Animal Id's are Due May 15!!!!
If you will be picking up large amounts of ear tags please contact the office ahead of time so we can have them ready for you when you stop into the office to pick them up!
If you have any troubles with entering them into 4-H Online please contact the Extension Office 507-836-6927!
Storm Spotter Training
Nobles & Murray County Emergency Management are very pleased to host this years Nobles/ Murray Severe Weather Awareness & Spotter Training on Thursday April 27th, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at MN West Community College 1450 Collegeway, Worthington, MN. Peter Rogers from the National Weather Service is scheduled to provide this valuable training.
Please register by April 21st by contacting Carl Nyquist, Murray County Emergency Management, 507-836-1111 or cnyquist@co.murray.mn.us or contact the Extension Office 507-836-6927 or mschreie@umn.edu to register.
This training is free!!
Becoming a Volunteer to Transport Livestock to State Fair
The County Fair and Minnesota State Fair will be here before we know it! It isn’t too early to start thinking about livestock projects and transportation to and from the fairs. In 2023 Murray County 4-H is highly encouraging adults who may possibly transport livestock to and from the Minnesota State Fair to become screened adult volunteers. This process is free and easy!
We have decided to highly encourage this due to the loadout at the State Fair becoming a safety issue the last several years. If you are assisting with loadout and an accident were unfortunately to occur at the State Fair and you are a screened volunteer, you would be covered under Minnesota 4-H’s insurance. If you are not a screened volunteer unfortunately you could be found liable. Even if your child is an actively enrolled 4-H member participating at the State Fair, you still must be a screen volunteer to be covered. We hope something like this never happens, but we are trying to look out for our families and cover them the best we can in the event an accident was to ever accidently occur.
In order for your adult volunteer application to be approved in time for the Minnesota State Fair your application is due to the Extension Office by July 1st. A Paper form is required. Filling out the application in 4-H Online will not be accepted!!
Please follow the link to obtain a copy of the form or stop into the Extension Office to pick up a copy. When you follow the link you will also find the instructions on how to complete the rest of the volunteer application process!
We thank you for you cooperation and please contact the Extension Office if you have any questions!
2023 Ag Robotics Challenge!
Are you interested in learning about robots? Are you up for some fun challenges? If so, sign up and participate in a local county 4-H robotics program and begin to prepare for the 4-H SW Robotics Agriculture Challenge! Learn about coding and building specific robotics to compete in the New challenge for 2023! Murray County will be hosting robotics practices on Mondays in May from 3 to 5 p.m. for grades K - 6 and May 1 and May 15 from 5 to 7 p.m for youth in grades 7 and up . If you would like to participate in the event but cannot make the practice times, contact Kim to check out a robot kit and what areas you need to prepare for.
Event Details
WHO: Grades 3- 8
WHEN: June 7, 2023
TIME: 9 am -11:30 am
WHERE: participate in one of three locations: Morris, Redwood Falls or Slayton
COST: Free!
Form a team of 3- 5 members or come as an individual and we will place you on a team that day!
We will have Edison robots available to use for the challenge that day.
Check with your local 4-H Extension Educator on the availability of these robots to practice with!
To register, go to 4-H Online and under events, find “Ag Robotics Challenge.”
Deadline to register is June 1, 2023
Cloverbuds! You are invited to join us at the Ag Robotics Challenge for a hands-on session geared just for you in robotics through coding, circuits, wiggle bots, plus more!
Lake Shetek 4-H Camp Registration is Now Open!
4-H Camp is a great way to have fun outdoors and meet new friends! This multi-county 4-H Camp will be held in the southwest region on the shores of Lake Shetek at Shetek Lutheran Ministries. Youth who have completed grades 3-6 can choose one of two camp sessions (three days/two nights).
- Camp Session 1: Monday, June 19 at 1 p.m. - Wednesday, June 21 at 10:45 a.m.
- Camp Session 2: Wednesday, June 21 at 1 p.m. - Friday, June 23 at 10:45 a.m.
Grades 3-6 (completed as of June 2023)
Cost: $150. Murray County Federation pays for 75%. Murray County 4-H families owe $37.50
Registration fee includes meals and lodging for three days/two nights, supplies and a camp T-shirt. 4-H is committed to ensuring everyone can experience camp. Check with your local 4-H Extension educator about scholarship opportunities.
Late registrations accepted until May 27, 2022 at a $175 registration fee
Camp registration is handled through 4-H Online, our membership database. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact your local Extension Educator.
Bring a friend! Non-members are welcome, but will need to enroll in 4-H Online first; club membership is not required. Select “In Person 4-H Camp/Event” as your club option to register for this event.
