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.

October 1: New 4-H year starts!

October 2: Ambassador meeting, 4-H Building

October 2: Club leader meeting, 4-H Building

October 5: 4-H Open House, 4-H Building

October 7: Advisory Board meeting, 4-H Building

October 7: Annual Volunteer Training Webinar

October 15: Award applications due

October 22: Annual Volunteer Training Webinar

October 25: Haunted House, 4-H Building

October 31: Club charters due

November 10: 4-H Recognition Banquet, Sacred Heart - Adams

November 25: Club officer training

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

Save the date for the 4-H Open House on Saturday, October 5 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. at the 4-H Building at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Come explore different 4-H clubs and programs you can be involved in!

This event is open to current 4-H members and those interested in joining 4-H.

4-H Award applications are due Tuesday, October 15. These awards recognize 4-H youth, volunteers, and supporters for their accomplishments. To access the 4-H awards applications, go to https://z.umn.edu/mower-awards. The forms can be self-nominations and nominations of others. Award winners will be recognized at the Recognition Banquet on Sunday, November 10.

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 and are due to the 4-H office by Tuesday, October 15.

The goal of the youth livestock superintendents is to allow youth to take a leadership position within the Mower County 4-H livestock project area. Through this position, youth will expand their leadership skills, work together as a team, and be role models in practicing safe and humane animal agriculture. Youth who are currently in 8th grade or higher and enrolled in a livestock project (beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, llama-alpaca, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, swine) are eligible to apply for a youth livestock superintendent position. The application is due Friday, October 18. Applications can be found at https://z.umn.edu/mower-youth-superintendent.

Join us for the annual 4-H Recognition Banquet on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Sacred Heart in Adams at 5 p.m. We look forward to recognizing our 4-H youth, volunteers, and supporters! Tickets are free! RSVP by November 1 at https://z.umn.edu/MC-Banquet.

Get ready to explore the wonders of nature with our 4-H Science Sprouts: Exploring plants, water, and color series! Calling youth in grades 3-5! Join us for three fun and interactive virtual sessions where we’ll dive into how water and color affect plants. Each session is just 30 minutes long and packed with hands-on activities you can do from home! When: 3rd Monday of October, November, and December from 5:30-6 p.m. Sign up by Oct. 9 to receive a special kit filled with everything you need to get started! Don’t miss out on this chance to become a plant scientists! Learn more and register.

In order to remain enrolled in 4-H, you will need to show your family’s intent to participate by logging in to 4-H Online and reviewing, updating and submitting the following information:

• Your family's contact and demographic information, including club, school and grade.

• Each family member's health and emergency contact information.

• Project areas of interest for this coming year.

• Parental consent required for youth participating in shooting sports/wildlife programs.

You can login to 4-H Online to complete the re-enrollment process after September 15. This guide has more information.

The ambassadors coordinate county wide 4-H events like the Haunted House and Little Lock In. They also help promote 4-H at the county fair and other events. Members must be in 8th grade or higher to be an Ambassador. This is a great opportunity to get more involved in 4-H, build friendships, and develop leadership skills. To join, contact Adam at stev0421@umn.edu or 507-438-2394.

The 2024 Annual Volunteer Training: Amplifying Youth Voice is about youth and adults leading together, creating a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. There are two statewide webinars: Monday, October 7 at 6 pm or Tuesday, October 22 at 7 pm.

Embark on a global agriculture adventure with 4-H Explorers in Ag! Join us as we explore the rich agricultural landscapes of Cambodia, Poland, and Canada—right from home! Each week unlocks a new country, where you’ll discover unique farming practices and how agriculture shapes communities worldwide. Guided by the Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors, you’ll learn, engage with guest speakers, and gain a global perspective on food and farming! Starts Nov. 12. This is a free program with take-home materials for youth in grades 6-8. Sign up now for this unforgettable journey!

Club officer training

This is a one time volunteer opportunity focusing on teaching and training club officers in their roles. The training is scheduled Monday, November 25. Officer roles will include president/vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian/reporter.

Cloverbud leader

This role focuses on working with our youngest 4-H members, in grades K-2, providing hands-on learning experiences that encourage curiosity and skill-building.

STEM Volunteer

We are looking for individuals who are excited about engaging youth in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities and projects.

If you or anyone you know is interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Adam at stev0421@umn.edu or 507-438-2394.

View the 2024 Mower County Fair Report

• State Fair Results
• State Horse Results
• Ribbon Auction Pictures

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. Learn more about the Advisory Board.

Next meeting: Monday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building

We will be holding elections for the 2024-2025 4-H year. Open positions include:

• All youth officer positions (president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, reporter/historian, officers at large, youth representatives). Youth in grades 6+ can be representatives and youth in grades 8+ can be elected to officer positions.

• Adult advisors - must be a screened, 4-H volunteer

• If you are interested in being a youth or adult officer, please fill out this form.

The Mower County Extension Committee is seeking 2 youth to join the committee! Youth age 16 and over are eligible to serve on this Mower County Committee. One member is at-large and the other represents the 4-H Advisory Board. As a member of the committee, you would learn about & help advocate for Extension Programming (4-H, SNAP-Ed, Master Gardeners and so much more) and identify community needs where Extension could be of service. Positions would be appointed for 1 year from Oct 1– Sept 30. Youth may be reappointed annually until graduation from high school. Extension Committee meetings are held 4 times per year – typically the 3rd Thursday of March, June, September & December from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin. View application.

Questions about the position can be directed to Lisa Dierks, Regional Director at dierksl@umn.edu. Applications can be submitted to the Mower County Extension Office by November 17.

Mower County 4-H website

Mower County 4-H Premium Book

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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