MINNESOTA 4-H - University of Minnesota Extension Service

MINNESOTA 4-H
CLOVER UPDATE
NORTHEAST REGION -- NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY
Members of the Vermilion
4-H Club show off their
ribbons and awards won at
the St. Louis County Fair.
CONTACT US
University of Minnesota
Extension
St. Louis County
Northland Office Center
307 1st St. South, Room 105
Virginia, MN 55792
218-749-7120
800-450-9777, Ext. 7120
Wade Herbranson
4-H Program Coordinator
wherbran@umn.edu
Shirley Lantz
Support Staff
lantz003@umn.edu
www.4-H.umn.edu
St. Louis County Website
In This Issue:
A Few County Fair Thanks ................................................................. 2
Grand and Reserve Champions............................................. .... .....2-4
Inaugural Cook Off a HIT!…… ............................................................ 4
2012 State Fair ......... ………………………………………………………5
September Federation Meeting .......................................................... 5
A Message from Dorothy .................................................................... 5
State Fair Premium Book-Online in 2012! ......................................... 6
Scholarship Opportunities .................................................................. 6
Catch the Dairy Showcase Fever ....................................................... 6
4-H Poultry Prince & Princess Contest .............................................. 6
Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show ....................................................... 7
Minnesota 4-H Dog Show .................................................................... 7
Announcing 4-H Science Trainings-Save the Date .......................... 7
2012 Fall 4-H Volunteer Training ........................................................ 7
AUGUST 2012
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MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
NORTHEAST REGION/NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY | AUGUST, 2012
218-749-7120 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Calendar
AUGUST
22 – 26 Livestock Weekend at State Fair
23-Sept 3 Minnesota State Fair
30 – Sept 1 North St. Louis County
Encampment at the State Fair
SEPTEMBER
7-9 State Shooting Sports & Wildlife
Invitational, Fairmont
14-15 4-H Science Training, Redwood Falls
17 Federation Meeting, Northland Office
Center, Virginia, 6:30
14-17 State Horse Show
22-23 State Dog Show
OCTOBER
5-6 4-H Science Training, Bemidji
A Few County Fair Thanks!
The 2012 County Fair was a huge success! We
had an increase of over 50 general exhibits this
year and also an increase in many of our
livestock divisions! We also had a new event
with the omelet cook-off which was a great
success!
The county fair cannot happen without many
hours of volunteer service and I want to try and
thank many of the volunteers that put in
countless hours as the fair! So here I go!
Debbie Hadrava (county fair chairperson), Mary
Maki, Karen Kahldahl, Cathy Heltunen, Betsy
Olivanti, Jeanette Mellsmoen, Mary Ann Wycoff,
Ellen Pierce, Jenny Knuth, Nancy Lucas, Jeff
Eibler, Jan Dzonkowski, our unofficial
photographer Dave Saranen, and any others
that helped out in the 4-H booth throughout the
week that I may have missed! The fair would
not have been a success without you.
There are a couple of people that you may have
noticed were not on the list and that is because
they need extra special recognition! Bonnie and
Jerry Meier and Alana Maijala. Bonnie and
Alana helped set up the entire 4-H area on July
16th basically on their own! It was hot and
humid and they both just dug right in to get the
work done! We would not have been even close
to being ready for judging day on Tuesday! And
then Bonnie came back with Jerry two nights
later to paint as many of the display cabinets as
5 gallons of green paint could cover! And then
the fair starts, Bonnie is judging Cloverbuds,
Jerry stepped in at the last minute to help with
photography and Alana was judging club
exhibits. All three of them took a couple of
Adult in Charge slots and in general spent their
fair week helping out in the 4-H area! Alana
then worked with Karen Kahldahl to set up the
inaugural Cook Off! (see separate article). I
think we all owe the three of them a huge
THANK YOU!
And of course none of this would be possible
without Shirley getting all of the fair forms
ready, mailed, hand delivered, data entry and
the many, many phone calls she handles from
club leaders and parents! So thank you!
