The club that received the Small Club of the Year honor at the 2009 county 4-H banquet is the Freeborn Club.

The Freeborn Club meets at the Legion in the town of Freeborn in Freeborn County. It consists of 18 members and four screened adult volunteers. It is a very active club, holding monthly meetings, doing crafts with members and community, and doing community pride projects. Some of the club’s Community Pride projects include planting flowers in planters around the town of Freeborn, cleaning the ditches along Freeborn Lake, and collecting food for the food shelf and toys for Toys for Tots.

The Freeborn Club does some fundraisers. Members organize a bake sale and have a food stand during Freeborn Days. The club’s favorite areas are photography and livestock. The members of the Freeborn Club also agree that their favorite thing at county fair as a club is seeing each other’s projects and accomplishments.

One interesting fact about this club is that it has been in existence for 81 years.

It is tough competition in Freeborn County to be the “best” 4-H club in terms of points. Each club earns points based on how many people attend events like Cloverbud events, livestock meetings, Leader’s Council, ambassador gatherings, etc. This year the office staff decided to divide the clubs into a large club group and small club group. By doing this, it gives all the clubs a fair chance at being the “best” in terms of points.

The Freeborn Club is a very active club. It has a representation at almost all of the events from Cloverbuds to Ambassadors and nonlivestock to livestock. If you are interested in being part of the Freeborn Club or any 4-H Club in Freeborn County, contact the Extension Office at 377-5660.

Amy Wadding is a 4-H program coordinator for Freeborn County.