Southeast Region - FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
Megan Thorson
Amy Wadding
411 So Broadway
PO BOX 1147
Albert Lea MN 56007
507-377-5660 www.4-H.umn.edu www.extension.umn.edu/county
/freeborn
 11-Veterans Day-Extension
Office Closed
 21-Regional Officer Training in Steele County
 23-Fall Volunteer Training
 26-27 Thanksgiving-
Extension Office Closed
 12-Cloverbud Holiday Party
 24-25 Christmas-Extension
Office Closed
 29-Regional Winter Outing
 21-LIvetock informational meeting
 30-LQA&E-Rice County
 12-Cloverbud event
 20-21 –BLU event
 28-Share-the-Fun
 19-March Madness Cattle show in Albert Lea
 2-LQA&E in Steele County
 2/3-Youth Leader Winter
Retreat
 7-Dog Orientation night
 22-Cloverbud Night
 8-10 Younger Camp at
Camp Patterson
 11-LQA&E in Freeborn
County
 15-17 Teen Camp at Camp
Patterson
 1-Entry Day
 2-7 2016 Freeborn County
Fair
 24-Livestock heads to MN
State Fair
 25-28 Livestock youth at
MN State Fair

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
SOUTHEAST REGION/FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
507-377-5660 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Many of you have already re-enrolled.
THANK-YOU! For the rest of you, please take the time to get the re-enrollment done.
After January 1 you will not be able to get any important letters or registration flyers that may pertain to your project areas.
There will be a lot of information coming out after the first of the year, especially for those families that have livestock. IF you need help completing this, please call our office at 377-5660 and we can help you with that process.
Club Dues are due to your club at the
Beginning of the 4-H year. 4-H needs the exchange of money to happen to be covered under 4-H insurance at any 4-H event. Please pay your club dues when the new 4-H year starts on October 1 st . Plus, in order to receive the 50% scholarship to attend 4-H events, you need to be a
4-
Her…and to be a 4-Her you need to pay your dues. Each club has different dues amounts. If you cannot make it to your club meeting, stop into the Extension Office and pay your dues and we will let your club know. If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at 507-377-
5660.
If you are elected as an officer in your club, we highly recommend you attend the
Regional Officer Training. Not only will you learn more about your position as an officer, but you will also get to learn more about community service, using parli pro and using recreation. You will also meet some other great 4-H'ers. This year training will be held on Saturday Nov. 21 from 9-12 at the Junior High in Owatonna. Please see attached flyer to sign up, OR call the
Extension office. Call if you need a ride!
Again this year we will be offering a Fall
Leaders Training for both youth and adults from your club. Each club NEEDS to send a representative. If your club cannot make this training then please reschedule a time with
Amy to get your club trained. We have a commitment of training 100% of our clubs.
The theme this year is "All together, not all the same." The training night will be
Monday November 23rd from 6:30-8pm in the Fairlane Building at the Fairgrounds.
Please RSVP to the Extension Office so that enough materials are prepared. We will need this number for the snack items as well. 377-5660 is the Extension Office phone number.
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Our next Cloverbud event is scheduled for
Saturday December 12 from 10-11:30 a.m. from at the Fairlane Community Center.
Cloverbuds will be doing some fun holiday games, making Christmas ornaments and much more! If you want to partake in a gift exchange, please bring a $5.00 gift that can be either for a boy or girl.

