Sherburne County 4-H Newsletter
April 4, 2025
April 3, 2026
A Note From Your Educator
Happy Friday!
Do you have a youth interested in fish, fishing or the waters of Minnesota? If so, register for Aquatic Wonders of Minnesota, a free, virtual learning opportunity; more information below.
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Sam Stone
Extension Educator, Sherburne County 4-H Youth Development | Sherburne County Extension | University of Minnesota | umn.edu
ston0392@umn.edu | 763-765-3077
Sam's Schedule
April 6-10
Monday 4/6: Out of Office
Tuesday 4/7: Office
Wednesday 4/8: Office
Thursday 4/9: Office
Friday 4/10: Remote
April 13-17
Monday 4/13: Office
Tuesday 4/14: Remote
Wednesday 4/15: Remote
Thursday 4/16: Remote
Friday 4/17: Remote
NOTE: When working remote, I can be contacted via email at ston0392@umn.edu or text my cell at (320) 496-3374.
Sherburne County 4-H News
Community Nutrition WIC Garden on County Campus
Sherburne County is looking for volunteers to help in their WIC Community Garden. Their goal is to provide families with fresh, nutritious produce. If you or your club is interested in participating, please reach out to Sam Stone, ston0392@umn.edu 763-765-3077.
Central region 4-H poultry workshop
All central region 4-H poultry project members are invited to a workshop with poultry and pigeon instructors Mike Kutzke and Aaron Marquette.
- April 25, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Carver County Public Works Building, 11360 Hwy 212 W, Cologne MN
With a mix of lecture and audience participation, attendees will learn showmanship tips and what to expect during the judging process from Mike Kutzke. Aaron Marquette will present the basics of poultry judging, carcasses, eggs and laying hens, in 4-H.
This workshop will cover pigeons/doves, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.
Birds will be provided.
Registration opens ASAP and the registration deadline is April 24, 2026. To register, log in, or if new to 4-H, enroll, at https://mn.4honline.com. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide at z.umn.edu/4hEvent or contact devarati@umn.edu
County 4-H Volunteer Connection
Being a 4-H club or group leader can be a challenging (and rewarding!) job. Join other leaders in McLeod, Meeker, Stearns, Sherburne, & Wright for a series of calls where we will talk about timely subjects and have time for questions.
All calls will take place on Zoom from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
May 7, 2026 - Register
Fair Registration
County fair
Learning opportunities (camps, clinics, workshops)
September 17, 2026 - Register
Club charters
Budgets and Fiscal Management
Shared leadership strategies & succession planning
Have a question that’s not about the planned topics? That’s okay! Bring whatever questions you may have!
Minnesota's aquatic wonders: 4-H fishing series
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. In this new series, we will hear from experts that celebrate Minnesota's long tradition of fishing.
Learn about lakes, rivers, the Great Lakes and native fish in this webinar series held on Tuesdays from April 28 to June 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. via Zoom.
Audience
Youth in grades K and up
Cost
Free
Become a Green Superhero!
Calling all homeschool youth in Wright and Sherburne counties! Become a green superhero! In this hands-on workshop, youth ages 8-15, will take on exploring environmental and polymer science. Create eco-friendly materials, experiment with biodegradable plastics, and discover how science can help save the planet.
Date/Time: Tuesday April 28, 2026, 9:30am-Noon
Location: Wright County Government Center, 3650 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo, MN 55313
The 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
WHEP is a hands-on environmental education program dedicated to
teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to youth. It provides
participants with an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a
friendly competition in teams of 3–4 similarly aged individuals, led by a
local 4-H volunteer coach. The winning senior WHEP team (14-19 years
old) will have the opportunity to attend the annual National WHEP
Contest, typically held the last full week of July.
More information on the program can be
found at z.umn.edu/4HWHEP.
- The 2026 ecosystem is the
Eastern Deciduous Forest.
State 4-H WHEP Contest will be
held May 9, 2026, from 9 a.m. - 2
p.m.
- Registration is OPEN! See 4-H
WHEP State Contest Information
and Registration. The deadline to
register is April 29.
Minnesota State 4-H Opportunities
Buds & Blooms Photo Workshop
Minnesota 4-H Photography is excited to offer a statewide floral and foliage photo workshop to youth in grades K-13.
The Zoom workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. Learn from MN 4‑H Photography Committee members Cora, Michele and MaryAnn as they guide you through creative, hands-on techniques to elevate your flower and foliage photography. Participants will explore ways to capture striking textures, vibrant colors, dramatic lighting, and unique perspectives that transform ordinary plants into captivating, eye‑catching images.
Questions? Email fourhphoto@umn.edu
FarmHouse Fraternity Scholarship Opportunity
Hi! My name is Caiden Strosahl, a second year student at the University Minnesota and Vice President of Recruitment for the Minnesota Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity. FarmHouse has always had strong ties to 4-H, with many FarmHouse alumni having served as state ambassadors. I am reaching out to inform you of a scholarship opportunity for male high school juniors and seniors who plan to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Multiple scholarships of up to $1,000 are awarded each year to University of Minnesota freshmen, regardless of their major, based on academic achievement, leadership experience, extracurricular involvement, and career motivation, not their likelihood to join a fraternity. FarmHouse is a alcohol and substance free house, which provides a safe environment for future gophers. Attached is a flyer containing more information about the scholarship, which includes the application. Please distribute this information to clubs in your area and to any male high school junior or senior you know that is interested. Thank you!
FarmHouse Scholarship Application 2026
The application deadline is April 13, 2026
4-H STEM Beyond Ready Series: From Minnesota to Mission Control
Ready to launch your future? Join Major General (Retired) Timothy A. Sejba as he shares how his journey—from a University of Minnesota, Duluth student to a top leader in the U.S. Space Forcer, took him to the forefront of space operations. Discover how curiosity, STEM, and leadership can take you beyond ready!
Registration deadline: May 1.
2026 Minnesota 4-H Engineering Design Challenge!
Step right up! Join us for the 2026 Minnesota 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! An informational webinar will take place on April 29 from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Learn more and register.
Upcoming Events
State 4-H: Wildlife Wednesdays
Did you know that you can obtain some of your State Shoot Wildlife hours through online state offerings? Join Wildlife Wednesdays! Each week, you'll discover something new and inspiring about nature — from secret animal behaviors to incredible ecosystems — all while learning how to protect and respect the environment around us. Whether you're curious, have a love for animals, or looking for a midweek adventure, this series is your gateway to conservation knowledge and a lifelong love of nature. Sessions will be held virtually, 7-8 p.m., on the following Wednesdays: April 1 and 8. Go to the Wildlife Wednesdays webpage for more information and registration!
Event Information
Oak Room
Event Information
Maple Room
Event Information
Oak Room
Event Information
- Team registration - 8:30-9 a.m.
- Team orientation - 9 a.m.
- Bowls commence - 9:30 a.m.
Contact
- Sharon Davis, 4-H animal science director, davis051@umn.edu
- Randi Schwartz, 4-H program manager, schw1553@umn.edu
Event Information
- Megan Anderson , Email: mkseamans@gmail.com, Phone: 641-330-8789
- Amy Savage, Email: mattamyjo@yahoo.com, Phone: 612-919-3452
Event Information
Event Information
Oak Room
Event Information
Sherburne County Fairgrounds
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