Renville County Clover Update

July 3: Office Closed - 4th of July

July 9: Ambassadors (6:00 PM) Leader's Council (6:30 PM)

July 14: Performing Arts & Fashion Review 7PM

July 20: FairEntry deadline

July 27: County Fair Edition: Clover Update released

July 30: Livestock Barn set-up

July 30: County Fair work night

August 6: County Fair work night

August 9: General Exhibit Judging

August 11: Livestock check-in

August 12-14: Renville County Fair

August 26-30: State Fair Livestock Encampment

September 1: Office Closed-Labor Day

September 14: Leader's Council Executive Meeting (6:30 PM)

September 24: Ambassadors (6:00 PM) Leader's Council (6:45 PM)

September 27: County Banquet/Picnic Kickball Tournament

Ambassadors: 6:00 PM

Leaders Council: 6:30 PM

Youth in grades 6+ are invited to attend our Ambassador meeting. Join in on the fun of helping to plan for county fair and fall events.

The Leaders Council meeting will follow the Ambassador meeting.

Officer Elections: All youth interested in serving as a Leaders Council officer should attend. Officer voting will take place at this meeting. If you are unable to make this meeting but wish to be on the ballot as an officer, please let Ashle know by July 8.

Date: Tuesday, July 14

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Traditions in Olivia

Do you love to sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, perform magic tricks, act, model, or share a special talent? Or maybe they enjoy sewing, shopping smart, or creating outfits that express their personality? Then Performing Arts and Fashion Revue are the perfect opportunities for them!

These events are all about building confidence, trying something new, and having fun in a supportive environment. Youth don't have to be experienced performers or expert sewers to participate—everyone is encouraged to give it a try!

Performing Arts participants can showcase a talent of their choice, whether it's a musical performance, skit, dance, poetry reading, demonstration, or another creative act.

Fashion Revue participants can model clothing they've sewn themselves or an outfit they've selected through the Shopping in Style project while sharing what they've learned about clothing, style, and confidence.

These experiences help youth:

• Build self-confidence and public speaking skills.

• Express their creativity and unique personality.

• Learn new skills while having fun.

• Cheer on and connect with other 4-H members.

Step outside their comfort zone and shine! Whether it's your first time on stage or you're a seasoned participant, Performing Arts and Fashion Revue are memorable experiences that celebrate every youth's talents.

Call the Extension Office to Register! We can't wait to see the amazing talents and creativity our 4-H members will share this year!

Please join us in welcoming our new County Administrative Assistant Meagan to the University of Minnesota Extension-Renville County Office!

We are excited to have Meagan join our team and have her in the office from 12:30-4:30p Monday-Friday.

We hope you'll take a moment to introduce yourself, say hello, and help Meagan feel part of the Renville County 4-H community. Learn more about Meagan below!

My name is Meagan Peterson and I am the new Administrative Assistant for the University of Minnesota Extension here in Renville County! I am so excited to be here and connect with our communities and families in Renville County.

I live in Bird Island with my husband, twin girls and our dog. I love to go camping, fishing, hiking, going to the lake, going to the state parks, and spending time with family and friends. You can usually find me at home with my twins in my free time.

What I love about this field: I get to interact with people of all ages and meet new people.

I look forward to meeting and connecting with all the families and individuals in Renville County. If you need to reach me, my direct line is 320-523-3709. Stop by the Extension Office and say hello!

Ride for transportation, exercise or competition! If you like traveling, tinkering or racing, you probably like bicycling.

Along with taking you from place to place using no fossil fuels, bikes can teach you about safety skills and keep you fit.

What can you do?

In the bicycle project, you can:

• Take a bike trip.
• Fix up a bike and document the process.
• Plan a community bike race.
• Learn to ride a unicycle.

These are just some of the many ways you can participate in this project.

The order form for county T-shirts is live.

All 4-H members and screened volunteers will receive a free t-shirt. Additional t-shirts may be purchased for an additional $10.00.

Click the link below to order yours today.

Additional shirts can be paid for at pick-up during County Fair (Sunday & Tuesday)

In years past, we have used Signup Genius for volunteers. This year we are using SignUp for volunteer positions and food stand. When you click on the link, you will see that there are a lot of volunteer opportunities - from setting up, tearing down, entry day, show help, food stand, and malt stand, the best part... it's all in one place this year and on one signup.

Please take a few minutes and check it out. Feel free to share it with family and friends - we all know it takes a lot of people to put on a county fair, and the more hands means less work.

We will again be utilizing Band and PhotoCircle this year.

Watch your emails for more information and links to register for them.

Band

This will serve as a communication hub for all families. Please watch your email in the coming weeks for an invitation link. If you do not see one by July 28, please let the Extension office know.

Any last minute changes, updates, documents, etc. will be posted here.

PhotoCircle

We know that family members and youth capture hundreds of pictures during the county fair. This platform will allow them to share with us! There will be QR codes posted during the fair and a link sent out in the County Fair Edition Clover Update.

