Murray County 4-H Newsletter

Please complete your re-enrollment for the 2023-2024 year, visit 4-Honline to complete this task. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Extension staff!

On September 15, all volunteers who were ‘Approved’ in program Year 2022 - 2023 were moved to a ‘Not-Enrolled’ status in 4-H Online

• If you need to renew as a volunteer, you should have received an email communication from 4-H staff with instructions for completing volunteer renewal. Please complete the renewal steps by November 15 to restore your ‘Approved’ status.

• If you do not need to renew as a volunteer, you should have received an email communication from 4-H staff with a notice that 4-H staff will manually update your status to ‘Approved’ in 4-H Online.

4-H will be restructuring the age divisions to provide three age categories for dairy and livestock knowledge bowl in 2024! There is an information seminar on November 9 at 7 p.m.

We are now looking for a youth development intern for University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County. College students who are interested in learning about Extension and have passion to see all Minnesota youth thrive! Please apply here if interested!

Murray County is hosting their annual 4-H banquet located in the 4-H Building at the Murray County Fairgrounds. All 4-H members are welcome to come! There will be a baked potato bar please let us know how many to expect for the complementary meal. https://z.umn.edu/MCawards2023.

We hope to see you there!

Need activity ideas for your 4-H club? Check out our Youth Development Curriculum Library for fun, educational lesson and activity resources designed for youth workers, 4-H volunteers, and youth themselves! 86 resources and counting! More content is added every month. Current categories: Animals and livestock, civic engagement and leadership, Cloverbuds (K-2), environment and earth science, expressive arts and communication, family and consumer science, gardening and agriculture, healthy living, icebreakers, games, and reflection activities, including youth of all abilities, independent learning, outdoor adventures, STEM, and themed 4-H club agenda samples. If you have specific content you’d like to see, contact Jessica Russo at pier0239@umn.edu.

Community Turkey Bingo with a meal - paid for in part by grants from Monogram Foods Loves Kids and Minnesota 4-H Helping Hands.

Take a moment to download or print the 2023 - 2024 Murray County 4-H calendar.

Murray County is looking to put together a general livestock judging team for this upcoming year.

Please fill out the Google Form to sign-up!

Murray County 4-H are seeking 4-H youth members, grades 8+, to participate on our county Livestock Committee. Duties would include: attending meetings, helping with woodchip shavings at check-in, herdsmanship judging, livestock entry day, general safety and upkeep of animals, and working in the fair office window during. If you are interested in applying, please do so on this form! If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your office staff.

December 9 from 2 - 4 pm Community Holiday Crafts and Treats - paid for in part by grants from Monogram Foods Loves Kids and Minnesota 4-H Helping Hands.

January 12 - Fundraiser sales start date

February 16 - Fundraisers due to club leaders

March 9 - Fundraiser delivery date

Calling all youth grades K - 6. After School Adventures will be starting in October and meeting once a month in both Fulda and Slayton. We will meet the first week of October and then the second Tuesday (Fulda) and the second Thursday (MCC) from after school until 5pm. $5 per session or $30 for all seven. Sign up at here and search under events. Can't wait to see you all!

The animal science team is excited to roll out the second collection of learning kits for youth who are new to 4-H animal projects. The Minnesota 4-H Livestock in a Box series will explore four livestock species: pets (dog and cat), beef, sheep and swine.

Each box will introduce youth to breed identification, nutrition, health, care, and careers associated with each animal. Lessons and activities will be designed for youth in grades 4-7 to explore without (much) adult assistance and will focus on hands-on learning. Each box will include all supplies necessary for the lesson activities.

Beginning in early November, we'll begin marketing this learning series directly to Minnesota families. Boxes will be $25 each, which includes shipping directly to homes. Families may select individual boxes or order the entire series. Supplies are limited, so we encourage families to order the boxes they want as soon as possible. Livestock in a Box can be ordered just as if you were signing up for an event in 4-H online.

