University Of Minnesota Extension Minnesota Corn Growers Association Named 2021 Friend Of 4-H

Press release from the University of Minnesota Extension:

April 20, 2021

Minnesota 4-H has named the Minnesota Corn Growers Association as their 2021 Friend of 4-H. This award recognizes an individual or organization that has significantly contributed to the effectiveness of 4-H Youth Development in reaching Minnesota young people.

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association has been a critical partner in the development and expansion of 4-H Agronomy and Horticulture.  Over the past four years, they provided funding and encouragement to grow a small collection of ideas into a multifaceted statewide program that reaches hundreds of youth annually. Last year, the 4-H Ag and Hort team reached nearly 1,500 youth in a 17-week virtual learning summer series. They also offered an eight-month afternoon adventure series that reached 400 young people and a special four-month ag exploration learning community for high school youth. 

“Support from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association was essential for our success,” said Brian McNeill, Extension educator and 4-H Ag and Hort program lead. “Their investments jump-started our work and helped us see the wide range of ways we could connect more youth with hands-on ag learning opportunities.”

The Friend of 4-H Award is sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals. To learn more about how organizations and businesses can support the positive youth development of Minnesota 4-H, please visit our website.

About Extension 4-H: 4-H is a youth development program of the University of Minnesota Extension. Available for youth beginning in kindergarten, 4-H’ers participate in hands-on learning experiences in STEM, leadership & civic engagement, animal science & agriculture, creative arts, and more. Through 4-H’s learn-by-doing process, youth gain life skills, like problem solving, decision making, and communicating, that help them succeed in school, community and career. Research shows that youth who participate in 4-H have better grades and are more emotionally engaged with school, and are more than twice as likely to be civically active and contribute to their communities. Learn more at z.umn.edu/mn4h.

Contact: Erin Kelly-Collins, 612-624-4333, erinkc@umn.edu

4-H Afternoon Adventures bring plant science home

4-H youth leaders focus on agriculture advocacy and education

This press release was produced by the University of Minnesota Extension. The views expressed here are the author’s own.