Douglas 4-H Buzz

Don't miss this huge 4-H garage sale fundraiser happening Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in the 4-H food stand. Many 4-H families have donated to this sale so there is a large variety of items and lots of fun finds. Fill a bag for just $ 10 with larger items priced to sell. All proceeds support essential repairs to the 4-H food stand.

This sale runs Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. If any 4-H families are interested in baking items to sell, donating plant seedlings or farm eggs contact the Extension office. If any 4-H'ers want to sell these donated items or coffee and hot chocolate let the Extension office know.

Families enrolled in beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, llama/alpaca and/or swine, should have received an important mailing detailing the animal ID process, supporting information, link to order tags and deadline requirements. Families are responsible for registering animals in 4HOnline or seeking assistance from Extension staff before the ID deadline of May 15. Please don't wait until the last minute and plan ahead so you don't miss this important state deadline. You will not be able to register animals after the deadline as the database locks family entry after May 15. If you have questions, please contact the office at hintz010@umn.edu, jkokett@umn.edu or 320-762-3890.

The Runestone Museum is celebrating a milestone and we need your help staffing the 4-H exhibit space June 20 from 1-3 p.m. Work with our 4-H summer intern Kaitlyn to staff hands on activities from 1-3 p.m. If individuals or clubs are interested, please contact the office ASAP at 320-762-3890.

The 4-H Building at the Minnesota State Fair is undergoing a huge remodel. The windows and roof have been replaced and the front of building is being painted this summer. The bulk of the remodeling will start after the 2026 fair and be completed in time for the 2027 fair. For more information and how you can help, visit 4hbuilding.org.

4-H'ers entering the 7th grade or higher are encouraged to apply for a cashier opportunity at the 4-H food stand. The food stand is in need of enthusiastic and responsible youth to run our cash registers during the course of the fair. Training on the use of our computerized cash register system will be provided prior to operations.

Benefits of the cashier opportunity:

• Learn and practice customer service skills
• Provide experience for future job opportunities
• Have fun!
• Assist in a meaningful way to raise funds for the Douglas County 4-H program

• Each cashier will be required to come to computer cashier training in the evening on Monday, August 3 pre-fair roundup/cleanup at the Food Stand exact time to be TBD
• Cashiers will be required to cashier a minimum of four – 4 hour shifts over the course of fair-week.
• A minimum of six cashiers will be selected, maybe more
• A promotional t-shirt or cap will be provided to wear during shifts and will be the workers to keep after the fair.
• Award for the position will be a flat rate of $100

Apply for this opportunity here.

Are you interested in learning more about pests, weeds, and how to help crops grow their best? Then you might really enjoy crop scouting! Crop scouts study fields closely, looking for signs of stress, disease, insects, or anything else that might affect plant growth. They combine what they see with information about weather and crop care to make smart predictions about how the plants will grow. Check out the 4-H/FF crop scouting page for more information.

The Extension office is starting a list of those interested in participating. If you’d like to be included, please call 320‑762‑3890 or email us at mnext-douglas@umn.edu so we can add you to our crop scouting communications.

You are invited to learn more about tack and saddle fitting at our clinic. Bring your horse and tack to have everything fitted correctly and learn about the different options available, and allowed, under the Minnesota 4‑H Horse Rule Book. Angie Barrows from Blairview Saddle Shop will be on site to help evaluate your tack and ensure it fits properly. Angie grew up participating in fun shows, trail rides, 4-H and now shows WSCA. Angie has 25 years of experience at Blairview Saddle Shop and loves helping people get everything they need for their four-legged friends.

Clinic will be held Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 p.m. at the Dan Neller Horse arena at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Registration deadline is Monday, May 11. There is no cost for 4-H members.

Come learn from our guest clinicians as they share their expertise in western pleasure, ranch pleasure, horsemanship, and games. They’ll offer insights, tips, and guidance on all things horse. We’ll also have a special guest providing a pony cart demonstration, plus a fun hands‑on activity where you can create a stall decoration for the fair or for home.

Join us on June 13 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Dan Neller Horse Arena at the fairgrounds. A pizza lunch will be provided. Our guest clinicians include Amy Brekke, Douglas County 4‑H alumni and horse project volunteer, along with Eliza Chyba and Kimberly Meyers.

This event is free and open to riders of all levels. Cloverbuds must follow Cloverbud policies. Registration deadline is Monday, June 8.

Pope County 4-H is hosting a LQA&E training this summer on June 2 from 1-4 p.m. LQA&E (Livestock Quality Assurance & Ethics) is required for all state fair exhibitors to have completed prior to animal arrival at their county fair. Don’t wait, check out details at https://z.umn.edu/pope4hlqae and make sure to register by the May 27 deadline.

