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Minnesota 4-H stories: Then and now

A Minnesota Historical Society “Sharing Community Stories” intergenerational project

How does being a member of University of Minnesota Extension 4-H shape youth – both today and in past generations? Did they find a passion for the outdoors that led to a career? Or a lifelong interest in photography? More than 131,000 youth are active in 4-H - nearly 12% of all youth between the ages of 5-19 in Minnesota!

Carrying on the tradition of youth learning by doing, the community of Minnesota 4-H has over 100 years of stories to share with future generations; lessons learned, moments of accomplishment, and, of course, fascinating tales of what actually happens behind-the-scenes at a fair.

In June 2011, Minnesota 4-H’ers captured just a few of those stories when they interviewed 4-H alumni and created short audio pieces to share.

Created in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society, 4-H youth learned to collect oral histories, interviewing each other and 4-H alumni about their experiences as 4-H’ers in Minnesota, and recording and editing the interviews into audio podcasts. The current 4-H’ers and the alumni who participated in the project had a wonderful time learning about each other and what 4-H has meant to them in their lives.

We hope you enjoy hearing their stories.

4-H in the 1940s and Now (Listen now)

Created by Jon Thompson and Ryan Ragoonanan with 4-H Alumnus Wayne Carlson and Team Mentor Kristie Shaffer

4-H Then and Now-What's the Difference (Listen now)

Created by Brenda Compean-Morales and Makaela Temte with 4-H Alumnus Sandi Fox and Team Mentor Kit Alviz

Achieving the Greater Good (Listen now)

Created by Kirti Sinha with 4-H Alumnus Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Team Mentor Saida Hassan

Bunch o Go-Getters (Listen now)

Created by Jacob Frandrup and Becca Newman with 4-H Alumnus Henry Fox and Team Mentor Mandy Martinson

Everyone Has a Story (Listen now)

Created by Chris Kirkwood and Hamza Mohamed with 4-H Alumnus Eric Agrimson and Team Mentor Alex Kuno

Family & Fair (Listen now)

Created by Jordan Shaffer and Braylon Temte with 4-H Alumnus Kelly Harder and Team Mentor Sara Given

Meeting Lifelong Friends (Listen now)

Created by Jordan Schuck with 4-H Alumnus Kevin Otto and Team Mentor Julia Ohmann

Nurturing Leadership Skills (Listen now)

Created by Birka Kebeto with 4-H Alumnus Kristin Geer and Team Mentor Tim Sayon

Pursue What You Love (Listen now)

Created by Faith Thompson with 4-H Alumnus Kathy Zeman and Team Mentor Ellen Rolfes

With All My Heart (Listen now)

Created by Natasha Sinha and Maggie Stiles with Then & Now 4-H Alumnus Laurie Pumper and Team Mentor Sandi Fox


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