Chisago County 4-H Bi-Weekly News

Happy Friday!

I would like to remind everyone to re-enroll in 4-H Online for the 2023-2024 year! Please see the following link for help, if needed:

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QF9641ZSv1CblNAknlhWNqpMxBjJb5B_mje4FXTEscA/edit?usp=sharing

As if this mild winter couldn't get any crazier, Punxsutawney Phil just let us know that we'll have an early spring on top of this warm weather! Though, with these temps, I'd be willing to bet we have a really early spring!

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped out with Winter Workshop last Saturday to make it a rewarding and fun experience for our 4-Hers. I hope that all of the youth who attended feel like they have some new projects for the fair this year to get started on! We have some other learning opportunities coming up this month, so make sure to check out those detailed below!

Have a great weekend!

Josiah

As always if you need help please contact the office. Our hours are M-F 8-4:30 pm*. Please call to make sure someone is in the office to help you, at times our schedules lead us out of the office.

*NOTE: Josiah is only in office Monday-Wednesday. He can still be reached by email (colex300@umn.edu) on Thursday and Friday.

A couple of weeks ago, a link to a survey was sent out regarding programming in Chisago County. Thank you to those of you who responded and shared your opinions, but I am still looking for responses!

This is your chance to let your voice be heard on what kind of programs you would like to see in your county and help me to plan programs and events that everyone can attend and enjoy!

I invite volunteers and 4-Hers alike to fill out this form to get truly rounded out feedback. Parents/Guardians, feel free to fill out this survey by asking your 4-Her the questions on the survey and fill in their answers accordingly.

This survey should take you 5-10 minutes to complete. I'll be including this survey in the next couple of newsletters to get as many responses as possible, so if you don't get around to it anytime soon, know that you will have time to do so in the future.

Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and win some 'knock your socks off' knowledge at this fun-filled event. The Chisago County NEW Livestock Club is hosting this amazing , interactive learning opportunity to support the Livestock PDCs goal of strengthening opportunities and communications between the livestock species

• February 6, 2024
• Chisago County Community Center
• 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
• Register on 4-H Online

Do you have a passion for poultry and creating an enriching show experience for youth in the project? Then you may be perfect for the position of Poultry Superintendent!

If interested, you should be knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about the poultry project and have a wide understanding of poultry, in general. You will be responsible with coordinating the poultry show at the county fair to ensure that youth are provided with a rewarding, educational experience to present their poultry project.

If you have any interest or questions, please email colex300@umn.edu, or call the office at 651-277-0151.

• February 06, 2024
• 6:30 pm
• Chisago County Extension Office

Our cafe committee will be meeting soon to discuss the upcoming fair! If you would like to attend or have any questions about involvement in helping with the cafe, please email colex300@umn.edu, or call the office at 651-277-0151.

Chisago Air Rifle/Pistol registration is open. Spring classes are Saturdays 9-11 am March 16, 23, 30 April 6, 13 in Almelund.

Air Rifle/Pistol is for grade 6 and up after taking either 4H BB classes or having a firearms safety certificate.

Fee covers all equipment. Coaches are certified. The venue is not heated. Places are limited and youth must be 4H members.

• Date: February 24, 2024
• Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church in Almelund
• Time: 9:30 AM to 3 PM
• Registration Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Need waist and hip measurements for pattern provided with reg.)
• Limit: 12 4-Hers
• Cost: $20
• Supplies Needed: Sewing Machine and Manual (If need machine, let office know), Sewing Basket with Scissors, Pins, measuring tape, etc. Fabric will be provided unless you want to bring your own. (Need 100% woven cotton and let committee know)

Pizza lunch and snacks are included. Come ready to have some fun and bring your positive attitude!!!! There will be prizes. Any questions, call Gwen at 651-674-8568 or Ann at 651-583-3320.

Parents and grandparents are always welcome, just let us know you are coming, so we can plan the numbers for lunch. Cloverbuds you will need to have an adult with you to do this project.

Contact the office to register!

Pick up for all orders is planned for the final Saturday in February, the 24th.

More information on pick-up is coming soon, stay tuned!

Join us for this learning opportunity from a Purina Nutritionist as we focus on dairy and meat goats' nutritional needs, how they are similar, and how they are different! Learn about what dairy goats need more or less of to make the best milk, what do they need for the most milk. What do meat goats need to grow faster or slower to manage growth. We will also talk about crossing over to other animals. Things like if we are feeding the same feed to our dairy goats and dairy cows should we add something to one or the other to offer a more complete diet.

