Becker County is proud to recognize accomplishments made by the youth and adult volunteers in the 4-H program throughout the last year.

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 third through fifth grades, the Experienced Division is sixth grade+, as well as records for Cloverbuds members in Kindergarten through second 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) Steven Splonskowski; 10 years (Gold Clover) Karla Lindquist; Mike Ullmer; Mindi Mikkelsen; Melanie Mitchell; Tina Moore; 15 years (Pearl Clover) Angelica St. Germain; Jennifer Schauer; Shannon Lewis; 25 years (Emerald Clover) Bruce Olson; 40 years (Diamond Clover) Kathy Pederson.

Karla Lindquist was awarded the prestigious Educator’s Award. Each year an exploratory adult volunteer is presented the Educator’s Award given to them for the tremendous amount of hours and support they provide to the county 4-H program.

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 Trent Bjerke (Franklin) 14 years; Ellianna Cymbaluk (Independent) 12 years; Ashley Fletcher (Independent) 9 years; Katelyn Kleven (Franklin) 13 years; Bayleigh Johnson (Independent) 9 years; Gracie Johnson (Franklin) 9 years; Skylure Lehman (Burlington Cubs) 14 years.; Katelyn Schaefer (Independent) 6 years; Beth Schauer (Franklin) 13 years; Abigail Sellgren (Burlington Cubs) 12 years; Kirsten St. Germain (Burlington Cubs) 14 years; Julia Teiken (Independent) 14 years.

Becker County youth who qualified for State 4-H events and attended the Minnesota State Fair were: 16 with general projects, 29 with livestock, 5 at the State Horse Show, 3 at the State Dog Show, and 7 at the State Shoot.

Special awards were presented to clubs, officers, and individual members. Historian awards for the club scrapbook were presented to Oliver Mikkelsen (Franklin), Allie Kelly (Franklin), Blake Bigger (Franklin), Kellin Buchholtz (Cloverdale), Macy Engel (Height of Land 69’ers) and Payson Oelfke (Height of Land 69’ers). Secretary awards for the best maintained secretary’s book were presented to Hailey Jay (Cloverdale), Ellen Schauer (Franklin), Sam Skogen (Wild Things). Treasurer awards for the best maintained treasurer’s book were presented to Josiah Okeson (Cloverdale), Alydia Mitchell (Happy Hillside).

A Scholarship in memory of Iver Warling was presented to Olivia Lage (Wild Things).

The Youth Leadership Award presented by MN Red River Valley Development Association.

This award was initiated to recognize a young person who has demonstrated outstanding ability in citizenship, leadership, character building through their involvement in community youth organization. The award recipients this year were Isabella Lindquist (Busy Bees); Anna Ullmer (Busy Bees) 4-H clubs that welcome 5 or more new members for the current 4-H year were recognized. 

This year those clubs were Busy Bees, Cloverdale, Height of Land 69er’s, and Wild Things.

Herdsmanship awards were presented to clubs who promoted proper livestock handling and housing abilities. The winners are: Beef (Wolf Lake Woodchucks); Dairy (Height of Land 69’ers); Market Goats (Busy Bees); Dairy Goats (Burlington Cubs); Poultry (Cloverdale); Rabbit (Franklin); Sheep (Franklin); and Swine (Ashley Fletcher- Independent).

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 Dan Jacobson of Jacobson Electric for his continued support of the program, time dedicated to helping in the livestock area, and assisting youth with their animals at the Becker County Fair.

The program concluded with the introduction of the new Becker County 4-H Council officers that will lead the county through the 2023-24 program year. President, Isabelle Lindquist (Busy Bees); Vice President, Ellen Schauer (Franklin); Secretary, Anna Ullmer (Busy Bees); Youth Treasurer, Elias Okeson (Cloverdale); Adult Treasurer, Karla Lindquist (Busy Bees); Executive Co-Vice Presidents Karla Lindquist (Busy Bees); Katie Okeson (Cloverdale).