Hennepin County 4-H Newsletter

Read on for more ways to get involved

It’s the start of a new 4-H program year! Become a 4-H member or re-enroll if you are a current member to open a host of resources and opportunities.

Just a reminder: October 31st was the due date for 2024-2025 chartering documents to be submitted. We are now reviewing these documents for completion, and we will reach out to any clubs with missing information.

For more information on leading a 4-H club, including chartering, visit the Leading a 4-H club homepage. Please reach out to Extension Educator Ashley Purry and Administrative Specialist Bridget Doyle with any questions or concerns.

In the coming weeks there will be a voting opportunity for enrolled members and screened volunteers. This will take place in an "EVENT" via 4-H online. We will be voting on such topics as: County Fair Judging, our Banking Institution, and Federation meeting dates. Your feedback is important, so stay turned for the event info!

Registration is open for Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU)! Youth in grades 6+ are invited to this leadership workshop to participate in hands-on activities, team-building experiences, and make a difference in their community. Pick one of four locations to attend in February.

These will be overnight, 2-day events running from Saturday 1:30pm - Sunday 11:30am at the following dates and locations:

• February 1st & 2nd at Camp Friendship in Annandale, MN
• February 8th & 9th at Redwood Lodge in Redwood Falls, MN
• February 15th & 16th at Camp Victory in Zumbro Falls, MN
• February 22nd & 23rd at Deep Portage in Hackensack, MN

Learn more including costs, daily schedule, and how to register at the website: z.umn.edu/BLUinfo2025

Reach out to Ashley regarding scholarship opportunities.

Registration deadline is Friday January 10th 2025

Do you know an undergrad college student looking for work experience in the youth development field? We have 4-H summer intern positions available throughout the state of Minnesota for summer, 2025. These positions are designed to provide meaningful professional youth development work experience for the student intern working alongside an Extension educator.

Positions will begin in mid-May to early June and range from 8-13 weeks.

Visit the Extension careers page to learn more about the summer intern positions and apply: z.umn.edu/4hsummerintern

Application window closes January 15th

Northern Lights is a statewide volunteer recognition opportunity designed to celebrate volunteer impact in key priority areas. All eligible Northern Lights nominees will also be considered for the National 4-H Salute to Excellence award.

In 2025, we encourage nominations of volunteers who:

• Welcome our youngest 4-H members and families through designing and delivering Cloverbud and/or public programming.
• Create learning environments for older youth (aged 12-18) that improve their self-concept, personal agency, resilience and community connectivity.
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, creating spaces of belonging and empowerment for Minnesota youth of all identities.

Nominate a volunteer or group of volunteers who bring light to their local program and community!

Click to read more about the Northern Lights Program and access the nomination form: z.umn.edu/NLVRP2025 (estimated 15 minutes to complete)

Nominations are due January 21st, 2025.

The Hennepin County Youth Leadership Foundation (HCYLF) is now accepting Small Grant Applications for 2025! We would like to know how we can help you and your club! Do you have a project idea that you would like to implement but need funds to support it? Do you have a community service project that needs financial support to get off the ground? Are you planning to attend Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) this year and need funding support?

The Foundation would like to partner with you and your club to support education and leadership opportunities to enrich your 4-H experience.

Small Grant Applications for 2025 are due no later than 3 weeks before the event, so plan ahead! Please contact Extension Educator Ashley Purry and Administrative Specialist Bridget Doyle for an application form and next steps.

Attention 4-H’ers in grades 9-12 with an interest in a potential career in education! Join us at the Change Lives, Teach Ag Conference on Friday, March 14. This event aims to introduce young individuals to careers in agricultural education. Participants will engage in interactive learning experiences and have the opportunity to connect with faculty and students from three higher education institutions. There is no cost to participate in the conference, excluding transportation to the event. Don't miss this chance to explore exciting possibilities in agricultural education!

Application deadline: February 5th

Learn more and apply on the website: extension.umn.edu/event/change-lives-teach-ag-conference

Do you have an idea you’re passionate about and can’t find funding? The Helping Hands Award is for 4-H youth who want to turn their ideas into projects!

