COVID-19 Advisory. OSU Extension is here for you. We are limiting our onsite and in-person activities while continuing remote and virtual programming.

  1. Programs
  2. 4-H Youth Development

Polk County 4-H

Stay at Home Youth and 4-H Activities

Check out this page for an updated list of 4-H activities and resources to use during the COVID-19 quarantine!

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Polk County Photography Contest

Like to Take Pictures?
Join the new monthly Photo Contest!!
Open to all Polk County youth ages 9-18.
1st place winner wins a gift card to Focal Point Photography
See the flyer for details.
 
 
(not to be confused with the statewide photography skills trainings via Zoom)
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2021 Grow This: OR Garden Challenge

What is the Challenge? Grow different seeds.
Grow different seeds. Anyone can join using their own seeds! While supplies last, Oregonians who sign up for the Challenge and request seeds will receive four different seed packets free of charge. Oregon State University will send these seed packets to county Extension offices around the state for pick-up in March.  Some of the seed types to be mailed out are listed here: How to Plant and Grow Seeds.

How do I join? 
Fill out a very short survey.  Link will be posted HERE March 1st. 

Join today to follow along!

Also follow our Food Hero Facebook page, and YouTube page with garden videos.  

Seed pickup (anyone can also join using their own seeds): 
Seeds will be available by appointment in every county following county health department and Governor’s Office recommendations, including wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distance. No contact delivery is possible because seeds are in sealed envelopes that can be labeled and either put outside the office on a table or in some cases right inside the front door on a table for pickup.  (The cost of mailing seeds in 2021 is very high because they require special handling and Food Hero has so many seeds to distribute.) 

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Youth Voices in Action

The Oregon State University Extension Service welcomes youth to join us for our Youth Voices in Action virtual Conference starting March 23-25, 10 am - 3:30 pm.

If you’re in grades 8-12 and are interested in leadership, being a change maker or improving your professional skills we want to hear from you. Youth Voices in Action is a 3 day program designed to help youth get a taste for what it takes to be successful in the real world and to effect real change while learning new skills. In this online conference, youth participate in a variety of different workshops, connect with peers across the state and network with civic engagement professionals.

The cost is $25 and registration will close March 10th. Registrants can also apply for scholarships to attend the conference for free. If you are interested in learning more for your family, friends or want to participant as a volunteer call OSU Extension 541-963-1010 or register at https://rb.gy/n6ocrw

Accommodation related to a disability should be made by to Carole Smith at carole.smith@oregonstate.edu

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Small Animal Spring Classic

Small Animal Participates come join the Regional Spring Classic contest for small animals (poultry & rabbit/cavy) which will be held virtually on Saturday, March 13th. This contest will qualify intermediate and senior teams for the State Spring Classic quiz bowl and judging contests in May. Juniors are more than welcome to participate though if they want to have fun and learn!

Please also note that there is an orientation being held the evening of Wednesday, February 24th.

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Cloverbud Show N' Tell Class

CLOVERBUD CLASSES BEGIN!

County Wide Cloverbud classes will be offered every month through at least June 2021. Classes will start at 5:30 pm, and for the time being will be held via Zoom. Classes will provide kits and cost $3 for 4-H members and $5 for non-members.

Registration is due the Wednesday before the beginning of each class so kit materials can be put together and picked up by participants.

Please register as soon as possible. You will be contacted with specific class information, details, and Zoom links closer to the class date. If you have multiple children, please sign each on up separately.

Monthly Class topics:

March 16   Beads  
April 20      Foods: Cereal Bar/Smoothie  
May 18      Horticulture: Seedling/Small Herb box
Jun 15       Pet Rock 

 

Registration link: March Class Registration link is soon to come

 

L.I.V.E.

A group of us were very sad that we could not hold our in-person Winter older youth leadership retreats.  L.I.V.E. was our solution.  March 5,6, & 7 from 6:15pm-8:00pm a group of youth from Oregon’s westside will be leading classes, games and other activities that are open to youth from across the state.

L.I.V.E. is open to youth 12-18 and will be free of charge.  They can participate in all of the days or just one.  Attached you will find a flyer and a social post that can be used for advertising. 

