2022 Waseca County Fair Waseca SWCD Conservation Award Winners
Thank you to all the 4-H Exhibitors for all of your projects.
Every year it is more challenging to give our ribbons. Every exhibitor deserves a ribbon, they are all great.
The projects are getting more complex and informational.
Our young people are really learning and trying to improve and protect nature and our lands.
The Following 4-H er's were asked questions about their projects. The questions were as follows:
1. Tell me about your project.
2. What is the title of your project.
3. What does your project represent.
4. Did you have help with your project.
5. What have you learned from your project.
You will find a brief summary on each of the winners and their projects.
Thank you to all the 4-H Exhibitors for all of your projects.
Every year it is more challenging to give our ribbons. Every exhibitor deserves a ribbon, they are all great.
The projects are getting more complex and informational.
Our young people are really learning and trying to improve and protect nature and our lands.
The Following 4-H er's were asked questions about their projects. The questions were as follows:
1. Tell me about your project.
2. What is the title of your project.
3. What does your project represent.
4. Did you have help with your project.
5. What have you learned from your project.
You will find a brief summary on each of the winners and their projects.
Adler Bethke, Vista Busy Bees
Plants in natural display.
Adler planted 3 different succulent plants into a chunk of decaying root that his mom pulled out of the ground, where a tree was cut down a few years ago. His project represents that something that is dying or dead can still be useful. He learned that succulents don't need a lot of watering, but do need water once in a while.
Plants in natural display.
Adler planted 3 different succulent plants into a chunk of decaying root that his mom pulled out of the ground, where a tree was cut down a few years ago. His project represents that something that is dying or dead can still be useful. He learned that succulents don't need a lot of watering, but do need water once in a while.
Alexis Olson, Vista Busy Bees
My Backyard Bounty
Alexis made 8 different jellies and jams from plants in her backyard. She mentioned her Mom did supervise the preserve making. Alexis has learned about patience in doing her project this year.
My Backyard Bounty
Alexis made 8 different jellies and jams from plants in her backyard. She mentioned her Mom did supervise the preserve making. Alexis has learned about patience in doing her project this year.
Cole Christensen, Palmer Sunbeams
Wood Duck House
Cole likes being outside and wants to help the Wood Ducks, so he made a house for them, so they would have a home. It's made of cedar wood. His dad and him are going to put it in the woods. His project represents keeping our wildlife wood duck population alive and well. In doing his project, Cole learned how to use a hammer and a measuring tape with a little help from his dad. He also learned why wood ducks need wood duck houses. Cole also put matting or tape in the house for the babies so they can crawl out and learn to fly.
Wood Duck House
Cole likes being outside and wants to help the Wood Ducks, so he made a house for them, so they would have a home. It's made of cedar wood. His dad and him are going to put it in the woods. His project represents keeping our wildlife wood duck population alive and well. In doing his project, Cole learned how to use a hammer and a measuring tape with a little help from his dad. He also learned why wood ducks need wood duck houses. Cole also put matting or tape in the house for the babies so they can crawl out and learn to fly.
Isaac Feldkamp, Clover Clan
Invasive Species in Minnesota Waterways
Isaac's poster was about the most common and new invasive species in Minnesota Lakes and how to prevent them. His project represents responsible ecology. He interviewed his brother, who works for the DNR checking boats, for information on Invasive Species. Isaac learned what invasive species can do to rivers and lakes.
Invasive Species in Minnesota Waterways
Isaac's poster was about the most common and new invasive species in Minnesota Lakes and how to prevent them. His project represents responsible ecology. He interviewed his brother, who works for the DNR checking boats, for information on Invasive Species. Isaac learned what invasive species can do to rivers and lakes.
Jacob Harguth, Riverside Ramblers
Nature On The Farm
Jacob took pictures of nature on his farm. His project represents the beauty of nature and in farming. Jacob mentioned that the one thing he had help with doing his project, was having his parents drive him around. He learned what makes up a picture and what you can do to make it better in your eyes.
Lucas Hoehn, Riverside Ramblers
Worm Farm
Lucas made a step by step poster on how he made a worm farm. His poster shows that you must put holes in the top and bottom of the container, then add paper, dirt, leaves, coffee grounds and banana peels. He shows that you must keep the paper moist. He then mentions that you add lots of worms and then you go fishing.
Worm Farm
Lucas made a step by step poster on how he made a worm farm. His poster shows that you must put holes in the top and bottom of the container, then add paper, dirt, leaves, coffee grounds and banana peels. He shows that you must keep the paper moist. He then mentions that you add lots of worms and then you go fishing.
Mikael Nelson, Vista Busy Bees
Droning in Crop Farming
Mikael's project shows some examples of how a drone can be used in crop scouting. He helps his dad by checking the fields for crop damage from winds, water, weeds and drought. He has learned about plant health, variety changes, and mechanical failure displaying itself through drone photography.
