MURRAY COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER

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!😃

Starts at 5:45 p.m. Federation Meeting to follow including budget approval (tentatively starting at 7 p.m.) If you plan on attending, please fill out the google form linked below! We STRONGLY encourage at least 2 adult volunteers from each club to participate! Meeting will be held in the Murray County Courts Meeting Room (2848 Broadway Ave., Slayton, MN 56172).

2025 Annual Club Leadership Supper & Fall Volunteer Training Sign-up

Can't make it to this volunteer training session? There are two virtual opportunities called 2025 Minnesota 4-H Annual Volunteer Training: Thriving by Design:

October 8 from 7:30 - 9 p.m.

November 10 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Attached are the flyers that will be sent home with MCC and Fulda youth grades K - 6. We would love to have your 4-H youth join us once a month for our After-School-Adventures program. Youth do not need to be a member of a 4-H community club, but do need to complete the 4-H online registration

(https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in) to participate. Youth do not need to attend MCC or Fulda Schools to participate.

Visit https://z.umn.edu/2025-2026afterschoo4HAdventures to get a flyer if your youth does not attend MCC or Fulda. Please note that each school location has different dates, so be sure to sign up for the location that best works for you.

Youth in grades 5 - 8 are invited to join us for our annual BOO BASH for an evening filled with dancing, snacks and costumes!

When: Friday, October 31 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Where: Murray County 4-H Building - 2848 Broadway Ave., Slayton, MN 56172

Cost: $5

Costumes are encouraged! Snacks will be available.

Please take a moment to download or print the 2024 - 2025 Murray County 4-H calendar.

Morgan Heezen

• Hunt Seat Pleasure (Grade 7) - 6th place

• Showmanship - Western (Grade 7) - 2nd place

• Trail Class (Grades 6-7) - 8th place

• Western Pleasure (Grade 7) - 5th place

• Western Horsemanship (Grade 7) - 4th place

Jada Jackels

• Hunt Seat Pleasure (Grade 6) - 2nd place

• Trail Class (Grades 6-7) - 4th place

• Western Pleasure (Grade 6) - 4th place

Devin S., Jensen G., Morgan H., Carli S., and Jada J., competed as a team in this years state Minnesota 4-H Hippology Competition. See results below:

Judging Team Results: 2nd Overall

Class Placings: 1st Oral Reasons: 3rd

Individual Judging (Top 10)

Overall: Jada - 6th, Carli 8th

Class Placings: Jada - 4th; Jensen - 7th, Deven - 10th

Reasons: Morgan - 6th, Carli 9th

Hippology Team

Overall: 2nd

Juding: 1st

Team Problem: 4th

Exam: 3rd

Stations: 4th

Hippology Individual (Top 10)

Overall: Morgan - 7th, Carli - 8th

Class Placings: Jensen - 1st, Jada - 7th, Devin - 9th

Exam: Morgan - 7th, Carli - 8th

Stations: Morgan - 5th

Minnesota 4-H clubs and county/tribal 4-H programs are invited to apply between Sept. 22 and Oct. 25 for a chance to receive $500 to lead projects with local food shelves, food assistance programs, or food organizations. The new 2.0 version is a leveled-up challenge, moving beyond traditional food drives to focus on sustainable impact through volunteering, resource expansion, and promoting healthy eating. Youth will also showcase their efforts by creating a digital story. This is a great opportunity for young people to develop leadership skills while making a lasting difference in their communities. Contact Matthew Keefe with questions at keefe175@umn.edu. Learn more and apply.

Murray County 4-H members and volunteers are encouraged to set goals each year to help with growth in our 4-H program. Use the attached forms to set your goals - all goals entered will be rewarded at the annual awards banquet this fall. Goals are due October 4, 2025.

https://z.umn.edu/membergoals2025

https://z.umn.edu/Volunteergoals2025

Murray County 4-H members are encouraged (but not required) to complete a record of each project area they participated in throughout the year. It is a great way to track your learning and growth throughout the years. All completed records will be rewarded at the annual awards banquet. Records are due October 4, 2025.

Each year in October 4-H clubs have to charter their club. This form helps share information regarding leadership, finances, club meetings, and goals for each club. There is a paper copy in each club mailbox, and we can mail that out if you prefer. Please reach out with any questions or assistance. We are happy to help!

Club Charter (with funds) - print

Club Charter (without funds) - print (llama/alpaca for Murray County)

Charters are due to the Office by Oct. 31, please reach out early if you need any assistance or have questions

.

