Hennepin County 4-H Newsletter

Elora comes to us from St Anthony - New Brighton Public Schools with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is deeply passionate about 4-H's mission and continuing to build an inclusive, thriving 4-H culture in Hennepin County. Feel free to send her a welcome email and introduce yourself: turne311@umn.edu

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.

Attention 4-H Members in grades 6 and above, and adult volunteers! We would like to welcome your feedback for the 2024-2025 year via a Virtual Voting event in 4-H Online.

This virtual event is a survey designed to get feedback around County Fair judging dates, project areas and financial institution changes.

According to the Hennepin County 4-H Federation Constitution and Bylaws voting rights are granted to all youth members in 6th grade and above who are present at the meeting and one adult vote per club is granted to comprise adult volunteer* votes. Membership and adult volunteers are defined in Section 2. *Because we are voting virtually, adult volunteers votes will be tallied by club and the majority vote will be taken.

Register in 4-H Online. Search for the event Virtual Voting. For event registration how-to, see: https://z.umn.edu/4hEvent

Voting will last for three weeks and end on Friday, February 21st.

The Generic Premium Book is a guiding resource we use to determine the types of exhibits and presentations allowed at the fair and their requirements, awards, and more. In addition to being informative, this book also provides youth with inspiration and guidelines to plan projects for the new showcase season. Please review the potential project areas with your 4-H members and see what sparks interest in your youth! If you are in need of support in a project area, please reach out so we can connect you!

We are in the process of finalizing the premium book, stay tuned in the next newsletter!

Metro Art Force, Camp, and Fair Dates have been announced! Mark your calendars for these dates:

• Saturday March 22nd 8am- 1pm: Metro Art Force at UROC (Art Project Day in Collaboration with Ramsey County)
• June 10th - June 15th: Hennepin County Fair (including set up and tear down)
• June 23rd - June 27th: Overnight Camp at Camp Courage, Maple Lake MN
• July 7th - July 11th: Campus Immersion Days
• July 21st - July 25th: Urban Explorers Day Camp
• August 2nd: County Horse Show
• August 21st - Sept 1st: Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador Madison shares her excitement for leadership workshops and shares about the February service challenge! Read the update at: extension.umn.edu/statewide-4-h-news/february-4-h-state-ambassador-update

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

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! Access the Application at: z.umn.edu/HCYLFSmallGrant2025

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

Access the Application here: z.umn.edu/HCYLFScholarship2025

Application instructions are included on form.

Applications close Tuesday April 1st, 2025.

4-H camp is one of the most exciting events of the summer, and a highlight of the year for many 4-H’ers! We are currently seeking youth who are in grades 9 & up to be 4-H Camp Counselors at our camp this June in Maple Lake, MN!

Being a camp counselor is a great opportunity to mentor other youth, improve your leadership skills, pump up your resume, make new friends from your county and beyond, become a ninja warrior at mosquito killing, make memories, AND HAVE FUN!!

How to Apply

1. Fill out the application.

2. Plan to gather together for 45 minutes with other applicants for a group interview on Tuesday evening, March 25 at the Ramsey County Extension Office in Maplewood or Friday evening, March 28 at the Hennepin County Extension Office in Eden Prairie.

3. Save the dates for counselor training (found in application). Our first training will be on May 3 from noon- 5pm at Hennepin County Extension Office in Eden Prairie.

4-H Camp 2025 will be on June 23-27 at Camp Courage near Maple Lake, MN

For more information and to start an application, visit the Google Form at: https://z.umn.edu/4HCounselorApp2025

Applications are due by Saturday, March 15th 2025

Scholarships, Grants, and Awards

Extension development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities! View information and apply for scholarships, grants, and awards available to college-bound 4-H members and alumni at:

extension.umn.edu/4-h-member-resources/4-h-scholarships-grants-and-awards

Youth Development 4-H Summer Internships for UMN & Non-UMN Students

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. For more information, visit the website at: https://z.umn.edu/4HSummerIntern2025

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

Past Milestones:

Virtual Bowling 101 events occurred January 13th and January 16th, 2025.

Coach registration was due for submission no later than January 27th, 2025.

Registration for the General Livestock SkillaThon was due for submission no later than January 27th, 2025.

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.

Registration for the state competition is due no later than April 14th, 2025.

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

What is the Crop Scouting Competition?

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. The 4-H Crop Scouting event is designed as a competition, where teams will compete by testing their skills in troubleshooting agronomic issues and weed, insect, and disease identification at hands-on field stations.

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 Hennepin County 4-H extension educators and support staff if you want help finding a team and/or coach.

The 2025 State crop scouting competition will take place on Monday, July 28 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus.

4-H/FFA crop scouting registration opens on May 1.

Learn more and sign up for crop scouting at extension.umn.edu/4-h-showcase-events/4-hffa-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 biweekly Virtual 4-H Plant Science Trivia Nights, and the 4-H Plant Science Project Bowl on April 12th.

Learn more about 4-H trivia nights for plant science virtual teams at extension.umn.edu/event/virtual-4-h-plant-science-trivia-nights-1

Set yourself a reminder to Save the Date for our 2025 Overnight 4-H Camp! 4-H Camp 2025 will be on June 23-27th at Camp Courage near Maple Lake, MN. The experience is sure to include exciting activities, experiments, and exploration, so stay tuned for more information - we will provide more details and registration in February! Plus, counselor applications are open now!

