MURRAY COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER

Animal ID letters were mailed out earlier this week, please make sure to watch for those in your mailbox! You should've also received an email that includes all species letter, animal science updates and more!

NEW IN 2026

This year, at the Murray County fair it will be required that livestock, other than poultry and

rabbits, need to be checked by the veterinarian before entering the barns for stalling,

weigh-ins, etc. To view all the information pertaining to this topic, please visit the Murray County 4-H Animal Science Folder.

To view all the species letters, animal science updates, ID information, etc., please visit the Murray County 4-H Animal Science Folder

We’re excited to offer a great opportunity for both experienced and beginner swine showmen to expand their knowledge and skills. This workshop will cover essential topics such as daily care, preparing your hog for show, and various feeding strategies and techniques you can use to support your animal’s success.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, May 18
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• Location: 18788 US HWY 59, Worthington, MN 56187

Todd Kramer of Top Tier Genetics, along with Murray County youth, will be presenting on these topics.

This is a free event and open to all ages. Please use the link below to RSVP:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQej_9wPjG88nRmwItl3Ss1uIdBs1aUaK3FXP_GfJGagOShQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107368091537319796870

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your Extension staff!

Thank you, and we hope to see you there!

Murray County 4-H is offering a wide variety of different summer programs for all age groups to attend this summer! Check out the line-up below:

• SWIM Team - held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the months of June and July
• Plant Power - June 8
• Arts & Crafts - June 9
• The Great Waffle Challenge - June 15
• Big Ideas Mobile Lab featuring Virtual Reality Simulators (partnering with the Slayton Public Library) - June 16 (8:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
• Wild and Free Outdoor Adventures - June 16 (1 - 3 p.m.)
• SW Regional Livestock Judging Contest - June 17
• Celebrate 250th Birthday of the USA - July 13
• Flight Challenge - July 14
• Natural Resources and what can we do to help them last - July 20
• Succulent Lab - July 21

Visit the Murray County 4-H Summer Day Camp Flyer folder for more details and links to registration!

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of 4-H volunteers who come together to help youth develop skills and grow their potential. Thank you to all our devoted volunteers! We can’t say thank you enough times for all that you do for Murray County 4-H. Without the help from volunteers like you Murray County couldn’t have the amazing program we do!

The SW Regional 4-H Dog Project Kickoff Meeting will be Thursday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Farmers Room in the Government Building (315 10th St; downtown Worthington). Using the door across from Brown's Shoe Fit.

If you want to learn more about what the 4-H dog project is about, please attend! We offer training in Obedience, Rally, Showmanship and Agility. At this meeting, we will discuss when we will start practices so please bring your summer schedules. Bring a friend that might be interested (4-H'ers in grades 3-13 only at this time, please).

Please make plans to attend this important meeting! If you are unable to attend, but would like more information, please contact me.

Hope to see you there!

Anne Wagner

anmaaswag@gmail.com

(507)-497-6732

JBS of Worthington would like to open their doors to local 4-H youth to take a facility tour and learn about the variety of jobs that are available with JBS. Did you know they are looking for staff ranging from supervisors, accountants and physical therapists?

When: June 10, 2026

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: JBS

1700 MN-60

Worthington, MN 56187

Please fill out the JBS Tour Registration form for more information on what youth will need to provide and to register!

Ready to take on the world beyond the classroom? “Beyond the School Bell: Unlock Your Next Level” is a hands-on, fun, and practical experience designed for youth in 7th grade and up. Build real-life skills that will help you navigate your next steps - whether that’s college, a job, or everyday independence. FREE! May 3, 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Murray County Fairgrounds 4 H Building 3048 Broadway Ave., Slayton, MN 56172 Come meet new people, try new things, and start building your “next level” toolkit!

Registration is through 4-H Online. There is no deadline to register.

Looking for an unforgettable summer experience? Youth who have completed grades 3–6 are invited to attend 4-H Camp at Shetek Lutheran Ministries, located on the beautiful shores of Lake Shetek in southwest Minnesota.

