Extension in Rice County

Kelly Chadwick, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
chadw021@umn.edu or 507-332-6163 (direct), 507-330-2018 (cell)

Ashley Purry, Extension educator, 4-H Youth Development
purry002@umn.edu or 507-332-6258 (direct), 507-491-8615 (cell)

There are several ways to join or re-enroll in 4-H.

• Join 4-H for the first time or re-enroll
• Enroll as an independent member
• Contact the Rice County Extension Office at 507-332-6109 or mnext-rice@umn.edu
• Stop by our office on the Rice County Fairgrounds, 1900 Fairgrounds Dr #17, Faribault, MN 55021

Welcome to Rice County 4-H

• Interested or new member information including a list of 4-H Clubs in the county
• Rice County 4-H New Member Guide

Volunteering with 4-H

Learn more about volunteering with 4-H.

Livestock and animal projects

You will find the 2021 animal information for Rice County here as it becomes available.

• 2021 Minnesota 4-H Animal Science identification requirements
• State 4-H animal science guidelines
  • ID worksheets
• 2020-21 Animal science updates
• Animal lease information
• Market Beef (steers and heifers) and dairy steer -
  • Market Beef Information - emailed to families in January.
• County wide livestock letter (all animals) emailed to families March 9, 2021
• Dog
  • Dog Kick-Off Meeting Information
  • Rice County 4-H Dog Project Handbook
  • All about the Dog Project
• Horse
  • Horse Kick-Off letter and information
  • Guidelines/Forms
  • All about the Horse Project

LQA

For LQA requirements and locations, including online YQCA,  visit 4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Training (LQA). 

At this time there are no local sessions scheduled.  Youth are encouraged to complete the online YQCA training.

All projects

4-H Youth Development is a hands-on learning program for Minnesota youth. We offer online, small group and independent learning experiences for youth of all ages. In 4-H, youth choose the topic they find interesting and caring adults support their learning and leadership. From agronomy to space exploration and creative arts to outdoor adventures, 4-H has just the right learning experience for young people.

There are many ways to participate in 4-H!

The 2021 Rice County Fair is July 21-25 at the Rice County Fairgrounds in Faribault. The 4-H judging and events start on the 19th.

Due to Covid-19, we are unsure what fair or showcase opportunities will look like in 2021, but Rice County 4-H is dedicated to providing opportunities for our youth to showcase their project learning! Continue to check back for updates.

Important Dates/Deadlines

• To be determined, families will be emailed with opening date: Registration opens 
• June 28 (tentative): Registration deadline
  • Advance FairEntry online must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 28th!
  • If you are submitting the paper entry form it must be:
    • Turned in to the Extension office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 28th!
    • Turned in by the end of the Federation Meeting on Monday, June 28th!
    • Mailing – must be postmarked by Monday, June 28th!
• July 19: 4-H general entry day (tentative)
• July 20: 4-H livestock entry day (tentative)

Registration

4-H registration for the Rice County Fair will open -TBD.  The deadline to register your 4-H projects for 2021 is June 28 - tentative.

Reminders:

• General project classes are based on grade completed as of July 2021.
• Each exhibit/animal needs to be entered either online using FairEntry or listed on your submitted County Fair Advance Entry Worksheet to receive premiums, awards and state trips. Exhibit/animals that are not correctly entered will only receive the blue, red or white ribbon and premium.  See example posted on website.

Publications and forms 

They will be linked below as they become available.

Family Information

• Family Fair Information (emailed to all families the end of April)
• 4-H Competitive Events: Deadlines, Consequences & Exemptions
• Fair Check List
• Conference Judging Information for Parents
• Conference judging Information for Youth
• Evaluation/Judges Comment Sheet
• 2021 Fair Update

Premium Book

• 4-H section of the premium book (helpful exhibit suggestions are listed under each project area)

Fair Exhibit updates, new this year (from 2020):

• There will be a five (5) exhibit limit in all general project areas, including Cloverbud.
• Food Preservation – need to exhibit two jars/bags, one to open to taste and the other to display.
• Performing Arts – reminder – you can do one individual and one group/duet, total of two performances.
• Photography - Photo/Video Release Form - It is important to learn to use this form when including any person in your photograph or in your video that is NOT in 4-H. This verifies that the subject has agreed to have their photograph taken or be in your video.  Keep this signed form in a file.  Here is a link to the Talent release form in English and Spanish.
• Plant Sciences - The State 4-H grouped together the following project areas: (How they will be listed in the premium book.)
  • AGRONOMY – includes agriculture technology, corn, forages, plant & soil science, small grains, soybeans, specialty crops and weeds & pests.
  • FRUIT/HERBS/POTATO/VEGETABLE – changes in the vegetable classes.  Herbs were added last year.
  • HORTICULTURE – includes flower and indoor gardening.

