Mower County 4-H Newsletter

Welcome to our 4-H Newsletter! The most up-to-date information about events and activities going on in Mower County 4-H! This newsletter is sent to all enrolled 4-H members and volunteers every other week. Be sure to also check your inbox for the 4-H Clover Update from Minnesota 4-H, which features state 4-H news, events, and opportunities.

Have something that you’d like to see added to the newsletter? Please send any newsletter additions to Mower County 4-H staff at mnext-mower@umn.edu.

April 1: Deadline to apply for Mower County Farm Bureau scholarships

April 1: Junior General Livestock Project Bowl practice, 4-H Building

April 3: Rabbit Project Bowl practice, 4-H Building

April 5: Horse Project Bowl practice, 4-H Building

April 5: Junior General Livestock Project Bowl practice, 4-H Building

April 7: Advisory Board meeting, 4-H Building

April 12: State Project Bowl, Sauk Rapids

April 13: Air Rifle and BB gun practice, 4-H Building

April 17: Horse PDC meeting, 4-H Building

April 23: Horse kickoff meeting, 4-H Building

April 26: LQA&E Training, Riverland Community College, Austin

May 1: Deadline to submit county fair t-shirt design

May 5: Food Stand committee meeting, 4-H Building

May 5: Advisory Board meeting, 4-H Building

May 9: Slightly Larger Lock in

May 10: Goat Clinic, Mower County Fairgrounds

May 15: Animal ID deadline

May 15: Deadline to re-enroll in 4-H

May 15: Mower County 4-H Scholarship application deadline

Full calendar of events can be found at: z.umn.edu/MowerCalendar

Are you looking for fun-filled activities this summer? Join us for 4-H day camp experiences!

Campers in grades 3-6 will be guided in fun activities ranging from science, wildlife, arts, recreation activities and more! Additionally, all camps will include the start (or completion) of a project they can exhibit at the Mower County Fair. Campers will enjoy hands-on activities, games, and new friends for only $15 per camp!

June 3 - Outdoor Adventures & Skills (includes Canoeing)

June 10 - Environmental Science (includes Owl Pellet Dissection Activity)

Both Day Camps held at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin. Register at https://z.umn.edu/MowerDayCamps

Youth in grades K-2 are invited to join us for an exciting, hands-on day camp that will offer participants an opportunity to dive into a variety of project areas! Activities include crafts, games, and more! The day camp will be held on Tuesday, June 24 from 9 am - 3 pm at the 4-H Building on the Mower County Fairgrounds. Cost is $15. Register in 4-H Online. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide.

Day Camp counselors are older 4-H members (completed 7th grade) who support younger youth (who have completed grades 3-6) in learning and help them have an affirming and fun day camp experience. You can commit to participating in one or all day camps. Learn more and apply by Thursday, May 22.

For youth in grades 7 & 8: Join the 4-H Ambassadors for a night of games and fun. The Slightly Larger Lock In will be held on Friday, May 9 from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. at the 4-H Building. Activities include scavenger hunt, bingo, hide and seek in the 4-H Building, games, and a movie. Cost is $5. Register in 4-H Online by April 25. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide.

Mower County 4-H has partnered with Riverland Community College and Nexus Cooperative to bring youth in grades 6+ an opportunity to explore agriculture and food science through hands-on learning and tours. Join us on Wednesday, July 9th for the Agriculture and Food Science Exploration (AFSE) Day. Participants will learn about how agriculture, food, nutrition and health are all connected. Youth will explore possible careers in agronomy, animal science, and food science by participating in engaging tours and hands-on learning labs. Activities and topics for the day include:

• Local farm tours to learn about agronomy and animal science

• Corn/Alfalfa/Drone Field Activities

• Animal science activities

• Learn about agriculture and human nutrition at the Hormel Institute

• Hands-on food science lab with the Hormel Foods Research and Development team

• Program Graduation Ceremony

Registration fee is $10 and the deadline to register is June 25. Learn more and register at https://z.umn.edu/AgandFoodExplorationDay

Calling all tinkerers and problem solvers: Join us for the 4-H Engineering Design Challenge (EDC)! In the 4-H Engineering Design Challenge, youth develop critical thinking, creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills through engineering, as they have fun working with their team. Teams of youth in grades 3 and up work to design a machine that completes the challenge: hit a golf ball and sink a hole in one! Learn more on the Engineering Design Challenge website. If you are interested in joining or creating a team, please let Adam know.

