Waseca County 4-H holds Achievement Celebration

Around 150 people gathered at The Mill in Waseca on Friday, November 15 to celebrate Waseca County 4-H. Many awards were given to youth leaders, adult leaders and community supporters for their accomplishments and support.

 

Youth awards were given to:

 

● Avary Hopper, Jacob Knutson - the “I Dare You” Award for showing emerging youth leadership

● Karley Hamilton - Meat Goat Achievement Award

● Alexis Myers - Dairy Goat Achievement Award

● Charley Kietzman - Dairy Achievement Award

● Oriana Jewison - Poultry Achievement Award

● Teagan Tietje – Outstanding Club Secretary

● Gus Bethke, Kenley Gehrke – The “Matt Hines Spirit of 4-H” Award

 

1st year members received a certificate for joining 4-H. They included:

 

Morgyn Adams, Benjamin Amborn, Charlotte Amborn, Cora Amborn, Lydia Barnes, Willow Bartelt, Sophia Berg, Amos Bethke, Warren Christensen, Liam Cory, Emma Dobberstein, Finley Erdman, Kailyn Gerdts, Piper Gerdts, Aryanna Gorski, Evelyn Griffin, Daniel Guritz, Charlotte Haekenkamp, Henry Haekenkamp, Oliver Haekenkamp, Violet Haekenkamp, Alexander Hinkhouse, Rosemilla Hinkhouse, Sadie Holthus, Aurella Johnson, Charles Kahnke, Bailee Kaiser, Rylee Kaiser, Harlow McGinnis, Rori Mulcahey, Kimora Neal, Samara Neal, Kaden Peirce, Kelton Peirce, Noah Rand-Johnson, Nash Roeker, Levi Rohe, Natalia Rivera, Owen Rivera, Edison Roesler, Cora Schaetzke, Orlin Schaetzke, Josh Stangler, Kinsley Traynor, Archer Weber, Mattias Yezdi, Regina Yezdi, Gabby Youngerberg, and Thomas Zimprich

 

Many youth were also honored for excellence in 4-H record-keeping. Medals were awarded to youth who received a high score on their project records. They were Oriana Jewison, Jacob Knutson, Abby Sommers and Kinley Thostenson.

 

Cloverbuds, who are 4-H members in grades Kindergarten – 2nd Grade, also completed 4-H

 records and were awarded a certificate. They included: Henry Haekenkamp, Violet Haekenkamp, Leighton Humphries, and Harlow McGinnis.

 

Recognition was given to 4-H Camp attendees and counselors. 4-H Campers this year were:

 

● Isabel Berg

● Lillian Berg

● Gemma Eaton

● Audrey Gray

● Violet Jewison

● Brayleigh Kuball

● Jacob Lewer

● Breckyn Moen

● Presley Roeker

● Natalie Schoenfeld

● Abby Sommers

● Brody Gray

● Mikayla Lewer

● Hadley Roeker

● Kaitlyn Schoenfeld

 

Avary Hopper, Hunter Myers, and Alexis Myers were also recognized as attending as Camp Counselors this year:

 

Youth recognized for participating in Arts-In were:

 

● Addison Anderson

● Willow Bartelt

● Elaina Berg

● Isabel Berg

● Alexis Myers

● Angel Myers

● Audrey Gray

 

Steve Scheffert and Crystal Myers were recognized as being the adult volunteers who organized it all.

 

Youth receiving recognition for their contributions to the Waseca County 4-H program as graduating members included:

 

● Sam Carlson

● Joe Feldkamp

● Hunter Myers

● Angel Myers

● Cole Schlueter

● Timmi Volkmer

● Kloe Wadd

● George Roesler

 

The Waseca County 4-H Ambassadors are a group of youth in 7th grade and older who serve the 4-H program through assisting at events and promoting 4-H. Our 2023-2024 ambassadors were Isabel Anderson, Gus Bethke, Olivia Eaton, Isaac Feldkamp, Sam Feldkamp, Bailey Hodgkins, Oriana Jewison, Charley Kietzman, Alexis Myers, Angel Myers, Hunter Myers, Hadley Roeker, and Alexis Olson.

 

Jacob Klaras was recognized for participating in both Regional and State Project Bowl.

 

Youth receiving recognition for participating in the Livestock Judging Contest at the Minnesota State Fair were Olivia Eaton, Karley Hamilton, Addison Kelm, Olivia Johnson, Paige Johnson, Ashley Fliflet, Oriana Jewison, and Bella Eaton.

 

Youth who participated in regional and state events included Mikayla Lewer and Hadley Roeker, University of Minnesota Livestock Judging Camp, and Riley Cromwell, Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) Retreat.

 

Our 2024-2025 Waseca County 4-H Ambassadors are:

 

● Audrey Gray

● Charley Kietzman

● Karley Hamilton

● Paige Johnson

● Claire Bartlet

● Olivia Eaton

● Alexis Myers

● Oriana Jewison

● Violet Jewison

● Sam Feldkamp

● Isaac Feldkamp

● Luke Feldkamp

 

Adults and community friends of 4-H were also honored. Special awards were given to:

 

● The late Brian Sommers - 4-H Alumni Award

● Ben & Andrea Anderson - Outstanding Adult Volunteer

● Caroline Scheffert - Distinguished Service Award

● TEAM Academy Charter School - Friend of 4-H Award

 

 

An award was presented for the “4-H Family of the Year.” Receiving this honor were the Tom and Jamie Gray family of Waseca.

