4-H Newsletter | October 2021
National 4-H Week October 3rd - 9th, 2021:
Find your SPARK!
This week we are celebrating our nation's largest youth organization and the lives it has touched. How has the organization impacted your life?

Tell us your favorite 4-H memory below for a chance to win an awesome 4-H tumbler!

Join Us for Another Great Year of 4-H!
4-H enrollment for the 2021 - 2022 year is OPEN! The cost of enrollment is $30 for 4-H members and you can register through 4HOnline2.0.com. Tell your friends & get signed up TODAY! The registration deadline is January 1st, 2022.

As an organization, we believe in:

  • all young people’s potential;
  • developing young people who are empowered, confident, hard-working, determined, responsible, and compassionate—seeing a world beyond themselves so that they have the life-long skills to succeed in college and career,
  • ensuring access and equity for all,
  • the power of America’s leading public universities,
  • the practice of positive youth development (PYD)* by creating positive learning experiences,
  • caring and trusted adult mentors who cultivate positive relationships with youth,
  • creating safe, diverse and inclusive environments, and
  • meeting young people wherever they are.
2020 - 21 Award Applications are now OPEN!
Award applications are now OPEN and due back to the Dallas County Extension Office on or before November 1st, 2021.

Who is eligible for an award? Anyone who was a 4-H member in 2020 - 21, and completes & turns in their completed record books & award cover sheet.

How are awards recipients chosen? Award recipients will be selected by a panel of Youth Committee members.

When will Awards Day be? December - Date TBD!

Visit our website to view all of the Dallas County 4-H Awards that you can apply for! Record book covers are available to purchase at the Extension Office for $2.50. Application forms are available on the website.

Applications & record books can be dropped off at the Dallas County Extension Office or submitted via email to awisger@iastate.edu.
You're Invited to Trunk or TREAT!
The Minburn 4-H Club will once again be hosting Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 24th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at the Dallas County Fairgrounds. Dallas County 4-H Clubs are invited to put together a themed trunk (or multiple trunks!) to hand out candy to community members. The Minburn 4-H Club will be choosing the best-decorated trunk for a prize! In the past, some clubs have included a game or activity at their trunk as well. It's going to be a blast!

If you are interested in having a trunk - please email Bailey, at tbluellen@gmail.com .
Dallas County 4-H Fall Photography Workshop!
You're invited to a fall 4-H photography workshop! We will spend the first part of the workshop learning about camera features, parts of a photo, and 4-H photo exhibit requirements. Then, we will head out on the fairgrounds, cameras in hand, where photo props & stations will be set up. After that, we will head back inside where we will take the photos and review them on the big screen. Cameras, cell phones, and iPads welcome!

The best part? It's FREE! Register today!

October 23rd
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Dallas County Fairgrounds
Dallas County 4-H Florists!
Dallas County 4-H members and their families joined Dallas County Master Gardener, Aubrey, for an awesome floral bouquet workshop. Aubrey has worked as a professional florist in the past and still enjoys making floral arrangements for weddings (& for fun!). It was a beautiful & relaxing evening in the garden. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Interested in becoming a Dallas County Master Gardener?
Learn more below!

NEW Dallas County 4-H Club!
Dallas County 4-H is looking forward to the addition of the Dallas County Wild Finders, a new outdoor adventure-based 4-H club. The Wild Finders are looking forward to many hikes, conservation service projects, outdoor exploration, and other adventures. If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining, please contact Allie at the extension office. We are also looking for adult volunteers! We will be hosting our first official meeting in the tall prairies of Kuehn Conservation on October 17th from 3 PM - 4 PM.

Dallas County 4-H Supporter Window Clings Available!
Dallas County 4-H Supporter window clings are available to purchase at the Dallas County Extension Office for $5 apiece. This is a great way to sport your clover spirit on a vehicle, home, or business! Proceeds will go to the Dallas County 4-H Foundation.
Poultry Workshop October 23rd!
A poultry workshop will be held on October 23, in Northwest Polk County that you are welcome to attend! The host of the workshop serves as the Iowa State Fair Poultry Superintendent and Polk County Fair Poultry Superintendent. She also mentioned a state fair judge will be present. This is a great opportunity to hear from Poultry professionals close to home.
Previous Dallas County 4-H'er Hosts Book Drive
Alexis Stine, a Dallas County 4-H Alumni, is serving as the 2021 Miss Great Plains! See the flyer above for the awesome book drive she is hosting in a couple of central Iowa counties. Extra books at home? Drop them off at the Extension Office and we will get them to her!

The following is a note from Alexis Stine, 2021 Miss Great Plains.

"I have spent the past two years as the current 2021 Miss Great Plains titleholder supporting the growth of our youth through educational resources. I am SUPER excited to be partnering with Iowa 4-H (Sara Nelson) in the creation of my Growing the Next Generation Book Drive. What better way to spend National Book Month (AND National 4-H Week) than to gather your county 4-H clubs and donate books to local Boys and Girls Clubs, United Way's Read to Succeed program, and Little Free Libraries?

I would absolutely love it if your clubs would be interested in participating! I am providing information to Boone, Story, and Polk Counties as well. My goal for our four counties is 100 books by October 29! "

Stop by the Extension Office TODAY
Did you participate in the DreamDirt Virtual Premium Auction during the fair this year? If you did, your check is available to be picked up at the Dallas County Extension Office at your earliest convenience.
Want to know more?
Allison Wisgerhof
awisger@iastate.edu
515-993-4281