Sam Stone, 4-H Youth Development Educator, with blonde hair and smiling face.

Happy Friday!

I hope you all have had a great summer so far and made it through county fair! Next stop state fair! Let me know if you have any questions regarding state fair or starting the new 4-H year!

Don't forget state fair general projects need to be dropped off before Thursday August 13th at 4:30!

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

Interviews

Congratulations on earning a trip to the Minnesota State Fair! A reminder that again this year you need to take your livestock interview test online prior to arriving at the State Fair! Exhibitors (except for dairy) will each view an educational video and then complete a specie specific test. The whole process will take 45-60 minutes to complete. Questions from the video will be included with specie specific information on the test.

Tests need to be completed by August 25 at 6 p.m. in order to be eligible for higher than a blue ribbon at the State Fair. Links to the video can be found on the 4-H Livestock Exhibitor Information page at z.umn.edu/StateFairLivestockInterviews. Select your correct specie and age group to view the video and participate in your livestock interview test. Be sure to enter in an email address when you begin and once you complete the test, a confirmation email will be sent to you.

Again, this process must be completed no later than 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25. If you have any questions on the process, please contact your local Extension Educator.

State Fair Livestock exhibitor get together

Are you a 4-H livestock exhibitor attending state fair and wanting to review species information, get to know other 4-H youth, tour important fair locations, and have the opportunity to ask questions to experienced 4-H livestock exhibitors? On Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 2 to 3 p.m., attend the state fair livestock exhibitor get together with the animal science ambassador team in the white tent between Christensen Pavilion and Como Avenue. All exhibitors are welcome but the get together will especially focus on 4-H'ers with three years or less experience, showmen who are new to their species, and exhibitors with small county delegations.

2025-2026 MN State Agriculture Ambassador group

Apply to become a 2026-2027 MN 4-H Agriculture Ambassador

Do you have a passion for agriculture and leadership? Are you always asking questions, sharing what they’ve learned, helping younger members, stepping up during events, or proudly talking about your livestock, crops, or agriculture experiences? You may be the next Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassador!

Become a leader by applying for the 2026 - 2027 Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassador team. Applications will be open Aug. 1 - 30. Now is a great time for interested high school youth to start thinking about their application, who they would ask to write their recommendation letter, and how they want to share their passion for agriculture. As part of the application process, youth will need a reference letter from a 4-H Extension educator, so we encourage you to start having those conversations now.

What does it mean to be a Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassador? Youth in grades 10+ will have the opportunity to:

Serve as a voice and advocate for Minnesota agriculture.
Build valuable leadership, public speaking, and communication skills.
Connect with agriculture professionals, organizations, and other youth leaders across the state.
Explore new opportunities, travel, and create meaningful experiences.
Inspire others by sharing their own agriculture story.

Learn more and meet the current Ag Ambassadors.

Tasty Snacks: Make Your Own Snack Adventure

Tasty Snacks: Make Your Own Snack Adventure (Grades 3-6)

Looking for a fun and engaging way to build your youth's kitchen independence this summer? Join us for Tasty Snacks: Make Your Own Snack Adventure, a free virtual program designed for youth in grades 3-6. It’s an incredible opportunity for our young youth to learn essential life skills, practice food safety, and build confidence in the kitchen—all from the comfort of home.

This program is more than just a cooking class; it’s a chance for your youth to develop an independent mindset and helpful lifestyle skills, ensuring they are ready to make smart, healthy food choices moving forward.

Event Details

Who: Open to all youth in grades 3-6.
What: Tasty Snacks: Make Your Own Snack Adventure
When: August 10-13, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily.
Where: Virtual via Zoom (link and ingredient list sent one week prior).
Cost: FREE.
Registration: Open now and closes on August 7 in 4-H Online.
Registration Link: Sign up via 4-H Online or access details directly at https://z.umn.edu/grades3-6.
Contact: For assistance, please contact Samantha Schindler at schin143@umn.edu.

All Abilities Family 4-H Camp

Are you looking for a fun-filled weekend outdoors for a young person in your family who has a disability? This overnight family camp is a great place for youth with disabilities and their caregivers, parents and siblings. In other words, this is a camp for the whole family!

Who: Youth with disabilities and their families, including school age siblings enrolled in 4-H or adult siblings. Families will be housed together. As part of the camp experience, families will participate in some activities all together and there will also be various groupings of youth and/or adults for other camp activities. All youth grades 3-13 are welcome.
Location: Camp Eden Woods, 6350 Indian Chief Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Date: September 18-20, 2026
Cost: $175/camper; $75/parent or caregiver.
Additional Details: Registration closes on September 4, 2026
Registration: Register in 4-H Online (https://mn.4honline.com)
Contact: Leah Larson, lars3286@umn.edu, 612-624-7752