This award funds project ideas that are led by 4-H youth in partnership with supportive adults, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. Projects can focus on STEM, Agriscience, Healthy Living, Outdoor Adventures, Equity, and Leadership. Awards have ranged from $300 to $2000. Start thinking about your ideas and consider applying!

Here’s a project by the We Dig Bugs Entomology Club in Carver County that was selected in 2023: z.umn.edu/HHWeDigBugs2023

Applications open now, closing on February 14th 2025. View details and requirements at the website: z.umn.edu/HHAwardApply

For graduating seniors in the 2024 and 2025 class years, the Hennepin County Youth Leadership Foundation is offering scholarships for post-secondary education! The requirements to apply are:

• Currently participating in your youth organization for 5+ years within Hennepin County
• Current High School graduating senior (2025) or one year beyond (2024 graduate)
• Active in leadership roles or performing in front of a group
• Helping 5-12 year old members in your club/organization
• Must not have previously received the HCYL Foundation Scholarship
• Must plan to enroll or currently enrolled in post-secondary education

If you are interested in applying, please reach out to Administrative Support Specialist Bridget Doyle at Doyle389@umn.edu for application and next steps.

Applications close Tuesday April 1st, 2025.

Join the Junior Stitch Masters 4-H club offered with Ramsey and Hennepin Counties! Boost your sewing skills and learn to master techniques, with each month focused on different sewing topics of your interest. This club is available for teens 7th grade and above who have basic sewing skills. The club will include fun field trips and attending a fashion show.

To learn more or join please reach out to Colleen K at Colleen@stitchmasters.org

4-H Youth Development in Hennepin County, through a Hennepin County Green Partners Grant, is seeking program locations to share the Green Superheroes of Science (GSOS) program! Lesson supplies and resources, including curriculums and delivery models, are provided via a GSOS kit and training materials. GSOS can be facilitated by partners/educators or by trained teen teachers (7th grade-12th grade).

To become a partner site to receive GSOS training, resources, and kit materials, please contact Amie Mondl, Extension educator, at rober199@umn.edu, or Anne Stevenson, Extension educator, at steve020@umn.edu.

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 members build skills working and thinking together while testing their knowledge in these 4-H areas: dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama-alpaca, plant science, poultry and rabbit.

Back again this year in the dairy and general livestock species is a third age division – read more about it in the project bowl rules and references at the Project Bowl Website: extension.umn.edu/4-h-showcase-events/regional-and-state-project-bowls

New for 2025: Virtual Bowling 101 for K-4th grades

Bowling 101 is a non-competitive opportunity for younger, inexperienced members to try Project Bowl. This event will be held virtually with 4-H'ers joining a Zoom meeting and using the Kahoot! app to participate. There will be two sessions offered:

• Grades K-2: Monday, Jan. 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Grades 3+: Thursday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Recommended for grades 3-5, but open to all youth interested in learning about Project Bowl who have not participated before.

Learn more about this virtual opportunity at z.umn.edu/2025VirtualBowlDetails

Coaches: Regional Project Bowl Registration forms due January 27th

Completed official registration form must be submitted to the local Extension office no later than January 27th. Access the registration form here: z.umn.edu/2025RPBRegForm

General Livestock SkillaThon at the Regional Project Bowl: Register by January 27th

The Minnesota 4-H General Livestock SkillaThon is an interactive 4-H animal science learning experience, held at 4-H Project Bowl competitions. Youth compete in hands-on, real-world scenarios. This interactive approach builds confidence and skills in our youth participants, preparing them for future project experiences and roles in agriculture and animal science. Regional contests will be held March 1 in Sauk Rapids and March 15 in Redwood Falls.

For more details and to apply visit the website at: z.umn.edu/2025SkillathonDetails

Take on the challenge and form a 4-H/FFA crop scouting team! Teams can be made up of youth in grades 6+ from one or multiple counties. Contact your extension educator and support staff if you want help finding a team. If you don't have a team but still want to participate, we have coaches ready to coach youth across Minnesota who don't have anyone else participating in their county (this includes both the plant science project bowl and crop scouting).

If you're not sure what crop scouting is, or if you want to gather a team, we encourage you to participate in virtual 4-H plant science trivia nights, and the 4-H plant science project bowl on April 12th.

