Federation Scholarship
Good Morning 4-H’ers!
Crow Wing County 4-H Federation has set up a Youth Leadership Post Secondary Federation Scholarship and the application is open. The application deadline is May 1st, 2023. It is for current Crow Wing County MN 4-H’ers graduating from high school in 2023. Two (2) $250 scholarships will be awarded at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
The application can be found here.
4-H Merch Pride Contest
The 2nd annual design contest to support the creation of 4-H pride attire and swag is here! The pride merch, which includes designs from our first contest, available in the 4-H mall is the most successful merch campaign ever! We need your help to make it even better, more colorful, and more fabulous! Please share with your networks as appropriate.
Ideally, designs will work for t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, and more. We hope you enjoy this opportunity to get creative and have a little fun! All youth, adults, or youth working in partnership with adults are encouraged to enter! You may enter as many designs as you wish; as an individual or as a group. Designs should incorporate 4-H's name or emblem or campaign language (Opportunity for All, 4-H Grows Here, etc.) and use elements that demonstrate LGBTQ2S+ pride and or Allyship.
The deadline to submit artwork is April 14th! We will send a link to vote for favorite designs the following week in order to choose a winner by the end of April in order to get it in production with National 4-H in time for pride month in June.
More info and rules are in the google form.
Google Submission Form: z.umn.edu/4HPrideDesignContest23
BELLE Grant and Minnesota State Fair Youth Scholarships
Applications for the Beginning Exhibitor Livestock Learning Experience (BELLE) Grant are open now until April 3. This grant program gifts $500 to each large-animal exhibitor (beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, horse, llama, sheep or swine) and $250 to each small-animal exhibitor (poultry or rabbits) that commits to participating in the Minnesota State Fair for the first time in 2023. 15 grants will be awarded.
Additionally, the Minnesota State Fair Foundation will award up to 22 scholarships of $1,000 each to young adults from greater Minnesota or those currently enrolled in an agriculture program. New in 2023, one $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student of any age entering a skilled trade career or furthering their training. Applications for the Minnesota State Fair Scholarship are due Aug. 1.
These opportunities have also been added to the 4-H scholarships, grants and awards page on the University of Minnesota Extension website.
Bunny Barn Series
The bunny barn series offers workshops for all youth interested in rabbits. Different workshops will be geared towards beginner, intermediate or advanced rabbit members looking to dive deeper into their rabbit project. Workshops are offered April through July.
Workshop: Live from the Bunny Barn
Live from the Bunny Barn is geared towards youth just getting started in the rabbit project. We'll host two workshops over Zoom.
Workshop: Back to the Bunny Barn
Back to the Bunny Barn is geared towards beginner to intermediate rabbit exhibitors. This 5-session series will be held via Zoom and in person.
Workshop: Beyond the Bunny Barn
Beyond the Bunny Barn is geared towards advanced rabbit exhibitors. This 3-session series will be held via Zoom. We'll look at how exhibitors can share their knowledge and teach youth in their county all about rabbits.
Interested in SS&W Certification Training?!
2023 SS&W Leader Certification Trainings—COMING UP!
- April 15 - Roseau, MN (Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Archery, Rifle/Pistol, & Wildlife) Deadline April 5 - Registration Link
- April 15 - Austin, MN (Rifle/Pistol, Wildlife, and Archery) Deadline April 5 - Registration Link
- April 29 - Palisade, MN (Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Archery, Rifle/Pistol, Wildlife, and Coordinator) Deadline April 19 - Registration Link
- May 13 - Benson, MN (Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Archery, Rifle/Pistol, & Wildlife)
The following steps must be completed to become a fully certified 4-H SS&W Adult Instructor. All steps in the process can be found in one registration form for each in-person training at Shooting Sports & Wildlife Leader Certification Registration.
Step 1 - Complete the National 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor online training course - This online training will fulfill many traditionally in-person instruction hours in volunteerism and positive youth development. There is no end date to complete, but will need to be completed prior to attending a one-day in-person discipline training. This course takes about 5 hours to complete. You will only have to complete this step once unless there are major changes in the future.
Step 2 - View recorded Minnesota 4-H SS&W Risk Management webinar - This recorded session is 50 minutes in length and will be emailed to you. A survey will need to be completed to record completion of the video.
Step 3 - Attend a one day in-person discipline training - Check the Shooting Sports & Wildlife Leader Training web site for available dates and registration links.
Youth Leaders do not need to complete Step 1, they need to complete Step 2 and register for an in-person discipline training.
