Murray County 4-H Newsletter

Club leaders, please be on the lookout for an email from Kim or Mallory regarding packets.

Members, if you know you are unable to attend your clubs January meeting, please make arrangements with your club leaders or contact the Extension staff to coordinate a pick-up time for your families' packets.

Forms are due to club leaders on or before February 16!

Thank you all for participating in the fundraiser! Your efforts go a long way towards improving our program through educational opportunities, field trips, state fair trips, and summer camps!

Tags are now available at the Extension office if you plan on exhibiting Market Beef or Dairy Steers at the Murray County Fair!

Please do remember, you need to register your tag information in 4-H Online!

Please complete your re-enrollment for the 2023-2024 year, visit 4-Honline to complete this task. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Extension staff!

The family of Andrea Ruesch established a 4-H scholarship in memory of her dedication and contributions to the Minnesota 4-H program. Based on the family's belief in positive youth development, the focus of this scholarship is on demonstrated learning through hands-on experience and using what you have learned to help others (youth leadership).

This is a one-time $1,000 scholarship and at least four scholarships will be awarded annually.

For 4-H members who are high school seniors or first-year college students. They must currently be enrolled in one of the counties listed: Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock and Watonwan.

The application must be submitted by March 1.

Learn more or apply here!

There is an ANR internship open for Murray/ Pipestone County. Learn about the exciting world of agriculture, horticulture and natural sciences by joining the ANR Summer Internship Program! This opportunity allows college students to gain first-hand experience doing work that matters. If you are interested, please apply here.

Need activity ideas for your 4-H club? Check out our Youth Development Curriculum Library for fun, educational lesson and activity resources designed for youth workers, 4-H volunteers, and youth themselves! 86 resources and counting! More content is added every month. Current categories: Animals and livestock, civic engagement and leadership, Cloverbuds (K-2), environment and earth science, expressive arts and communication, family and consumer science, gardening and agriculture, healthy living, icebreakers, games, and reflection activities, including youth of all abilities, independent learning, outdoor adventures, STEM, and themed 4-H club agenda samples. If you have specific content you’d like to see, contact Jessica Russo at pier0239@umn.edu.

We are looking for youth currently in grades 9-12 to serve as counselors at our multi-county 4-H camp held at Shetek Lutheran Ministries on the shores of Lake Shetek. 4-H camp counseling is a great opportunity to grow as a leader and have fun outdoors. Please visit our website for more information or to apply!

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! Many sessions to participate in and all related to wildlife and the outdoors. Youth grades K-13 are encouraged to register and have fun on February. 10 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Redwood Falls Public Schools, 100 George Ramseth Drive Redwood Falls, Minnesota 56283. Park in the lower parking lot. Cost is $25. For more information and to register visit here.

Take a moment to download or print the 2023 - 2024 Murray County 4-H calendar.

Murray County is looking to put together a general livestock judging team for this upcoming year.

Looking at starting practices in early January of 2024.

Please fill out the Google Form to sign-up!

If you are interested in competing in Livestock Knowledge Bowl, please sign up on the Google Form here!

Practices will begin early January of 2024.

First practice is going to be held on December 20, 2023, starting at 3 p.m. in the Murray County 4-H Building.

If you are unable to attend, but would still like to participate, please contact Darcie Spartz.

Future dates with the regional contest being held in Redwood Falls on March 16, 2024.

Winter Round Up is just around the corner and you don't want to miss this great opportunity to connect with fellow horse friends, meet new people, learn about horses and leadership in a fund weekend camp setting! We have some amazing speakers and fun activities scheduled for this year. Josh Tjossas is our keynote speaker. He will be talking about what judges are looking for when they judge your county fair shows. We have fun opportunities to learn about programming in horse as well as dip into existing horse program areas to learn more. Oh, and did we mention there would be fun prizes! Winter Round Up is scheduled for January 19 - 21, 2024 at Castaways Club in Detroit Lakes. This is the first time we have been in the Northwest region! Early bird registration is $100 and due by December 18, 2023, but after that, registration bumps up to $110 until January 10, 2024. This event is for youth 6 grade and above as well as adults. It's always and engaging and fun weekend. You can register through 4-H Online and if you need help, please contact Kim or Mallory.

4-H club and group projects can focus on STEM, agriscience, healthy living, outdoor adventures, equity, leadership, global connection, social inclusion, the arts, creative writing, and photography. Funds can also be used for skill building, for example, a group training on building inclusiveness skills that can be applied to making club activities more inclusive.

What if your idea doesn't fit within any of these categories? Please still submit it!