Register by January 15th to receive a supply kit in the mail.

Learn more about 4-H trivia nights for plant science virtual teams at extension.umn.edu/event/virtual-4-h-plant-science-trivia-nights

4-H/FFA crop scouting registration opens on May 1 and the state event will take place on Monday, July 28 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus.

Learn more and sign up for crop scouting at extension.umn.edu/4-h-showcase-events/4-hffa-crop-scouting

4-H WHEP is a hands-on environmental education program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to youth. It provides participants in grades 3 through one-year post-high school (grade 13) an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition in teams of 3-4 similarly aged individuals led by a local 4-H volunteer coach.

The state competition will be on April 27th. The winning senior WHEP team (14-19 years old) will then attend the annual National WHEP Contest in late summer.

For complete information including registration and competition details, visit the website at: z.umn.edu/WHEP2025Info

Youth in grades 9+ are invited to apply now to be a counselor at one, or all, of the northwest region 4-H overnight camps in the summer of 2025! Being a 4-H camp counselor provides youth with an opportunity to build leadership skills (public speaking, planning, organization), gain valuable experience, and have fun!

Application deadline: Friday, Jan. 10.

Learn more and apply at z.umn.edu/NWCampCounselorApplication.

If you prefer a paper copy, you can find it here.

Youth in grades 9+ can now apply for a DC-area youth leadership experience! Minnesota 4-H will attend Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) from June 21 - 27. For six days, teens from around the nation will gather to have meaningful discussions and learn the skills they need to lead their local communities and become change agents to build a brighter future.

Applications close for youth participants and adult chaperones January 15th.

Learn more and apply at the website: extension.umn.edu/4-h-leadership-events/citizenship-washington-focus

Online Horse Certificate Courses begin January- secure your spot today!

Popular returning topics include composting horse carcasses, horse biosecurity, manure management, basic horse nutrition, growing and feeding horse hay, and horse pasture establishment and management. Brand new for 2025 is poisonous plants in the Midwest.

Registration has limited capacity, and there is an associated fee of 75$ per class due at time of registration.

Online Horse Certificate Courses

Series runs from Monday January 6th 2025 - Sunday February 16th 2025.

See the six-week schedule including descriptions and registration at: extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events/horse-online-certificate-course

Let’s Talk About Disability is a five-session series designed to provide a safe place for youth in grades 6-12 to have important conversations about disability. This series demonstrates to youth with disabilities that they are valued and welcomed by 4-H and gives all youth the tools to be supportive and effective allies. It also serves to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and ideas related to disability inclusion and access in the 4-H program.

Online sessions will be held via Zoom from 6:30-8:00 PM on:

• Thursday, January 9th
• Thursday, January 16th
• Thursday, January 23rd
• Thursday, January 30th
• Thursday, February 6th

Register in 4HOnline at any point in the series. Please visit z.umn.edu/Letstalkaboutdisability for more information.

This winter, 4-H is happy to bring back a fun virtual exploration series called "Science Sprouts: Growing Plants in Unique Ways". Over the course of three 30-minute virtual sessions, youth grades 3-5 will explore surprising, creative ways to grow plants - no backyard required. With easy-to-find supplies (most from your kitchen or craft drawer), these experiments will inspire your child to think outside the flowerpot. Virtual sessions will take place from 5:30 - 6:00 pm on the following dates:

• Monday, January 27th
• Monday, February 24th
• Monday, March 24th

This is a free program, with optional material costs. Registration is ongoing via 4HOnline.

Register by January 15th to receive a kit to help your young scientist grow alongside the series!

For more information, visit the website: z.umn.edu/WinterSSprouts2024

This fun online intro to filmmaking will teach you how to get the best angles for your film, focus on storyboarding, mobile filmmaking with a cell phone, and basics of editing. It will also introduce you to other youth filmmakers across the state. This workshop is designed for filmmaking beginners in grades 3 and up. If you want to learn how to make and edit videos, this program is for you!

Sessions will be held online from 5 to 6 p.m. on:

• Monday, January 27th
• Monday, February 3rd
• Monday, February 10th

This is a free program available to youth grades 3 and up. Register using 4HOnline.

