Clover Digest
February 17, 2023 Edition
Don't miss out on these opportunities!
There is a lot happening in 4-H and Extension! Please take some time to read this Clover Digest and let Anna or Wendy know if you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns.
In this week’s Clover Digest you can expect:
County Government Building Closed for President’s Day
Fairboard Meeting
Fundraiser: Next Steps
Livestock Interview Leader Needed
Co-op Swine Program: Interest Form
March Cloverbuds
Ribbon Sale Committee Meeting
Opportunities for Grades 3-5
Animal ID Deadline: May 15, 2023
Nominate a Nobles County Farm Family for 2023
New Vision Sponsorships
Food Stand Manager Needed
Crop Scouting Team
SAVE THE DATE: Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training
SCHEDULE: 4-H at the County Fair
Summer Intern NEEDED for Summer 2023
Scholarship Opportunities
Regional, State & National Events
County Government Building Closed for President’s Day
Fairboard Meeting
Fundraiser: Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who sold items during the annual fundraiser. We have submitted our order and delivery day is scheduled for March 25 at the Worthington Christian Church parking lot. Delivery and sorting of product will begin by 6:00 am and families can begin picking up their orders at 7:30 am until 9:00 am.
Volunteers are needed to help with order delivery day and will be essential in a successful end to our fundraiser. Please use the volunteer sign up to help on delivery day. There are volunteer slots for both youth and adults. Each club is asked to provide 4-7 volunteers. If needed the snow date will be April 1.
Livestock Interview Leader Needed
After many years leading the livestock interview process, Stacy Bickett is looking for a new volunteer to take over the project. Livestock interviews provide a space for youth to share knowledge about their species. For more information or if you are interested in partnering with Stacy this year, please reach out to the office.
Co-op Swine Program: Interest Form
March Cloverbuds
Youth in Kindergarten through second grade are invited to March Cloverbuds on March 9 at 6:00 pm in the Farmers Room. Please RSVP by March 6.
Ribbon Sale Committee Meeting
Opportunities for youth Grades 3-5
Calling all youth members in grades 3-5! We have some exciting programming opportunities just for you! Three new things we think you might enjoy are:
Animal ID Deadline: May 15, 2023
Beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine projects must be identified by May 15, 2023. Ear tags are available for purchase during office hours. Blue and purple tags are valid for the 2023 season. For more information visit the ID website or contact Anna.
Thank you to everyone who ID their market beef and dairy steers!
Please review this animal science update letter from the state regarding species specific changes and updates. Some specific changes include the addition of a fall breeding ewe lamb class in the sheep project. This class falls under the Commercial Breeding Ewe Lamb and the Registered Breeding Ewe Lamb class sections. Fall born breeding ewe lambs must be born on or after September 1 of the previous year. Please reach out to Anna with questions.
Nominate a Nobles County Farm Family for 2023
To nominate a family for this recognition please complete the nomination form. You can also review the list of previous farm families.
New Vision Sponsorships
New Vision Co-op is pleased to announce the 4-H Sponsorship program again this year. Youth who participate in Nobles County 4-H and patronize New Vision Co-op are encouraged to apply. The deadline to sign up is June 2nd, 2023. The application process is completely online this year.
Food Stand Manager Needed
Two or three staff people needed for 2023 Food Stand. The start date is anticipated as July 27 and will last until August 6. The food stand will be open at the fair the following times:
Tuesday for Judge’s Lunch (noon hour)
Wednesday: 11 am - 9 pm
Thursday - Saturday 7:30 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Compensation is hourly and has historically ranged between $13.00 and $17.00 depending on experience; 2023 compensation rates are still being determined. Total hours range between 45 - 70 hours depending on the amount of staff hired. Staff must be able to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a completed religious/medical exemption and agree to comply with the University's testing requirement. Please reach out to Anna Rose, 4-H Educator at rose1612@umn.edu if you are interested in the position by March 27, 2023.
Crop Scouting Team
Crop scouting is a way to inspect crops for potential outcomes and risks. Scouts are people who make systematic observations and predict crop production while considering factors such as weather, inputs like pesticides and herbicides, and risks such as disease and pests. Youth will also learn skills like teamwork, communication, problem solving and predicting outcomes.
Doug and Katie Clarke are excited to serve as the coaches again this year and are looking for members to join. Practices could begin in early spring and will last into the summer. The state competition is Tuesday, July 25 at the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus. Please fill out this interest form by March 1 if you would like to join a team. Invite your friends to join as well!
