The Fourcast
April 20, 2026 Edition
It's National Volunteer Week! This week and every week we celebrate our caring and dedicated 4-H volunteers! The value 4-H volunteers bring to our program extends far beyond the scope of youth development and into every part of our community in Hubbard County. That is why a huge THANK YOU goes out to our 4-H volunteers who help strengthen not only our 4-H youth but also our communities as they share their skills and talents to inspire the next generation to be ready for work and for life!
Hubbard County 4-H is growing a vibrant and diverse community of caring volunteers that are strengthening youth and impacting our communities. We invite you to join us as we inspire the next generation to be beyond ready. To learn more about becoming a volunteer with 4-H, please contact the Hubbard County Extension Office!
Minnesota 4-H is still looking to hire an Interim 4-H Program Associate for Hubbard County to support the 4-H program while Educator Brooke Remer is on maternity leave!
This Interim 4-H Program Associate will manage the day to day coordination and delivery of local 4-H programming in partnership with the Summer 4-H Intern and County Administrative Assistant. This temporary position has a flexible start date from May-early June 2026. View the job description (z.umn.edu/interimapp). To be considered for the position, applicants must complete the application (z.umn.edu/interimapp) and an intake survey (z.umn.edu/interimscreening).
Please send questions to Kate Holland, 4-H Interim Hires and Onboarding Coordinator, at kharring@umn.edu.
We are less than 1 MONTH out from the May 15, 2026, 4-H Animal ID Deadline! Why not get a jump start to ID'ing your 4-H project animals and save yourself the headache of forgetting later - especially if your household wants or needs assistance with the ID process before 4-H Educator Brooke goes on maternity leave in a few weeks!
Remember: All other animals, including breeding heifers, cow/calf pairs, prospect calves (steers and heifers), dairy, dairy goats, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, meat goats, poultry (doves and pigeons), rabbits, sheep, and swine must be owned or leased, tagged or tattooed and identified in 4-H Online by May 15, 2026. While there is plenty of time to get these additional animal IDs completed, please remember that you can always get started now if you already have your animals and are ready to complete the ID process. This letter has more information and guides on the ID process for all other animals.
Need Animal ID Tags or Taggers? Give the Hubbard County Extension Office a visit during our core office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday from 8:30-2:00 or by scheduling a time to stop in by calling 218-732-3391.
Please note that Cloverbuds in grades K-2 do not need to ID animals in 4-H Online, but their animals attending the fair need to meet all Board of Animal Health exhibition requirements.
April 21 - FINAL SESSION - LEGO Lab: Mega Makers Series
If your 4-H'er loves building, creating and using their imagination with LEGOs? Then the LEGO Lab: Mega Makers with 4-H program is for them! At each monthly program session, youth will tackle exciting building challenges, explore STEM in a fun way as they design their own creations, and learn new skills - brick by brick. Whether they are a master builder or just starting out, all 4-H youth in grades 3-7 are welcome to register to attend! We will see what amazing things we can create together on the third Tuesday of the month from October through April from 6:00-7:00 PM at the Hubbard County Extension Office (201 Fair Ave, Park Rapids). Pre-registration for LEGO Lab: Mega Makers with 4-H is required in 4-H Online and will be open to all enrolled 4-H youth in grades 3-7.There will be no cost to attend these project days, and youth can opt to register for one or all program sessions! Even if your 4-H'er missed the first few sessions, there is still room for more registrations, and we'd love to welcome them to the group of Mega Makers!
Tuesdays Beginning April 21 - 4-H Dog Project Training Sessions
The Hubbard County 4-H Dog Project leaders invite those interested in participating in the 2026 Dog Project Training Sessions to join them on Tuesdays beginning April 21, 2026, at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds at 6:00 PM in the grand stand pavilion area. Each training will build upon the last, so attendance is strongly encouraged each week! For more information on the 2026 Dog Project Training Session requirements for participation, please check out the 2026 Dog Project Information or connect with one of the listed project leaders!
April 28 - Leaders Council Meeting
All 4-H members and their families are invited to join us at the Leaders Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the Hubbard County Extension Office (201 Fair Ave, Park Rapids). For those who will not be able to attend in-person, a Zoom link to join virtually will be shared with all 4-H households the day of the meeting.
We hope you can join us to provide your voice, guidance and feedback for events and programming happening in 4-H. Remember: when you attend, you are able to help drive the direction of the 4-H program in Hubbard County by sharing your input and ideas!
