Cover story: 4-H thrives with adult, youth commitment

<i>Originally published in the September 18, 2009, print edition.</i>

By Richard Siemers

Lincoln County in southwestern Minnesota has one of the lowest per capita incomes in Minnesota. Its population has declined to 5,882 residents, according to the Lincoln County Auditor’s Office. These facts make all the more exciting the fact that the county’s 4-H program is actually growing.

“Our 4-H clubs are very successful, and they’re getting stronger,” said Kate Johnson, Lincoln County 4-H program coordinator. “As they get stronger, this comes through at the fair.”

While the number of non-livestock exhibits at the Lincoln County Fair has been increasing over the past five years, the increase in livestock was the most noticeable at this year’s August fair. The barns were full, and the Fair Board put up extra pens to accommodate the sheep, swine and goats. According to Johnson’s statistics, there was a 100-percent increase in the number of goats and sheep shown, a 40-percent increase in beef and swine and a 30-percent increase in dairy.

The number of new members showing increased in every species of livestock, with the greatest increases being in beef (15), sheep (11) and dairy (9).

A family organization

“We are really thriving,” Johnson said. “A lot has to do with the families in Lincoln County. 4-H is a family organization. It goes back to the adults and families that want those learning opportunities for kids. We have adults who are willing to take the time to make it happen.”

Nancy Krog is one of those enthusiastic adults. She and her husband, Kelly, live with their three daughters between Arco and Ivanhoe, and belong to the Ivanhoe Greenleaf 4-H Club.

“We’re new to 4-H,” Krog said. “We’ve been in it (as a family) only three years, though my husband was a member when he was growing up.” Their oldest daughter, 9-year-old Jennifer, took goats to the county fair for the first time. She came away with the reserve champion market goat and as reserve champion junior showman. That’s exciting, but the Krogs aren’t in 4-H for the winning.

“Parents always look for opportunities for their children to learn,” she said. “4-H is an avenue that rural families can take advantage of. The whole family can go and learn together.”

The Dwight and Peggy Buller farm is south of Hendricks, and they are not new to 4-H. They’ve been involved for 12 years, and Peggy is a leader of the New Grove club. Their involvement in 4-H is also because it is a family organization and a place to learn.

“We joined because of the volunteer opportunities,” Peggy said. “It’s a great place for youth of all ages to get involved.”

She listed learning experiences like leadership opportunities, keeping records and character building (especially while working with livestock). The youth do projects that have a beginning and an end, she said. They can see how it turns out. But again, it wasn’t just about the youth.

“4-H is very family-orientated,” Buller said. “Parents and children work together. And it’s not a huge commitment of time or money.”

It is these willing leaders and strong support from parents that Johnson sees as the success of 4-H in Lincoln County. “What it takes are adults who care about kids, have a passion for something and are willing to share.” But she said it doesn’t stop with the adults. “The high school kids are the same way.”

A desire to succeed

Tom Hillard can attest to that. He and his wife, Eldonna, live across the county line in Pipestone County, but have been involved in Lincoln County 4-H with their four children for 18 years. Eldonna has been a club leader in the Verdi Go-Getters all that time.

“My second oldest daughter, Amanda, has a love of animals,” Tom said. “She helps younger kids with rabbit showmanship. For the past four years she has taught classes (at 4-H), taught them how to handle and show rabbits.”

That is a hallmark of successful 4-H competition, Johnson said — the desire to see all of the kids succeed. “Even the kids help each other,” she said. “They say, ‘I’ll show you how to do it,’ even when it may be someone they are competing against.”

That in itself may be a drawing card for families. Hillard sees more of the younger families joining 4-H. “The parents were in 4-H,” he said. “They had the experience of showing and working with others. They had a good experience and want to pass it along to their kids. Then friends and neighbors see them having a good experience and want to be involved.”

But Hillard also credits Johnson’s leadership at the county level. “We have good people behind 4-H, Johnson and her staff. The Fair Board also does a tremendous job of putting on the fair.”

4-H is still the largest part of the Lincoln County Fair. Lincoln County Fair Board Secretary Curt Madsen said, “Without 4-H, we wouldn’t have a county fair.”

Creating excitement

The statistics are encouraging for continued success. Johnson said there are 126 families involved in 4-H, and 102 leaders. Total youth membership is 193, spread between eight 4-H clubs. Seventy-five of the members are Cloverbuds, the kindergarten to third grade children who learn and participate on their own level before becoming regular 4-H members. The county sponsors after-school clubs in the three elementary schools that are part of the county’s school districts. They act as a feeder for new members into the traditional clubs.

Last year, Lincoln County had the second highest percentage of children involved in 4-H. With solid leadership like that of Johnson and her staff, willing leaders among adults and older youth, and the support of enthusiastic parents like Krog, Lincoln County 4-H has a bright future.

“4-H creates its own excitement,” Krog said. “Parents want their kids to be involved and give their support. And then the clubs come together, and look what we were able to do at the county fair this year.”

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