Check out the 2026 Renville County Premium Book

This is a great source for all of the information, links, and questions you may have about 4-H projects.

Fair Registration opens on May 26 and closes on July 20.

Have an awesome project but not sure where to show it, or maybe you're looking for project ideas...call the Extension Office - we would be happy to help you out.

If you would like a printed version, please contact the Extension office.

FairEntry is how you register your projects for the fair.

Registration is open from now until July 20. All entries must be in by 11:59 on July 20. Any registrations that are submitted after July 20, will be considered late, will be capped at a blue and will not be elligible for the State Fair.

Below is a link to help you get started in FairEntry.

Visit www.fairentry.com to get your projects registered today.

Every Thursday evening, starting July 9, join the Renville County Fair board and other volunteers to bring the Fairgrounds to life for the fair!

Clean-up nights start at 6:30.

4-H has 2 designated work nights: July 30 will be livestock barn set-up and August 6 is general exhibit building set-up.

Those who help during the 4-H worknights will get ice cream treats!

We are so excited to be back partnering with the local libraries.

This summer our theme will be Vegetables: From Top to Bottom.

Learn all about different vegetables.

This program is for youth who have completed grades K-2.

Cost is free!

Dates & Times:

July 16:

Renville: 2:00-3:00

Fairfax: 10:00-11:00

To register:

Call 320-523-3713

Email: mnext-renville@umn.edu

Visit:https://z.umn.edu/25RCsummerprograms

Join us for STEAM in the Wild

When: Sunday, July 26, 2026 from 3:00-4:30

Where: Renville County Fairgrounds, Bird Island

Get ready to become a plant scientist! Kids in grades K–2 will explore the magic of growing plants without soil. In this hands-on activity, young learners will plant seeds in water, watch roots and sprouts appear, and learn how plants get the food and water they need to grow.

We’ll talk about how farmers use science and technology to grow food in new ways, and every child will get to observe, experiment, and even make predictions like a real scientist. This fun, interactive session is perfect for curious minds who love nature, science, and discovery!

Spaces are limited, so bring your curiosity and join us for a magical plant-growing adventure!

Cost: Free

Registration is due by July 22.

Must have a minimum of 10 youth registered.

🎡 County Fair 101 is your all-access pass to discovering what the fair is all about. Whether it’s your first time or you're just curious, this fun, hands-on session will show you how to enter projects, what judges look for, and how to have a great time showing animals, crafts, or more. It’s the perfect way to get fair-ready with confidence.

When: Sunday, July 26

Time: 5:00

Where: Renville County Fairgrounds, Bird Island

No need to register ahead of time.

Below is a link to the updated 4-H Clover Newsletter.

Please see below the agenda template for July & August. These are still a work in progress and will get more specific as the months go on. If you have any suggestions, please let Ashle know.

Please make a copy of this document by:

1. Clicking the file on the top left-hand corner of the screen.
2. Find "Make a copy" (should be the third one from the top) and click on it.
3. Name your document and save it into the folder you wish to save it to.

If you have any issues, please let Ashle know.

Minnesota 4-H has an awesome Volunteer Resource Center for 4-H volunteers. Take a second and check it out.

Under the "Lead a Club" picture, you will find a lot of resources to help you plan your club meetings and fun activities.

Click on the link below:

Club Leader Toolkit

I’m so excited to be back in the office just in time for the most exciting—and busiest—month of the 4-H year! With the county fair right around the corner, the office is filled with questions, preparations, and plenty of green clovers. I truly wouldn't have it any other way.

Although I haven't been out and about leading programs or seeing many of you this summer like I normally do, I've loved hearing all of your updates and seeing photos from the many opportunities Renville County 4-H and Minnesota 4-H have offered. It has been wonderful to see all that you've been learning, creating, and accomplishing throughout the summer.

July is a month full of excitement and anticipation. Whether you're caring for livestock, putting the finishing touches on a project, attending workshops, or simply trying something new, I hope you're taking time to enjoy the journey. One of my favorite parts of 4-H is watching young people grow—not just through the projects they complete, but through the confidence, friendships, and life skills they gain along the way.

While the county fair is just around the corner, remember that 4-H is about so much more than one week. Every activity you participate in, challenge you tackle, and goal you set helps you build skills that will last a lifetime. Keep asking questions, practicing, and learning—you've already accomplished so much, and I can't wait to celebrate all of your hard work in the weeks ahead.

As we begin looking toward the new 4-H year, I also want to encourage youth entering grades 6 and up to consider running for a Renville County 4-H Leaders Council Officer position. Leaders Council officers help plan county-wide activities, share ideas on behalf of 4-H members, develop leadership skills, and help shape the future of our local program. If you're looking for a way to become more involved, make new friends, and grow as a leader, I encourage you to consider serving in this important role. If you have any questions, or are interested in serving as an officer, please contact Ashle.

Thank you for making Renville County 4-H such an incredible community. I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks and celebrating another wonderful summer of learning, growth, and achievement.

Have a safe, fun, and memorable July!