Murray County 4-H Messenger

January 1, 2022

Happy New Year Murray County 4-H families!

Event Information

Murray County 4-H Ambassador Meeting

Murray County 4-H Ambassadors monthly meeting from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Courts Building meeting room. Let Kim know if you can't make it. Interested in joining the Ambassadors? Just come to the meeting or contact the Extension Office for more information. At the January meeting, Ambassadors will be completing a service project. Next meeting is February 6.

When?

Sunday, Jan 2, 2022, 01:00 PM

Where?

2848 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN, USA

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Interested in Project Bowl? Form your team now!

Project Bowl is a long-standing program in Minnesota 4-H and is the second-most attended event of the year. In Project Bowl, teams of 3-6 youth build skills working and thinking together while testing their knowledge in these 4-H areas: dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama/alpaca, poultry, and rabbit.

There are four regional bowls, which lead to the state competition. Each has two divisions: Junior (grades 3-8) and Senior (grades 4 through 4-H graduation). Regional winners advance to the 4-H State Project Bowl. Winners at the state level in dairy, general livestock, horse and poultry go on to national contests!

Regional Contest - March 19 at Redwood Falls

Get your friends together, recruit a coach, study hard, and most of all have fun during the project bowl season!

To learn more about Project Bowl contact the Extension Office or visit: 4-H Regional and State Project Bowls (umn.edu)

Murray County 4-H currently has a poultry team and a general livestock coach looking for a few youth to join the team.

Chili Cookoff supports Hoffman Family

Hungry for chili? Attend the Hadley Lions Chili Cookoff on January 8, 2022 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Hadley Community Center. Community teams are competing in the chili cookoff this year to show support for Katie Hoffman, wife of Justin Hoffman, Murray County Parks/Fairgrounds Manager. Justin keeps the Murray County fairgrounds (as well as all Murray County parks) running efficiently throughout the year. The Chili Cookoff is an opportunity to give back to a family with medical needs, and vote for your favorite chili!

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Careers Down on the Farm K-3 - Statewide Series

Youth in grades K-3 will explore the wonderful world of agricultural related careers in our learning series. In this seven-session series, youth can expect hands-on activities and virtual visits with real Minnesota ag professionals. Two session options are available - 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 15 - Feb. 26. Live sessions will be followed by at-home learning activities that are easy and fun to complete using basic household supplies. To learn more, visit https://z.umn.edu/CareersDownOnTheFarm. After each lesson, email a picture of your child(ren) with their completed project to lpolejew@umn.edu to enter into seven $10 gift card prize drawings!

Youth have the opportunity to sign up for individual sessions or all seven sessions, depending on their interest. Weekly sessions are limited to 50 participants, so sign up early to reserve your session spot.

All youth in grades K-3 are invited to attend these sessions; must complete 4-H online enrollment. Sessions will be held on Zoom; links will be provided once registration is complete.

Available Session Times: (9:30-10:00 a.m.) or (10:30-11:00 a.m.)

Saturday, Jan. 15

Saturday, Jan. 22: Veterinarian

Thursday, Jan. 29: Beekeeper

Saturday, Feb. 5: Meat Market Tour

Saturday, Feb. 12

Saturday, Feb. 19

Saturday, Feb. 26

Registration is free and can be completed here. You only need to register once and can attend any or all sessions. For assistance, read this guide or contact Jeannie Ward, wardx064@umn.edu.

If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” club for your county. In the projects field, choose "Cloverbuds or Exploring Animals" and any other project areas you have an interest in.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

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Photography Scavenger Hunt - Statewide Series

Grab your camera and use your creativity to capture images found on the Minnesota 4-H photo scavenger hunt! The scavenger hunt is open to all youth in grades K-13. To learn more, visit https://z.umn.edu/2021-Photo-Scavenger-Hunt Use the photo scavenger hunt list, submit your best image per listed category and rename images with your name and the listed category fourhphoto@umn.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

2021-2022 Photo Scavenger Hunt List:

Something seasonal
Something that is special to you
Something round
Something extra-curricular/hobby related
Something 4-H related

Everyone that participates in the scavenger hunt will be put in a random drawing. Lens cleaning cloths will be awarded to ten (10) randomly drawn names. The top images will be awarded a Shutterfly gift card.

