Washington County 4-H Newsletter
November 20, 2025
Ambassador Meeting - Nov. 24
Join us from 6-8 PM on Monday, November 24 at the Stillwater Government Center for our next Ambassador Meeting! We will have our regular meeting from 6-7 PM, then combine with the Executive Board and a guest from Rose Floral to create floral arrangements to deliver to local nursing home for Thanksgiving!
Please reach out to Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions on becoming an Ambassador.
Wildlife Wednesdays - Next date is Nov. 26
Get ready to explore the amazing world of wildlife right outside your door! Join us on Wednesday evenings for Wildlife Wednesdays, a fun and interactive virtual series where we'll dive into the fascinating lives of animals and plants with the help of wildlife experts, biologists, and Master Naturalists.
Each week, you'll discover something new and inspiring about nature—from secret animal behaviors to incredible ecosystems—all while learning how to protect and respect the environment around us. Whether you're just curious, have a love for animals, or looking for a midweek adventure, this series is your gateway to conservation knowledge and a lifelong love of nature.
Discover the wonderful world of wildlife around you with Wildlife Wednesdays! Sessions will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. on the following dates: Nov. 19, 26; Dec. 3, 10, 17; Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28; Feb, 4, 11, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1,8. 4-H youth can earn up to four wildlife hours for participating in 4 of the virtual sessions! Let’s get started on those Wildlife hours for next year’s State Shoot! Learn more and register.
Project Pursuit - Dec. 6
Join in the fun on Saturday, December 6th from 9 AM - NOON for a Project Pursuit at Christ Lutheran Church!
Youth in grades 3-8 are invited to explore different project areas, and end the day with a pizza lunch.
Participants will be making a variety of crafts, food, and gift items! Finished products could include ornaments, centerpieces, food, soaps and more! At the end of the day, they will be able to participate in the gift wrapping station where they will be able to wrap up all of their items to gift to family and friends for the holidays!
The workshop will cost $20, all materials and lunch will be provided.
This event will be open for youth grades 3+. Registration is $20 and due before the event, after December 1, price increases to $40. Don’t delay to register! https://forms.gle/R2QkeWeNJ3r2Sdd19
Online payment: https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/bJMS4M
Questions? Contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu
4-H STEM: The Science of CHEESE! - Dec. 18
Join 4-H to learn about the chemical and physical changes that happen when milk turns into mozzarella! This is a family/group event. Each group of people will work together to make one pound of mozzarella, which is enough for 2-4 people to take home. (A pound of mozzarella is enough for 2-3 margherita-style pizzas.)
If you have any questions, please email ashton@umn.edu
Thursday, December 18, 2025
6-7 pm
Hooley Hall
Grades K+, but adult must be present for each group
Free
Register at z.umn.edu/STEMozzarella
Project Area Exploration
Would you like to help 4-H’ers around Washington County get involved in a new project area this year? Maybe you remember how big the learning curve was when you first started in 4-H… If so, please respond to this super short form and help us build a network of volunteers and youth who can spread their passions through Project Talks! (After you submit your form, you will receive a link to the sheet with everyone’s responses)
Ideas for how use this resource:
- See who to invite to your club meeting to learn about a new project area
- Set up a talk exchange with another club near you
- Host an event at your farm for families who want to get into the livestock project areas
- Set up a project talk/demo event at your local library to teach new people about 4-H and how to get involved
Project Bowl - Time to form teams!
It is time to start forming Project Bowl Teams for 2026!
What is 4-H Project Bowl?
Project Bowl teams are made up of 3-6 youth. Each has two divisions: Junior (grades 3-8) and Senior (grades 4 through 4-H graduation). 4-H areas: dairy, dog, general livestock(includes all of the following species; beef, sheep, swine & market goat), horse, llama/alpaca, poultry, and rabbit.
Watch this 4-H Project Bowl YouTube video to learn more and see the program in action.
Why should I consider participating in Project Bowl?
Participating in Project Bowl will not only help prepare youth for County Fair Knowledge Quizzes, State Fair Interviews, etc., but many youth acknowledge how it has prepared them for many high school and college science classes!
Who coaches teams? Each team will need 2 screened 4-H volunteers to coach. Coaches will set up practice schedules with team members and work with resources to help team members prepare for the contest.
When? Project Bowl teams typically start practicing either in-person and/or virtually in the months of December or January. There are 3 Regional Competitions held in the state during the month of March 2026 dates/locations will be posted soon.) Typically the Regional Contests are an all day event, based on if the team advances to the finals.
How to prepare a team? Resources are listed on the Minnesota 4-H website under Project Bowl. Questions for the contests are taken from these resources. Regional winners advance to the 4-H State Project Bowl. Winners at the state level in dairy, general livestock, horse, and poultry go on to national contests! To learn more, go to; Minnesota Project Bowl information
Now is the time to gather your friends together, recruit a coach or two, study hard, and most of all have fun during the project bowl season! If you are interested in participating or coaching, please contact Ann @ churc109@umn.edu
Become a 4-H Ag Ed Leader in the Classroom!
Are you a teen with a passion for agriculture and a desire to make a difference in your community? If so, we invite you to join our 4-H Ag Ed Leader in the Classroom program and become a youth teacher, sharing your enthusiasm for agriculture with elementary age youth.