June 16-18, 2025: Grades 6-8

June 18-20, 2025: Grades 3-5

*Families have the option to enroll their 5th grade youth in the 6-8th grade camp.

Have fun, meet new friends and explore new things at 4-H Regional Camp at Whitewater State Park! Campers will spend three days and two nights at camp enjoying swimming, hiking, nature activities, games, the arts, music, crafts, educational programs, great food, cabin life, reflective campfires and more! Throughout camp, you will experience and learn leadership, teamwork, cooperation and self-responsibility, while making healthy lifestyle choices. 4-H staff and high-school aged camp counselors (9th – 12+) are prepared and ready to deliver an exciting and safe camp for you! You don’t want to miss 4-H Regional Camp this summer! Camp is open to all youth, so invite your friends to join!!!
Who: Youth currently in grades 3-5 and 6-8

What: 4-H Regional Summer camp
When: June 16-18: Grades 6-8
June 18-20: Grades 3-5

Where: Whitewater State Park, near St. Charles, located in the beautiful bluffs of SE Minnesota, with cliffs, trout streams, prairie areas and hardwood forests.

Cost: $110.00/camper. Registration fee includes meals and lodging for three days/two nights, supplies, water bottle, and a camp t-shirt. Registration fees are non-refundable. Thanks to our countywide fundraising efforts, this event qualifies for reimbursement from Mower County 4-H. See more information.

Register: The registration form is available online at mn.4honline.com until May 30. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide.

The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to invite you to Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) this June 10-13! YELLO is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grade 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. To learn more about YELLO and register visit https://z.umn.edu/4hyello. The registration deadline is May 9.

Thanks to our countywide fundraising efforts, this event qualifies for reimbursement from Mower County 4-H. See more information.

Want to take your leadership to the next? Apply to be a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador! Applications are due April 15. Learn more about the State Ambassadors and apply at https://z.umn.edu/stateambieappinfo.

Calling all youth interested in fish, fishing, and exploring Minnesota's wonderful world of water! Join 4-H to learn about the fish and waterways of Minnesota from experts in this new series that celebrates Minnesota's long tradition of fishing. Join 4-H for five total sessions via Zoom on April 29, May 6, 13, 20, & 27 from 6:30-8PM. Check out the web page for details and how to register: z.umn.edu/4HFishingSeries

Who: Youth in grades 3-13

What: Opportunity for All Livestock Show

When: June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Le Sueur County Fairgrounds, 320 S Plut Ave., Le Center

Cost: Free - Lunch and t-shirt included

The Opportunity for All Livestock Show allows youth with disabilities the opportunity to interact closely with sheep and goats. Each participant will be paired with a mentor and an animal to gain hands-on-experience learning about the animals and how to care for and handle them. Each participant will get the chance to show off their new-found skills in a non-competitive show. No livestock experience is needed. There will also be sensory experiences and learning opportunities about other animals and parts of agriculture. Learn more and register.

Minnesota 4-H photography is excited to offer a statewide photography challenge to youth in grades K-13. In the "Action" 4-H photo challenge, youth are encouraged to take action shots that capture the thrill, excitement and energy of fast-paced moments. Youth should select one photo and write 1-2 sentences stating why it’s special to them. They will submit one image (with no or minimal editing) and their statement explaining why the chosen photo is important in one email to fourhphoto@umn.edu by 11:59 p.m. on April 21. Learn more and see the challenge rules.

A Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics (LQA&E) training will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 9 am - 12pm at Riverland Community College in Austin. Youth participating as a State Fair 4-H livestock exhibitor in beef, dairy, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, meat goat, dairy goat, and llama - alpaca must have completed a livestock quality assurance training. Swine exhibitors who plan on selling their pigs to Hormel after the fair will need LQA&E training. More information can be found on the 4-H LQA&E website.

Register in 4-H Online by April 18. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide. The deadline to submit LQA&E training verification to the 4-H Office is August 1. Certification must be completed prior to the county fair.

A goat clinic will be held on Saturday, May 10 starting at 10 a.m. at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Topics covered during this clinic include:

• Hoof trimming

• Giving goats shots

• Milking demo

• Fitting

This clinic is great for 4-H members and families who are new to the goat program and/or interested in showing goats. To help us get an idea of how many people to expect, please RSVP by Friday, May 2.