Grand and Reserve Champions
I had a chance to visit with many of our judges
either during the judging or as they returned to
check out the fair grounds. Many of them said
that this year’s exhibits were some of the best
that they have seen and that it was very difficult
to put together their State Fair Lineups! This
year’s list has many new names on it and I think
that the 2013 fair will be even more
competitive!
PAGE 2

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
NORTHEAST REGION/NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY | AUGUST, 2012
218-749-7120 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Project Grand Champion Reserve
Champion
Aerospace Jesse Covell
Embarrass Birchwood
Cat Jesse Covell
Embarrass Birchwood
Child & Family Development Nik Lowen
Merry Weather Workers
Clothing & Textiles Julia Licari
Vermilion
Club Planter Vermilion
None
None
None
Heather Herbranson
Cherry Clinton
Merry Weather Workers
Crafts Kaarina Honkola
Dominick Olivanti
Vermilion
Spirit Lake
Fine Arts Nik Lowen
Abrianna Mellesmoen
Merry Weather Workers Vermilion
Dog Zia Koepke
Katrina Martin
Cherry Clinton
Vermilion
Electric Dominic Ramponi
Gabriella Koepke
Spirit Lake
Cherry Clinton
Entomology Jesse Covell
Embarrass Birchwood
None
Exploring Animals Justin Pioske
Balkan
None
Flower Gardening None Miranda King
Vermilion
Food & Nutrition Nik Lowen
Jessie Thoreson
Merry Weather Workers Embarrass Birchwood
Food Preservation Maggie Wycoff
Dominick Olivanti
Vermilion
Spirit Lake
Forest Resources Brandon Mackai
Vermilion
None
Geology Cari Eibler
Ely Knight Hawks
None
Goat Doug Fillbrandt
Liz Damson
Cherry Clinton
Home Environment Mario Ramponi
Spirit Lake
None
Indoor Gardening None Nik Lowen
Merry Weather Workers
Needle Arts Abrianna Mellesmoen
Mikayla Mellesmoen
Vermilion
Vermilion
Pet Katrina Martin
Jesse Thoreson
Vermilion
Embarrass Birchwood
Photography Dominick Olivanti
Miranda King
Spirit Lake
Vermilion
Plant & Soil Science Brandon Mackai
Miranda King
Vermilion
Vermilion
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MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
NORTHEAST REGION/NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY | AUGUST, 2012
218-749-7120 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Poultry Mykaela Conro
Jesse Covell
Baytree Field
Embarrass Birchwood
Quilts Kayla LaVigne
DeLaney Maki
Little Swan
Little Swan
Rabbit Kyle Pioske
Elizabeth Damson
Balkan
Cherry Clinton
Robotics Jesse Covell
Mikayla Mellesmoen
Embarrass Birchwood
Vermilion
Safety Justin Pioske
Tawney Welch
Balkan
Cherry Clinton
Self-Determined Dominick Olivanti
Alexander Benkusky
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake
Shooting Sports Justin Pioske
Mario Ramponi
Balkan
Spirit Lake
Shop Kyle Pioske
Justin Pioske
Balkan
Balkan
Small Engines Zia Koepke
Cherry-Clinton
None
Vegetable Gardening None Mikayla Mellesmoen
Vermilion
Veterinary Science Katrina Martin
Zia Koepke
Vermilion
Cherry Clinton
Video
Justin Pioske
Balkan
None
Water/Wetlands
Andrea Herbranson
Cherry-Clinton
None
Wildlife Biology
Julianne Kaldahl
Brandon Mackai
Lakeland
Vermilion
Youth Leadership
Dominick Olivanti
Spirit Lake
None
Inaugural Cook Off a HIT!
On Thursday afternoon, the smell of sautéing
veggies and bacon was in the air at the 4-H area
at the St. Louis County Fair! Nine teams of
youth representing 6 different clubs in North St.
Louis County showed off their omelet making
skills in an “Iron Chef” style competition.
