MURRAY COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER

Please complete your re-enrollment for the 2024 -2025 year, visit 4-Honline to complete this task.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Extension staff!

We are looking for a coach to lead our General Livestock Project Bowl team(s). If you have any interest, please reach out to Kim Hause as soon as you are able!

Project Bowl is a long-standing program in Minnesota 4-H and is the second most attended event of the year. In Project Bowl, teams of 3 - 6 youth members build skills working and thinking together while testing their knowledge in these 4-H areas: dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama-alpaca, plant science, poultry and rabbit.

If you have youth that are interested in doing project bowl in any of the areas listed above, please let us know! (See contact information at the bottom of the newsletter).

Our After School Adventures program will be held for MCC and Fulda school districts for youth in grades K - 6. This is open to all youth; they did not need to be members of 4-H to participate in these sessions. Please see the session dates and themes for both school districts:

Murray County Central

• December 10 - Elf Ziplining
• January 14 - Snacks or STEM
• February 11 - Same supplies STEAM basket
• March 11 - Size vs STEM
• April 1 - Using STEAM to grow

Fulda

• December 12 - Elf Ziplining
• January 16 - Snacks or STEM
• February 13 - Same supplies STEAM basket
• March 13 - Size vs STEM
  
• April 3 - Using STEAM to grow

$5/ per session or $30 for all seven sessions - per one youth

Please click HERE to register your kids for this great opportunity!

See flyer below for more details!

Youth leadership team members will work together to provide youth voice in 4-H animal science programming. 4-H youth in grades 8+ will have the opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate a variety of animal science programs while exploring their passions and practicing leadership skills. They will also serve as positive role models for Minnesota 4-H and animal science programs. Team members will network with peers, mentors, and industry professionals through a mix of virtual and in-person experiences.

Learn more and apply here

Landlords, farmers, and agri-business professionals should make plans to attend one of the

informative in-person meetings being held across Minnesota starting in October through

December. These free meetings are being provided by the University of Minnesota Extension.

Farmland rental rates are the largest input cost the farmer has, and determining a fair farm rental

agreement is always challenging. Negotiating a fair rental agreement that satisfies both the landowner, and the farmer can be difficult to navigate.

Are you ready to take your agronomy project to the next level? Join us for an exciting two-part workshop series designed to help youth in grade 3 and above prepare their seeds for the county fair!

Both sessions run from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Monday, Dec. 2
• Monday, Jan. 27

In this hands-on series, you will gather seeds from the fall harvest and learn the step-by-step process to prepare them for display at the county fair. Participants will be guided through everything from proper seed selection and cleaning techniques to tips on creating an award-worthy presentation. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to secure your very own display box for your seeds.

This is a 101-level class geared toward youth looking to complete their agronomy projects with confidence. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to set your project aside, knowing it’s ready to impress the judges come summer 2025!

Click HERE to register for this event!

Looking for a fun way to meet new people and learn leadership skills? Check out the Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) leadership workshops hosted by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors! BLU is for youth in grades 6 and up.

Learn more and register at z.umn.edu/4-HBLU!

• Feb. 1-2, BLU at Camp Friendship, Annandale

• Feb. 8-9 BLU at Redwood Area Community Center, Redwood Falls

• Feb. 15-16 BLU at Camp Victory, Zumbro Falls

• Feb. 22-23 BLU at Deep Portage, Hackensack

We suppose it is time for us to take a food journey through the land of 10,000 lakes! Join us as we experience some of Minnesota's popular recipes that will leave your taste buds wanting to try more! These meals will even satisfy the appetites of Paul Bunyan and Babe! You betcha we will also try some tradition treats for those with a sweet tooth! We won't forget the SPAM either...Uff da! Join us from the comfort of your home on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: December 3.

Discover the mysterious world of our old friends as we learn about new ones! Speakers, fun facts and more... Oh my!

Join us from the comfort of your own home from 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. on the following dates: December 5. Learn more HERE.

Registration is now open! Please register in 4-H Online!

Join us at the SE Region Photography Day Camp! Learn about different types of photography, what makes a good photo, how to excel at 4-H photography judging, and get some practice taking pictures. All experience levels are welcome! Bring your own camera/phone if you have one. If not, cameras will be provided. ALL youth in grades 3+ are welcome to attend this FREE event at The Grand in New Ulm (210 North Minnesota St. New Ulm, MN 56073). Contact Sydney Mitchell with questions: mitc1123@umn.edu.

More information: https://z.umn.edu/SEphotodaycamp

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.

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

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 https://z.umn.edu/MC4HAmbassador24-25

Join us December 1 to make tie blankets that will be donated to an organization of your choice!

During National Volunteer Week (April 20-26, 2025), the Minnesota 4-H Youth Development program honors its 7,500 incredible volunteers and celebrates their contributions to Minnesota communities. Throughout the week (and the program year), we will feature stories of special volunteers who share their time and expertise to improve the lives of youth across the state.

Northern Lights is a volunteer recognition program designed to celebrate volunteer impact in key priority areas for our department. Unlike other volunteer recognition efforts, this nomination process does not distinguish volunteer tenure and can be completed in about 15 minutes.

In 2025, we encourage nominations of volunteers who:

• Welcome our youngest 4-H members and families through designing and delivering Cloverbud and/or public programming.
• Create learning environments for older youth (aged 12 - 18) that improve their self-concept, personal agency, resilience and community connectivity.
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) by creating spaces of belonging and empowerment for Minnesota youth of all identities.

Please consider nominating volunteers who bring light to their local program and community regardless of tenure with the 4-H program. Stories of first-year volunteers and/or volunteers who did not participate in 4-H as youth members are warmly welcomed. Selected nominees will be featured on our website and social media channels.

Please fill out this form to nominate a volunteer you feel has gone above and beyond.

Kim Konkol is one of our newest Murray County 4-H volunteer! Kim is a familiar face in Murray County and serves on the Murray County Fair board.

Genna Scripture is one of the club leaders for the Bondin Belfast 4-H Club, along with her husband, Todd. They have four kids that are involved in Murray County 4-H.

Thank you for your willingness to give back!

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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