Sibley County 4-H Newsletter
September 2026
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Taylor Schafer, Sibley County’s 4-H Summer Intern! Taylor’s programming knowledge, her experience with youth and her connection with Sibley County’s 4-H Families was such an asset to Sibley County this summer. We are extremely grateful she shared her time and talents with us. We were very fortunate to have her this past summer. Taylor will be heading back to Wisconsin to continue her degree this fall. Good Luck Taylor!
A huge THANK YOU to the many volunteers, friends of 4-H, parents, 4-H members and the Sibley County Fair Board for working so hard to make the 2026 Sibley County Fair a success! There are so many things that go on behind the scenes to make the fair happen and we thank you! There are many other ways big and small, that people worked together to make the week great. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!
A great big THANK YOU to all the many youth, leaders and parents that worked in the 4-H Food Stand. Also a standing ovation to our hard working Food stand Managers – Mary Nelson, Jake Elbert and Andrea Adelmann. A huge shout out also to the many people that put in EXTRA time and effort to make the Food Stand a success. The 2026 4-H Food Stand was a huge success.
Congratulations to all the 4-Hers who participated in the County and State fair! Sibley County has lots to be proud of in our youth. Here are the results from the State Fair.
4H Dairy Tour
Join us for the 4-H Dairy Tour– a unique opportunity for youth in grades 7 and up.
This three-day, two-night experience runs Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 17, 5:00 p.m.
This tour will give young people the opportunity to explore the University of Minnesota - St. Paul campus and the dairy landscape in Wisconsin.
Youth will stay overnight in a hotel with adult chaperones and be transported via motorcoach.
During this tour, youth will have the chance to explore different dairy farms, processing facilities and careers within the dairy industry.
Potential tour stops include, U of M - St. Paul Campus, Marieke Gouda, Kinnards Farm, MilkSource and more!
Registration opens in 4-H Online on July 15 and closes on September 21, 2026! Space is limited, so register early! Cost is $150.00 Scholarships will be available for Sibley County participants.
4-H Camera Camp
Youth in grades 7+ who want to explore photography are invited to join us for 4‑H Camera Camp, October 15–16 at beautiful Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie. Participants will build skills and confidence as they learn about different types of cameras, manual settings, photography elements, lighting and special effects, drone photography, taking professional‑quality cell phone photos, and potential careers in photography. Youth will spend time outdoors practicing photography concepts with guidance from experienced photographers. A camera is not required, but participants are encouraged to bring a camera or cell phone camera if they have one.
Audience: Youth in Grades 7+
Thursday, Oct. 15 10am to Friday, Oct. 16. 4pm
Location: Camp Eden Wood, 6350 Indian Chief Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Cost $50. This covers 1 night lodging, 3 meals, snacks and all materials.
Register on 4-H Online by Sept. 28. Registration is limited to 15 youth participants; a wait list will be created if registration exceeds that number. Visit z.umn.edu/4HCameraCamp for more information.
Questions? Contact Carol Skelly skell001@umn.edu or Linda Houglum hougl011@umn.edu
Beef Expo
Now that the remodeling of the Warner Coliseum is complete, the MN Beef Expo is going to be held again during MEA Break, which is October 15 - 18. The MN Beef Expo will again be hosting a Knowledge Bowl competition on Thursday 10/15 at 10 a.m.
They have slightly different age divisions than 4-H. Juniors are ages 7 - 11, Intermediate are 12 -14 and senior are 15 - 22. We would like to start practices on 9/13 at 1:00 p.m. (hopefully avoiding club meetings). Please contact the extension office if you have children interested in participating in these practices and competition. More information about Beef Expo can be found at this link.
During these practices we will only focus on Beef information. At the beginning of the year, we will start practicing the other General Livestock species.
Practices for other project areas will start up later this fall/winter. Keep watching upcoming newsletters and your email for dates and locations to be set.
What are you doing for National 4-H Week? October 4 – 10, 2026 has been set aside as a promotion for recruiting new members as well as making the public aware of all the benefits and programs 4-H offers. Here are some ideas your club can do:
Make a window display or bulletin board for local businesses.
Round Bale display
Hold a club open house or club fun night
Invite local newspapers to do a feature story on your club or 4-H family.
Interview with a radio station.
Make grocery bag stuffers or decorate grocery bags.
Write a letter to the editor.
Speak at civic organizations.
Invite friends to come to your club meeting.
Wear 4-H t-shirts.
Visit classrooms at school and pass out flyers to students.
Talk to your Commissioners and leaders of the importance of 4-H in our local area.
The possibilities are endless
A picture and location of the completed display must be emailed to Connie or Joleen by Monday, October 12. Awards will be given to the most creative, most ambitious, and how many potential members reached.
Once again this year we will be judging our own records. All 4-Hers and adult leaders as well as Federation Officers and Ambassadors are welcome and encouraged to judge records on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 6-8 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Each club is required to send at least two people to help judge or their club will not be given any awards for records. Judging will be held at the Sibley County Service Center on a come and go basis. Hope to see you there!