Campers can choose between two encampments:

• Encampment 1: June 22–24, 2026

• Encampment 2: June 24–26, 2026

Each session includes two nights and three days filled with outdoor adventure, educational workshops, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, team-building activities, and classic campfire fun.

High school-aged 4-H camp counselors provide leadership and guidance throughout camp. Campers stay in age-based cabins, and all meals and snacks are included.

More information can be found at z.umn.edu/4HCampShetek26. Registration will be open March 2 - May 29, 2026, on camplakeshetek.4honline.com.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity for youth to unplug, build confidence, and make lasting friendships!

Each county is allowed a number of youth to attend the state fair or state horse show. These quotas are set each spring by state program leaders. Each county can apply for more youth from their county to attend (a "bonus") based on the excellence of their youth development programming. Tribal programs should apply through their county.

Bonus trips encourage local programs to strive for programming excellence across all animal species, and to support positive learning experiences for youth. It does not recognize individual youth or project quality.

Each county may send in one application per animal species for state fair. Each county may send in two applications for state horse show but can only win one. See all details below. Application planning starts in February or March. If you want to help your county prepare its bonus trips application.

How to Apply

Please visit the 'Bonus trips to State Fair and State Horse Show' website to apply for the respective species you are interested in. Contact Kim, Kerstin or Mallory if you need help planning an event or assist in the application process.

Sharpen your skills before county fair by attending the Murray County 4-H Horse Pleasure Clinic!

Clinician: Kathy Johnson

- Kathy’s focus is on developing youth, not just riders. By teaching horsemanship through the lens of developing the rider’s ability to identify a problem, break it down and find a solution for solving it is the key to being a good horseman, not just a good rider.

Topics Covered:

• Showmanship
• Horsemanship
• Western Pleasure
• Ranch Riding
• Ranch Pleasure
• Trail
• English Equitation
• English Pleasure

Deadline to Register: May 1, 2026

For more information, please view the brochure linked in the Murray County 4-H Horse Clinic Folder

Contact Jody Jackels if you have questions or would like to register! Spots are limited!

📲(507)-626-1591

💻 jjackels@outlook.com

A new and exciting opportunity is available to youth who are interested in learning more about the games portion of the horse project area, we encourage you to attend the Murray County 4-H Horse Gaming Clinic!

Clinician: Trinity Beauvais

Topics Covered:

• How to help your horse develop proper frame
• Rate, timing and position in the pattern
• Drills to improve consistency and speed
• Rider position to support your horse

Please contact Cassandra Kleinjan at (507)-920-0157 for more details or to register! Spots are limited; we encourage youth to sign-up if they are interested in attending.

Tasty Tuesdays: A Flavorful Fiesta! is a lively virtual cooking experience designed for youth in kindergarten and up. Participants will learn about the traditions and celebration of Cinco de Mayo and then prepare a dish inspired by the holiday. Youth will develop basic kitchen skills, practice simple food safety, and explore new flavors—all from the comfort of their home. Join us on May 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for an engaging and educational program that brings culture, learning, and cooking together in a meaningful way!

Register through 4-H Online. There is no deadline to register!

Please visit the Tasty Tuesdays: A Flavorful Fiesta webpage for more information and to access the registration link!

2026 high school graduates that have been a Murray County 4-H member at least four years are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2026. Scholarships will be awarded at the Murray County Fair after the Premier Showmanship Showcase Friday, August 14, 2026. Awards will start at 5:30 p.m. or after Premier Showmanship, if it runs longer than 5:30 p.m.

Apply using the Murray County 4-H Scholarship Form

If your 4-H youth would be interested in the Adopt a Lamb or Lottery Lamb program, please contact the Extension office at (507)-836-6927 to get your name on the list for the Herrig Family to line up sheep for this year. Market Lambs are estimated at $350 per head.

What is Adopt-a-Lamb or Lottery Lamb? The Herrig family lines up all of the sheep and will help families learn about care, feeding, and shearing.

