Washington County 4-H Newsletter

Welcome to our Family Newsletter! The most up-to-date information about events and activities going on in or near Washington County. Please pass along to friends and family that might be interested in attending a 4-H event. Once you have enrolled, you will also receive the monthly Clover Update at the beginning of each month highlighting regional and state events.

Is your newsletter getting cut off? The best way to view our newsletter is to open it in a new browser on a computer.

This is a reminder that you need to re-enroll each year in the 4-H program. Please go into your family account in 4honline and update all those enrolling for the 2025-2026 4-H year. If you are not currently enrolled please go to: https://v2.4honline.com/

Animal ID's can also be entered for the coming fair season. Market Beef ID's were due Feb. 17. Other animals need to be ID'ed by May 15. Please check your specific species requirement on the state website at https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-projects/4-h-animal-id

We want to welcome our new families, we know it can be challenging to navigate the 4-H year the first time but please don't hesitate to reach out to your club leaders, established 4-H families or staff with any questions you might have along the way.

Youth in grades 7-13 are welcome to join our next Washington County 4-H Ambassador Meeting on Monday, March 23 from 6-7 PM at the Washington County Government Center. In addition to teambuilding, we will be putting the finishing touches on our upcoming Cloverbud Workshop and service project. If you have any questions, reach out to Megan at slate187@umn.edu

Don’t miss our exciting spring Cloverbud Workshop! This "Spring Planting" event, led by our enthusiastic Washington County 4-H Ambassadors, promises a day filled with fun and learning. We’ll be making seed bombs, planting flowers, creating crafts, playing games, and, most importantly, making new friends! Since we’ll be outside, remember to dress appropriately for the weather and wear clothes that can get a bit dirty—get ready for some happy planting! We welcome all Cloverbuds and non-4-H members in grades K-2 to join us for this hands-on experience. Plus, a delicious pizza lunch is included! https://z.umn.edu/SpringCloverbudWorkshop

**Cost:** Just $10 (must be prepaid to cover supplies and pizza)

**Registration Deadline:** Friday, April 10. After this date, the cost will be $20.

Please use the online payment option or send payment to; Washington County 4-H, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN 55082

If you are not currently enrolled please go to: https://v2.4honline.com/

Questions? Contact Megan Slater - slate187@umn.edu

Don't miss the chance to be a part of the leadership team of this year's Arts-In! The Student Directors collaborate with the Arts-In Co-Directors to plan all aspects of the show - from song selection, theme, choreography, and team building activities. Student Directors start planning meetings with the directors at the end of April. Those in 10th grade and up are encouraged to apply! Applications are due on April 17, 2026. Fill out the application here: https://z.umn.edu/ArtsInStudentDirector

Don’t miss the early bird registration for County Arts-In! Arts-In is a performing arts and leadership experience for youth that have completed grades 7-13. Participants will work together with a team of talented Directors and Student Directors to put together a 30-minute musical that will be performed at the Washington County Fair and Minnesota State Fair. Participants will choose which major they would like to participate in: performing, band, or technical. Auditions will take place on July 5, with the encampment starting the following week, July 12-15. See registration form for specific dates and times of auditions, encampment, and performances.

Once again, we will offer early-bird registration for $80 if you register by April 27. After April 27, the price increases to $90. Deadline to register is July 1! Late fees of an additional $25 will apply after July 1. Online payment option - https://z.umn.edu/ArtsInPayment

Volunteer requirement: 2+ hours of adult volunteer time is required for each child participating in Arts-In. A separate $100.00 check per family must be included with registration. This deposit will be shredded if the volunteer commitment is completed.

