MURRAY COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER

Our Murray County 4-H After School Adventures is BACK at MCC and Fulda school districts! We have an exciting line-up of session themes this year and cannot wait to see what the youth think!

Open to youth in grades K - 6, with a $5/ session fee per youth, or you can pay $30/ youth to attend all seven sessions. Please see the flyers below for dates and times for each school district.

MCC Flyer

Fulda Flyer

Registration links are listed below:

MCC: https://2026mccafterschooladventures.4honline.com

Fulda: https://fuldaafterschooladventures.4honline.com/

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get funded to lead a real, lasting community service project! Grants focus on action over buying supplies—empower your youth to identify a local need, collaborate with community partners, and build lifelong leadership skills.

Learn more and apply for this opportunity!

Calling all aspiring babysitters!

Do you know what it takes to be a Superhero in babysitting? Join us and find out. We will cover the basics of childcare, ages and stages of development, basic first aid, and how to promote your new upcoming babysitting business. This training will be coming to you, virtually, on the following dates in November: 16, 17, 23, and 24, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

This program is open to youth in 4th grade and up.

Deadline to register is November 16 through 4-H Online.

Biggest area we got the most feedback from was the Foodstand. Comments included:

• "Smothered burrito - AWESOME!"
• "Would like to see tatortot hotdish or corn on the cob added to the menu. Have Coke products to diversify drink options at the fair."
• "Offer more readily available foods so there isn't a bottle neck impacting the flow for customers."
• "I wish there was a little more clear instructions for each shift to be ready for when the next shifts arrives."
• "There needs to be clearer responsibilities for youth vs. volunteers."

This change would include the options of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Minute Maid Lemonade and Juice(s), Mello Yello, Fanta, Squirt, Fresca, Disani/ SmartWater, Vitamin Water, Tea (sweet/unsweet), kids juice - Tum-e Yummies, Dunkin Iced Coffee, and powerade. These will not all be offered, just products Coke has available for us to order!

Do you feel the Murray County 4-H Foodstand would benefit from offering 'readily available' snack items such as soft pretzels with cheese, ice cream sandwiches, corn dogs, etc.

For training volunteers and youth for their shift at the foodstand, would you prefer a training day or more training guides placed throughout kitchen/ cash register?

Applications for the 2027 National 4-H Conference will be open October 26-November 22, 2026. This premier leadership experience gives 4-H members the opportunity to expand their skills, connect with other youth leaders from across the country, and be inspired to make a positive impact in their clubs, communities, nation, and world.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

• Minnesota 4-H members in grades 10-12 who are 15-19 years old as of January 1, 2027, and able to commit to full participation.
• Grade 13 members may be considered; however, priority will be given to youth who are still enrolled in high school.

Application Process

How to apply

• Youth can apply using the National 4-H Conference application packet.
• Applications are due November 26, 2026.

Participant Cost

The estimated value of this opportunity exceeds $2,400 per delegate. Selected youth will be asked to contribute $250 toward trip expenses and are expected to fully participate in all conference activities and preparation requirements. Youth with financial need may reach out to local 4-H programs to assist with the $250 fee.

Pack your virtual bags and get ready for a four-week adventure around the world! Join us Nov. 17 through Dec. 8 as we explore agriculture in Turkey, Ghana and Mexico and discover how geography, culture, climate and traditions shape the way food is grown and produced around the globe.

Each week, you’ll dive into a new global agriculture adventure, exploring unique crops, farming practices, foods, traditions and the people behind agriculture in each country. Along the way, you’ll hear from guest speakers, take part in hands-on activities and connect with Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors who will help bring each country to life.

Throughout the series, participants will

• Explore agriculture in three different countries
• Discover crops, foods, and farming traditions
• Hear from guest speakers and agriculture experts
• Participate in hands-on activities
• Connect with Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors
• Experience it all from home!

You don’t need a passport — just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure! Come discover how agriculture connects us across borders and gain a whole new perspective on the food and farming systems around the world.

