October 26, 2023
Washington County 4-H Family Newsletter
October 26, 2023
Welcome to our Family Newsletter! The most up-to-date information about events and activities going on in Washington County 4-H. Please pass along to friends and family that might be interested in attending a 4-H event. You will also receive the monthly Clover Update at the beginning of each month highlighting regional and state events.
Re-enroll now!
Families are encouraged to enroll/re-enroll early to get the most out of 4-H in the coming year. The most important part of re-enrolling is updating your information. Maybe you have a new email, new projects to add, changing to a different club, updating the grade you are in or any health updates. All of this and more can be done though your family account in 4honline. https://v2.4honline.com/
Remember you must re-enroll yearly to participate in 4-H! If you have any problems with registrations or need more information on enrollment please contact our office by email at mnext-washington@umn.edu or phone at 651-430-6800. While the 4-H year is a year-round organization, you must be enrolled BEFORE May 15th to avoid any penalties. This is also the deadline that all animals must be identified in your family account.
Enrollment fee
As you will notice, shortly (perhaps a day or two) after you enroll online you are approved. Monthly email reminders are sent to families to pay their membership fee. Membership fees help keep our programs affordable for all, please pay your membership fee or fill out a scholarship form below. We accept checks/cash at any time. Feel free to use the drop box at the main entrance of the Stillwater Government Center (not court entrance). Clearly mark envelope Washington County 4-H and drop anytime day or night.
Washington County has a yearly enrollment fee of $25.00 per member (youth only) or $100 max per family for 4 or more children. We ask that you please send payment to our office or use the drop box at the main entrance of the Stillwater Government Center in a clearly marked envelope.
Checks should be made out to Washington County 4-H and sent to the following address:
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
**For those using online banking, please be sure to include Washington County 4-H as checks made out to just Washington County go directly to the property tax office**
We don't want anyone to miss out so if you need help, please just let us know by completing a scholarship form.
Upcoming events
Raptor Center visits Washington County 4-H - Nov. 11
Join us at Hooley Hall for a visit with birds from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center for an afternoon of wildlife biology education!
We will meet three different birds and learn about the work that goes into caring for these creatures. This is a great opportunity for youth interested in animals, birding, or going into a biology/veterinary career!
Saturday, November 11 from 2pm-3pm at the Washington County Fairgrounds (Hooley Hall)
If you’re interested in volunteering with STEM programming, please contact Ashton! kules010@umn.edu Registration link: z.umn.edu/raptorvisit
Cloverbud Workshop - Nov. 18
Join us for our Fall Cloverbud Workshop on Saturday, November 18 from 9 AM - Noon at St. Croix Preparatory Academy! This "Fall Fun" event for cloverbuds is planned and led by our own Washington County 4-H Ambassadors and will include crafts, games, and meeting new friends! We will be spending time outside, so come dressed for the weather. All Cloverbuds and non 4-Hers in grades K-2 are invited to come meet new friends and participate in hands-on project learning. Pizza lunch will be included.
Cost is $10 if sent in by the deadline of November 10. After November 10, cost is $20 and must be prepaid for supplies and pizza.
Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions!
Project Pursuit - Dec. 2
Back by popular demand, Maureen Hauck will be returning this year to lead our December Project Pursuit! The workshop will take place on Saturday, December 2 from 9 AM - Noon at Baytown Hall. Come be creative and inspired in designing a small book that could be used as a personal journal, memory keeper, or sketchbook. You will learn how to make a sewn panel book and some other techniques to embellish your book. The workshop will cost $10 and all materials and pizza lunch will be provided.
Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions!
Ambassador Registration
Don’t forget to register to be a 2023-2024 Washington County 4-H Ambassador! County Ambassadors are youth enrolled in grades 7-13 who want to take their leadership skills to the next level. Some opportunities include:
Planning and leading cloverbud workshops, service projects, and social events
Serving as a counselor at workshops and day camps
Running the Ambassador Booth at the County Fair
Serving as a spokesperson for the Washington County 4-H Program
Other outreach opportunities as assigned
Meeting new friends throughout the county and state!
If these opportunities interest you, fill out the Ambassador Application here! If you have questions, contact Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu or Abbey Rademacher at abbeyrademacher25@gmail.com for more information.
Fall Volunteer Training - Save the Date - Annual Volunteer Training!
The 2023 annual volunteer training "4-H for All Abilities" will focus on creating supportive 4-H environments for youth with disabilities. Almost 17% of public school students in Minnesota receive special education services through their public school. This means that all 4-H programs do and should have participants with disabilities.
Our goal is to reach as many adult and youth volunteers as possible. Ideally, this would be a group of two or three from each club, committee or program. There will be 3 statewide annual training dates (choose one), the are as follows;
· Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
· Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Save the dates - 2024!