You will need to complete all three forms:

Registration Form: https://z.umn.edu/CountyArtsIn

Volunteer Form: https://z.umn.edu/ArtsInVolunteer

Conflict Form: https://z.umn.edu/ArtsInConflict

Join us for an upcycling workshop with the staff at Basic Needs Thrift Shop! Youth and their adult will learn about upcycling principles and why recycling old items is so important. Participants will have approximately 30 minutes to shop in the store and find items that could be upcycled into a new outfit or home décor item. We will share upcycling plans with each other and learn how to bring a finished upcycling project to the county fair.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

5:30pm-7pm

Basic Needs Thrift Shop

6990 80th St S #200, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

A $20 participation fee will be due to Basic Needs at the beginning of the workshop. Upon payment, you will receive a $10 gift certificate towards a purchase that evening. Registration is limited to enrolled 4-H members grades 3+. Registration will close Friday, May 8th or after 20 participants have registered. Registration: https://Upcycling.4honline.com

With questions or concerns, please contact Nicole Cash at cash0112@umn.edu.

Camp registrations are now going on a wait list. Possible room for more boys.

Any youth who has completed grades 3rd – 8th by June 2026 is invited to attend a fun-filled overnight camping experience, June 15-17 at Baker Outdoor Learning Center in Maple Plain! Campers will enjoy cabin camping, campfires, team building activities, outdoor adventures, crafts, nature experiences, fun, making new friends, and much more! Cost: $150.00; camper must be enrolled in 4-H Online. Camp registration includes meals and lodging for three days/two nights, transportation, and a camp t-shirt. Registration opens on Thursday, February 19, on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must be received within one week of registration to secure the camper’s spot. Registration closes when camp is full or on May 15, whichever occurs first. Any questions, contact Megan at slate187@umn.edu.

Learn more about camp details and how to register.

Animal ID letters have been emailed to families enrolled in the animal science projects as March 1. Families interested in exhibiting animals at the county fair need to be enrolled in 4-H.

Livestock - https://z.umn.edu/Animal-ID-Letter

Horse - https://z.umn.edu/Horse-ID

Join us on the fairgrounds for a Rabbit Project Workshop on Sunday, March 29th, 1–3 PM, at Hooley Hall! This is a hands-on, fun way for kids to practice showmanship, pose their rabbits, try an agility course, and get a sneak peek at what rabbit project is all about. No rabbit? No problem—you can still join in and see what it’s like!

If bringing a rabbit, please make sure it is healthy and clean. Rabbits with symptoms like sneezing, runny eyes, or runny noses must stay home. We’ll also have rabbits to borrow for practice if needed.

Register at; https://z.umn.edu/WashCoRabbitWorkshop

We can’t wait to see you there!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Dog training season! To complete registration, you will need to complete the registration form AND Dog ID, and pay the $40 registration fee.

All dog project members are expected to attend the Dog Orientation (no dogs) on Tuesday, April 7, from 6-8 PM at Hooley Hall on the Washington County Fairgrounds. This is an opportunity to meet the trainers, learn more about classes offered, and get any questions answered. Demonstration night will take place on April 14 from 6-8 PM at Hooley Hall, and training will begin on April 21, weather permitting.

Contact Megan Slater at slate187@umn.edu with any questions.

Anyone who missed the recent Llama kick-off meeting and is interested in working with and showing llamas should contact Dan at: llamadan@aol.com. The next meeting will take place at the farm on Thursday, April 9th, beginning at 7:00 pm (weather dependent). Email Dan for more information!

Interested in poultry but don't know where to start? Join us for an informational learning session on Sat., April 18, 1-3 p.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington. Open to youth grade 3 and up and parent/guardians. Participants will learn from a guest presenter who will teach the basics of poultry showing/showmanship, incubating and hatching eggs, and sharing tips on how to connect with local breeders. Designed to be fun and educational, this workshop encourages confidence and curiosity to engage in the poultry project. Light refreshments will be provided. The workshop is free and is open to all active MN 4-H’ers. Participants must pre-register in 4-H Online by April 10. Questions? Contact Rachel Rezac at reza0027@umn.edu.

Central Region Poultry Workshop

Saturday, April 25, 2026

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 at the Carver County Public Works Building, Cologne, MN

With a mix of lecture and audience participation, attendees will learn showmanship tips and what to expect during the judging process from Mike Kutzke. Aaron Marquette will present the basics of poultry judging, carcasses, eggs and laying hens, in 4-H. This workshop will cover pigeons/doves, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. Birds will be provided. Free. All ages welcome.

