The LQA&E training will be held on April 12, 2025 at 9 a.m. Check in will be at 8:30 a.m. at the Lac qui Parle County Extension Office. There was an email sent out with with an excel sheet indicating who has current certification. Please be sure to check when your certification expires if you have already taken the training. If you did not receive the email please reach out. Please contact the Extension Office to sign up.

Please fill out the form below, tags will be ready the next business day. All market and commercial animals as well as prospect calves need 4-H tags.

If you have already filled out the tag form and have not yet picked up tags they can be picked up in the office Monday through Thursday.

REMINDER: All animals need to be tagged by the respective animal ID deadline.

Use this link to request tags or call the extension office: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeag2f7dpnDAaYu57TDnOJsuLmcTY3HU07zqXiiAjhFJYMMew/viewform?usp=header

For more information about animal ID's and requirements use the link below:

We are excited to announce that the Food Stand Committee will begin meeting in April! If you have already contacted the office to be a member please watch your email for more updates on the meeting date. We are currently still seeking members from Riverside Rockets and Freeland Telestars to join this committee. Your participation will help ensure the success of our food stand at the fair, and we’d love to have your input!

Additionally, the Budgeting Committee will start meeting early summer. We are still looking for members from North Stars, Freeland Telestars, and Riverside Rockets to help shape and plan the budget for the upcoming season.

We are super excited to kick off these committees and are looking forward to working together to make this a great year! If you are interested in joining either committee, please contact us for more information on how to get involved. If your club is not listed and you are interested please reach out their is no maximum number of members!

Lac qui Parle County Extension Office is expanding our summer position search to interns or summer coordinator applicants. The intern position is open to undergraduate students (spring 2025 graduates are not eligible), the summer coordinator is open to candidates 18 years or old with a high school diploma. We are looking for someone passionate about 4H and youth development that is familiar with word processing, email, and internet browsers. If you or anyone you know fits either description please contact the office. We are excited to work with someone interested in what 4H has to offer!

https://hr.myu.umn.edu/psc/hrprd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&SiteId=5&FOCUS=Applicant&JobOpeningId=365273&PostingSeq=1

Everyone is welcome to join the April Leader's Council Meeting at the EOC room in Madison. We will discuss current happenings in the program as well as sharing activities to bring to your next club meeting. There will be pizza provided bring your own drink. Please go to the link below if you plan to attend to fill out a preference of pizza flavors.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevmsJ9dpGRiTjozBZJwtDaxqtjNzDa5nJ14JaRI-vDRriA6A/viewform?usp=header

The Leader's Council has a Secretary position open. Please contact the Extension Office if you are interested!

Engineering Simple Machines is going to be offered in both MMN Elementary and Dawson-Boyd Elementary! This is a three session STEM program offered for grades k-4.

Session One: BLOW!: Using the story of the Big Bad Wolf, students will design a paper house and experiment with how to make the structure withstand different "wind" velocities using a limited amount of materials.

Session Two: ZOO!: Using the story of Curious George Goes to the Zoo by H.A. Rey, students will build bridges over a river and test the strength of the bridge. By using a variety of objects that imitate the weights of zoo animals they can test how much each bridge can withstand.

Session Three: TIP!: Youth will explore the concept of balance using a balance scale, stick, and a variety of other objects. Youth will build their own scales and use the Engineering Design Process to identify and create two examples of balance using different objects.

Lac qui Parle Valley Dates: Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, and May 14 starting at 2:55 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Dawson-Boyd Dates: Mondays, April 28, May 5, and May 12 starting at 3:10 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.

A camp for all youth who have completed grades 3-6 to experience the full benefits of 4-H and a place for kids to be kids!

What to Expect: At camp, 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.

Educational Tracks: 15-20 youth campers, an adult educator and youth counselors will meet four times during camp to learn about a new topic. Campers are invited to rank all tracks choices they are interested in.

• Seeds to Survival (Plant Sci/Outdoor Adventures)
• Paws, Claws, and Hooves (Exploring Animals)
• Pop, Fizz, Boom (STEM)
• Nourish & Flourish (Food & Nutrition)
• Made by Me (Crafts & Fine Arts)
• Needle & Knot (Sewing, Needle Art)

Small Groups: Campers will be assigned to a small group consisting of 8-10 youth campers and two teenage counselors, who will lead them for camp activities.

