remove_red_eye 634
page background
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.
zoom_out_map Show in original size

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

launch app.smore.com

⏫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

  • The Extension Office will be closed on July 3rd in observance of the July 4th Holiday.
  • Fillmore County Dairy Clinic will be on July 11th from 9 am to 1 pm at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds Horse Barn.
  • Fillmore County 4-H Dog show will be July 11th, at the Fairgrounds.
  • All species stall/pen set up will be on July 13th at 6 pm at the fairgrounds.
  • Fashion Revue Judging will be on July 15th starting at 5pm.
  • 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 event poster with a rustic, textured background advertising the Fillmore County 4-H Horse Project: Showmanship and Horsemanship clinic. Top Section: The words "Fillmore County" appear in a purple script font above a large, green "4-H" logo (a four-leaf clover). Next to it, the words "HORSE PROJECT" are written in bold, textured capital letters (black and green). A stylized black-and-white illustration of a horse's head is positioned in the upper right corner. Middle Banner: A solid purple horizontal stripe contains the words "SHOWMANSHIP and HORSEMANSHIP" in bold, white, capital letters. Below this banner, the text reads "Clinicians: JULIA OLSTAD and KELCY NAGEL / KAYLA FREIHEIT" in a black block font. Bottom Left (Event Details): A teal rectangular block with a rounded border displays the event details alongside yellow icons: Date: TUESDAY JULY 7, 2026 (calendar icon) Time: 6:30PM (clock icon) Location: PRESTON FAIRGROUNDS (pin icon) Bottom Right: A photograph shows a chestnut horse with a white stripe down its face, wearing a black halter. A young woman in a black cowboy hat and a decorative black show shirt stands with her back partially to the camera, holding the horse's lead rope. Next to them, a circular emblem reads "Come learn, improve, and have FUN!" Footer: A solid green band across the very bottom features small yellow stars separating the phrases "BUILDING CONFIDENCE," "LEARNING SKILLS," and "GROWING TOGETHER." A small silhouette of a rider on a horse near a fence is visible just above the footer.
zoom_out_map Show in original size

ATTENTION...please note change in next weeks clinic.... 7/6 changed to 7/7!!!! there will NOT be a Monday night clinic but instead TUESDAY night.

An informational graphic advertising a "Dairy Workshop" set against the background image of a large indoor livestock barn with a high metal-truss ceiling. On the right side, a black and white Holstein cow with small horns tilts its head into the frame, looking directly forward. The text details are displayed in a bold green font: Title: Dairy Workshop Details Panel (inside a semi-transparent dark red box on the left): When: July 11th Where: Fillmore Co. Fairgrounds Time: 9 am - 1 pm Who: Rachel Kurth & Kendra Waldenburger Contact Information (bottom right): Contact Janet Kappers, Sue Krahn, or Stacy Leiding with questions.
zoom_out_map Show in original size

July 11th Dairy Clinic

Attention Fillmore and Houston County Dairy Project Members!


You are invited to a Showmanship and Fitting Clinic. Rachel Kurth, Hutchinson, has coached

many youth on showmanship techniques. Kendra Waldenberger, Caledonia, has honed her

skills as an expert fitter. Both women are 4-H alumni and are excited to join us!


When: July 11th

Time: 9am to 1 pm

Where: Fillmore County Fairgrounds, Preston, in the horse barn

Who: Any 4-Her in 3rd grade or higher, interested in learning more about dairy. Kids under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.


What to bring: If you have these items - Your clippers; oil for your clippers; extension cords; topline brush; tail comb; topline sprays; show halter


NOTE: You can bring your OWN calf to this event if she is halter broke. Animals should arrive

clean and free of ringworm or other communicable diseases. We would like two participants for

every one calf. We encourage you to stay away from bringing large yearlings, and milk cows are

not allowed.


Each participant will receive a small gift for attending and a few fabulous door prizes will be

given.


Donuts, milk and water will be served in the morning. Lunch will be provided.


Please sign up in 4honline in the events tab (event named Dairy Workshop, Fillmore County, July 11th) no later than July 1st and let us know if you are bringing your own calf/calves. This is super important so we have a few days to find additional calves if needed.

Region Events Region Events

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Agriculture and Food Science Exploration Day

Youth in grades 6+ are invited to participate in an opportunity to explore agriculture and food science through hands-on learning and tours. Join us on Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9 for the Agriculture and Food Science Exploration (AFSE) Day. Youth will explore careers in agronomy, animal science, and food science by participating in engaging tours and hands-on learning labs. Activities and topics for the days include:

Wednesday, July 8

  • Tour of John Deere Factory and Museum in Waterloo, IA

Thursday, July 9

  • Local farm tours to learn about agronomy and animal science.

  • Hands-on food science labs.

  • Program Graduation Ceremony.



Registration fee is $20 and the deadline to register is June 24. Learn more and register at https://z.umn.edu/AgandFoodExplorationDay

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.
zoom_out_map

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.
zoom_out_map

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.

launch extension.umn.edu

Looking for Other Scholarships?

Contact Alex at the Extension office for other scholarship opportunities.

Club Program Resources Club Program Resources

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size

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
open_in_new zoom_out_map Show in original size
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

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

Find us on Facebook

© 2023 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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

close
Powered by