Washington County Fair July 31 - August 4, 2024
Washington County Fair static judging - Saturday, July 27, 2024
Washington County Horse Camp June 9 - June 12, 2024
Statewide Events
In Person Opportunities
4-H Outdoor Adventure Summit
Saturday November 18th
Time: 9 AM - 4PM
Camp Ihduhapi, Loretto, MN
All Grades
Cost: Varies by Session $0 - $10
Virtual Learning Opportunities
4-H Shutterbugs
Mondays: October 9th - November 13th
Time: 4 PM - 4:45 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 3-8
Free
2023 Fall Tasty Tuesdays
Tuesdays: October 10th - December 5th
Time: 5:45 PM -6:45 PM
Zoom Meeting
All Grades
Free
4-H Arts & Crafts - Statewide
Thursdays: October 12th
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 1-5
Free
Amazing Amphibians and Roaming Reptiles
Thursdays: October 12th - December 7th
Time: 6:45 PM - 7:45PM
Zoom Meeting
All Grades
Free
4-H Explorers in Ag Around the World
Monday Oct. 16th at 8pm - Dec. 4th
Time: 8:00 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 6-8
Free
Science Sprouts, Fall 2023
Mondays: October 16, November 20th, & December 18th
Time: 5 PM - 5:30 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 6-8
Free
MN 4-H Young Writers Club
Tuesdays: November 7th - December 5th
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Zoom Meeting
Grades 6 +
Free
Hybrid Opportunities
4-H Outdoor Wilderness Leadership & Service (OWLS) Application
Jan. 18th 2024 - 2025
Grades 6th - 11th
$350 for 2 year experience
Self-guided opportunities
Choose Your Outdoor Adventure
Self guided
Access anytime!
Steppin’ Outdoors with MN 4-H
Use a tracker to log your activity
Access anytime!
4-H Plastic Sculpture Challenge
Self guided
Access anytime!
Youth Independent Learning Guides
Self guided
Access anytime!
Washington County 4-H’er Jack Z. grows the largest sunflower!
In May, over 600 4-H'ers across Minnesota took on the challenge to "grow a monster" mammoth sunflower.
The participating youth members received seeds, provided through a partnership with Runnings, and instructions on how to plant and care for mammoth sunflowers throughout the summer.
In addition to learning about the plant growth stages, the participating youth also explored careers associated with sunflowers and made their own edible seeds and bird feed from their sunflower harvest.
Even when things didn't go as planned, there was still learning and fun.
A friendly competition was included to showcase the learning with this monster program. Contest winners were announced in the categories of tallest sunflower, largest sunflower head, most petals and most seeds.
Winners of the four contest areas will receive a prize package with products made from sunflowers.
It was a successful inaugural year for the program. Congratulations Jack!
Club Officer Training
Monday, October 23, was a busy 4-H night with an Ambassador Meeting, Pizza, Financial Review, Federation Meeting, Installation of our new Exec Board and Club Officer Training! Many thanks to all the Club Officers who came to learn about their role!
Club Corner
Lucky Aces
The Lucky Aces, met up for our semi annual highway cleanup, on Saturday October 15th, 2023 at 2:00pm. We had 24 participants show up in total and we broke our record by completing this just under 46 minutes. Many hands make light work and we are grateful for each and of you that showed up help clean up.
Reporter: Alexis Petersen
Calling all club reporters or secretaries!
Please send a short report about your club's activities. Email Kathy at eber0002@umn.edu after you have had your monthly meeting or an event! Include 1-3 photos if you can. Thank you!
Code of Conduct update
Consent to the code of conduct is part of enrollment. The code of conduct for youth, parents and volunteers has been updated to prohibit the possession or use of marijuana.
Roles of Local Youth Educators
Ann Church - Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Llama, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit), Horse, Shooting Sports, Federation, Community Clubs, Fair, Charters and Finance, Grant writing, Foods & Creative Arts projects.
Megan Slater - Youth Teaching Youth, Ambassadors, Performing Arts, Resident/Day Camps, Dog, Goat, Cloverbud.
Ashton Kulesa - STEM, Project Workshops, New Families, Food Stand, Outreach and Libraries.
Contact information is listed below.
Families and youth
University of Minnesota Extension works across the lifespan. We create and support positive non-formal learning opportunities for youth. We foster resilient, healthy and secure futures for families and seniors. Extension works with Minnesotans to make informed decisions leading to better health and well-being. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/families-and-youth
Food, health and nutrition
University of Minnesota Extension improves food literacy, physical activity, food safety and healthy food access for Minnesotans and the food service industry. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/food-health-and-nutrition
Yard and garden
The best plants and gardening practices for Minnesota gardeners, homeowners and hobbyists to grow healthy lawns, landscapes and gardens. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden
Ann Church
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6809
churc109@umn.edu
Megan Slater
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6805
slate187@umn.edu
Ashton Kulesa
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6807
Kathy Erf
Principal Office & Administrative Specialist
(651) 430-6800 or (651) 430-6803
eber0002@umn.edu
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
(We are located in the Stillwater Government Center)
Office hours - Please call ahead as staff hours do vary.
8:00am-4:30pm (Monday-Thursday)
Friday by appointment
651-430-6800 or mnext-washington@umn.edu
© 2023, Regents of the University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this publication/material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to 612-624-2116.