The Fourcast

This newsletter also features some wonderful program and meeting opportunities we are offering this summer. Please review and register for the events your household is interested in.

If your household has a question or concern about anything related to 4-H, please do not hesitate to connect with 4-H staff at the Hubbard County Extension Office by calling 218-732-3391 or emailing mnext-hubbard@umn.edu.

The Hubbard County Extension Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30a - 2:00p.

Please note that the week of June 29th, the office will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 8:30a-2:00p and closed on July 3rd

As your 4-H'er thinks of what exhibits they want to showcase this summer, be sure to review the exhibit suggestions and requirements for all 4-H project areas in the 2026 Hubbard County 4-H Premium Book!

Beyond exhibit suggestions and requirements, the 4-H Premium Book also has great information to help your household be best prepared for the upcoming showcase season with information including:

• 4-H Schedules
• Exhibitor Judging Tips
• Information on Premiums (cash prizes for exhibiting)
• Descriptions of Ribbon Color and Award Meanings
• ...and more!

All Hubbard County 4-H key club leaders will receive a printed copy of the 4-H Premium Book in the mail to use as they assist their club's members navigate what it means to register and exhibit with 4-H, but your household can also request and pick up a printed copy of the 4-H Premium Book from the Extension Office.

All 4-H youth in grades 6+ who plan to show any livestock animal, including beef, dairy, dairy goats, lama, meat goats, poultry, rabbit, sheep or swine, at the Minnesota State Fair or NE Livestock Show must complete one of the two training options (Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics (LQA&E or Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA)) and submit their certification of completion to the Hubbard County Extension Office before the end of the day on Monday, June 29, 2026.

If your 4-H'er did not attend the LQA&E training opportunity hosted by Hubbard County 4-H in March, please take a look at the other LQA&E opportunities happening throughout the state to find one that would suit your family's schedule, or plan to complete the online YQCA training option before June 29, 2026.

If your 4-H'er does not plan to show livestock this year (or only plans to show at the county level), then they do not need to complete, or renew their LQA&E Training.

Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics (LQA&E) Training Requirement for Youth in Grades 6+

While volunteering is not a requirement, we do strongly suggest that all 4-H households consider volunteering their time for at least one volunteer shift during the week of the fair to help all of the 4-H events run smoothly for the sake of our youth's positive experience.

To volunteer with the 4-H Showcases, review the available volunteer opportunities in our 4-H Showcase Volunteer Opportunities document and add a “comment” with your name, or your family member’s name, for the roles you are planning to fill as a volunteer. To volunteer, you do not need to be a screened volunteer with Minnesota 4-H - and even youth can help out, too! If you are not sure what is all involved in a given role, check out the Volunteer Role Descriptions for more information.

REMEMBER: All 4-H households with youth hoping to receive a 4-H Leaders Council event scholarship to a regional- or state-level showcase event, like State Fair, State Horse, State Dog, or State Shoot, must have someone from their household volunteer with the Pre-Fair Setup on Monday, June 29, at 5:00 PM, with the Post-Fair Cleanup on Sunday, July 19, at 8:00 AM, and at one 4-H showcase event at one of the showcase opportunities (opportunities are listed in this document).

Questions can be directed to the Hubbard County Extension Office at 218-732-3391 or mnext-hubbard@umn.edu.

The Hubbard County 4-H Dog Project Training Sessions will be held on Tuesdays, April 21 - July 28, at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds at 6:00 PM in the grand stand pavilion area. Each training will build upon the last, so attendance is strongly encouraged each week! For more information on the 2026 Dog Project Training Sessions-requirements for participation and dates of trainings, please check out the 2026 Dog Project Information or connect with one of the listed project leaders!

The Hubbard County 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Program Training Sessions will be held on Wednesday & Thursdays, May 27 - September 10, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Osage Sportsman's Club (25315 Co Hwy 48, Osage, MN 56570).

Training sessions will alternate between disciplines (Pistol/Rifle/Muzzleloader/Shotgun and Archery).

For more information on the 2026 Shooting Sports and Wildlife Training Sessions-requirements for participation and dates of trainings, please check out the 2026 Shooting Sports & Wildlife Project Information or connect with one of the listed project leaders!

In the Diggin' in the Dirt Gardening Series, youth in grades K-7 will explore vegetable and flower gardening. We will dig into soils, plant parts, pollinators and harvesting practices. Youth will be able to create their own flower planter to be exhibited at the Hubbard County Fair! Gardeners will meet on Wednesdays, June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1 and July 22, from 9:00a-11:00a at the Hubbard County Extension Office. This series is open to enrolled 4-H youth in grades K-7 and is free to pre-registered participants. Snack will be provided at each session but participants are asked to bring a water bottle along for the day. Registration is open in 4-H Online until July 21. Questions-contact the Hubbard County Extension Office at mnext-hubbard@umn.edu or 218-732-3391.

The Hubbard County 4-H Livestock PDC invites all enrolled 4-H youth in grades K-13 to join us for two days filled with exploring animal science projects on Saturday, June 20 and Saturday, June 27 at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds!

