LOCAL YOUTH ‘BEYOND READY’ FOR 4-H WEEK

    From fairgrounds to classrooms, livestock barns to robotics labs, 4-H youth in Marshall, Day and Brown counties are proving they’re not just ready for the future – they’re Beyond Ready. During National 4-H Week, celebrated Oct. 5–11, 2025, local clubs will share how 4-H equips young people with the skills, confidence, and resilience to lead in a world full of opportunity and change.
    As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H empowers 6 million young people nationwide with hands-on learning experiences through clubs, camps, school programs, and community events. 
    During National 4-H Week, local 4-H members, alumni, volunteers, and supporters will wear green, participate in community service projects, and share their stories. 
    Celebrating 4-H Week, youth from various clubs share their favorite activities and the skills they’ve gained. In the Barn Buddies club, Emily Effling (8 years in 4-H) highlights the experience she’s learned as club president, stating, “4-H has also given me the opportunity to learn many leadership skills.” Her projects include visual arts, clothing, and showing sheep, goats, swine, and beef. Fellow 8-year member Baylee Bender enjoys “Working with Cloverbuds” and participates in shooting sports, leadership, and foods & nutrition. Kaylee Carlson (7 years) loves “competing in 4H rodeo with her rodeo friends” alongside projects like archery, horse, and beef. Lily Mundt (7 years) is passionate about “Rodeo and being around my 4H friends that I meet along the way,” focusing on horse, hippology, and archery. Rylan Carlson (5 years) loves “competing at state archery and state rodeo finals” and works on aerospace and beef projects. Younger members Skylar Bender (4 years) favors doing things for the community along with visual arts, photography, and bb gun projects, while Ella Mundt (3 years) enjoys showing her hobbies, artwork, and various animals. First-year member Rhyker Bender (1 year) is a fan of fashion revue.
    The Hill Country Muskrats club members focus heavily on livestock and hands-on skills. Shayna Hamling (8 years) and Cheyene Braaten (7 years) are among the most experienced members, with Shayna showing sheep and doing photography, and Cheyene participating in judging and public presentation. Five-year members Izzy Ceroll enjoys meeting new people through showing sheep, and Tuf Hagen excels in showing cattle, woodworking, and welding. Finley Hamling (4 years) enjoys showing animals, alongside projects in photography. Newer members include Hollis Cameron (2 years), who likes achievement days with his photography project, Gianna Nordquist (2 years) with special foods and visual arts, and Hunter Ruff (1 year), who focuses on woodworking.
    From the County Line Kids, Adaline Larson (7 years) is a State 4-H Ambassador whose favorite parts of the program have been “showing cattle, showing sheep, making new friends at Skills-X, and becoming a State 4-H Ambassador.” Her diverse projects include Skills-X, photography, and rangeland science. James Raabe (1 year) of the Hillbillie Hustlers enjoys being with friends, learning photography and how to cook fun foods, and participates in community service. Finally, Josiah Satterlee (2 years) from the Prairie Pasque club says his favorite part is exhibiting all his projects, which include hobbies & collections (he loves his LEGOs) and exhibiting eggs.
    To learn more about local 4-H programs or get involved, contact Marshall Co.(605) 448-5171; Day Co- (605) 345-9504; Brown County- (605) 626-7120.