Audience: Youth in grades 6–8, but older youth are welcome to join

Cost: Free

Registration: Register in 4-H Online by Nov. 5.

For assistance, refer to the 4-H Online event registration guide or contact your local Extension educator.

We have a couple positions open on our Murray County 4-H Livestock Committee, please spots below:

• Goat Superintendent (Adult)
• Horse Superintendent (Adult)
• Youth Members (Can represent any species)

If you know of anyone who would be a good fit for this role or would like to apply yourself, please click the links below!

Goat Superintendent Google Form Application

Horse Superintendent Google Form Application

Youth Member (s) Google Form Application

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Yes, it's that time of year already...re-enrollment for Murray County 4-H opens today! It allows you to update your family information, address, email, etc. This is also the time to select your primary club with the option the enroll in a secondary club (for example Horse Club or Llama/ Alpaca Club). Staff want to make sure you are getting the information you need and answer any questions you may have!

Every year, starting September 15, each youth from Cloverbud to grade 13 need to be enrolled. Families can do that by visiting https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in. Update all the info, share any new project areas you might be interested in learning about so you can receive the appropriate emails throughout the year regarding information and deadlines for those particular project areas.

Here is a 4-H Online 'Tip Sheet' for enrolling/ re-enrolling to help with the process offering step-by-step instructions.

Volunteers need to be updated every third year. You should have received a message prior to September 15 if it's your year to renew. It will include directions as well as the link https://4-h-volunteer.extension.umn.edu/welcome-or-renew/renew. If it's not your year, 4-H staff will handle the rollover for you.

Thank you for taking the time to do this - the sooner your enrollment gets completed, the less emails and reminders you will receive.

Thank you for making Murray County 4-H the best it can be!😃

4-H members in grades 8+ eligible to apply. If you are a current Ambassador you do not need to apply again. Ambassadors work throughout the year on service projects, program improvements, learning opportunities, youth leadership and making Murray County 4-H the best program around. Interested in joining, we would love to have you join us. Need to know more about the ambassador program - reach out to Kim. https://z.umn.edu/MC4HAmbassador26-27

November 1 at 1 p.m. is our next meeting - join us at the Murray County Courts Meeting Room to assemble leadership kits for our local clubs!

Each year, 4-H asks you to reflect as a member, adult, or volunteer about your time in Murray County 4-H and the year that we just completed. How about your plans for the upcoming year? Share your goals with county staff and be recognized at our annual awards banquet for being a goal setter.

https://z.umn.edu/2026-2027Membergoals

https://z.umn.edu/2026-2027VolunteerAdultGoals

Please take a moment to download or print the 2026 - 2027 Murray County 4-H calendar.

We have an app available that provides easy access to all things Murray County 4-H and Fair season!

Please take the time to download and utilize for access to show programs, stalling survey, Foodstand menu and so much more!

Available in the Apple App Store or Google Play! Search 'Minnesota 4-H' to download!

With a new year, that means new scholarship opportunities are available for high school seniors and college students. Please take the time to check out the scholarship site, to learn about upcoming opportunities this spring.

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.

Join the Murray County 4-H Ambassadors! We meet typically once a month for leadership opportunities, youth engagement, ambassador outings, and service projects. Youth in grades 8 and up are invited to join the Murray County 4-H Ambassadors. Fill out the attached link

https://z.umn.edu/MCAmbassador

Or feel free to join us to learn more.

Please send a warm welcome Carl Nyquist as an official 4-H volunteer within Murray County 4-H. Carl's family participate with the Currie poco-a-poco 4-h club and Carl was brave enough to chaperone at the state fair for livestock encampment.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Contact the Extension staff at (507)-836-6927.

We would love to see the positive impact you could make in our program!

Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County

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

SLAYTON, MN 56172

Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County

📍2848 BROADWAY AVE 📞(507)-836-1145

✉️thoms531@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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