Link for registration: https://beav.es/JmA

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Virtual Outdoor Cooking Class

Mar 5 - Apr 16, 2021
March 2, March 19, April 2 and April 16

FREE

Presented by Morrow County 4-H, but also open for Polk County 4-H youth to join!

Note: this is only open to current 4-Hers registered for the 2020-2021 4-H year. Not open to the public.

This is a four part series on how to cook outside over coals! No limit on the number of members participating. This class will be over Zoom and you will receive a link to join once registered online.

Sign up online

Class dates and menus:

  • March 5, 9am: Nachos
  • March 19, 9am: Grilled mini pizzas
  • April 2, 9am: Egg/sausage scramble
  • April 16, 9am: LeeBee's Dessert
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4-H Photography Skills Trainings

Registration is open for the 4-H Photography Skills Trainings. The sessions will help youth learn tips, tricks and techniques to take an outstanding photo. Participants are to put their learning into effect immediately and send a photo taken using their acquired skills to the instructor for feedback. Photos must be received by the instructor in the week following that skills class.

All sessions are based on the Oregon 4-H Fair entry classes. Register only for the class(es) of interest.

1. Introduction to the Oregon 4-H Photography Project - March 4
Learn about the 4-H photography project including the various fair classes for photo entry and the evaluation process..

2. Our Beautiful World; taking landscape photos – March 10
Great landscape photos make the viewer feel they are there. Learn how to capture those in-the-moment photos with composition and lighting in mind.

3. All those Amazing Creatures; taking photos of animals. – March 16
Animals are a popular subject for photos. Learn the tips and techniques you can use to get a great photo of your photogenic animal friend.

4. Capturing the Beauty of Plants – March 22
We are surrounded by amazing plants. This class will help you learn how to capture their beauty so viewers can see what your eyes saw.

5. People – March 29
Capturing people in a flattering photo can be a challenge. Whether it be a spur of the moment photo or a planned portrait, this class shares tips to help create that endearing photo.

6. Preparing your Photo for Exhibit - April 7
You took a great photo; now how do you prepare it for exhibit at the fair or other exhibition?

Details:
All classes are free.
All classes are via Zoom and from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
Class size is limited. Register only for the classes you are committed to attending.
Register: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Ms2XE9in66WvFc

 

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In The Pig Barn Webinar Series
 

Here is a great opportunity offered by Washington State Extension, South Dakota State Extension and the National Pork Board. This is FREE but registration is required! Please see the information below:
 
Register Now--
In The Pig Barn: Webinars Biweekly 2-3 PM PST

WSU Extension in collaboration with SDSU Extension, Washington Pork Producers and support from the National Pork Board is starting a new bi-weekly webinar series called "In The Barn" which will feature different topics tailored to new and beginning pig farmers common in the Pacific Northwest from in the barn, the cooler, the vet hospital and even the kitchen. Larger scale producers are also welcome to attend as lifelong learners.

You are invited to join the second Zoom webinar!
When: Feb 19, 2021 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: In The Pig Barn: From Pig To Pork Chop--How much pork is in that pig?
Register in advance for this webinar:
 
“From Pig to Pork Chop” Webinar will feature Dr. Paul Kuber, WSU Extension Specialist, explaining how much pork meat one can expect from a butcher pig. There are many things to consider--- whether you are a meat consumer considering purchasing a live pig that will be butchered for home use; or a pig producer wanting to directly sell pork to consumers. Both the buyer and seller should educate themselves on what makes a good butcher hog and have realistic expectations of types of meat cuts and pounds of pork from a market ready butcher pig. The goal of this educational webinar is to provide viewers with information on pork meat quality and quantity when purchasing or selling a pig for harvest for consumption. We will be evaluating three different types of market hog from live evaluations through carcass fabrication to evaluate meat quality and factors influencing the pounds of meat one will get from a butcher hog.
In The Swine Barn Webinar Series is a collaboration between WSU Extension and SDSU Extension, Washington Pork Producers and support from the National Pork Board. The webinar series is tailored to small acreage pig farmers in the Pacific Northwest. Larger scale producer or pig farmers from outside the area are also welcome to attend as lifelong learners. The webinar are free to attend however individuals must register to receive log-in information.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