Horse Project Update
Congratulations to the 6 (Hunter Deno, Taylor Sommer, Taylor Bauer, Jemma Jutz, Lily Connor and Paisley Lindemann) Sibley County 4-H Horse project members that are headed to the State 4-H Horse Show September 17 - 21 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Best of luck to all of you.
Dog Project Update
Congratulations to the 2 (Lillie Adelmann and Abby Willegal) Sibley County 4-H Dog project members that are headed to the State 4-H Dog Show September 26 - 27 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Best of luck to both of you.
Pictures needed!
We are looking for photos from the past year. If you have any you are interested in sharing, below are links to google drive folders. You may be asked to login with a google account prior to uploading photos. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns in sharing your photos.
Start thinking about worthy nominees and suggest them to your club. Key leaders received applications in the mail this week, or click on the links below. Make sure all applications and records are turned into the Extension office by September 30.
To fill out any of the below links:
With a Google account
To complete this application, select File from the navigation menu and then Make a copy.
Save the copy to your preferred location.
Complete the application.
Without a Google account
To complete this application, select File from the navigation menu and then Download.
Save the copy to your preferred location.
Complete the application.
Outstanding County Communicator - Did you participate in Demonstration Day and Job Interview Contest? If yes, make sure to fill out the application.
Club of the Year - Have you been keeping track of your 4-H participation? Has your club recorded their activities? Start totaling those points to win the Club of the Year Award! Tally sheets were mailed to key leaders this week.
Chuck Yahnke Memorial Award - The Chuck Yahnke Memorial Award is supported by an endowment held at the University of Minnesota Foundation on behalf of Minnesota 4-H. Chuck’s family and friends established the endowment in 2021 to recognize outstanding young people for their participation in the Sibley County 4-H youth development program.
4-H Records and Club Secretary books are due to the Extension Office by September 26 to be judged during 4-H week.
Club Treasurer reports and check books along with the Club Charters are due to the office by October 31. Reminder: all 4-H Officers and volunteers listed on the club charter must be re-enrolled and approved in 4-H online before the club charter will be approved by the state.
4-H Graduates
If you graduated from high school in 2025, this is your last year in 4-H. If you graduated this year, 2026, you are eligible to graduate from 4-H this year or next. You must let the office know if you are done this year so you can be acknowledged at the Awards Night Ceremony. We are also looking for the Outstanding Graduate and would like you to submit an application and return it before September 30.
Re-Enrollment in 4-H Online and Volunteer Screening
Re-enrollment through 4-H online starts on September 15. Please make sure to verify address, email, phone numbers and medical information is correct. Shooting Sports Members will need to have a parental consent form signed.
Volunteers need to renew their Safety of Minors training every three years. You will receive an email from the state if you need to get renewed.
Project Meeting
Project meetings are a great way for 4-H members to learn more about their projects. Project meetings can happen in the club or on the county level. If you have ideas for project meetings that you would like to see, or if you or someone you know is interested in teaching a project meeting, please let Connie know. The fall and winter months are a great time to hold project meetings and now is the time to get those meetings scheduled.
All meetings will be held at the Sibley County Service Center in Gaylord. Youth are strongly encouraged to attend all meetings, we need your inputs.
Animal PDC Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 17 starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sibley County Service Center. Decisions on future shows, such as judging criteria, herdsmanship, stalling and the many other areas of running a good contest and animal programs are discussed at these meetings. Poultry will have a separate meeting on October 1.
Food Stand Meeting will be held on Monday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m. We will discuss how this year went, and if we need anything for next year.
Federation Meeting will be held on Monday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m. The 2026 - 2027 Federation Officers and East End Advisors elections will be held at this meeting. Delegates from each club will elect next year's officers, please make sure EVERY CLUB HAS A REPRESENTATIVE AT THIS MEETING!
The new 4-H year brings exciting new opportunities for you to step forward as a leader. Why run for county office? You get to work with other youth and adult leaders to play an important role in the decisions regarding Sibley County 4-H. The experience prepares you for leadership positions in your school, college and community. It looks wonderful on a scholarship application or resume.
Candidates are being sought for president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter and photographers. Be in on the decisions and help set the pace for Sibley County 4-H. All youth 8th grade and older are eligible to seek office.
Officers must have completed 8th grade.
A 4-Her may hold a Federation Office a maximum of three years, but not the same office.
All Federation Officers are automatically Sibley County Ambassadors and must complete Ambassador requirements.
All candidates need to be present at elections unless otherwise excused.
Officers should complete the application that was emailed and return by Friday, September 25, 2026!
We’ll also be electing two advisors from the East End. Adult Federation Advisors attend all Federation Meetings. They are frequently consulted for county 4-H advice on program areas, foundation information and budget. They share ideas for improvements or changes within the county program. In addition, advisors assist with Awards Night and are encouraged to promote 4-H whenever possible. Current East End Advisors are Nathan Latzke and Ashley St. John.
If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Connie at the Extension Office.