• Wednesday, February 28
• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Chisago County Community Center
• Pizza provided!

Please RSVP to the office to help with the pizza order and if you have dietary concerns.

Join us on the following date for a fun, wood pallet project! Contact the 4-H office to register!

March 21st

• Hat Rack
• $35

It’s FREE tree time! Chisago County 4-H is partnering with Neighborhood Forest to provide free trees for 4-Hers to plant during Earth Week. Parents/guardians, sign your 4-Her up for a free tree by March 15th! Trees are set to arrive in time for Earth Day 2024. More information regarding when you can come and pick up your tree will come in the coming months! #EarthDay2024

Sign up using this link: https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-registration/?school=65428

Want to learn about or show an animal, but you don't own one? Take advantage of the 4-H animal leasing program!

You'll gain valuable hands-on experience managing and showing animals, and you'll learn from caring adults.

Visit https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-projects/leasing-animal for more information!

4-H is searching for adults in the community to serve as judges at county fairs this summer. Adults in these roles conduct conference judging with youth in K-12th grade in a variety of 4-H project areas. This judging experience is the culmination of their project learning experience and is an opportunity for them to showcase their knowledge as well as their completed exhibit.

Judges make county fairs and other competitive events possible. To be a judge, you don't need to be a content expert, but you do need to know how to evaluate the learning that a 4-H'er has done. We will train you to do that!

The training for new judges will be on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 at the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park from 9:30 AM to noon. To register for the training, visit z.umn.edu/2024JudgesTraining by January 26, 2024. This training is not for livestock evaluation.

This event is sponsored and hosted by Meeker, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright County 4-H programs.

Are you interested or already involved in the project areas of; wildlife, shooting sports, and/or outdoor adventures? If so, you are invited to attend this wildlife and outdoors project learning event. Join us and our experts as we dive into Bugs Below Zero, Falconry, Jerky Making, a Wing Bee, Owl Pellets, Snow Shoeing, Outdoor Survival and learn more about what WHEP (Wildlife Habitat Education Program) is.

Participation in this event will count towards wildlife hours needed for shooting sports participants.

SW 4-H Wildlife Event 2024 will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, in Redwood Falls and will run from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m Participate for just $25, which includes all supplies and offsets cost of facilities. SW 4-H Wildlife Event 2024 is open to all interested youth in grades K and up. Youth grades Kindergarten - 2nd grade must be accompanied by a helper. Invite a friend and join us for this fun day of wildlife learning!

This event will qualify for five (5) wildlife hours for those earning them to compete in the Minnesota 4-H State Shoot Invitational held annually in September.

For more information and to register visit: z.umn.edu/SW-MN4HWildlifeDay2024 or https://sw4-hwinterwildlifeevent.4honline.com/

Hosted by Isanti and Chisago County 4-H, B-BOP is a livestock learning overnight for youth in grades three through six. Sessions will be offered in dog, general livestock (beef, dairy, sheep & swine,) goat, horse, llama, poultry and rabbit. Sessions are filled on a first come first served basis. We will attempt to fill first choices for species, but first choices are not guaranteed.

We will also be offering Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics (LQA&E) during B-BOP. You do not have to attend B-BOP to attend LQA&E. Please note that LQA&E is required for all youth sixth grade and up if they would like to show an animal at the State fair or NE Livestock show. For more information on LQA&E visit the event page.

Audience

• Youth in grades three through six from Isanti or Chisago County.

Cost

• $30.00 if you register by February 9th.
• LQA&E is free for youth from Isanti and Chisago counties, and $5.00 for youth outside of those counties.

Registration

• Register via 4-H Online. Deadline to register is February 9th.

There are two leadership workshops being offered this February! Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) is a youth-led workshop for youth in grades 6-9 that strengthens leadership, communication, and relationship skills. Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) is for youth in grades 10+ who want to boost their leadership skills. Becoming better leaders all while having a great time.

This year’s theme is "3, 2, 1, Blast off into Leadership!" Youth will learn about communication skills and the intake of information through engaging activities and discussions.