Hippology Academy 2021

We are excited to announce Hippology Academy 2021; which starts on Monday, February 8. As before, we have both Silver and Bronze levels. We have all new topics this spring, and they will be in this order:

Equipment and Riding Styles with Taylor Fabus, Michigan State University

Stallion Reproduction Anatomy with Dr. Kathy Anderson,  University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Breeds Around the World- Dr. Colleen Brady, Purdue University

Fly Pests of Horses- Dr. Saundra TenBroeck, University of Florida

Pasture Management- Susie White, Michigan State University, and Jessie Hadfield, Utah State University

Introduction to Donkey Management- Dr. Carissa Wickens, University of Florida, Dr. Nettie Liburt, Mars Equine Nutrition

Please let us know if you have any questions; or go ahead and enroll for the course at this link.  https://catalog.extension.org/?category=6&keyword=hippology&cond=advand&search=Search

Note: This class has two different price ranges and unlike many offered online classes, is not free.

STEAM Series - Registration Closed

The Polk County STEAM program is now accepting registrations! This is open for youth in K – 8th grades, and is being put on by the Polk County 4-H Ambassadors.
 
Link to register: beav.es/JMf
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Teen Book Club

We are partnering with the Monmouth Public Library to put on a Teen Book Club for youth 13 and older. It’s completely free to join, and virtual. The CCRLS is making sure that there are enough books for all participants to be able to use, and will assist any youth who doesn’t already have a library card with getting one, to ensure everyone is able to participate.
 
That being said, youth from anywhere in the state are welcome to participate in this program, but will have to source the book themselves.
 
Register today at beav.es/JM7
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Seed Your Future

Seed Your Future is a non profit associate of the American Society for Horticultural Science, and is focused on helping young people see horticulture as a vital, vibrant, and viable career path. They have teamed up with Scholastic to create environmental science and horticulture lessons for students in grades 6-8. There is also an art/drawing contest that students can enter.
 

 

Cupcake Decorating Contest - Registration Closed

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This contest is open to all Polk County youth! Participants will be sent a cupcake kit, including cupcake mix and basic decorating supplies., instructions, and decorating guidelines. Perishable ingredients are excluded from the kits (eggs, butter).
Cupcakes will be judged by a panel based upon photograph submissions. Reserve Champion and Champion ribbons will be awarded in each age class, and will be featured on Polk County 4-H social media.

Cost includes contest entry and cupcake making and decorating kit.

  • Non-4-H member, $10
  • 4-H member, $5

Scholarships are available for those in need.

How Does This Work?

  • Register online, then pay your fee to the Polk County Extension Office.
  • Receive kit on pick up day, read and learn from the materials.
  • Prepare your masterpiece, and then submit the photos to enter into the competition!

When Does This Take Place?

  • Registration closes and payment is due Feb. 15
  • Kits pick ups will take place the week of Feb. 22
  • Upload your photo submission between March 1 – 14.

Where do I Sign up?
Register online

Questions? Contact Emily Lampe.

Create Art Now - Registration Closed

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When: Tuesday/Thursdays at 5:00 pm February 9 -March 4 via a virtual meeting room

Ages: Open to youth in 4th – 8th grade

Cost: $15 non 4-Hers, $10 4-Hers, this includes all supplies needed for each art lesson, creating a beginners art set.

Youth will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the art technique, develop art critique skills, and ultimately culminate their experience with the opportunity to display their creations in a virtual art gallery event.

This is a virtual class, so youth wanting a kit will be required to pick it up from the Polk County office.

Register online

Registration Deadline is January 25th

Babysitter Virtual Trainings

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This training is designed to train youth in many aspects of babysitting including baby care, toddler care, healthy snacks, business tips, age-appropriate games, first aid, and safety.

Open to all youth ages 10 and up regardless of where you live in the state. The next sessions for the state-wide babysitting training scheduled for January and February/March will be facilitated by Wasco County.