YELLO registration opens in April!
In person
The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that the 2023 YELLO leadership conference will take place June 13 - 16 at Bemidji State University!
Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors.
What happens at YELLO?
This annual event aims to engage youth in building leadership skills, developing positive relationships with peers and adults, and planning how to take future action.
Activities include:
- Youth-led leadership learning: The State Ambassadors select a leadership-related topic to focus on for the year. They engage with topical experts and/or practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of the related research and then build age-appropriate lessons to deliver during the event.
- Service and education: Participants engage in hands-on service to learn about civic responsibility while also making positive contributions to the community. This year’s service focus is on food insecurity.
- Deep dives and workshops: Youth engage with the campus and/or community to learn deeply about special topics while gaining understanding of potential future careers, academic programs, or other opportunities for engagement in 4-H and beyond.
- Exploring Bemidji: Youth will get an opportunity to have some fun in the community! This could include seeing local attractions, attending arts and cultural events, or visiting other entertainment venues.
- Social events: Youth will be able to network with one another in fun ways. In the past, this has included talent shows, game nights, dances, etc.
Registration for YELLO will open in April. The cost to attend YELLO is $275, with an additional $50 fee for opting in to ride the bus. Register via 4-H Online.
Plan ahead - Ask the Extension office about what scholarships may be available to you!
Junior Lock In
Local offering | Grades 4-8
In person
The local Ambassadors are excited to announce the return of the annual Junior Lock In!
Youth in grades 4-8 are invited to attend this overnight leadership retreat. Get to know the Ambassadors and other emerging leaders in your county through team building and leadership activities. The event is held at Lake Edward Town Hall [23977 County Road 4 Nisswa, MN 56468] on April 28-29, 2023 with an arrival time of 5:30 pm on Friday night and pick-up time of 3:00 pm on Saturday.
A full schedule and packing list will be sent after registration. The registration cost of $25 covers a t-shirt, overnight stay, all meals and snacks, and a goodie bag. Ask the Extension office for scholarship information.
This year's theme is camping so please pack your sleeping bag and flashlight if you have one! Registration opens on March 10th and closes on April 13th. Registrations must be complete before April 13th to be guaranteed a t-shirt.
Save the Date! 15th Annual Crow Wing County 4-H Rabbit Fun Show
Local offering | all ages
In person
Save the Date!
The 15th Annual Crow Wing County Rabbit Fun Show is to be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
Registration begins at 8:30 am with pre-registration available in 4-H Online starting March 1, 2023. Tattooing is available all day for just $1 per rabbit.
Trevor Sypnieski will be providing education on registering rabbits and will be available to register for $6 per rabbit.
Silent auction, food stand, and rabbits for sale. You don't want to miss this event!
Held at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds, in the curling building.
Contact the Extension office or Sherry Bock at sherryjbock@gmail.com with questions!
College Bound 4-H Youth, Apply for Scholarships by April 1
Extension Development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities. Eligible 4-H youth are encouraged to visit the Extension 4-H scholarship website for detailed information on the applications, letters of recommendation needed, and amounts awarded.
Please note that applications are available and accepted online only. The online application form does not auto-save. We suggest applicants prepare their responses in another document and copy/paste them into the scholarship form when they have enough time to complete the process. Scholarship applications are no longer accepted via email or mail.
Application deadline: April 1.
Spring Project Day
Local offering | Grades 3+
In person
Project areas include demonstrations, STEM, expressive arts, sewing, and more. Youth will have the opportunity to participate in three 45 minute sessions of their choice. The event runs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and will start promptly at 9:30 am. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign in.
The location is at the Land Services Building [322 Laurel Street Brainerd, MN 56401]. Cost is $5 at the door and open for grades 3+. Please register in 4-H Online before April 6th, 2023.
NE 4-H Camp @ Long Lake Conservation Center
Regional offering | Grades 3-6 In person
Crow Wing County 4-H Yearly Calendar
Access the Yearly Calendar events HERE.
Contact
Events and news are separated into county items and regional/statewide items. Please click on each of the links to view county and statewide events.
Statewide news - learn about what's going on across Minnesota
Extension Office/Window Hours
Monday: 12:30 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday: No office/window hours
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 8:00 - 4:30 pm
Friday: 12:30 - 4:30 pm
Email: cgirling@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu
Location: 326 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN, USA
Phone: 218-824-1069
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMNExtensionCWC4H
Twitter: @UMNExt