Area 4-H groups got together recently to showcase their clubs by hosting an open house for potential new members and to lead up to National 4-H Week, Oct. 1 – 7. 

 

4-H offers something for all young people age five through 19, including opportunities to learn, lead and serve in their communities. Not just for “farm kids,” the program offers a wide range of project and activity areas no matter what a person’s interest, from photography to food and gardening to animals.

 

“4-H in Wright County has a strong history of involved members and adult volunteers.  Members participate in many project activities, develop leadership and give back to their local communities,” said Kelly Strei, Wright Co. 4-H program coordinator.  “Through these experiences, young people are learning valuable life skills that will help them develop into adults who contribute to their communities.  In Wright Co., more than 600 youth and 160 adult volunteers are involved in 22 clubs throughout the county.”

 

Northern Peak is one of the 4-H clubs in the Clearwater area. The club’s goal is to be more involved in the community, and members work toward that goal through activities such as working the 4-H food stand at the Wright County Fair, donating money to the Clearwater Food Shelf and community projects.

 

The newest Northern Peak members, the Groth family, joined after attending a 4-H open house last spring.

 

“We joined 4-H because it was something we could all do together as a family,” said Wendy Groth. “It’s helped my kids build self-confidence.”

 

“4-H is a wonderful activity that involves the entire family,” said Northern Peak adult leader Randy Wagner. “Every member can learn and grow in what interests them and they’re encouraged to expand their knowledge and experiences in many activities at club, county, and national events.”

 

Northern Peak meets once a month. Their next community activity is helping decorate Pioneer Park in Annandale for Halloween and handing out candy during its Halloween event Oct. 27. 

 

Bethany Kozitke, who volunteers through the Wright County Extension Office, participated in 4-H for 14 years, and is thankful for the leadership opportunities it provided her. 

 

“I found out who I was and what I could do to make an impact on others through this program,” she said. 

 

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization; six million young people belong to clubs across the United States. Research has shown that young people in 4-H are almost four times as likely to contribute to their communities and are twice as likely to engage in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs in their free time.  

 

National 4-H Week has been celebrated for the past 75 years to highlight the experiences it offers young people, and showcase local 4-H youth who are working to make a positive impact on their communities.

 

The Wright County Board of Commissioners also declared October 1-7, 2017 as “National 4-H Week in Wright County.”

 

There are a number of 4-H clubs in the area. To learn more about Northern Peak, contact Randy Wagner at 763-360-1845 or at rtwagner@sherbtel.net. To learn more about the Wright County 4-H program, visit their website at www.extension.umn.edu/county/wright.