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Washington County 4-H Newsletter
July 11, 2024
Getting the most out of your newsletter?
Is your newsletter getting cut off? Washington County does have a lengthy newsletter and it often times will be cut off for gmail accounts and perhaps others. Meaning you have to hit a link to get the whole newsletter. The best way to view our newsletter is to open it in a new browser.
Continued prayers and support needed
Please help the Honmyhr family if you can. https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-the-honmyhrs
We understand that many families have experienced the challenges of an illness themselves or to family members but it is especially hard when it is a youth. Henry has been a 4-H member in Washington County for 9 years, belongs to the Soil Savers 4-H club and loves the outdoors. He was diagnosed with leukemia last fall and as if that isn't bad enough he continues to have set backs. The current issue is dealing with Mucormycosis in his lungs. Unfortunately, one lung has been removed and Henry continues to be in ICU. With all the recent set backs Henry and his family need our support more now than ever. Please help if you can.
Washington County Fair News
2024 County Fair Information Book - Premium Book
The 2024 Washington County 4-H Information Book has everything you need to be in the know! Check out the fair schedule, rules, project ideas, etc. Plan ahead, let’s make this the best fair ever! To access, click on green button below.
Judging Day Schedule
Just a reminder about general project judging day - Saturday, July 27
10:00am - 12:30pm - Conference judging begins (first come, first served)
12:30pm-1:00pm - Judges lunch (no judging) No food or drink available to public. Please bring your own drinks especially if it is hot.
1:00 - 4:00pm - Conference judging resumes
**Creative Writing exhibitors were sent an email about submitting their entries to the 4-H office in Stillwater by Tuesday, July 23.
Purchase your fair tickets - July 27
Everyone pays to get into the fairgrounds! Even when you come to volunteer in the Food Stand you will need to pay admission to the fairgrounds. NO SEASON PASSES WILL BE SOLD AT THE GATES.
General Admission Age 8 and over - $10
Age 7 and under - Free
Pre-Sale Pack of 5 Tickets
Age 8 and over - $25
Age 7 and under - Free
4-H Families - Advanced Season tickets will be available on Saturday, July 27th during General Project Judging in the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds. Please bring correct cash or a check! Or you may purchase your pre-sale tickets in the Fair Office in Building "B" on Monday, July 29, 9am - 9pm; or Tuesday, July 30, 9am - 9pm.
Food Stand Sign Up
The county fair is almost here and we are looking for volunteer helpers at the 4-H Food Stand! This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and all proceeds go to supporting 4-H youth programming in Washington County!
Adults and youth (grades 3+) are invited to help us make this fundraiser a success. Tasks include counter service, cooking, food prep, cleaning, stocking, and more.
Sign up early to get your choice shift!
We are also looking for water bottle donations! If your family, 4-H club, business, community group, etc. would like to donate bottles of water to the food stand, please let us know! This is a great way to help 4-H raise money and keep folks hydrated during the fair. (16oz. bottles preferred.)
New this year: Washington County 4-H clubs will receive a slice of the profits! Clubs will receive gifts based on the number of volunteer hours they serve in the food stand!
Community Impact Recognition
Have any of your projects made a positive difference in your community? Earn recognition at the county fair for your Community Impact by showing it in your exhibit and telling the judge about it.z.umn.edu/4HCommunityImpact
Judge's Assistant
Being a Judge's Assistant is a great way to learn more about 4-H, and learn about interesting project areas such as aerospace, clothing, crafts, and photography. Judges assistants are needed on July 27th from 9:45 am-12:30 pm and from 12:45-4:00 pm for general projects/ DOg Show and from July 31st- August 4th for livestock. Judges Assistants help keep the project book updated with ribbon placing, help organize the projects, and make sure the judge has enough ribbons and supplies. Sign up today! If you have any questions please contact Abbey Rademacher | radem181@umn.edu
Be an Ambassador for 4-H
Love talking with people? Know a few things about 4-H? Youth enrolled in grades 7-13 who want to take their leadership skills to the next level are invited to join current Ambassadors in volunteering at the Ambassador Booth at the County Fair! Each shift is 2 hours and worked by two youth. At the Ambassador Booth you will:
-Answer 4-H related questions
-Facilitate 4-H Trivia
-Educate the public about 4-H
Sign up at-
https://z.umn.edu/2024AmbieBooth
If you have questions, contact Abbey Rademacher at radem181@umn.edu for more information.
