Olmsted County 4-H News
April 2023
4-H Staff News
Do you want to join our team? The full-time Olmsted 4-H Educator position is posted here. Application deadline is April 3rd!
As a reminder, Kristina Abbas finished her time as an Educator with Olmsted County 4-H in March and has transitioned to a new role as a Regional Extension Educator. Mika Miller started with Olmsted in a part-time position and will only be in the office on certain days - please schedule ahead of time if you would like to meet with her at the office. Reach out to Christine (mnext-olmsted@umn.edu) and Mika (mill7335@umn.edu) if you need anything.
4-H at the Olmsted County Fair
Information
Last week, the 2023 Olmsted County Premium Book was mailed to 4-H families! The premium book includes all the details for the livestock and static projects your family can bring to the fair. Use it as your guide in signing up for projects in the FairEntry website, where you will register for all projects and animal classes between May 16 and June 15. (We will send an email when registration is available.)
For families exhibiting livestock - don't forget to stop by the office to pickup ear tags and have them IDed in 4HOnline by the May 15 deadline! For questions on ID requirements, Visit the Minnesota 4-H Animal ID webpage.
Club Volunteer Shifts at the Fair
A great county fair experience requires lots of volunteers in a variety of roles. Clubs should fill 2 static judging day, 1 set-up, 1 takedown, and 1 security spot. We ask that spots are filled with 1 youth and adult or one youth grades 9+. To thank you for fulfilling your club's commitment (all volunteer roles filled), your club will receive $200. We know it's early, but the sign-up is now live for anyone wanting to stay on top of their schedule! z.umn.edu/OlmstedFairVolunteer
*New* Club Project Fun!
Our Executive Board has decided to add a theme to some of our club projects. The 2023 premium book will have more details on how your club could win a pizza party for winning the Best in Theme prize!
Youth Programs
Food Revue and Cake Decorating
Did you know that Olmsted County holds a Food Revue & Cake and Cookie Decorating event judging prior to the fair? This event is held in a slightly different format to encourage learning about food and nutrition from youth in multiple counties. Registration is in 4HOnline for all ages - Sunday, April 30th from 4-6 pm. Learn more about the event and project area here.
MN 4-H State Ambassador Applications
Application materials for youth currently in grades 10 - 12 to apply for the 2023 - 2024 Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador program are available! Apply here by April 17th.
Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors aim to reflect the diversity of the 4-H program. They serve as the face and voice of Minnesota 4-H to internal and external stakeholders. In their year-long role, the State Ambassadors attend local and regional 4-H meetings and events, speak and present at state and national conferences and events, visit with alumni and other 4-H supporters, and inspire youth to learn and lead through regional and state leadership workshops and trainings. You can also nominate a youth leader, and we'll send them a direct invitation to apply! Check out the applicant information packet.
BELLE Grant and MN State Fair Scholarship
Applications for the Beginning Exhibitor Livestock Learning Experience (BELLE) Grant are open now until April 3. This program grants $500 to each large-animal exhibitor (beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, horse, llama, sheep or swine) and $250 to each small-animal exhibitor (poultry or rabbits) who commits to participating in the Minnesota State Fair for the first time in 2023. 15 grants will be awarded.
Additionally, the Minnesota State Fair Foundation will award up to 22 scholarships of $1,000 each to young adults from greater Minnesota or those currently enrolled in an agriculture program. New in 2023, one $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student of any age entering a skilled trade career or furthering their training. Applications for the Minnesota State Fair Scholarship are due Aug. 1.
Day Camps in Olmsted County (Grades K-5)
Registration is now open in 4HOnline!
Who: Youth in grades K-2 are invited to participate and grade 3-5 campers will get to experience being junior camp counselors! While participating in many of the same activities, the junior camp counselors will be introduced to leadership skills as they support younger youth.
What: Campers will enjoy a variety of theme-related activities including science, art, recreation, snacks, and more! All June/July camps will include the start (or completion) of a project that can exhibited at the Olmsted County Fair!
Where/When: All Camps run 9 am-3:30 pm with an extended day option.
Walk on the Wild Side - Exploring Animals - June 28
Detective for a Day - August 9
Outdoor Adventures - August 16
All Are Welcome! Looking to share these camps with friends? Send them to: z.umn.edu/OlmstedDayCamp
Be a Day Camp Counselor!
Do our Day Camps sound fun? Are you in Grades 6+ and interested in taking on a leadership role? Join us as a day camp counselor! Counselors assist with activities and sometimes lead parts of Day Camps alongside our intern. You can apply to be a counselor through the 4HOnline Olmsted County Day Camp Counselor Experience event.
Regional 4-H Camp at Whitewater State Park
Who: Grades 3-8
What: Youth will spend three days and two nights enjoying swimming, hiking, nature activities, games, art, music, crafts, educational programs, great food, cabin life, reflective campfires and more!
