Nobles County Clover Digest

Animals are ID’d, projects are being worked on, and County Fair will be here before we know it! FairEntry Registration is open now until June 30th. You need to log in, and register for the projects and/or classes you plan on exhibiting at the fair. Here is a Quick Guide to help you through the process. If you have any questions, reach out to the office.

The 2025 Nobles County Fair Premium Book is now available on the Nobles County Extension website. Please review the book for updates for this year's fair. PAGE 5 will help you find "WHAT'S NEW" for 2025.

Summer is right around the corner and we need your help at the County Fair! Check out our Fair Help Signup Genius and put your name down for a slot. This is separate from our Food Stand Signup, which will be coming out later. If you have questions, reach out to the office.

The 4-H Food Stand will be in full swing this year! We have a Food Stand Manager lined up, but are looking for another person to assist her as a 2nd manager in the process. If you, or someone you know, is interested in this position, reach out to Belle (patte951@umn.edu)!

Nobles County 4-H announces the Landon Rogers Memorial Education Program for 4-H members in the county who are actively involved in or would like to be involved in the Minnesota 4-H Beef Project. One or two winning entrants will receive Landon Rogers’ show equipment to use for the 2024 fair. The Show Equipment will be on loan from Landon’s Parents - Lance Rogers & Tami Rogers in memory of their son, Landon Rogers. Access the application materials and more information in this folder. Applications are due May 31, 2025 to the Extension Office.

Youth voiced the want for the All Livestock Showmanship Clinic to happen again this year. We are looking to see how many youth are interested before we start the planning process. Please fill out the form by May 20th so we can move forward with this idea. https://forms.gle/xKengmUCkq1mpnFF8

Do you enjoy working with youth and want to participate in a leadership opportunity this summer? At each day camp we hold, we are looking for older youth who enjoy working with kids and want to step up. Fill out this short Day Camp Counselor Application to get involved!

Nobles County 4-H is looking for donations of items for the communal show box that are used but still in good condition! Items can be brushes, combs, halters, and anything else that could be used. Items can be brought to the Extension Office!

New Vision Co-op is offering their sponsorship program. To learn more about this program, visit 4-H on the New Vision Co-op website. Deadline is June 13th.

Do you have youth that are curious about livestock judging? This summer, help them take their 4-H experience to the next level by joining one of the Minnesota 4-H livestock judging day camps!

These hands-on camps focus on the evaluation of beef, meat goats, sheep and swine—an essential skill to enhance livestock project knowledge. Whether they are new to judging or want to sharpen their skills, the camps will cover the fundamentals of evaluation, key judging terms, judging logistics and more. These day camps are a fun and educational way to boost confidence and understanding of animal selection.

Camps will be held at three locations. All camps will cover the same information and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Open to youth in grades 6-12.

• May 31 in Fertile at the Polk County Fairgrounds (https://z.umn.edu/LivestockJudgingFertile)

• June 13 in St. Peter at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds (https://z.umn.edu/LivestockJudgingStPeter)

• June 24 in Alexandria at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (https://z.umn.edu/LivestockJudgingAlexandria)

Registration is through 4-H Online.

Youth who completed grades 3-6 in the spring of 2025, don't miss out on this exciting summer experience! This multi-county overnight 4-H Camp in southwest Minnesota is packed with engaging educational sessions and classic camp activities, including: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, outdoor games, team-building activities, campfires, storytelling and so much more! High school-aged camp counselors will guide and connect with campers throughout their experience. Campers will stay in group cabins with peers of the same age, and all meals and snacks are included. Adjustments can be made for health and dietary needs, please include info when registering or connect with 4-H staff. https://4-hatcampshetek.4honline.com

Minnesota 4-H is offering hands-on, in-person plant science experiences for youth this summer—and we need your help to share the excitement! These programs immerse youth in real-world agriculture, agronomy, and plant science through fun, educational activities.

To learn more about the different crop scouting events and summer field days, visit the UMN Extension Website and view the upcoming events

It's time to begin thinking about forming a crop scouting team. Teams can be made up of 4-H and FFA youth in grades 6+ from one or multiple counties. We have another opportunity for youth in grades 3-5 to participate in a crop scouting experience as well as the state contest. Contact your local Extension office for help finding a team. If you don't have a team but still want to participate, we have coaches ready to coach youth across Minnesota. 4-H/FFA crop scouting registration opens on May 1, and the contest will take place Monday, July 28 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus. Learn more and register.

Consider attending this year’s Ag Academy: Passion to Career in Crookston, Minn. Join us, as well as our partners at FFA, for Ag Academy: Passion to Career– a unique opportunity for youth in grades 7-11. This three-day, two-night camp runs from June 16-18, and is held at University of Minnesota, Crookston and Northland Community & Technical College. At this camp, youth will have the chance to explore different careers in agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) while experiencing a college campus. In addition, college professors and industry leaders will provide hands-on learning experiences on topics like animals, drones, welding, horticulture, communications and more. Transportation is available and will pick up in the following towns: Mankato, Willmar, Alexandra and Fergus Falls.

Mini golf will be taken to a whole new level with the 2025 Engineering Design Challenge (EDC): Putt It Together - 4-H Mini Golf Challenge and YOU can be part of the fun! This exciting statewide event invites youth in grades 3+ to work in a team of three or more people to design and build a Rube Goldberg™ type machine that completes a 2-part task: Hit a golf ball and sink a hole in one! The goal of the EDC is to inspire creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking through engineering as youth create their machines. Individuals or families interested in being on a county team should contact your local 4-H educator. Two adult volunteers will work with each team, so everyone can be in on the fun! New this year: a “rookie” level for youth new to the challenge—they’ll be working on a machine with just five steps! The EDC showcase will be held in the 4-H Building during the Minnesota State Fair! Learn more and register.

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