National 4-H Week is Oct. 7 – 13, and both Sherburne and Wright counties have issued proclamations declaring the occasion.

 

This year’s theme, Inspire Kids to Do, is a campaign to give kids more opportunities, empowering them with the skills they need to succeed in life and career.

 

4-H was founded on the belief that when kids are empowered to pursue their passions and pave their own way, their unique skills grow and take shape, helping them to become leaders in their lives, careers and communities.

 

Activities across the area are being held to celebrate the 76th annual National 4-H Week.

 

Wright Co. 4-H Program Coordinator Justin Crowley said there have been Explore 4-H events, and to promote the 100th year of 4-H in Wright Co., Fresh Acres in Monticello has created a corn maze with the centennial as its theme, located at 7385 Jason Ave. NE.

 

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 14, the first 100 kids to visit the corn maze will get a free pumpkin to decorate. 4-H kids and leaders will be on hand to help and answer questions about the organization. The maze is open weekends through Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Fresh Acres’ Zeke Berg’s kids have been in 4-H for the past year, and he had been looking for ways to build awareness of the organization when he came up with the idea of designing a corn maze with the centennial theme.

 

“There’s always opportunities for kids to get up and speak at the 4-H meetings,” said Berg. “It’s given my kids the confidence to do so as well as the confidence to go out and try something they haven’t done before.”

 

In Sherburne Co., Danielle Ganje has been welcomed as the new 4-H program coordinator, bringing over 10 years of experience working for 4-H programs throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin to the position.

 

“I love enlightening parents and families on what 4-H can be for them,” she said. “As a 4-H alumni myself, National 4-H Week has been something I look forward to each year as an opportunity to promote this great organization that has impacted me and so many others.”

 

Happy Hoofbeats 4-H Member Kaitlyn Smith has been a member of 4-H since she has a fifth-grader. Through the organization, the 14-year old freshman has grown as a leader and as a person.

 

“I’ve gotten life lessons most wouldn’t know about until they’re older,” she said. “I’ve learned to advocate for myself, be a good person, give back to the community, treat others with respect and appreciate what’s been given to me.”

 

The biggest part of her 4-H career has been centered around horses, however, Smith has also been involved in youth leadership, citizenship, art and animal science.

 

“The hands-on experience it gives you is phenomenal,” she said. “It’s so amazing.”

 

Research has shown that young people in 4-H are nearly four times as likely to contribute to their communities and twice as likely to engage in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs during after-school time.

 

For families interested in learning more about getting involved in 4-H, Sherburne Co. 4-H will be hosting an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Sherburne Co. Fairgrounds in Elk River. Along with informational club booths at the free event, there will be games, activities, costumes, prizes, crafts, animals and more.

 

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle issues that matter most in their communities. In the U.S., 4-H programs empower six million young people through 110 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extensions in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country.

 

Outside the U.S., independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).