October Lyon County 4-H

What is the secret to making a thriving 4-H club? What essential ingredients do you need? Join us for the new club leader webinar to learn more about the role of a 4-H club leader and equip yourself with resources and techniques for developing your 4-H club. This 75-minute online training is open to Minnesota 4-H volunteers, potential volunteers, and youth leaders as part of our statewide volunteer development webinar program. Participants who attend one of the statewide webinars will receive a starter pack that contains helpful resources and curriculum to use in their 4-H club.

Explore our growing youth development curriculum library for fresh 4-H club ideas. New content is added every month to help you and the youth themselves guide learning and discovery on a range of topics. Here’s a sampling just in time for the fall season:

• Themed 4-H club agendas can be used or adapted in any youth program setting. Each includes arrival and welcome activities, an educational lesson, and recreation and refreshment ideas tied to a theme. Check out our newest on origami, popcorn, mushrooms, family, clovers, spices, trades, and landfills.

• 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 support youth in project learning, such as this Microgreens Growing Guide, Llamazing Alpaca Explorers, or our newest, Future Focus.

• Pumpkin Party is a 1.5 to 2 hour experience that teaches youth grades K-5 about the lifecycle of a pumpkin through storytime, crafts, and a pumpkin growing experiment.

If you have specific content you’d like to see, contact Jessica Russo at pier0239@umn.edu.

With the new year, there are new opportunities to participate in the Ambassador program. Renae is excited to join and lead the Ambassador program this year. In the Ambassador program, you will have the opportunity to voice opinions and make decisions about specific 4-H programming in Lyon County, you will have the opportunity to volunteer and lead in your community, you will also have the opportunity to grow your confidence and your skills to make the best better.

Are you interested in being an Ambassador and are in grade 6 or up? Fill out your information below at the link.

Renae is so excited to lead and support you in your 4-H year.

This kit brings hands-on fun to your home with four exciting projects that explore a variety of areas. Each activity comes with everything you need—supplies, step-by-step instructions, and extra tips to make your creations shine.

Whether you're looking for solo creative time or want to team up with siblings or fellow 4-H'er's, these easy-to-do projects will spark your imagination and learning. Plus, every project is fair-worthy and can be showcased at next year's county fair.

Audience: All ages are welcome to participate.

Deadline: The deadline to register for your project kit October 9, 2024

Through year-end awards, we honor the incredible achievements of Lyon County 4-H'ers every year. These honors are given out during the Round-Up Awards luncheon in November. The Extension Office must receive all award applications by October 22. Check out the following sections to find out more about the awards and to apply:

Lyon County 4-H Scholarships

Each year, two $200 scholarships are given to young people who have excelled in the Lyon County 4-H Program and have served in county or club youth leadership roles. The young person must be a junior or senior in high school to apply.

Application: z.umn.edu/Lyon4hscholarship

“I Dare You” Award

Each year the American Youth Foundation recognizes outstanding 4-H'ers (one boy and one girl) from each county who have demonstrated constructive leadership and excellence in character and personal development. This award is for high school juniors. Please complete the Special Award Nomination form and the “I Dare You” application form for your outstanding boy or girl nomination from Lyon County.

Application: z.umn.edu/Lyon4hIdareyou

Incentive Award

Each year, Lyon County 4-H offers the Incentive Plaque to one outstanding Lyon County 4-H'er who has attained a well-rounded 4-H record with progress in three or four projects. The 4-H'er's record should accompany the nomination form. Please complete the appropriate form for the person you are nominating.

Application: z.umn.edu/Lyon4hyearendawards

Start-Up Award

The Start-Up Award is replacing the Bond Award. Two applicants will be awarded a $25 award in the form of a check from the Lyon County Federation to put towards a current 4-H project, the start-up of a new project, a college fund, a 4-H trip, a leadership conference, etc.

Application: z.umn.edu/Lyon4hyearendawards

Outstanding Project Award

This award recognizes 4-H'ers who have done an outstanding job in a general project area. This could be in one or many projects. The awards usually relate to the project records the 4-H'er is nominated for. Be sure the 4-H’ers records accompany this form.

Application: z.umn.edu/Lyon4hyearendawards

Friend of 4-H and 4-H Alumni Awards

Friend of 4-H and the Alumni Award are presented to recognize adult volunteers who “go above and beyond” with their service to Lyon County 4-H. Anyone involved with Lyon County 4-H is eligible to submit a nomination. Nomination forms are available from club leaders or the Extension office.

Application: z.umn.edu/lyonfriendof4h

Thanks to a gift from Compeer Financial and the generous support of donors to the 4-H General Fund, Minnesota 4-H once again has dollars available to support 4-H clubs and county/tribal 4-H programs that want to partner with a local food shelf, food assistance program, or food organization to address food insecurity in their communities.

The online application will be available Oct. 1-31.

Application deadline: Oct. 31.

Projects must be completed by March 31, 2025.

This year's theme is Beyond Ready, and we want YOU to show us how Lyon County 4-H is geared up and ready for anything. Whether it’s showing off your projects, celebrating your club’s achievements, or inspiring others to join the 4-H fun, now’s your chance to create a display that stands out and makes an impact.

Contest Details:

• Theme: Beyond Ready

• Display Date: Must be in place by October 6, 2024 and stay up until the end of 4-H Week on October 12, 2024

• Registration Deadline: September 23, 2024—don't miss out.

Get creative, get inspired, and most importantly, get your display ready to showcase the awesome power of Lyon County 4-H. Let’s make this the best National 4-H Week yet.

Join Us for an evening of celebration.

Let’s celebrate our achievements, camaraderie, and the memories we’ve created together.

Date: November 24, 2024

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: Marshall Adult Community Center

What to Expect:

-A delicious dinner from Scotty’s BBQ

-Fun awards

-Great company.

Bring your enthusiasm as we celebrate our successes and look forward to the exciting year ahead.

Please RSVP by November 18 2024

We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Amplifying Youth Voice is the 2024 4-H leadership training for volunteers and youth leaders. This training is about youth and adults leading together and creating a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. Participants (both youth and adults) will:

• Understand the why, what, and how of engaging youth voice and sharing power, and its connection to 4-H's mission, values, and positive youth development.

• Integrate shared power into programming.

• Identify youth and adult roles.

• Learn the essential elements needed to create an impactful learning environment for the teens, their younger peers, and the adult liaisons.

Come join us for a watch party. It is recommended that one adult volunteer from each club attends to represent your club. Additional volunteer adults are also welcome.

Date: October 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Please RSVP as we will provide a meal.