4-H Forecast for Pipestone County

4-H families and supporters, you're invited! Join us for an evening of celebration as we recognize the accomplishments, hard work, and contributions of our Pipestone County 4-H members, families, and volunteers.

This year's theme is Unmask Your Talent! Get ready for a superhero-inspired evening as we celebrate the many talents, strengths, and abilities that make our 4-H community so special. Whether it's leadership, creativity, teamwork, service, or project accomplishments, every 4-H member has something worth celebrating!

Event Details:
Date: Sunday, November 22
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Christ the King Lutheran Free Church, Pipestone
Meal: Supper will be provided!

We encourage all 4-H members and their families to attend. Be sure to dress your best and feel free to have some fun with this year's superhero theme!

Please RSVP by completing the Google Form below so we can plan for the meal and evening's festivities.

We look forward to celebrating another great year of 4-H with you. Come ready to unmask your talent and let your 4-H superpowers shine!

More and more kids are spending time alone at home. And staying home alone for the first time can be stressful! Youth in grades 3-5 are invited to join us for a three day afterschool program held on November 30, December 1 and 3 in Pipestone. The program is designed to help prepare youth in grades 3-5 who are now or will be staying home on their own. Topics to cover include responsibilities, safety, emergencies, smart choices, and some ideas for easy snacks/foods.

We will make a home fire escape plan, review questions to ask with parents before staying home alone and many more activities.

Audience: Youth in grades 3-5
Register for this free event below.
Deadline: The deadline to register is Monday, November 23.
Questions? Email Brandi Schaap at bmraatz@umn.edu

Volunteer: If you as a parent/guardian would like to volunteer to assist or know of a caring adult that would be interested please contact 4-H staff.
If there is enough interest, 4-H staff/volunteers can meet participants at the Armory bus stop and walk them to the Courthouse Community Room where the program will be held, but please indicate on the form when registering or send Brandi an email.

Are you ready to test your animal science knowledge, build new skills, and work with other 4-H members? Project Bowl and Skillathon are great opportunities for youth to learn, challenge themselves, and have fun while exploring animal science! Find more info about project bowl including resources, and overview online.

Project Bowl allows youth to build their knowledge in a specific project area while developing teamwork, communication, and quick-thinking skills. Teams compete by answering questions related to their project area, working together to put their knowledge to the test.

Skillathon gives youth the opportunity to demonstrate their general livestock knowledge through hands-on learning activities and challenges. Participants can build skills in areas such as livestock identification, evaluation, breeds, equipment, and animal care or for wildlife species, equipment, and more. Potential team coaches, parents and youth participants are invited to join us for an info session to learn more about these contests on Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn more and register below.

Whether you are a returning participant or interested in trying something new, we encourage you to explore these opportunities! More information about project areas, team formation, practices, and competition dates will be shared later in November.

Interested in participating or helping coach a team? Contact the Pipestone County Extension Office to learn more. We look forward to another great season of learning and teamwork!

Are you interested in learning about the 4-H Shooting Sports & Wildlife Program, especially the competition side of things? Now’s a great time to get involved! The local 4-H Shooting Sports Club is gearing up for indoor practices.

The Pipestone County 4-H Shooting Sports & Wildlife Program helps youth build life skills through a safe, hands-on, and educational experience. Led by certified 4-H volunteer leaders, participants learn by doing: developing marksmanship, responsibility, and an appreciation for wildlife and natural resources.

The program offers several discipline areas to explore. Some meet primarily during the summer, while others provide practice opportunities throughout the late fall, winter, and spring.

Want to learn more? Contact one of the program’s coaches, or reach out to the Pipestone County Extension Office.
Already know you’d like to participate again this year? Please stop by with a completed Parental Consent & Discipline Form and your payment.

Are you stepping into a role supporting 4-H clubs this year? Do you want to learn alongside other volunteers and connect with quality resources and tools to support your club? Join us for our virtual learning opportunities.

Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

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. Registration is open now and will be available until one week before the webinar. Contact 4-H Volunteer Systems Director Jeremy Freeman at jeremyf@umn.edu with any questions. Learn more and register. https://z.umn.edu/leadertrain

Grab your virtual passport and get ready for a 5-week journey around the world! Join us Nov. 17 through Dec. 8 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. as we explore agriculture in Turkey, Ghana, and Mexico. Discover unique crops, farming practices, foods, and traditions while participating in hands-on activities, meeting guest speakers, and connecting with Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors. No passport needed—just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure! Registration deadline: Nov. 5.

We’re looking for college students who are passionate about leadership, community, and hands-on learning! Join our team as a 4-H Youth Development Intern and gain real-world experience that matters.

Financial best practices and policies, roles of the financial team, importance of youth treasurers, how to make roles meaningful, how to help treasurers develop financial management life skills, hands-on practice in completing our treasurer’s book, and tips for mentoring and supporting youth treasurers.
Dates: Thursdays, November 5 & 19
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Audience: All youth treasurers, parents of youth treasurers, and any adult on 4-H bank accounts

Applications for the 2027 National 4-H Conference will be open until November 22. 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.

Who can apply?
Minnesota 4-H members in grades 10-12 who are 15+ years old as of Jan. 1 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.

How to apply
Youth can learn more and apply using the National 4-H Conference application packet.
Applications deadline: Nov 22

Volunteers who need to renew their volunteer status this year received an email message from 4-H staff. If your 4-H Online status still reads Not-Enrolled or Awaiting Review and you’d like to continue volunteering, please follow the instructions emailed to you and listed below, before volunteering with youth. The deadline to renew your volunteer status is Nov. 15. Once approved, Minnesota 4-H volunteers are eligible to volunteer for three years with the option to renew their commitment after three years. We hope you’ll join us to continue offering learning and leadership opportunities to 4-H youth in our community! If you have any questions about your volunteer status or the process to renew, contact the Pipestone County Extension Office.

November 1 - Shooting Sports
November 8 - Prairie Grangers
November 16 - Sweet Strivers
November 23 - Ambassadors
November 23- Leaders Council

4-H Awards Night is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our 4-H members, families, and volunteers! Each fall, Pipestone County 4-H gathers to recognize the hard work, dedication, growth, and contributions of those who make our program special.

Throughout the year, 4-H members take part in projects, leadership activities, community service, and learning experiences. Awards Night gives us a chance to look back on the year, recognize member achievements, and thank the parents, volunteers, and supporters who help make these opportunities possible.

The evening includes a meal, recognition, and time to connect with other 4-H families. Each year brings a new theme to make the celebration extra fun!

Who is invited? All Pipestone County 4-H members and their families, along with volunteers and 4-H supporters, are encouraged to attend.

Why should you attend? Awards Night is about more than receiving awards. It's a chance to celebrate the experiences, friendships, learning, and growth that happen through 4-H. Whether you're a new member or have been involved for years, you are part of what makes our 4-H community special!

Watch the Pipestone County 4-H newsletter, emails, and social media pages for details about this year's celebration. We hope to see you there!