Pine County 4-H Update

Please note the upcoming changes to the Extension Office Schedule:

• Staff will be available remotely only on Friday, October 9 at kharring@umn.edu.
• The Extension office will be closed on Mondays for the next few weeks. Staff will be reachable by email at mnext-pine@umn.edu.

The new 4-H program year officially kicks off Oct. 1! Youth need to be re-enrolled each year in order to fully participate in 4-H activities.

Here are a few important tips for getting the most out of the enrollment process:

• Ensure youth are listed in the correct club - changing clubs is A-OK! To ensure you're getting accurate information, double check that the club listed for each youth is the correct one.
• Add or delete project areas - think of the project list like areas of interest. Staff use these lists to ensure you get information about the things you may be interested in. Example: if you don't want to miss out on Dog Training in the spring, make sure you select the Dog project during enrollment.
• Update important health information - please ensure that information about allergies, dietary needs, and health conditions is accurate. This information is password protected, but staff uses it to ensure everyone's safety and provide the best instruction techniques. If you have questions or concerns about this information, please reach out to Sarah.
• Answer demographic questions - please consider answering all demographic questions for your youth and family. Staff uses this information as a group across 4-H, not individually. Accurate demographic information helps ensure we comply with State and Federal laws.

Find the 4-H enrollment site, a user guide, and more information at z.umn.edu/join4h. If you have questions, or prefer paper copies, please contact Joanna at 320-591-1651 or jgechas@umn.edu.

4-H families and volunteers - join us Saturday, October 10 for the 2026 Pine County 4-H Recognition Night. This year's theme is The Future is Bright! Wear your brightest neon clothing–glowsticks will be provided!

We will share dinner, celebrate members and volunteers with awards, and watch a movie together. We will also have a short annual Federation meeting to elect new officers and approve the budget.

Who: All Pine County 4-H members, volunteers, and families
When: October 10, 2026; dinner at 6pm, awards at 6:30, meeting & movie to follow
Where: Grand Cinema Hinckley, 845 Weber Ave S, Hinckley
Cost: Free, thanks to the Pine County 4-H Federation

Happy National 4-H Week! Join us on social media and in person for a variety of activities including:

• Thursday, October 8: Thankful Thursday! Celebrate someone who makes a difference in your community in-person and online.
• Saturday, October 10: Recognition Night (see details above)

Keep an eye on the mail! Information on the annual 4-H cheese fundraiser has been mailed out.

We are looking forward to partnering with Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery again this year for our cheese sale.

Order forms and payment are due at the Extension Office by Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m.

Orders can be placed in the Pine County Courthouse drop box or delivered to the Extension office.

Cheese delivery will be Friday, Dec. 11 from 3:30pm - 6:00pm at the Hinckley Community Center. More information, including order forms, can be found on the Extension website.

Youth in grades 6+ are invited to Central Lakes College in Staples on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. for a day of hands-on learning!

Learn about food safety, carcass grading, meat science & anatomy, careers in the industry, and what happens from farm to table—all while learning from industry professionals!

$10/person - includes lunch & supplies.
Space is limited. Register by October 19 in 4-HOnline.

z.umn.edu/MeatScienceDay

Youth in grades 7+ are invited to the 2026 4-H Ag Ed Leader Exchange taking place Nov. 13 - 14 on the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus! Explore agriculture, build leadership skills, learn how to advocate for agriculture, connect with the UMN Ag Education Department, and discover careers connected to CFANS. Registration is $100. Registration closes Oct. 20. Come explore, connect, and grow your future in agriculture! Learn more and register.

Make your voice heard! The Pine County Community Extension Committee is looking for two students, preferably one junior and one senior, that would serve as youth liaison from September 2026 to August 2027. Youth liaisons would attend committee meetings, offer feedback to adult committee members, and provide suggestions for the direction of Extension offerings in Pine County. For more information and to apply, visit z.umn.edu/PineCECInterest

Want to keep up to date with Pine County 4-H? There are a few ways to stay up to date.

1. Visit our county web events calendar anytime to see what is coming up.
2. If you use Google Calendar, subscribe to our Pine County Google calendar to see all our 4-H events in the same place as your other activities.
3. You can also view our Pine County Google calendar without subscribing.

Email: sodendah@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/local/pine
Location: 635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Pine City, MN, USA
Phone: 320-591-1654