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
SOUTHEAST REGION/FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
507-377-5660 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Start thinking about share-the-fun acts!
Share the fun is a day filled with fun singing, acts and music from our county 4-H'ers to share their talents OR creative side. Share the fun has been scheduled for Sunday
February 28th at the Southwest Little theatre in Albert Lea. Categories are
Instrumental, Vocal, Group Musical, Skit,
Reading and Miscellaneous. The top two acts will get a chance to perform at State
Fair. There are other fun awards that we give out such as best props, most 4-H spirit, most creative, etc.
President – Jenni Golbuff, Hayward
Vice President – Olivia Bernand, Oakland
Secretary – Raven Suhr, Mansfield
Treasurer
– Logan Sailor
Youth Advisors:
Troy Oldenkamp, Moscow
Alana Skarstad, Shellrock
Gage Sailor, Conger
Austin Suhr, Mansfield
Adult Advisors:
Cindy Golbuff, Hayward
Julie Maxa, Oakland
Lonny Hagen, Shellrock
Bobbie Jacobs, Conger
Michelle Miller, Moscow
Miranda Sailor, Conger
Deann Loge, Shellrock
Kristine Johnson, Hartland
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Adults: Deann Loge, Shellrock; Michelle
Wagner, Hayward; Jim Thunstedt, Alden;
Rachel Schei Hayward; Alana Skarstad,
Shellrock; Samantha Skarstad, Shellrock;
Louis Wagner, Hayward; Maddie Schei,
Hayward
Adults: Chrystal Richter, Conger; Julie
Johnson, Hartland; Kari Kalstad, Hartland;
Cole Lenort, Hartland; Carma Pederson,
Hayward; Christy Crom, Hartland; Terri
Wolfe, Hartland; Courtney McInstoch,
Oakland
BEEF: Terry Thorson, Shellrock; Tim Sailor,
Conger; Gage Sailor, Conger
DAIRY: Adam Suhr, Mansfield; Matt
Wangen, Nunda; Rachel Wangen, Nunda
GOATS: Al Wagner, Hayward; Wes Tennis,
Hayward; Bethany Tennis, Hayward
SHEEP: Tony Kermes, Hayward; Dawn
Burgett, Conger; Ethan Burgett, Conger
SWINE: Jeremy Linn, Conger; James
Sorensen, Alden; Logan Sailor, Conger
POULTRY: Kristine Johnson, Hartland;
Kim Otten, Hayward; Grant Herfindahl,
Shellrock
RABBIT: Michelle Severtson, Myrtle;
Lonny Hagen, Shellrock; Emma Hagen,
Shellrock
LAMA: Dayna Larson, Conger; Kim
Jorgenson, Hartland; Tirzah Larson, Conger

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
SOUTHEAST REGION/FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
507-377-5660 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Message from Dorothy
Minnesota 4-H Week of Thanks
Youth in Action Awards
2016 National 4-H Conference
Summer 2015 Citizenship Washington Focus
Changes to volunteer re-enrollment forms
4-H volunteer corner
Calendar
Dear 4-H families and volunteers,
November is a time when we reflect and give thanks for the friends, family and communities that support us and give meaning to our lives.
I would like to thank each of you for supporting 4-H and helping make a positive difference in the lives of Minnesota youth.
Without the contributions of parents and volunteers, 4-H would not be able to provide the important learning experiences that guide youth in exploring new interests, developing new skills and finding their spark.
I give thanks for you each and every day.
Sincerely,
Dorothy M. Freeman
Associate dean and state 4-H director
4-H families, volunteers and supporters are invited to join our 2 nd annual Minnesota 4-H Week
of Thanks Nov. 18-25 . Take a photo holding this sign ( http://z.umn.edu/4hwot ) and share it via
Facebook , Twitter or Instagram during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Be sure to include the hashtags #ThankYou #MN4H so we can see all your fabulous photos! The 4-H Week of
Thanks is sponsored by the Minnesota 4-H
Foundation. Please direct questions to Erin Kelly-
Collins at mailto:erinkc@umn.edu
.
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National 4-H Council’s Youth in Action Awards recognize exceptional 4-H’ers who epitomize 4-H youth empowerment and leadership. It is a life changing experience!
Winners receive a $5,000 educational scholarship and the opportunity to serve as a 4-
H youth spokesperson. Counties of winning youth also earn a $5,000 grant.
Register here: n4h.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/2016_YIA_We binar_Registration.html
.
For qualifications, application rules, and information on past honorees, please visit the
Youth in Action Awards website at n4h.convio.net/site/R?i=_HMmPFnxzlMlVDWzR-
6NCQ .
All applications must be submitted by 12 p.m.
EST on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 .
Are you recognized as a youth leader in your county programs? Have you experienced leadership opportunities outside of your county?
Minnesota will send four youth delegates to
Washington D.C. in the spring with selection based on qualifications, contents of delegate nomination/recommendation forms and interview. All information is outlined on the 4-H events website under National 4-H Conference at www.4-h.umn.edu/events/nationalconference/index.html
.
Minnesota youth delegates will be heading to
Washington D.C. for Citizenship Washington

