Resources and recommendations for 4-H members, volunteers, and staff.
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South Dakota 4-H Connection
October 2026
Welcome to the new communications and outreach tool – the South Dakota 4-H Connection newsletter! Our primary goal is to provide timely information about upcoming events and educational resources, and to build connection across families, volunteers, staff, and others involved and interested in South Dakota 4-H. This introductory newsletter provides a review of two successful initiatives in 2026, Clover Classic and Clover Connect events, along with 2026 4-H statistics. All of these are ways to showcase how South Dakota 4-H is building life skills in today’s youth. In upcoming newsletters, you will find key points highlighted, with links to information on the South Dakota 4-H website. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas on the newsletter through the South Dakota 4-H email.
Clover Connect
Clover Connect events bring South Dakota 4-H directly to youth, creating meaningful connections with SDSU faculty, staff, and local professionals through hands-on, place-based learning experiences. With a goal of three events per region annually across South Dakota’s four regions, Clover Connect embodies the land-grant mission by delivering university expertise to local communities. These events support South Dakota 4-H’s Beyond Ready initiative by helping youth explore educational and career pathways while developing communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, along with resilience and adaptability. By strengthening relationships with SDSU campus partners and expanding workforce readiness opportunities, Clover Connect is helping build a Beyond Ready generation prepared to succeed in work, life, and leadership.
Unlock the Science of Food
The South Region, in partnership with the SDSU Dairy and Food Science Department, gave 39 youth a chance to dive into the science behind everyday foods and dairy careers. Participants explored how germs spread and practiced proper handwashing. They made ice cream and discussed pasteurization and homogenization. Then they compared flours and their gluten content through experiments and pasta making. Youth also discovered how enzymes, acids, yeast, and emulsions transform ingredients as they made cheese, bread, and butter. Youth not only built a fun and meaningful understanding of real-world food chemistry, but they also made their own lunch.
Kid Kare
Kid Kare, a 4-H babysitting clinic for ages 11 to 18, was offered in Brookings and Watertown, engaging 65 youth from eight counties in the North Region, more than half of whom were not currently enrolled in 4-H. Through five hands-on learning areas- children’s activities, behavior management, infant care, nutrition, and emergency preparedness- participants developed practical childcare skills and increased confidence. Pediatric CPR and First Aid training, made possible through partnerships with the American Red Cross and American Heart Association, was a highlight, providing participants with life-saving skills and greater preparedness as caregivers. Kid Kare connected participants with SDSU resources, including the Miller Wellness Center – Recreation & Fitness and the School of Education, Counseling & Human Development.
Exploring the World of Entomology
The West Region hosted an entomology workshop, providing 10 youth with a hands-on opportunity to explore the fascinating world of insects. Participants learned how to properly collect, identify, and preserve insects while discovering the important role insects play in our ecosystems. Patrick Wagner, SDSU Extension Entomology Field Specialist, guided participants through activities to build their own collections and develop a greater appreciation for entomology and the science behind insect classification. The insect displays can be used as educational tools, artistic exhibits, or unique fair projects.
Beef Artificial Insemination Clinic
The West Region offered a Beef Artificial Insemination Clinic, giving 18 youth an in-depth look at modern beef reproductive management practices. Participants learned about the value of artificial insemination, proper equipment use, safe animal handling practices, and Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) vaccination protocols. Industry professionals, including Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, and Audra Scheel, former SDSU Extension 4-H Educator, guided youth through the artificial insemination process and provided hands-on learning opportunities. In addition to increasing their livestock management knowledge, participants earned their Youth Livestock Literacy Certification and gained valuable insight into beef industry careers.
Growing and Preserving at Cedar Creek Gardens
The West Region hosted an event at Cedar Creek Gardens near Midland, SD, where eight youth explored the connection between gardening, food production, and food preservation. Participants toured thriving gardens and learned about growing, harvesting, and caring for a variety of produce. Garden experts shared practical tips and techniques youth can apply in their own gardens. After the tour, participants practiced safe methods for preserving fresh produce while gaining a better understanding of where their food comes from and how it can be enjoyed beyond the growing season.
Zoo-m In Photography
Zoo-m In Photography brought 12 aspiring photographers from five North Region counties to Watertown for a hands-on day of learning and exploration at Bramble Park Zoo. Participants learned photography fundamentals from Wendy Sweeter, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator, and applied their skills while photographing the zoo’s animals and exploring how habitats and photography work together. Youth then submitted their photographs for inclusion in a calendar, which was provided to all participants as a reminder and celebration of their work. The experience brought SDSU-connected, hands-on learning opportunities to youth close to home while sparking curiosity, building creative skills, and encouraging participants to explore new interests.
Science in Action at SURF
The West Region partnered with the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) for an event that allowed 19 youth to experience science and engineering in action. Participants learned about the groundbreaking research taking place deep underground through an interactive overview of the facility. Youth also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hoist Room, gaining a unique perspective on the operations that support world-class scientific research. The day concluded with a hands-on engineering design challenge, encouraging participants to apply problem-solving, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills while exploring STEM concepts in a real-world setting.
The inaugural Clover Classic was held in June on the SDSU campus in Brookings. Over two days, 4-H members could compete in hippology, horse quiz bowl, horse judging, livestock skillathon, livestock judging, livestock quiz bowl and new events, meat judging and poultry judging. There were also social activities hosted by State 4-H ambassadors in the evening.
About 100 youth participated in each of the livestock judging and livestock skillathon contests, from which the top placers can go on to compete at a national level. For the livestock quiz bowl, there were seven beginner teams and three senior teams. In the horse events, 27 competed in hippology and 21 in judging, with two beginner/junior teams in the horse quiz bowl. About 20 joined the poultry judging contest, and 31 participated in meats judging.
South Dakota 4-H has nearly 8,700 members enrolled in traditional clubs, along with more than 1,700 volunteers. The State Fair is the culmination of the 4-H year, and 2,050 members showcased their projects there this year. A total of 642 youth participated in Youth in Action events that require in-person participation, such as public presentations, special foods, fashion revue, skillathons, and similar contests. The largest live animal exhibits, with more than 300 youth participating in each, were sheep, beef, swine, rabbit, and poultry, and 836 youth participated in Showmanship.
The Shooting Sports Spring Shoot in April saw record participation with 3,117 entries, and the recently completed Fall Shoot had 389 entries. More than 2,400 members enrolled in the Horse and Pony and Rodeo project areas had the opportunity to compete at the State Horse Show in June and the State Rodeo in August.
Not every project goes to state. Local and regional events play a huge role in learning and youth development. Project areas with more than 1,000 enrolled members include Beef, Clothing and Textiles, Community Service, Foods and Nutrition, Hobbies and Collections, Home Environment, Photography, Rodeo, Shooting Sports – Archery, Shooting Sports – BB Gun, and Visual Arts. Across all of these interest areas, projects and activities are a tool for youth to develop life skills.