Champion Program
Join the Champion Program Youth Volunteer Team!:
The Champion Program is seeking enthusiastic youth volunteers to join our team. This year, the team is led by former Washington County 4-H members Alex and Lauren Pendar. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to:
Learn the operations of the Champion Booth
- Assist champions in writing thank you letters to sponsors
- Take photos
- Award shirts
- Answer questions during the fair
Each volunteer will be expected to work at least 2 shifts at the booth, with support from Alex or Lauren. Team members will celebrate the accomplishments of 4-H'ers during the fair season and express gratitude to sponsors for their contributions to the program and the development of 4-H'ers.
As a token of appreciation, all team members will receive a customized shirt to wear during their shifts at the table.
If you are interested in joining our team, please contact us at washcochampteam@gmail.com. Include your name, year in 4-H, contact information, and a brief description of why you would like to be part of this team.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Mini MN Meats
Washington County 4-H is excited to share our annual Mini MN Meats Competition! The Mini
MN Meats Competition will be on Friday, August 2nd at 2:00 pm at the north end of the cattle
barn. We will provide grills, equipment, ground beef, fruit, vegetables, spices, seasonings,
cheese, buns, and sauces.
Competition Rules
- Open to any Washington County 4-H member between 6-13.
- Teams must consist of 3-4 members.
- Teams must be registered by July 27th to compete.
- Teams are allowed to bring any additional supplies as long as they are approved by the event
coordinator before the competition.
- Teams will have 40 minutes to prepare one final dish.
- Judges award points: 40% taste, 30% appearance and 30% team knowledge.
Winners will get a “Mini Meats 2024 Champion” Apron.
Register here: Mini Meats Registration
Registration due: July 27th
4-H Graduates at the Fair!
We are looking forward to acknowledging you at the County Fair!
There are a few tasks we need from you IF you choose to be recognized:
We would appreciate having a poster board of you displaying pics of your 4-H memories/experiences. These posters will be displayed in the 4-H building during the county fair. Please bring your poster with you to General Judging Day on Saturday, July 27 between 10-4.
Please complete and return your ‘grad application’ to Ann at: churc109@umn.edu no later than July 1 if you want to be recognized Sunday night at our Awards night! Applications will not be accepted at the County Fair!
Livestock & Horse Exhibitors are encouraged to fill out the attached ‘Livestock Graduation Questioner’ that will be read during your specific specie livestock/horse show. The completed Livestock Questionnaire needs to be emailed back to Ann at; churc109@umn.edu no later than Monday, July 22nd. Please do not wait until the last minute.
STATE FAIR CHAPERONE’s needed!
Would you like to hang out with some wonderful 4-H’ers at the Great Minnesota Get-together? We are looking for chaperones for the Washington County youth that will be heading to the state fair for livestock and general projects. Livestock Encampment is August 21- August 25, our General Encampment is over Labor Day weekend. We will need chaperone’s to commit at the county fair since paperwork is processed immediately after county fair. ALl chaperones must be screened adults (21 years or older). To become a screened adult, go to; How to become a screened volunteer! To learn more about what is expected of chaperones, go to; MN State Fair Chaperone resources If you would like more information or can commit, let one of our staff know!
How do I know if I received a State Fair trip?
State Fair Trip winner boards are located in the 4-H building on the Washington County Fairgrounds. There will be a trifold board listing the 4-H’ers who qualified for State Fair trips. A colored sticker is used to accept or decline State Fair trips. Please come to the 4-H office to confirm your trip and a staff member will assist you. PLEASE confirm your State Fair trip and proceed to go to the new online registration. If you are out of town (after the conference judging), it is your responsibility to connect with another 4-H family to find out if you won a State Fair Trip and complete the online registration.
Meaning of colored stickers used for State Fair Trip winners.
Green - Yes! I will for sure take this State Fair trip!
Red - No, I will not take this State Fair trip.
Blue - I will take this State Fair trip if it becomes available to me.
STATE FAIR OR STATE SHOW ELIGIBILITY
Members selected to represent the county at the State Fair and State Horse Show must have completed sixth grade.
Members selected to represent the county at the State Dog Show must have completed third grade.
General Project State Fair trips must be confirmed and online registration completed by 7:00 pm on Friday, August 2.
State Dog Trips and State Horse Show trips must be confirmed and paper registrations completed by 7:00 pm on Friday, August 2.
Livestock Trips must be confirmed and online registration completed by noon on Sunday, August 4. Llama participants as soon as possible after their show.
First time State Fair participants are strongly encouraged to attend the State Fair Orientation meeting at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 3 in the 4-H building.
Livestock youth will meet in their respective barns on Sunday, August 4, at 2:00 pm to discuss State Fair plans!