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
SOUTHEAST REGION/FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
507-377-5660 | www.4-H.umn.edu
Focus leaving on July 2, 2016 and returning to
Minnesota on July 9 . Citizenship Washington
Focus (CWF) is a week-long 4-H citizenship program that takes place at the National 4-H
Youth Conference Center in Washington, D.C.
Participants will learn from and meet young people from across the nation, strengthen their civic engagement understanding and skills, experience Washington D.C., and learn how to develop and implement a CWF: Call to Action plan upon returning home.
Information about this great experience can be found on the 4-H events website under
Citizenship Washington Focus at www.4h.umn.edu/events/citizenship-washingtonfocus/index.html
.
Beginning Nov. 1 on the website, you will find a flyer for distribution to those who might be interested as well as information regarding the application process.
Pre-registration materials will be found on this website beginning Jan. 15 with full application materials available on Feb. 17. This is a firstcome first-served application process. Check with your county program coordinator to find out if there are any additional county requirements for this experience.
As you are re-enrolling this fall, you might notice a change to volunteer re-enrollment forms and in
4HOnline. New this program year, we are asking adult volunteers to provide us with the same health information 4-H youth provide us during the enrollment process. In the past, a separate form was used to collect this information in conjunction with special events. To streamline our processes and make things easier, you can now share this information once and it will be accessible when needed as you travel outside of your county for any 4-H related experiences.
While this information is not required for individuals who will not travel outside of their county in any way in their role as a 4-H volunteer, it is recommended as a best practice to ensure the safety of all of our volunteers.
Many individuals travel to neighboring counties for 4-H club/group activities, regional events and volunteer training in addition to state events like
YELLO or state fair.
If you have already completed your enrollment paperwork for the year, you may go into your records in 4HOnline and update your information to include the health fields. If you have not yet re-enrolled, you may share your information on the 4-H re-enrollment form.
PAGE 5
Ensuring a safe 4-H environment
What makes some youth programs better than others? The answer is that high-quality youth programs ensure a safe environment, which is defined as a place where everyone feels physically and emotionally safe. Physical safety refers to an environment that is free of hazards that can cause bodily harm. Emotional safety refers to an environment that is respectful, welcoming and values each individual. In order for youth to have a quality experience, 4-H volunteers must first ensure that young people feel safe and supported.
To learn more view Ensuring a safe 4-H environment: www.4-h.umn.edu/volunteer/online-training/
This online training offers valuable information on how to create a 4-H environment that is physically and emotionally safe.

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
SOUTHEAST REGION/FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
507-377-5660 | www.4-H.umn.edu
NOVEMBER
 1 Club charters due to county Extension offices
 5 North Central Region Volunteer e-
Forum: The Heart of Community, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
 10 North Central Region Volunteer e-
Forum: The Heart of Community, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
 18-25 Minnesota 4-H Week of Thanks
 19 National 4-H Conference application postmark deadline
 30 Application deadline for Youth in Action
Awards
DECEMBER
 3 North Central Region Volunteer e-
Forum: Encouraging the Heart of
Leadership, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
 4 Youth emcee application deadline for the National Service-Learning Conference
 8 North Central Region Volunteer e-
Forum: Encouraging the Heart of
Leadership, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
APRIL
 9-14 National 4-H Conference,
Washington, D.C.
JULY
 2-9 Citizenship Washington Focus
 the National Service-Learning Conference
 8 North Central Region Volunteer e-
Forum: Encouraging the Heart of
Leadership, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
PAGE 6

MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
SOUTHEAST REGION/FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
507-377-5660 | www.4-H.umn.edu
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MINNESOTA 4-H CLOVER UPDATE
SOUTHEAST REGION/FREEBORN COUNTY November 2015
507-377-5660 | www.4-H.umn.edu
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