By Stephanie Grimes, 

Pope County 4-H Extension Educator

On August 3-6, one hundred and fifty one Pope County 4-H Members showcased their 4-H project learning through their exhibits displayed at the Pope County Fair.  From agronomy to robotics and animals to fine arts, 4-H youth in grades kindergarten through one year past high school shared their exhibits and what they have learned over the past year through the 4-H judging process. Congratulations to all of our Pope County 4-H youth for their accomplishments in 2022!

Cloverbuds are youth in grades K-2 and they showcase in special noncompetitive classes at the fair.  Cloverbud exhibitors included Andie Anderson, Asher Anderson, Noah Aslagson, Kaylee Bauer, Levi Becker, Emmy Blair, Jade Bosch, Andrew Bowen, Skylar Bryce, Vincent Cihlar, Adilyn Deters, Sam Ebnet, Emma Elbert, Cash Frey, Adalynn Gerde, Lily Gillins, Declan Gillins, Amelia Grimes, Kyla Halls, Logan Hawkins, Grace Hennen, Jazper Hollenkamp, Colten Jenks,  Eli Jenniges, Kylee Jenniges, Leah Lensing, Adiliyn Lesnau, Nolan Listerud, Hadley Majerus, McCoy Majerus, Kasen Martin, Jase Moen, Gretchen Noffsinger, Addy Paulzine, Cooper Paulzine, Porter Petersen, Avery Pooch, Blake Pooch, Harper Radil, Rachel Roers, Ava Rost, Silas Steinhofer, Aubree Thompson, Lydia Vait and Braigh Vold. 

Youth in grades 3 through one year past high school enter exhibits in a wide variety of project areas. Youth are awarded a blue, red or white ribbon on their exhibit and those receiving blues are eligible for selection as the Grand Champion, Reserve Champion or Honorable mention.

We couldn’t make the fair what it is for our 4-H members without the support of local businesses and families.  We want to thank Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association for providing 4-H with WiFi at the fair.  The following businesses donated to the 4-H Food Stand: Bonanza Valley State Bank, CF Industries, Eagle Bank, Glenwood State Bank, Hometown Community Bank, Kensington Bank, Land o Lakes,  and Lowry State Bank.

We also celebrated our youth that are graduating out of the 4-H program this year at our 4-H Auction (pictured above). Those youth included Lydia Bright, Bryce Hacker, Ethan Leavitt, Leah Hagen, Emma Kovarik, Brooklyn Larson, Austin Mattson, Andrew Mrnak, Courtenay Oeltjen, Michael Peabody, Mekayla Schroder, Berkley Steffen and Avery van der Hagen.

We also want to thank the following for sponsoring our champion and outstanding awards youth received during the county fair: A & A Feeds, Pope County ADA, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni, Amanda Becker Photography, Anderson Family Farms, Belgrade Co-op Association, Ben Wade Blazers 4-H Club, Blairview Saddle Shop, Daniel Moen Family, Dorrich Dairy, Eric & Doreen Cihlar, FAST Global Solutions, Inc., Feed Co. Inc., Glacial Ridge Cattlemen’s Assoc., Glenwood Pizza Ranch, Halls Farm LLC, In Memory of Adam John Hanson, Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home, In Memory of Clarence and LaVerne Cihlar, In Memory of Marilyn Hulbert, Johnston’s Dorsets, Koubsky Trucking, Long Prairie Packing Co., Lowry Transfer, Inc, In Memory of Allan & Marlene Halls, Dr. Leo A. Zehrer Family, McMahon Oil, Midwest Machinery Co., Pro-Ag Farmers Co-op, Rafter W Shropshires, Reichmann Homestead Farms, Stephen & Marlene Hippe, The Maanum Family, Rahlic Acres, Diane Rust, Thompson Dairy Farm, Ron & Jean Tvrdik, Villard Cenex, Walter Organic Family Farms, Bill & Kelly Anderson, Waska Treats DQ, Mattson Family In Memory of Taylor Mattson and In Memory of John Freeman.

Learn more about 4-H in Minnesota and how you can get involved at www.4-H.umn.edu or contact Stephanie Grimes, Pope County 4-H Extension Educator, at 320-634-7734 or pope@umn.edu.

Check out the full list of Pope County 4-H Fair results in the September 12th E-editon!