Freeborn County 4-H by Erin Larson

Erin Larson is a 4-H program summer intern with the Freeborn County Extension Office.

Growing up with a love for 4-H, I was ready for the exciting and eventful few months ahead in a different role. My name is Erin Larson, and I have joined the University of Minnesota Extension Freeborn County 4-H as the 2016 summer intern.

I am a senior studying agricultural communications at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. As a part of this internship, I am able to teach 4-H and non-4-H members, work with adult leaders and volunteers, assist with 4-H camp and participate in community events within the county. Additionally, I am working on projects leading up to the Freeborn County Fair.

As a New Richland native, I grew up in Waseca County 4-H showing cattle, sheep and meat goats. Among the many skills I originally acquired from 4-H, I am thrilled to see members gain similar skills and build friendships with other members throughout the county and within the state. It is a desire of mine to combine agricultural communications and agricultural leadership to this internship experience. By integrating writing, photography and design into this internship, I hope to leave my mark on Freeborn County. I have witnessed the impact 4-H is capable of providing for youth — I have decided to seek a career that supports 4-H to ensure that future youth gain valuable life skills similar to the skills I have obtained from the program.

I know this internship is preparing me for my future career within the agriculture. This learning experience, as summer intern, serves as a pivotal point for my new role in 4-H as a volunteer for my lifetime passion of youth development, leadership and agriculture.

If you would like to learn more about 4-H in Freeborn County, visit us in the Freeborn County Government Center or call 507-377-5660. To stay up-to-date on Freeborn County 4-H happenings — find us on Facebook at University of Minnesota Extension Freeborn County 4-H.