Houston | Extension County Offices

4-H Regional Summer Camp Hits the Road in 2021

Camp will feel a little different this year as we hit the road to bring regional camp to YOU. However, the goals are the same! Have fun, meet new friends and explore new things at 4-H Regional Camp!

Notes from Minnesota 4-H director Jennifer A. Skuza

Dr. Jennifer Skuza reflects on the model that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offers to 4-H youth and families for engaging in civics and service.

Register now for BLU and TEEL leadership workshops!

The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that registration for leadership workshops Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) and Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) is open! Don't miss your chance to meet with youth across the state of Minnesota and develop your leadership skills -- register today!

What's YOUR idea to make our community more sustainable?

The U of M is inviting youth to share their best ideas for improving sustainability in greater Minnesota. Learn more about our Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and submit your ideas by Feb. 14.

4-H Online for 4-H participation

Be sure to enroll all youth 4-H members in 4-H Online if you haven't already. An active enrollment profile in 4-H Online is required for all 4-H participation, including animal ID'ing and some event registrations. Learn more on our join 4-H page.

Congratulations new 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors!

Congratulations to these youth who were recently chosen to be 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors.

4-H market beef ID deadline extended to Feb. 16

The Feb. 15 market beef ID deadline has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 16 due to the President’s Day holiday.

New statewide animal science learning opportunities

We have some new learning experiences this winter that are perfect for youth who are new to animal science. Space is limited for each of these opportunities, so please register well before the deadline!

Minnesota 4-H Livestock in a Box series

Minnesota 4-H is excited to offer a collection of monthly learning kits mailed directly to youth who are interested in exploring animal science! The Minnesota 4-H Livestock in a Box series will explore four livestock species: goats, rabbits, poultry and dairy.

Minnesota 4-H Performing Arts at Home: Winter puppetry workshops

Join us as we discover the art of puppetry! Design and create puppets using household items to create a performing puppet show with 4-H members across the state.

Sign up for the Let's Talk About Race workshop series

Back by popular demand, “Let's Talk About Race” is being offered in March. Explore how to talk respectfully about race and racial issues.

There’s still time to attend 4-H Ag and Hort Afternoon Adventures!

There are still four more opportunities to attend 4-H Ag and Hort Afternoon Adventures! Visit our website to register!

Tasty Tuesdays are back!

You asked, and we listened! Tasty Tuesdays will be making an appearance in your kitchens in February and we are ready to take your ideas and make some delicious meals, snacks and even a special treat for your furry friends!

Winter Adventure Day Camp

Join 4-H Staff for a fun afternoon of outdoor adventures!

SE Invitational 4-H Project Bowl

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Online!

Think Green & Recycle Through 4-H

There's still time to get in on the last two sessions! Sessions are geared toward 4-H members in grades 3-6

Notes from Minnesota 4-H director Jennifer A. Skuza

Minnesota 4-H state director Jennifer Skuza encourages 4-H youth and volunteers to learn and serve outdoors, dive into project learning and access new resources for engaging club meetings.

Show what you know: Introducing the Minnesota 4-H Trivia Program!

Join the new offering for youth in grades 9 and up who love trivia and are interested in learning how to develop their own games. Applications are due Jan. 15. And stay tuned for a series of youth-developed and youth-led live online trivia contests coming later this spring.

Tell your story through video production!

Do you love making and sharing videos? This video production course is for you! Minnesota 4-H and FilmNorth are putting together a six-week course for you to up your video production game! Invite your friends to be a part of this super fun program open to youth grades 8 and up!

Congratulations to recipients of Helping Hands Awards to build partnerships with local food shelves

Thanks to a gift from Compeer Financial, Minnesota 4-H is pleased to announce the final recipients of these special Helping Hands Awards.

Apply for 2021 Helping Hands Awards by March 1

2021 Helping Hands grant applications are now open! Interested 4-H clubs or federations should work with an Extension educator in their county to apply for this award. Applications must be postmarked or emailed by March 1.

2021 Minnesota 4-H scholarships available for college-bound 4-H youth

Extension development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursuing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities. Over $20,000 is awarded annually through a competitive application process. Visit the scholarship website for detailed information and applications. All applications are due to the Extension development office by April 1.

Communicate winter weather cancellation plans

Review and communicate winter weather cancellation plans for 4-H programs, activities and outings to help ensure the safety of 4-H members and families during the winter months.

4-H Choose Your Outdoor Adventure Deep Dive Series

Youth of all ages are invited to join us for the new 4-H Choose Your Outdoor Adventure Deep Dive Series! Register today!

Nominate a 4-H Volunteer for Salute to Excellence

Volunteers give much to the 4-H program! Consider nominating an outstanding volunteer for a 2021 4-H Salute to Excellence Award. All nomination materials are due by Jan. 10.

Sign up for the Growing YOU Leadership Series

Registration for the Growing YOU Leadership series is now open. Youth in grades 3 through one year post-high school are invited to join participants from all over Minnesota for these one-hour virtual workshops offered in December and January. Participate in activities, receive resources, and discover tips to help grow YOU!

