Isanti County 4-H News
May 31, 2024
Isanti County 4-H
Email: mnext-isanti@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/isanti
Location: 555 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 763-689-1810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isanticounty4h
Twitter: @IsantiCounty4H
UPDATES
Welcome Liberty!
We want to welcome our summer intern, Liberty! She joined us on May 20th. Some of you may already recognize Liberty as she is one of very own Isanti County 4-H'ers. Read Liberty's introduction here.
Heggies Pizza Orders Due 6/11
Each year we have a county wide fundraiser to raise funds for Isanti 4-H scholarships to send 4-H'ers to camps, increase summer program offerings, and more! This year we will be selling Heggies pizzas from May 27th - June 11th. All orders and payments are due to the extension office by Tuesday 6/11.
We strongly encourage all families to support our fundraising efforts. This could be buying pizza, selling pizza, or families have the option to buy out of fundraising for $25 per family. Print the order form here. You can also pick up order forms at the extension office. All pizzas are $13.
Make checks payable to "Isanti County 4-H" with "Heggies" in the memo line. Deliver or mail payments and order forms to the Extension Office in the Isanti County Government Center, 555 18th Ave SW, Cambridge, MN 55008-9386. Orders & Payments are Due June 11th.
You must pickup your pizzas at the 4-H building at the Isanti County Fairgrounds on June 26th from 4pm-6pm.
Isanti County Fair 4-H class registration opens tomorrow (6/1) !
The 2024 Isanti County 4-H Premium Book is available to help you choose the projects you wish to register for. We strongly encourage reading the sections applicable to the projects you plan to enter.
If you need help with the registration process, there are resources available to assist you.
Registrations are due by Monday, July 1st at 11:59 p.m. online via FairEntry.
It is the expectation that all families sign up for a two hour shift at the Clover Family Café (via SignUp Genius) or pay a $20.00 buyout fee. 4-H building setup and teardown duties will be assigned by clubs (or the first letter of your last name for independent members.)
FairEntry is where you will sign up for all of the classes you want to participate in at the Isanti County Fair. Registration opens on June 1st and closes on July 1 at 11:59 p.m.
We will also be offering the following support days and times in the Extension office:
- Monday, June 10 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Isanti County Government Center.
- Monday, June 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Isanti County Government Center.
- Monday, July 1 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the via Zoom.
Upcoming Day Camps
Sprout Squad Day Camp
- Friday, June 21st 9am-11am.
- Register by 6/14. Limit 24 participants.
- Grow your green thumb by planting a variety of crops including a salad bowl, potatoes, peas, and root veggies.
- Green Barn Garden Center
- Free
Natural Dye Day Camp!
- Tuesday, July 9th 2pm-5pm
- Register by 7/1. Spaces are limited.
- Kids will learn about natural dyes and will have a chance to dye their own bandanna! They also will get the chance to water paint with the natural dye as well.
- Isanti Community Center
- Free
Register in 4-H Online
The Pumpkin Challenge is Underway
We had 21 participants at the Isanti Pumpkin Challenge kickoff on 5/21. Kids toured the Green Barn Garden Center, learned about pumpkin care, played pumpkin trivia, and spun the wheel for the chance to win a plant descended from the 2020 world record winning giant pumpkin grown by Travis Gienger. Some drove 2-3 hours to attend the kickoff event.
Participants will also have the opportunity to join virtual check in sessions this summer. And they will submit photos and measurements of their pumpkins in October.
Thank you to the Isanti Master Gardeners and Kelsey at the Green Barn for supporting this event!
REMINDERS
2024 awards nomination due tomorrow!
The 2024 Awards Application is now open! There are awards for youth, volunteers, and clubs. You're welcome to nominate yourself or someone else. Award qualifying activities & accomplishments must have taken place between June 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024. All applications are due to the Extension Office by June 1st.
Register for East Central Camp by June 1
Try something new this summer with East Central 4-H Camp at Timber Bay Camp and Retreat Center, June 24-26! Experience all the fun that comes along with an overnight camp, with a 4-H hands-on learning twist. Watersports, capture the flag, activity stations and more!
Audience: youth in grades 3-8.
More information here. Register through 4-H Online. Final registration deadline June 1 (we may accept late registrations until 6/7).