The deadline to ID all 4-H animal projects in 4-H Online is Thursday, May 15. Animal projects include breeding heifers, cow/calf pairs, prospect calves (steers and heifers), dairy, dairy goats, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, meat goats, poultry (doves and pigeons), rabbits, sheep, and swine. Review the email sent by staff on March 6 and the Animal ID website for more information and resources.

• Animal Science Information Sheets

• All about Animals New Member Guide

Interested in showing animals but do not own an animal? That’s okay! MN 4-H has an animal lease program that makes it possible for a 4-H member to have a non-owned 4-H project that can be exhibited at county fairs, Minnesota State Fair 4-H show, and other youth or open exhibitions. Learn more by visiting the Leasing a 4-H animal website or contacting the 4-H office.

NEW!! Registration is happening in 4-H Online. You must be a screened volunteer in order to register. You still need to advise your local Extension educator that you plan to register and still complete all steps.

• February 15 - Marshall, MN (Shotgun, only) - DEADLINE February 8

• March 22 - Spicer, MN (Archery, Rifle/Pistol,Wildlife) - DEADLINE - March 15

• April 26 - Austin, MN (Archery, Wildlife, Muzzleloading) - DEADLINE - April 19

• MORE trainings TO COME in April and May in NW and NE regions!
  
  

You must complete the following to become a fully certified 4-H SS&W Instructor:

• Be a fully screened 4-H Volunteer in your local program.

• SS&W Leader Certification Pre-work Course - A link will be sent to you to complete a newly designed online course for completion of required information. If you have completed the old Steps 1-2 since 2020, you do not need to complete this updated pre-work.

• Attend a one day in-person discipline training (training fee - $50). Mower County 4-H will reimburse you for the training fee. Talk to Adam for more information.
  
  

Please read thoroughly the Minnesota 4-H SS&W Leader Certification Information for additional details for youth and recertifications. Recertifications (REQUIRED every 7 years) - please see the website for requirements.

If you plan on participating in the Shooting Sports and Wildlife project, please complete the registration form and turn in payment to the 4-H office. This form lets the SS&W leaders know who is participating in each area, and the fees help cover the cost of ammunition and supplies.

View the 2025 4-H Fair Schedule

Mower County 4-H Committees

The Advisory Board is a group of youth and adults that meet to discuss program direction, events, activities, and issues that will help build and strengthen the Mower County 4-H program. View Advisory Board meeting agendas and minutes. Next meeting: Monday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building.

The next Horse Project Development Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the 4-H Building. This is an open meeting so all members interested in the 4-H horse project are welcome to attend.

The Ribbon Auction Committee meets to plan and make recommendations around the ribbon auction. The next meeting is Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the 4-H Building

The Food Stand/Dairy Bar committee helps plan and organize the Food Stand and Dairy Bar fundraiser during the county fair. Responsibilities include creating the menu, organizing the schedule, and more. The next meeting is Monday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building. Learn more about the Food Stand Committee.

The Mower County 4-H scholarship is now open for all members in grades 12 and one year past high school. Applicants must have graduated high school in 2024 or 2025 and be attending, or plan on attending, some sort of higher education institution (e.g., vocational, technical, 2- year college, 4-year college). Winners will receive up to a $500 scholarship and will be recognized at the Ribbon Auction at the county fair. The application can be found at https://z.umn.edu/mower-4H-scholarship. The deadline to apply is May 15. You can mail the application to the 4-H office or email it to mnext-mower@umn.edu

Extension development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities. Visit the Extension 4-H scholarship website for detailed information. Most deadlines range from late February to early April

The Mower County Farm Bureau has scholarships available to 2025 graduating seniors who will be pursuing higher education in an agricultural related field. Scholarship applications must be a Mower County resident. View application.

They also have a scholarship to a student enrolled at Riverland Community College in Austin. View application.

Both applications are due April 1.

• Mower County 4-H website
• Mower County 4-H Family Handbook
• Mower County 4-H Program Guide
• Mower County 4-H Volunteer Opportunities
• Important Links for 4-H families
• View past newsletters

Email: mnext-mower@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/local/mower
Location: 1105 1/2 8th Ave NE Austin, MN
Phone: 507-437-9552
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mowercounty4h

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