With the start of the new 4-H year, it is once again time for the county 4-H and each individual 4-H club to elect new officers.

Like all 4-H members, officers are a vital part to the whole 4-H program. The county 4-H program held their officer election this past week at the monthly leaders meeting. The officer election is a very exciting time for the officers being nominated, as well as the audience. 4-H officer election is similar to the many presidential and local elections that are held on a national level. The nominated officers have to give a campaign speech as well as have posters and other things to help show people why they should be elected in that position.

The October leaders meeting is always well attended as many treats are handed out as part of the campaigning. At the meeting, 4-H members sit with other members in their club. Each club then works together to vote for the candidate of their choice for each officer position which include president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and four youth advisers. Each club also gets two votes per position.

Not only do youth officers and youth advisers get chosen this night, but four new adult advisers are also chosen to represent 4-H. Their election process is the same as the youth positions. All of these new youth officers, youth advisors and adult advisors are then part of the 4-H Executive Board. This board is the governing board of the county 4-H program. They are responsible for not only planning events and determining where the 4-H dollars should be spent, but they are also responsible to help out with many of the 4-H events that take place through out the year.

Newly elected officers and advisers are as follows:

President: Jake Knutson, Hartland 4-H Club

Vice president: Lana Howe, Twin lakes 4-H Club

Secretary: Emily Light, Hartland 4-H Club

Treasurer: Patrick Larson, Freeman 4-H Club

Youth advisers: Elizabeth Wangen, Albert Lea 4-H Club; Paul Boettcher, Mansfield 4-H Club; Caylee Tennis, Hayward 4-H Club; Hailey Johnson, Hartland 4-H Club.

Adult advisers: Julie Savelkoul, Twin Lakes; Randy Tomschin, Alden 4-H Club; Larry Bartness, Hartland 4-H Club; and Chris Larson, Freeman 4-H Club.

Megan Thorson is a Freeborn County 4-H program coordinator.