Registration closes Wednesday, January 22nd 2024.

For more details and links, please visit the website: z.umn.edu/Intro2Film2025

Are you part of a livestock or animal science Project Development Committee (PDC) in your county? Do you want to learn and gather ideas from others from across the state? Join us for a livestock PDC kickoff webinar to get your county animal science committees off to a great start!

Members of the state 4-H animal science team will cover the basics of a PDC, its purpose, policies and rules, finances and ideas for educational experiences. We will discuss all 4-H livestock project areas.

Statewide Livestock PDC Kickoff Webinar

Date: Thursday January 23rd, 2025

Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Via Zoom; Advanced registration required.

For more information and to register for a Zoom invitation, visit the website: z.umn.edu/LPDCKickoffWeb2025

The 4-H Poultry Pathway is a 4-part virtual educational program designed to help poultry enthusiasts in grades 5+ improve their skills and prepare for poultry shows. This series offers valuable insights for poultry care and exhibition at every stage of the competition process.

Sessions will take place on the first Monday of each month (Feb. 3 - May 5) from 7 to 8 p.m.

This program is free. Register in 4-H Online by January 27th.

Learn more and register at z.umn.edu/4-HPoultryPathway

Youth in grades 3+ are invited to join 4-H Animal Discovery, an exploratory learning series highlighting the llama-alpaca and general livestock (beef, sheep and swine) animal species. In this 5-session virtual series, youth can expect fun, interactive lessons, at-home challenges and group reflection supported by 4-H members, volunteers and staff.

This virtual series will kick off on Feb. 10 and will continue every other week on Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. through March 31. Registration closes January 31st.

Learn more and register at the website: extension.umn.edu/event/4-h-animal-discovery-llama-alpaca-and-general-livestock

Interested in learning more about horses? Back by popular demand, we’re excited to offer this online series for horse enthusiasts in grades 3+ to learn more about horses. Join us each week in a virtual setting to learn about new topics like horse basics, horse care, nutrition, health, and more! Hands-on activities will be provided for youth to further explore each topic at home. The program offers a Level 1 series for any participants, with a Level 2 series available for participants continuing their learning from last year!

Sessions will run Feb. 11 - March 18.

Registration open January 6th - February 1st.

Learn more and register at z.umn.edu/HLHRoundUp

Do you like the art of cake decorating? Extension educators from surrounding counties will be hosting a cake decorating series set to start in February. This series will include interactive Zoom workshops held on weekday evenings, as well as an in-person event on a Saturday. The four interactive Zoom workshops will teach different cake-decorating skills, and the in-person event will involve a cake challenge in each individual county.

If you're interested in joining us for this cake-decorating venture, please get in touch with Ann Olson from Benton County at olso7616@umn.edu.

A signature Horticultural Society community outreach program, Garden-in-a-Box (GIAB) distributes more than 800 gardening kits annually. Participating organizations across Minnesota receive free plants, seeds, soil, raised beds and education. With support from generous donors and sponsors, GIAB gives thousands of all ages the opportunity to learn how to garden and grow fresh food.

If your group has an outdoor spot that meets the following criteria, consider applying for a GIAB kit!

Requirements: northerngardener.org/what-we-do/giab-participant-criteria/

• Must receive minimum 5-7 hours sunlight
• Must have easy access to water. Overhead or sprinkler watering is not recommended.
• Have landlord approval to place 3' x 3' garden container(s) on the property
• Box is not suitable for balconies or wooden decks.

Apply at northerngardener.typeform.com/to/W4YVD9PN

For additional questions about this process, contact Program Coordinator Anna Marhefke at giab@northerngardener.org or (651)643-3601

At this event, participants will winter sow native plants for their own growing spaces. We will be creating mini-greenhouses for the seeds to overwinter outside and germinate in the spring when the temperatures warm up enough. Please bring three to five gallon-size plastic jugs or other recyclable containers at least 4″ deep and we will transform them into mini-greenhouses. All other supplies will be provided.

The event will be set up with stations to move through as you build your mini-greenhouse. We will have staggered start times of 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 PM to spread out attendees across the stations. Please sign up for your start time of choice during registration.