May 18 - Livestock Project Development Committee Meeting
Be sure to join the Livestock Project Development Committee (PDC) on Monday, May 18, at 6:00 PM to discuss happenings for the livestock project area in Hubbard County 4-H! The meeting will be at the Hubbard County Extension Office (201 Fair Ave, Park Rapids), but, if you aren't able to be at the meeting in-person, members are welcome to join virtually via Zoom (joining instructions will be emailed to 4-H households the day of the meeting). Be sure to come prepared for discussions with fresh ideas and feedback to continue to improve the Livestock Project for our 4-H members!
Note: This May 18 meeting is in place of the regular first Monday of the month meeting, as there will be no 4-H staff working on May 4 due to 4-H Educator Brooke's upcoming maternity leave.
May 20 - Shooting Sports & Wildlife Project Information Night
The Hubbard County 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Program, a part of the Targets & Trails 4-H Club, will be hosting an introduction night from 6:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 20, at the Osage Sportsman's Club (25315 Co Hwy 48, Osage, MN 56570).
This will be a great opportunity for youth who are in grades 3-13 to learn more about each of the disciplines offered in 4-H's Shooting Sports project, including:
- BB Gun (grades 3-13)
- Archery (grades 3-13)
- Air Rifle/Pistol (grades 4-13)
- .22 Rifle (grades 6-13 with a DNR Firearms Safety Course Certification)
- Muzzleloader/Axe Throwing (grades 7-13 with a DNR Firearms Safety Course Certification)
- Shotgun (grades 7-13 with a DNR Firearms Safety Course Certification)
- Wildlife Education (grades K-13)
The certified project leaders will share details about each discipline like when and where practices will take place, what parental consents are needed, what the program fees will be, and how youth can qualify for the MN 4-H State Shoot Invitational at the end of summer.
Registration is now open for all three NW MN 4-H overnight camps! Whether you’re a returning camper, or trying overnight camp for the first time, you’ll be surrounded by friendly counselors, enthusiastic staff and a community of peers excited to make new memories together. Learn more about each by clicking the links below.
Step right up! Join us for the 2026 4-H Engineering Design Challenge Kickoff! This year’s theme? Midway Madness! Design a Rube Goldberg™ machine that can win a carnival game EVERY time And celebrate the win! April 29 | 5:00–5:45 PM. Register by: April 28, 2026.
To sign up, visit: https://z.umn.edu/EDCwebinar
Calling all youth interested in fish, fishing, and exploring Minnesota's wonderful world of water! Join 4-H to learn about the fish and waterways of Minnesota from experts in this new series that celebrates Minnesota's long tradition of fishing. Join 4-H for five total sessions via Zoom on April 28, May 5, 12, 19, & 26 and June 2 from 6:30-8PM. Check out the web page for details and how to register: z.umn.edu/4HFishingWebSeries
Join Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Timothy A. Sejba as he shares how his journey—from a University of Minnesota–Duluth student to a top U.S. Space Force leader, took him to the forefront of space operations.
Discover how curiosity, STEM, and leadership can take you beyond ready! Registration closes: May 1. To learn more about this opportunity and to register, visit https://z.umn.edu/beyondready4hstem
Are you new, or newer, to the 4-H Livestock Project or want to explore a new species this year in 4-H? Check out the 'Barn Buddy' Mentor Program with Hubbard County 4-H!
The Barn Buddy Mentor Program allows 4-H youth who are new(er) to the Livestock Project to jumpstart their 4-H Livestock Project journey in any species and to dive into knowledge and skill development in order to have a positive experience from selecting an animal to work with all the way to showing at the fair! 4-H youth in the Barn Buddy Mentor Program will be paired with an experienced 4-H youth or alumni member to receive one-on-one support and guidance in their species of interest. Youth participating in the Barn Buddy Mentor Program can expect to get hands-on experiences as they learn about animal care, showmanship skills, and project management. To request a barn buddy, please complete this short survey!
If your family is looking for more opportunities with 4-H, be sure to check out the April 4-H Clover Update Newsletter! It’s filled with additional regional and state-wide program opportunities open to 4-H’ers. As you think about registering for regional or state-wide programs, don’t forget to apply for scholarships to cover 50% or more of the registration fee as well as to reimburse mileage for families carpooling!