February 15, 2024 - Market Beef and Dairy Steers ID due

February 16, 2024 - Fundraisers due to club leaders

March 9, 2024 - Fundraiser delivery date

Calling all youth grades K - 6. After School Adventures will be starting in October and meeting once a month in both Fulda and Slayton. We will meet the first week of October and then the second Tuesday (Fulda) and the second Thursday (MCC) from after school until 5pm. $5 per session or $30 for all seven. Sign up at here and search under events. Can't wait to see you all!

The animal science team is excited to roll out the second collection of learning kits for youth who are new to 4-H animal projects. The Minnesota 4-H Livestock in a Box series will explore four livestock species: pets (dog and cat), beef, sheep and swine.

Each box will introduce youth to breed identification, nutrition, health, care, and careers associated with each animal. Lessons and activities will be designed for youth in grades 4-7 to explore without (much) adult assistance and will focus on hands-on learning. Each box will include all supplies necessary for the lesson activities.

Beginning in early November, we'll begin marketing this learning series directly to Minnesota families. Boxes will be $25 each, which includes shipping directly to homes. Families may select individual boxes or order the entire series. Supplies are limited, so we encourage families to order the boxes they want as soon as possible. Livestock in a Box can be ordered just as if you were signing up for an event in 4-H online.

Ordered boxes will be prepared and delivered to families according to the following schedule:

• December: Pet [dog & cat]
• January: Beef
• February: Sheep
• March: Swine

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 Jan. 22, 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.

The National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H civic engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world.

At the conference, delegates have the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions and presentations to federal partner agencies and engage with their U.S. senators and representatives.

Minnesota 4-H selects four to eight youth members to attend this conference each spring.

The Minnesota delegation engages in pre-departure Zoom webinars with other Minnesota delegates, then travels together to the conference in Crystal City, Va./Washington, D.C., where they engage with over 250 youth leaders from across the U.S., U.S. territories, tribal nations and Canadian provinces. Upon return, delegates will implement their action plan to make a positive impact on an issue of interest.

Find more information on the National 4-H Conference website.

Next meeting is February 4, 2024. Be on the lookout for a message from Kim with further details.

Workshops offer a great opportunity to review regulations and safety issues related to pesticide application, as well as provide you with the latest University research on integrated pest management.

Anyone attending a workshop for recertification MUST bring a government-issued photo ID,

such as a driver’s license or passport AND your Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Card

or number. Please note you must attend the entire workshop to meet recertification.

requirements.

Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration (requires credit card payment) is available up to 3

days prior to the event at www.pat.umn.edu (please note cancellation policies). Check-in will

start 30 minutes prior to the posted start time. For walk-ins, payment will be collected by

checks only, payable to “University of Minnesota”.

Workshop topics this year include Pesticide Laws and Regulations, Personal Protective

Equipment, Planning a Successful Pesticide Application, and Current Pest Issues and Integrated

Pest Management.

Explore the wonderful world of animal science through hands-on activities and guest speakers. We’ll learn about beef cattle, swine, horses and chickens from industry professionals as we tour their facilities. Sessions will be held on Saturdays in January (6, 13, 20, 27). After each lesson, youth can work on at-home activities. Then, email a picture of your child(ren) with their completed project to mohrh002@umn.edu!

Youth have the opportunity to sign up for individual sessions or all four sessions, depending on their interest. All youth in grades K-3 are invited to attend these sessions and must complete 4-H online enrollment. Sessions will be held via Zoom from 10-10:30 a.m.; links will be provided once registration is complete.

Registration is free and can be completed here.. You only need to register once and can attend any or all sessions. For assistance, read this guide or contact Kelly Dahlke at dahlk124@umn.edu .

Jamie Opdahl is our newest Murray County 4-H volunteer!

Jamie was previously active in 4-H and has decided to be a leader for the Badger Lake 4-H club with her husband Chris (Buck) Opdahl.

Thank you for your willingness to give back!

In this photo challenge, youth are encouraged to take five photos of their life between December 15 and January 15. From their five photos, youth should select one photo and write 1-2 sentences stating why it’s special to them. Youth should submit all five images (with no or minimal editing) and their statement explaining why the chosen photo is important in one email to fourhphoto@umn.edu by 11:59 p.m. on January 15.

Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County

📍2848 BROADWAY AVE ☎️(507)-836-1144 ✉️hausek@umn.edu

SLAYTON, MN 56172

Administrative Assistant, Murray County Extension

📍2848 Broadway Ave ☎️ 507-836-6927 ✉ carl5049@umn.edu

Slayton, MN 56172

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