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Becker County recognized the many accomplishments made by the youth and adult volunteers in the 4-H program throughout the last year. Detroit Lakes Eagles Club Aerie #2342 members, Mary Lee, Terri Anderson, and Ardean Anderson made a generous donation of $500 to the Becker County 4-H Council on behalf of the Eagles Club. 

Each year, 4-H members are asked to complete records of their projects, highlighting goals set and accomplished, ideas for next year, as well as income and expense reports. The Basic Division is for youth in grades 3rd-5th grades, the Experienced Division is 6th grade +, as well as records for Cloverbuds members in Kindergarten-2nd grade. Youth who exhibited exceptional work in the completion of their records were recognized as Outstanding Record Award winners. 

Many adults are involved in the continuing success of the Becker County 4-H program as volunteers. These volunteers were honored for the time and dedication they have provided with special “Years of Service” Awards and pins for 5 years (Silver Clover) Gina Schauer, Travis Schauer, Jessica Honer, Donna Steinhofer, Matt Moore, Amanda Aho, Andrea Yliniemi, Mandy Cymbaluk, and Andrea Hoff; 10 years (Gold Clover) Tom Kleven; 25 years (Emerald Clover) Deb Clark and Karen Erickson; 30 years (Ruby Clover) Mickey Okeson; 40 years (Diamond Clover) Trudy Maninga; and 45 years (Emerald Clover) Jim Griffnow. 

There are currently nine 4-H Clubs in Becker County; each club is led by an adult volunteer. These volunteers put in extra time and effort to make a difference in the lives of youth.

Members who graduated out of the 4-H program in the past year were recognized. Graduation is based on grade and number of years involved. The graduates are: Hailey Bigger, Franklin (10 years); Tyler Bjerke, Franklin (12 years); Faith Christensen, Happy Hillside (9 years); Katie Glander, Independent (10 years); Thomas Hoffmann, Franklin (8 years); Seth Isola, Height of Land 69’ers (9 years); Abigail Lindquist, Busy Bees (9 years); Alyssa Mitchell, Happy Hillside (11 years); Christian Moen, Happy Hillside (13 years); Maria Schauer, Franklin (14 years); and Therese Splonskowski, Busy Bees (10 years). 

Becker County youth who qualified for State 4-H events and attended the Minnesota State Fair were: 18 with general projects, 24 with livestock, 7 at the State Horse Show, 2 at the State Dog Show, and 4 at the State Shoot. 

Special awards were presented to clubs, officers, and individual members. Historian awards for the club scrapbook were presented to Hailey Jay (Cloverdale), Katelyn Kleven and Thea Mattson (Franklin), and Zeb Lewis and Sophia Schindler (River Valley). Secretary awards for the best maintained secretary’s book were presented to Grace Schauer (Franklin), Olivia Lage (Wild Things), and Haylee Aho (Wolf Lake Woodchucks). Treasurer awards for the best maintained treasurer’s book were presented to Elias Okeson (Cloverdale), Trent Bjerke (Franklin), Zeb Lewis (River Valley), and Seth Jepson (Wolf Lake Woodchucks). 

Scholarships in memory of Iver Warling were presented to Maren Hoban (Franklin), Annelise Lage (Wild Things), Zeb Lewis (River Valley), and Mary Ullmer (Busy Bees).

4-H clubs that welcome 5 or more new members for the current 4-H year are recognized. This year those clubs were Busy Bees, Cloverdale, Franklin, and Happy Hillside. 

A Key Award is given to top 4-Her’s that are at least 16 years old, have completed 5 or more years in 4-H, and at least 3 years as a junior leaders involved in citizenship, leadership, and 4-H promotion. This year’s recipients are Whitney Mikkelsen (Franklin) and Alyssa Mitchell (Happy Hillside). 

Herdsmanship awards were presented to clubs who promoted proper livestock handling and housing abilities. The winners are: Beef (Franklin); Dairy (Happy Hillside); Goats (Height of Land 69’ers); Poultry (Busy Bees); Rabbit (Burlington Cubs); Sheep (Happy Hillside); and Swine (Wild Things). 

The “Friend of 4-H” Award is given every year to a person or business that provides generous support and assistance to the 4-H program, going above and beyond for Becker County 4-H. This years “Friend of 4-H” Award was given to Mickey Okeson for her continued support of the program and time given as the council’s adult treasurer.

The program concluded with the introduction of the new Becker County 4-H Council officers that will lead the county through the 2021-2022 program year. President, Katelyn Kleven (Franklin); Secretary, Isabelle Lindquist (Busy Bees); Youth Treasurer, Grace Schauer (Franklin); Adult Treasurers, Kim Christensen (Height of Land 69’ers), Karla Lindquist (Busy Bees), and Mickey Okeson.