We will kick off June 20 at 9a-11a with Cattle, followed by Rabbit from 1p-3p and ending day 1 with Goat from 4p-6p. On June 27 we will continue the learning fun with Swine starting off the day from 9a-11a, followed by Poultry from 1p-3p and ending the series with Sheep at 4p-6p. Lunch break is 11a-1p on both days and lunch is on your own.

This event is sure to help all 4-H'ers feel more prepared for the upcoming county fair show experience!

Pre-registration is required in 4-H Online and registration is open to all enrolled 4-H youth in grades K-13. Registration is open until June 17. There is no cost to attend!

Families and youth are also encouraged to bring a collapsible camp chair, a water bottle, and a notebook and pen/pencil to take notes-there will be a lot of great information shared, and you don't want to forget it!

Questions-contact the Hubbard County Extension Office at mnext-hubbard@umn.edu or 218-732-3391.

All 4-H'ers who plan on showing livestock during the upcoming Hubbard County Fair are strongly encouraged to attend the June 23rd Animal Exhibitor meeting. We will meet at the Band Shell (NE corner of the fairgrounds) at 5:00p. Staff will share information and expectations when showing livestock at the fair with 4-H.

Join the Hubbard County 4-H Horse Project as we travel to Deer River for an overnight training experience hosted by Michelle Jerry, Heart and Hooves Horsemanship (Lee Road, Deer River, MN 56636). This 2-day experience will take place June 24-25, 2026, and will provide youth in grades 3-13 the opportunity to build confidence, gain skills, and grow in partnership with their 4-H project horse both on the ground and in the saddle! Training sessions will begin at 9:00am each day and end at 4:00pm on June 24 and 3:00pm on June 25. Day 1 (June 24) will focus on ground control, including understanding horse behavior, safe handling and communication, respect and responsiveness, and obstacle work for confidence. Day 2 (June 25) will focus on riding, including bringing the ground skills learned the day prior to the saddle, body control and softness, confidence-building exercises, an optional obstacle work. Pre-registration is required in 4-H Online, and is open to all enrolled 4-H youth in grades 3-13. There is no cost to attend this event.

A parent/guardian will be expected to attend this overnight training opportunity with their 4-H youth to provide transportation of the youth and their horse as well as overnight supervision whether staying on-site overnight (up to 12 electrical hookups are available along with other camping options) or off-site.

Remember:

All 4-H’ers participating in any 4-H sponsored mounted activity are required to wear properly fastened ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear. Helmet use is required when mounted. This policy also extends to 4-H volunteers when they are working with 4-H youth in a 4-H volunteer role during mounted activities.

All horses attending the training must be completely ID’d in 4-H Online including having proof of a current negative Coggins test result.

Registration will be open from May 11-June 19, 2026, or until all 15 spots are filled!

Once youth are registered in 4-H Online, the Extension Office will send a confirmation email with directions on how to complete the second part of registration through Heart & Hooves Horsemanship. Questions? Contact the Hubbard County Extension Office at mnext-hubbard@umn.edu or 218-732-3391.

The Hubbard County 4-H Livestock PDC invites all enrolled 4-H youth in grades 4-13 and screened adult volunteer chaperones to register to join 4-H on June 25, 2026, as we travel to North Dakota State University (NDSU) where we will explore the barn facilities and meet with their Livestock Judging Team to discover real livestock industry practices and explore judging processes and oral reasons as we learn from animal ag professionals! Those registered will meet at the Hubbard County Extension Office (201 Fair Ave, Park Rapids, MN 56470) at 8:00a to hop on a chartered bus to travel to NDSU for a full day of learning about animal ag - from pasture to practice! The bus will return back to the Hubbard County Extension Office by 5:00p.

Pre-registration is required in 4-H Online and is open to all enrolled 4-H youth in grades 4-13. Registration will be open in 4-H Online from May 18 - June 19, or until the bus is full.

There is no cost to attend but you will need to pack a sack lunch as only snacks will be provided.

Questions-contact the Hubbard County Extension Office at mnext-hubbard@umn.edu or 218-732-3391.

Be sure to join the Livestock Project Development Committee (PDC) on June 1, at 6:00 PM to discuss happenings for the livestock project area in Hubbard County 4-H! The meeting will be at the Hubbard County Extension Office (201 Fair Ave, Park Rapids), but, if you aren't able to be at the meeting in-person, members are welcome to join virtually via Zoom (joining instructions will be emailed to 4-H households the day of the meeting). Be sure to come prepared for discussions with fresh ideas and feedback to continue to improve the Livestock Project for our 4-H members!

Join the Hubbard County 4-H Livestock Project Development Committee (PDC) as they host monthly summer trivia nights the hour prior to PDC meetings! Trivia nights will be held from 5:00-6:00 PM at the Hubbard County Extension Office (201 Fair Ave, Park Rapids, MN 56470) on June 1, July 6 and August 3, 2026, and will cover a variety of animal science trivia knowledge at each session. There is no cost to attend, and all 4-H youth members in grades 3-13 are welcome to register to attend one or all sessions throughout the summer! There will be pizza and water available for those who pre-register in 4-H Online by at least 2:00 PM the day of a trivia session.