BLU & TEEL will be hosted in Annandale and is an overnight experience:

• Feb. 17-18-BLU & TEEL at Camp Friendship, Annandale

BLU/TEEL Transportation Options:

• Three routes available:

• Northern route, includes stops in:

• Duluth, Barnum, Moose Lake, Hinckley, Mora, Milaca

• South/East Twin Cities route, includes stops in:

• Farmington, Eden Prairie, Cologne, Howard Lake

• North Twin Cities route, includes stops in:

• Maplewood, Andover, Maple Grove

• Sign-up here for transportation to BLU/TEEL at Camp Friendship

To learn more about BLU and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HBLU and to learn more about TEEL and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HTEEL.

Registration for the 2024 BLU & TEEL workshops is now open! Building Leadership & Understanding (BLU) is a leadership workshop focused on building leadership skills and developing an understanding of others. The experience is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors for emerging and developing youth leaders in grades 6 - 9. Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL), is a companion experience to BLU. TEEL is a leadership workshop focused on developing and advancing skills for youth leaders in grades 10 and up, and is facilitated by recent alumni and advanced 4-H youth leaders. We rely on a team of volunteer chaperones to help make these experiences possible.

BLU & TEEL are being held at Camp Friendship in Annandale, MN on February 17 and 18, 2024.

Chaperones perform a variety of roles that help make BLU & TEEL possible. You can read more about the Chaperone Role here. If you would like to apply to be a chaperone, please submit an application using this form. Or, if you have any questions, please feel free to connect with the 4-H office. The deadline to apply to be a chaperone is Friday, January 19th.

When it comes to providing your child with a life-changing experience, there’s nothing quite like 4‑H summer camp. Camp provides the full benefits of a 4‑H experience coupled with the fun and wonder of camping in the great outdoors.

Try something new at a wonderful overnight 4-H summer camp, East Central 4-H Camp! Experience all of the fun that comes along with a resident camp, with a 4-H hands-on learning twist! East Central 4-H Camp is a fun overnight summer residence camp for 4-H’ers brought to you by Isanti, Chisago, Mille Lacs, Sherburne, Carver, and Scott counties and available to all youth.

• Who: Open to 4-H members, grades 3 to 8. (Grade completed in May 2024)

• Location: Timber Bay Camp & Retreat Center (18955 Woodland Rd, Onamia, MN 56359)

• Date: June 24-26, 2024

• Cost: $190/ camper until April 15th, $200 from April 15th to June 1st

• Additional Details: Registration closes on June 1st, 2024

• Registration: Register on 4-H Online

• Contact: colex300@umn.edu or 651-277-0151

Are you or someone you know a registered nurse looking for a fun summer opportunity? Consider volunteering at East Central Camp as our camp nurse! East Central Camp will take place on June 24-26 at Timber Bay Camp & Retreat Center, 18955 Woodland Road, Onamia, MN.

If interested, or if you have any questions contact the Chisago County Extension Office for more information!

Looking for something to do this fall/winter? Check out the document below!

Ever wish you had a horse? Are you interested in learning more about horses? Join the 4-H Horseless Horse Round Up to explore more about horses (no horse needed!). This virtual series is open to all youth in grades 3 and up. We will meet weekly to dive into a new topic with activities, speakers and more! To learn more, go to z.umn.edu/HLHRoundUp by February 1.

Attention all 4-H'ers in grades 9 - 12 with an interest in a potential career in education! Join us at the Change Lives, Teach Ag Conference on Friday, March 8. This event is organized by SMSU (Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall), UMN-TC (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities), and UMC (University of Minnesota - Crookston). It aims to introduce young individuals to careers in agricultural education. Participants will engage in interactive learning experiences and have the opportunity to connect with faculty and students from the three institutions.

Interested? Please complete the online application by Monday, Feb. 5.

Successful chosen applicants will be notified no later than Friday, Feb. 23. There is no cost to participate in the conference, excluding transportation to the event. Don't miss this chance to explore exciting possibilities in agricultural education!

Youth in grades 6-8 are invited to join us as we explore agriculture around the world. You aren't going to want to miss this agriculture exploration as we travel virtually to three countries in this self-guided program with opportunities to connect with people in other countries. A kick-off event will be held via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. From there, you’ll be given access to a Google site to explore a country each week. A guide will be provided to help you explore a farming practice within each country. 4-H Ag Ambassadors will check in weekly to discuss what you’re learning along the way. This year guest speakers will share more about agriculture in the countries participants are exploring. More info will be sent out upon registration. All guest speakers will be recorded for later viewing.