Registration is free and can be completed here. For assistance, read this guide or contact Jeannie Ward, wardx064@umn.edu. Questions? Email fourhphoto@umn.edu.

If you are new to 4-H, please select the “Virtual 4-H” club for your county. In the projects field, choose "photography” and any other project areas you have an interest in.

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Passport to Parks: Winter Edition

Dress warm, step outside and explore what our parks have to offer in the winter time! From watching wildlife as we walk the snowy trails to trying your hand at some new activities like snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Join us as we discover the amazing things to do in the winter at a park near you!

Zoom links will be sent out prior to each date

January 11 - No need to stay indoors playing games in the winter! Take part in the numerous winter outdoor games and activities happening around you!

January 18 - Dress warm and get outside as we head to the park and explore the trails!

January 25 -S'mores are not just a summer time treat over the campfire! Learn how to cook some great winter time campfire meals.

February 1 -Where there are parks there could be lakes.. And that means ice fishing ! Learn the secrets to ice fishing and how to stay safe on the ice!

February 8 - Exploring deep into the parks can be exciting , but making sure you have what you need packed in a backpack is important. Join us as we share some tips on Winter Survival.

February 15 Snowmobiling the hills is exciting and adventurous. Learn about snowmobile trails, safety and protecting yourself from the cold when you ride the hills.

Please register at 4honline.com under EVENTS Passports to Parks Winter Edition 2021-2022

4-H Agronomy & Horticulture Hydroponics Project Kit

Interested in learning more about how our plants grow? Or about forages used in animal agriculture, wildlife conservation and turf management? Then this project kit is for you!

All 4-H members in Minnesota are invited to take part in an Agronomy & Horticulture Project Kit this spring! This year the Agronomy & Horticulture Project Kit features forages! Kits are $20 and the project kit contains most of the supplies needed to join us in exploring forages. The kit will contain supplies to start forage seeds, observe the growth and root structure and a detailed tutorial, mailed right to your home!

Along with the kit, you are encouraged to join us for our forages Live Sessions via Zoom. We will learn more about our kits, check in on the growing progress, troubleshoot, learn from experts in the field and brainstorm for future projects! For more details, check out z.umn.edu/AgronomyProjectKits.

Interested? Registration for the Forages Kits will be open January 1-25 or while supplies last (so sign up today!) To register, go to 4honline.com. For assistance registering, check out z.umn.edu/4hEvent or contact Jeannie Ward, wardx064@umn.edu. Payment can be made by credit/debit card in 4-H Online or by mailing a check payable to the University of MN, Mailed to: U of M Extension Regional Office, Mankato - Attn: Jeannie Ward - 1961 Premier Dr, STE 110, Mankato, MN 56001.

Questions: Do you have questions about the 4-H Project Kits? Contact 4-H Extension Educators Kaitlin Barbosa (torg0096@umn.edu) or Kirstin Koch (kochx040@umn.edu)

Dinehart Holt House Christmas trees decorated by Murray County 4-Hers

Four Murray County 4-H Clubs decorated trees in support of the Murray County Museum. The Dinehart Holt House has a tree decorating theme each year. This year's theme was Merry Beary Christmas. Thanks to all the families that participated in tree decorating.

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Slayton Shooting Stars 4-H Club

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Currie Poco-a-Poco 4-H Club

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Cameron 4-H Club

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Prairie Hustlers 4-H Club

2022 Andrea Ruesch Scholarship is now accepting applications

Due Date: Application must be postmarked by March 7, 2022.

Amount: This is a one-time $1,000 scholarship and at least four scholarships will be awarded annually.

Criteria: For 4-H members who are high school seniors or first-year college students. Must currently be enrolled in one of the counties listed: Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock or Watonwan.

The family of Andrea Ruesch established a 4-H scholarship in memory of her dedication and contributions to the Minnesota 4-H program. Based on the family's belief in positive youth development, the focus of this scholarship is on demonstrated learning through hands-on experience and using what you have learned to help others (youth leadership).

To apply: Visit Andrea Ruesch Scholarship for full details.

Contact:

Sharon Leopold

Extension Regional Office, Worthington

1527 Prairie Drive Worthington, MN 56187

leopo008@umn.edu or 507-372-3900, ext. 3901

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Kim Hause

Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County

Email: hausek@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/murray
Location: 2848 Broadway Avenue, Slayton MN USA
Phone: 507-836-1144
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/murraycounty4h