Register now to secure your spot for these popular day camps for youth grades K-2 planned and run by the 4-H summer intern and youth day camp counselors. Register in mn.4honline.com now, once limited spots are full, registration closes. Please refer to this registration guide or contact the Extension office if you need assistance.

Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• July 8 - Spruce Hill County Park, Miltona - Outdoor Adventure (5 spots open)
• July 22 - Legacy of the Lakes Museum, Alexandria - Water Adventure (2 spots open)

Cost is $5 per camp per youth. Payment can be dropped off or mailed to our office at 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN (2nd floor of the courthouse) at time of registration. After hours drop box is located at the south entrance; label the envelope Douglas County 4-H and indicate what payment is for. Space is limited to first come, first served, spot is secured once registered and payment is received.

We need youth 6th grade and up to serve as day camp counselors for our K-2nd graders! If you are interested, please fill out form (UPDATE LINK!!!). Camp dates are:

• July 8-Spruce Hill County Park, Miltona (Outdoor Adventure)
• July 15-Brandon Lions Park, Brandon (Animal Adventure)
• July 22-Legacy of the Lakes Museum, Alexandria (Water Adventure)
• July 29-Curtis A Felt Memorial Park, Alexandria (Create Adventure)

Jump into hands‑on ATV fun, build your very own first‑aid kit, and learn simple ways to help in an emergency. Join us Thursday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Spruce Hill County Park located at 13148 Spruce Hill County Park, Miltona, MN 56354. Create a color‑changing UV bead bracelet while discovering how to stay safe in the sun. Explore plant and wildlife safety, spot toxic plants, learn what to do in a wildlife encounter, and keep track of it all in your trail‑awareness journal. Who knew being safe could be this much fun! Cost is $5 (cash or check payable to U of M) to Douglas County Extension office. Transportation is on your own and kids bring their own sack lunch and water bottle.

Register in 4-H Online. For help registering, please refer to the event registration guide or contact the Douglas county Extension office. Registration is first come, first served. The event is limited to 20 participants. Once all spots are filled, registration will close.

Campers (currently grades 3-6) will experience a traditional overnight camp, including games, songs, crafts, educational programs, a reflective campfire and more! Camp takes place June 11-12 at Faith Haven Camp in Battle Lake. Teen counselors will lead campers in activities allowing them to gain knowledge and develop social skills while meeting new friends. 4-H staff and high-school-aged camp counselors are prepared and ready to deliver an exciting overnight camp for you!

Cost is $ 120 but Douglas County 4-H pays half that cost for enrolled members; your cost is $ 60, payable by cash or check (written to Douglas County 4-H) to the Extension office no later than Thursday, May 7! If you pay by credit card (online only), you will pay the full amount and your $ 60 scholarship will be paid to you after the event.

To register, visit mn.4honline.com, login, select events on the left and search for 4-H Junior Camp at Faith Haven. You may refer to this event registration guide to walk you through the process. If you need assistance, please contact Sarah Downhour at sarahu@umn.edu or Jodi Hintzen at hintz010@umn.edu. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 7.

Regional 4-H camp is scheduled June 23-25 at the University of Minnesota Morris campus. Youth in grades 3-6 are invited to attend this unique camp experience. Youth participate in program offerings packed with educational sessions, large and small group activities and a whole lot of fun! Youth learn new skills and make new friendships. Includes water activities, various speakers, games, evening programs and campfire!

This year's track topics to choose from include:

• Kid biologist: DNA and dissection
• Junior farmhands: buzzing barnyards
• Youth artists: sculpt it
• Lil' grillers: charcoal and chicken
• Junior performers: speak away
• Excavators: p0rehistoric pioneers
• Wild card

Cost is $ 160 but Douglas County 4-H will pay $ 80 towards this fee for enrolled Douglas County 4-H members (active status) that attend. Fee includes lodging in a secure dormitory, meals and transportation. Cash or checks payable to University of Minnesota Extension can be brought to the Extension office no later than May 9. If you pay online with a credit card, you will pay $ 160 and Douglas County 4-H will pay you the $ 80 scholarship after the event.

Register now for best selection in mn.4honline.com or contact the office for assistance. Registration deadline is May 9. If interested, refer to this guide on how to register for events in mn.4honline https://z.umn.edu/eventguide.