Registration is due in 4-H Online by May 10th!
For more information please go to the 4-H Camps page on the Extension Website
LQA&E Reminder
Murray County 4-H members requiring renewal or initial training should have received a letter in the mail. If you did not receive a letter in the mail and believe you may need LQA&E training please contact McKenna mschreie@umn.edu or 507-836-6927. If you received a letter in the mail and you don't need LQA&E training we apologize for the inconvenience!! For complete policy details: https://z.umn.edu/LQAEpolicy
Murray County will be offering in-person Level 1 and 2 for anyone requiring the training. Register through 4-H Online (go to Events) Sign In (4honline.com)
Ag Academy: Passion to Career
4-H and FFA are hosting Ag Academy: Passion to Career, a three-day, two-night camp for youth in grades 7-11 at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn., from June 22-24.
Youth will have an opportunity to explore careers in agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) while experiencing a college campus and touring local industries.
College professors and industry leaders will provide hands-on learning experiences on animals, communications, agronomy and more.
Audience
Youth in grades 7-11.
Cost
TBD - will be announced in April
Registration
Registration opens in 4-H Online on April 17. For registration assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact Katie Johnson at kwending@umn.edu.
4-H Regional Llama/Alpaca Show
4-H Regional Llama/Alpaca Show will take place on Saturday, July 15, 2023
Sponsored by Southwest MN 4-H Llama/Alpaca Project Club
• Performance (Obstacle & Public Relations)
• Showmanship
All 4-H Members grade 3 and up and enrolled in 4-H Llama/Alpaca are welcome to join us. Everyone will receive a ribbon. Judging will be done by volunteer judges.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The show starts at 10:00 a.m. Cost: $5.00 per animal. This will be a trailer show. There will be no stalling available. Come and join us for a fun and educational experience to get ready for your local shows & State Fair. This will be a great opportunity to show with other 4-H members from other counties. A free will donation lunch will be served. Bring your own beverages, snacks, chairs, & canopy.
For more information contact Sam Jens, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Lyon County Jens0593@umn.edu or 507-532-1310
On My Own
We are excited to offer a new virtual series to prepare youth in grades 3 -6, who are now or
will be staying home on their own.
This class will be held in three virtual sessions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on:
● Thursday, April 27
● Thursday, May 4
● Thursday, May 11
Topics will include:
● Emergency situations
● First aid checklist
● Kitchen safety
● Fire safety
● Making a 911 call
● Internet safety
We will make a home fire escape plan, review questions to ask with parents before staying
home alone and many more activities.
Registration is due April 17. Register for this free event in MN.4Honline.com
Questions? Email Becky Moe, moexx045@umn.edu or Stacy Hall, smhall@umn.edu
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Update for Small Flocks
Are you a small, urban or backyard flock owner?
Join University of Minnesota Extension - Poultry and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health for a webinar about what is happening in Minnesota with highly pathogenic avian influenza on April 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Register z.umn.edu/HPAIupdate2023
Environmental Service Project
In honor of Arbor Day, for April's challenge you are encouraged to plant trees in your community. Planting trees is a way to protect the earth’s natural resources. Trees are crucial to our sustenance because they give us oxygen to breathe, reduce the risk of natural disasters and erosions, and are a big part of the habitats for mammals and insects. There are many trees to choose from, but consider what would be best for the area.
To learn more and submit your service projects check out the MN 4-H Statewide Service website at z.umn.edu/MN4H-Service!
Gopher Dairy Camp
The Gopher Dairy Club is extremely excited to present the 2023 Gopher Dairy Camp June 15th-17th. We have another fun packed schedule this year including a fun trip to Bunker Beach! Camp is open to 4-H members who have completed grades 6-9.
Follow the link below to register! We look forward to seeing you there! Registration is due May 5th! For more details visit the Gopher Dairy Club website: http://z.umn.edu/gdcamp
Beyond the Water Bottle - A 4-H Virtual Plastic Adventure for All Youth
Join an adventure that will follow Chris Clover on two different journeys. In one adventure the water bottle is recycled and in another, the water bottle becomes litter. What happens to each bottle and where do they end up?
The process of recycling can produce anything from fabric to phones and toys. How does plastic impact Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes and rivers? Learn about ways youth can be change agents in reducing the use of single-use plastics and increasing recycling/repurposing, for their family, their club, their community, their country and their world.
In session one you will use games and fun activities to learn about the impact plastics have on the environment, especially Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes and rivers. Session two will identify plastics used from the farm to the city. What can 4-Hers do in their own communities to help decrease plastic waste? Session three will culminate with the creation of a Plastic Art Sculpture project for your county fair. Your project will educate the community about this important environmental issue!
