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.

May 15: Animal ID deadline
May 15: Deadline to re-enroll in 4-H

May 15: Mower County 4-H Scholarship application deadline

May 16: Fair registration opens

May 18: Horse Project Development Committee (PDC) meeting, 4-H Building

May 19: Dog training, 4-H Building

May 19: Deadline to register for 4-H Day Camps

May 20: Banquet committee meeting, 4-H Building

May 20: Animal Science Project Development Committee (PDC) meeting, 4-H Building

May 22: Deadline to apply to be a Day Camp Counselor

May 26: 4-H office closed, Memorial Day

May 27: Engineering Design Challenge Kickoff, 4-H Building

May 29: Day Camp Counselor Training, 4-H Building

May 30: Deadline to register for 4-H Regional Camp at Whitewater State Park

June 2: Dog training, 4-H Building

June 2: Advisory Board meeting

June 3: Day Camp, Hormel Nature Center

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

As you are starting to think about your fair projects, it is also a great time to start keeping records of your projects. Record keeping encourages youth to reflect on their experience so they can share it with others and learn. Records can be found at https://z.umn.edu/mower-records.

4-H Horse Project Shirts orders are due Friday, May 23 at 4:30 p.m.

Calling all tinkerers and problem solvers: Join us for the 4-H Engineering Design Challenge (EDC) kickoff event on Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the 4-H Building! 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! RSVP by May 23. Learn more on the Engineering Design Challenge website.

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 by May 19 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 by June 10. 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.

Join us in a 8-week program where youth currently in grades 3-6 will learn about gardening and nutrition. Youth will learn about plant science by growing their own vegetables and participating in other hands-on gardening activities. Youth will also use their own produce to create healthy snack recipes to help them learn about nutrition and health & wellness. By the end of the program, youth will have projects to exhibit at the County Fair.

This program will start on Tuesday, June 17. Learn more and register by June 10 at https://z.umn.edu/MC-JMG.

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 at Riverland Community College 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

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.

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.

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.

Join us on Saturday, May 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Easton for a sheep interview clinic! Youth in grades 3-13 who are involved in and/or interested in the sheep project have the opportunity to learn the tips and tricks of written and in-person sheep interviews. This is a great opportunity to sharpen those interview skills and gain some knowledge along the way. Learn more and register at http://z.umn.edu/FCoSheepInterviewClinic2025

Expand your skills for Trail class! Learn the basic skills of trail and how to perform movements. It will be held at Mower County Fairgrounds Outdoor Arena from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. All levels of riders are welcome. Limited to 12 horse and rider combos. Register in 4-H Online by June 16. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide.

Bring water and snacks for yourself; and water and hay for your horse. Lunch will be provided (please let us know if there are any dietary needs).

No limit on number of auditors/observers. Auditors/observers, please sign up at https://z.umn.edu/MC-HorseClinicsObserver.

• 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.

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.

• 2025 Fair Schedule
• 2025 Fair Book
• Fair guide
• New member guide #6: All about County Fair - great for 1st and 2nd year members!

To register for the fair, go to http://mower.fairentry.com. Fair registration is open May 16-July 8 and everyone will need to register for the classes they plan to enter their exhibits/animals in for the 2025 Mower County Fair. A FairEntry help guide can be found at https://z.umn.edu/MowerFairEntryHelp.

Use the 2025 Premium Book to help you determine which classes you need to enter your exhibit/animal in. Contact the 4-H office if you have questions: mnext-mower@umn.edu or 507-437-9552.

Every Minnesota county sends youth to the Minnesota State Fair, the culminating showcase event of a 4-H youth’s project year. Each county sends their delegation of youth with adult chaperones who work alongside 4-H staff to create a safe and positive environment for 4-H members. Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older, have the physical and emotional endurance to function in a group living situation with a busy schedule, and have a sincere interest in supporting youth in their learning and personal development. The livestock encampment is 5 days/4 nights, and the general project encampment is 3 days/2 nights. The state fair chaperone resources web page shares more details about this role as well as resources to orient, train and support chaperones in their role. If interested in volunteering for a state fair chaperone position, fill out the Chaperone Interest form or contact Adam.

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, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building.

The next Horse Project Development Committee meeting will be held on Sunday, May 18 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 Animal Science PDC gives leadership to the development and implementation of educational programs in animal science project areas that meet the needs of Mower County 4-H members and volunteers and support the mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program. The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 pm at the 4-H Building.

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

• 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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