• December 23-26 - Extension Office is closed for the Christmas Holiday
• December 30-January 2 - Extension Office is closed for New Year Holiday
• January 6-Llama Project Bowl Practice, 7PM, Carver Co Public Works Building
• January 7 - PV Club's Crafting and Scrapbooking Extravaganza
• Jan 8 - Horse Bowl Practice 3-5 PM, Carver County Public Works Building
• Jan 9 State-wide Livestock PDC webinar, 7:00 p.m. Zoom
• Jan 10 Horse PDC mtg, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
• Jan 11 Livestock PDC mtg, 7:00 p.m., Carver Co Public Works Building/ Zoom
• Jan 19 SSWL Guns and Grub Kick Off Party, 6:00 p.m., Carver County Public Works Building
• January 23-Federation Hybrid Mtg, 7:00 p.m., Public Works Building/ Zoom
• January 29 - Sew Sew Club, 2-4:00 p.m., Carver Co Public Works Building
• February 3 - Quad County Lock-In, Chaska Community Center
• February 2-23 - Virtual Cake Decorating Series 6-7:30 p.m.
• February 15 - Animal ID Deadline for Market Beef (beef steers, market heifers and dairy steers). More information coming soon.
• February 21 - Dog Project Information Night, 7:00 p.m., Carver County Public Works Building

Devarati Bhattacharya is a University of Minnesota alumna and a science education researcher, with a Doctoral degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. She has a special interest in increasing awareness among youth about the Earth’s climate through equity-centered approaches. Her future plans include supporting various extension initiatives in Carver county, helping youth become scientifically literate and identify their paths to leadership. She is the only child of parents who have devoted their entire lives to teaching youth from marginalized and underprivileged communities in India. Devarati’s hobbies include walking with her dog, kayaking and listening to podcasts. In the past six months, she has been learning how to sew with her 9 year old daughter and in 2023 she aspires to learn the corkscrew swim stroke from her 12 year old son.

Devarati will start January 9!

First practice

WHEN: Sunday, January 8, 3-5 p.m.

WHERE: Extension Office

If you missed the info meeting on Dec 2nd, come to the first practice to learn what horse bowl is all about!

Sew Sew Club Information! Sew-Sew Club meets one Sunday afternoon per month, October through June from 2-4pm at the Extension Office. Instruction and materials are free! Sewing machines are available or bring your own machine and basic sewing supplies (scissors, needles, pins, thread)

In these Learn-to-Sew sessions we will complete a useful project that will progressively enhance your sewing skills each month! We will start with the basics in October, then build on basics each month. If you missed the Oct, Nov and Dec sessions, contact Chellie chellie.albers@yahoo.com for information on joining!

January 29, February 19 and March 12, 2023 registration is now open.

There will be a 4-H Judges Training offered in the Southwest Region and throughout the state for those that are interested on Friday, January 27 from 5pm - 8pm at the Lac Qui Parle Extension Office/ Media Room . This training will also be offered virtually. Please share with those they may have any interest in becoming a county fair judge or would like a refresher course. https://z.umn.edu/2023JudgesTraining

The Summer Intern Positions are now posted on the Extension Careers page. View the postings here. If you know of anyone that might be interested, please share!

We are seeking YOUR input to make plans for the future! What do you, as a community youth member, need from the community where you live now and as you move into adulthood? What changes would you like to see to ensure you can grow and thrive in a strong community?

4-H is recruiting youth leaders who are interested in joining a team of other youth to offer advice and feedback to influence the future of their local communities. You would help design a vision for the Twin Cities region around the following topics: wastewater, transportation, housing, open spaces and parks, and more. Young people will work with career professionals and have opportunities to meet policy makers to share their ideas.

What will YOU get from the project?

• Fun activities, a chance to dream about the future, and a way to connect to policy makers.
• A central voice in shaping the guiding values of regional policy affecting housing, transportation, parks, and water.
• A chance to build engagement and leadership skills in the real world.
• A chance to talk to people in your community and make sure your ideas are heard.
• A chance to build networks with policy makers and early career mentors.
• This is a paid experience: you will receive a stipend of $750 for participation.

Participants should be in 9th-12th grade or one year past high school. The experience will run January through July, 2023. Meetings will be held at easily accessible locations to reach you close to where you live.

This project will happen in partnership with the Metropolitan Council. To learn more about the Met Council’s initiative, visit this link. Learn more about the intersection of youth leadership here.

To apply to be a 4-H representative: Please fill out this application by Friday, January 13, 2023. We would like to invite you to an in-person planning meeting sometime during the weeks of January 15 or 22… dates will be determined based on your availability.

This will be a competitive search; we can accept up to 10 youth leaders.

Please email Amber shanahan@umn.edu with questions or thoughts!

4-H Animal Discovery: Dog and poultry -an exploratory learning series highlighting two animal species: dog and poultry.

Choose your 4-H Outdoor Adventure Speaker Series Program - Monthly speakers

4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) - is a hands-on environmental education program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to youth. It provides participants in grades 3-13 an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition in teams of 3-4 of similarly aged individuals. The winning senior WHEP team (14-19 years old) will attend the annual National WHEP Contest, typically held the last full week of July.

Careers Down on the Farm - 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!

Virtual plant science trivia nights - Are you interested in learning more about plant science? We are excited to be offering a 4-H Project Bowl option in this project area for 2023.

Citizen Washington Focus - Every summer teens from across the country gather at the National 4-H Conference Center, near Washington, D.C., to learn what it means to be a strong leader in their community, country and world.

4-H horseless horse round up - Interested in learning more about horses? 4-H is excited to offer an online series for all horse enthusiasts to learn more about horses.

MN 4-H Horse Winter Round Up - Winter Round Up is an exciting three-day, two-night conference of adult and youth leadership and 4-H Horse Project learning. It's for youth in sixth grade or older who are interested in horses.

BLU Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) BLU is for youth in grades 6-9. They will participate in hands-on activities where they build leadership skills, form relationships with other youth, learn to work together and make a difference in their communities. BLU is facilitated by youth leaders from the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador program and supported by a team of adult chaperones.

TEEL Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) is a workshop for youth in grades 10+ to gain valuable leadership skills while connecting with peers from other counties and regions. This workshop builds on the leadership skills older youth have developed at BLU and through their lived experience both within and outside of 4-H. Teens will engage in large and small group discussions. It is designed and facilitated by a team of older youth and young adult leaders.

Below are the dates/locations for BLU and TEEL.

• Feb. 4-5: Northwest - Castaway Club, Detroit Lakes
• Feb. 11-12: Northeast - Long Lake Conservation Center, Palisade
• Feb. 11: Central - Base Camp, St. Paul
• Feb. 18: Southwest - Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), Marshall
• Feb. 25-26: Southeast - Camp Victory, Zumbro Falls

YELLO Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grade 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors. The conference will be held June 13-16 at Bemidji State University.

Apply to be a 4-H Screened Volunteer

4-H Volunteer Resource Center

2023 SS&W Leader Certification 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

Livestock state wide PDC Webinar - January 9, 7-8 p.m.

Project Bowl coaches training - Tuesday, January 10, 7-8:30 p.m. Get prepared to work with bowl teams!

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