Clover Digest
October 27, 2023
In This Week’s Clover Digest you can expect:
New 4-H Educator Joining the Nobles + Murray County Team
4-H Achievement Banquet
Thanks to Okabena Bees for hosting Cloverbuds!
Federation Minutes + Approved Budget
- Annual Volunteer Training
- It is time to re-enroll in 4-H
- Regional, State & National Events
New 4-H Educator Joining the Nobles + Murray County Team
To better serve all youth in Nobles & Murray County, both counties have increased their financial support of 4-H Youth Development. Starting in January 2024, an additional full time 4-H Educator will join the team supporting programming in both counties. This new teammate will spend 50% of their time in Nobles County and 50% of their time in Murray County.
The application is now open on the Extension Careers Page. Applications will be accepted until November 8. Interviews will be held in December. The Educator will start their position in early January 2024.
Please share this information with folks who would be good candidates for this new position! We are so excited to welcome a teammate and increase 4-H offerings for all youth in the area!
4-H Achievement Banquet
Thanks to Okabena Bees for hosting Cloverbuds!
Thank you to Liv and the Okabena Bees for hosting Cloverbuds this week! The Cloverbuds had so much fun working on carving pumpkins and counting seeds. Look at these photos to see how much fun we had!
Elk Tip Toppers is hosting the next Cloverbud event on December 10 at 4:00 pm. A registration link will be available soon.
Federation Minutes + Approved Budget
Please see the October Federation minutes and the approved budget for 2023-24.Thank you to everyone who attended the Federation meeting last week. The next Federation meeting is January 16, 2024.
Annual Volunteer Training
It is time for annual volunteer training; this year’s theme is 4-H for All Abilities. All volunteers should plan to attend this essential training. Virtual trainings will be held on November 14, and December 13. Registration is required. For more information about this training visit the Extension website.
It is time to re-enroll in 4-H
The new 4-H year begins Oct. 1. In order to remain enrolled, you will need to show your family’s intent to participate by logging in to 4-H Online and reviewing, updating and submitting the following information:
Your family's contact and demographic information, including club, school and grade.
Each family member's health and emergency contact information.
Project areas of interest for this coming year.
Parental consent required for youth participating in shooting sports/wildlife programs.
You can login to 4-H Online to complete the re-enrollment process after Sept. 15. This guide has more information. Reach out to Anna or Wendy with any questions.
Regional, State & National Events
SAVE THE DATE: Club & Federation Officer Training
All 2023-24 officers should attend virtual officer training at the end of November. The two-session training will equip club officers with tools to make meetings fun and welcoming and go over the roles and responsibilities of each officer position. Registration details will be available soon; for now save the date for Sunday, November 26 and Tuesday, November 28. Both trainings will be from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.
Connecting New Youth to your 4-H Club Training
Do you want to share your club fun with new youth? Are you looking for some take home resources to use for club recruitment? Join Anna and another 4-H Educator for a training exploring tips and tricks to recruit new members on November 20 at 8:00 PM via zoom. Registration is now open at z.umn.edu/SWVolChats. This training is open to volunteers and youth in grades 9+.
Regional STEM Training
Adults, Educators, Community or STEM enthusiasts are invited to join a one-day training exploring engineering design, crop scouting, robotics, aerospace, and science inquiry on Saturday, November 18 from 9 am - 1 pm at Murray County 4-H Building. The cost is $10 (payable to U of M and brought that day). If you bring a friend, the fee is only $5.00.
COST: $10.00 (Checks made payable to U of M and can be brought that day.) Register today at: https://z.umn.edu/2023STEMtraining deadline to register is November 4.
Project Bowl Webinars
Join a Project Bowl webinar on Thursday, November 9, at 7 p.m. Register via https://z.umn.edu/JuniorBowl. For more information about 4-H Project Bowl, check out https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-showcase-events/regional-and-state-project-bowls.
Take part in national leadership events!
National 4-H Conference is a unique opportunity for 4-H members to share their voice with national decision makers. It’s the pinnacle experience in 4-H civic engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, nation, and world. Youth currently in grades 10 - 12 are invited to apply. Applications open Oct. 1 and close on Nov. 14.
- Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) brings youth together from across the US to gain skills and experiences to become effective change agents. This experience is open to 4-H youth currently in grades 9+. Minnesota 4-H will take part in CWF June 20 - 27. Registration will open Nov. 1, and close Dec. 15.
Save the date for 4-H leadership workshops: BLU and TEEL
Leadership workshops Building Leadership and Understanding (for youth in grades 6 - 9) and Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (for youth in grades 10+) will take place in February. Join the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors for leadership and team building fun! Learn more.
Save the date for the Minnesota 4-H state leadership conference: YELLO
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.
Tasty Tuesday
Fall is in the air, which means back to school, football games and harvest time! This is the perfect season to learn how to make some easy, healthy meals for families on the go. We will grab from what is left in our gardens to make some savory soups, dress up our salads and make a "waffle" sandwich. Who needs to visit a sandwich shop when you can build your own creation at home?
All Tasty Tuesdays will be held virtually from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on the following dates:
Nov. 7
Nov. 14
Nov. 28
Dec. 5
Registration is available on 4-H Online.
MN 4-H Young Writers Club
4-H invites youth to take the NaNoWriMo challenge and write a novel in a month! Youth in grades 6+ will meet virtually on Tuesdays in November to write together, share their work and connect with other writers around Minnesota. Youth will work independently and in small groups. There will be personal encouragement, weekly incentives and prizes available. Virtual sessions will be once a week on Tuesday evenings from Nov. 7-28 and December 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sessions will include a time to connect with other writers, be supported in your writing journey and talk about writing challenges that will help you develop your writing to the next level. To learn more and register, visit z.umn.edu/YoungWriters
Amazing Amphibians and Roaming Reptiles is back!
Do reptiles and amphibians like cold weather? What do these friends of ours do for fun during the winter months? Join us as we learn more about our cold-blooded friends and meet some new ones! We will also learn how they can become one of your new 4-H projects. Hop and slither to our virtual sessions held from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Learn more and register today!
Mental Health Sessions
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!
Anna Rose & Wendy Baumgartner
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