The Helping Hands Award is for 4-H youth who want to turn their ideas into projects! Do you have an idea you’re passionate about and can’t find funding? This award funds project ideas that are led by 4-H youth in partnership with supportive adults, local businesses, and non-profit organizations. Projects can focus on STEM, agriscience, healthy living, outdoor adventures, equity, and leadership. Awards have ranged from $300 to $2000. Questions? Contact Matthew Keefe at keefe175@umn.edu, 612-626-4170.

4-H'ers wanting to exhibit a market beef (beef steer, market heifer or dairy steer) born in 2024 and at finished weight at county fair need to identify their animals in mn.4honline.com by February 18. This is a set deadline by the state of February 15 but because the 15th falls on a weekend and we are closed Monday, February 17 for Presidents' Day, the deadline is pushed back to Tuesday, February 18. Watch for information coming in the mail soon to active members that selected beef as a project interest.

Are you in grade 7 or higher and ready to make a difference at 4-H camp? If you’re enthusiastic, responsible, and excited to be part of a fun and engaging camp experience, now is your chance! We’re thrilled to announce that applications are open for the 2025 Morris Regional 4-H Camp Counselor positions.

Camp Details:

• Camp Dates - June 24-26, 2025
• Location - University of Minnesota, Morris Campus
• Application Deadline - January 16, 2025 by 4:28 p.m. (online submissions only)
• Mandatory Training: April 26, 2025 in Morris

Counselor Types:

• Jr. Camp Counselors: Grades 7-8
• Sr. Camp Counselors: Grades 9 and above

As a camp counselor, you’ll help shape an unforgettable camp experience for all our participants. Your leadership, creativity, and passion can make a lasting impact!

Ready to apply, fill out your application here.

Questions:

• Becca Golden, Swift County Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
• Jacob Halper, Pope County Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

Project Bowl is a long-standing program in Minnesota 4-H and is the second most attended event of the year. In Project Bowl, teams of 3-6 youth members build skills working and thinking together while testing their knowledge in these 4-H areas: dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama-alpaca, plant science, poultry and rabbit. This happens in a quiz bowl type setting with buzzers and two rounds of questions. There are teams for youth 3rd grade and up. Practice usually begins at the end of December or beginning of January.

In the previous year, we had teams in general livestock and dog. Douglas County 4-H has coaches and teams for dog, and general livestock. If you are interested, please contact the office ASAP at mnext-douglas@umn.edu!

BLU is a youth-led workshop for youth grades 6 and up that strengthens leadership, communication and relationship skills. Become better leaders while having a great time!

This year's theme is "The Art of Leadership." Discover how art and mental wellness connect, make an impact through creative stations for local causes and explore what true leadership means in today's world. To learn more, visit https://z.umn.edu/DC4HLeadership. To register, visit mn.4honline.com and find a BLU location you want to attend. The registration deadline is Friday, January 10. Please refer to event registration guide if new to event registration or contact the office for assistance.

Douglas County 4-H pays a scholarship covering half the $ 100 registration fee for active members. If you pay with credit card online, you are reimbursed the scholarship amount after the event. You may also drop off a cash or check payment of $ 50 per youth (payable to U of M) to Douglas County Extension office by January 10. Find us in the Douglas County Courthouse.

You may attend one of four locations. February 1-2 in Annandale, February 8-9 in Redwood Falls, February 15-16 in Zumbro Falls or February 22-23 in Hackensack. Event starts Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and ends Sunday at 11:45 a.m. Transportation on your own. If you have questions, contact the Extension office at 320-762-3890.

Join us for an exciting day of learning around the horse project at Lucky Penny Ranch located at 5659 Co Rd 34 NW, Alexandria from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, February 23. Activities include health care with a veterinarian, grooming, horse project opportunities and more. This is for youth and adults alike. Registration deadline is Tuesday, February 18 for this free workshop.

To register, visit mn.4honline.com, login, select events on the left and search for Douglas County 4-H Horse Winter Project Day. You may refer to this event registration guide to walk you through the process. If you need assistance, please contact the Extension office.

The annual 4-H Rabbit Fun Show is set to take place Sunday, April 27 at the Brandon Auditorium in Brandon. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and judging begins at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $ 3 per rabbit entered. Rabbits will be for sale and ribbons and medallions awarded. There will be a food stand, door prizes and silent auction. Be sure to mark your calendar for April, you don't want to miss out!

As we enter the end of 2024, there are still several of you who have not re-enrolled for the 2024-2025 4-H program year. Those not re-enrolled received a postcard indicating the need to re-enroll. After January 1, 2025, families that have not re-enrolled will no longer receive communication from the Douglas County Extension office including local offerings, deadlines (including animal ID'ing and tagging) and reminders. If you need help, reach out to the Extension office at mnext-douglas@umn.edu or 320-762-3890.

The Extension office will be closed for the holidays these dates:

• January 1 (New Year's Day)
• January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• February 17 (Presidents Day)

It can be confusing as to what is available to do or learn about in the many different project areas that Minnesota 4-H offers, and how that might connect to creating an exhibit for the county fair to showcase what you learned. To discover more about a specific category check out the Douglas County 4-H project guide to learn more.

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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