ST. PAUL — Minnesota 4-H’ers from 87 counties arrived with over 2,272 animals at the 2021 “Great Minnesota Get-Together” for this year’s 4-H livestock encampment, which was held Wednesday, Aug.25 through Sunday, Aug. 29. The number of livestock exhibits over the weekend included:
- Beef: 492 exhibits
- Dairy: 383 exhibits
- Goats: 274 exhibits
- Poultry: 166 exhibits
- Rabbits: 226 exhibits
- Sheep: 311 exhibits
- Swine: 361 exhibits
- Lama: 59 exhibits
- Virtual Livestock: 27 exhibits
Minnesota 4-H’ers have been preparing for this event all summer long. Members consider several components when deciding to exhibit livestock, including selection and preparation of the animal; educational programming; scholarship applications; and participation at county fairs.
Education is integral in the “learn by doing” philosophy of 4-H. As part of the educational component, Minnesota 4-H requires every youth participating in the livestock encampment to participate in a livestock interview. Examples of the interview process include an online knowledge test, skill-a-thons, and personal interviews about their project area.
Along with interviews, all 4-H youth participating in livestock programming are required to complete the Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics (LQA&E) Training. Through this certification, youth are educated on biosecurity, educating the public on the role of livestock, and caring for their animal’s welfare.
North St. Louis County 4-H had four youth attend the General Livestock Encampment during this year’s Minnesota State Fair.
- Emily Baraga- Balkan
- Heidi Lindula- Iron
- Tyler Nash- Hibbing
- Jonathan Walzak- Meadowlands
Here are the results:
First Name | Last Name | Project Area | Placing |
Emily | Baraga | Sheep-Commercial Black Face | Blue |
Emily | Baraga | Sheep- Livestock Interview | Finalist |
Heidi | Lindula | Meat Goat | Red |
Heidi | Lindula | Meat Goat- Showmanship | Green |
Heidi | Lindula | Meat Goat Livestock Interview | Finalist |
Tyler | Nash | Poultry-egg production | Blue |
Tyler | Nash | Herdsmanship | 5th place |
Jonathan | Walzak | Beef-Commercial Jr. Yearling | 4th place |
Jonathan | Walzak | Beef-Showmanship | Green |
Jonathan | Walzak | Beef Livestock Interview | Finalist |
Congratulations to all the youth that participated in the Livestock Encampment at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair.
To learn more about 4-H in North St. Louis County, contact Extension 4-H Educator Nicole Kudrle at 218-749-7120 or vande422@umn.edu and visit the website, www.4-H.umn.edu.
About Extension 4-H: 4-H is a youth development program of the University of Minnesota Extension. Available for youth grades k-1 year after high school, 4-H’ers participate in hands-on learning experiences in STEM, citizenship & leadership, animal science, creative arts and much more. Through this learn-by-doing process, youth obtain essential life skills such as problem solving, decision making, coping and communicating that help them succeed in their school, college, community and career. Research shows that youth who participate in 4-H have better grades and are more emotionally engaged with school, are more than twice as likely to be civically active and contribute to their communities, and are 47% less likely to have risky or problem behaviors.
— University of Minnesota Extension
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