Winter Sowing for Native Seeds

Date: Tuesday, February 11th 2025

Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Where: Northeast Minneapolis Tool Library

1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis MN 55413

Cost: Free, but some materials are required.

Advanced registration is appreciated.

Learn more about the event and its supporting network at the Sustainable Farming Association website: z.umn.edu/WinterSowingFeb2025

Ready to start your own chicken flock? Join University of Minnesota Extension Educators for this informative class that will offer practical guidance on preparing the coop and run, selecting and sourcing breeds, caring for baby chicks, ongoing care and more. This class is in-person and requires advanced registration.

Backyard Chickens for Beginners

Date: Thursday, March 6th 2025

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: Minnetonka Community Education Center

4854 Vine Hill Road, Excelsior MN 55331

Cost: 25$/ household

Learn more and register by March 3rd on the Minnetonka Community Ed website: z.umn.edu/backyardchickens

4-H Choose your Outdoor Adventure

Learn more about 4-H outdoor education on your own time using self-guided lesson plans. Each area (Into the Outdoors, Birding, ATV Safety, and Exploring the Forest) contains self-guided exploration lessons you can do outside. Open to all, but geared towards youth grades 5-9.

Access anytime on the website: extension.umn.edu/4-h-outdoor-education/4-h-choose-your-outdoor-adventure

Steppin' Outdoors Activity Guides

Steppin’ Outdoors is a year-long series of activity guides designed to lead youth and their families in outdoor exploration. Each season of the year has three corresponding activities that encourage skill development, creativity, citizen science and more! Geared towards youth grades K -6.

Access anytime on the website: extension.umn.edu/yd-curriculum/steppin-outdoors-activity-guides

Get Outdoors 4-H Challenge

Sign up for the Get Outdoors 4-H Challenge! Starting in February, each month you will receive a challenge with activities and information to get outdoors. There will be prizes along the journey for those who complete challenges and benchmarks. Youth in grades K-13 and adults are welcome to participate.

For more information and a link to register, visit the website: extension.umn.edu/4-h-outdoor-education/get-outdoors-4-h-challenge

In the Plastic Sculpture Challenge, you will build awareness and knowledge on both the positive and negative impacts of single-use plastics and find ways to recycle or repurpose plastic. Use plastics you find to create an art sculpture on a theme or message you’d like to use. Show your art piece at your county fair, a community showcase, and the Minnesota State Fair!

Access the activities and join the challenge at any time, at the website: z.umn.edu/PlasticSculpt2024

Explore our growing youth development curriculum library for new and fresh ideas being added every month! Some examples of what you'll find in the library:

• Themed 4-H club agendas, which can be used or adapted in any youth program setting. Each includes arrival and welcome activities, and educational lesson, and recreation and refreshment ideas tied to a theme.
• 30-minute Seasonal Science is a series of nine activities that help youth in grades K-5 explore innovation through scientific experimentation and do-it-yourself crafting categorized by season.
• Independent Learning Guides that support Youth 4-H Project Areas
• Individual lessons and curricula on a variety of topics, such as gardening and agriculture, social and emotional skills, healthy living, college readiness, and STEM.

To explore the library of youth development curriculum, visit the website: extension.umn.edu/working-youth/youth-development-curriculum-library

Ignite your child's spark with CLOVER, 4-H's online learning platform that helps kids become more confident, resilient, and independent. With 300+ interactive online activities available, CLOVER offers a wide range of activities and courses across Agriculture, STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement. Learn more and join for free on the website: 4-h.org/clover/about/

Check out the Clover Newsletter and Central Region Catalog for additional 4-H opportunities.

Ashley Purry, Extension Educator, (612) 596-2134, purry002@umn.edu

Askia Luminae, Executive Office and Administrative Specialist, (612) 596-2123, aluminae@umn.edu

Bridget Doyle, Principal Office and Administrative Specialist, (612)596-2128, Doyle389@umn.edu

Google Calendar

Website: https://local.extension.umn.edu/local/hennepin/4-h

Events: https://extension.umn.edu/local/hennepin/events

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hennepin4H