What is an 4-H Ag Ed Leader in the Classroom?
Explore ag education and gain valuable skills as a youth teacher.
Participate in online training sessions and receive supplies to teach elementary age groups about the journey of beef from the farm to our tables.
Who is Eligible?
Youth in grades 7 and up
What Will You Gain?
Skills to share and teach your passion with youth.
Learn about effective teaching methods, hands-on learning, classroom management, leadership, and communication skills.
Whether you're interested in a career as an educator or just passionate about agriculture, this experience is for you!
What is the Commitment?
Attend 4 one-hour virtual training sessions on Thursdays in February
Teach in 3 classrooms or youth groups of your choice between April 15 - May 15.
Additional Opportunities:
Participate in the annual 4-H Ag Ed Leaders retreat in November 2026 on the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus.
Explore ag education and advocacy as a potential career path.
Participant Timeline for 2026:
February 5, 12, 19 and 26, 7-8 p.m.: Online virtual training sessions (required to view, recordings available)
April 15 - May 15: 4-H Youth Leaders teach in at least 3 classrooms
November 13-14: 4-H Ag Ed Leaders Retreat, St. Paul (optional)
Don't miss this chance to make a positive impact, enhance your leadership skills, and share your love for agriculture with the next generation! Join us in this exciting journey from field to food. Let's cultivate a love for agriculture together! If you are interested in this opportunity, please let Ann know at; churc109@umn.edu
Join the Washington County 4-H Ambassador Team!
If you're in grades 7-13, we want you to join the Washington County 4-H Ambassador Team. The Ambassadors meet once a month at the Washington County Government Center and plan Cloverbud Workshops, Service Projects, Social events - all while building their leadership skills and having fun! Reach out to Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions!
Congratulations Kaiya!
Washington County’s Kaiya Egler was recently named the winner of the ‘heaviest hill of potatoes’ in this year’s statewide Grow A Monster: Potato Power Contest! Kaiya’s hard work and creativity truly paid off, way to grow Kaiya!
Country Cousins
At the October meeting of the Country Cousin's 4-H club we elected our officers for the new year. We chose our theme, "Witches and Wizards," for the Cottage Grove Monster Bash parade. We need to bring ideas to our next meeting on how to spend a surplus in our budget for our club or community.
Sincerely,
Chloe May Doornink - Signing off for the last time. Hope you have a good year!
The Country Cousins were in the Halloween parade in Cottage Grove! We took 2nd place for Creativity in the halloween parade. We gave out lots of candy! one of our members Ella brought her goat to walk in the parade!
Mela
Happy Hornets
This November our club did a park clean up on November 11th. Our club, the Happy Hornets, held a park clean-up instead of our regular business meeting. Lots of club members gathered at Oakwood Park in Cottage Grove. We collected quite a few bags of trash from around the park. This was a good give back to the community project, as well as a team bonding project.
Lydia Muyanja, Happy Hornets recorder.
Shooting Sports Trainers needed!
As our Shooting Sports Program continues to grow, we are in need of additional Trainers! We would welcome new Trainers in these disciplines: BB gun/Pellet Rifle, Archery, .22 Rifle, and Trap! Training for the 4-H youth begins the first week of June - end of August. Archery and BB/Pellet training takes place on the Washington County fairgrounds. Archery, .22, Trap and Black Powder take place at the Oakdale Gun Club.
To become a 4-H Certified Trainer, you must first become a 4-H screened volunteer:
Steps to become a 4-H screened volunteer
Once you have completed your screening process, 4-H Shooting Sports Trainers are required to complete 4-H certification to become Trainers. Pre-work is completed before attending an in-person training. Training is held throughout fall and spring months in various locations around the state. For more information go to; How to become a Certified Shooting Sports Trainer Registration fees are paid by our 4-H program.
We are also in need of adult(s) to oversee the Wildlife Project that is required for those attending the State Shoot. Each county is required to present a Wildlife Project at the State Shoot. This does not need to be an elaborate project.
If you are interested in helping with the Shooting Sports Program in anyway, please contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu
Families and youth
University of Minnesota Extension works across the lifespan. We create and support positive non-formal learning opportunities for youth. We foster resilient, healthy and secure futures for families and seniors. Extension works with Minnesotans to make informed decisions leading to better health and well-being. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/working-youth/contacts-families-and-youth
Food, health and nutrition
University of Minnesota Extension improves food literacy, physical activity, food safety and healthy food access for Minnesotans and the food service industry. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/food-health-and-nutrition
Yard and garden
The best plants and gardening practices for Minnesota gardeners, homeowners and hobbyists to grow healthy lawns, landscapes and gardens. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden
Roles of Local Youth Educators
Ann Church - Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Llama, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit), Horse, Shooting Sports, Federation, Community Clubs, Fair, Charters and Finance, Foods & Creative Arts projects and Food Stand.
Megan Slater - Youth Teaching Youth, Ambassadors, Performing Arts, Overnight/Day Camps, Dog, Goat, Cloverbud workshops.
Ashton Kulesa - STEM, New Families, Promotion, Outreach, Fashion Revue and Project Workshops.
Contact information is listed below.