Droning in Crop Farming
Mikael's project shows some examples of how a drone can be used in crop scouting. He helps his dad by checking the fields for crop damage from winds, water, weeds and drought. He has learned about plant health, variety changes, and mechanical failure displaying itself through drone photography.
Oriana Jewison, Home Grown Explorers
Top 10 Worst Weeds Poster
Oriana shows the 10 most worst weeds in corn and soybeans that are challenging to control in fields. Her project represents why it is important to watch and manage these weeds. She learned how weeds affect the crop yield and why it's important to manage them.
Top 10 Worst Weeds Poster
Oriana shows the 10 most worst weeds in corn and soybeans that are challenging to control in fields. Her project represents why it is important to watch and manage these weeds. She learned how weeds affect the crop yield and why it's important to manage them.
Rylee Gruenhagen, Vista Busy Bees
PFAS "The Forever Chemicals"
Rylee's poster explained the forever chemicals and the risks associated with them. His project represents the way humans have shaped the planet over time and how we have to adapt to it. Rylee did all the research on this topic with the glue and craft board supplied by his grandmother. He learned how much our world has changed for the worst and how much is being done about it.
PFAS "The Forever Chemicals"
Rylee's poster explained the forever chemicals and the risks associated with them. His project represents the way humans have shaped the planet over time and how we have to adapt to it. Rylee did all the research on this topic with the glue and craft board supplied by his grandmother. He learned how much our world has changed for the worst and how much is being done about it.
2021
In the fall of 2021, the Waseca SWCD gave out a total of 596 Coloring Books with a topic of keeping our environment clean. The books went out to 308 Kindergarten and 288 1st grade students in Waseca County. The Coloring Books are funded in part by a grant from Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources.
2021
This year with the Waseca County Fair being held, the SWCD gave out 8 ribbons for projects with outstanding conservation ideas. There were many deserving entries. Congratulations to all of the 4-H Members who exhibited this year. 4-H is a wonderful association for learning, making friendships, setting and achieving goals, and overall great experiences.
(Look for these pictures in our 2022 calendar.)
This year with the Waseca County Fair being held, the SWCD gave out 8 ribbons for projects with outstanding conservation ideas. There were many deserving entries. Congratulations to all of the 4-H Members who exhibited this year. 4-H is a wonderful association for learning, making friendships, setting and achieving goals, and overall great experiences.
(Look for these pictures in our 2022 calendar.)
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Molly Volovsek, Riverside Ramblers
Molly's Project was a Poster on Racoons titled 'Unmasking the Bandit'. The poster contained information on their habitat, diet, young. Molly's inspiration for this topic came from wanting to learn more about them. Why and how they can get into locked places and why they make such a mess in the water. Through this project, she has learned they are NOT a nuisance animal. They have certain habits like wetting their food to help them survive. |
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Alexis Olson, Vista Busy Bees
Alexis' project was a poster titled 'Trail Camera Adventure'. She used a trail camera to capture photos in her yard from February to July, day and night. Alexis discovered that there is a lot of activity and a lot of different animals that roam around in her yard both day and night. She drew the pictures of the animals on her poster and also had the photos of the animals put together in a book. |
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Gavin Hodgkins, Clover Clan Gavin's project was a Butterfly Garden. He used plants that attract butterflies. Gavin learned that he likes planting a flower garden. |
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Laura Jahr, Waldorf Peppy Peppers Laura's project was under the Elements of Photography. Her photo was taken at Minneopa State Park. Laura's photo captured the native landscape and beautiful skies. She has enjoyed taking photos of nature and animals for 5 years. She has gained important experience in capturing the theme of her photos. |
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Mikael Nelson, Vista Bust Bees Mikael's project was a poster titled 'Drone Photography'. Mikael captured many landscape photos over the year, from planting to harvest. He also likes to use his drone for scouting fields, watching for water damages, and even pictures for insurance adjustments. The photos he has taken include family pictures, field and farmstead pictures, and wonderful sunsets. |
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Alexis Myers, Riverside Ramblers Alexis' project is about the uses and fun facts of the Poplar Tree. Alexis did her project as a way to let others know about the Poplar Tree. Poplars are a common tree in the area. She learned that the tree cross pollinates, so there are many types. She also found out that the Poplar wood has many uses such as musical instruments and even snowboards. |
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Isiah Alvarado, Riverside Ramblers Isiah's project is titled 'Bumble Bees'. Isiah wants everyone to know about the importance of the Bumble Bee. The main focus of his project is to let us know that the Bumble Bee is endangered and how important they are to our daily lives. There are many products we use everyday that a bee helps provide. He was also able to show a hive model as part of his project. |
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Isabella Eaton, Homegrown Explorers Isabella's project was a Fairy Garden. The gardens were planted in a stump that she found on their property. To Isabella, the focus is on natural beauty. She has used different types of flowers to enhance the beauty of the stump. Through this project, Isabella has learned time management. |
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