Clover Digest

• Office Closed

• Hygiene Supply Drive

• Winter Risk Management Info
  

• All Livestock Committee Meeting
• January Federation Meeting
  
• Summer Intern
  
• Winter Weather Protocol
  
• Camp Counselor Applications Open
  
• Ear Tags Available

• FYI: New Vision Co-op Calf Program Returns

• SAVE THE DATE: Annual 4-H Fundraiser

• Market Beef & Dairy Steer ID Deadline: February 15

• 2024 Nobles County Fair Dates

• Regional, State & National Events
  

In celebration of the winter holidays, the Extension Office will be closed on the following dates and staff will be unavailable:

• December 22, 2023

• December 25, 2023

• December 26, 2023

• January 1, 2024

Anna will be out of the office from December 22, 2023 - January 1, 2024 and will not have access to phone or email during this time; she will return your message after she returns to the office on January 2.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Minnesota Food Partner Challenge grant and Compeer Financial, Nobles County 4-H is hosting a Hygiene Supply Drive to benefit the Manna Food Pantry in Worthington. With the current grant, the county 4-H program will purchase critical-need hygiene supplies. To make a greater impact, we are inviting 4-H families to participate in this drive.

Please bring any amount of the following hygiene supplies to the January Federation meeting:

• Toothbrushes

• Toothpaste

• Bars of soap

• Shampoo

• Disposable razors

• Assorted bandages

• Stick deodorants

• Combs

• Fingernail clippers

• Tissues

These supplies will be donated to the Manna Food Pantry in Worthington in early February. Supplies must be new and unopened. This is an invitation to impact our community in a meaningful way, there is no expectation for participation.

As we enter the winter season, here is a reminder of winter risk management procedures for all 4-H activities. An item of special note is the requirement for additional Special Activities Insurance for sledding outings. If you club is anticipating sledding in the winter months, please reach out to Anna to get the additional insurance process started.

The January Federation meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Farmers Room. We will discuss the annual 4-H fundraiser and distribute flyers.

In the case of inclement winter weather, 4-H may have to cancel events or meetings. If any school in the county cancels school or releases early because of weather, all 4-H events will be canceled. Staff and event organizers will communicate via email with families registered for canceled events. Ultimately, if you do not feel comfortable venturing out in the weather, stay home. Members and family’s safety is our top priority.

4-H camp counseling is a great opportunity to grow as a leader and have fun outdoors. We are looking for youth currently in grades 9-12 to serve as counselors at our multi-county 4-H camp held at Shetek Lutheran Ministries on the shores of Lake Shetek. This 4-H camp in southwest Minnesota will include four one-hour educational tracks. In addition, camp activities include swimming, canoeing, kayaking, outdoor games, campfire and more! Camp counselors are expected to connect with campers throughout the entire camp experience. For more information, visit the website. Complete your online application by January 31, 2024.

It is once again time to start thinking about Animal ID for the 2024 competition season. For completed and updated information regarding ID requirements for 2024 please refer to the market beef letter and the all species letter.

Tags and taggers are available at the Nobles County Extension Office during office hours (Monday - Thursday, 8:00 - 4:00 pm).

In 2024, ear tags will be sold for $2.00/tag. Please have exact change. Taggers are available for check out from the office. A $30 check deposit is required to check out the tagger. When the tagger is returned to the office, the check deposit will be shredded.

Be sure to review the deadlines and guidelines for your species and ask questions as they arise.

Thanks to generous support from New Vision Co-op the co-op calf program will return in 2024. The application is now available. All applications and deposits are due to the Extension Office on February 15, 2024.

Once again this year, we will sell food items for our annual fundraiser. The fundraiser will start in January. The pick up date will be in March. Watch the Clover Digest and Nobles County 4-H social media for more information. Fundraising packets will be available to pick up at the January Federation meeting.

As a reminder, the market beef and dairy steer animal ID deadline is Thursday, February 15, 2024. Ear tags will be available in the Extension Office in January. For more information about ID requirements please refer to the 4-H animal ID website.

The dates for the 2024 Nobles County Fair are August 7-11. General project entry day and livestock interviews will take place on August 6. Performance, clothing and demonstration day will take place on August 2. A detailed schedule of 4-H events will be available at a later date.

Are you looking for some take home resources to use for club recruitment? Join two local 4-H Educators for a training session sharing practical resources and exploring ideas to recruit new members on January 23, at 8:00 PM via zoom. Registration is now open at z.umn.edu/SWVolChats.

The National 4-H Council is looking for singers, dancers, instrumentalists as well as visual artists and creators of all kinds to feature in upcoming events. Please share this opportunity with young people in your programs. Applications from students ages 14-19 will be accepted through Jan. 1 at 4-h.org/story-submission.

You are encouraged to invite your committee or PDC members to join the volunteer PDC kickoff webinar Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. (volunteers must pre register). Volunteers can view the webinar individually, or as part of a watch party. Look for information in the Clover Update newsletter and to be shared at the staff webinar.

The University of Minnesota Extension will host a 4-H judges clinic for those interested in judging 4-H general/static projects at the County Fair on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Marshall Adult Community Center, Marshall, Minnesota, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Both new and experienced judges are encouraged to attend. Registration is requested by February 12. It is quick and easy! Call your local Extension office to sign up, or visit the link for more information/to register. https://z.umn.edu/SWjudgestraining

Don't miss out on the 4-H state leadership conference! Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) will take place June 12 - 15, 2024. YELLO is open to youth in grades 7+. It’s a great way to learn, build leadership skills, and make new friends! Learn more.

Let’s Talk about Mental Health is a five-session series designed to provide a safe place for youth to have important conversations about mental health and wellbeing. This series demonstrates to youth that they are valued and welcomed by 4-H and gives all youth the tools to be supportive and effective. This virtual series starts in January.Learn more and register today!

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