-Trips for State Fair, State Horse Show, and State Dog Show will be selected from blue ribbon exhibits only. Judges for each project area determine who will be selected for state trips.
-To be eligible for a livestock trip to the State Fair, 4-H’ers must have completed Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training prior to the county fair. This is a State Policy: All youth participating as a State Fair 4-H livestock exhibitor in beef, dairy, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, meat goat, dairy goat, and llama must complete Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics training.
-Horse Trips are earned through a point system.
STATE FAIR REGISTRATION CHANGE IN 2024!
Youth attending the MN State Fair for General and Livestock projects will register online beginning this year! Information on how to complete the process will be available at our 4-H office on the county fairgrounds. State trips still need to be confirmed with our office using the dot system so others know if trips are available to them. Once you have completed the steps, we will print your information, take your payment and give you your gate passes and meal tickets.
Upcoming county events/activities
STEM Field Trip - July 17
Join us on our summer STEM field trip to the Bell Museum and Gibbs Farm! Grades 3-12 are invited to hop on the bus at Hooley Hall and have a fun-packed day of learning! We will do some hands-on science, see a planetarium show, and travel back in time to learn about technology from past generations.
Adults- please consider attending as a chaperone!
Wednesday, July 17th
9am - 4pm
Cost: $20 ($15 if not riding bus)
Grades 3-12
*BYO bag lunch
Register: z.umn.edu/BellGibbsFieldTrip
Bonsai and succulent workshop - July 20 (New Location)
Washington County 4-H is excited to host a bonsai and succulent workshop on July 20th from 9am to 12 pm in 4-H building on the Washington County Fairgrounds. This workshop will provide you with materials and direction to create your own bonsai, and succulent garden to take home! Limited space is available so please sign up right away!
Participants can enter their bonsai or succulent garden at the fair. REGISTRATION IS DUE JULY 1ST FOR FAIR ENTRY.
Open to grades 3+
Register here! Bonsai & Succulent Registration
Registration due: July 16th
Cost is $10, must be pre-paid by sending payment to office.
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Animal Science
LQCA Training needs to be completed online
LQA&E training is required for any youth 6th grade and above that would take a state fair trip. It is required for youth exhibiting dairy, beef, sheep, swine, goats, llama, rabbit and poultry to complete this year at the Minnesota State Fair.
Don't know if you are current? Check the following link,
LQA certifications completed and valid for 2024
YQCA online training, good for one year
All LQA&E training needs to be completed before Washington County Fair to be eligible to accept a MN 4-H state fair livestock trip, if given the opportunity.
Rabbit Agility starts July 14
All Rabbit Project members (including Cloverbuds) are invited to participate in Rabbit Agility training! What is rabbit agility? It is a sport where rabbits are trained to navigate obstacles in a course. The obstacles can include ramps, tunnels, hoops, etc. similar to dog agility.
Practices will be on Sunday’s July 14th, 21st and 28th from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Washington County Fairgrounds outside the Rabbit Barn.
In addition, we will be setting up Rabbit Cages for the county fair on Sunday, July 28th from 3 pm to 5 pm. More hands light work! Come join the fun!
Poultry Workshop - July 16
All poultry project members are invited to attend a pre-fair Poultry Workshop on Tuesday, July 16 starting at 5 pm. Please meet under the Bingo area next to the Poultry Barn.
Topics that will be included are;
-What to do before the fair (including cleaning,
And when it is ideal to have chicks by for each class, vaccination, etc)
-What to bring to the fair and daily activities
-Important dates/ times for poultry (when you bring birds in, show times, when they are released, etc)
-showmanship
-judging (what to wear, what do you do)
-end of the fair tasks
-state fair
There is no cost to attend this workshop. Please register at Poultry Workshop
Horse Schooling Show - July 16
Excited for the County Fair Horse Show? Come prepare yourself for the show by attending the Horse Schooling Show on Tuesday, July 16, beginning at 6:00 pm at the Main Area on the fairgrounds! Classes will include; Showmanship, English Equitation, Western Horsemanship, Poles, Jumping Figure 8 and Barrels! Cost is $5, please bring the correct amount of cash with you, no pre-registration necessary! Any questions, please contact Barbara @ 763-234-2457.
Become an Livestock Auction Buyer
BUYERS ARE WINNERS TOO • By becoming a buyer, you reward a 4-Her for achieving excellence in production. YOU inspire youth to go on to greater success. • This is a PREMIUM ONLY auction, buyers do not get the animal. • Youth understand it is an honor to qualify for the 4-H Auction. This is your opportunity to help these youth celebrate their success and encourage them to greater heights of achievement. Livestock plays a major role in youth development and education. • Buyers lend support to the Washington County agricultural economy and the livestock industry. Animal agriculture is an indispensable base for the economy of Minnesota and the United States.