Registration will be open May 18-August 3. Questions-Contact the Hubbard County Extension Office at mnext-hubbard@umn.edu or 218-732-3391.

A great one-stop resource that our Extension Office has developed over the last year is the Hubbard County 4-H Family Resource Folder, which is filled with key information on our local 4-H program. Within this Resource Folder is a sub-folder just for the 2026 Summer Showcases! In this 2026 4-H Showcase Resource folder, you'll find things like:

• The 2026 Hubbard County 4-H Premium Book
• The 2026 4-H Showcase Deadlines and Schedules
• FairEntry Exhibit Registration Information
• Volunteer Sign Ups
• 4-H Premium Auction Fundraiser Information
• ...and more!

There are many important dates related to the 2026 summer showcase season that your household should be aware of, and they are all listed in the 2026 Hubbard County 4-H Showcase Schedule! This document includes a complete list of 4-H shows, events and deadlines.

Did you know that 4-H'ers who showcase at the county level also have the opportunity to earn a trip to state and/or regional 4-H showcase events? Following each judging experience or show, the judge will create a State Event Lineup for their given project areas judged based on the quality of the exhibit and the youth's presentation of the exhibit. For any given project area, Hubbard County is allotted a certain number of trips, called our quota, that can be awarded based on the size of our program. These State Event Lineups will be posted in the 4-H Exhibit Hall where youth can either opt to accept or decline their awarded trip(s). The 4-H State and Regional Showcase Information document outlines eligibility for these trips as well as the dates and costs associated with each of the events. If your 4-H exhibit places within the allotted quota of state event trips, you'll need to either accept or decline the awarded State 4-H Event trip by noon on Saturday, July 18, 2026. For more details on policies surrounding accepting State 4-H Event trips, please check out the State Fair or State Show Eligibility rules on page 11 of the 4-H Premium Book.

Please note that, as of May 1, some of the costs associated with each event have not yet been updated. Those highlighted in yellow are still being finalized at this time. Please check back later for an updated version of the 4-H State and Regional Showcase Information document.

An important part of any animal science project is learning about responsible and ethical care and show practices when working with animals from proper handling techniques to animal nutrition. Because 4-H values these ethical practices, all 4-H youth in grades 6+ who plan to show any livestock animal, including beef, dairy, dairy goats, lama, meat goats, poultry, rabbit, sheep or swine, at the Minnesota State Fair or the NE Livestock Show must complete one of the two training options – Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics (LQA&E) or Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) before the start of the Hubbard County 4-H Showcases at the Hubbard County Fair. In 2026, all records of completed LQA&E or YQCA trainings must be submitted to the Hubbard County Extension Office by 11:59 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026.

If your 4-H’er in grade 6+ is due to complete, or renew, their LQA&E Training (or YQCA) certification this year in order to be eligible to advance to the Minnesota 4-H State Fair Livestock Encampment or NE Livestock Show, your family should have received an email from Educator Brooke Remer in February to notify you and invite your 4-H’er to participate in the LQA&E training opportunity hosted by Hubbard County 4-H. If, however, your 4-H’er was not re-enrolled at that time, you would not have received the message.

If your 4-H’er was unable to attend the LQA&E training opportunity hosted by Hubbard County 4-H in March, please take a look at the other LQA&E opportunities happening throughout the state to find one that would suit your family's schedule, or plan to complete the online YQCA training option for this year.

If your 4-H'er does not plan to show livestock this year (or plans to only show at the county level), then they do not need to complete, or renew, their LQA&E Training.

If you love the state fair atmosphere or would just like to take in the experience that the 4-Her's have, here is your chance! For the 4-H youth who advance to the State Fair, they have the opportunity to stay in 4-H-provided housing while at their encampment, and we need screened volunteer chaperones to watch over these youth and help provide a great experience for them during their time at the great Minnesota get together! As a thank you to our chaperones, Hubbard County 4-H will pay for your lodging (4-H-provided housing), meals (4-H-provided in the dining hall), and mileage reimbursement for the travel to and from the fairgrounds! If this sounds like a role for you, please consider completing a State Fair Chaperone Interest Form or contacting the Extension Office!

Minnesota 4-H is still looking to hire an Interim 4-H Program Associate for Hubbard County to support the 4-H program while Educator Brooke Remer is on maternity leave!

This Interim 4-H Program Associate will manage the day to day coordination and delivery of local 4-H programming in partnership with the Summer 4-H Intern and County Administrative Assistant. This temporary position has a flexible start date from May-early June 2026. View the job description (z.umn.edu/interimapp). To be considered for the position, applicants must complete the application (z.umn.edu/interimapp) and an intake survey (z.umn.edu/interimscreening).

Please send questions to Kate Holland, 4-H Interim Hires and Onboarding Coordinator, at kharring@umn.edu.

If your family is looking for more opportunities with 4-H, be sure to check out the May 4-H Clover Update Newsletter! It’s filled with additional regional and state-wide program opportunities open to 4-H’ers. As you think about registering for regional or state-wide programs, don’t forget to apply for scholarships to cover 50% or more of the registration fee as well as to reimburse mileage for families carpooling!