Large Groups: Includes water activities, various speakers, games, evening programs, and campfire.

Amenities: Located on the University of Minnesota, Morris campus, campers will experience immersion into the campus life.

Lodging: Campers are housed in a secure dormitory on the University of Minnesota Morris campus. Each room accommodates two youths; campers are allowed to choose their own roommate when arriving at camp.

Meals: Campers will dine at the Morris Dining Hall on campus with many options to choose from. Dietary needs can be accommodated.

Transportation: Busing is provided from various locations; subject to camper sign-up.

Leadership: 4-H program staff and teenage counselors provide leadership for all camp activities. They work to create positive learning experiences based upon research that meets the key elements to youth development: Independence, Belonging, Generosity, and Mastery.

Cost: Cost is $160 - Contact your local 4-H Extension Educator to find out if your county 4-H program pays a portion.

If you have any questions please contact Leah Thompson

For more information and to Register online. Brochures are also available in the Extension Office.

Minnesota 4-H State Arts-In is an opportunity to explore new skills and advance existing skills. Learn about one of the four areas: technical theater, band, performing arts, or costuming. This event is offered for youth grades 9+.

Prep week is August 7 through August 14 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Each area will prepare for the upcoming events at the State Fair.

• Technical: construct the stage and props, paint and finish the stage, and learn how to run sound, lights and backstage tech piece
• Costumes: sew costumes, shop for accessories and additional costume pieces, and fit costumes for each participant
• Band: prepare all of the instrumental music for the show, rehearse as a band, learn to play together, and learn the art of self-coaching as you work individual and in small groups
• Performers: put together the performance, rehearse vocal parts and dialogue, and learn choreography and blocking

State Fair prep days is August 19 and 20 is for the finishing touches on everything from prep week before the start of the State Fair. During the State Fair, August 21 through September 1, during this time there will be three to four shows a day. Along with the shows there will be participant lead and supported events and multiple other State Art-In unique events.

For more information and registration go to the link provided. https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-minnesota-state-fair/minnesota-4-h-state-arts

YELLO is hosted at the University of Minnesota - Morris from June 10 through June 13. This is a great opportunity for youth to build confidence and leadership skills to achieve their goals, explore career paths, college options, and personal interests in interactive workshops. As well as to connect with other motivated youth and inspiring mentors in a fun, hands-on environment.

Register by March 31 to receive the early bird registration rate of $300. Start April 1, the price will increase to $350, so register early.

For more information and registration go to the link provided. https://extension.umn.edu/statewide-4-h-news/give-your-teen-unforgettable-leadership-experience-yello

The state animal science team is hosting a webinar via Zoom for all local livestock project development committee volunteers and staff on Thursday, April 24, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The webinar will highlight system-wide policies and processes to strengthen the animal science programs, discuss updates within the livestock species, and offer additional resources.

For more information and registration go to the link provided. https://extension.umn.edu/event/minnesota-4-h-animal-science-pdc-statewide-webinar

We are excited to bring you our next topic in the series Growing Minds, Growing Skills Academy; it is home alone heroes! Our goal is for you to be beyond ready and equipped with the knowledge and skills to be safe when staying home alone.

Join us for three sessions from 6 to 7 p.m. on the following dates: May 12, 19, and June 2. It is open to youth grades 3+. There is no cost for admission, registration is available through 4-H Online.

Take on the challenge and form a 4-H plant science crop scouting team! Teams are made up of youth grades 6+ from one or multiple counties. Please contact the extension office if you are interested.

Crop Scouting Registration Opens: May 1

State Crop Scouting Event: Monday, July 28

https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-showcase-events/4-hffa-crop-scouting

For more information and registration go to the link provided.

There are many ways to continue learning in 4-H beyond County Fair! If you have any interest in participating in Livestock Judging, Horse Bowl, Crop Scouting or anything else please let me know! I am happy to look into it for you!

Volunteers Make The World Go Around!

To learn more about becoming an official 4-H Volunteer please follow this link! Volunteers are needed in so many aspects of 4-H! Completing the Volunteer application is easy! https://extension.umn.edu/volunteer-4-h/apply-become-4-h-volunteer

Email: thom8004@umn.edu

Website: https://extension.umn.edu/local/lac-qui-parle

Location: 422 5th Avenue, Suite 305, Madison, MN, USA

Phone: 320-598-3325

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LacquiParleCounty4H

Twitter: @UMNExt

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