In honor of National 4-H Week, the Hartland Hi-Liners 4-H Club would like to encourage people to learn more about the 4-H program. Youth can participate in the county fair bringing their animals, foods, crafts, photography projects and more.

4-H is much more broad than just the projects that members bring to the fair.

According to a press release, 4-H members serve their community in a variety of ways. Older youth also get to serve their club in officer positions and then are able to practice carrying a specific responsibility as a leader of the club.

The Hartland Hi-Liners 4-H Club is made up of 49 members ranging from ages 6 to 19. Every second Monday of the month members gather for a meeting and some games at the Hartland Community Center.

Besides bringing projects to the fair every summer, the club goes on field trips, fun retreats and participates in community pride projects — learning and growing through them in many ways. The 4-H year starts in October and goes through the following September. In addition to meetings, Hartland Hi-Liners 4-H Club members participated in a variety of projects throughout the last year.

Events included:

Elected officers and plan for the new year in October

Attended a banquet to celebrate achievements in November

Went tubing at Ironwood Springs in January

Played bingo with residents at New Richland Care Center in February

Helped member’s family clean up barn ruins after a tornado struck the area in March

Walked the Adopt-A-Highway ditch section

Attended a Clarks Grove City Council meeting to make a donation in May

Completed community pride projects in Hartland, and had its annual picnic and kickball game in June

Sponsored a club projects work night with supper and bonfire in July

Participated in the Freeborn County Fair in August

Cleaned ditches in September

4-H can be a great way for youth to make new friends, experience many things and prepare for life as a leader. For more information about joining the Hartland Hi-Liners 4-H Club or another in your area, contact the Freeborn County Extension office at 507-377-5660.