Mower County 4-H Newsletter
October 27, 2026
Welcome to our 4-H Newsletter! The most up-to-date information about events and activities going on in Mower County 4-H! This newsletter is sent to all enrolled 4-H members and volunteers every other week. Be sure to also check your inbox for the 4-H Clover Update from Minnesota 4-H, which features state 4-H news, events, and opportunities.
Have something that you’d like to see added to the newsletter? Please send any newsletter additions to Mower County 4-H staff at mnext-mower@umn.edu.
Upcoming Events
October 27: Cloverbud leader meeting, 4-H office (Austin)
October 29: Ambassador meeting, 4-H Building (Austin)
October 31: Club charters due
November 1: Deadline to pay for banquet tickets
November 5: Virtual Statewide Minnesota 4-H Treasurer Training
November 8: Recognition Banquet, Adams American Legion (Adams)
November 16: Club leader and officer training, 4-H Building (Austin)
November 18: Animal Science Project Development Committee meeting, 4-H Building (Austin)
November 19: Virtual Statewide Minnesota 4-H Treasurer Training
November 22: Horse Project Development Committee, 4-H Building (Austin)
November 26-27: 4-H office closed
Calendar of events can be found at: z.umn.edu/MowerCalendar
4-H News
Join us at the Recognition Banquet
Join us as we celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our 4-H members, volunteers, and supporters!
Date: Sunday, November 8
Time: Program starts promptly at 5:00 pm
Location: Adams American Legion, Adams
Cost is $12 per plate. RSVP by Monday, October 26 at https://z.umn.edu/MC-Banquet
4-H re-enrollment now open
Enrollment for the 2026-2027 4-H program year is now open! In order to remain enrolled, you will need to show your family’s intent to participate by logging in to 4-H Online and reviewing, updating and submitting the following information:
Your family's contact and demographic information, including club, school and grade.
Each family member's health and emergency contact information.
Project areas of interest for this coming year.
You can log in to 4-H Online at mn.4honline.com to complete the re-enrollment process. A help guide can be found at https://extension.umn.edu/4-h/learn-more-or-join.
Local Programs and Events
Club leader and club officer training
The club officer and volunteer training will be held on Monday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building. At this training, club leaders and club officers will have the opportunity to review the goals they set for this year, learn how to build engaging club meetings, and interact with other clubs to learn what they are doing well and what we could improve on.
All clubs should have at least one club leader and club officer attend the training. Please RSVP by November 11.
Regional and Statewide Programs
Join us for Virtual Statewide Minnesota 4-H Treasurer Trainings!
Dates: Thursdays, November 5 & 19
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm, with a bonus session for adult treasurers on 11/19, from 7:30-8:00 pm
Audience: All youth treasurers, parents of youth treasurers, and any adult on 4-H bank accounts
Location: Zoom
Content: Financial best practices and policies, roles of the financial team, importance of youth treasurers, how to make roles meaningful, how to help treasurers develop financial management life skills, hands-on practice in completing our treasurer’s book, and tips for mentoring and supporting youth treasurers.
Register at https://z.umn.edu/4HTreasurerTraining
See online event information for more details.
Register for 4-H Science Sprouts
What can you discover with a pumpkin, a little curiosity, and some science? Find out with 4-H Science Sprouts! Youth in grades 3-5 are invited to explore pumpkins, wheat, and indoor gardening through three fun, hands-on virtual STEM adventures on Oct. 26, Nov. 23, and Dec. 28 from 5:30 to 6 p.m. This virtual learning opportunity is free! Register by Oct. 15 to receive a special supply kit in the mail. Come curious. Get growing. Explore plant science! Learn more and register.
Save the date: Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU)
Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) brings together hands-on activities, team-building challenges and meaningful conversations that help young people discover their strengths and step into leadership. Participants engage in interactive learning, make new friends from across the region and leave feeling inspired and ready to incorporate their skills into their clubs, schools, and communities.
2027 dates and locations: Feb. 6-7 at Camp Victory, Zumbro Falls. Participant registration information will be posted by Nov. 1.
Animal Science Project Information
Animal Lease Form
Minnesota 4-H allows the leasing of animal science projects to encourage a greater number of members to have the opportunity to experience the showing of livestock projects. We want to build a list of people in Mower County who are willing to lease their animals to 4-H members. We will share this list with 4-H families. Please complete this form if you are interested in leasing animals to 4-H members. Feel
Shooting Sports and Wildlife Information
Shooting Sports and Wildlife Registration form
If you plan on participating in the Mower County 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife project, please complete the registration form (paper version or Google Form) and turn in payment to the 4-H office by January 1. This form lets the SS&W leaders know who is participating in each area, and the fees will help cover the cost of ammunition and other supplies.
Donate to Midway Endowment Fund
This is a matching fund that directly supports 4-H SS&W programming in Mower County. The money is used for firearms, ammunition, targets etc. Please help us keep the cost of programming low by helping us build this matching endowment. Donate at https://z.umn.edu/Mower-Midway. Families also have the option to purchase a 52 Gun Sweepstakes Calendar from Midway for $50, which would be a donation to the Mower County 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Endowment fund.
County Fair Information
Committee Information
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is a group of youth and adults that meet to discuss program direction, events, activities, and issues that will help build and strengthen the Mower County 4-H program. View Advisory Board meeting agendas and minutes.
Next meeting: December 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building.
Animal Science Project Development Committee
The Animal Science PDC gives leadership to the development and implementation of educational programs in animal science project areas that meet the needs of Mower County 4-H members and volunteers and support the mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program.
Next meeting: November 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building
Horse Project Development Committee
The Horse PDC gives leadership to the development and implementation of educational programs in the Horse project area that meet the needs of Mower County 4-H members and volunteers and support the mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program.
Next meeting: November 22 at 6 p.m. at the 4-H Building. This is an open meeting so all members interested in the 4-H horse project are encouraged to attend.
Ribbon Auction Committee
Next meeting: TBD
Resources for 4-H Families
Contact 4-H Staff
Adam Stevermer
Jessica Moreno
Cindy Stahl
Email: stahl225@umn.edu
Phone: 507-437-9552
Contact the 4-H office
Email: mnext-mower@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/local/mower
Location: 1105 1/2 8th Ave NE Austin, MN
Phone: 507-437-9552
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mowercounty4h