Megan Thorson, 4-H Update

There are many events that take place in the 4-H program: camps, animal workshops, Cloverbud events and fair, just to name a few. A lot of these events could not take place without the help of the 4-H youth leaders.

4-H youths can choose to become a youth leader at the completion of sixth grade. At this young age, many help at the county fair with various tasks such as setting up the 4-H Exhibit Building and helping 4-H judges on entry and judging day or helping with the many livestock projects throughout the fair. They may also take on the role of being an officer in their club. This young age is just the starting point for these young adults to become more involved in the 4-H program and to make them well on their way to becoming

better leaders in their clubs and county.

When youth leaders get a bit older (usually around ninth grade), they may become more involved in the 4-H program by being on our county livestock committees, being a county officer or junior advisor and becoming a 4-H ambassador.

To be a 4-H ambassador you must either apply to be one, or hold one of the officer or junior advisor positions. Currently, there are 25 ambassadors in our county.

With the ambassadors and committee members, there are many more responsibilities attached.

The county officers actually conduct the monthly leaders meetings, are present to make motions and have a say at the different committees, and are responsible for helping at even more activities around the county.

The officers also emcee the yearly banquet and help to put on the yearly officer training, held for all club and county officers.

Ambassadors are involved in many more activities around the county from camp counselors to planning Cloverbud events to Share-the-Fun helpers.

Basically the ambassadors help with anything that they are called upon to do.

There are different activities to help train these leaders: officer training, ambassador trainings, youth leader winter retreat, to name a few.

These different activities along with all of the events that youth help with build these youth to become better leaders in their club and county. They become more comfortable leading others and taking action.

With all the different youth leaders, they all have varying levels of leadership. The important thing is that they all work together to make things happen in the 4-H program. Without the help of our 4-H youths leaders, a lot of programs and activities would not be able to take place because of the intense work that is involved in some of the activities.

Good job, youth leaders who continue to stay involved in the 4-H program.

Megan Thorson is a 4-H program leader for Freeborn County.