 

First Year Adult Volunteer Certificates of Leadership were awarded to:

● Timothy Bice

● Brent Haekenkamp

● Samantha Haekenkamp

● Kelly Levos

● Rich Hinkhouse

● Dacia Hinkhouse

● Jeremy Stangler

● Nicole Schlaak

● Natalie Roeker

● Ashley Tolzman

● Amy Jo Lewer

 

The 4-H Award of the Silver Clover for 5 years of serving as a volunteer was awarded to:

 

● Jamie Gray

● Julie Tesch

 

The 4-H Award of the Gold Clover for 10 years of serving as a volunteer was awarded to:

 

● Andrea Anderson

● Jeannie Feldkamp

● Jill Peine

● Caroline Scheffert

 

The 4-H Award of the Pearl Clover for 15 years of serving as a volunteer was awarded to:

 

● McKinsy Rew

 

Recognition was also given to the 2023-2024 4-H Federation Board officers for their service and leadership: Oriana Jewison - President; Alexis Myers - Vice President; Olivia Eaton – Secretary; Hunter Myers – Youth Treasurer; Brody Gray, Jacob Knutson and Hadley Roeker – Youth Club Representatives. Adult board members were Jennifer Hamilton – Adult Treasurer, Joyce Jahr, Crystal Myers, Melissa Eaton and Carly Johnson.

 

New youth officers were installed for the 2024-2025 year. Leading the Waseca County 4-H Federation this year are:

 

● Alexis Myers President

● Paige Johnson Vice President

● Charley Kietzman Secretary

● Oriana Jewison Youth Treasurer

 

CC Youth Rep

● Brody Gray HGE Youth Rep

 

HGE Youth Rep JJJ Youth Rep PS Youth Rep RR Youth Rep VBB Youth Rep WPP Youth Rep

 

Recognition was given to the community, business and parental support of the 4-H program. Thank you to all who continue to support the Waseca County 4-H Program in making the best better. The program ended with a slide show.

 

Waseca County 4-H is honored to be supported by several businesses, organizations, and community members who have chosen to make an impact in the lives of 289 Waseca County 4-H youth members and 64 adult volunteers. We are so grateful for the continued support of the 4-H mission to make the best better. Donors and supporters in 2024 included:

 

Supreme Champion Donor ($2,500+)

Crystal Valley Coop, Holland Ag, and Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival

 

Grand Champion Donor ($1,000-$2,499)

A & A Farms - Adam & Anne Harguth, Ag Partners, Alee Services, Barney’s Drive-In, Central Farm Service, Condon Farm Service, Corn Country Seed - Tyler Huber, Eaton Sales & Service LLC, Farmer’s Feed & Pet Supply, FM Bank, Hi-Yield, Janesville State Bank, Janike Seeds, Johnson Berkshires, Keen Bank, KFS of Hope, Let’s Ride Boots & Apparel, Minnwest Bank, Neighbors Meats, Roesler Seed, Smiths Mill Implement, United Prairie Bank, and Whitewater Creek Grain & Feed

 

Reserve Champion Donor ($750-$999)

Cody Root, Gaylord Feedmill, Hy-Vee of Owatonna, Jewison & Associates American Family Insurance, Jule & Wendy Johnson, Kuball Dairy, Southfork Seed, and Waseca County Pork Producers

 

Gold Medal Donor ($500-$749)

Casey & Natalie Roeker, Compeer Financial, Dale Hoy, Hansen Crop Insurance - Terry & Wendy Hansen, Kibble Equipment, Mark Sommers, Marty & Jan Tesch, Matt Hines Family, O’Brien Accounting, and Schlaak Seed

 

Silver Medal Donor ($250-$499)

Britton Plumbing & Heating, Follow One Farm, Guardian Energy, Hefty Seed Company, J & J Trucking, James Bros Construction, Julie Tesch, Kelms BBQ, Matt Groskreutz, Motoprimo, VFW Post 1642, and Waseca County American Dairy Association

 

Bronze Medal Donor ($150-$249)

Backyard Bar & Grill - Chuck & Amber Harty, Dead End Cattle Company - Randy & Sandy Peterson, Hurricane Hill Farms, McPherson Crop Management, Rosalie & Glenn Grams, Waseca County Farm Bureau, and Waseca Fair Food Vendors

Purple Ribbon Donor ($100-$149)

ABS Global - Casey Nelson, Born Well Drilling, Channel Seed - Neil & Jill Schlaak, Cindy

 

Bartelt, Dan & Cheryl Forrest, Deml Ford Lincoln Inc, Jared Hendrickson & Molly Erdman, McDonalds - Waseca, Mid-State Mutual Insurance, Walechka Family, Waseca County Farmers Union, Waseca Glass LLC - Dustin Roeker, and Winegar, Inc.

 

Blue Ribbon Donor ($50-$99)

Agrology Crop & Soil, Kroeger’s Koncept Salon, Lenz Bus, Lester Kroeger, Michael & Gretchen Supulla, Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, Waseca County Crop Improvement Association, and Waseca Soil & Water Conservation District

 

Green Ribbon Donor (up to $49)

Bill & Eileen Harguth and Waseca Music Company

 

In-Kind Support

Ace Hardware (Wheelbarrows), Panuska & Cromwell Families (Agility Fence), Brew’d Awakenings (Food Stand), Compeer Financial (Stall cards, coupons), Chuck & Kris Manthey (Round Bales), Eaton Brothers, LLC (Garage Sale), Jeff & Jennie Johnson (Panels), Jennifer & Karley Hamilton (Belt Buckles), Bill Harguth, Landen Flemming, Larry Born (Auctioneers), Le Sueur County Cattlemen's Association, United Prairie Bank (Exhibitor T-shirts), Waseca County Board of Commissioners, Waseca County Fair Board/Ag Society, Waseca County Soil & Water (Special conservation awards), Waseca County Solid Waste (Garage Sale), and Waseca Rotary Club (Food Stand)

 

For more information on joining 4-H or volunteering with the program, or for making a gift of financial support, contact the Waseca County Extension Office at 507-835-0600.