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University of Minnesota Extension

Fillmore County 4-H News

Fillmore County 4-H News
Fillmore County4-H News
Get Help From or Meet with Alex
If Alex is needed or wanted at any events or meetings, or if you would like his assistance with anything, feel free to use this scheduler to request time on his calendar. He loves talking to everyone and wants to be available for everyone's needs.
A digital reminder graphic with a bold green and cream wavy-styled background. In the center sits a large cream-colored notification window designed to look like a pop-up alert, complete with a green checkmark icon at the top and a red "X" close button in the upper right corner. The text inside the notification window reads: Title: REMINDER First Paragraph: If you ID'd animals and hope to take animals to the state fair, you will need to have taken LQA&E or YQCA. Second Paragraph: The extension office needs to have a record of either LQA&E or YQCA being valid before Fair. Call to Action: Contact the Extension Office with Questions.
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ATTENTION: Youth 6th Grade and up!

If you ID'd animals and hope to take them to the state fair, you will need to have taken LQA&E or YQCA. If you are unsure whether you needed to take those courses this year, you should have received an email stating that you needed them for 2026.


If you needed the course and did not attend an in-person LQA&E, then YQCA is what you will need to take. YQCA is an online, 1-hour course that will satisfy the requirements for 1 fair season. To take YQCA click here. Once you have completed YQCA, email the certificate to the Extension Office, so we have it on file. The Office does not get notified when you have taken the course.


The Extension Office needs to have a record of either LQA&E or YQCA being valid before Fair.


If you have questions, reach out to Alex or Heather at the Extension Office.

Fillmore County Fair Updates

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⏫County Fair Updates Newsletter⏫

Use the bannered link above to navigate to the County Fair Updates Newsletter for the latest updates for Fair.

Upcoming Meetings, Events, and Deadlines Upcoming Meetings, Events, and Deadlines

  • Livestock Stalling assignments for the fair will be done by the PDC on July 19th at 6 pm.
  • The 2026 Fillmore County Fair will be July 20th - 26th.
  • The August Ambassador Meeting will be on August 10th at 6pm, in room 108 of the Extension office.
  • The August Federation Meeting will be on August 10th at 7pm, in room 108 of the Extension office.
  • State Fair Livestock Encampment will be August 26th to the 30th.
  • State Fair General Encampment will be August 30th to September 1st.
  • The Extension Office will be Closed on September 7th for Holiday.
  • The September Ambassador Meeting will be on September 12th at 6pm, in room 108 of the Extension office.
  • The September Federation Meeting will be on September 12th at 7pm, in room 108 of the Extension office.

Local Events Local Events

An announcement flyer framed by a green-and-white checkered border, with green 4-H clover logos in the bottom left and right corners. The top half features bold, dark red text that reads: Message: 2026 FILLMORE COUNTY FAIR STARTS NEXT WEEK!! The bottom half displays a cluster of cute, cartoon livestock and domestic animals, including: A black and white spotted cow holding a small yellow chick. A pink pig peeking over the bottom edge. A small white goat standing next to a fluffy white sheep. A white rabbit sitting in front of a brown horse. A small grey and black dog sitting on the right.
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🎉🎊COUNTY FAIR IS NEXT WEEK!!!!🎊🎉

This is the FINAL REMINDER to make sure you have checked all of the resources and rules out for the County fair!


See everyone Next Week for the 2026 Fillmore County Fair!! Lets have a great week!!

Region Events Region Events

A low-angle view from inside a sandy arena showing the rear of a light-colored horse with a blonde tail being led by a handler wearing a western hat and an orange vest numbered 2. In the background, a large panel of judges and spectators stand in a line watching the presentation under arena lighting.
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Olmsted County 4-H Horse Judging Contest

The Olmsted County 4-H Horse Project invites youth and teams to participate in our Horse Judging Competition at the Olmsted County Fair at Graham Park on Wednesday, July 29th, at 5:30 pm.

Youth will have the opportunity to compete as individuals or as a team of up to 5 people. Awards for placings in halter and performance will be given for individuals and teams. There will not be a reasons competition. Instead, there will be a Reasons clinic while results are calculated.

● When: July 29- Competition starts at 5:30 pm

● Online Registration Deadline: July 26

● Where: Olmsted County Fair at Graham Park

● Who: Individuals and Teams in 4-H, FFA, or who are interested in competing

● Cost: $15 per individual or $50 per team

Registration Link

Information Flyer

For questions, please connect with Olmsted County 4-H Extension staff at mnext-olmsted@umn.edu or call the Olmsted County Extension Office at 507-328-6214.

