Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 Church Directory
Chad Muehlbauer. (Submitted Photo).
AVA BABLER. (Submitted Photo).
ILY BABLER. (Submitted Photo).

4 Hers Recognized For Their Work

The 2017-2019 Sherburne County 4-H Banquet was held Sat., Oct. 26.

Adult Volunteer of the Year 

Chad Muehlbauer was selected as the Adult Volunteer of the Year for his stand out service to the Sherburne County 4-H program. The following was said about Chad...He is constant fixture at 4-H events and during the fair. Regardless of what he is asked to assist with, he does it with a smile on his face. 

He helps with everything from the mundane; like cleaning buildings and stalls, to the critical items like electrical and lighting in the barns. In addition to demonstrating a strong work ethic to our 4-H’ers, Chad promotes the importance 4-H has in helping kids develop life skills by telling anybody who will listen! 

During the fair, Chad can be found providing his expertise in all different areas - the barns, the food stand, livestock shows and project demonstrations. 4-H continues to grow and thrive because of volunteers like Chad! He makes volunteering fun!

Another person said this about him...he is always at the county fair day and night helping anyone that needs help. He will be there till midnight working on something just so it can get finished/fixed for us kids. 

He is always offering his help wherever it is needed. He always has a positive attitude even if he is working on something that isnt the greatest. He always makes sure that us kids have a shoulder to lean on and brings us up. He is at county fair everyday and everyone knows him as Chaderbox. He will always put a smile on your face when you are working hard. He will not say no if you ask for help or if you need anything. He gives almost all of his time to making sure us kids in 4-H have the best experience.

Outstanding Club Officers

These five students were recognized for taking extra efforts to bring organization and leadership to their clubs.

Arabelle Rohs (Secretary for Busy Bees); Owen Babler (Treasurer for Home Explorers); Lilly Hales (President for Home Explorers); Sophie Hales (Vice President for Home Explorers); Janelle Gudim (Secretary for Home Explorers).

Club Officer of the Year

The recipient of the Club Officer of the Year, Ava Babler had this said about her:

“Ava did an amazing job as a Historian/Photographer. She created a detailed Historian Book for her club, presented it at the fair, and received a purple ribbon. She also created a Community Pride Project for her club, presented it at the fair, and received a lavender ribbon. Besides doing these things Ava went to every club meeting and did a demonstration at a meeting.” 

“She was also involved in numerous community service projects and promoted 4-H in many ways throughout the year. Ava took several projects to the fair. She also volunteered in the 4-H food stand, the children’s barnyard, and at day camp. She is also active in the SS&W-ATV program, and the JR Master Gardeners Club.”

Gold Medal Club Awards

The Gold Medal Club Awards are given based on the activities of each 4-H Club during the year.  To win the awards, clubs use a scoring system based on participation by club members and adult volunteers, 4-H promotion and community service.  Awards are bronze, silver and gold.  This year’s 2018-2019 recipients are:

Bronze – Busy Bees with 68 pts; Silver – Refuge Rangers with 95 pts; Gold – Home Explorers with 103 pts.

County Fair Herdsmanship & Golden Wheelbarrow Award

Herdsmanship Awards are given based on Herdsmanship Judging at the County Fair.  The guidelines and scoring criteria for this contest are printed in the 4-H County Fair Premium Book each year.  Awards are given to the highest scoring project area within each animal species.  The Overall Champion Herdsmanship Award  “The Golden Wheelbarrow”, is presented to the project with the highest overall average score.  

OVERALL HERDSMANSHIP “Golden Wheel Barrow”; Champion: Dairy Project.

Friend of 4-H Award

The recipient of the Friend of 4-H Award was selected based on nominations from 4-H members, volunteers, and clubs.  This year’s award went to Steve Foote on the Sherburne County Fair Board.

Banquet Pumpkin Decorating Contest

The winner of the banquet pumpkin decorating contest was Ily Babler.

Twenty & Forty Year Volunteers

Kelly Thomas reached twenty years as an active 4-H Volunteer, and Jerome Dipprey reached the forty year milestone!

Outstanding Volunteer Awards

The following were recognized as outstanding volunteers. Dan Oelke, Sarah Kolbinger, Christy Borgerding, Leda Mox, Tim Hagen, Michael Bond, Susan Morse,  Deb Rizk, Nathan Oliver, and Julie Engelmeyer.