Isanti County 4-H News
July 12, 2024
Isanti County 4-H
Email: mnext-isanti@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/isanti
Location: 555 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 763-689-1810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isanticounty4h
Twitter: @IsantiCounty4H
Update from Isanti 4-H Staff
Hello everyone,
We hope you are looking forward to the fair. We will be setting up the fair office on Friday 7/12 and Monday 7/15. During the fair email is the best way to reach us, as we will not be in the office at the government center. General project judging is Tuesday 7/16 from 1pm-7pm. You can find the animal check in times on page 5 of the premium book.
The weather forecast predicts temperatures will be in the upper 70s or 80s, so make sure to pack water and sunscreen. We will be passing out water again this year as well.
Make sure to stop by the 4-H cafe as well! The menu this year will include: breakfast burritos, pulled pork sandwiches, loaded tots, grilled chicken and veggie wraps, grilled chicken salads, cheeseburgers, cheese curds, and more!
The café will be open the following days and times:
- Wednesday 7/17/24: 3pm-9pm
- Thursday 7/18/24: 7:30am-9pm
- Friday 7/19/24: 7:30am-9pm
- Saturday 7/20/24: 7:30am-9pm
- Sunday 7/21/24: 7:30am-6pm
Fair Schedule
Click the link below to view the 2024 fair schedule
UPDATES
Bryce W. competes at 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship
Congratulations to Bryce W. on competing in the 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska from June 23-28.
Abigail S. to participate in 4-H State Arts-In
Minnesota 4-H State Arts-In is a 22-day intensive experience at the Minnesota State Fair for youth who have completed grades 9+ that provides the opportunity to explore new skills, advance existing skills, and learn to work toward one common goal.
REMINDERS
Review the Competitive Events: Deadlines, Consequences and Exemptions Table
This time of year we get a lot of questions about missed deadlines and consequences. Everyone should review the Isanti County - 4-H Competitive Events: Deadlines, Consequences and Exemptions information on pages 11-12 of the premium book.
Missed deadlines can result in consequences such as ineligible for state fair, participant can receive no higher than a blue ribbon, loss of premium checks, and more.
Fair Sign Ups are Now Open - Register today!
2024 Clover Family Cafe Shift Sign-Up
- Sign up is 82% full as of 7/12.
- It is the expectation that all families (at least one youth or adult per family) sign up for a two hour shift at the Clover Family Café (via SignUp Genius) or pay a $20.00 buyout fee. If families do not sign up for shifts and work those shifts they will forfeit their fair board premium checks.
- Tasks will include preparing food, serving food, cleaning, and more.
- Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. There is a 10 minute overlap with the helpers from the previous shift, so you can train in your replacements. Thank you!
- *Please note that if your family signs up for a shift and you are not able to make it for any reason it will be your responsibility to find another family to take your place. The 4-H Office will not be responsible for finding someone to cover for you.
2024 County Fair Judge's Assistants & Building Setup/ Tear down
- Sign up is 56% full as of 7/12
- Please choose a category and time to be a judge's assistant for the 2024 Isanti County Fair. This role includes assisting judges with: recording placings or evaluation feedback, placing projects on shelves or displays, gathering additional supplies and more!
- 4-H Building setup and tear down is assigned by club or the first letter of your last name for independent members.
- Shifts on this sign up DO NOT fulfill the cafe shift requirement.
- Did you know that there is a livestock demonstration class? Livestock Demonstrations include: Beef, Dairy, Dairy Goat, Llama - Alpaca, Meat Goat, Poultry, Rabbit, Sheep and Swine and must include a live animal in the demonstration. Demonstrations are an oral presentation that includes actually demonstrating the hands-on steps required to accomplish a task or process. Examples include: Demonstrate how to care for an animal or prepare it for showing at the fair. Teach others how to tie a halter. A talk on preventative or veterinary care for a species.
- The overall winner of the livestock demonstration class (one person) has the opportunity to go to the state fair with the same species of animal that they demonstrated with if they are in grades 6+*!
- *Certain restrictions apply such as the animal must have been ID'd by May 15th, and cannot be shown by a sibling at the county level. Please reach out to Cora if you have any questions about livestock demos.
