Douglas 4-H Buzz

Do you have gently used show equipment—halters, lead ropes, grooming supplies, buckets, pans—or show clothes and other items that fellow 4‑H members could use for their animal science projects? The 4‑H garage sale is the perfect place to pass those items along while helping us raise funds for a much‑needed new roof on the 4‑H food stand. Sale is Friday and Saturday, May 8-9. Bring donations to the Extension office or if you have a full load, swing by the Extension office and we'll give you a key to bring your items to the food stand. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Please see this list of wanted items. We also need reusable bags and brown paper bags for this sale.

Families enrolled in beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, llama/alpaca and/or swine, will soon receive an important mailing detailing the animal ID process, supporting information, link to order tags and deadline requirements. Families are responsible for registering animals in 4HOnline or seeking assistance from Extension staff before the ID deadline of May 15. Please don't wait until the last minute and plan ahead so you don't miss this important state deadline. You will not be able to register animals after the deadline as the database locks family entry after May 15. If you have questions, please contact the office at hintz010@umn.edu, jkokett@umn.edu or 320-762-3890.

Are you interested in learning more about pests, weeds, and how to help crops grow their best? Then you might really enjoy crop scouting! Crop scouts study fields closely, looking for signs of stress, disease, insects, or anything else that might affect plant growth. They combine what they see with information about weather and crop care to make smart predictions about how the plants will grow. Check out the 4-H/FF crop scouting page for more information.

The Extension office is starting a list of those interested in participating. If you’d like to be included, please call 320‑762‑3890 or email us at mnext-douglas@umn.edu so we can add you to our crop scouting communications.

For over 55 years, the Minnesota 4-H state ambassador program has offered leadership and civic engagement to 4-H members and their communities through service, promotion and education across the state. Ambassadors are role models for other 4-H'ers, and they serve as positive representatives of the Minnesota 4-H program. They represent a diverse group of 4-H projects, programs and areas of the state. Douglas County 4-H has a long history of 4-H members serving as state ambassadors.

Information about the application process is located here.

• Apply to be a Minnesota 4-H state ambassador if grades 11-13 for the 2026-2027 school year. Applicants must be enrolled in Minnesota 4-H throughout their July-June term.
• April 6 - 4-H state ambassador information session
• April 15 - Applications due by 11:59 p.m.

Is your dog running the house?

Want to learn how to care for and train a dog?

Tackle leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork?

Compete in a 4-H dog show?

Create a bond with you and your dog?

The Douglas County 4-H program is offering dog obedience training starting in April for youth cloverbud and up. Trainers cover obedience, rally, showmanship and agility.

Check out these links for full details:

4-H Dog Training Flyer

4-H Dog Training Schedule

4-H Dog ID (completed, signed by vet and submitted to Extension prior to attending)

4-H dog lease form

Do you want to participate in dog training but don't have a dog or maybe your dog is retired from training? Sharon Haider's dog Dulce Vida, call name Dulce ( pronounced Dool-say) or Du for short would love the extra exercise and challenge of dog training. Dulce just turned 2 on March 13, is a great family dog, and will definitely get along well with a loving handler and partner. She is medium size Brittany and an energetic field dog that loves to run. She is looking forward to finding a new BFF doing agility, rally or possibly obedience. If interested in leasing to participate in training, contact Sharon at 320-420-6131 or sharonhaider@gmail.com.

The annual 4-H rabbit fun show will be Sunday, April 26 at the Brandon Auditorium in Brandon. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and judging at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $ 3 per rabbit entered. Medallions awarded. There will be food stand, door prizes, silent auction and Rabbit Tracks on site selling supplies and equipment. Be sure to mark your calendar, you don't want to miss out!

You are invited to learn more about tack and saddle fitting at our clinic. Bring your horse and tack to have everything fitted correctly and learn about the different options available, and allowed, under the Minnesota 4‑H Horse Rule Book. Angie Barrows from Blairview Saddle Shop will be on site to help evaluate your tack and ensure it fits properly. Angie grew up participating in fun shows, trail rides, 4-H and now shows WSCA. Angie has 25 years of experience at Blairview Saddle Shop and loves helping people get everything they need for their four-legged friends.

Clinic will be held Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 p.m. at the Dan Neller Horse arena at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Registration deadline is Monday, May 11. There is no cost for 4-H members.

Come learn from our guest clinicians as they share their expertise in western pleasure, ranch pleasure, horsemanship, and games. They’ll offer insights, tips, and guidance on all things horse. We’ll also have a special guest providing a pony cart demonstration, plus a fun hands‑on activity where you can create a stall decoration for the fair or for home.

Join us on June 13 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Dan Neller Horse Arena at the fairgrounds. A pizza lunch will be provided. Our guest clinicians include Amy Brekke, Douglas County 4‑H alumni and horse project volunteer, along with Eliza Chyba and Kimberly Meyers.

This event is free and open to riders of all levels. Cloverbuds must follow Cloverbud policies. Registration deadline is Monday, June 8.

Pope County 4-H is hosting a LQA&E training this summer on June 2 from 1-4 p.m. LQA&E (Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics) is required for all state fair exhibitors to have completed prior to animal arrival at their county fair. Don’t wait, check out details at https://z.umn.edu/pope4hlqae and make sure to register by the May 27 deadline.