We are excited to bring you our next training in our Growing Minds, Growing Skills Academy Virtual Series this winter! The Babysitting for All Abilities series goal is to provide opportunities for babysitters to learn more about caring for youth with disabilities. This series will take youth grades 5 and up into a deeper dive on how to be a Superhero babysitter!

Audience: Youth Grades 5+

Online sessions will be held from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm on:

• Tuesday, February 11th
• Tuesday, February 18th
• Tuesday, February 25th

Register in 4-H Online by Thursday, February 6th. Please visit extension.umn.edu/event/babysitting-all-abilities for more information.

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, February 27th
• Thursday, March 6th
• Thursday, March 13th
• Thursday, March 20th
• Thursday, March 27th

Register in 4HOnline by Wednesday February 26th. Please visit z.umn.edu/Letstalkaboutdisability for more information.

Build your video skills with the 4-H Next Level Video Workshop Series for Grades 3 and up

Become a more skilled video creator in this three session virtual filmmaking class! Youth in grades 3+ with basic knowledge of filmmaking – join this intermediate level class to build your skills and meet professional filmmakers and 4-H youth video creators from across the state!

Online sessions will be held via Zoom from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm on:

• Monday, March 17th
• Monday, March 24th
• Monday, March 31st

Register in 4HOnline by Tuesday, March 11th. Please visit extension.umn.edu/event/4-h-next-level-video-workshop-series for more information.

Join us for an engaging 3-part virtual series exploring the wonders of plant science! Geared toward youth in grades 6-8, this deeper dive builds upon the foundational concepts of the 4-H Science Sprouts program by offering engaging hands-on activities and experiments.

Discover how controlled environments affect plant growth by designing your own mini-greenhouse using simple materials. Then, track temperature, humidity and growth rates for a hands-on introduction to plant science.

Sessions will be held via an online platform from 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm on three consecutive nights:

• Monday, March 31st (Building a Mini Greenhouse)
• Tuesday, April 1st (Plant Growth and Light Experiment)
• Wednesday, April 2nd (Water Conservation in Plants)

Register in 4-H Online by March 13th to receive activity supplies.

Please visit z.umn.edu/4HPlantExplorers1 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.

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

Do you love plants and want to have some fun? Get ready to test your plant knowledge and learn fascinating new facts in our virtual 4-H plant science trivia nights – an exciting series filled with monthly interactive games and plant-themed challenges on different platforms.

Trivia nights will be held from 7:30 to 8 p.m. every second Thursday from Jan. 9 through April 10. There is no cost to attend these sessions.

Registration will be ongoing, but spots are limited. To receive the zoom link to participate in a trivia night, registration must be successfully completed by noon the day of the trivia session. For more information and to register, visit the website: extension.umn.edu/event/virtual-4-h-plant-science-trivia-nights-1

The 4-H virtual cake decorating series is back and in popular demand! Three remaining virtual sessions led by a professional cake decorator will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm every Monday through February 17th. Although it's already begun, you can still be added to the waitlist!

Session Topics:

• Monday, February 3rd (Icing a cake and adding rosettes)
• Monday, February 10th (Valentine cookies)
• Monday, February 17th (Animal cupcakes)

This is geared towards youth in grades 3 and up.

To be added to the waitlist, contact Megan Gerads at gerad049@umn.edu or 320-968-5077

There is a 10$ cost per family required to attend the series. For payment information and more, visit the website at: extension.umn.edu/event/4-h-virtual-cake-decorating-series-animal-cupcakes

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

For the months of January and February, the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are engaging in the statewide service theme of mental health through food insecurity. They encourage youth to put their hands to larger service by organizing a food collection drive with local food banks or shelters. Use their step-by-step plan to make a tangible impact in your community and raise awareness about food insecurity's impact on mental health. Learn more at the website: z.umn.edu/4HTackleFoodInsecurity

4-H volunteers are on the front lines of delivering positive youth development experiences to young people across the Minnesota 4-H program. Minnesota 4-H staff want to support volunteers with relevant and accessible training that can positively impact youth. The newly released online core volunteer skills training series will equip you with fundamental skills for your role as a 4-H volunteer. This on-demand series consists of four short videos ranging from 4-14 minutes, handouts, and a learning guide to reflect on how you will apply content to your 4-H group. Check out one, two or all four of the videos to strengthen your ability to create positive experiences for youth!

Access the Core Volunteer Skills Trainings and Videos at the Volunteer Resource Center Website: z.umn.edu/CoreSkillsTraining

Are you looking for ways to ensure all voices are heard at your club meeting? Here are two techniques to get more voices heard, not just those that are comfortable sharing in a large group.

• Think-Pair-Share - Youth review or consider a question or a specific topic such as what ideas they have for a service project. Youth write down their individual thoughts or opinions on a piece of paper. Next, pair up the youth to share their thoughts and discuss the question or topic with a partner. Have the pairs share their conclusion with the rest of the group.

• Rotation Brainstorm - In small groups, young people start brainstorming on a large piece of paper that is headed with a topic or concept. It is typically good to have each group select a person to scribe. After some period of time, the facilitator plays a sound, calls "switch," and each group moves to the next station to continue brainstorming where the previous group left off. At the end, make sure to provide time for participants to read all the sheets and facilitate a large group reflection.

Check out this sharing ideas document for more ways to get youth to share their opinions and thoughts. The leading a 4-H club web page is also full of tools and resources for creating a positive meeting with youth.

For more direct support, please contact Extension Educator Ashley Purry

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

Elora Turner, Extension Educator, turne311@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