For more information and to register visit https://z.umn.edu/CentralPoultryWorkshop26

The April Livestock PDC Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 29th beginning at 6:30 pm at the fairgrounds. Youth and adults interested in helping plan educational activities, assist with county fair tasks and shows, and assist with the fair auction are invited to attend the meeting.

Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics (LQA&E) training prepares youth to provide responsible, high-quality care for food animals while promoting a strong commitment to food safety for consumers. Training is designed to enhance the educational value of 4-H animal science projects. Youth grade 6+ are required to complete LQA&E training to be eligible to exhibit beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, llama-alpaca, rabbits, and poultry at the State Fair. Training is good for three fair seasons. Dakota County 4-H is hosting an in-person training on June 12; 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Schaffer Family (Elmegca Farm) in Cannon Falls. Cost: $5. This training includes Washington County 4-H members.

Washington County 4-H Horse project is hosting a fundraiser at St. Croix Knoll stable on Saturday, March 28 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Volunteers will also be accepting donations of clean, usable and in good condition horse tack and related items to be sold by 4-H youth during the Tack Swap. For questions, email info@stcroixknollstable.com or contact Jill at 651-329-0141 or Lisa at 651-470-9314. Please help us spread the word!

Horse camp is right around the corner and there are some updates you will want to be aware of this year. Registration is through 4hOnline, meaning you must be enrolled to participate. This is also a great time to get your Horse ID's completed, upload photo, leases and Coggins papers.

Registration will open to Washington County members on April 1. Other counties on April 10. Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis. So get your registrations in asap!

Washington County 4-H families are invited to purchase Pheasant’s Forever raffle tickets! The tickets cost $10 each, and each booklet includes 10 tickets. 10 winners will be selected at the Washington County Pheasants Forever banquet on April 16. Scheel's gift cards will be awarded to the winners, with the grand prize being $1000. All Shooting Sports families are encouraged to sell tickets! Profits from this fundraiser stay in our county, which helps keep our registration fee low. If you can help out by purchasing and/or selling tickets, please contact Ashley Schwartz at amkelly6@gmail.com. All tickets must be returned with cash only, no checks. Those selling and returning 10 tickets to Ashley by April 6 will get a 2026 Shooting Sports T-shirt for free.

All are invited to attend the banquet. It is a fun event with prizes awarded to youth and veterans.

Interested in Shooting Sports? Registration for the upcoming Shooting Sports season is open! Check out the overview link below to learn about times, locations and dates of the upcoming season. Don't wait, summer will be here before you know it and we want to make sure we have enough trainers. Fees need to be paid by first practice. In order to be eligible for state shoot, you must be enrolled in 4-H by May 15. Besides the 15 hours of instruction you will need 8 hours of wildlife training. Now, is a great time to get these hours in before the busy summer schedule begins.

Once you are enrolled in 4-H and have added the Shooting Sports project area to your profile in 4HOnline continue to register at, https://z.umn.edu/ShootingSportsRegistration

If you are hoping to attend the 2026 State Shooting Sports Invitational, please remember to start tracking your Wildlife Hours NOW!!!

Examples of activities that can count for full or partial hours:

• Attend a club service project for habitat restoration at a local park (full hours)

• Wildlife Wednesdays is a great virtual option to earn hours! (full hours)

• Do a demonstration on deer anatomy at your 4-H club (full hours)

• Go hunting (partial hours)

• Plan out your pollinator garden and do a fair project on it (full hours)

• Start a phenology journal and keep notes when you go hiking (partial hours unless you teach the skill to others, then you can get full hours)

• The list goes on and on!

If you are taking a course that counts toward wildlife hours, be sure to bring your Wildlife Hours Tracking Form to collect an instructor signature!

Get ready to explore the amazing world of wildlife right outside your door! Join us on Wednesday evenings for Wildlife Wednesdays, a fun and interactive virtual series where we'll dive into the fascinating lives of animals and plants with the help of wildlife experts, biologists, and Master Naturalists.

