Staff photo by Fritz Busch Milford 4-H Club member William Andrews creates a bubble at the Brown County 4-H Summer Kickoff at the Brown County Fairgrounds Saturday.

NEW ULM — Brown County 4-H members shared their skills with other kids at a summer kickoff event at the Brown County Fairgrounds Saturday.

Kaytlin Lilleodden, 9, of Hanska said she enjoys working with animals, showing them at the Brown County Fair. She’s been a 4-H member since age 5.

“I do lots of fun things in 4-H. I show ducks, geese and poultry at the county fair,” she said. “I also work at the 4-H food stand.”

Bows & Triggers 4-H club member Hunter Kohn of New Ulm said he shows rabbits at the county fair and really enjoys the fair.

Tucker Lilleodden of Hanska, 7, said he works at the 4-H food stand and shows rabbits, ducks and geese at the county fair and enjoys working with rabbits the most.

William Andrews, 9, of New Ulm, said he enjoys livestock and making Lego items at the fair. He also showed skill making large bubbles at the event.

Annika Wyffels, 17, of New Ulm held her English Spot rabbit “Charlamagne” and allowed other kids to pet it. She is a member of the North-West Wildflowers 4-H Club.

“I’m very involved in rabbit projects. I like working with my rabbits and showing them at the fair,” she said.

The 4-H event designed to bring the community together, highlight the work of local 4-H clubs and support county-wide youth programming included a food stand with a wide variety of goodies. Proceeds support the Brown County 4-H Federation and participating clubs.

Other clubs hosted hands-on activities with rabbits, roping and bubble-making.

There is no cost to enroll in 4-H. Some clubs have annual membership and event fees. The University of Minnesota Extension Office has funds available to sponsor members at local, regional and statewide events.

The mission of 4-H Youth Development is to engage youth in partnership with screened, adult volunteers in learning opportunities.

Regular attendance, clear communication and sharing of skills, interests and ideas is required. Fair participation is now required but many 4-H members do it. Activities are open to anyone from kindergarten age to one year past high school.

Brown County 4-H clubs include the Bows & Triggers that focuses on shooting sports and wildlife projects.

The Burnstown Brookville club meets at the Springfield Area Community Center.

The Comfrey Comets have won the Club of the Year Award two of the last three years.

The Leavenworth area Golden Rose Riders focus on horses but members also take part in crafts, fine arts, dog, sheep, beef, rabbit, chicken and youth leadership.

The Milford club prides itself in community service projects and meets in the Milford Township Hall near Essig.

The North West Wildflowers meet at the Morgan Public Library. It’s biggest projects are rabbits and crafts.

The Sleepy Eye Wide Awakes meet at the Sleepy Eye Extension Office. Many members have expertise in animal science projects.

The Stark Happy Husters values community service projects.

For more information, visit mn.4honline.com.