By Brenda Erdahl
When it comes to youth development organizations, 4H is Minnesota’s largest and Wright County alone has 18 clubs with more than 700 members. On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the Wright County Board of Commissioners proclaimed the week of Oct. 1-7 as National 4H Week in Wright County as a tribute to all this program has done and has to offer local youth.
Renee Neumann of the Farside 4H Club spoke, Tuesday, about her family’s experience with the program. Neumann and her husband have been 4H volunteers for two decades and have seen their three children grow and prosper because of it. Their youngest just graduated out of the program this year and all three have had success at state and national levels, she said.
As members of 4H her children have traveled across the country with fellow 4Hers and met others who shared their passions, she said. Not only have they have been influenced by some of the best mentors the program has to offer, 4H has taught them leadership, community service, teamwork and the value of good old-fashioned competition, Neumann said.
Tyler Louwagie of the Hanover Honeybees also spoke to commissioners, Tuesday. He explained how National 4H week is a time to celebrate the many great things about being a 4H member, and it is also a time to showcase the organization in the communities and recruit new members.
In addition to its 700 members, Wright County 4H has attracted more than 180 volunteers willing to donate their time, resources, and efforts to the local youth, Louwagie reported.
