Clover Digest
February 2, 2024
Fundraiser Delivery Day Sign Up Genius
Thank you to everyone who participated in the annual fruit, puffin and frozen food fundraiser. The product will be delivered on March 16 at the Worthington Christian Church. Help is needed organizing and sorting product from each vendor. Review the delivery day sign up to find a slot to help. Each club should have representatives on delivery day. .
County Closed - Presidents Day
In observance of President’s Day on February 19, 2024, all Nobles County offices are closed. Anna and Wendy will be working from home and can be contacted via email.
Market Beef & Dairy Steer ID Deadline: February15
As a reminder, the market beef and dairy steer animal ID deadline is Thursday, February 15, 2024. Ear tags will be available in the Extension Office in January. For more information about ID requirements please refer to the 4-H animal ID website.
New Vision Co-op Calf Applications
Thanks to generous support from New Vision Co-op the co-op calf program will return in 2024. The application is now available. All applications and deposits are due to the Extension Office on February 15, 2024.
Food Stand Committee Meeting
The food stand committee will meet on Tuesday, February 27 at 5:30 pm in the Extension Office. We will continue to discuss staffing plans for the 2024 county fair. This committee is open to all youth and adult volunteers.
Ribbon Sale Committee Meeting
The ribbon sale committee will meet on Tuesday, February 27 at 6:30 in the Extension Office. We will brainstorm new ideas for 2024 and review the 2023 sale. This committee is open to all youth and adult volunteers.
Livestock Chats
A chat for 4-H livestock information in Nobles County including deadlines, workshops and new ideas. You are welcome to ask questions and share ideas in this chat. All members of this chat will abide by the MN 4-H Code of Conduct (www.4-H.umn.edu/policy). GroupMe is a group texting app that sends messages to an app or to your text messages via SMS. The direct links to each chat is available on the information sheet. All members are asked to join the livestock chat and may join other chats as they are interested.
Ear Tags Available
It is once again time to start thinking about Animal ID for the 2024 competition season. For completed and updated information regarding ID requirements for 2024 please refer to the market beef letter and the all species letter.
Tags and taggers are available at the Nobles County Extension Office during office hours (Monday - Thursday, 8:00 - 4:00 pm).
In 2024, ear tags will be sold for $2.00/tag. Please have exact change. Taggers are available for check out from the office. A $30 check deposit is required to check out the tagger. When the tagger is returned to the office, the check deposit will be shredded.
Be sure to review the deadlines and guidelines for your species and ask questions as they arise.
Andrea Ruesch Scholarship
The 2024 Andrea Ruesch scholarship is now accepting applications. To learn more and apply visit the Extension webpage. Applications are due March 1, 2024.
Regional, State and National Events
Judges Training
The University of Minnesota Extension will host a 4-H judges clinic for those interested in judging 4-H general/static projects at the County Fair on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Marshall Adult Community Center, Marshall, Minnesota, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Both new and experienced judges are encouraged to attend. Registration is requested by February 12. It is quick and easy! Call your local Extension office to sign up, or visit the link for more information/to register. https://z.umn.edu/SWjudgestraining
Change Lives Teach Ag Conference
Attention all 4-H'ers in grades 9 - 12 with an interest in a potential career in education! Join us at the Change Lives, Teach Ag Conference on Friday, March 8. This event is organized by SMSU (Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall), UMN-TC (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities), and UMC (University of Minnesota - Crookston). It aims to introduce young individuals to careers in agricultural education. Participants will engage in interactive learning experiences and have the opportunity to connect with faculty and students from the three institutions.
Interested? Please complete the online application by Monday, Feb. 5.
Successful chosen applicants will be notified no later than Friday, Feb. 23. There is no cost to participate in the conference, excluding transportation to the event. Don't miss this chance to explore exciting possibilities in agricultural education!
4-H Explorers in Ag
Youth in grades 6-8 are invited to join us as we explore agriculture around the world. You aren't going to want to miss this agriculture exploration as we travel virtually to three countries in this self-guided program with opportunities to connect with people in other countries. A kick-off event will be held via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. From there, you’ll be given access to a Google site to explore a country each week. A guide will be provided to help you explore a farming practice within each country. 4-H Ag Ambassadors will check in weekly to discuss what you’re learning along the way. This year guest speakers will share more about agriculture in the countries participants are exploring. More info will be sent out upon registration. All guest speakers will be recorded for later viewing. Learn more and register.
Wildlife Wednesdays
Discover the wonderful world of wildlife around you with Wildlife Wednesdays! Join us as we explore and uncover the fascinating lives of wildlife with wildlife experts, biologists, and Master Naturalists. This series of wonder and wander will promote conservation knowledge and spark lifelong respect for the environment around us!
Sessions will be held virtually from 7 - 8 p.m. as follows: Jan. 31; Feb. 7, 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17 and 24.
For youth in grades K-13. There are no deadlines for this series.
Tasty Tuesdays: Bread
Come toss around some flour with us as we create a variety of breads that you can enjoy on their own or partner up with pastas, chilis, and soups, including Minnesota's famous wild rice soup! You might find a dessert bread to add as a treat! We'll learn about the mysterious chemical reactions that are part of making these bountiful breads. This series will bring lots of hands-on learning, and you won't be able to keep your hands off the dough!
Sessions will be held virtually from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Feb. 13, 27; March 5, 12, 19; April 2, 16.
For youth in grades K-13. There are no deadlines for this series.
Volunteer Webinars: 4-H for All Abilities: Creating Inclusive Environments for Youth with Disabilities
This webinar series takes a deep dive into topics highlighted in the 2023 annual volunteer training focused on 4-H for All Abilities: Creating Inclusive Environments for Youth with Disabilities.
For those unable to attend the first deep dive, a recording of the webinar is available here. Please make sure to submit your feedback by completing the post webinar evaluation. Also, please share this recording with those that might be interested.
There are two more deep dives into topics from the 2023 AVT training. We encourage you to promote these trainings to your volunteers and/or even consider hosting a watch party. These webinars are open to 4-H volunteers, potential volunteers, and youth leaders.
Horseless Horse Series
Back by popular demand is the 4-H horseless horse round up virtual series. We are again offering the same series from last year. New for 2024 - we'll be offering a Level 2 series!
Youth in grades 3+ interested in learning more about horses are invited to join us for the virtual horseless horse roundup series! We'll meet weekly, Feb. 5 - March 11, to learn about a new horse topic each week. Youth are encouraged to register by Feb. 1 in 4-H Online.
Virtual Series: Explorers in Ag
Youth in grades 6-8 are invited to join us as we explore agriculture around the world. You aren't going to want to miss this agriculture exploration as we travel virtually to three countries in this self-guided program with opportunities to connect with people in other countries. Countries we will be exploring include Ghana, Netherlands, and Costa Rica! A kick-off event will be held via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Registration deadline: Feb. 12 on z.umn.edu/4-HExplorersinag
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