MURRAY COUNTY 4-H NEWSLETTER

Club leaders, let the office know if you need any assistance....

Members, if you know you are unable to attend your clubs January meeting, please make arrangements with your club leaders or contact the Extension staff to coordinate a pick-up time for your families' packets.

Forms are due to club leaders on or before February 16!

Thank you all for participating in the fundraiser! Your efforts go a long way towards improving our program through educational opportunities, field trips, state fair trips, and summer camps!

Tags are now available at the Extension office if you plan on exhibiting Market Beef or Dairy Steers at the Murray County Fair!

Please remember, you need to register your tag information in 4-H Online!

The family of Andrea Ruesch established a 4-H scholarship in memory of her dedication and contributions to the Minnesota 4-H program. Based on the family's belief in positive youth development, the focus of this scholarship is on demonstrated learning through hands-on experience and using what you have learned to help others (youth leadership).

This is a one-time $1,000 scholarship and at least four scholarships will be awarded annually.

For 4-H members who are high school seniors or first-year college students. They must currently be enrolled in one of the counties listed: Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock and Watonwan.

The application must be submitted by March 1.

Learn more or apply here!

See FULL listing of available scholarships here.

There is an ANR internship open for Murray/ Pipestone County. Learn about the exciting world of agriculture, horticulture and natural sciences by joining the ANR Summer Internship Program! This opportunity allows college students to gain first-hand experience doing work that matters. If you are interested, please apply here.

Please complete your re-enrollment for the 2023-2024 year, visit 4-Honline to complete this task. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Extension staff!

Need activity ideas for your 4-H club? Check out our Youth Development Curriculum Library for fun, educational lesson and activity resources designed for youth workers, 4-H volunteers, and youth themselves! 86 resources and counting! More content is added every month. Current categories: Animals and livestock, civic engagement and leadership, Cloverbuds (K-2), environment and earth science, expressive arts and communication, family and consumer science, gardening and agriculture, healthy living, icebreakers, games, and reflection activities, including youth of all abilities, independent learning, outdoor adventures, STEM, and themed 4-H club agenda samples. If you have specific content you’d like to see, contact Jessica Russo at pier0239@umn.edu.

We are looking for youth currently in grades 9-12 to serve as counselors at our multi-county 4-H camp held at Shetek Lutheran Ministries on the shores of Lake Shetek. 4-H camp counseling is a great opportunity to grow as a leader and have fun outdoors. Please visit our website for more information or to apply!

Please take a moment to download or print the 2023 - 2024 Murray County 4-H calendar.

February 15, 2024 - Market Beef and Dairy Steers ID due

February 16, 2024 - Fundraisers due to club leaders

March 9, 2024 - Fundraiser delivery date

4-H club and group projects can focus on STEM, agriscience, healthy living, outdoor adventures, equity, leadership, global connection, social inclusion, the arts, creative writing, and photography. Funds can also be used for skill building, for example, a group training on building inclusiveness skills that can be applied to making club activities more inclusive.

What if your idea doesn't fit within any of these categories? Please still submit it!

Next meeting will be February 4, 2024 1- 3 pm Courts Building - we will be making Valentine's Day projects with for residents in local assisted living facilities.

Calling all youth grades K - 6. After School Adventures will be starting in October and meeting once a month in both Fulda and Slayton. We will meet the first week of October and then the second Tuesday (Fulda) and the second Thursday (MCC) from after school until 5pm. $5 per session or $30 for all seven. Sign up at here and search under events. Can't wait to see you all!

The animal science team is excited to roll out the second collection of learning kits for youth who are new to 4-H animal projects. The Minnesota 4-H Livestock in a Box series will explore four livestock species: pets (dog and cat), beef, sheep and swine.

Each box will introduce youth to breed identification, nutrition, health, care, and careers associated with each animal. Lessons and activities will be designed for youth in grades 4-7 to explore without (much) adult assistance and will focus on hands-on learning. Each box will include all supplies necessary for the lesson activities.

Beginning in early November, we'll begin marketing this learning series directly to Minnesota families. Boxes will be $25 each, which includes shipping directly to homes. Families may select individual boxes or order the entire series. Supplies are limited, so we encourage families to order the boxes they want as soon as possible. Livestock in a Box can be ordered just as if you were signing up for an event in 4-H online.

Ordered boxes will be prepared and delivered to families according to the following schedule:

• December: Pet [dog & cat]
• January: Beef
• February: Sheep
• March: Swine

Discover how gravity influences plant growth and observe roots in action! Join us for an exciting winter series of 4-H Science Sprouts. This opportunity is open to youth in grades 3+ who are interested in plants and science. Online sessions will take place January 22, February 26, and March 25 from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Throughout this series, we'll explore how gravity affects plant life and delve into the fascinating world of root growth. We'll cover agronomy and horticulture topics tailored to the season using STEM. While there's no cost for the program, we'll share a list of optional supplies for those who want to try hands-on experiments at home. We'll send the list out a week before each gathering. Let's explore the wonders of science together in this engaging winter series! Learn more and register.

The National 4‑H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H civic engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, nation and world.

This year Lindsey Hause was selected as a Minnesota Representative and Sophia Gaul who attended last year was asked back as a Youth Team Leader. Encourage your 4-hers to reach out to Lindsey or Sophia to learn all about their experiences.

Find more information on the National 4-H Conference website.

Have you ever looked out your window and wondered about the animals that share the same environment as you do? How do they stay warm in the winter? Why do some of our winged friends fly south when the weather changes and some hang around? Discover the wonderful world of wildlife around you with Wildlife Wednesdays!

This series of wonder and wander will bring to youth conservation knowledge and the start of lifelong respect for the environment around us.

Sessions will be held virtually, 7 - 8 p.m., on Wednesdays from January 31 to April 24, except February 14.

Go here to register for this FREE event!

Jamie Opdahl is our newest Murray County 4-H volunteer!

Jamie was previously active in 4-H and has decided to be a leader for the Badger Lake 4-H club with her husband Chris (Buck) Opdahl.

Thank you for your willingness to give back!

Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

University of Minnesota Extension, Murray County

📍2848 BROADWAY AVE ☎️(507)-836-1144 ✉️hausek@umn.edu

SLAYTON, MN 56172

Administrative Assistant, Murray County Extension

📍2848 Broadway Ave ☎️ 507-836-6927 ✉ carl5049@umn.edu

Slayton, MN 56172

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