Redwood County 4-H News
Updated May 21, 2026
My name is Anna DeGroot, and I'm thrilled for the opportunity to intern for Redwood County 4-H! I currently major in Social Studies Education and have just completed my first year at Winona State University. I'm involved with the college's Dean of Education Board and was elected Treasurer of the Student Senate for the 2026-2027 school year. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies with my friend, going on bike rides with my family, and traveling. I even got the opportunity to visit Rome in 2023 and see Pope Francis!
Cords for Graduation
High School graduates Redwood County 4-H Office has 4-H cords you are welcome to wear for your high school graduation. They look similar to what an honor cord may look like. Stop in at the 4-H office and pick them up.
LQA&E - Mark Your Calendars
AKA Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics Training
Youth planning to show 4‑H livestock at the Minnesota State Fair must complete Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics training beginning in grade 6. This in‑person training helps youth learn proper animal care, biosecurity, and food safety practices, and the certification is valid for three fair seasons. All 4‑H members in grades 3+ are welcome to attend, and families can check their certification status in 4‑H Online under the “Trainings” tab.
Brown and Redwood Counties will host this year’s session on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Auction/Showcase Training 4 pm and LQA&E 5:00–8:15 PM at Cedar Mountain High School, 207 Gallager St, Morgan, MN. Check‑in begins at 4:45 PM. The training is free, and snacks will be provided.
Learn more at z.umn.edu/brownredwoodLQAE and register in 4‑H Online by June 10, 2026.
- Includes Auction Communications Training - Required for Redwood County attendees - 4 pm
- Level 1 and 2 Training
Dog Project Practice Mondays at 6:30 pm
See you at the Redwood County Fairgrounds by the Horse Arena
- 6:30 pm
- Bring for your dog: leash, poop bags, water, training collars, training treats (small)
- Bring for you: Refillable water bottle
- Dog Must: have current Rabies shots and DHLPP immunizations
- Dog ID: must be completed before joining the training sessions.
Ride Outs
Redwood County Fairgrounds
- 6 pm - check your schedules some clinics will start earlier
- Watch your schedule for location
- MN 4-H Animal ID must be completed to participate - link to information needed
- Coggins testing must be current to participate
- Bring: pitch fork and bucket to clean up all your horse manure. Riders are expected to help clean both the horse arena and the area around your truck and trailer.
- Schedules available for clinics and practices. Contact the 4-H office for details.
4-H Animal ID -What to do if you are late to the animal ID process
- MN 4-H Resource Pages located here
- Redwood County 4-H Resources located here
- Just getting started with your animals? Missed the ID deadline? Don't panic. While missed deadlines do have consequences you do have options!
- Contact the 4-H Office to learn more about next steps and help with solving this issue.
Livestock Trainers Needed
Great opportunity for our teen leaders!
Looking for youth experienced in livestock who would be interested in helping our 4-H'ers new to our livestock 4-H program learn more about their species and how to get ready for their county fair show.
- Location: could be a location of your choosing or the Redwood County Fairgrounds
- Time: Evening hours - after 5 pm. Considering Wednesday evenings if using the fairgrounds.
- Species: all livestock species
- Goal: help those new to our 4-H livestock programs learn more about getting their animal ready for the county fair. Training tips, feeding tips, grooming, how to properly hold their animal for poultry and rabbits. What should we bring to the fair for supplies, etc.
- How much time? We know how busy our teens can be. We will set up the species program based on your availability. For sure 1 time in May - June.
- Questions? Contact Stacy J with questions.
YELLO - Youth Exploring Leadership - June
Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to attend Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) this June! YELLO is the statewide leadership conference and includes educational workshops, group networking experiences, inspiring messages from nationally-recognized speakers, field trips, and opportunities to contribute to the local community through service projects. To learn more and register visit https://z.umn.edu/4hyello.
Redwood County will provide a 50% reimbursement for the registration fee for youth who participated in both fruit and food stand sales. Bring it back form is required and will be provided to youth who register.
Redwood County Ambassadors Day Out - Mark Your Calendars!
Summer Celebration: In June we will regroup and have an Ambies Day Out! Due to the cost of the escape room and opportunities we can take advantage of in Mankato we will add a little more to our day. Jr Ambassadors are youth grades 5-8. Senior Ambassadors are youth grades 9+. Interested in learning more? Join us this June!
Agenda will include: Escape Room, Leadership Activity, and a meal
- Wednesday June 17th leaving RWF 9 am estimated return 5 pm includes events and lunch
- Depending on numbers we may need adult drivers.
County Fair Leadership
- Pre-Fair Clean up - July 8th - come with your club or come if you can and be those extra set of hands!
- General Project Judging Night - Monday, July 13. Come and help when you can between 2 - 9 pm.
- County Fair - Day Care Day - Friday, Cloverbud Celebration - Saturday, and any time between your leadership is always welcome!!
- June schedule begins on Mondays 6/1 at 6:00 pm and Saturday June 6th
- Have questions? Rob and Carrie Tostenrud are your new club leaders. I am happy to connect you - let us know in the 4-H office by calling 507-637-4025 or email skjohnso@umn.edu.
Parental Consent to Shoot - required to handle firearms and bows.
SWIM 4-H - Registration is Open!
Redwood Falls practice begins June 9th at 8 am. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the Redwood Falls practice days. Lamberton practice days to be announced soon. Swim meets are scheduled for later June - July.
SWIM 4-H is part of our Redwood County 4-H Health and Wellness program and all youth grades Kindergarten - grade 13 are welcome to join us. SWIM is a healthy lifelong activity - come and see what it is all about.