We're not joking when we say these day camps fill quickly! Register now to secure your spot for these popular day camps planned and run by the 4-H summer intern and youth day camp counselors. Register in mn.4honline.com now, once limited spots are full, registration closes. Please refer to this registration guide or contact the Extension office if you need assistance.

Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• July 8 - Spruce Hill County Park, Miltona - Outdoor Adventure
• July 15 - Brandon Lions Park, Brandon - Animal Adventure
• July 22 - Legacy of the Lakes Museum, Alexandria - Water Adventure
• July 29 - Curtis A Felt Memorial Park - Create Adventure

Cost is $5 per camp per youth. Payment can be dropped off or mailed to our office at 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN (2nd floor of the courthouse) at time of registration. After hours drop box is located at the south entrance; label the envelope Douglas County 4-H and indicate what payment is for. Space is limited to first come, first served, spot is secured once registered and payment is received.

Jump into hands‑on ATV fun, build your very own first‑aid kit, and learn simple ways to help in an emergency. Join us Thursday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Spruce Hill County Park located at 13148 Spruce Hill County Park, Miltona, MN 56354. Create a color‑changing UV bead bracelet while discovering how to stay safe in the sun. Explore plant and wildlife safety, spot toxic plants, learn what to do in a wildlife encounter, and keep track of it all in your trail‑awareness journal. Who knew being safe could be this much fun! Cost is $5 (cash or check payable to U of M) to Douglas County Extension office. Transportation is on your own and kids bring their own sack lunch and water bottle.

Register in 4-H Online. For help registering, please refer to the event registration guide or contact the Douglas county Extension office. Registration is first come, first served. The event is limited to 20 participants. Once all spots are filled, registration will close.

Campers (currently grades 3-6) will experience a traditional overnight camp, including games, songs, crafts, educational programs, a reflective campfire and more! Camp takes place June 11-12 at Faith Haven Camp in Battle Lake. Teen counselors will lead campers in activities allowing them to gain knowledge and develop social skills while meeting new friends. 4-H staff and high-school-aged camp counselors are prepared and ready to deliver an exciting overnight camp for you!

Cost is $ 120 but Douglas County 4-H pays half that cost for enrolled members; your cost is $ 60, payable by cash or check (written to Douglas County 4-H) to the Extension office no later than Thursday, May 7! If you pay by credit card (online only), you will pay the full amount and your $ 60 scholarship will be paid to you after the event.

To register, visit mn.4honline.com, login, select events on the left and search for 4-H Junior Camp at Faith Haven. You may refer to this event registration guide to walk you through the process. If you need assistance, please contact Sarah Downhour at sarahu@umn.edu or Jodi Hintzen at hintz010@umn.edu. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 7.

Regional 4-H camp is scheduled June 23-25 at the University of Minnesota Morris campus. Youth in grades 3-6 are invited to attend this unique camp experience. Youth participate in program offerings packed with educational sessions, large and small group activities and a whole lot of fun! Youth learn new skills and make new friendships. Includes water activities, various speakers, games, evening programs and campfire!

This year's track topics to choose from include:

• Kid biologist: DNA and dissection
• Junior farmhands: buzzing barnyards
• Youth artists: sculpt it
• Lil' grillers: charcoal and chicken
• Junior performers: speak away
• Excavators: p0rehistoric pioneers
• Wild card

Cost is $ 160 but Douglas County 4-H will pay $ 80 towards this fee for enrolled Douglas County 4-H members (active status) that attend. Fee includes lodging in a secure dormitory, meals and transportation. Cash or checks payable to University of Minnesota Extension can be brought to the Extension office no later than May 9. If you pay online with a credit card, you will pay $ 160 and Douglas County 4-H will pay you the $ 80 scholarship after the event.

Register now for best selection in mn.4honline.com or contact the office for assistance. Registration deadline is May 9. If interested, refer to this guide on how to register for events in mn.4honline https://z.umn.edu/eventguide.

As we enter this season of competition, we want to remind everyone that parents, volunteers, members and guests need to abide by the Minnesota 4-H Code of Conduct while at the county fair. The Minnesota 4-H Code of Conduct applies to both face-to-face and online environments and will be enforced with 4-H members, 4-H parents and 4-H volunteers as follows:

• While participating in or attending a 4-H sponsored program (e.g. club meeting, project meeting, activity, event, learning opportunity).

• At the county fair while participating in or attending a 4-H event or while on premises used for 4-H purposes (e.g. show ring, exhibit building, 4-H tie outs, livestock barns, food stand).
• At the state fair, during their (or their child’s) assigned encampment or assigned volunteer responsibility.

Check out the full code of conduct here and contact us with questions.

It can be confusing as to what is available to do or learn about in the many different project areas that Minnesota 4-H offers, and how that might connect to creating an exhibit for the county fair to showcase what you learned. To discover more about a specific category check out the Douglas County 4-H project guide to learn more.

• It's County Fair Time workshop on Wednesday, June 10
• 4-H Mystery Trip for 6-9 graders on June 17. Fun and fellowship with youth leaders from around the area, more details to come.

Jodi Hintzen, Extension Educator, hintz010@umn.edu

Jackie Kokett, Extension Educator, jkokett@umn.edu

Douglas County Extension

Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu

Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas

Address: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308 (Courthouse, 2nd floor)

Phone: 320-762-3890

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/

Twitter: @UMNExt

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