Where: Whitewater State Park
When: June 22-24 (Grades 6-8) and June 25-27 (Grades 3-5)
Registration is open in 4HOnline! For full details, visit the Extension website.
*Thanks to countywide fundraisers, youth are eligible to be reimbursed for half the program fee by Olmsted County 4-H. To apply, complete the reimbursement form: z.umn.edu/OlmstedReimbursement
As mentioned above, Olmsted County 4-H youth can request to be reimbursed for half the program fee by filling out the form.
Animal Science Meetings & Information
Horse Project
Did you know that we have a Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project facebook page? Follow us for reminders on upcoming Horse Project Events!
- Tack Swap - April 1st from 10 am-3 pm in Aune Hall - Check out our website for full Information. This is one of our 4-H Horse Project Fundraisers. Consider getting involved in the following ways:
- Volunteer for a shift at the event - Proceeds support other Horse Project events!
- Reserve a table to sell your items and share with others who may be interested. (There is a Facebook event you can share to any horse pages you are a part of!)
- Next Meeting - Our next meeting will be May 21st at 4 pm. Agenda Topics will include: upcoming summer horse opportunities, fair award sponsorships, and more!
Beef Project
Join the Beef Project Development Committee to plan for the 2023 4-H year! Next meeting - Sunday April 2nd at 5:30 pm at the Fair Board (WPA) Office (1402 Fairgrounds Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904)
Come learn about the goat project - dairy and meat!
Save the date for a goat project information meeting at 1 pm on April 15! RSVP to the Extension Office to receive more details.
Dairy Goat Judges Clinic
The Dairy Goat Judges Clinic on Saturday, April 22 at the Sibley County Fairgrounds in Arlington is designed for those already judging county fair 4-H dairy goat shows, as well as those who would like to get started. Learn from Jodene Helt, guest judge, on individual placing of dairy goat classes, showmanship, and providing oral reasons.
In addition, judges will learn:
- Ribbon distribution
- Common dairy goat classes at county fair
- Basic understanding of state fair lineups
- Emphasizing the youth development aspect
Register here.
Bunny Barn Series
The bunny barn series offers workshops for all youth interested in rabbits. Different workshops will be geared towards beginner, intermediate, or advanced rabbit members looking to dive deeper into their rabbit project. Workshops are offered April through July. Check out all the workshops here and to register!
Rabbit Tattoo Clinic and Showmanship Practice
Join the Olmsted County 4-H Rabbit Project on May 9th at 5 pm at Aune Hall! This will be an informational session to learn more about the rabbit project, tattooing, and showmanship.
Dog Training Practice
Dog training practice will be held on April 12, 19, and 26 from 6-8 pm at Building 40 at Graham Park. More information on Dog Training here.
Committee Meetings
4-H Executive Board Meeting
Blue Ribbon Auction Committee Meeting
Specific details for this year's Auction will be sent June 1st. Prior to this we are having a Auction Committee meeting to finalize details of this year's event, and discuss new approaches to finding buyers and what animals are in our auction. If you are interested in being a part of the planning team we will be meeting on April 30th at 7pm at the 4-H building (Aune Hall). If you are planning on coming, please let Mika know. We hope to see representation from all species!
Fall Festival Committee Meeting
The Fall Festival Committee met on March 19 to review items and feedback from last year. Our next committee meeting is scheduled for May 8 at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Please reach out to Mika if you are interested in joining our Fall Festival Committee - all clubs need to have representation on our Fall Festival Committee (ideally a youth and an adult). Join Zoom Meeting We still need reps from Interstate Hi-Flyers and Rock Dell clubs.
Information for Youth and Adult Club Leaders
To find a summary of recently shared Information for Youth and Adult Club Leaders, quick links, and club leader FAQs, visit our webpage article.
- Club Activities: In addition to resources shared last month, MN 4-H has published some fun, new activities in a variety of themes and themed agendas. You can check them out on the Youth Development curriculum Library webpage.
- Since December, the newsletter has been sent to only re-enrolled families! Make sure to remind your club to re-enroll if they haven't done so yet. The Olmsted County 4-H Newsletter is sent on the first of each month, so if someone didn't receive it, have them contact the office and we'll figure out why.
- Please ensure you have a representative on the Fall Festival Committee. If not, please know that it is the club leader's responsibility to be on email list for the event and communicate updates and expectations to the club.
Volunteer Training - Youth Aspirations
While many higher education preparatory programs focus on grades, test scores and financing, recent research in the field of youth development suggests that cultivating and fostering higher education aspirations may be a missing piece. Join Dr. Joanna Tzenis on Tuesday, May 2 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. to learn how you can sustain the college and university aspirations of young people while helping them identify and strategize around emergent challenges. This 75-minute training is open to Minnesota 4-H volunteers, potential volunteers and youth leaders.
Contact Information
Email: mnext-olmsted@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/olmsted
Location: 1421 3rd Avenue Southeast, Rochester, MN, USA
Phone: 507-328-6214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Olmsted4H