Clover Chatter
CHARLES MIX COUNTY
Record Books
Be sure to start filling out your record book for the 2024-2025 4-H year! As they are due September 30th! Start early and set your goals! Lets have a great year! *There are record book covers in the office for any new member needing one!*
Sheep and Goat Exhibitors!
Sheep and goats are required to have a federal scrapie tag in order to exhibit in 4-H, in conjunction with federal laws. This scrapie tag will serve as the primary form of identification for all South Dakota 4-H sheep and goat exhibits. Any additional tags are also accepted as forms of animal ID, so long as they also have a federally approved scrapie tag. To obtain your tag, visit this link: aib.sd.gov/officialid.html
Alert: Dog Volunteer
Looking for a dog volunteer to run dog practices and help put on a dog show during county fair! If you or someone you know would be interested, have them contact Lesley or the office for more information.
County and State Horse Show Dates
Announced!
The county Horse Show will be June 25th at the 7N Arena in Bon Homme Co.
The 2025 State 4-H Office Horse Show will be held in Huron at the State Fairgrounds on July 8th10th, 2025. Check in and YIA will be on July 7th.
YQCA Scholarship Application
County Fair Dates
Announced!
The Charles Mix Leaders Association has announced the 2025 dates for the County Fair. The Fair will be taking place on July 29th-August 2nd.
YQCA is excited to launch a new scholarship program for certified youth, ranging from high school seniors to age 21, pursuing an agriculture degree or trade. YQCA will provide a total of $30,000 in scholarships to selected youth in 2-25! Individual scholarships will be awarded in the following amounts: • One recipient - $10,000 • Two recipients - $5,000 • Four recipients - $2,500
Meetings
Leaders Association
Feb. 24th, 2025
@ 4-H Center
Starts at 6:00 pm in Lake Andes
Fair Board
March 3rd, 2025
7:00pm @ 4-H
Center in Lake Andes
Clubs Hearty Helpers & Community Hard Workers
Are meeting together in the month of February to make valentines for the nursing homes.
Feb. 9th @ 1:00pm at the Geddes community center
SOUTH DAKOTA 4-H VOLUNTEERS
are essential to the mission of our program. These caring adult mentors bring forth many skills and hours of dedicated service each year to help strengthen the lives of young people. If you were a volunteer in the 2023-24 4-H program year, thank you so much! South Dakota 4-H volunteers serve one-year terms, renewable indefinitely so long as both parties (i.e., typically the volunteer and lead county 4H professional) wish to continue the relationship. The returning volunteer indicates this interest by re-enrolling in 4-HOnline after October 1st. At this point, the returning volunteer’s status is “pending.” In most cases, the lead local 4-H professional will quickly approve and the 4-HOnline status will then say “active.” This signifies the renewal of the relationship for the 4-H year ahead. If the lead local 4-H professional does not wish to continue the relationship or wishes to discuss role restrictions or alterations, they will communicate this to the volunteer. Each year, a few 4- H volunteers are not renewed for service. Reminder: All returning volunteers need to indicate their interest in returning. The preferred renewal date is before December 31(or other local program preferred date), but required before volunteers are allowed to do any 4-H programming or events and before September 1st. Otherwise, should they wish to return at a future time, they will have to restart the volunteer process from scratch and pay a $75 lapsed background check fee. Interested in becoming a new volunteer this 4H year? Contact Lesley or Jo Cee at the office anytime, preferably before April 1, to learn more.
Junior Leaders Meeting at Geedes Community center 12:00pm Feb. 9th
We will be setting dates and summer activites, all 13 to 18 year olds are welcome to come and learn about what the Junior Leaders in Charles Mix are doing!
Community service project
available
Do you love to garden?
We are looking for youth that would like to grow up to 25 watermelons for the watermelon eating contest that is during the county fair. Please contact the office if you are interested and want more details.
Statewide Community Service Project
2024-25 Prairie Roots
Installation Guide
Introduction:
Each year, South Dakota 4-H hosts an annual statewide community service project, empowering youth and families to give back to those in need on a local, state, national, or international level. The State 4-H Ambassadors on the SkillsX by 4-H (formally Teen Leadership Conference) Committee select several community service project ideas, which are presented to participants throughout the duration of the annual SkillsX by 4-H event. At the end of the week, teen participants vote on their most liked project to be held in the following 4-H year. This process provides for youth voice when selecting the community service project. The State 4-H Ambassador program staff design and launch the project to the 4-H membership and county programs. This installation guide includes a project description and suggested processes, messaging, promotional assets (graphics, flyers, etc.), and other necessary items to carry out a successful community service campaign locally and across the state.
