MURRAY COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER

Stay tuned for more details!

Murray County 4-H is inviting you to join us for our first ever Poultry Night event! With the increased interest in the poultry project area, we thought this would be beneficial to host this workshop open to new, current or interested 4-H members.

When: Tuesday, December 9 from 6 - 8 p.m.

Where: Murray County 4-H Building (3048 Broadway Ave., Slayton, MN 56172)

Cost: FREE

Things you will learn:

• How and why to select certain breeds of birds
• What class do my birds belong to at the fair
• General care of poultry
• Showmanship, rules and etiquette

There will be a meal provided.

Learn more and register here.

The Murray County Extension Office will be closed on November 27 - 28, in observance of Thanksgiving. Although our office is normally closed on Fridays, the Murray County Government Buildings will also be closed that day.

If you are needing to contact our Extension Staff or stop by the office, we recommend that you do so before this date. We will re-open with normal business hours on Monday, December 1 (Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.).

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!😃

Attached are the flyers that will be sent home with MCC and Fulda youth grades K - 6. We would love to have your 4-H youth join us once a month for our After-School-Adventures program. Youth do not need to be a member of a 4-H community club, but do need to complete the 4-H online registration

(https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in) to participate. Youth do not need to attend MCC or Fulda Schools to participate.

Visit https://z.umn.edu/2025-2026afterschoo4HAdventures to get a flyer if your youth does not attend MCC or Fulda. Please note that each school location has different dates, so be sure to sign up for the location that best works for you.

Get ready to turn up the heat and bring on the holiday cheer! Let’s cook it up on Tuesdays throughout the season as our youth chefs take over the kitchen to prepare their favorite holiday dishes—from cozy comfort foods to sweet festive treats. Along with cooking, participants will share the stories and traditions behind their dishes, celebrating the memories and flavors that make the holidays special. It’s all about creativity, culture, and connection as we share recipes, learn new skills, and taste the magic of the season together.

Join us from the comfort of your own kitchen on the following dates:

Nov. 25

Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23

from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For youth in grades K-13. Registration is through 4-H Online. There is no deadline to register.

Learn more and register.

Get ready to explore the wild side of Minnesota—right from home! Discover amazing amphibians and reptiles, learn how they survive in our lakes, forests and wetlands, and find out why they’re so important to nature. We’ll also share simple, fun ways to help protect these incredible creatures and their habitats. This exciting program is full of learning and discovery, designed to spark curiosity and a love of wildlife.

Dates:

December: 4 & 18

January: 8, 15 & 22

from 7 - 8 p.m.

For grades K - 13. Registration is through 4-H online and there is no deadline to register.

Join Nobles, Jackson, and Martin County 4-H on Monday, December 29, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., for a sewing workshop at Jackson Middle School (703 Mill Rd E, Lakefield, MN 56150).

Open to all levels of sewers in grades 3+, from beginners to experts! 4-H will lead the group through a few simple fun projects, but you are welcome to bring a project you have already started.

Register using 4-H Online by going to z.umn.edu/TriCountySewingWorkshop before December 22!

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: Nov. 19, 26; Dec. 3, 10, 17; Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28; Feb, 4, 11, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1,8. 4-H youth can earn up to four virtual hours of wildlife for shooting sports.

Questions? Contact Stacy Johnson or Suzanne Souza.

Learn more and register.

Please take a moment to download or print the 2024 - 2025 Murray County 4-H calendar.

We're excited to invite you to our Super Sitters virtual series this winter! Whether you're new to babysitting or looking to sharpen your skills, this engaging and interactive series will give you the tools and confidence to become a super sitter hero!

Dates: Nov, 18, 25 & Dec. 2, 9, 16

Time: 5:45 to 7 p.m.

Who: Youth in grades 4+

Cost: Absolutely free!

Each session will be packed with useful tips, engaging activities, and practical knowledge to help you succeed in caring for younger children safely and responsibly. Don’t miss out—become the sitter every family wants!

Learn more and register.

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!

Are you stepping into a role supporting 4-H clubs next year? Do you want to learn alongside other volunteers and receive quality resources and tools to support your club? Then, plan to attend our new club leader orientation webinar.

This 75-minute online training is open to Minnesota 4-H volunteers, potential volunteers and youth leaders as part of our statewide volunteer development webinar program. While the content is geared towards new club leaders, anyone providing leadership and support to a 4-H members' experience will benefit from the material.

Session offerings

For flexibility, we have two available dates to choose from. The content will be the same for both sessions.

• Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

During the session, you will gain

• An overview of club volunteer roles and how to build a volunteer team.
• An understanding of the nuts and bolts of 4-H clubs.
• Strategies to design the essential elements for thriving clubs.
• Resources to use and next steps that can support you in the growth of your 4-H club.

For questions or to gain more information, reach out to your local Extension educator or contact Jeremy Freeman, volunteer systems director, at jeremyf@umn.edu.

https://umn.zoom.us/meeting/register/SPqTxWoHSUmzuNPXpuzBrQ#/registration

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.

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

Ambassadors will meet on Sunday, December 7, from 1 - 3 pm at the Murray County Courts Building. We will be creating our ambassador spotlights as well as kicking off our leadership project with grant dollars from Jeff Boerboom/Pioneer Seed/ Corteva.

Looking to volunteer with Murray County 4-H?

Contact the Extension staff at (507)-836-6927

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

We would like to welcome Candice Conway, who joined as a volunteer to spend more time with her son Dylan, who is part of our after-school programming at MCC. Candice and Dylan have been joining us for years at our community events. Dylan was so excited to finally be big enough to join Murray County 4-H.

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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