Olmsted County 4-H News
June, 2022
Notes from Kristina
We are excited to see you in our many 4-H programs happening this summer! Some deadlines are fast approaching, so make sure to register before spots are filled for camps and other learning opportunities!
June 15th is our Fair Registration deadline (in the FairEntry website) - This is for everyone regardless of whether you are showing animals or static projects. I encourage you to browse the Premium Book and pick a project area you haven't brought before!
Feeling artistic? We are looking for a new t-shirt design to offer for sale at the county fair! You can review our guidelines and our submission link at: z.umn.edu/TShirtContest. Designs are due by July 1st!
Welcome to our Summer Intern!
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Our Summer Intern supports 4-H programming in the summer like our Day Camps and County Fair!
Upcoming Project Opportunities:
Beef Project Development Committee (PDC)- Youth and adults interested in providing guidance and suggestions for growing our beef project can join the Beef PDC! The next meeting will be Sunday, June 12 at 6:30 pm at the Fairboard Office.
Horse Project Events - Get ready for Open Arena Nights this summer! Join the horse project for practice time in the arena followed by a mini-clinic about county fair classes. You can see all the details here.
Stick around after the June 12 arena night to help plan for the county fair!
Join us this summer for Camp!
Invite a non-4-H friend - you don't have to be actively involved in a 4-H Club to attend!
4-H Camp in Olmsted County (Grades K-5) - Registration for individual camps will close one week before camp (or when spots are filled)
This year, you can participate in day camp for only $25 a session on Wednesdays in June and July for a fun-filled day of hands-on project exploration, service learning, and fun! Youth in grades K-5 are invited to participate. The day will consist of some activities as a large group and some divided into age groups (K-2 and 3-5). Camps will take place in Rochester from 9:30 am-3:30 pm. We are also offering an extended day option for those wishing to participate from 8 am-4:30 pm. z.umn.edu/OlmstedDayCamp
4-H Camp at Whitewater State Park (Grades 3-8)- Registration closes June 3!
Join our regional 4-H camp experience on June 20-22 (grades 6-8) and June 22-24 (grades 3-5). Full details can be found here. Registration is now open and usually fills up fast! (Note: This event qualifies for half reimbursement from Olmsted County 4-H; form found here)
Opportunities for Seniors
Olmsted County 4-H Alumni Association Scholarship - Applications for this yearly scholarship are due to the Extension Office by June 15 and can be found on our website.
2022 MLBA 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction Scholarship - Are you a Minnesota 4-H livestock project participant who will be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the coming academic year? If so, consider applying for a 2022 MLBA 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction Scholarship! Apply by August 1 z.umn.edu/PurpleRibbonScholarship
Opportunities in Neighboring Counties - You're invited!
Beef & Dairy Hoof Trimming and Care Clinic in Goodhue County - On July 16 at the Goodhue County Fairgrounds from 10 am-12 pm, Dave Captske will discuss and demonstrate hoof health and maintenance for beef and dairy cattle. There will also be a vet on hand to discuss common cattle issues such as warts and ringworm. A light lunch will be provided to participants - register at: https://forms.gle/ehPuhAMHxDYK2S5F7 .
FFA & 4-H Hay Bale Art Auction - IDEAg is accepting entries for their second annual Hay Bale Art Auction at Farmfest! 4-H and FFA groups are invited to participate in designing and building hay bale art that will be displayed on the show grounds during Farmfest 2022, August 2-4. Creations will be auctioned, with the proceeds going to their creators. Contact the Extension Office or check out the Farmfest website for more information.
4-H at the Olmsted County Fair
County Fair Award Sponsorship - Are you or your club interested in sponsoring a grand or reserve champion award for the county fair? Please contact the Extension Office if you'd would like more information.
Fair Registration deadline is June 15th!
- June 15 - FairEntry registration deadline - Add to google calendar
- Extended Office Hours: If you'd like to confirm or get help with your animal ID or FairEntry registration (once it's available), stop by the office: June 2 and 9 from 5-8 pm
We need you! County Fair Shifts: The County Fair experience can't happen without our many youth and adult volunteers. This year's sign-up for shifts can be found at: https://z.umn.edu/OlmstedFairVolunteer. Please note that previously clubs signed up for a shift to fill with a certain number of youth and adults, this year this link can be dispersed and families can sign up individually. Each club is expected to fill 2 static judging day spots, 2 set-up, 2 take-down and 1 security spot. We ask that shifts are filled with 1 youth and 1 adult when possible.
New to 4-H? Talk to your club leaders about what role might be a good fit for you, previous experience at fair is not necessary. If the expected roles are filled, your club will receive $200.
Information for Youth and Adult Club Leaders
We know that it takes many youth & adult leaders to support 4-H clubs. This article summarizes all information that would previously be sent just to the club leader so that more of your leadership team can be aware of upcoming deadlines and opportunities. Whether you are in an official or unofficial leadership position, this article is for you.
Fall Festival Club Responsibilities
As seen in the Fall Festival information sheet last month, a part of your club's responsibility is having a representative on the committee. This responsibility is two-fold. It helps us plan an put on a successful fundraiser and also ensures your club is in the know and successfully supports the event with volunteer shifts, auction items, and ticket sales. It is the expectation that even if you don't have someone on the committee, the club leader or another volunteer in your club is reviewing all the information shared and being the liaison for your club.
Especially if you do not have someone on the committee, I recommend watching this video where I outline the event details and shared resources.
z.umn.edu/FallFestResources is a Google Drive that includes the information sheet (previously shared with updates), flyer, and auction information and tools. While your club is separating duties for Fair Club Shifts, I also recommend you discuss the Fall Festival shifts of set-up (morning and afternoon day before) and during the event and who will fill those. The official sign-up is not out, but it is never too early to discuss and save the date. (facebook event link)
4-H Clubs at the County Fair
You can sign-up for Club projects anytime between now and June 15th at https://z.umn.edu/ClubFairRegistration. More details can be found in your premium books.
See information in the Fair article regarding club volunteer shifts.
Thinking Ahead to Next Program Year
Many clubs have seen a lot of changes over the past two years in the midst of Covid. Many of our 4-H families (and youth and adult leaders) are newer to 4-H and their leadership roles. In thinking of new ways to support your clubs this fall with club charters, share ideas for activities, and introduce adult leadership rotation options and new youth officer ideas, I will be hosting Club Leadership Retreats in August.
This opportunity is a good fit for any club, regardless of the size, or experience of the leaders. Clubs will be invited to join as a team of youth and adult leaders to learn through hands-on activities, gain ideas to take back, and create a draft of their program plan for the year (and charter) to take back to their next club meeting. Registration will be coming, but in the meantime save the dates for the evenings of Wednesday, August 10th and Sunday, August 14th!
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