Your project may be selected to be shown at the Minnesota State Fair!
Dates and times: Saturdays April 29, May 6 and May 20, 2023
Time: 9:30 -10:30 AM
Age Range: All ages (or K-13)
Cost: Free
Register at 4H Online
Deadline to register: April 28, 2023
Supplies you will need to provide (needed by 2nd session): 8 x 10 art canvas to create on, white glue, hot glue gun, or gorilla glue (recommend having a hot glue gun or cool temp glue gun), variety of plastics (e.g. variety of colored plastic bags, plastic bottles, lids, everyday plastic items, old, small toys, straws, etc.)
Project Day Spotlight
The sessions offered this year include:
Session 1: 9:00 to 9:55 a.m.
- Fluid Painting
- Floral Display
- Homemade Cake
- Agronomy & Forestry
Session 2: 10:00 to 10:55 a.m.
- Fluid Painting
- Planter Boxes
- Flag Pavers
- Agronomy & Forestry
Session 3: 11:00 to 11:55 a.m.
- Sunflower Wreaths
- Planter Boxes
- Cloverbuds: Sun (Youth in grades K-2 must participate in this session. Participants will receive a free book.)
- Agronomy & Forestry
Cloverbuds (youth in grades K-2) are expected to participate in the special Cloverbud session during the 11-11:55 a.m. time frame. They may attend additional sessions as long as an adult accompanies them. Parents of older youth are invited to stay and help too. Most classes have limited capacity, so please make sure to register early!
This event is open to all youth (4-H and non-4-H) so bring a friend! Non-4-H youth will need to complete a health and liability form prior to attending (parental signature required). Please call 831-4022 or email deter086@umn.edu or mohrh002@umn.edu to register. Please RSVP by April 14 so there are enough supplies.
4-H county fair judges clinic
Learn to judge 4-H projects at the county fair!
Join us to sharpen your skills to be a 4-H conference judge of general projects. Lincoln, Lyon and Pipestone County 4-H Extension Educators will host this event.
Minnesota 4-H depends on the skills, talents and dedication of hundreds of adult judges. They make our county fairs and other competitive events across the state possible.
You don't need to be a 4-H alum or an expert to be a judge. You need to know how to evaluate the learning that a 4-H'er has done, and we will train you on how to do this.
For more information and how to attend please visit: https://extension.umn.edu/event/4-h-county-fair-judges-clinic
This clinic is free to attend!
The 2023 Engineering Design Challenge: Task, Story, Presentations and Judging For teams participating in the 2023 Engineering Design Challenge - Take Your Best Shot! Use Engineering to Achieve Your Goal
2023 State Showcase: Take your best shot and celebrate!
The goal of the 4-H Engineering Design Challenge (EDC) is to encourage creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Participants will apply their STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) knowledge and skills to solve problems by identifying and researching them, then making and implementing a plan to design a solution.
In both Level 1 and Level 2 of the Challenge, youth not only employ physics and engineering and storytelling, to create a Rube Goldberg™ type machine.
A Rube Goldberg™ machine is an overly complex contraption that does a simple task and uses everyday items in a fun or amusing way. The machine uses a series of chain-reaction steps that culminate in accomplishing a task.
Take Your Best Shot! Use Engineering to Achieve Your Goal
Teams of youth work with volunteer coaches to create a machine that completes a 2-step task designed to solve an issue connected to energy. Specific task info can be found on the challenge task, story, presentations and judging info sheet.
The Minnesota 4-H Engineering Design Challenge Showcase will be held in person on Monday, Aug. 7, at St. Cloud State University. A virtual state showcase will be offered on Monday, Aug. 14.
Start your teams now! Summer Adventures will host an Engineering Design Day June 26 to get youth interested in the challenge. Look for Summer Adventures information coming soon.
SW Minnesota 4-H SWIM 4-H
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.
Who can participate?
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.
NOTE - this program is not intended to replace swimming lessons and we encourage youth to continue to complete their swimming lesson programs.
Where: 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
Cost: $35.00/youth for Swim team
Register: :https://z.umn.edu/4honlineeventregistration under events SWIM- Seeing Wellness in Motion
Need help with registration: https://z.umn.edu/familyuserguide
For more information please visit: https://z.umn.edu/sw-swim
Bunny Barn Series
Live from the Bunny Barn is geared towards youth just getting started in the rabbit project. We'll host two workshops over Zoom.
For more information visit here
Back to the Bunny Barn is geared towards beginner to intermediate rabbit exhibitors. This 5-session series will be held via Zoom and in person.
