Sibley County 4-H Newsletter
September 2023
Thank You's
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Stephanie Mashuga, Sibley County’s 4-H Summer Intern for the second year! Stephanie was such an asset to Sibley County this summer and made so many positive connections with the people of Sibley County. We are SO grateful she shared her time and talents with us. We were extremely fortunate to have her the last two summers. Stephanie will be returning to college this fall in Nebraska continuing her Elementary Education Degree. Good Luck Stephanie in all your future endeavors!
A huge THANK YOU to the many volunteers, friends of 4-H, parents, 4-H members and the Sibley County Fair Board for working so hard to make the 2023 Sibley County Fair a success! There are so many things that go on behind the scenes to make the fair happen and we thank you! There are many other ways big and small, that people worked together to make the week great. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!
A great big THANK YOU to all the many youth, leaders and parents that worked in the 4-H Food stand. Also a standing ovation to our hard working Food stand Managers – Mary Nelson and Kim Asche. A huge shout out also to the many people that put in EXTRA time and effort to make the Food Stand a success. The 2023 4-H Food Stand was a huge success due to all of you!
Congratulations!
Awards Night Slide Show
We are looking for photos from the past year. If you have any you are interested in sharing, below are links to google drive folders. You may be asked to login with a google account prior to uploading photos. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns in sharing your photos.
4-H Graduates
If you graduated from high school in 2022, this is your last year in 4-H. If you graduated this year, 2023, you are eligible to graduate from 4-H this year or next. You must let the office know if you are done this year so you can be acknowledged at the Awards Night Ceremony. We are also looking for the Outstanding Graduate and would like you to submit an application and return it before September 29.
September Meetings
All meetings will be held at the Sibley County Service Center in Gaylord. Youth are strongly encouraged to attend all meetings, we need your inputs.
Animal PDC Meeting will be held on Monday, September 11 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Sibley County Service Center. Decisions on future shows, such as judging criteria, herdsmanship, stalling and the many other areas of running a good contest and animal programs are discussed at these meetings.
Federation Meeting will be held on Monday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. The 2023 - 2024 Federation Officers and West End Advisors elections will be held at this meeting. Delegates from each club will elect next year's officers, please make sure EVERY CLUB HAS A REPRESENTATIVE AT THIS MEETING!
The new 4-H year brings exciting new opportunities for you to step forward as a leader. Why run for county office? You get to work with other youth and adult leaders to play an important role in the decisions regarding Sibley County 4-H. The experience prepares you for leadership positions in your school, college and community. It looks wonderful on a scholarship application or resume.
Candidates are being sought for president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter and photographers. Be in on the decisions and help set the pace for Sibley County 4-H. All youth 8th grade and older are eligible to seek office.
Officers must have completed 8th grade.
A 4-Her may hold a Federation Office a maximum of three years, but not the same office.
All Federation Officers are automatically Sibley County Ambassadors and must complete Ambassador requirements.
All candidates need to be present at elections unless otherwise excused.
Officers should complete the application that was sent in the mail and return by Friday, September 22, 2023!
We’ll also be electing two new advisors from the West End. Adult Federation Advisors attend all Federation Meetings. They are frequently consulted for county 4-H advice on program areas, foundation information and budget. They share ideas for improvements or changes within the county program. In addition, advisors assist with Awards Night and are encouraged to promote 4-H whenever possible. Current West End Advisors are Greg Mueffels and Jennifer Willegal.
If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Connie at the Extension Office.
Attention Ambassadors and Ambassador Want-to-Be's
Have you seen all the great things our Ambassadors have been doing? Sibley County’s Ambassadors meet about once a month and plan, organize and carry out many of the 4-H events held in Sibley County. We will be holding our first fall meeting for all “current and new” Ambassadors in October.
Basic requirements for our ambassadors are:
Be a positive role model by completing projects including records and carrying through on responsibilities.
Must have completed 8th grade.
Must be enrolled in 2 projects, including youth leadership, which includes being a judges assistant.
Must serve on a county committee.
Help conduct county-wide project meetings, demonstrations or club talks.
Attend Federation Meetings on a regular basis.
Fill out the application that will be mailed after Labor Day and return by Friday, September 22, 2023!
Program Updates
Dog Project
We have 2 Sibley County 4-H participants headed off to the State 4-H Dog show September 23-24. Best of luck to both of you!
Horse Project
Congratulations to the 5 Sibley County 4-H Horse project members that are headed down to the State 4-H Horse show September 15 - 18. Best of luck to all of you.
Shooting Sports Project
The State 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Invitational is scheduled for September 8 - 10. We wish all the Sibley County members attending good luck at the competition.
National 4-H Week
What are you doing for National 4-H Week? October 1 – 7, 2023 has been set aside as a promotion for recruiting new members as well as making the public aware of all the benefits and programs 4-H offers. Here are some ideas your club can do:
- Make a window display or bulletin board for local businesses.
- Round Bale display
- Hold a club open house or club fun night
- Invite local newspapers to do a feature story on your club or 4-H family.
- Interview with a radio station.
- Make grocery bag stuffers or decorate grocery bags.
- Write a letter to the editor.
- Speak at civic organizations.
- Invite friends to come to your club meeting.
- Wear 4-H t-shirts.
- Visit classrooms at school and pass out flyers to students.
- Talk to your Commissioners and leaders of the importance of 4-H in our local area.
- The possibilities are endless
A picture and location of the completed display must be emailed to Connie or Joleen by Wednesday, October 4. Awards will be given to the most creative, most ambitious, and how many potential members reached.
Records Due and Judges Needed!
Once again this year we will be judging our own records. All 4-Hers and adults leaders as well as Federation Officers and Ambassadors are welcome and encouraged to judge records on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 3-5 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Each club is required to send at least two people to help judge or their club will not be given any awards for records. Judging will be held at the Sibley County Service Center on a come and go basis. Hope to see you there!
Re-Enrollment in 4-H Online and Volunteer Screening
Re-enrollment through 4-H online starts on September 15. Please make sure to verify address, email, phone numbers and medical information is correct. Shooting Sports Members will need to have a parental consent form signed.
Volunteers need to renew their Safety of Minors training every three years. You will receive an email from the state if you need to get renewed.
Project Meetings
Re-enrollment through 4-H online starts on September 15. Please make sure to verify address, email, phone numbers and medical information is correct. Shooting Sports Members will need to have a parental consent form signed.
Volunteers need to renew their Safety of Minors training every three years. You will receive an email from the state if you need to get renewed.
Important Dates
September 8 - 10, 2023 - State Shoot at Alexandria
September 11, 2023 - PDC Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. at the Sibley County Service Center
September 15 - 18, 2023 - State Horse Show at State Fairgrounds
September 22, 2023 - Ambassador and Officer applications due
September 23 - 24, 2023 - State Dog Show at State Fairgrounds
September 25, 2023 - Federation Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. at the Sibley County Service Center
September 29, 2023 - Records, Award Applications and Secretary Books Due before 4:30 p.m. to the Sibley County Extension Office
October 1 - 7, 2023 - National 4-H Week
October 3 - 5, 2023 - Record Judging at the Sibley County Extension Office
October 15, 2023 - Chuck Yahnke Memorial Award applications due
October 31, 2023 - Club Charter, Treasurer Books and Checkbooks Due
© 2023 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.