The council has budgeted enough funds to provide full scholarships for several Isanti 4-Hers to register for this camp. We also offer free bus transportation to and from camp (stops in Cambridge, Mora, Milaca, & Mille Lacs). Scholarships still available - Email Cora (rostx034@umn.edu) if you are interested
Ear Tags
Ear tags are available at no charge at the Extension Office. You can request them using this form. If you are able, please either use the form or call us to request ear tags. This helps us ensure that you get everything you need if 4-H staff happen to be out of the office when you stop in.
Read the 2024 Isanti 4-H Premium Book
The 2024 Isanti County 4-H Premium Book is now available (click here to read the premium book)! Staff along with the council and committee members have been working hard for the past few months to add new classes and clarifications to the premium book. The premium book can also be found on our extension website under the 4-H at the County Fair drawer. We also have a limited number of paper copies in at the Extension Office. They are available on a first come first served basis.
The premium book is a rulebook for all Isanti County 4-H projects that can be exhibited at the Isanti County Fair. This includes deadlines, exhibit guidelines, the fair schedule, animal birthday requirements, and more! If I had one piece of advice for you this year, it would be to read the premium book carefully and ask us if you have any questions!
Major changes and clarifications in the 2024 Premium Book:
- Updated fair schedule and animal check in times (pages 5-7)
- Clarifications on when animals can leave the fairgrounds and consequences for leaving early (page 25)
- New all species costume class (page 25)
- New Cloverbud (K-2) animal policy (page 26)
- State fair trip acceptance deadline has been pushed back two hours to 2pm on Saturday 7/20.
- State fair meeting (for all state exhibitors) has moved up an hour to 9am on Sunday 7/21.
Dog Fun Show 6/29
Join us 6/29 at the Isanti County fairgrounds for the Dog Fun Show. Registration begins at 8am with judging starting at 9am.
Pre-Registration is required by 5/24. Participants from counties other than Isanti County must attach a paper copy of vet signed dog ID. Dogs must have been properly IDd in 4-H Online by 5/15. Mail registrations to: Carollyn Thomas, 1635 SouthHaven Dr, Cambridge, MN 55008.
Entry Fees:
- $3 per class if postmarked by 5/24
- $5 per class after 5/24 to day of show
- One entry form per dog/ handler combo
- All registrations are final
Checks may be written to "Isanti County 4-H" with "dog fun show" in the memo line.
Questions? Call Carollynn at 763-245-9297.
Happy Spring! Pick Up Some FREE Seeds at the Isanti Extension Office
This winter I have been soliciting seed donations from several companies. I have collected and organized over 900 seed packets. Seeds are available to the public for free at the Isanti Extension Office on a first come, first served basis. We are open Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm. We have a limit of 10 seed packets/person/day to prevent waste.
We have Artichoke, Arugula, Asian Greens, Asian Salad, Braising Mix, Beans, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Frisee, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Melon, Mustard, Okra, Onion, Parsnip, Pea, Pepper, Potato, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rutabaga, Soybean, Spinach, Squash, Strawberry, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turnip, Watermelon, Zucchini, Annual Flowers, Perennial Flowers, Herbs and more!
Limited seeds remain. We also sent a box of seeds to the Cambridge Library, but we are unsure if they still have any left at this time.
Pumpkin Experiment Update
The pumpkins are growing at last! Was your hypothesis correct? Did you think the decayed pumpkin with seeds was going to grow into new plants? Read more about growing pumpkins here.
MEETING DOCUMENTS
Keep up to date with Animal Science and Auction Committee Discussions and Decisions
- Agenda and minutes: Auction (click here) and Animal Science (click here)
- Join us for the next meeting 6/10 6:30pm at the Isanti Government Center
- OR Register for the Zoom Meeting (click here)
Keep up to Date with the Isanti 4-H Council Discussions and Decisions
- Agenda and minutes (click here)
- Join us for the next meeting 6/17 6:30pm at the Isanti Government Center
- OR Register for the Zoom Meeting (click here)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Short Term
Workshop Instructors:
- Is there a topic, game, or lesson you're interested in sharing with youth? Let us know! We are planning several workshop days this year.
- Sessions are typically 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Robotics/ STEM Coach
- 3-5 events per year
- Collaborate with staff and other volunteers to organize robotics and STEM lessons for youth.
Long Term
Ambassador Program Leader
- 9-12 meetings throughout the year or as determined with 4-H staff.
- Time to assist youth leaders in planning and coordinating county events, fundraisers, and community service opportunities.
- Read the full role description here.
Shooting Sports and Wildlife Coach
- Coach weekly practices mid May - August, attend the state shoot in Alexandria in September, and provide input for project budgeting in the fall.