Adopt - a - Lamb Program

The adopt-a-lamb project was started for 1st and 2nd year sheep project members. The lambs all come from the same producer and cost the same amount to buy. When the members get their lambs, they draw a number, and that is the lamb they get. Help is available to them during the summer to help the youth and lambs get a good start.

Lottery Lamb Program

In the Lottery Lamb class, each member can request one lamb. The lambs all come from one producer and are very even in size. The members draw a number to see which lamb they get. Then they take them home and see how good they can make them. The winner of this class will receive a $100.00 cash award. This award is sponsored by the Steve Schreier Family and the Herrig Family Hampshires.

New Vision Co-op is pleased to announce that it will be offering its 4-H Sponsorship program again this year. The program will be the same as last year, where participants will receive the full value that they apply for, and the County Extension will receive an additional 20% on top of that total. The deadline to sign up is June 12, 2026. Below is the link where applicants can apply for the sponsorship and get more information. https://newvision.coop/4-h/

• Guidance on which foods you can safely and legally prepare and sell
• Practical tips for maintaining a clean and sanitized kitchen for safe food production
• Interactive, hands-on activities
• A free coupon for the online tier 2 course
• A printed certificate of completion, qualifying you to register as a tier 2 cottage food producer (allowing you to sell up to $78,000 per year)
• Lunch and light refreshments included

Who can attend: Anyone can attend; however, registration is required

When: April 16, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Pipestone Campus

1314 N Hiawatha Ave.

Pipestone, MN 56164

Cost: $85

Registration: https://z.umn.edu/aumz

Please contact our ANR Educator, Matti Boomgaarden at boomg022@umn.edu if you have questions!

Calling all youth interested in fish, fishing, and exploring Minnesota's wonderful world of water! Join 4-H to learn about the fish and waterways of Minnesota from experts in this new series that celebrates Minnesota's long tradition of fishing. Join 4-H for five total sessions via Zoom on April 28, May 5, 12, 19, & 26 and June 2 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Check out the web page for details and how to register: z.umn.edu/4HFishingWebSeries

Step right up! Join us for the 2026 Minnesota 4-H Engineering Design Challenge kickoff! This year’s theme? Midway Madness! Design a Rube Goldberg™ machine that can win a carnival game every time and celebrate the win! An informational webinar will take place on April 29 from 5 to 5:45 p.m.

Learn more and register at the 2026 Minnesota 4-H Engineering Design Challenge webpage.

Ready to launch your future? Join Major General (Retired) Timothy A. Sejba as he shares how his journey—from a University of Minnesota, Duluth student to a top leader in the U.S. Space Forcer, took him to the forefront of space operations. Discover how curiosity, STEM, and leadership can take you beyond ready!

Learn more and register on the 4-H STEM Beyond Ready Series: From Minnesota to Mission Control webpage.

Students entering grades 7-13 can have an adventure in science and career exploration on the prairie in SW Minnesota. University on the Prairie is a unique program that showcases hands-on activities related to animal science, food science, engineering, ag/environmental science and chemistry.

Faculty from the University of Minnesota and SDSU, along with local professionals and SWROC scientists will join teachers from the region to guide students through hands-on exploration of science in five career areas important to the life and future of southwestern Minnesota. The program is unique in the state and offers students an opportunity to open doors to many career paths and will perhaps result in a future soil scientist, pharmacist, or chemist.

The program is full of fun and hands-on activities. It will be held at the Southwest Research & Outreach Center laboratories, classrooms, and outdoor facilities near Lamberton. Check in at the SWROC will be at 10 a.m. on June 30. The program will run from 10:30 a.m. - 6:25 p.m. on June 30 and from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on July 1. An overnight lodging option is available at the SWROC (air mattresses, sleeping bags and pillows are encouraged).

Registration is now open at uotp2026.4honline.com. Total cost is $50 per student. Register by June 12. More information can be found at: https://extension.umn.edu/event/university-prairie

Questions! Please email mohrh002@umn.edu

Minnesota 4-H Photography is excited to offer a statewide floral and foliage photo workshop to youth in grades K-13.

