Clover Digest
January 19, 2024
In This Week’s Clover Digest you can expect:
- Annual 4-H Fundraiser
January Federation Meeting Minutes
Animal Science Committee Notes
Livestock Chats
- February Cloverbuds
- Ear Tags Available
- Market Beef & Dairy Steer ID Deadline: February 15
- Andrea Ruesch Scholarship
- Camp Counselor Applications Open
- New Vision Co-op Applications available
2024 Nobles County Fair Dates
Regional, State & National Events
Annual 4-H Fundraiser
The annual fundraiser has started. From now until February 1, members will sell fruit, frozen food and puffins. When you are done selling and before turning in your sales sheets, you must enter your product and money totals in the fundraiser google form (z.umn.edu/2024NoblesFundraiser)
All orders sheets and one check made out to Nobles County 4-H is due to the office by February 1 no later than 7:00 pm. The office will be open on February 1 from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm for order and payment drop off.
IMPORTANT: Please note we have discovered an error on the fundraiser sheet for McCone Frozen Foods. The Country Breakfast 12" Pizza should be $14. The sheet says $10 on the order side and $14 on the picture side. The correction price is $14. Please correct this on your sales forms.
Fundraiser pick up will be March 16 at the Worthington Christian Church parking lot. A sign up genius will be available soon for delivery day help.
Fundraiser packets were mailed to members who were unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting.
January Federation Minutes
The Nobles County 4-H Federation met on January 16. The minutes are available. The next meeting is on April 15, 2024.
Animal Science Meeting Recap
The animal science committee met on January 16. Please review the notes from this meeting.
Livestock Chats
A chat for 4-H livestock information in Nobles County including deadlines, workshops and new ideas. You are welcome to ask questions and share ideas in this chat. All members of this chat will abide by the MN 4-H Code of Conduct (www.4-H.umn.edu/policy). GroupMe is a group texting app that sends messages to an app or to your text messages via SMS. The direct links to each chat is available on the information sheet. All members are asked to join the livestock chat and may join other chats as they are interested.
February Cloverbuds
All youth in grades K-2 are invited to the February Cloverbud gathering hosted by the Indian Lake Progressives 4-H Club on February 4 at 5:00 pm. Cloverbuds will work with youth leaders and adult volunteers on a fun, hands-on project. This event is free and will conclude by 6:00 pm. Registration is required by January 26 in 4-H Online. Cloverbuds will take place at the Nobles County Government Center Farmers Room (315 10th St. Worthington MN 56187)
For accomodations, please contact the Nobles County Extension Office (507-295-5313 or mnext-nobles@umn.edu) at least 2 weeks in advance. You may also complete this accomodations form: z.umn.edu/4-H-accomodations-request.
Ear Tags Available
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.
Market Beef & Dairy Steer ID Deadline: February 15
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.
Andrea Ruesch Scholarship
The 2024 Andrea Ruesch scholarship is now accepting applications. To learn more and apply visit the Extension webpage. Applications are due March 1, 2024.
Camp Counselor Applications Open
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.
New Vision Co-op Calf Applications
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.
2024 Nobles County Fair Dates
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.
Regional, State & National Events
Training: Connecting New Youth to Your Club
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.
BLU/TEEL
There are two leadership workshops being offered this February! Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) is a youth-led workshop for youth in grades 6-9 that strengthens leadership, communication, and relationship skills. Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) is for youth in grades 10+ who want to boost their leadership skills. Becoming better leaders all while having a great time.
BLU & TEEL will be hosted in three different locations and all are overnight experiences:
Feb. 3-4-BLU & TEEL at Castaway Club, Detroit Lakes
Feb. 10-11-BLU & TEEL at Camp Omega, Waterville
Feb. 17-18-BLU & TEEL at Camp Friendship, Annandale
If members of Nobles County 4-H would like to attend BLU or TEEL together, the closest location is Camp Omega in Waterville, MN. Nobles County does offer financial assistance for registration fees.
To learn more about BLU and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HBLU and to learn more about TEEL and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HTEEL.
State Livestock Committee Information Webinar
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.
Judges Training
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
Winter wonders: Explore plant growth and roots with 4-H Science Sprouts!
Discover how gravity influences plant growth and observe roots in action! Join us for an exciting winter series of 4-H Science Sprouts. This opportunity is open to youth in grades 3+ who are interested in plants and science. Online sessions will take place Jan. 22, Feb. 26, and March 25 from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Throughout this series, we'll explore how gravity affects plant life and delve into the fascinating world of root growth. We'll cover agronomy and horticulture topics tailored to the season using STEM. While there's no cost for the program, we'll share a list of optional supplies for those who want to try hands-on experiments at home. We'll send the list out a week before each gathering. Let's explore the wonders of science together in this engaging winter series! Learn more and register.
4-H Horseless Horse Round Up virtual series
Palominos, Pintos, Ponies and more, join the 4-H Horseless Horse Round Up virtual series to learn all about horses (no horse required!). This virtual series is open to all youth in grades 3 and up. We will meet weekly to dive into a new topic with activities, speakers and more! To learn more, go to z.umn.edu/HLHRoundUp by February 1.
Southwest 4-H Wildlife Event 2024
Are you interested or already involved in the project areas of; wildlife, shooting sports, and/or outdoor adventures? Join us we dive into Bugs Below Zero, Falconry, Jerky Making, a Wing Bee, Owl Pellets, Snow Shoeing, Outdoor Survival and learn more about the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program.
SW 4-H Wildlife Event 2024 will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, in Redwood Falls and will run from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m Participate for just $25, which includes all supplies and offsets cost of facilities. Learn more and register in 4-H Online.
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.
2024 Helping Hands Award application now available: Apply by Feb. 15
The Helping Hands Award funds project ideas that are led by 4-H youth in partnership with supportive adults, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. There were 24 projects selected in 2023 with average awards between $300 and $2,000. 4-H club and group projects can focus on STEM, agriscience, healthy living, outdoor adventures, equity, leadership, global connection, social inclusion, the arts, creative writing, and photography. Funds can also be used for skillbuilding, for example, a group training on building inclusiveness skills that can be applied to making club activities more inclusive. The 2024 Helping Hands Award application is available until Feb. 15. Questions? Contact Fun Fun Cheng at chen0169@umn.edu (preferred), 612-624-8132. Learn more and apply.
Multiple 2024 Minnesota 4-H scholarships available
Extension Development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for college-bound 4-H youth, as well as a workforce training scholarship for an adult 4-H alumni or volunteer. Over $20,000 is awarded annually through a competitive application process. Minnesota 4-H scholarship online applications are now available and should be submitted by April 1. Applications require two letters of recommendation, with one being from an Extension educator. Please encourage interested 4-H youth and adult alumni or volunteers in your county to visit the 4-H scholarship web page for detailed information about the various scholarships available and online applications. Questions can be directed to Fun Fun Cheng, chen0169@umn.edu, 612-624-8132. Learn more and apply.
Anna Rose & Wendy Baumgartner
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