Reminder: Time is running out to get your market beef projects tagged and entered into the 4-H Online system by February 15.

4-H families are responsible for tagging their own market beef exhibits with an official MN 4-H ear tag that must be obtained from the Extension office. All exhibits will need to be entered in 4-H Online by families by the statewide ID deadline of Feb. 15. This is a firm deadline and has consequences if missed. Please note that you do not need to enter a beginning weight, we will not be having a rate of gain class program in 2023.

Please make sure to read through the Beef Information Sheet and 2023 Animal Science Updates guide for more information.

Detailed information on how to enter your market beef exhibits into 4-H Online can be found HERE.

Any questions please contact Cherie at frand004@umn.edu or Abby at torg0016@umn.edu

4-H members and volunteers must re-enroll in 4-H Online each 4-H year before participating in any 4-H event including club meetings, workshops and county and state events.

Each year, when re-enrolling you will:

• Select your 4-H club

• Sign-up for projects; you will only receive email communication for projects you have signed up for so review your project list to be sure you didn't miss a project

Review and update:

• Family's contact and demographic information

• Each family member's health and emergency contact information

Log in to 4-H Online here to complete the re-enrollment process. See the 4-H Online enrollment guide for step-by-step instructions.

If you have questions or would like to opt-out of 4-H, please email frand004@umn.edu

In the event of inclement weather, an email will be sent to registered participants informing them of the status of a 4-H event. It is important to pre-registered by the set deadline so you can be informed of any cancellations. 4-H staff will post cancellations on our Facebook page and on the Dakota County 4-H webpage.

If the weather event is in the morning, please check your email messages before heading out to be sure the event hasn’t been canceled. If schools are canceled due to the weather or Outdoor wind chill of 20 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit or lower, 4-H events, including club meetings need to be canceled.

When there is threatening weather, please use your best judgment when determining if it is safe to travel.

We will be holding twice a month sessions throughout the winter and spring months. This program, led by youth leaders involved with the Horseless Horse and Horse projects, will allow youth to work with horses in a variety of ways while on the ground. Youth will be required to wear horse riding helmets when in proximity to the horses for in-person events (4-H does supply the helmets for youth to use during the practices if needed). Dress appropriately for the weather, the barn can be chilly. Each session will include an education piece and hands on activities with horses.

February 21 - NOTE DATE and LOCATION - Horseless Horse members are invited to 4-H Horse Boot Camp at the Dakota County Extension & Conservation Center in Farmington from 6 to 7:30 pm. Sign-up to attend!

Youth need to enroll in 4-H Online prior to participating in HLH activities. Once enrolled in 4-H Online, sign-up to attend the bi-weekly sessions. Horseless Horse: Horseless Horse Meeting SignUp (signupgenius.com)

Waiver: Complete waiver prior to attending.

What: Horseless Horse Project Meetings

Who: Youth 3rd grade and up

Where: Lucky U Stables located at 11050 Manning Ave. South, Hastings

When: Mar. 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16, June 6 and 20, July 18

Time: 7-8 p.m.

Registration: Horseless Horse program registration is open and closes May 15. For assistance with registration, please refer to the 4-H Online event registration guide . If you are new to 4-H please select the ‘Virtual 4-H’ or ‘In Person Camp/Event’ club. In the projects field choose ‘horse and and horseless horse’ and any other project areas you have an interest in.

Cost: $25 per participant; checks payable to Dakota County 4-H, please mail or drop off to: Dakota County 4-H, 4100 220th Street West, Farmington, MN 55024 with 'HLH' noted in the memo line of your check.

Waiver: Complete prior to attending.https://form.jotform.com/220404553149046

Contact Kirsten at kapeders@umn.edu if you have questions or for more information.

4-H’ers 3rd grade and up are welcome to learn how to use a pattern, cut out fabric, use a sewing machine, and sew a pair of pajama pants! First time sewers should plan to bring a sewing helper and will be given instruction on how to use a sewing machine. A limited number of sewing machines are available to use at class. Reserve a sewing machine when you register. If you are bringing your own working sewing machine, bring bobbins loaded with thread, ready to use. Space is limited; register in 4-H Online under Events by Feb. 20.

Who: 4-H’ers 3rd grade and up; young and inexperienced sewers should bring a sewing helper

When: Saturday, Feb. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th Street West in Farmington

Cost: Free for instruction; youth will provide their own fabric and thread.

