Becker County 4-H Clover Connection

In order to remain enrolled, you will need to show your family’s intent to participate by logging in to 4-H Online and reviewing, updating and submitting the following information:

• Your family's contact and demographic information, including club, school and grade.

• Each family member's health and emergency contact information.

• Project areas of interest for this coming year.

• Parental consent required for youth participating in shooting sports/wildlife programs.

You can log in to 4-H Online here to complete the re-enrollment process. This guide has more information. If you have any questions about re-enrolling or any other aspect of 4-H involvement, contact Elliott at lawre735@umn.edu

4-H animal ID deadlines are February 18 for Market Beef (Beef Steers, Market Heifers and Dairy Steers) and May 15 for all other animals requiring an ID.

If you plan to show a Market Beef at the Becker County Fair this summer, make sure you are enrolled in the beef project in 4HOnline. Information on market beef ID's were sent to enrolled project members on Jan 10.

Each 4-H market beef family needs to pick up ear tags (and possibly borrow a tag applicator) from the Extension Office. Please note: You must call or email Linda Perrine, Office Manager or Elliott Lawrence, 4-H Youth Development Educator and place your order in advance and make an appointment to pick up your order.

Contact information: 218-846-7328 or perri015@umn.edu or lawre735@umn.edu

Keep enrollment up-to-date to ensure you are receiving information regarding your 4-H projects.

If you are showing market beef or dairy steers at the county fair, please bring your animals to this location.

• When? Saturday February 18, 2025 10am-12pm
• Where? The Travis & Gina Schauer Farm (12480 Co. Rd. 8 - Lake Park)

• Why participate?
• Your market animal’s Rate of Gain needs to be determined for the Livestock Auction Record
• Rate of Gain recognition and awards will be given at the fair
• Proper identification of your market animal needs to be verified
• Why is rate of gain important?
• Faster growth means that the animal achieves market weight in the shortest amount of time using the least amount of feed so that the highest price can be received. In most livestock species, the most cost-efficient feed conversion and the highest average daily gain are the primary factors determining efficiency of production.

Youth can apply for a scholarship to help cover the costs of a market OR breeding animal. Species that qualify for the scholarship are beef, meat goat, dairy goat, sheep, swine, poultry, and rabbit.

Youth must complete this application and return it to:

• Becker County Extension Office at 1120 8th St SE Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
• Applicants must be a first-time exhibitor in either of these species project areas and in 3rd grade or older.
• Application due February 13th 2025

4-H’ers who previously exhibited as a Cloverbud in the species project they are applying for are eligible for the scholarship. One application is needed from the youth member for each species a scholarship is applied for. For more information and the application click here.

Join us for 4-H Junior Camp at Faith Haven near Battle Lake, June 12-13, 2025. Youth in grades 3-6 will experience a traditional overnight camp including games, songs, crafts, educational programs, a reflective campfire, and more! Bring a friend and be ready to make new ones! No 4-H experience is required to attend 4-H Junior Camp.

Registration opens February 3rd and closes May 8th

For more details click here

The Helping Hands Award is for 4-H youth who want to turn their ideas into projects. Projects can focus on STEM, agriscience, healthy living, outdoor adventures, equity, or leadership. But don't hold back if you have an idea that falls outside these categories. Awards have ranged from $300 to $2000. The online application portal closes at midnight on Feb. 14. Questions? Contact Matthew Keefe at keefe175@umn.edu or 612-626-4170. Learn more and apply here.

• Winter Shotgun Training at Shooters in Marshall, MN. February 15, 2025 is available for youth coaches and adult coaches. Training event is 8 am - 5 pm. Bring your own lunch. More information and registration is available here.
• Spring Rifle/Pistol, Archery, and Wildlife Coaches Certifications are open to both youth and adult coaches. March 22, 2025 8 am - 5 pm in Spicer and Willmar. Bring your own lunch. More information and registration is available here.

Minnesota 4-H scholarship applications are open to college-bound 4-H youth. Applications can be found on the 4-H scholarships, grants and awards web page. Note that application deadlines vary by scholarship. Visit the website for more specific information on scholarship requirements, application deadlines, award timelines, and links to the online applications. Questions? Email mnextdev@umn.edu or call 612-624-7971. Learn more and apply.

• 4-H Leaders Meeting- 2/10/25 6:00pm @the extension office
• 4-H Ambassadors Meeting- 2/10/25 7:00pm @the extension office
• 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting- 2/13/25 @the extension office
• Beef ID Deadline- 2/18/25
• Beef Weigh-In- 2/22/25
• 4-H Council Meeting- 3/10/25 6:30pm @the extension office

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