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Extension Service reports growth in 4‑H participation; Master Gardener internships and local programming expanding
Summary
University of Minnesota Extension staff updated the Clay County Board on March 25 about rising 4‑H youth participation, volunteer engagement and Master Gardener activities, including outreach, workshops and a seed‑starting surge among residents.
Cecilia Amadou, regional director for the University of Minnesota Extension, and 4‑H and Master Gardener staff briefed the Clay County Board of Commissioners on March 25 about program activity and growth in Clay County.
Amadou opened the presentation and introduced county Extension staff; 4‑H educators Mindy Grant and Monique Stelzer and support staff described program participation across community clubs, after‑school programs and summer events. The presenters said the county had 344 enrolled 4‑H youth last year, retained 91 percent year‑to‑year and hosted 224 youth who exhibited at the county fair, collectively bringing 1,507 exhibits. “We retain 91 of those youth which is pretty phenomenal,” a presenter said.
4‑H staff described multiple program pathways: ten community clubs, after‑school STEM and arts offerings coordinated with community education, summer programming in rural towns and partnerships with cultural and community organizations. Staff also described a new Beyond Ready program focused on post‑secondary and career pathways and highlighted volunteer capacity: roughly 234 volunteers engaged countywide and 84 screened, active volunteers supporting ongoing delivery.
Jillian Patria, the Extension horticulture educator and Master Gardener coordinator, summarized Master Gardener outreach: six public garden spaces maintained by volunteers, 5 interns completed the program last year and seven new interns are expected in the current cycle, bringing the county total toward 21 Master Gardeners. Patria said she handled about 190 horticulture‑related inquiries in the prior year, led 13 presentations, attended 14 outreach events and authored regular newspaper plant columns.
Commissioners thanked staff and asked how the public could find club lists and volunteer contacts; staff said the Clay County Extension website has a “join a club” resource and that the office can connect residents to specific club leaders on request because individual club contact information is not posted publicly. Staff also noted active social‑media presence for extension and Master Gardener events.
No formal action was taken. Commissioners praised staff continuity and the role volunteers play in delivering programs across the county.