SAVE THE DATE: Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics Training
SCHEDULE: 4-H at the County Fair
Our schedule of 4-H events at the county fair is set! The 2023 Nobles County Fair is August 2-6. Take a look at the full 4-H schedule.
HIRING: Summer Intern
The warm days of 4-H day camps, county fairs and other fun summer programming are fast approaching. We are in full planning and recruitment mode for a 4-H summer intern!
Our summer intern will be based out of the local Extension Office in Worthington, MN and will work 40 hours a week from the end of May until just after the 2023 Nobles County Fair in August. The internship is a paid position! The summer intern is crucial to the success of our summer programming and county fair operations.
The position is open until filled. Please share this opportunity widely with your networks. More information and application links can be found at this link: z.umn.edu/4hsummerintern.
Andrea Ruesch Scholarship
Visit the scholarship website for more information about the application process. Applications are due on March 1, 2023.
UMN Extension Scholarships
Extension Development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities. Please encourage eligible 4-H youth 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. Applications are due April 1.
Regional, State & National Events
Quilt Quest
Youth in grades 4+ are invited to join us for a fun-filled quilting adventure. Participants will meet virtually, to make a quilt top using the fat quarter fizz pattern. Together we'll explore tips and techniques for quilt-making. Adult guidance is recommended unless you are an experienced sewer.
There may be supply costs: a sewing machine, needles, thread, material, etc. A supply list will be provided upon registration. Sessions will be held via Zoom from 5 to 6 p.m. on the following Sundays: Feb. 26, March 5, March 12, March 26, April 2, April 30.
In addition to the virtual sessions, how-to videos will be available for assistance. https://extension.umn.edu/event/quilt-quest-2023
Super Science Saturday: Fooling Around with STEM
Get Hopping with the 4-H Rabbit Project
Virtual Clinic: The Basics of Being a Super Sitter
We are excited to bring you our super sitters series virtually this spring. Our goal is for you to walk away with the knowledge to be a super sitter hero!
This series will include hands-on learning activities to do at home, information on ages and stages, baby well care, healthy snack ideas, and speakers from public health and local agencies.
Sessions will be held from 5:45 to 7 p.m. on March 13, 16, 20, 21 and 23.
Tasty Tuesday: Foods From Around the World
Amazing Amphibians and Roaming Reptiles
Plant Science Trivia Nights
Plant science trivia nights continue in March (3/9)! All youth in grades 3+ are invited to the fun event! Prizes will be awarded. Register on 4HOnline today!
Consent and Choice in Youth Development: Creating Empowering Youth Spaces
Join Minnesota 4-H Youth Development Program (YDP) Extension Educators Bri Hall (Ramsey Co.) and Sarah Odendahl (Pine Co.) on Tues. Mar. 14th, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM to learn more about how volunteers can create learning environments that promote youth physical and emotional safety, encourage youth to exercise choice, and support young people in establishing personal limits and boundaries. This 60-minute training is open to Minnesota 4-H YDP volunteers, potential volunteers, and youth leaders as part of our 2022-23 Statewide Volunteer Development Webinar program. Attendance is optional. Registration is required.
April 13 Animal Science Webinar
Mark your calendars for the spring PDC and animal science update webinar on Thursday, April 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. During the webinar, we'll highlight system-wide policies and processes to strengthen your animal science program, discuss updates connected with livestock species, and offer educational resources. More information on how to join the webinar will be announced soon.
4-H SWIM
The SW MN 4-H region is excited to offer SWIM – Seeing Wellness in Motion through 4-H. Youth will learn the fundamentals of swimming along with educational opportunities around health, wellness and staying in motion. Participants are encouraged to learn skills of a lifetime that go hand in hand with healthy living options. This program is open to all youth grades K - 12. All youth must be able to swim a minimum of 25 yards to participate for their safety. This program is not intended to replace swimming lessons and we encourage youth to continue to complete their swimming lesson programs.
Practice dates/times will vary depending on the pool. SWIM 4-H meets will be located in Redwood Falls, Olivia, Slayton, Tyler, Tracy, and Windom. The cost is $35.00/youth for the Swim team. Register today via 4H Online.
Events & Activities
Check out 4-H Events across the region: z.umn.edu/sw-catalog-of-opportunities
Anna Rose & Wendy Baumgartner
Email: rose1612@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/nobles
Location: 315 10th Street, Worthington, MN, USA
Phone: 507-295-5315
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoblesCounty4-H
Twitter: @UMNExt