Ordered boxes will be prepared and delivered to families according to the following schedule:

• December: Pet [dog & cat]
• January: Beef
• February: Sheep
• March: Swine

The Minnesota 4-H animal science youth leadership team members will work together to provide youth voice in 4-H animal science programming. Youth team members in grades 8 and up will have the opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate a variety of animal science programs while exploring their passions and practicing leadership skills. They will also serve as positive role models for Minnesota 4-H and the animal science program. This experience will offer an opportunity to network with peers, mentors and industry professionals.

For further information on this program, please visit their website.

Deadline to apply is December 15, 2023. Please apply here if interested!

The National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H civic engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world.

At the conference, delegates have the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions and presentations to federal partner agencies and engage with their U.S. senators and representatives.

Minnesota 4-H selects four to eight youth members to attend this conference each spring.

The Minnesota delegation engages in pre-departure Zoom webinars with other Minnesota delegates, then travels together to the conference in Crystal City, Va./Washington, D.C., where they engage with over 250 youth leaders from across the U.S., U.S. territories, tribal nations and Canadian provinces. Upon return, delegates will implement their action plan to make a positive impact on an issue of interest.

Find more information on the National 4-H Conference website.

We recently received notice that the National 4-H Council is making some substantial updates to the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) experience in Washington, DC. We anticipated opening up registration for the 2024 delegation on Nov. 1, but will need to delay this to give us a chance to update materials and iron out a few details.

Registration will open Nov. 15 and close Dec. 15 via 4-H Online.

The cost has increased; however this might not change the cost of the experience to Minnesota Youth. We will keep you posted once get more clarity on the changes being made for the 2024 CWF Conference.

Minnesota 4-H will attend CWF from June 20 - 27, 2024, tentatively planning to leave early on June 20 and return late on June 27 or midday on June 28.

We would like to welcome Lydia Diekmann as our newest volunteer in the Murray County 4-H family. Lydia and her children Morgan and Mason are members of the Fenton Friends 4-H Club. Lydia is also an alumni of Murray County 4-H.

The next Ambassador events are:

Friday November 17 - Turkey Bingo 6 - 8 p.m. ambassadors should be at the 4-H building by 5:30 p.m.

Sunday November 19 - Annual Awards Banquet

Set up times will be shared with Ambassadors closer to the event.

Ambassadors will meet December 3 for Tie blankets and Cookie decorating from 1 - 3 p.m. in the Courts Building meeting room.

Ambassadors will be helping with Holiday Crafts make and take on December 9 from 2 - 4 p.m. Please be at the Murray County 4-H building to help set up.

During National Volunteer Week (April 21-27, 2024), the Minnesota 4-H Youth Development Program honors its 7,500 incredible volunteers and celebrates their contributions to Minnesota communities. Throughout the week (and the program year), we will feature stories of special volunteers who share their time and expertise to improve the lives of youth across the state.

Please fill out this form completely, and include one or more photos of your nominee or nominees at the bottom of the form. It should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. The form will be open on a rolling basis through at least Jan. 8, 2024.

Explore the wonderful world of animal science through hands-on activities and guest speakers. We’ll learn about beef cattle, swine, horses and chickens from industry professionals as we tour their facilities. Sessions will be held on Saturdays in January (6, 13, 20, 27). After each lesson, youth can work on at-home activities. Then, email a picture of your child(ren) with their completed project to mohrh002@umn.edu!

Youth have the opportunity to sign up for individual sessions or all four sessions, depending on their interest. All youth in grades K-3 are invited to attend these sessions and must complete 4-H online enrollment. Sessions will be held via Zoom from 10-10:30 a.m.; links will be provided once registration is complete.

Registration is free and can be completed here.. You only need to register once and can attend any or all sessions. For assistance, read this guide or contact Kelly Dahlke at dahlk124@umn.edu .

Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County

📍2848 BROADWAY AVE ☎️(507)-836-1144 ✉️hausek@umn.edu

SLAYTON, MN 56172

Administrative Assistant, Murray County Extension

📍2848 Broadway Ave ☎️ 507-836-6927 ✉ carl5049@umn.edu

Slayton, MN 56172

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