Upcoming Day Camps
8/7- Agriculture Dairy Day Camp
- Are you interested in learning how dairy products come from the farm to the table? This day camp is for any kid wanting to learn about the process, different jobs that help move it from the farm to the table, and are interested in farming!
- Where: Isanti County Fair, 4-H building ( 3101 MN-95, Cambridge, MN 55008)
- Audience: 3-6 grade
- Cost: Free!
- Register by 7/31. This event is limited to 20 kids
8/12- Cloverbud Garden Day Camp
- Kids will learn about the different plants our 4-H garden has and will be able to help take care of them!
- Where: Cambridge Community Garden ( 1700 E Rum River Dr S, Cambridge, MN 55008)
- Audience: Cloverbuds (K-2 grade)
- Cost: Free!
- Register by 8/5. This event is limited to 20 kids
Register in 4-H Online or via the paper form we mailed out this week
Read the 2024 Isanti 4-H Premium Book
The 2024 Isanti County 4-H Premium Book is now available (click here to read the premium book)! Staff along with the council and committee members have been working hard for the past few months to add new classes and clarifications to the premium book. The premium book can also be found on our extension website under the 4-H at the County Fair drawer. We also have a limited number of paper copies in at the Extension Office. They are available on a first come first served basis.
The premium book is a rulebook for all Isanti County 4-H projects that can be exhibited at the Isanti County Fair. This includes deadlines, exhibit guidelines, the fair schedule, animal birthday requirements, and more! If I had one piece of advice for you this year, it would be to read the premium book carefully and ask us if you have any questions!
Major changes and clarifications in the 2024 Premium Book:
- Updated fair schedule and animal check in times (pages 5-7)
- Clarifications on when animals can leave the fairgrounds and consequences for leaving early (page 25)
- New all species costume class (page 25)
- New Cloverbud (K-2) animal policy (page 26)
- State fair trip acceptance deadline has been pushed back two hours to 2pm on Saturday 7/20.
- State fair meeting (for all state exhibitors) has moved up an hour to 9am on Sunday 7/21.
Update on Barn Fees & Wristbands
There are some important changes to barn fees this year. Over the past several months the Isanti 4-H Auction and Animal Science Committees have been discussing barn fees.
Starting this year, barn fees for: cattle, sheep, swine, rabbits, poultry, and goats will be paid for by the Isanti County 4-H Premium Auction (NEW in 2024). Since horses are not in the auction, families showing horses will continue paying barn fees ($20/horse).
Please see the updated barn fee sheet here. Paper copies are available at the extension office. This form and payments should be turned into the office no later than Tuesday 7/16. Your family will not be given fair entry wristbands if your barn fees and family dues ($25) have not been paid. New families (1st year of 4-H) don’t have to pay family dues. NO barn fees will be collected by the superintendents. Everything must be paid into the Extension Office.
Fair entry wristbands will be passed out at the 4-H building office on the fairgrounds on Tuesday 7/16 7:30am-6:30pm. We can also accept payments at this time, but we encourage you to pay barn fees and family dues now to avoid long lines and wait times.
Project leaders, club leaders, show managers, and barn managers listed in the premium book or project leader/club leader lists receive free entry to the fair. Go to the fair office and your name will be on a list to get tickets.
Checks payments should be written to "Isanti County 4-H" with "Family Dues" or "Barn Fees" in the memo line. We can also accept cash and card payments at the Extension office. All card payments have a 3% processing fee. Our office is open Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm. And our address is U of M Extension, Isanti County, 555 18th Ave SW, Cambridge, MN 55008-9386.
LQA&E/YQCA is Required for State fair, NE Livestock show, and the Isanti Premium Auction
LQA&E is required for all youth sixth grade and up if they would like to show an animal at the state fair, NE Livestock Show, or the Isanti Premium Auction. Exhibitors must complete LQA&E/YQCA training prior to the qualifying event (the Isanti County Fair).
- If you were unable to attend the Isanti training earlier this year there are other trainings around the state of MN.
- Youth can also take Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) online. It is valid for one fair season and costs $12.00.
- You can view the MN 4-H LQA policy here.
