early September for youth who have completed the required training and wildlife hours.

To be a Certified Trainer for 4-H, you will find the steps necessary to become a Certified Instructor at; https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-events/4-h-shooting-sports-and-wildlife-leader-certification#registration-893960

Upcoming Trainings-

January 7 - Wadena, MN (Rifle/Pistol and Archery) Deadline December 28

February 11 - Redwood Falls, MN (Rifle/Pistol, Archery, Wildlife, ATV) Deadline February 1

Dog Project Members - Save the date for a Trick Dog Seminar on Saturday, February 25th from 9 AM - NOON at The Greater Dog, 1815 Greeley St. S #3, Stillwater, MN 55082. Start practicing with your dog this winter, orientation and training will be here in April before we know it! A sign up for this seminar will be coming.

It's not too late to sign up to join the 4-H agronomy and horticulture team for some fun science experiments in December. We’re going to be focusing on evergreen trees this month! Virtual sessions will take place Dec. 19. If you sign up by Dec. 12, 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.

Did you know that you can change the color of plants? Have you ever seen beautiful flowers and wondered how they become that color? Youth in grades 3+ are invited to join us as we learn how to make multi-colored plants with food coloring. This online series will take place Jan. 16, Feb. 20, and March 20. In January, we’re going to experiment with test tubes, food coloring, and succulent plants! Sign-up by Jan. 9 to ensure you receive your test tubes in time. You’ll also receive a list of additional materials needed for the experiments. You may join at any time – participate in one or all three sessions!

Learn more and register.

Have you ever tested your plant science knowledge? Would you like to learn more while playing in an interactive way through virtual games? Join us on the second Thursday of each month from January to March from 7 - 7:30 p.m. to have some fun! No experience necessary!

Learn more and register.

Check out info on the 2023 4-H Regional and State Project Bowls today! Coaches and 4-H'ers (grades 3+) interested in learning more about the 4-H Project Bowl program should check our website for dates, locations, rules, references and more. Get ready to learn more about your dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama/alpaca, poultry and rabbit projects! New this year at the State Bowl - plant science, with a focus on crops!

Learn more and register.

Winter Round Up is a 3-day overnight conference where horse project youth (grades 6+) and adult volunteers gather together to network with each other, learn from engaging speakers, and grow their leadership skills.

This year's event will be held at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro.

• Early bird registration deadline: Jan. 2
• Final registration deadline: Jan. 16.

Learn more.

Interested in learning more about horses? We’re excited to offer this online series for horse enthusiasts in grades 3+ to learn more about horses. We’ll meet once a month in a virtual setting, and supplemental material will be provided for youth to further explore each topic. This could be done hands-on with horses, depending upon each county. The virtual programming is free, however there may be costs to participate in additional local offerings. Join us on Jan. 24 for the first session which will focus on horse 101. Registration deadline: Jan. 17.

Learn more and register.

Youth in grades 3+ are invited to join 4-H Animal Discovery, an exploratory learning series highlighting two animal species: dog and poultry. This 5-session virtual series kicks off on Feb. 6. Youth can expect fun, interactive lessons, at-home challenges and group reflection supported by 4-H members, volunteers and staff. Mark your calendars – registration opens Jan. 3.

Learn more and register.

Youth in grades K-3 are invited to join us in exploring the wonderful world of agricultural careers through hands-on activities and guest speakers. We’ll learn about being an auctioneer, implement mechanic, and much more from real Minnesota ag professionals!

We will meet virtually every week to learn about a new career area and explore hands-on learning. This free series will be offered on Saturday mornings January 7-28 from 10-10:30 a.m.

Sessions will be held on Zoom; participants will be sent Zoom information upon registration.

Session topics:

• Jan. 7: Farm to plate/grocery stores
• Jan. 14: Implement dealer/mechanic
• Jan. 21: Auctioneer
• Jan. 28: Florist

Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Register in 4-H Online. You only need to register once to attend any or all sessions.

For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact your local Extension educator.

If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” club for your county. In the projects field, choose "Cloverbuds" or "Exploring Animals" and any other project areas you may have an interest in.

Registration is now open for Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)!

CWF involves youth from across the state in gaining skills to make a positive change in their communities, country, and world. Participants will engage in virtual educational meetings, attend an educational conference in Washington, DC, visit important landmarks, meet with decision-makers, plan and implement a post-trip application project, and build relationships with youth and adults from across Minnesota and throughout the US! Learn more.

• Who: Youth currently in grades 9+ can register to attend; space is limited to 45 youth; chaperones will be needed, but will not be recruited until January.
• How: Register in 4-H Online no later than Jan. 13. If the first 45 spaces are claimed, there is a waitlist option.We'll do our best to accommodate as many on the waitlist as possible. Deposits must be received to hold each space by Jan. 25. If you have a group to register, please contact me to discuss options.
• Fee: Estimated at $2500 - $2800. The final fee will be based on how many youth register, and airfare/transportation costs.

Registration is now open for youth leadership workshops BLU (for youth in grades 6 - 9) and TEEL (for youth in grades 10+). Both workshops will take place in February and this year's theme is "Seasons of Growth."

Learn more and register.

• February 24 - County wide Creative Arts Night @ Hooley Hall (More details coming!)

