New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club members recently presented a $1,000 check to the Brown County 4-H Federation to help toward the expenses of holding 4-H Livestock Showcases. 4-H Federation officer Sophia Portner accepted the check from Hub Club members, from left, Michele Schroeder, Megan Struss, Alec Harder, Randy Schroeder, Christina Schwab, and Ruth Klossner. A check toward showcase expenses was also presented to the Nicollet County 4-H Federation.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Farm City Hub Club made major donations toward area 4-H and FFA programs recently.

When county 4-H livestock showcases were scheduled to replace county fairs that had been cancelled, the Hub Club learned that the county 4-H federations would not only lose their major yearly source of income–that from the fair food stands–but would have to cover many of the expenses of holding the showcases. While the county fair boards did provide space for the shows and some costs, many expenses had to be picked up by the 4-H program itself.

To assist the county 4-H federations, the club approved donations of $1,000 to Brown County and $1,500 to Nicollet County, which was required to cover more expenses on its own.

In addition, Hub Club members volunteered to help at the showcases so that the events could actually be held. A total of 24 club members pitched in, serving as health screeners, entry and gate attendants, trailer parking attendants, cleaning crews, water hydrant attendants, ring stewards, show clerks, recorders, announcers, on-call volunteers, and more.

The Hub Club also provided assistance to the Brown County 4-H Federation, the Nicollet County 4-H Federation, and the New Ulm FFA Chapter, in the form of $500 each, to be used toward leadership programs for members.

Since its founding in 1974, the New Ulm Farm City Hub Club has continued to follow its original purpose, that of promoting agriculture, agri-business, and ag education in the New Ulm area through various activities, events, and promotions. Support of youth projects is part of that program.