2024-25 Statewide Community Service Project Topic:
The project topic that was selected by teen participants at the 2024 SkillsX by 4-H Conference is Prairie Roots: Revitalizing South Dakota’s Native Grasslands. This project empowers individuals across South Dakota to take an active role in preparing the ground for, and planting a variety of plants native to South Dakota.
The Process:
In order to provide flexibility in the implementation of this project while maintaining some level of consistency, a suggested planting and organizational process has been outlined below. This process can be modified to fit the needs of the county 4-H office, collaborating organization(s) and local constituents, as long as proper impact tracking (number of square feet planted) can be verified. It is also important that we ensure that all planting is done within South Dakota
Suggested Planting Process:
Many processes can be utilized to execute this year’s statewide community service project. Some of these are outlined below. One or multiple of these applications may be chosen or adapted to meet your community’s unique needs. Some variables that may affect the chosen process include community assets, access to planting spaces, and ability for collaboration between clubs. Regardless of which modality(s) is/are chosen, it is important to remember that the main objective is to plant a variety of native plants into South Dakota counties across the state. It is also important that regardless of
the chosen process impact is tracked by the number of square feet planted. Beyond that, feel free to use your creativity!
Process Outline:
1. IdentifyPlantingLocation-Toensurethatyourequestthecorrectnumberof plants and seeds, it is important to find a location, or several locations, where clubs can prepare the ground to grow native plants and where they can plant later this year. Some suggested options for planting locations are listed below:
a. CountySDSUExtensionBuilding
b. LocalBusinesses
c. Parks,EventCenters,etc.
d. FlowerbedsorOtherPre-ExistingPlantingLocations
2. Planting Location Contact - It is crucial to make sure your identified location is willing to accept this project . This can be done by getting approval from business owners or other property owners. This communication can be viewed as an opportunity for youth-adult collaboration. Be sure to communicate the approximate dates and times as well as the exact location in which you will be preparing the ground and planting. Some questions to ask are listed:
a. Whereshould/canseedsandstartersbeplanted?
b. Whencanwepreparethegroundforplanting?
c. What is the best date that works for everyone to plant?
d. Also,letthemknowthattheremaybeatemporaryspotofemptyground while waiting for seeds to sprout.
3. DecideYourModality-Therewillbemultiplewaystocompletethisproject.Itis suggested that each participating group engages with both of the following options. However, it is understood that one of these options may not work because of your unique time requirements, planting locations, and available people. The available modalities are as follows:
a. Modality1:WinterSowing-Ifyouchoosetoparticipateinwintersowing, you will receive seeds during the winter months which you will have the opportunity to plant indoors and then place outside for the remainder of the winter. The seeds will have the opportunity to start growing before they are transplanted during the spring/summer Closer to the date at which this project will begin, text and video guides will be sent to counties as well as an opportunity for 4-H youth to attend an online demonstration and walkthrough of the Winter Sowing process led by Oliver Moeckly, a South Dakota State 4-H Ambassador.
b. Modality2:PlantingSeedsandStarters-Ifyouchoosethismodality, you will receive seed packets in early summer and starters (native plants that have already begun to grow) will be sent out on a date that is to be determined (date will be given to members through a newsletter). After receiving these seeds and plants, you will plant them in the designated area. Planting areas will require club members/leaders to consistently
check on, water, and weed the areas in which plants and seeds are planted as other plants may try to out-compete the new native plants
After finding and confirming the locations at which planting will occur, measure the spaces to determine which square footage option applies most closely to the plot in which you plan on planting. Then fill out the Seed and with the square footage of each plot.
After requesting and receiving your seeds, starters, and/or winter sowing plants, it is now time to prepare the location where they will be planted. Please note that if you have chosen a pre-existing flowerbed or planting location there is likely less work that will need to be done to prepare There are several ways that preparation can be done, some of which are better than others. They are listed in order of preferred usage as follows:
a. Option1:GroundCovering-Thisisthebestoptionasitisagood combination of ease and prepares the ground well to receive plants. Just as snow is beginning to melt and before or in the very early stages of grass growing, cover the areas that are likely going to be planted in with cardboard, tarps, or other sun-blocking materials. Then, let that sit overtop of the area so it is blocking sunlight until you are ready to plant. Once you are prepared to plant, remove the coverings from the location that was covered. It is best to keep the covering on for at least 1-2 months prior to planting so the grass and weeds are minimized.
b. Option2:SodCutting-Ifsomeoneinyourclub/communityhasaccess to a sod cutter, one can be used to remove a sheet of grass. This sheet can then be flipped over and set back into the hole that was left behind. This reveals the underside of the dirt and it is now ready for planting.
c. Option3:Chemicals-Ifnoneoftheseoptionsworkforyou,using weed-killing chemicals is an option. Note that this option is not preferred as these chemicals can harm the small native animals that will eventually inhabit these locations.