In the past, charters have been handed out with club awards, disc orders, etc. These will be handed out to club representatives at the October Leadership supper. We would like to look at updating ways to recognize our 4-H youth in Murray County. We will be pushing our awards banquet back to January 11, so save the date!

Chandler Feed has selected Murray County 4-H as the recipient of Crystalyx Cares and will donate $2 from every tub sold from September 1 - November 1.

This fall, invite youth in your county to join 4-H Science Sprouts: Pick your own adventure. This fun, hands-on virtual learning opportunity is geared towards youth in grades 3-5 (but open to K-13 youth interested in participating).

Youth will explore plant science through the fall harvest with three 30-minute virtual sessions held on the fourth Monday of October, November, and December. Each session will feature exciting, hands-on experiments with apples, pumpkins or squash, and potatoes—plus the chance to connect with youth from across Minnesota!

Sessions will be held on the following dates from 5:30 to 6 p.m.:

• Oct. 27 - Apple oxidation Monday
• Nov. 24 - Pumpkin and squash Monday
• Dec. 22 - Potato circuit Monday

Encourage families to sign up soon for their adventure in plant science!

Learn more and register.

Do you know 4-H members who are passionate about agriculture and ready to take their leadership to the next level? Encourage them to join us for the 4-H Ag Ed Leader Exchange Nov. 14-15 at the UMN St. Paul campus and Farm at the Arb! This year's theme is Minnesota Grown.

This 2-day agriculture leadership retreat is designed for youth in grades 7+ and will include:

• Hands-on learning experiences
• Ag industry and post-secondary campus tours
• Communications and advocacy training
• Team building and career exploration

The cost is $75 and registration is open in 4-H Online through Oct. 10.

Please share this opportunity with your 4-H’ers and families who are interested in agriculture, leadership, and advocacy. This is a unique chance for youth to grow their skills, connect with peers, and explore future careers in agriculture.

Learn more and register.

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!

Fall adventures await at Southwest MN 4-H Fall Wildlife Day 2025! Youth in grades 3 - 12, join us for sessions on fishing, trapping, and outdoor photography. Sharpen your skills in wildlife and outdoor pursuits-counts toward shooting sports hours too. Saturday, Oct. 4 at Talcot County Park, Dundee. Register early by Sept. 30 for $25 (adults free). Opens Sept. 15 on 4hOnline. Bring water bottle, lunch, and weather gear. Details: z.umn.edu/4HEventRegistrationGuide.

4-H Clubs are invited to participate in the annual Murray County Museum's 2025 Holiday Open House at the Dinehart Holt House. Each club or group that participates decorates a tree (that is provided by the museum). This year's theme is Hunting for the Holidays! Feel free to contact the museum staff directly if your club is interested.

Are you stepping into a role supporting 4-H clubs next year? Do you want to learn alongside other volunteers and receive quality resources and tools to support your club? Then, plan to attend our new club leader orientation webinar.

This 75-minute online training is open to Minnesota 4-H volunteers, potential volunteers and youth leaders as part of our statewide volunteer development webinar program. While the content is geared towards new club leaders, anyone providing leadership and support to a 4-H members' experience will benefit from the material.

Session offerings

For flexibility, we have two available dates to choose from. The content will be the same for both sessions.

• Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

During the session, you will gain

• An overview of club volunteer roles and how to build a volunteer team.
• An understanding of the nuts and bolts of 4-H clubs.
• Strategies to design the essential elements for thriving clubs.
• Resources to use and next steps that can support you in the growth of your 4-H club.

For questions or to gain more information, reach out to your local Extension educator or contact Jeremy Freeman, volunteer systems director, at jeremyf@umn.edu.

https://umn.zoom.us/meeting/register/SPqTxWoHSUmzuNPXpuzBrQ#/registration

Cooking adventures across continents, a hands-on cooking program for youth in grades 7-12. The kickoff event will take place on Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River. Youth will explore Latin American-inspired dishes to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, engage in fun wellness activities, and connect culture, food, and health in meaningful ways.

Encourage youth to register early. Registration is open in 4-H Online until Oct. 2. Space is limited to 35 youth, with a waitlist available once the program is full. The cost is $10 per participant, which includes lunch. Scholarships are available.

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 grades 8 and up are invited to join the Murray County 4-H Ambassadors. Fill out the attached link

https://z.umn.edu/MCAmbassador

First Ambassador Event for the 2025 - 2026 year will be our 'Feed a Farmers' Event on October 5 from 3 - 5 p.m. More details to follow

Looking to volunteer with Murray County 4-H?

Contact the Extension staff at (507)-836-6927

We would love to see the positive impact you could do 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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