Each week, you'll discover something new and inspiring about nature—from secret animal behaviors to incredible ecosystems—all while learning how to protect and respect the environment around us. Whether you're just curious, have a love for animals, or looking for a midweek adventure, this series is your gateway to conservation knowledge and a lifelong love of nature.

Discover the wonderful world of wildlife around you with Wildlife Wednesdays! Sessions will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. on the following dates: March 25 and April 1,8. 4-H youth can earn up to four wildlife hours for participating in 4 of the virtual sessions! Let’s get started on those Wildlife hours for next year’s State Shoot! Learn more and register.

As our Shooting Sports Program continues to grow, we are in need of additional Trainers! We would welcome new Trainers in these disciplines: BB gun/Pellet Rifle, Archery, .22 Rifle, and Trap! Training for the 4-H youth begins the first week of June - end of August. Archery and BB/Pellet training takes place on the Washington County fairgrounds. Archery, .22, Trap and Black Powder take place at the Oakdale Gun Club.

To become a 4-H Certified Trainer, you must first become a 4-H screened volunteer:

Steps to become a 4-H screened volunteer

Once you have completed your screening process, 4-H Shooting Sports Trainers are required to complete 4-H certification to become Trainers. Pre-work is completed before attending an in-person training. Training is held throughout fall and spring months in various locations around the state. For more information go to; How to become a Certified Shooting Sports Trainer Registration fees are paid by our 4-H program.

2026 shooting sports and wildlife leader certification trainings

• March 28 - Austin (archery, rifle/pistol, wildlife) - Registration deadline: March 19
• April 11 - Sleepy Eye (rifle/pistol, shotgun) - Registration deadline: April 2
• April 11 - Marshall (archery, rifle/pistol, muzzleloading, shotgun, wildlife) - Registration deadline: April 2

Register for 4-H shooting sports and wildlife leader certification! These events are designed for adults and youth (grades 9+) who lead or would like to lead training in shooting sports or wildlife. Classes will be offered in the disciplines of archery, rifle/pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and wildlife. Additional dates and locations will be added soon. Learn more and register.

We are also in need of adult(s) to oversee the Wildlife Project that is required for those attending the State Shoot. Each county is required to present a Wildlife Project at the State Shoot. This does not need to be an elaborate project.

If you are interested in helping with the Shooting Sports Program in anyway, please contact Ann at; churc109@umn.edu

Stevens County 4-H is super EXCITED to share that they are hosting their 3rd Stevens County 4-H Archery Invitational state-wide event! Mark your calendars for April 11th! There will also be an opportunity to test your knowledge with a wildlife skillathon! Funds raised through this event will go towards helping the Stevens County 4-H Shooting Sports Club update their equipment. Deadline to register is April 1st. This event can count for archery and wildlife hours for those interested in competing at the state shoot this fall!

When: April 11, 2026

*Registration begins at 9am, competition begins at 10 am

*Youth are able to select what time works best for them to compete (there are time slot options)

Where: Morris Area Elementary School

Who: Youth in grades 4th-13th grade

Cost: $20 ($25 for walk-ins/late payment)

Find more details and register here: https://extension.umn.edu/event/stevens-county-archery-invitational

For questions, please connect with Stevens County 4-H Extension Staff at next-stevens@umn.edu or call the Stevens County Extension Office at (320) 208-6575!

Step right up and join the 2026 Minnesota 4-H Engineering Design Challenge (EDC)! This exciting statewide event invites youth in grades 3+ to work in teams to design and build a Rube Goldberg™–type machine that completes a two-part task: Win a carnival game every time and show the crowd you've won (e.g. make a sound, ring a bell, play a recording of a crowd cheering, raise a banner, lift up your prize stuffed animal in victory, etc). The goal of the EDC is to inspire creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking through hands-on engineering. This year’s theme is Step Right Up: The 4-H Marvelous Midway Challenge! Teams will bring the fun and excitement of a carnival midway to life by designing a machine inspired by classic fair games, attractions, and over-the-top chain reactions. Teams are made of 3-8 youth and can compete as a Rookie (5-step machine for a team brand new to the EDC), Level 1 (10-step machines, grades 3-12), and Level 2 (10-step machines, experienced teams or grades 9-12). More details about the specific challenge task and important dates will be coming soon to the EDC website. Start talking to your friends, let your 4-H educator know you are interested, and get ready to engineer something marvelous!