Are you looking for work experience in the youth development field?

We are offering county-based 4-H summer intern and 4-H agronomy intern positions throughout the state of Minnesota. Each internship will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about University of Minnesota Extension and explore job opportunities in 4-H Youth Development. Positions run from 8 - 13 weeks, with flexible starting dates.

Join us Tuesday Nights Live from the Bunny Barn

Want to learn a little more about your rabbits? Maybe you don't have rabbits but have always wanted to learn about them. Or maybe you have some free time on your hands and just want to check out the Bunny Barn. We are going to have a little fun in the bunny barn sharing our knowledge with others!

Regional Camp Counselor Applications

If you are in 9th grade or above and would like to have an opportunity to utilize your leadership skills this summer, make friends and work with youth...then we need you as a camp counselor!

Career & College Exploration Workshops

Join in on conversations and workshops about job readiness, career exploration, and higher education exploration.

Notes from Minnesota 4-H director Jennifer A. Skuza

Jennifer clarifies COVID-19 protocols and encourages clubs to find safe and engaging ways to learn together in-person, online and especially outside!

Ready for re-enrollment

All youth who are participating in 4-H, including online and virtual 4-H, can enroll or re-enroll at any time before participating, using our new enrollment software, 4-H Online, version 2.0. Learn more on our Join 4-H page at z.umn.edu/join4-H.

Participate in Virtual Project Bowl in 2021!

Check out information for the 2021 Virtual Project Bowl now! Coaches and 4-H'ers (grades 3-12+) interested in learning more about the 4-H Project Bowl program should check out the website for dates, rules, references and more! Get ready to learn more about your dairy, general livestock, horse, llama/alpaca, poultry, rabbit and wildlife projects!

Save the date for 2021 BLU and TEEL leadership workshops!

Registration for winter leadership workshops BLU and TEEL opens in December! Virtual workshops will be held this year. Save the dates and keep an eye out for more information in January!

Sign up for an online winter learning series for teen leaders!

Teen leaders are invited to sign up to attend virtual learning sessions hosted by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors. Six topical sessions will be held January - March 2021.

NEW 4-H Choose Your Outdoor Adventure Deep Dive Series!

Join us for the NEW 4-H Choose Your Outdoor Adventure Deep Dive Series! On the first Monday of each month, we will be hosting a live webinar that will dive deeper into learning of an outdoor topic. Weekly activity guides will then be sent out to all participants throughout the month. Registration is required.

Notes from Minnesota 4-H director Jennifer A. Skuza

Jennifer encourages clubs to resume meeting and engage in statewide learning opportunities. She also celebrates Minnesota’s newest inductee into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Cloverchat, a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador podcast

Check out the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador's podcast Cloverchat!

Register for 4-H Ag and Hort afternoon adventures

Make plans to attend the next 4-H Ag & Hort afternoon adventure on Monday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. Go to the 4-H Agronomy & Horticulture web page and sign up today!

Apply with no fee to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities

A new fee waiver for Minnesota 4-H youth is now available when applying to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Planning a safe virtual or in-person 4-H experience

The beginning of the 4-H year is an important time to plan for a variety of programs, activities, and events. Use these tools to safely plan your virtual or in-person 4-H programs.

Check out these tools to support new families

We know you work hard to recruit new 4-H families and we want to help you keep them! Discover the new resources designed to engage and support new families and volunteers.

Houston County 4-H RECORD BOOKS!!

Information about submitting record books in Houston County 4-H!!

Growing YOU leadership series

Join us for this 6 session leadership series which will provide opportunities for Minnesota 4-Hers to connect with youth across the state while also receiving resources, guidance, information, and tips to help grow YOU.

Notes from Minnesota 4-H director Jennifer A. Skuza

Looking back at an inspiring summer and looking ahead to a fall of learning and service.

Notes from Minnesota 4-H director Jennifer A. Skuza

Jennifer highlights summer showcases and plans for fall programs.

New enrollment experience coming

4HOnline, our enrollment software, is being updated for the 2020-2021 enrollment year to 4-H Online 2.0. Existing data and logins will be transitioned to the new version. Watch for more information to be shared by way of email and posted online.

4-H Ag and Hort afternoon adventures starting soon

September 8th at 4:00 is the kick off of this NEW afternoon adventure experience!

State Showcase (Fair) Sign Up for Houston County Youth

State Showcase Registration and other information.

Houston County 4-H Showcase 2020

See information related to this year's Showcase below. If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at 507-725-5807.

Notes from Minnesota 4-H director Jennifer A. Skuza

Jennifer highlights how 4-H is reintroducing in-person programs, provides an update on showcase events and clarifies 4-H eligibility.

Staff and volunteers must report suspected child neglect and abuse

Staff and 4-H volunteers have an important role to keep young people safe. All 4-H volunteers and staff, no matter their role or job duties, must promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect to local law enforcement or to the appropriate social services agency.

Houston County Extension Office

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