After all of this work, it is finally time to get planting! Refer to the for information about the native planting process. Following planting, all groups are asked to install a yard sign that designates each location as a Prairie Roots Project Location. This allows passersby to see the impact 4-H has around their communities and appreciate the native plants. Additionally, you can promote the progress and growth of the plants on social media (more information on this in the Promotions section).
After the initial date of planting, it is important that members routinely monitor the planting locations and make sure any weeds are pulled to ensure the success of the newly-planted native plants. The total square footage and photos of the planting location must be submitted by email to julia.thaden@sdstate.edu by August 15, 2025.
Promotion: News Release
A news release about the project will be distributed on the extension website in the coming month. You can feel free to share this news release with your local news outlet to place in their publication. Further news releases will be sent to participating counties.
Yard Signs
Each county will receive a yard sign for each plot of land being planted. These signs are to be displayed within the plot of native plants to show community members the positive effects of native plants, 4-H, and the Prairie Roots Program. The design for this sign will be chosen through a contest. All 4-H members are invited to create a unique design that showcases the importance and beauty of native plants. More information regarding this competition will be sent out to participating counties.
Suggested Social Media Messaging:
1. Option1:AccordingtoSDPB,SouthDakotalostnearly600,000acresofnative prairies in a short two years. These prairies allow unique and diverse ecosystems to thrive and for better absorption of water and nutrients.
Hashtags:
Feel free to create your own social media messaging, but with all social media posts, please use the following hashtags:
Primary: #4HPrairieRoots, #SD4H
Secondary: #HandsToLargerService, #nativeplanting Recognition
In an effort to acknowledge the county with the most impact created throughout the community service project; we will be recognizing the county with the highest total square footage by August 15, 2025. The most impactful county will receive a plaque at the State Fair 4-H Recognition Ceremony on Sunday. A news release will also be developed and distributed widely to highlight the county and state’s successes in enriching our local communities.
FAQ
Q: Will we have to pay for the seeds and supplies?
A: You will not need to purchase the seeds. However, some of the supplies needed for planting such as trowels, gloves, etc. will not be provided. We’re hoping that most clubs will have some families who already have access to those supplies.
Q: What size of group is needed to complete this project?
A: One great thing about this project is that it can be done by any number of people! Although larger groups may make the work easier, it could easily be done by groups of at least two family units, clubs, and county groups.
Q: Can we plant anything that we want?
A: No, we will provide groups with the seeds and plant kits that they need.
Q: Where’s the best location to plant?
A: Anywhere with full sun coverage, good drainage, and access to water will work well.
Q: Can I plant these in my backyard?
A: Since this is a community service project, we would like the community to be able to see these planting locations. For this reason, front facing or public areas are best.
Q: How many square feet can my group plant?
A: Each group is able to plant a maximum of 200 square feet of native plants. However, there is no limit to the number of groups that can plant within a county.
Contact
For questions relating to the Prairie Roots project, please reach out to the following individuals:
Oliver Moeckly
Youth Coordinator for the South Dakota State 4-H Community Service Project olivermoeckly@gmail.com (605) 237-3620
Hilary Kroupa
SDSU Extension Program Manager, Regional Youth Educator hilary.kroupa@sdstate.edu (605) 688-4167
Julia Thaden
SDSU Extension Program Manager, Regional Youth Educator julia.thaden@sdstate.edu (605) 688-4167
Ordering 4-H Tags & DNA Envelopes
New 4-H Green Tags
According to new guidelines from the USDA released in November, 2024, we are no longer able to purchase NUES tags as has been the standard for many years. Instead, we have switched to a different federal tagging system commonly known as “840 tags” or EID/RFID These new tags are still federally recognized tags, just like the former NUES tags, but they have a slightly different numbering system Photos of these new tags can be found below
Changes
Though the overall concept of our identification system will remain the same, there are a few small changes occurring in 2025
You will notice that we are not offering any sheep/goat tags this year. This is because they are not necessary Sheep and goats are required to have a federal scrapie tag in order to exhibit in 4-H, in conjunction with federal laws. This scrapie tag will serve as the primary form of identification for all South Dakota 4-H sheep and goat exhibits. Any additional tags are also accepted as forms of animal ID, so long as they also have a federally approved scrapie tag.
The 840 tags utilized in swine, beef, and dairy cattle are official USDA tags. These are to be used the same as the NUES tags were utilized in previous years. Swine tags are green in color and the beef/dairy tags are white
