NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners heard the annual 4-H impact report including the number of youth served and the positive impacts made across the County Tuesday.

“The mission of 4-H is to engage youth, in partnership with caring adults, to reach their potential as active citizens in a global community,” said Brown County 4-H Youth Development Educator Janessa Palmer.

She said one trained volunteer exists for every three youth participating Brown County 4-H programs.

Palmer said all Brown County 4-H members participating in a youth outcome survey, reported experiencing a sense of belonging, skill mastery and teamwork.

She said there are 237 4-H members aged 5-18 in Brown County and room for many more.

“I learned how to manage my time and work with others effectively,” said a 4-H member when asked what was the most important thing they learned in 4-H in the past year.

Another 4-H member said they learned the value of quality over quantity, according to the survey.

Palmer said 4-H delivers programs to each Brown County school district with after school and summer partnerships supported by a summer internship program.

She said the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey from the Minnesota Department of Health, which was the most recent survey of its type that she could find, showed that 64% of Brown County youth in grades 5-8 spend one or more days home alone, unsupervised after school.

Brown county 4-H program partners include the Comfrey library, New Ulm Park & Recreation Dept., Sleepy Eye and Springfield Community Education.

“Lykke Books of New Ulm and the Grand Center for Art and Culture of New Ulm expanded program offerings to match demographic data through strategic partnerships,” said Palmer.

Brown County 4-H members participate in county and statewide agricultural events

4-H youth development is a hands-on learning program for Minnesota youth. Online, small group and independent learning experiences are offered for youth of all ages.

Palmer said youth choose the topic they find interesting, from agronomy to space exploration, creative arts to outdoor adventures. Caring adults support their learning and leadership.

Brown County commissioners Brian Braun and Dave Borchert praised 4-H youth programs.

“The more we can introduce to 4-H youth, the more they can develop, and eventually take care of us,” said Braun.

“I appreciate everything 4-H does. I was not a farm kid, but I joined 4-H as a youth it because a friend of mine did and I wanted to hang out with him. Youth can learn lots of life lessons. We need more programs like this,” Borchert said.

The 4-H program catalog can be found at z.umn.edu/bcProgramCatalog. For more information, call the University of Minnesota Brown County 4-H Extension at 507-794-7993. Visit extension.umn.edu.