If you are unsure if you are up to date on YQCA or LQA&E please contact us or check the Training tab in 4-H Online.
MEETING DOCUMENTS
Keep up to date with Animal Science and Auction Committee Discussions and Decisions
- Agenda and minutes: Auction (click here) and Animal Science (click here)
- Join us for the next meeting 9/16 6:30pm at the Isanti Government Center
- OR Register for the Zoom Meeting (click here)
Keep up to Date with the Isanti 4-H Council Discussions and Decisions
- Agenda and minutes (click here)
- Join us for the next meeting 7/29 6:30pm at the Isanti Government Center
- OR Register for the Zoom Meeting (click here)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Short Term
Workshop Instructors:
- Is there a topic, game, or lesson you're interested in sharing with youth? Let us know! We are planning several workshop days this year.
- Sessions are typically 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Robotics/ STEM Coach
- 3-5 events per year
- Collaborate with staff and other volunteers to organize robotics and STEM lessons for youth.
Long Term
Ambassador Program Leader
- 9-12 meetings throughout the year or as determined with 4-H staff.
- Time to assist youth leaders in planning and coordinating county events, fundraisers, and community service opportunities.
- Read the full role description here.
Shooting Sports and Wildlife Coach
- Coach weekly practices mid May - August, attend the state shoot in Alexandria in September, and provide input for project budgeting in the fall.
- Time to assist youth in selecting and preparing their equipment, honing their skills and following safety rules.
- Coaches must be fully screened volunteers and must become certified coaches (and re-certify every 7 years). All training costs are covered by Isanti County 4-H.
Contact Cora if you are interested in volunteering.
CENTRAL REGION AND STATEWIDE OPPORTUNITIES
Check Out the Central Region 4-H Catalog of Opportunities
Save this link, the catalog is updated throughout the year.
EVENTS AND MEETINGS
General (Static) Project Judging Day & Wristband Pickup
Tuesday, Jul 16, 2024, 01:00 PM
Isanti County Fairgrounds, Minnesota 95, Cambridge, MN, USA
Isanti County Fair
The Isanti County Fair is July 17th-21st!
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2024, 08:00 AM
Isanti County Fairgrounds, Minnesota 95, Cambridge, MN, USA
Leaders Council Meeting
Monday, Jul 29, 2024, 06:30 PM
Isanti County Government Center, 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
County Dog Show
Saturday, Aug 10, 2024, 09:00 AM
Isanti County Fairgrounds, Minnesota 95, Cambridge, MN, USA
State Fair Livestock Encampment
The livestock encampment is August 22-25.
Thursday, Aug 22, 2024, 08:00 AM
Minnesota State Fair, Snelling Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN, USA
State Fair General Project Encampment
The general project encampment is August 25-27.
Sunday, Aug 25, 2024, 08:00 AM
Minnesota State Fair, Snelling Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Kits Available to Borrow at the Isanti Extension Office
Email Cora or Jennifer to reserve a kit or stop by the Extension Office in the Isanti County Government Center M-F 8am-4:30pm.
Accommodations Kit:
- This kit has been created to help strengthen our commitment to welcoming all youth – we cherish and value the diversity of humanity and believe in the power of ALL young people. 4-H strongly encourages you to utilize this kit to help foster inclusive spaces and provide simple accommodations for those engaged in our programs.
- The kit was made possible through the generous support of the Leonard and Maxine Harkness Endowment Fund at the UMN Foundation.
- Click here to learn more and see what's in the kit.
Calm Kit:
- This kit focuses on mental health and tools to actively build resilience in youth.
- The kit was made possible by the Bend, Don't Break Grant.
- Items include: conversation starters, a program guide, sensory fidgets, grounding activities, and more.
Amanda Johnson Memorial Fund
If you or someone you know would like to apply for financial assistance, please contact the Isanti Extension Office (mnext-isanti@umn.edu) or a member of the Amanda Johnson Memorial Fund Committee (Kristi Hass & Robin Gemmill).
ISANTI COUNTY 4-H
Email: mnext-isanti@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/isanti
Location: 555 18th Avenue Southwest, Cambridge, MN, USA
Phone: 763-689-1810
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isanticounty4h
Twitter: @IsantiCounty4H