Update from the desk of Lisa Dierks, Regional Director. Update from the desk of Lisa Dierks, Regional Director.

A large, fuzzy bumblebee with distinctive yellow and black segments is captured mid-flight, gathering nectar from delicate white flowers. The bee’s thorax is mostly black, while its abdomen features bold bands of bright yellow followed by a black tip. Its translucent, amber-tinted wings are spread wide, showing motion blur at the tips, and its dark legs are tucked slightly beneath its body. The bee is positioned centrally, facing toward the left where clusters of small white, bell-shaped flowers grow along a light green stem. In the soft-focus, vibrant green background, a stalk of unopened green flower buds stands to the right, bathed in natural daylight.
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July Update from the desk of Lisa Dierks, regional director.

Greetings!

County Fair Season will begin in Southeastern Minnesota during the week of July 6 at the Winona County Fair. For our 4-H members, county fairs are not just about grandstand shows, food, and rides! This is one of several ways they can showcase their projects by sharing their knowledge and skills with the judge and with each other. Learn more here about 4-H and county fairs. Minnesota 4-H depends on the skills, talents, and dedication of hundreds of adult judges. To be a judge, you don't need to be a 4-H alum or an expert. You do need to know how to evaluate the learning that a 4-H'er has accomplished. We will train you to do that. Learn more about judging 4-H at fairs and challenge events.

While visiting the fair, you will also see Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, Master Naturalists, and County Agriculture Educators serving at booths, holding tours, and participating in a variety of other educational events to teach about their specialty. Extension is working in your communities in so many ways!

I look forward to seeing you at the fair!

Lisa Dierks
Regional Director, Southeast
dierksl@umn.edu

Providing leadership to Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona Counties, and the Rochester Regional Office.

If you have any questions or requests for resources to share in future newsletters, please reach out to me at dierksl@umn.edu. To learn more about a topic, click on the title of the article!


Read the rest of Lisas' update at this link!!

Scholarships Scholarships

Foodstand Scholarship

About the Scholarship.

As of June 2025 the Foodstand Committee has started a scholarship program to encourage youth involvement on the Committee. One hundred percent of youth in the county are eligible, pending they meet the following requirements:

· Are active on the Foodstand Committee with multiple years on the committee.

· Display leadership skills within the committee and food stand.

· Dedicate time to attend meetings.

· Help with food stand set up and take down.

· Provide extra support in the food stand above and beyond a scheduled four-hour shift.


Youth in grades 7 through the youth’s last eligible year in 4-H who have had longevity with the committee and met the above requirements would be eligible for $200 per year of involvement, with a maximum of $1000 if involved all years from grades 7 through post-high school.


Our goal is to grow future leaders who come back to our program as alumni and support the 4-H Program.


Anyone that is interested in joining the Food stand Committee or wants to see what is involved is welcome to contact Alex at the Extension Office for more details.
4-H scholarships, grants and awards

4-H scholarships, grants and awards

Apply for scholarships, grants and awards available to college-bound 4-H members and alumni.

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Looking for Other Scholarships?

Contact Alex at the Extension office for other scholarship opportunities.

Club Program Resources Club Program Resources

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The Fillmore County Extension Master Gardeners have put together horticulture educational kits to be used around the county. These kits are available for check out by clubs. There are 17 different kits available each with a different project. These would be great for club leaders to use at meetings or you could invite an Extension Master Gardener to your meeting to lead the project!


The kits are free to use, but supply replenishment may be needed for some kits. The easiest and quickest way to do this is to bring a check for $20 (written to: "Regents of the University of Minnesota") when you return the kit so that we can replenish those supplies. You can also replenish them yourself.



These kits are available on a first come first serve basis, and Extension Master Gardeners have priority. However, we will do our absolute best to make turn around times short so everyone can use the kit they want!

Fillmore County Google Calendar Fillmore County Google Calendar

Click here or type in the Z-Link below to add the 4-H google calenda
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Contact The Educator

Alexander Coe

Fillmore County 4-H Extension Educator

902 Houston St NW # 3, Preston, MN 55965

University of Minnesota

Email: coexx049@umn.edu

Office Phone: 507-765-3896

M - F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Cell: 507-216-2999

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University of Minnesota Extension 4-H
https://extension.umn.edu/4-h/about-4-h
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