Youth were given a list of ingredients to choose
from and could bring in one “special” ingredient
to complete their omelet. They were then given
30 minutes to complete their omelets and
present to the cook off judge, Jo Bjerke. Some
of the special ingredients included pepper jack
cheese, pineapple chipotle salsa, wild rice, spicy
salsa, and special spice mixes! All of the
omelets were scored and the competition was
fierce. All of the scores were within a few
points of each other but the winning team was
from the Embarrass Birchwood club with their
“Minnesota Omelet”, second place went to
Vermilion with their “Cold Spot Fantastic
Omelet” and third place went to the Cherry
Clinton Team with their “Chipotle Hawaiian
Omelet”
Hibbing Daily News Youtube
Video of the cook off!
PAGE 4

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
NORTHEAST REGION/NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY | AUGUST, 2012
218-749-7120 | www.4-H.umn.edu
2012 State Fair
We have a number of youth that will be
attending the 2012 State Fair! In order to
attend the fair, youth have to have completed
the 6th grade and have a project that receives a
blue ribbon. In addition to the blue ribbon we
are only allowed to send so many youth in each
project area based on our county enrollment in
those project areas. Some of our youth
qualified in multiple areas so new names were
popping up on the “state fair board” as
decisions were made on which project they
would take to state! We currently have 15
youth that are attending the general
encampment from August 30th to September
1st. They will have their projects judged
against some of the top projects from
throughout the state in their respective project
areas! In addition to participating in the
judging, youth will have plenty of time to
explore the state fair and participate in the
many activities that the state fair is known for!
They will also have some fun programs in the
4-H building in the evening and past activities
have included a dance and open mic night!
Congrats to all of the youth that are attending
the state fair and we will have an update in a
future newsletter as to their ribbon placing!
September Federation
Meeting
There are a number of important decisions that
will be made at the September 17th Federation
Meeting! The meeting will start at 6:30 at the
Northland Office Center in Virginia Minnesota.
Included in their decisions will be the election
of 2012 – 2013 officers and discussion and
possible approval of updates and changes in the
federation By-Laws. It is extremely important
that each club is represented at this meeting!
Youth Leadership Group
Forming!
We are also in the process of forming a “Youth
Leadership Program” for youth that are in the
6th grade and older. This group will meet on a
monthly basis and work on various leadership
projects as well as be a resource for 4-H clubs
or community organizations to draw on when
necessary. But most importantly, this group
will have fun and work with our youth to
develop leadership skills that can be applied to
the clubs, schools, and community! If you are
interested please contact the office or watch for
upcoming emails on the group!
Dear 4-H youth,
families and
volunteers:
Summer is nearing its end, and
with it 4-H's busiest season at
Minnesota county fairs and the
Minnesota State Fair.
Many people only know about 4-H through the
fairs. What they don't know is that 4-H is much
more than what they see at county
and state fairs. 4-H youth development
programs and events take place throughout the
year, including after-school programs,
community service, civic engagement, school
enrichment, volunteering and special interest
groups. 4-H'ers spend months working
on projects designed to equip them with
essential life skills such as problem solving,
decision making, project management,
communications and public speaking. The fairs
are a wonderful to way share lessons learned on
a topic of interest. For some young people, it
may be the first time they give a demonstration
or talk about the project they are displaying at
the fair.
The fair is also one way some of our 4-H youth
showcase and continue their learning.
PAGE 5

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
NORTHEAST REGION/NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY | AUGUST, 2012
218-749-7120 | www.4-H.umn.edu
At both county and state fairs, 4-H'ers meet
one-on-one with experts to have their projects
evaluated, discuss what they've learned, and
identify future learning opportunities. 4-H'ers
also lead visitors on tours of the 4-H Building
and barns, and conduct workshops and handson
demonstrations for the public.
County and state fairs not only make great
memories, they help 4-H youth grow into
successful adults.
As you have visited and seen 4-H youth present
their projects at their county fairs, I hope that
you were amazed by their learning and
accomplishments. I know I am amazed every
time I visit one of our county fairs.
Sincerely,
Dorothy M Freeman
Dorothy McCargo Freeman
State 4-H Director
State Fair Premium Book –
Online in 2012!
The Minnesota State Fair 4-H Premium Book will
only be available online! You can access it at
http://www.4-H.umn.edu/statefair/resources.html.