Training will consist of four, 1-hour sessions.

The January dates are Wednesdays, Jan. 13 and 20, and Thursday, January 14 and 21.

The February/March dates are Monday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 24 and Monday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 3.

All classes are scheduled for 4-5 pm.

More information and registration

4-H Winter Garden Series - Registration Closed

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Join us to explore winter gardening with a three month interactive gardening series running from January - March 2021.

This program will have several age appropriate tracks, and is available for youth ages 9 - 18. Registered youth will receive a monthly winter gardening kit and will be invited to engage with their peers in a virtual Zoom meeting where we participate in the activities together. Activities can include seed planting, building a terrarium, learning about succulents, and more!

Non-4-H members: $10 for all 3 months

4-H members: $5 for all 3 months

Scholarships are available for those in need. All our welcome and encouraged to attend our programs regardless of ability to pay.

Register online

Virtual Calf Barn Field Trip

Take a Virtual Field Trip to the state of the art calf barn at Rickreall Diary in Rickreall, Oregon to learn all about calf care! Tour is aimed at Preschool - 2nd graders

Road Trip from Home: Virtual Field Trips

Are you interested in doing a lot of exploring, but don’t often have the opportunity? Let’s face it; parents don’t always have the time to take the family on long field trips. Some destinations, such as other countries throughout the world, may take weeks and can be very expensive. When you can’t go globe-trotting, sometimes you have to get creative and let your mind do the exploring. This is where virtual field trips become a great alternative. These are fun and wonderful websites that will show you different parts of the world, famous landmarks, beautiful works of art, historic marvels, science adventures and so much more!

Take a look!

4-H at Home | 4-H en Casa

Fun and educational weekly magazine | Revista divertida y educativa semanal

Greetings, 4-H Families! This booklet is a gift from 4-H to you and your friends. In this booklet you will find activities to entertain the whole family. We encourage you to engage your children in these fun and educational recreational activities. We hope this will help our communities grow to be healthy and happy. On the back page you can find our contact information. Feel free to reach out to us!

¡Saludos, familias de 4-H! Este folleto es un regalo de 4-H para usted y sus amigos. En este folleto encontrará actividades para entretener a toda la familia. Lo alentamos a involucrar a sus hijos en estas divertidas y educativas actividades recreativas. Esperamos que esto ayude a nuestras comunidades a crecer saludables y felices. En la ultima página puede encontrar nuestra información de contacto. ¡No dude en comunicarse con nosotros!

Animal Science Activities

Activities provided by the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University

Videos include:

Beef

Dairy

Dog

Equine

Goats & Sheep

Poultry

Rabbits

Virtual Farm Field Trips:

All Species:

Virtual AKC Rally Competition

This is the latest virtual learning opportunity offered through AKC. Kids and their dogs can earn their rally novice title. As always, AKC processes titles free for any 4-H kids, including CGC and Trick Dog titles. Any kid and their dog can participate. If their dog is not registered with AKC, they can receive a free Junior number by filling out this application.

See the links below for additional information:

4‑H at Home: Environment, Healthy Living & STEM

Are you looking for fun and educational activities to keep your kids busy and engaged at home? Each week, 4‑H will be sharing four at-home learning resources from 4‑H programs across the country. Visit the links to learn more about the activity and check back every Monday for new ideas and hands-on, educational resources for all young people.

Check out 4-H at Home Activities HERE

84 easy science lessons you can do at home

Are you a teacher or parent trying to find some lessons that could be done at home? Try one of these 84 science activities using supplies you probably already have around the house.

4-H at Home

4-H at Home provides critical learning resources for kids and teens while they're home from school during COVID-19.

Explore this page to receive hands-on, educational activities, including our latest 4-H at Home Activity Guide and Shop 4-H curriculum to help inspire young people to do, learn, and grow.

More Activities

Visit the State-wide youth activity page for more resources, opportunities, and activities! Resources are organized by activity area (art, animals, physical activity, outdoors, etc) and by grade level to make it easier for you to find the resources best suited for your family!

OSU Youth Education Resources

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