Entering Exhibits

• Fair Entry Information (will be email to all families when FairEntry opened for registration)
• Link to FairEntry to register your fair entries.
• County Fair Advanced Entry Worksheet, EXAMPLE of worksheet
• Help guides and instructions (for using the online FairEntry system)
• Large Exhibit Pre-Approval Form (must submit by county fair registration deadline)
• Virtual Judging Platform Information

Fair help sign-ups

We are using SignUpGenuis for the following, please consider helping during the week of the county fair. Links will be live beginning of June.

• Volunteers to help with recording on General Project Judging Day, Monday, July 19th, two shifts, 12:30-4 p.m. & 4-7 p.m.  Schedule will be posted in July.     
• Each family/member are to select shifts that will work for them in the food and malt stands. There will be no club shift assignments.
  • Food Stand
  • Malt Stand

Schedules

• General Judging Volunteer Schedule
• 4-H Judging and Event Schedule

Project information (includes Cloverbud) for:

• Project Ideas Guide
• Horticulture - Preparing 4-H exhibits in Fruit, Herb, Potato, and Vegetables and Potato Exhibit Support Guide
• Clothing/Quilting/Fashion Revue Letter, Clothing/Quilting/Fashion Revue Judging Day and Public Revue Information, Fashion Revue Script Form (completed and turned in at June Federation meeting), Script Writing Tips, Sewing and Care Guidelines, Evaluations
• Performing Arts Information, Script Form (completed and turned in by County Fair Entry Deadline), Evaluation
• Foods, Food Preservation and Food Revue Information,  Food Revue Handbook, Create Display Example, Entry Worksheet
  • Food resources information - MyPlate 10 Tips
• Photography/Video - talent release form in English and Spanish You need to have these signed by people who appear in your photo/video if it will be displayed at the fair or any other public place. 
• Selecting and Preparing Poultry for Exhibition - L-771 Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Fairgrounds information

• Map of Fairgrounds
• Rice County Fair grounds camping policy

4-H ribbon auction

• Auction letter for families
• Informational auction brochure

Club information

• Club FairEntry exhibit registration (to be completed by the club leader)
• Club Planter Assignment

Good luck at the fair!  Please contact the Extension office 507-332-6162 with questions or concerns.

4-H Competitive Events: Deadlines, Consequences & Exemptions

Leadership opportunities

Here are a few leadership opportunities you can be involved in as a youth or adult volunteer on the county level.

Rice County 4-H Leadership Opportunities

Awards and scholarship

Every fall at the family banquet, we announce several award recipients who are youth and adults involved with the 4-H program.  You can fill them out for yourself or nominate somebody else.

• Award descriptions
• Past award winners 
• 2020-21 Scholarship

Club forms

• Club Recognition

Application/nominations forms

• Achievement pin
• Agricultural pin
• Alumni
• Early Graduation
• Friend of 4-H
• Outstanding Adult Leader
• Outstanding Youth Leader
• Project pin
• Minnesota key information

Financial information and forms

The following are various documents and links that relate to the finances of Rice County 4-H.  If you are not finding what you are looking for, please contact the Extension office.

County information

• 2020-21 budget
• Rice County program/financial policies
• Special request form
• 2020-21 Rice County Family Event registration reimbursement form

Club information

• Treasurer book
• Fundraising documents
• Charter materials

Records

Do not use the state records!

To participate in County Record Judging, records must be turned in at the September Federation meeting. Remember to clearly mark your records on the front page with name, club, last grade completed, and project area.

The top ten individuals will receive a cash from Compeer Financial.

For additional information check out the recordkeeping tip sheet.

• General
• Livestock
• Summary

Cloverbud record keeping

Cloverbuds use the same record as general and livestock and they are noncompetitive and reviewed just for feedback. Each Cloverbud participating in record judging will receive a gift.

What is the auction?

The auction is the primary fundraising project for the Rice County 4-H program. The money collected gives all youth in our county program a chance to participate in 4-H activities at a reduced rate and provide opportunities at the county, region, state, and national levels such as:

• Camps
• Intrastate exchange
• Retreats
• Trainings
• Project Workshops
• Transportation
• Leadership conferences (county, state & national levels)
• Officer training
• Judging teams
• and so much more

Through 4-H youth development we are attempting to promote and provide these opportunities to all youth: youth leadership, responsibility, self-reliance, citizenship and community service.

Who can be in it?

Youth in 3rd grade and above earning a champion, reserve champion, or blue ribbon in the market beef, goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine projects. Dairy, Kids for Kids, Paradise in Porkland, Dog, Horse, Dairy Goats and the following breeding species:  beef, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine also have limited spots which will be pre-determined. 

When and where is it?

The auction takes place Saturday of the Rice County fair. There is a complimentary breakfast for buyers in the 4-H building at 8:30 am.   The auction follows at 9:15 in the judging arena.