Scholarship Opportunities
There are many opportunities available for
scholarships such as: Minnesota State Fair
Scholarship Program, Minnesota Livestock
Breeders’ Association Auction Scholarship,
McKerrow Scholarship, Lyle Lamphere
Scholarship, and Minnesota Livestock Breeders’
Association Scholarship. Specific information is
available at
http://www1.extension.umn.edu/Youth/scholar
ships/index.html.
Catch The Dairy Showcase
Fever
State fair 4-H dairy cattle exhibitors who receive
a purple or blue ribbon in their class will qualify
for the Showcase. Points will be earned for their
involvement and success with the state fair
interview process, dairy project
bowl, dairy judging contest and showmanship.
Youth must also complete an online leadership
portfolio that awards points in the areas of 4-H
and dairy industry involvement and leadership,
along with community, school or church
involvement. The portfolios will be judged by a
panel of anonymous judges. All of these things
will be compiled in a scorecard format and the
top 25 applicants will be announced Saturday
evening, August 25, following the dairy show.
For more information, visit http://www.4h.umn.edu/events/dairy-showcase.html.
4-H Poultry Prince & Princess
Contest
State fair 4-H poultry exhibitors have the
opportunity to participate in a $1000 MN 4-H
and Gold-n-Plump scholarship contest. The
Minnesota 4-H Poultry Prince and Princess
Contest at the Minnesota State Fair is an
exciting opportunity for 4-H youth to be
recognized for their poultry knowledge,
experience, leadership and confidence. To enter,
youth must be participating in a 4-H
Poultry interview, quiz, or showmanship at
2012 Minnesota State Fair, participating in the
4-H Chicken BBQ Contest, and have
completed grade 9 and up as of 2012. For more
information, visit
http://www1.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-
H/events/poultry-prince-princess.html.
PAGE 6

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
NORTHEAST REGION/NORTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY | AUGUST, 2012
218-749-7120 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Minnesota 4-H State Horse
Show
Mark your calendar for the annual Minnesota 4-
H Horse Show to be held September 14–17.
Watch the Minnesota 4-H Horse Website for
more information at http://www.4h.umn.edu/projects/animal-science/horse/.
Minnesota 4-H Dog Show
Mark your calendar for the Minnesota 4-H Dog
Show will be held September 22-23. Watch the
Minnesota 4-H Dog website for more details,
http://www.4-H.umn.edu/events/state-dogshow.html.
Announcing 4-H Science
Trainings – Save the Date!
Robotics and Aquatic Robotics, Redwood Falls,
September 14-15. Training is for teams of two
adults and up to five youth, 6th grade or older.
Photography/Digital Media and Engineering
Design, Bemidji, October 5-6. Training is for
teams of two to four people; two adults who can
be joined by one or two youth leaders eighth
grade or older, or additional adults.
Both trainings will be held Friday evening
through Saturday at 4pm. Details regarding
cost and team registration are being finalized.
Watch the 4-H Science Training website for
additional information http://www.4-
H.umn.edu/events/science-training.html.
NOTE: Spring 2013 Science Trainings will be
offered in other parts of the state; dates yet to
be determined.
2012 Fall 4-H Volunteer
Training
Adult volunteers and youth leaders are invited
to the annual MN 4-H Fall Volunteer Training
which will focus on “Wonder! Question!
Discover! - Expanding 4-H Learning.”
Come and learn ways to guide young people in a
process to discover new ideas, explore their
curiosities, and deepen their 4-H learning
experiences. Use hands-on science and
engineering design activities to try out inquirybased
learning. Develop new skills for
facilitating learning experiences and applying
this in your work with youth in 4-H projects,
clubs, and activities.
You will leave this training with:
1. Strategies to use questioning to help young
people expand their learning in projects
and club work
2. Confidence to facilitate 3+ hands-on
science or engineering design activities in
your club or group
3. A toolkit of 6-8 additional
science/engineering activity lessons and
resources.
More information to come! Your County 4-H
staff will let you know the dates of training in
your area. As trainings are scheduled, they will
also be listed on the following website: www.4-
H.umn.edu/volunteer/training-2012.
PAGE 7