Bring: fabric, thread to match fabric, bobbin loaded with matching thread, sewing machine*

*A limited number of sewing machines are available to use at class. Reserve a sewing machine when registering.

Fabric quantity: Review the pajama pants size chart to determine the amount of fabric that you need to purchase prior to the workshop.

Fabric suggestions: Flannel, fleece, or cotton fabrics work best. Avoid plaid, stripes, one-way designs or knits.

Sewing machine: Be sure your sewing machine is in working order before the workshop, with bobbin loaded with coordinating thread and ready to go.

Join us for our get frosted cake event on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington.

This unique and fun event will be both in-person and feature a live-feed from two other locations. Based loosely off the Netflix series “Nailed It”, this event is part learning and part hilarity.

Event is open to youth in grades K-13; youth grades K-3 will need parent/guardian support.

The day will include learning interesting techniques from local bakery professionals, participating in decorating challenges, and a time to learn about how to present your masterpiece at the county fair. Youth will be provided with a cake and the supplies needed to complete the challenge on-site, and will take their creations home at the end of the challenge!

Sponsored by Benton, Carver, and Dakota Counties, youth will be hands-on in their home county, with a live-feed with youth from the other two places! There will be prizes & giveaways.

Cost is $20 Please send payment via check (payable to Benton Co 4-H) or cash to: Benton County 4-H, Attn: Megan Gerads, Courthouse-531 Dewey St., PO Box 650, Foley, MN 56329

Registration required in 4-H Online by Feb. 21.

Interested in horses? Want to learn more about the 4-H Horse, Horseless Horse and Horse Training projects? If so, then you don't want to miss Horse Boot Camp workshop that incudes a special appearance by Ladybug, the mini horse.

Youth and adult members of the Horse Project Development Committee (PDC) are hosting an evening with information, food, prizes, making horse treats, and miniature horses.

Both 4-H'ers and friends are invited to learn about the Horse, Horseless Horse, and Horse Training projects. There will be tables to learn about the various classes (Pleasure, Games, Western Heritage, etc), tack/equipment, and care along with 4-H specific info on Animal ID, county fair information, animal leasing, and enrollment.

What: 4-H Horse Project Boot Camp

Who: 4-H'ers and friends - grade 3+, volunteers, parents

When: Tuesday, Feb 21; 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th St. W. in Farmington

Ladybug, the mini horse, will be available from 6 to7 p.m. for petting and photo-ops. Prize drawings for all youth in attendance!

*Horseless Horse members please note that this event is in place of the HLH session at Lucky U Stables.

Join us as we work on a variety of arts and crafts projects together over Zoom! We will highlight and practice a style of art each week.

This after school 4-H arts and crafts virtual program will be held on Monday afternoons Feb. 13, 27 from 3:30-4:15 p.m. Note: There will not be a session on Feb. 20.

The Zoom information and supply lists needed to participate will be provided upon registration.

Workshop is for youth grades K-5.

Register here! Please register each youth/adult separately.

Look for an email about a week after you've registered for access to your individual tracking sheet. You will use this sheet to log your activities and challenges. Everyone will receive a Get Outdoor 4-H Challenge sticker in the mail when they register. There will be prizes along the journey for those that complete challenges and benchmarks. Make a commitment to start or increase your time outside!

Every year, we recognize a group of exceptional youth leaders that have contributed many hours of service to our program. The Key Award recognizes your contributions to your club and the community and encourages you to grow as an outstanding citizen. For young women, the award is a gold key mounted on an attractive necklace. For young men, the gold key is on a tie tack.

In order to apply for this award, you must meet the requirements that are detailed in the application. Applications are due to Dakota County Extension Office by April 1 to the Dakota County Extension Office in Farmington.

Youth in grades 3+ with an interest in animal science 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 and continue every other week on Mondays from 7-8 p.m. through April 3. Youth can expect fun, interactive lessons, at-home challenges and group reflection supported by 4-H members, volunteers and staff. Learn more and register.

Get your food passports ready as we travel to a different country, learn about their culture and create some of their favorite meals or desserts! Our destination will be a mystery until you get your ingredient list. More details will be emailed upon registration.

Tasty Tuesdays held virtually on Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Dates: Feb. 14, 28, March 14, 28, April 4, 11

Audience: Youth in grades K-13.