• February 25 - Dog Project Tricks Seminar - 9AM-Noon @ The Greater Dog, 1815 Greeley St. S #3, Stillwater, MN 55082
• April 4 - 4-H Dog Orientation, learn about how dog training will work in Washington County. Turn in your Dog ID paperwork and training fees.
• April 11 - Dog Demo Night. Learn about the different classes offered through live demonstrations.
• April 18 - Dog Training starts
• April 23 - Tentative start date for Dog Agility.
• July 29-30 - County 4-H Dog Show

• January 28 - County wide Food Revue @ Hooley Hall (Details in this newsletter)
• January 28 - 4-H Foodie Challenge (Details in this newsletter)
• January 28 - Food Drive (Details in this newsletter)

• January 18 - 7:00 PM Livestock PDC Meeting (includes beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goat, rabbit and poultry) Stillwater Gov't Center. New members always welcome to help plan events for the year.
• Project Bowl Teams forming now! Let us know if you are interested. mnext-washington@umn.edu
• February 15 - Market Beef/Dairy Steer ID deadline (More details about tags coming!)

• January 7 - County Arts-In Reunion, from 5-8 PM at Hooley Hall. Back by popular demand, the County Arts-In Reunion evening will include dinner, debuting the video of Cruisin’ on the Key of Sea, brainstorming for the 2023 show, four square, IMPROV, and so much more! Contact Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu with any questions. Register here!
  
• April 14 - Performing Arts Night - Performing Arts Night will be held on Friday, April 14 at the Stillwater Middle School Auditorium from 6-9 PM. Now is the time to start brainstorming your One Act Plays and Share the Fun skits with your clubs! All Performing Arts performance and non-performance acts will once again be judged on this night. Reach out to Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu or Avis Peters at avisapeters@hotmail.com with any questions.

• Dec. 28 and Feb. 1 - SS&W Leader Certification Trainings (Sign up information in this newsletter)
• Jan. 30 - 7:00 PM at the Stillwater Gov't Center. Come learn about Shooting Sports and what it has to offer. Register here!

• July 1 - County fair registration deadline. Final selection of projects and animals need to be entered in FairEntry by this date.
• July 29 - 4-H General/Static project judging (Saturday)
• July 29-30 - County 4-H Dog Show
• Aug. 2-6 - Washington County Fair

• May 15, 2023

Looking for volunteers to share their knowledge with youth. Maybe facilitate a tour of your place of employment or business related to a 4-H project area or better yet show youth how to make or build something. We are searching for winter project workshop ideas and need your help in determining what we should explore. Think about where your passion fits best.

What projects can I choose from?

• Cloverbuds – an exploratory workshop for youth in K-2nd grade
• Animal Science - Beef, Cat, Dairy, Goat, Dog, Horse, Lama, Pets, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, Veterinary Science, Exploring Animals
• Expressive & Communication Arts - Crafts & Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Photography, Video, Demonstrations
• Family Consumer Science - Child & Family Development, Clothing & Textiles, Food & Nutrition, Food Review
• Mechanical Science - Aerospace, Bicycle, Computer, Electric, Robotics, Wood Shop or Metal Shop, Small Engines, Tractor, Aquatics Robotics, Engineering Design, Rube Goldberg Machines
• Natural Resources - Entomology, Exploring the Environment, Fishing Sports, Forest Resources, Geology, Shooting Sports/Wildlife Management, Water/Wetlands, Wildlife/Biology
• Personal Growth & Development - Citizenship, Consumer Education, Global Connections, Health, Safety, Youth Leadership
• Plant Sciences - Crop Sciences, Flower Gardening, Fruit, Indoor Gardening, Lawn & Landscape Design, Plant & Soil Science, Potatoes, Vegetable Gardening

Let's chat and see what adventure we can go on together! mnext-washington@umn.edu or call 651-430-6800.

Check out this state page for helpful resources!

https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/4-h-volunteer/

Apply to be a 4-H screened volunteer

https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/4-h-volunteer/

https://shop4-h.org/collections/new-curriculum

The Country Cousins 4-H meeting was on November 4th. During the meeting we discussed the Engineering Design challenge and the food shelf grant. We also handed out 2021-2022 4-H awards. For our activity we made Gratitude chains and played a bunch of STEM and engineering games. Earlier in October we attended officer training and participated in the Monster Bash parade and won the Halloween Spirit award.

Respectfully submitted,

Calissa Newton

Happy Hornets added homemade personal pizzas to the menu for their annual pajamas and games night! In addition to having a fun time, members learned how to roll dough and bake pizzas on an electric skillet. Will we see pizzas at Food Revue? Only time will tell!

Are you looking for work experience in the youth development field? Apply now for county and regional-based 4-H summer intern positions throughout the state of Minnesota. Each internship will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about University of Minnesota Extension and explore job opportunities in 4-H Youth Development.

Learn more and apply.

Families are encouraged to enroll/re-enroll early in the fall 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 changing health information. All of this and more can be done though your family account in 4honline. https://v2.4honline.com/

Enrollment is required annually 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 if you intend on participating in dog training or showing at the county fair.

Still looking for a club to join?? Please contact the club to make sure you are on their email list.

4-H Clubs in Washington County

4-H Club Bios

As you may have noticed, shortly after you enrolled online you were approved. Monthly email reminders are sent to families who have not paid their county fees up until the County Fair. Members who do not pay or fill out a scholarship request are flagged at the county fair. We continue to accept checks/cash at any time. Please pay your membership fee, county fees are used not only for programming but also towards salaries for county personnel. Without this income we will be forced to raise fees for all events.

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 address listed below.

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 please just let us know by completing the scholarship form.

For the most comprehensive list of regional and state events and activities along with these 4-H resources.

• Current and past Family Newsletters
• County Animal ID letters
• News articles about our larger ongoing project areas
• Events calendar
• County club map with contacts
• County Fair information as it becomes available
• Much more

Washington County Website

Staff will not be in the office from December 22 through January 2. We will be back starting January 3. Have a wonderful Holiday Season!