It is all hands on deck to have a great 4-H experience at the county fair. Please check out our signup genius for opportunities to help in the exhibit building, at different animal science shows and more! It's a fabulous way to learn more about events, projects and what goes on at the county fair. There are opportunities for youth grades 3 and up all the way up to adults! To sign up or find out more about opportunities please visit signup.

Animal science interviews are another way for youth to share what they know about their animal science exhibit. There are two age divisions: junior (grades K-5) and senior (grades 6 and up.) 1st and 2nd place medals are awarded in each age division of each species; beef, dairy, goats, horse, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine. Horse interview placings are assigned points to count towards high point scores. In beef, dairy, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine senior interviews, a state fair trip is awarded through the interview process, allowing youth to participate fully in a state fair animal science experience. Interviews are held Monday, August 11 from 1-7 p.m. in the Erickson Pavilion.

You can sign up for interviews, first come first serve basis at:

Junior Interviews

Senior Interviews

All Horse interviews

It is hard to believe that we are talking about the state fair already, but it will be here before you know it.

We are in need of screened adults to chaperone our livestock encampment August 26-30 and/or during our general encampment September 1-3. We need male and female chaperones for each of the encampments. If you are interested, please contact the office ASAP! It does take time to complete the screening process, at least two weeks, so don't delay! If you have questions about what is required, contact the office.

This has been such a hit it's coming back again in 2026! Categories include:

• Best Overall Costume
• Most Creative Costume
• Funniest Costume
• Most Detailed Costume

This contest takes place after Round Robin Showmanship in the Erickson Pavilion! Come out and have some fun! Friday night of fair is the deadline to sign up. Keep in mind costumes cannot pose any harm to animals and remember that cultures are not costumes. Be respectful of diverse cultures and avoid dressing in ways that depict entire groups of people/cultures/ethnicities as "costumes."

The ProAg Country store t‑shirts 4-H'ers exhibiting at the fair get are always a favorite! We’ve heard from so many parents who want one of their own—so this year, you can! We’re excited to share that adult shirts are now available for purchase. Complete an order form and return with cash or check (payable to Pro-Ag Country Store) to the Extension office or Pro-Ag Country Store.

4-H families, are you ready to turn up the fun at the county fair? Support the Douglas County 4-H food stand upgrade efforts and the Alexandria FFA Alumni Chapter by nominating your friends and family to jump into the excitement of showmanship! Who will you challenge to take the spotlight?

• Cost to nominate someone is $ 5. Let them know about their nomination and if they decide to show, great.
• If they do not want to show, they can buy their way out for $ 20 but they can only buy themselves out twice.
• To nominate someone, stop by the 4-H Exhibit Building.
• The deadline to nominate someone is Saturday, August 22 by 12 p.m. noon.

So start thinking now who you will you send into the ring!

4-H families have a unique opportunity to make those fair memories permanent through the paver project taking place right now. Why order a custom paver? It's more than just a brick, it's a lasting piece of community's history. You can use your paver to:

• Honor a loved one: create a beautiful, permanent memorial.
• Celebrate your family: put your family name front and center.
• Show business pride: let the community know your business supports the fair.
• Commemorate a milestone: perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or "fair-ily" traditions.

The Douglas County Fair Board is building a new 40 foot paver area located directly next to the current Veterans Memorial at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Cost is $ 100 per personalized paver. Visit www.dcmnfair.com/friends to learn more and order your paver now.

As we enter this season of competition, we want to remind everyone that parents, volunteers, members and guests need to abide by the Minnesota 4-H Code of Conduct while at the county fair. The Minnesota 4-H Code of Conduct applies to both face-to-face and online environments and will be enforced with 4-H members, 4-H parents and 4-H volunteers as follows:

• While participating in or attending a 4-H sponsored program (e.g. club meeting, project meeting, activity, event, learning opportunity).

• At the county fair while participating in or attending a 4-H event or while on premises used for 4-H purposes (e.g. show ring, exhibit building, 4-H tie outs, livestock barns, food stand).
• At the state fair, during their (or their child’s) assigned encampment or assigned volunteer responsibility.

Check out the full code of conduct here and contact us with questions.

It can be confusing as to what is available to do or learn about in the many different project areas that Minnesota 4-H offers, and how that might connect to creating an exhibit for the county fair to showcase what you learned. To discover more about a specific category check out the Douglas County 4-H project guide to learn more.

Jodi Hintzen, Extension Educator, hintz010@umn.edu

Jackie Kokett, Extension Educator, jkokett@umn.edu

Douglas County Extension

Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu

Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas

Address: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308 (Courthouse, 2nd floor)

Phone: 320-762-3890

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/

Twitter: @UMNExt

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