Dunn County 4‑H reports enrollment gains; stuffed‑animal show and camp programs expand outreach
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
4‑H educator Zach told the committee Dunn County 4‑H ended the year with 296 youth enrolled and 56 volunteers, an increase of 7.6% from the prior year while statewide enrollment fell. Zach highlighted county events including Battle of the Clubs, multiday camp and a stuffed‑animal show for K–2 children.
Zach, Dunn County’s 4‑H educator, presented the program’s annual "State of the Clover" to the Community Resources and Tourism Committee, reporting that the county ended the 4‑H year with 296 youth enrolled and 56 volunteers.
"At the end of this year, we had 296 youth, enrolled and with 56 volunteers," Zach said. He noted the county’s enrollment increased 7.6% year‑over‑year while statewide enrollment decreased by 5.5%.
Zach said early reenrollments for the current year show an 11.3% increase compared with the same point last year and reported strong growth in new members so far this season. "We are up 73.3% with the new members already this year from where we were at this time last year," he said, noting Rock Falls club has a notably high share of new members.
He highlighted several county programs: Battle of the Clubs, a historic countywide event that drew 74 youth and volunteers; multi‑county 4‑H camp with 108 campers and counselors (19 from Dunn County); and a stuffed‑animal show for kindergarten through second grade that provides practice in showing and speaking and drew 12 youth this year.
"I started the stuffed animal show, to give them mainly give them practice showing, get them used to it, get them comfortable talking to judges and adults," Zach said. An extension staff member noted the stuffed‑animal program has been replicated in other counties.
Zach also described partnerships and outreach, including a Trout in the Classroom project at Knapp Elementary, a one‑time program at Bridge to Hope, collaboration with UW Stout on robotics and chemistry initiatives, and recruitment for an AmeriCorps intern to expand programming.
He encouraged committee members to visit events; the next project day is Nov. 8, with about 30 youth signed up. Zach credited extension assistants and interns for program delivery and thanked volunteers and partners for their support.
No formal committee action was taken on 4‑H programming during the meeting.