As with any organization, 4-H has terms that will sound completely foreign. It is our hope that this dictionary will help you feel more comfortable.
Ambassadors - These are youth leaders who are selected from around the county who are available to come to club meetings and present a variety of programs. In addition they assist with camps and activities throughout the year. Call the Extension Office for a list of this year�s ambassadors. They are asked to go to three different clubs per year, so they�re waiting for your call!
Camps - There are a variety of camps available for all ages. Some examples include: Cloverbud Day Camp (K-2nd grade), Resident Camp (3rd through 5th grade, 6th through 8th grade), Youth Leadership Extravaganza (8th grade and up). Camps explanations and application procedures can be found in the newspaper �The Extension Line� and from your club�s leader.
Cloverbud - A 4-Her in Kindergartn, 1st, or 2nd grade is a Cloverbud. While a Cloverbud is not enrolled in any specific project, they are welcome to attend any project meeting or activity that interests them. That way they can explore what 4-H is about and what projects they will want to enroll in later years.
Contact Leader - This person is the club volunteer who is the �contact� between the club and the Dakota County Extension Office. All mail and information is sent to this person. The Contact Leader then shares this information with club members and other leaders.
Communications Contest - The is an annual event held in the spring. 4-H members can compete with other county members in their age group in the areas of posters, photojournalism, interpretive reading, original speeches, as well as written entries. The school librarian is often a good resource person to contact for suggestions for interpretive readings. All Cloverbuds participating in this event receive a participation ribbon.
Community Pride - The 4-H program encourages clubs to get involved with their community. The possibilities are endless! In the past 4 Ever Green has sang Christmas carols at a senior living complex, made and delivered tray favors to a nursing home, picked up a park, and put together meals at Feeding Children International. All these activities were done by Cloverbuds through high school members! In 2003, 4 Ever Green entered an exhibit in the Community Pride project at the fair and was awarded a blue ribbon!
Dakota County Executive Board - Dakota County is divided into 5 geographical areas. Two adult leaders and two youth leaders are elected by their peers to make up this board. Federation Officers also sit on this board. The Executive Board gathers information and suggests policies to the Federation. They meet the months that the Federation does not meet.
Dining Hall - Dakota County 4-H runs a lunchstand in the 4-H building at the fair every year. Profits from the Dining Hall support county 4-H activities throughout the following year. Each club provides adult and youth workers to work one shift; participation is mandatory for every Dakota county 4-H club.
Express Lane - In 2003, the county combined 3 events into one day: Share the Fun, Communications Contest, and Performing Arts Contest. This combined event is called Express Lane.
Extension Office - The Dakota County Extension Office is located at 4100 220th St. W., in Farmington. This is where all of the county 4-H employees are officed. Workshops, banquets, contests, encampments, and meetings are held here. Phone number: 651-480-7700.
Extension Line - This is the Dakota county newspaper that includes a variety of 4-H news and information about upcoming 4-H activities. All 4-H youth and adult leaders will receive the Extension Line. Read it closely since descriptions of activities are included. Clubs can also submit articles to be published; articles must be submitted by the first of the month for the next month�s printing.
Fair - The Dakota County Fair is held in Farmington the first or second full week of August. It is the culmination of each 4-H year. A 4-Her is eligible to enter items for each project they are enrolled in if their records have been completed. Specific guidelines for each project are detailed in the premium book (a.k.a. fair book). A Blue, Red, or White ribbon and corresponding premiums (cash awards) are awarded for each entry. A judge speaks individually to the 4-Her for up to 10 minutes (depending on the project) and awards the ribbon based a combination of the quality of the exhibit, the knowledge and experience of the 4-Her, the number of years the 4-Her has been enrolled in the project, and the 4-Her�s age. Multiple blue, red, and white ribbons are awarded in each project area because the entrants are not competing against each other but against standards pre-determined by the judge. After all entries are judged, the judge may select a Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, d Honorable Mention(s).
Fair Book - see Premium Book
Federation Officers - Federation Officers, are nominated and elected at these meetings. These people run the meetings like club officers run club meetings. They also sit on the Executive Board.
Federation Meeting - These meetings are held for adult and youth leaders of all clubs the second Monday of the month in September, November, January, March, May and July. Meeting dates are published in the �Extension Line.� The meeting is a good opportunity to find out what�s happening with 4-H on the Dakota County level. It�s also a social time to meet with other leaders with similar interests and/or problems and get ideas.
Malt Stand - At the Dakota County Fair each year, the Dakota County 4-H also runs two malt stands. Profits from these stands go to support county 4-H activities. All clubs are encouraged to work a shift in these stands, however, due to the enthusiasm to work in them, clubs are encouraged to register for their preferred shift as soon as they receive the registration form!
Premium Boook - This is a paperback book or newspaper published in early summer. It contains the details necessary to enter an exhibit in a project area at the fair. This book contains both 4-H and open class information. 4-H exhibits are restricted to those enrolled in 4-H. Open class exhibits are open to anyone. A.k.a. Fair Book
Projects - Each 4-H member, 3rd grade and up, may enroll in one or more projects according to their interests. The 4-Her must be enrolled in the project to submit an entry in that project area at the fair.
Project Leaders - This is an adult or youth leader who assumes leadership for a 4-H project either within a club or on the county level. Expertise in the project is not a prerequisite but willingness to help and learn are. In many of the project areas, project leader guides are available. Other club and youth leaders and extension educators are willing to help and serve as a resource.
Project Workshops - County-wide project workshops are held throughout the year and are published in the Extension Line. All 4-Hers, including Cloverbuds, are welcomed to register and attend. Often more extensive workshops are available at this level than clubs are able to offer.
Records - For each project a 4-H member signs up, there is a corresponding record. The 4-Her keeps track of all the project activities they do throughout the year in this record. Records must be completed by the end of June. A particular project record must be completed to enter in that project area at the fair. Youth and adult club leaders are available to help members with their records. TIP: It�s easiest to complete them as you go rather than wait until June to start them!
Share The Fun - This is an annual activity held in the spring. Clubs are encouraged to develop and present a 6 minute act (usually musical) in competition against other Dakota county clubs. This activity provides an opportunity for 4-Hers to perform in front of an audience.
Sports - Softball and volleyball are available to 4-H members. There are two different leagues (divided by age groups) and clubs compete against other clubs throughout the county. If a club isn�t participating, there is always room for interested players on other teams. The volleyball tournament is a one day event held in late winter or early spring. The softball season is held in May, June, and July. All clubs do not participate, but the opportunity is there for all 4-H members.
State Fair (a.k.a. MN State Fair) - 4-Hers receiving a Champion ribbon for their project and who meet the minimum age requirement of # years are eligible to exhibit their project at the MN State Fair. 4-Hers are restricted to entering # projects in the State Fair. If the Champion in the project area is ineligible or declines their trip, the Reserve Champion becomes eligible.
Youth Leader - 4-Hers in grade 7 and up may enroll in this project. They assume leadership in a specific activity and/or project, and should be available within their club to help other 4-H members and leaders. They can help outside their club at county wide activities such as Cloverbud Day Camps, resident camps, retreats, and day long events.