Redwood County will host our county fair SWIM 4-H event July 11 at the Redwood Falls Aquatic Center.
Registration is open: https://SWMN4HSWIM2026.4honline.com
All About Animals and Projects at the County Fair - June 4
Everything You Need to Know About Animals and Projects at the County Fair on Thursday June 4th at 6:00 pm. We will meet at the playground.
Join us as we delve into the world of animals and projects at the county fair! We will cover:
How to identify animals that will be showcased
Where these animals are housed during the fair
An introduction to presenting your animal at the county fair
The general project vs animal science projects
How to sign up to bring projects to the fair
Additionally, we will discuss various events, including:
Livestock shows
Dog shows
Horse shows
General projects
Early judging events
Kids in the Kitchen - June 9-30
Join us at 5:30 - 7:00 pm on Tuesdays June 9-30 for Kids in the Kitchen. Open to youth of all ages. Youth under 5th grade will need a helper for safety purposes. Youth will learn different skills in the kitchen including knife safety, safety around a hot stove, and frying foods. We will explore hands on cooking while touching on the food science as it is happening. Of course we will enjoy a delicious supper as well. Youth who have interest in leading a session should let Stacy J know! Location to be announced. Cost: $20/cook.
Photography in Nature - June 11 - July 2
Join us at 6:00- 7:30 pm on Thursdays June 11 - July 2 as we dive into the world of photography. We will explore gardens, nature areas, do some hiking, and practice leave no trace as we learn more about taking pictures in our natural settings. Youth under 5th grade will need a helper for safety purposes.
Tasty Tuesdays - June
Tasty Tuesdays featuring dairy in celebration of June Dairy month. Details to be announced very soon.
4-H Camp at Lake Shetek - Registration closes May 29
Looking for a safe, structured, and Fun overnight camp experience for your 3rd–6th grader?
4-H Camp at Lake Shetek offers:
✔️ Supervised cabins by trained high school counselors
✔️ Engaging educational sessions
✔️ Outdoor adventure activities
✔️ All meals & snacks included
📅 June 22–24 or June 24–26, 2026
More information and registration details can be found at z.umn.edu/4HCampShetek26.
Murray County Horse Gaming Clinic - May 29
We would like to invite southwest Minnesota 4-H youth in grades 3 and up to participate in the Murray County 4-H Horse Gaming Clinic held May 29 - 30, 2026, at the Horse Arena on the Murray County Fairgrounds (3048 Broadway Ave., Slayton, MN 56172).
- Clinic technician is Trinity Beauvais - she is a multiple arena record holder along with a multitude of other accomplishments.
- Cassandra Kleinjan is one of our horse volunteers that is accepting registrations and questions, if families are interested, please reach out to her at (507)-920-0157.
Murray County Horse Clinic - June 11-12 - Sign Up Due May 1
Stalling will be available, please bring your own shavings and clean your own stall. There will be no change if these rules are followed. The clinic will be from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. both days with lunch provided each afternoon. The cost will be $130 total for both days.
Topics Covered: Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Ranch Riding, Ranch Pleasure, Trail, English Equitation, English Pleasure
Cottonwood County Horse Clinic - June 11-12
Join us for the Cottonwood County 4-H 2-day horse clinic!
- June 11-12, 2026 Cost: $25/day if registered by 6/1/2026
- Tack & warm up at 8:30 a.m.
- Clinic runs 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Windom Arena
- Clinician: Addie O'Neil
- More Information Here
Livestock Judging Camp - June 15-17 UMN
Do you want to enhance your livestock evaluation and selection skills? Do you want to become better with oral reasons? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then the Minnesota 4-H Livestock Judging Camp is for you! More information and Register at this link.
4-H members who sold fruit and participated in the food stand are eligible for a 50% reimbursement stipend via the bring it back form. All who register will receive the form.
Arts In - Register by June 30
Minnesota 4-H State Arts-In is a 22-day intensive experience at the Minnesota State Fair for youth who have completed grades 9+ that provides the opportunity to explore new skills, advance existing skills and learn to work toward one common goal.
1 Day Experience Options also available to see what Arts In is all about.
Premium Books - County Fair Registration is OPEN
Premium books explain a lot about county fair and what projects youth can choose to exhibit in. Exhibits can be a live animal, posters, plants, quilts, babysitting kits, art and sooooo much more. Take your time and peruse all the information and know that your youth sign up happens in our fair entry county fair registration program. Call anytime with questions!
Cloverbud Celebration and Graduation - all are welcome! New in 2026
Cookies for graduates! Join us Saturday of County Fair from 1:00 - 2:00 pm for a "Totally Twisted" surprise and delicious cookies. Third graders and second grade youth going into 3rd grade will be recognized as our most recent Cloverbud graduates! Youth and families of all ages welcome to the celebration and join in on the fun!
High School and 4-H Graduation Celebration
Join us Sunday of the Redwood County Fair for our annual ice cream social as we celebrate our high school and 4-H graduates. Begins by 4 pm on Sunday.
Summer Splash - Family Fun Day - July 29
Join us for a spectacular night of fun at the Redwood Aquatic Park!
- 6:00 - 10:00 pm - come early and stay late or whatever works best for you and your family
- 6:00 - 8:00 Public Swim
- 8:00 pm Supper Break
- 8:30 - 10:00 pm Private Pool Party
Redwood County Information & Redwood County 4-H Band Link
- BAND: https://band.us/n/aba502odgdD4i
- Redwood County 4-H facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodCountyMN4H
- Redwood County 4-H Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/redwood
- Additional: Emails via MN.4honline.com or directly from 4-H staff.
- Looking for programs and activity information? check out your events tab in your 4honline.com account.