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Minnehaha County 4-H reports modest enrollment, expands STEM and entrepreneurship outreach
Summary
County 4-H staff told commissioners they served about 379 enrolled youth and reached about 5,698 through outreach last year, reporting exhibits and livestock entries at the Sioux Empire Fair and outlining new entrepreneurship and shooting-sports pilots.
Nathan and Aubrey from the Minnehaha County 4-H office gave the County Commission an annual report on March 18, 2025, saying the program enrolled 379 members last year and reached roughly 5,698 youth through outreach activities.
The presentation outlined program goals and activities, noting that the combined enrollment and outreach figures represent about 12% of youth in the county and that staff hope to reach 15'20% in coming years. Staff described two volunteer classes (certified volunteers who complete university background checks and short-term volunteers such as fair judges), and they estimated the volunteer time contribution using a conservative hours-per-volunteer formula to quantify return on investment.
Aubrey described achievement-day activity and fair results: about 955 static-display exhibits (food, plants, art, sewing, etc.) and 284 livestock exhibits at the Sioux Empire Fair, plus a strong beef show and two county youth invited to national livestock contests. The office piloted an entrepreneurship project at the fair snack stands where two groups of young children sold lemonade, made a profit and completed business plans and presentations. Outreach included the Adopt-a-Cow and Chicks-in-the-Classroom programs in Sioux Falls and surrounding school districts, STEM lessons delivered at Boys & Girls Club and other after-school sites, and Nathan's robotics club at Ben Bridal Middle School. 4-H also participates in community events such as Ag Days at the Washington Pavilion, the Sioux Empire Water Festival and Women in Science.
Looking ahead, staff said they will continue existing programming and add focused "mastery" opportunities that let older youth create portfolios for judging in static areas such as photography and baking. They are also working with the regional outdoor campus and the YMCA to launch shooting-sports clubs and deliver programming at Camp Leif Erickson to reach youth who do not currently participate.
Commissioners praised the mix of agricultural and STEM programming. Commissioner Kipley asked staff to emphasize how STEM and agriculture intersect in modern farming, and Nathan described precision-agriculture collaborations with South Dakota State University that could introduce drones, digital mapping and precision machinery concepts to 4-H members.
Staff closed by inviting questions and noting volunteer Rachel Tinker for organizing a post-beef-show games event for youth and families.