Registration deadline: Feb. 12.

Learn more and register.

Come toss around some flour with us as we create a variety of breads that you can enjoy on their own or partner up with pastas, chilis, and soups, including Minnesota's famous wild rice soup! You might find a dessert bread to add as a treat! We'll learn about the mysterious chemical reactions that are part of making these bountiful breads. This series will bring lots of hands-on learning, and you won't be able to keep your hands off the dough!

Sessions will be held virtually from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Feb. 13, 27; March 5, 12, 19; April 2, 16.

For youth in grades K-13. There are no deadlines for this series.

Learn more and register.

Discover how gravity influences plant growth and observe roots in action! Join us for an exciting winter series of 4-H Science Sprouts. This opportunity is open to youth in grades 3+ who are interested in plants and science. Online sessions will take place Feb. 26 and March 25 from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Throughout this series, we'll explore how gravity affects plant life and delve into the fascinating world of root growth. We'll cover agronomy and horticulture topics tailored to the season using STEM. While there's no cost for the program, we'll share a list of optional supplies for those who want to try hands-on experiments at home. We'll send the list out a week before each gathering. Let's explore the wonders of science together in this engaging winter series!

Learn more and register.

Let's Talk about Mental Health is a 5-session series designed to provide a safe place for youth to have important conversations about mental health and wellbeing. This series demonstrates to youth that they are valued and welcomed by 4-H, and gives all youth the tools to be supportive and effective. The curriculum was created by Minnesota 4-H leaders in equity alongside local Extension educators.

Sessions include:

• Let's talk about mental health
• Words and culture matter
• A walk in their shoes (panel discussion with youth and adults impacted by mental health)
• What can I do?
• World cafe

Youth will be able to connect, share, and hear from facilitators in a safe and supportive environment online Feb. 6 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Youth can register online through 4HOnline events.

Have you ever looked out your window and wondered about the animals that share the same environment as you do? How do they stay warm in the winter? Why do some of our winged friends fly south when the weather changes and some hang around? Discover the wonderful world of wildlife around you with Wildlife Wednesdays! Join us, virtually, as we explore and uncover the fascinating lives of the wildlife.

Sessions are held virtually on Wednesdays from 7 pm - 8pm on the following dates: February 7, 21, 28 ; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17 and 24

For more information: https://z.umn.edu/WildlifeWednesdaysWinter2024

Youth in grades 3+ are invited to an exploratory learning series featuring dairy cattle and goat (meat and dairy). This is a 5-session virtual series where youth can expect fun, interactive lessons, at-home challenges, and group reflection supported by 4-H members, volunteers, and staff.

The series will kick off on Feb 5.

Learn more and register.

Do you have some basic knowledge of video creation and editing, but want to bring your videos to the next level? Then you need to join this Zoom video class!! Designed for youth in 8th grade & older who already have a baseline knowledge of video creation and editing, this online program will dive deep into creating the videos that you always dreamed you could make! In this class, you will create a video on a theme with the guidance of a professional instructor!

Deadline to register is March 13, 2024

z.umn.edu/NextLevelVideo

Ambassador Meeting:

• First Monday of the Month
• 6:00 pm
• Chisago County Community Center

Management Board:

• First Monday of the Month
• Immediately following Ambassadors Meeting, ~7:00 pm
• Chisago County Community Center

Fair Board Meetings:

• 4th Monday of the Month
• 7:00 pm
• Chisago County Fairgrounds/Chisago Lake Town Hall

Livestock Committee:

• 4th Tuesday of the Month
• 6:30 pm
• Chisago County Community Center

• February 5 - Management Board Meeting
  
• February 5 - Ambassador Meeting
• February 6 - Livestock Club Meeting
• February 6 - Cafe Meeting
• February 9 - LQA & E
• February 9-10 - B-BOP
• February 24 - Sewing Workshop
• February 24 - Cheese Pickup
• February 28 - Goat Nutrition Workshop

1. Read the newsletter!
2. Links to calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r/week? tab=rc,

• https://extension.umn.edu/local/chisago/events?local_program=3416

1. Chisago County 4-H Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/chisago

Email: colex300@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/chisago
Location: 38814 Third Avenue, North Branch, MN, 55056
Phone: 651-277-0150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chisago4H

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chisagocounty.4h/

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