Youth in grades 7-13 are welcome to join our next Washington County 4-H Ambassador Meeting on Monday, March 23 from 6-7 PM at the Washington County Government Center. In addition to teambuilding, we will be putting the finishing touches on our upcoming Cloverbud Workshop and service project. If you have any questions, reach out to Megan at slate187@umn.edu

YELLO, Minnesota’s statewide 4‑H leadership conference, will be held June 9-12 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, bringing youth together for hands-on learning, teamwork and personal growth. Participants in grades 7+ will explore the theme Planting Seeds of Leadership through workshops, service projects, and opportunities to connect with peers. Registration is now open for this energizing and transformative experience for youth of all 4‑H backgrounds. Learn more and register. Washington County members attending YELLO will receive a county scholarship that will pay half of their registration. The member is responsible for paying the other half of the registration.

If you're in grades 7-13, we want you to join the Washington County 4-H Ambassador Team. The Ambassadors meet once a month at the Washington County Government Center and plan Cloverbud Workshops, Service Projects, Social events - all while building their leadership skills and having fun! Reach out to Megan at slate187@umn.edu with any questions!

Sign up to be an Ambassador here!

Attention high school seniors and 4-H alumni, its 4-H scholarship season. These awards recognize years of leadership and "learning by doing" while providing vital financial support for post-secondary education. Please go to the public 4-H scholarships and grants page for full eligibility details and application links.

Local scholarships open to Washington County youth only can be found on our website and are due July 1, 2026.

We had our March meeting on the 3rd.
During our March meeting, we started with our business meeting. It was followed by an animal project demonstration led by Grace Sahli and her rabbit. She involved the members by inviting people to do something parts of showmanship with the rabbit.
This demonstration was followed by a few members in our annual talent show.
Report written and submitted by Lydia Muyanja, Recorder.

Washington County is excited to announce that Wynnie Bye and Taylor Schoonovor were selected to serve as 2026 Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Ambassador Team, a statewide youth leadership group dedicated to advancing 4-H animal science programs and engagement.

Youth ambassadors together throughout the year to plan, implement and evaluate a variety of animal science programs. Participants will explore their interests in animal science while strengthening leadership skills and serving as positive role models for the Minnesota 4-H program. Congratulations Wynnie and Taylor!

Many generations of Washington County 4-H’ers were fortunate enough to know Jack Hines from Hines Auction Service located in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Jack always had a smile on his face and a story to tell! Jack passed away March 13, his funeral service will be Saturday, March 21 (see obit below). Jack donated over 50 years of his service to Washington County 4-H as our auctioneer for the livestock auction. These past 2 years, Jack came to ‘socialize’ with the 4-H families while his son Jeff did the auctioneering and John was ringman. We are very appreciative of Jack’s willingness to dedicate his time and skills to our county over the years. He will be missed!

https://www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/john-jack-hines

Hello, my name is Nicole Cash, and I'm excited to join Washington County 4-H as an Extension Educator. I earned my B.S. in Ecology from Northern Michigan University with minors in outdoor recreation management and earth science, and I began my career journey as a National Park Ranger. I grew up in Minnesota 4-H and formerly served as the Extension Educator in St. Croix County, WI. Out of the office, you’ll find me hiking, enjoying live music, or sipping local coffee. I’m excited to feed my midwestern roots and jump back into the world of Minnesota Extension!

