County proclaims 4-H observation

During the most recent meeting of the Waseca County board of commissioners, a report summarizing activity in the Waseca County 4-H program provided a list of events the local Extension office has administered over the past 12 months. After hearing from 4-H participant Alexis Myers and local 4-H youth development coordinator Amy Nelson, board members gladly approved a proclamation acknowledging that National 4-H Week from Oct. 5 to 11 was also being observed locally.

 

Nelson’s summary included an “immersive Summer Animal Science overnight trip, which focused on biosecurity, sustainable agriculture, and meat and dairy production; a group of 35 youth and 10 adult volunteers taking part in a pizza-making workshop at Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, and a new “Crochet Club.” More than 30 community members, businesses and 4-H alumni donated funds to create a Waseca County 4-H Legacy Fund; 4-H Ambassadors handed out almost 150 free trees courtesy of an organization called “Neighborhood Forest” during an Earth Day celebration in April.

 

Nelson also mentioned 4-H participants submitted more than 1,300 entries during the Waseca County Fair, a growth of 12 percent over 2024. She placed a value of more than $28,000 on the value of service hours put in by 4-H volunteers during the fair.

 

The county’s proclamation names both national and local accomplishments by the 4-H organization, including that it has offices in every city and town in the country, employs 3,500 professional leaders and draws contributions from 600,000 volunteers.

 

For the week-long observance, the organization has adopted the theme, “Beyond Ready,” meaning to send the message that 4-H is working to build a ready generation in a world of change and to equip young people with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today.