The Zoom workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. Learn from MN 4‑H Photography Committee members Cora, Michele and MaryAnn as they guide you through creative, hands-on techniques to elevate your flower and foliage photography. Participants will explore ways to capture striking textures, vibrant colors, dramatic lighting, and unique perspectives that transform ordinary plants into captivating, eye‑catching images.

Find more information here: https://extension.umn.edu/event/buds-and-blooms-4-h-photography-workshop

Register at: https://budsandbloomsworkshop.4honline.com

Questions? Email fourhphoto@umn.edu.

YELLO is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota State 4-H Ambassadors.

This annual event aims to engage youth in building leadership skills, developing positive relationships with peers and adults, and planning out how to take future action.

Activities include:

• Leadership minor: Leadership lessons are led by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors throughout the event. Youth will explore leadership on a personal, group, and societal level.
• Service and education: Participants engage in hands-on service to learn about civic responsibility while also making positive contributions to the community. This years’ service focus is on disaster relief and emergency response.
• Majors: Majors are one of the main educational components of the YELLO experience. Majors are opportunities for youth to do a deep dive into the project area of their interest. There are different major categories, and each youth will choose a class where they will receive a full day of exciting hands-on experiences.
• Social events: Youth will be able to network with one another in fun ways. In the past, this has included talent shows, game nights, dances, etc.

Registration for YELLO is open. The cost to attend YELLO is expected to be $350, with an additional fee for opting in to ride the bus. Youth will register via 4-H Online.

Yes, it's that time of year already...Re-enrollment for Murray County 4-H opens today! It allows you to update your family information, address, email, etc. This is also the time to select your primary club with the option the enroll in a secondary club (for example Horse Club or Llama/ Alpaca Club). Staff want to make sure you are getting the information you need and answer any questions you may have!

Every year, starting September 15, each youth from Cloverbud to grade 13 need to be enrolled. Families can do that by visiting https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in. Update all the info, share any new project areas you might be interested in learning about so you can receive the appropriate emails throughout the year regarding information and deadlines for those particular project areas.

Here is a 4-H Online 'Tip Sheet' for enrolling/ re-enrolling to help with the process offering step-by-step instructions.

Volunteers need to be updated every third year. You should have received a message prior to September 15 if it's your year to renew. It will include directions as well as the link https://4-h-volunteer.extension.umn.edu/welcome-or-renew/renew. If it's not your year, 4-H staff will handle the rollover for you.

Thank you for taking the time to do this - the sooner your enrollment gets completed, the less emails and reminders you will receive.

Thank you for making Murray County 4-H the best it can be!😃

Please take a moment to download or print the 2025 - 2026 Murray County 4-H calendar.

We have an app available that provides easy access to all things Murray County 4-H and Fair season!

Please take the time to download and utilize for access to show programs, stalling survey, Foodstand menu and so much more!

Available in the Apple App Store or Google Play! Search 'Minnesota 4-H' to download!

With a new year, that means new scholarship opportunities are available for high school seniors and college students. Please take the time to check out the scholarship site, to learn about upcoming opportunities this spring.

Please check out the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Website for more details regarding the scholarships they are offering! Check out the scholarship page for more information!

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.

Join the Murray County 4-H Ambassadors! We meet typically once a month for leadership opportunities, youth engagement, ambassador outings, and service projects. Youth in grades 8 and up are invited to join the Murray County 4-H Ambassadors. Fill out the attached link

https://z.umn.edu/MCAmbassador

Looking into summer, please remember that Ambassadors have a meeting in July prior to the Federation meeting for Fair Assignments and to be present to select next year's officers. Please mark July 27 at 6:00 p.m. on your calendars.

Please send a warm welcome to Hiedi Stoel as she has officially become a Murray County 4-H volunteer! She has expressed interest in sharing her skills with our After School Adventures and Summer Programming.

Ryan is a well-known voice in Murray County and will be guiding youth as a mentor in Murray County 4-H's beef project. Ryan enjoys sharing his knowledge of livestock and is excited to work with the livestock youth of Murray County 4-H.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Contact the Extension staff at (507)-836-6927

We would love to see the positive impact you could make in our program!

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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