Activities and Events (Registration links with articles above)

• Mar. 21 - Feed My Hungry Critter Livestock Workshop
• Mar. 23 - Ambassador Meeting
• Mar. 28 - Washington County Horse Tack Swap
• Mar. 29 - Rabbit project meeting
• Apr. 9 - Llama project meeting
• Apr. 10 - Performing Arts registration due
• Apr. 18 - Spring Cloverbud Workshop - Plant theme
• Apr. 18 - Arts-In Student Director Applications due
• April 22 - STEM event. Grades K-5. More details to come. Save the date!
• Apr. 24 - Performing Arts Festival (registration above)
• June 12 - LQA & E in-person training. Cannon Falls, MN.(register through 4honline)

Dog

• Apr. 7 - Dog Orientation
• Apr. 14 - Dog Class Demo
• Apr. 21 - Dog Training begins (Dog ID must be submitted before attending training)
• May 15 - Dog ID submitted online deadline
• July 25-26 - County 4-H Dog Show
• Sept. - State 4-H Dog Show (usually last weekend of Sept.)

Horse

• Mar. 28 - Washington County Horse Tack Swap & Horse Related Market - St. Croix Knoll Stable
• June 7-10 - Washington County 4-H Horse Camp. Registration will be emailed to those who have completed grade 4 and registered for the Horse project April 1, open to other counties April 10.
• Sept. 17-21 - State Horse Show

Livestock Reminders - 2026

• Feb. 17 - Market Beef and Dairy Steer Animal ID deadline. (Info emailed to members 1/5/26)
• May 15 - Animal ID deadline (Dog, Horse, Llama, Rabbit, Dairy, Breeding Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat (market & dairy) and leased poultry).
• July 1 - County Fair registration due
• LQA Training - Livestock Quality Assurance training needs to be completed BEFORE County Fair to be eligible for a State Fair trip with an animal (Must have completed 6th grade to attend State Fair with an animal). In-person training lasts 3 fair seasons versus online training which is good for 1 year and has a fee. In-person training will take place June 12, 2026 in Cannon Falls, MN. Please register through 4HOnline.
• July 29 - Aug. 2 - Washington County Fair
• Aug. 26-30 - MN State Fair 4-H Livestock Encampment (Interested in being an adult chaperone? Complete your adult volunteer screening before County Fair)

Performing Arts

• Apr. 24 - Performing Arts Festival (Registration due April 10)
• July 5 - Arts-In Auditions (evening)
• July 12-15 - Arts-In Encampment
• July 28 - Dress Rehearsal (evening)
• July 29-Aug 2 - Performances at the Washington County Fair
• Aug. 22 OR 23 - State Fair Rehearsal

• State Fair Performances: TBD

Shooting Sports

• Mar. 25/Apr.1,8 - Wildlife Wednesdays (Get your wildlife hours)
• Apr. 10 - Pheasant's Forever ticket sales due
• Apr. 11 - Stevens County Archery Invitational
• Apr. 16 - Pheasant's Forever Banquet
• May 15 - Must be enrolled in 4-H and Shooting Sports project. Fees paid by first training date.
• June 8 - Aug. 24 - Summer Session - Mondays (Archery, BB, Pellet Gun)
• June 9 - Sept. 8 - Summer Session - Tuesdays (Trap, .22 Rifle, Black Powder)
• Sept. 11-13 - State Shoot in Alexandra, MN

Summer Camps

• June 7-11 - Washington County 4-H Horse Camp. Registration open to grade 4+ and will be available through 4honline April 1, opens to other counties April 10.
• June 9-12 - YELLO (Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities) Open to grades 7+ and will take place at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. (Registration now open)
• June 15-17 - Washington/Dakota 4-H Overnight Camp - Grades 3-8 - Baker Outdoor Learning Center. Maple Plain, MN. (Registration link above)
• July 6-9 - 4-H Summer Day Camps will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds, Day Camps are open to grades K-6. (Registration not yet open)

Washington County Fair 2026

• July 1 - County fair registration deadline. Final selection of projects and animals need to be entered in FairEntry by this date. Late entries accepted for ribbon only.
• July 25 - 4-H General project judging (Saturday) Includes Pet Show!
• July 29- Aug. 2 - Washington County Fair

Youth enrollment and animal ID deadline

• May 15, 2026 - Enrollment deadline for full County Fair participation and eligibility for State Fair, State Shoot, State Horse Show and State Dog Show.
• Participation is limited after May 15 (Not eligible for champions, auction, state trips) Blue, red and white ribbons only.

