Staff photo by Fritz Busch Milford 4-H Club members post after attending the Brown County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday. Pictured front row, from left, Natalia Frederickson, Jade Dalluge, Apollo, Atticus and Achilles Saari. Back row, Mckenzie Lilleodden, Lillian and Brittaney Brandes, Aiden Schroeder, Calleigh Frederickson and April Schroeder.

NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously proclaimed Oct. 5-11 National 4-H Week Tuesday.

Two commissioners were 4-H members themselves, Dave Borchert and Jeff Veerkamp.

“Thanks for your community service and involvement. Thanks to the parents for their mentorship. This prepares you for future leadership,” Borchert said to 4-H members of the Milford Club and the newly-formed Milford Bows & Triggers Club.

Commissioner Brian Braun thanked 4-H member for their community service projects including cleaning up and installing new signage at Somsen Slough, west of New Ulm.

More than a dozen 4-H members attended the county board meeting.

Milford 4-H Club Reporter April Schroeder said her brother Alex, the Brown County 4-H Federation President could not attend the county board meeting but he wanted her to share a message: “4-H allows youth to do hands-on learning with projects that interest them. Youth participate in activities with other club members and leaders who are volunteers that care about them.”

Schroeder said 4-H helps youth learn parliamentary procedure, responsibility, community service, leadership and public speaking skills.

“My family firmly believes 4-Hers learn skills to last them the rest of their lives. My brother and I have made a lot of friends outside of our school through 4-H,” she said. “4-H also teaches youth to lose gracefully, as well as ethics and values.”

Schroeder said her favorite project this year was making 107 birthday bundles (gift packages with a variety of items) that were donated to the New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf.

According to the proclamation, more than 275 youth and 70 volunteers in Brown County 4-H were involved with achievements and contributions in civic engagement, leadership and community service.

Approval of National 4-H Week came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Jeff Veerkamp.