Extension > Youth Development > News > Minnesota 4-H stories: Then and now
Minnesota 4-H stories: Then and now
A Minnesota Historical Society “Sharing Community Stories” intergenerational project
(June 2011) 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