For more information visit here
Beyond the Bunny Barn is geared towards advanced rabbit exhibitors. This 3-session series will be held via Zoom. We'll look at how exhibitors can share their knowledge and teach youth in their county all about rabbits.
For more information visit here
4-H video production workshop
Join the Minnesota 4-H video project team for an awesome summer workshop! Youth members who have experience in video creation will come together to learn from experts in the field about story development, lighting, sound, video angles and so much more.
This workshop will include four one-hour virtual sessions, a three-day in-person immersion event and a one-day film festival.
Virtual sessions
July 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 21 from 5-6 p.m.
In-person overnight session
Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. - Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Film festival
This will be held during the Minnesota State Fair - yet to be scheduled.
Audience
Youth who have completed grades 8 and up as of June 2023.
Cost
$65 includes meals, lodging, instructor fees and all activities
Register for this event by July 12 in 4-HOnline. For more information please visit: https://extension.umn.edu/event/4-h-video-production-workshop
The Great MN 4-H Seed Mystery Project Kit
Each year the 4-H plant science team creates a new project kit for youth to participate in. This year, the team has created a unique kit looking at seeds. Youth will discover and uncover the unknown world of seeds as we look at mystery seeds from across Minnesota's growing zones. Youth will be the detectives and use tools to solve the great seed mystery. The kit comes with the seeds, along with a few detective items. The 4-week virtual series will be held on Mondays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
There is a $5 fee for the kit. Murray County Farm Bureau Federation has graciously decided to cover the cost of the kit for Murray County 4-H'ers! When enrolling in 4-H online please make sure to not make a payment.
Thank you to Farm Bureau Federation for your donation to pay for the kits!
For more information and how to register please visit https://extension.umn.edu/event/great-seed-mystery
Register Now For Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO)!
Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors.
Registration for YELLO will open in April. The cost to attend YELLO is $275, with an additional $50 fee for opting in to ride the bus. Youth will register via 4-H Online.
Get Hopping with the 4-H Rabbit Project
Have you been wondering about the 4-H rabbit project? This in-person beginner's event is perfect for you! Come and learn about where to purchase rabbits, different rabbit breeds, how to take care of your rabbit, and answer any questions about showing a rabbit at the fair!
Saturday, May 13
9:00 - 11:00 AM
Lincoln County Fairgrounds, 200 Strong St. Tyler, MN
Grades: 3+
Cost: $5
Registration Deadline: May 8
Fillmore County Sheep & Goat Education Series
On May 6, 2023, following the Fillmore County 4-H sheep and goat weigh-in, there will be a youth educational series. Youth and their parents will have the opportunity to attend educational sessions. Following the education there will be a youth showmanship contest to help prepare the youth for summer shows. The educational portion will consist of 3 rotations: Veterinary Medicine – What 4-Hers need to know, Housing Requirements for Sheep and Goats – Working with What You Have, and Showmanship and Show Ring Preparation. The veterinary medicine portion will be taught by Lynn Agen, DVM, and will focus on health topics such as hoof trimming, tail docking, preventing disease and spread of disease before and after shows. Erin Cortes, UMN Extension Specialist will be joining us for the housing requirements portions. As farmers and 4-Hers we are great at utilizing what we have. Erin will help us better understand the requirements for Sheep and Goats and what changes may need to be made to existing structures to ensure the best outcomes. Dr. Travis Hoffman will teach the showmanship section where youth will gain hands-on experience. Following the rotations there will be a showmanship contest judged by Dr. Hoffman. Youth are encouraged to bring their animals to participate in the showmanship contest. This event is sponsored by the Fillmore County Sheep & Goat PDCs and the Fillmore County 4-H Federation, and is open to all youth 5-21. This event is free to Fillmore County 4-H members and $10 for youth outside of Fillmore County.
Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador Applications Are Due April 17!
Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors aim to reflect the diversity of the 4-H program. They serve as the face and voice of Minnesota 4-H to internal and external stakeholders. In their year-long role, the State Ambassadors attend local and regional 4-H meetings and events, speak and present at state and national conferences and events, visit with alumni and other 4-H supporters, and inspire youth to learn and lead through regional and state leadership workshops and trainings.
Applications are due April 17.
For more information please visit the 4-H Ambassadors Page
Below you will find a link to the new member newsletters
Edition 1 October- November New Member Newsletter
Edition 2 December- January New Member Newsletter
Kim Hause
University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County
Email: hausek@umn.edu
Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/murray
Location: 2848 Broadway Avenue, Slayton MN USA
Phone: 507-836-1144
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/murraycounty4h