Cost: Free

Registration: Register through 4-H Online.

The next Choose Your 4-H Outdoor Adventure Speaker event is Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. Sign up to receive link to join. Registration required.

Join us for an exciting presentation from three 4-H Shooting Sports & Wildlife Program alumni who are now shooting collegiately, professionally, and on her way to the Olympics! They will share their 4-H story, where they are today, and tips for current youth in the program!

Additional speaker dates include: Mar. 13, Apr. 10, May 8.

We'll explore how rootbeer is made and create our own edible sunflower seed gardens. We'll also explore how water moves through plants, using food coloring to see the water movement.

Youth can join at any time. Supply lists will be sent to members a week prior to the monthly virtual learning series in case they want to grab the supplies and do the activities along with the presenters. Register by Feb. 13 to receive the supply list.

The winter series still has two months left and sessions will be held Feb. 20 and March 20 from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

What do frogs, snakes and turtles have in common? Join us and learn more about Herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. We will go undercover to discover the mysteries of our cold-blooded friends as we learn how they can become one of your new 4-H projects! Learn more and register.

Hop and slither to our virtual sessions held Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m.

Dates: Feb. 16, March 2, 16 30, April 6, 20

Audience: Youth in grades K-13

Cost: Free

Registration: Register in 4-H Online.

Youth in grades 4 and up are invited to join us for a fun-filled quilting adventure. Participants will meet virtually to make a quilt top using the fat quarter fizz pattern. Together we will explore tips and techniques for quilt-making. In addition to the virtual sessions, how-to videos will be available for assistance.

Sessions will be held via Zoom from 5 to 6 p.m. on the following Sundays:

Dates: Feb. 26, March 5, 12, 26, April 2, 30

Audience: Youth in grades 4 and up; Note: Adult guidance is recommended unless you are an experienced sewer.

Cost: There may be supply costs: a sewing machine, needles, thread, material, etc. A supply list will be provided upon registration.

Registration: Register in 4-H Online by Feb. 22.

Do you have basic knowledge of filmmaking or video creation and editing, but want to bring your videos to the next level? Then you need to join this winter video program! This online video program will be a deep dive into creating the videos that you always dreamed you could make.

When: Feb. 27, March 6, 13 & 20 - from 5-6 p.m.

Who: Youth in grades 8 and older who have a baseline knowledge of video creation and editing

Cost: $15; Cost should not be a barrier to participation. Please check with 4-H staff about scholarships that may be available.

Registration: Register by Feb. 22 in 4-H Online. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact your local Extension educator.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers loans for individual young people to start and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection to their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization. Projects financed with an FSA youth loan need to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills. For more information on loan purposes and project requirements, visit the FSA website or contact your local FSA office.

Join the fun at the Cloverbud and Sprouts workshops! The University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Cloverbud (K-2) and Sprouts (3-5) programs are designed specifically for youth in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. Participants must be enrolled in Kindergarten and at least 5 years of age as of September 1 of the current year to enroll as a Cloverbud. Dakota County 4-H members are welcome to bring non-4-H friends to workshops. All participants must be enrolled in 4-H Online before attending, for liability purposes.

Participants will engage in hands-on activities, meet new friends, and more!

Workshops are held one Saturday a month, typically from 9-11 a.m. at various locations on the following dates:

• March 4 - location TBD; registration deadline - Feb. 24
  

• April 22 - location TBD; registration deadline - April 14

• May 20 - location TBD; registration deadline May 12

***Please note: dates, times and locations are subject to change.

The workshops are FREE but registration is required one week before the workshop to ensure enough supplies are on-hand for participants and to allow ambassadors and staff time to order and prepare materials. Spots are limited and registration will be through 4-H Online. Directions for how to complete a 4-H Online event registration can be found here.

Any questions regarding the K-5 programming, contact Rachel at reza0027@umn.edu.

The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that the 2023 YELLO leadership conference will beheld June 13-16 at Bemidji State University.

Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors.

What happens at YELLO?

This annual event aims to engage youth in building leadership skills, developing positive relationships with peers and adults, and planning out how to take future action. Activities include youth-led leadership learning, service and education, deep dives and workshop, exploring Bemidji and fun social events.

Registration for YELLO opens in April. More details to come!