How can you help?

You can come as an individual, organization, business, etc. You can bid on your own or team up with other buyers. 

New this year: The opportunity to purchase ferns, mums and homemade pies will happen via silent auction starting at the buyer's breakfast with sheets being pulled at 10:30 a.m. down at the live auction.

All animals will be sold as a PREMIUM BID only.  The youth receive a pre-determined premium and the remainder supports our annual county 4-H budget.

• Informational auction brochure

Give to 4-H

Gifts support 4-H youth development in Rice  County, and local programming coordinated by the Rice County 4-H Council. 

Give today

Claire LaCanne, Extension Educator, Ag Production Systems
lacanne@umn.edu or 507-332-6165 (direct), 507-330-0447 (cell)

• Private pesticide application certification
• Farmland rent information
• Custom rates information

The Master Gardener Coordination position is being filled at this time.

Contact Claire LaCanne, Extension Educator, Ag Production at lacanne@umn.edu or 507-332-6165

Visit the Rice County Master Gardeners Facebook page for

• Special events
• Classes
• Community news
• Tips & tricks
• And more!

• Visit the Yard and Garden pages to:
  • Solve a problem - plant diseases, what's wrong with my plant, is this a weed, what insect is this 
  • Find plants - flowers, fruit, house plants, native plants, trees and shrubs, vegetables
  • How to's - growing guide, flower pollinators, managing soil and nutrients, using your harvest, water wisely
  • Lawns and landscapes - landscape design, lawn care, flowers for pollinators, find plants
• Become a Master Gardener volunteer

Master Naturalist volunteers work in your community

Planting and growing guides

Vegetables for Minnesota gardens

Selecting the right plants that will grow successfully in the north is half the battle. Expert advice from University of Minnesota horticulturalists will help you grow healthy vegetables that enjoy our climate and soil condition

Saving vegetable seeds

Growing fruit means balancing expectations and effort

Because fruits are perennial plants, they require a bit more commitment than vegetables. Spend some time thinking about why you want to grow fruit.

Harvesting food

• Harvesting and storing home garden vegetables
• Planting vegetables in midsummer for fall harvest
• Farmbytes: thin apples for better harvests

Preserving and storing food

• Food preservation basics
• Food preservation FAQs

• Food preservation and canning troubleshooting guide

• Making jams, marmalades, preserves and conserves
• Preserving herbs by freezing or drying
• Preserving winter squash and pumpkins
• Storing canned food
• Store healthy foods properly

Courses

• Cottage food producer food safety training
• Home food preservation courses
• Local Foods College

Learn how to preserve, prepare and cook fresh food safely. 

To learn more about the topics listed below click on Preserving and preparing food safely

Food preservation methods

•  Food preservation basics
•  Canning
•  Freezing
•  Drying
•  Pickling
•  Jams and jellies

Preserving and preparing different types of food - 

Different kinds of food may require different ways of handling them.

•  Fruits
•  Vegetables and herbs
•  Tomatoes and salsa
•  Meat and fish
•  Eggs and dairy

Food safety

•  Video demonstrations
•  At the office
•  Safe cooking basics
•  Safely cooking meat and fish
•  Holidays and food safety
•  Kitchen equipment for food safety
•  Safe cooking during an emergency
•  Food storage

Pressure Canner Dial Gauge Testing - ‎testing is referred to Presto.

• Presto will only test gauges from these brands: National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor, Kook-Kwick, Presto.
• Steps to send in pressure gauges here: https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/testing-dial-pressure-canner-gauges
• For more information, phone Presto Customer Service: 1-800-877-0441. 
• Questions? Contact GoPresto. https://www.gopresto.com/information/feedback.php.
• For specifics on other models of pressure canner gauges, please check with the manufacturer. All-American – Wisconsin Aluminum Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry. 920-682-8627 

Kanko Akakpovi, SNAP-Ed Educator
kakakpov@umn.edu or 507-332-5948 (direct), 507-330-2017 (cell)

Extension offers a variety of educational programs about nutrition and health in Rice County. These programs are open to families and individuals of all ages who are eligible for benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or who meet Extension’s program income guidelines.

Programs are offered in community settings such as food shelves, schools, community centers and public housing sites. The programs are free to all individuals and families who meet income guidelines, and may be offered in multiple languages, depending on the audience needs and availability of educators.

Use the Real Life, Good Food website to find recipes, cooking tips and physical activity ideas for a healthier life.

View all Rice County contacts.

U of M Extension, Rice County
mnext-rice@umn.edu

1900 Fairgrounds Drive #17
Faribault, MN 55021-8835

Phone: 507-332-6109
Fax: 507-332-9070

Extension brings Minnesotans together to build a better future through University science-based knowledge, expertise and training. Learn more about Extension by visiting our about page and by browsing this website.