Performing Arts
Intro to Arts-In - July 15
If you are in 6th grade and wondering what Arts-In is like, then the 2nd Annual Intro to Arts-In program is for you! Come visit on Monday, July 15, from 5-8 PM during the Washington County 4-H Arts-In Encampment to see what it's all about! Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a theater workshop, visit the different majors (band, performing, and technical), have dinner with the cast, participate in group games, and help with the set!
Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions.
STEM
Outdoor Skills & Stories Day Camps - Aug.12-16
Calling all Cloverbuds! Gain some outdoor skills, learn about nature, and read fun books! Grades K - 3 (maximum of 20 participants)
- August 12-16, 2024 10am - 4pm each day
- Sally Manzara Nature Center (Lake Elmo)
- $25/day or $100/week if paid by August 1st. (Read on for more details. Scholarships available.)
- Campers will bring their own lunch. Snacks will be provided.
- Register: z.umn.edu/OSScamp
About Camp:
The topics explored in this five day summer camp are Birding, Water, Hiking, Fishing, and Camping. We will work with local guest teachers on the beautiful grounds at Sunfish Lake Park to get hands-on experience in the outdoors! For examples of the curriculum we'll be using, visit the Outdoor Skills & Stories Day Camp Guide.
Monday: Birding Day
Campers will learn how to become more aware of the natural world around them, how to record observations, and fun facts about birds in our area.
Tuesday: Water Day
The book We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom will set the tone for a day focused on learning about our natural resources and how to care for them. Lessons from indigenous educators and guest speakers will help steer youth towards new skills and understandings.
Wednesday: Fishing Day (camp location will be offsite this day! More info to follow.)
Campers will learn about fishing skills, food chains, and (hopefully) do some real fishing at a local body of water! Through interactive games, videos, and the option of a fishing trip, youth gain a better understanding of fish and fishing!
Thursday: Hiking Day
After learning important preparation skills, campers will get outdoors and explore the trails at Sunfish Lake Park. Closed-toe shoes, water bottles, and backpacks are required this day.
Friday: Camping Day
This day of camp will give youth a chance to experience camping for a few hours. We will have tents, sleeping bags, packs, cooking supplies, and more to set up a fun and educational “campsite.” Everyone will have a chance to practice new skills, keep building on what they’ve learned throughout the week, and reflect on how camp has changed the way they interact with natural spaces!
Daily fees are $25 per day or $100 for all 5 days if we receive payment BEFORE August 1st. Cash or check only made out to Washington County 4-H. All payments should be sent to the following address:
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Fees after August 1st are $30 per day or $130 for all 5 days.
Email ashton@umn.edu to learn more!
Clover News
Here's what's going on
Just this week we had -
- Arts-In auditions took place this past Sunday.
- Monday started our 4 days of Day Camps with over 50 participants.
- Wildlife Outing to Fort Snelling State Park & Como Zoo with Steele County
- Outreach programming in Cimarron and Landfall communities.
- County Fair entries are being processed and passed on to superintendents along with additional follow up with judges and planning for the fair. We are only a few weeks away!
- Continued training for Shooting Sports and Dog
Next week
- Arts-In Encampment and Intro to Arts-In
- Rabbit agility practices start
- Shooting Sports State Shoot Registrations DUE
- Poultry Workshop
- Practice Horse Show
- STEM Bell Museum & Gibbs Farm Field Trip
- Fashion Revue judging and show!
- Bonsai & succulent workshop
- Continued training for Shooting Sports and Dog
- Continued County Fair prep
ATTENTION 4-H CLUBS!
COUNTY FAIR PREPARATION SCHEDULE
Every club is required to help with cleaning before, during or after the fair. The more people present, the faster the work goes. We want to have the best quality buildings to match our high quality exhibits!
Pre-Fair Clean Up and Set Up Wednesday, July 24, from 6:00 p.m.-?
We will unpack display items and shelving to start setting up the 4-H building. Each club should bring at least one carload of workers, including people who can lift heavy things. Please bring the following:
Cordless drills (All the display fixtures assemble with the use of a drill - the more drills the better!)
Buckets, old rags and sponges
Big brooms (to sweep the walls and floors)
Something to drink! Happy Hornets Riverside Routers Soil Savers Woodbury
Hooley Hall clean up - Food Stand - Thursday, July 25 from 6:00 pm - ?
