Congratulations to all who participated and represented Douglas County 4-H! Hats off to you for your accomplishments and achievements. We hope you enjoyed the experience!

Dog and horse

Crop scouting

• If you haven't cashed your 4-H county fair premium check, please do so ASAP!!! This is important so the Douglas County Fair Board can close their books for the year.
• If you haven't picked up your county or state fair exhibit, please do so ASAP. Exhibits can be picked up in the Extension office located in the Douglas County Courthouse.

If you haven't checked out SmugMug you're missing out! 4-H photos are downloaded to this site for 4-H families to access and save photos of their 4-H'er. You might find photos to include in your 4-H record! We're still in the process of downloading so if you don't see what you're looking for, check back later as we continue to download new photos.

As we head into fall, it's that time of year to renew your 4-H enrollment for the 2024-2025 program year! Don't delay, it's so much easier if you re-enroll before registering for an event and there are several coming up soon. For those that enroll/re-enroll by October 31, your name will be entered into a drawing for a fun prizes; this is for both youth and adult volunteers so get in on the fun!

Learning in 4-H is based on the experiential learning cycle of do-reflect-apply. 4-H records are a way of reflecting and applying what has been learned in the past year.

Records can take many forms; find the one that suits your learning style and how you like to share your story with others. In your reflection, include goals of your project work, process (what did you do), sharing what you learned-demonstration, community service, public awareness, challenges, successes and improvements, financial information if applicable and what life skills you learned.

There are many ways to complete your records:

• Google form-complete the prompts in form emailed to you and email resume to hintz010@umn.edu or jkokett@umn.edu. Please submit a resume with your record.
• Written form-complete a participation summary OR write a story answering the following: what did you learn, what skills have you developed, what would you improve upon, how can you use what you learned in other parts of your life? You can also include supporting newspaper articles or photographs. Please submit a resume with your record.
• Be creative-make a scrapbook, or photo book, create a video or slide show answering the above questions. Please submit a resume with your record.

Record materials are due in the Extension office on or before October 3 of current year.

For more information on resumes click here

There are numerous awards youth leaders can apply for in addition to records.

Junior Leader Workshop (JLW) is a youth leadership experience that kicks off your 4-H year on the right foot. This workshop is for youth grades 6-9 and is held October 17 & 18 at Faith Haven Camp near Battle Lake. After Douglas County 4-H member scholarship, cost is $ 62.

To register, visit mn.4honline.com, login, select events on the left and search for Junior Leader Workshop (JLW) 2024. You may refer to this event registration guide to walk you through the process. If you need assistance, please contact the Extension office. Registration deadline is Tuesday, October 1!

Learn the basics of operating a sewing machine and make your own rag quilt! This class will run as a series with one registration for all classes. There is a required purchase of 5 1/3 yds of flannel for this class. Half (2 2/3 yds) in a solid and half (2 2/3 yds) in a coordinating pattern. *If you need assistance purchasing fabric, please contact Melissa at mwales@douglascountylibrary.org. There may be donated fabric available at no cost to you.

October 28 & 30, November 4, 6, 13 & 18 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Library. No registration fee, you pay cost of fabric for your quilt.

All skill levels welcome. This event is for students in grades 6-12 only. Registration required.

Charters were handed out at the September 23 Leaders Council meeting and will be due back in the Extension office October 30. For assistance or questions, please contact Jackie Kokett at jkokett@umn.edu.

Annual Volunteer Training November 25! The topic this year is Amplifying Youth Voice. Center the vision of 4-H where youth and adults learn, grow and work together, define youth voice, youth adult partnership and empower youth to use their voice in 4-H and beyond.

All 4-H youth and adult volunteers are encouraged and invited to attend our annual volunteer training on Monday, November 25 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Public Works Meeting Room (526 Willow Drive, Alexandria). Leader's Council to follow.

There is no cost, and a light meal will be served. Watch for registration information to come.

Jodi Hintzen, Extension Educator, hintz010@umn.edu

Jackie Kokett, Extension Educator, jkokett@umn.edu

Douglas County Extension

Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu

Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas

Address: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308 (Courthouse, 2nd floor)

Phone: 320-762-3890

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/

Twitter: @UMNExt

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