YELLO, Minnesota’s statewide 4‑H leadership conference, will be held June 9-12 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, bringing youth together for hands-on learning, teamwork and personal growth. Participants in grades 7+ will explore the theme Planting Seeds of Leadership through workshops, service projects, and opportunities to connect with peers. Registration is now open for this energizing and transformative experience for youth of all 4‑H backgrounds. Learn more and register. Washington County members attending YELLO will receive a county scholarship that will pay half of their registration. The member is responsible for paying the other half of the registration.

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.

Do you have youth in your 4-H program that would like to learn more about livestock evaluation? Do you have young members on a general livestock judging team who need help with structuring, completing, and presenting a set of oral reasons? Are you interested in starting a livestock judging team in your county? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Minnesota 4-H livestock judging camp is an event they should participate in!

Presented by the University of Minnesota livestock judging team and coach Kyle Rozeboom, youth will learn the fundamentals of judging and evaluation, receive instruction with oral reasons, and become more confident with livestock judging.

Camp will be held June 15 - 17 on the St. Paul campus.

Learn more and register.

4-H is partnering with FilmNrth in St Paul to offer a focused film editing workshop for youth in grades 7+. Our spring editing workshop will take place Saturday, May 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This workshop will highlight editing as a core filmmaking skill to give participants deeper, high quality instruction. Space is limited to 10 participants. The 4-H summer video workshop returns Aug. 11-13 with three days of in-person filmmaking supported by UMN faculty and film experts. Two virtual pre-sessions will be held July 27 and Aug. 3, 5 to 6 p.m. to help youth prepare for the on campus experience. This has the feel of a 48 hour film fest with professional guidance and resources provided. Learn more and register.

Check out our free, searchable online Youth Development Curriculum Library for fun, educational lesson and activity resources designed for youth workers, volunteers, and youth themselves!

190 resources and counting! More content is added every month.

A few highlights:

• Independent learning guides to support youth project learning, such as this Microgreen Growing Guide

• Resources on project areas from Animals and Livestock, to Social-Emotional Learning, to Environment and Earth Science, to STEM, and much more!

4-H volunteers contribute to youth thriving. They make their communities stronger and develop skills they can use in other settings. These are all great reasons to take a step to becoming a volunteer—If you’ve been thinking about volunteering but aren’t sure where to start there are steps you can take to learn more:

1. Complete our volunteer interest form. The info you share will be given to 4-H staff so they can work with you to find or create a volunteer role that meets your skills, interests, and availability.
2. Reach out directly to your local 4-H staff to inquire about specific volunteer opportunities in your community.

Whether you join us for one day or for multiple events, we value the impact we make together for our youth and our communities! For more information contact MN4-HVol@umn.edu.

University of Minnesota Extension works across the lifespan. We create and support positive non-formal learning opportunities for youth. We foster resilient, healthy and secure futures for families and seniors. Extension works with Minnesotans to make informed decisions leading to better health and well-being. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/working-youth/contacts-families-and-youth

University of Minnesota Extension improves food literacy, physical activity, food safety and healthy food access for Minnesotans and the food service industry. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/food-health-and-nutrition

The best plants and gardening practices for Minnesota gardeners, homeowners and hobbyists to grow healthy lawns, landscapes and gardens. Learn more at: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden

Ann Church - Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Llama, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, Rabbit), Horse, Shooting Sports, Federation, Community Clubs, Fair, Charters and Finance, Foods & Creative Arts projects and Food Stand.

Megan Slater - Youth Teaching Youth, Ambassadors, Performing Arts, Overnight/Day Camps, Dog, Goat, Cloverbud workshops.

Nicole Cash - STEM, New Families, Promotion, Outreach, and Project Workshops.

Contact information is listed below.