Lucky Aces
Exhibit Set Up Tuesday, July 30, 5:00 pm until finished ***new
These clubs will arrange 2,000 exhibits in an interesting and attractive manner and give the building a final clean-up. Each club should bring at least one carload of workers. Please bring brooms to give the floor one final sweep.
Forest Lake Rangers Country Cousins St. Croix Clovers
Poultry Barn Clean-up - Sunday, August 4, 8:00 pm
Poultry members
Post Fair Clean Up Monday, August 5, from 6 pm- ?
The fair is not over until everything is cleaned and put away! These clubs are responsible for cleaning Hooley Hall and the 4-H building. Each club should bring at least one carload of workers.
Cordless drills (All the display fixtures assemble with the use of a drill - the more drills the better!)
Buckets, old rags and sponges
Big brooms (to sweep the walls and floors)Something to drink!
Town of May Wranglers Independents Sunnyside
Washington County 4-H Calendar
Cloverbuds
- Cloverbuds Rule Change - Cloverbuds will be able to exhibit at the Washington County Fair. General rules can be found in the Cloverbud Information sheet.
Dog Project
- July 27-28 - County 4-H Dog Show
- Sept. 21-22 - State Dog Show
Horse
- July 16 - Practice Horse Show
- July 31 - County 4-H Horse Show
- Sept. 13-16 - State Horse Show
Livestock
- February 15 - Market Beef/Dairy Steer ID deadline
- May 15 - Animal ID deadline (Dog, Horse, Llama, Rabbit, Dairy, Breeding Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat (market & dairy) and leased poultry). Start entering your animals now.
- July 1 - County Fair registration due
- LQA Training - Livestock Quality Assurance training needs to be completed before County Fair to be eligible for a State Fair trip with an animal.
STEM
July 17 - Field Trip to the Bell Museum & Gibbs Farm (Limited to 30, register early)
Aug. 12-16 - Outdoor Skills & Stories Day Camps (Limited to 20, register early)
Washington County Fair
- July 1 - County fair registration deadline. Final selection of projects and animals need to be entered in FairEntry by this date. Late entries accepted for ribbon only.
- July 27 - 4-H General project judging (Saturday)
- July 31- Aug. 4 - Washington County Fair
Youth enrollment and animal ID deadline
- May 15, 2024
- Participation is limited after May 15 (Not eligible for champions, auction, premiums or state trips) Blue, red and white ribbons only.
Statewide Events
Virtual & In-Person Opportunities
Grow with the Minnesota 4-H plant sciences program!
The Minnesota 4-H plant sciences program is blooming like never before, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on all the exciting developments! By signing up for our listserv, you’ll receive quarterly updates packed with the latest highlights and successes from our statewide programming. Our next update is sprouting soon, so make sure you're on the list to stay in the know. With amazing events and activities happening all across Minnesota, there's so much to share and celebrate. Don’t keep this green goodness to yourself—spread the word and encourage others to sign up too! Stay connected, stay informed, and let's grow together! Sign up for the listserv.
University of Minnesota Extension
Families and youth
University of Minnesota Extension works across the lifespan. We create and support positive non-formal learning opportunities for youth. We foster resilient, healthy and secure futures for families and seniors. Extension works with Minnesotans to make informed decisions leading to better health and well-being. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/families-and-youth
Food, health and nutrition
University of Minnesota Extension improves food literacy, physical activity, food safety and healthy food access for Minnesotans and the food service industry. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/food-health-and-nutrition
Yard and garden
The best plants and gardening practices for Minnesota gardeners, homeowners and hobbyists to grow healthy lawns, landscapes and gardens. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden
Roles of Local Youth Educators
Ann Church - Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Llama, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit), Horse, Shooting Sports, Federation, Community Clubs, Fair, Charters and Finance, Grant writing, Foods & Creative Arts projects.
Megan Slater - Youth Teaching Youth, Ambassadors, Performing Arts, Resident/Day Camps, Dog, Goat, Cloverbud.
Ashton Kulesa - STEM, Project Workshops, New Families, Promotion, Food Stand, Outreach and Libraries.
Contact information is listed below.
Ann Church
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6809
churc109@umn.edu
Megan Slater
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6805
slate187@umn.edu
Ashton Kulesa
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
(651) 430-6807
Kathy Erf
Principal Office & Administrative Specialist
(651) 430-6800 or (651) 430-6803
eber0002@umn.edu
Washington County 4-H
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
(We are located in the Stillwater Government Center)
Office hours - Please call ahead as staff hours do vary.
8:00am-4:30pm (Monday-Thursday)
Friday by appointment
651-430-6800 or mnext-washington@umn.edu
© 2024, Regents of the University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this publication/material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to 612-624-2116.