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Goodhue County extension reports 971 youth in 4‑H, strong fair participation
Summary
Extension educators told the Committee of the Whole that Goodhue County’s 4‑H program served 971 youth in the 2023–24 programming year, reached about 11% of eligible youth, and sent the largest county livestock delegation to the Minnesota State Fair.
Ali Kleckner, an extension educator, and Amanda Gephart, extension educator for 4‑H, told the Goodhue County Committee of the Whole that the county’s 4‑H Youth Development Program served 971 youth in the 2023–24 programming year and that about 77% of enrolled members participated in the county fair.
The presentation, given during a Committee of the Whole meeting at the extension office, emphasized youth participation, volunteer support and partnerships. “We are reaching just over 11% of the total eligible population in Goodhue County,” Kleckner said, referring to youth ages 5 to 19.
The report said county fair participation remains high: 530 youth exhibitors took part at last summer’s fair and roughly three‑quarters of enrolled youth participate in fair exhibitions. Goodhue County also sent the largest county livestock delegation to the Minnesota State Fair last year, with more than 100 livestock participants and about 65 youth participating in other state‑level events. Kleckner said those statewide participations and fair activity generated nearly $75,000 in educational grants and scholarships for members.
Program leaders described retention as a notable strength. Kleckner told commissioners the county’s retention rate is “significantly higher than statewide retention rates in 4‑H programs”; the presentation did not give an exact percentage for either the county or state retention rates.
Educators said the county reaches youth through a mix of community clubs (the traditional club model) and partnership programming delivered in schools and libraries. Gephart described ongoing partnerships that include Pine Island Elementary School’s Panther Pals after‑school program, Cannon Falls Library programming, Hispanic Outreach activities and Cannon Kids summer offerings. She said newer, one‑off partnerships this year included the Red Wing YMCA and several libraries.
The presentation highlighted livestock education activities such as clinics, judging teams and a spring tour of Blondie’s Butcher Shop to show students carcass breakdown and meat‑processing steps. Kleckner said those hands‑on activities are central to the livestock program’s curriculum.
Volunteers were presented as essential: educators reported using more than 175 formally screened volunteers (orientation and background check completed) and additional informal helpers. Regional camp staffing included eight youth counselors last summer and the presenters said they expect eight again this summer.
Presenters also noted a coverage gap in Lake City: while youth from that school district participate in clubs elsewhere in the county, “there is no formal...4‑H opportunity actually within the city limits of Lake City,” Kleckner said, and the county and neighboring Wabasha County educators are coordinating to fill that need.
No formal actions, motions or votes were taken during the presentation; the session functioned as an informational report and commissioners asked follow‑up questions and thanked staff for the update.