- Time to assist youth in selecting and preparing their equipment, honing their skills and following safety rules.
- Coaches must be fully screened volunteers and must become certified coaches (and re-certify every 7 years). All training costs are covered by Isanti County 4-H.
Contact Cora if you are interested in volunteering.
CENTRAL REGION AND STATEWIDE OPPORTUNITIES
Barnyard Bonanza Livestock Clinic
Join us at the Mcleod County Fairgrounds June 13th from 9:30am-2:30pm for the Barnyard Bonanza: Livestock Clinic. Learn from livestock professionals and guest speakers about animal nutrition, fitting and showing, health and biosecurity, and animal products.
Audience: youth in grades 3 and up in the central region.
Lunch is provided.
Cost: $5/ youth or max $15/ family.
Register in 4-H Online by May 31st (we may accept late registrations until 6/7)
More information at: z.umn.edu/BarnyardBonanza24
4-H/FFA youth crop scouting: Registration open until June 15
Crop scouting is a way to inspect crops for potential outcomes and risks. Scouts are people who make systematic observations and predict crop production while considering factors such as weather, inputs like pesticides and herbicides, and risks such as disease and pests.
Learn more at https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-showcase-events/4-hffa-crop-scouting
4-H Video Workshop - Summer 2024
Tell your story. Capture it on video. 4-H Video Workshop -Summer 2024 is an opportunity for youth grades 8 and up to gain skills in video production in a team based environment. Online prep sessions are followed by a 3 day in-person overnight camp on the MN State Fairgrounds. All sessions facilitated by UMN faculty and professional video/filmmakers.
Dates:
- Online sessions July 15, 22, 29
- In person, overnight August 6-8
Cost: $100 (Scholarships may be available from your local county 4-H program). If additional scholarship is needed due to financial constraints, please contact Anne Stevenson (steve020@umn.edu) to discuss.
Audience: New and experienced film/video grades 8 and up
Registration deadline: July 9
Find more information and details on registration at: https://z.umn.edu/4HSummerVideo
Check Out the Central Region 4-H Catalog of Opportunities
Save this link, the catalog is updated throughout the year.
EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Auction/ Ani Sci Committee Meetings
Monday, Jun 10, 2024, 06:30 PM
Isanti County Government Center, 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Leaders Council Meeting
Monday, Jun 17, 2024, 06:30 PM
Isanti County Government Center, 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Sprout Squad Day Camp
Friday, Jun 21, 2024, 09:00 AM
Green Barn Garden Center, Minnesota 65, Isanti, MN, USA
Chisago/ Isanti Fashion Revue
Tuesday, Jul 9, 2024, 02:00 PM
Sunrise Bible Church, 2nd Street, North Branch, MN, USA
Natural Dye Day Camp!
Tuesday, Jul 9, 2024, 02:00 PM
Isanti Community Center, 1st Avenue Northwest, Isanti, MN, USA
General (Static) Project Judging Day
Tuesday, Jul 16, 2024, 01:00 PM
Isanti County Fairgrounds, Minnesota 95, Cambridge, MN, USA
Kits Available to Borrow at the Isanti Extension Office
Email Cora or Jennifer to reserve a kit or stop by the Extension Office in the Isanti County Government Center M-F 8am-4:30pm.
Accommodations Kit:
- This kit has been created to help strengthen our commitment to welcoming all youth – we cherish and value the diversity of humanity and believe in the power of ALL young people. 4-H strongly encourages you to utilize this kit to help foster inclusive spaces and provide simple accommodations for those engaged in our programs.
- The kit was made possible through the generous support of the Leonard and Maxine Harkness Endowment Fund at the UMN Foundation.
- Click here to learn more and see what's in the kit.
Calm Kit:
- This kit focuses on mental health and tools to actively build resilience in youth.
- The kit was made possible by the Bend, Don't Break Grant.
- Items include: conversation starters, a program guide, sensory fidgets, grounding activities, and more.
Amanda Johnson Memorial Fund
If you or someone you know would like to apply for financial assistance, please contact the Isanti Extension Office (mnext-isanti@umn.edu) or a member of the Amanda Johnson Memorial Fund Committee (Kristi Hass & Robin Gemmill).
ISANTI COUNTY 4-H
Email: mnext-isanti@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/isanti
Location: 555 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 763-689-1810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isanticounty4h
Twitter: @IsantiCounty4H