ND 4-H Foundation Annual Report
(Annual Report, 2021-22)The North Dakota 4-H Foundation provides program support to empower youth.
Introduction
2021-22 Annual Report: Help North Dakota 4-H’ers Find Their Spark
The North Dakota 4-H Foundation provides program support to empower youth in:
- Leadership Development
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
- Healthy Living
- Agricultural Literacy
- Volunteerism
The North Dakota 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 that partners with individuals, organizations and businesses to invest in the future of North Dakota youth through the state 4-H program.
This 2021-22 annual report features major donors to some programs, but all contributors are listed at the end. Though space isn’t available to highlight all donors, contributions to specific programs and general donations make it possible to carry out programs and support youth across the state.
Message from Mark Landa
Dear Friends,
2022 was the year the world started returning to more of a normal pattern. For 4-H, that meant a return to mainly in-person programming. Clubs had meetings, campers went camping, youth competed in a wide range of events and trips were taken. All these activities provided opportunities and experiences for youth to find their “spark” as they tried new things and explored their passions and interests.
Many of these activities were supported by our great donors and sponsors. Giving Hearts Day set a record for the ND 4-H Foundation. Supporters helped provide funds for special projects at camp. The foundation couldn’t do our work and support the 4-H program without the help of each donor and sponsor. We are grateful for the continuing support.
A wide variety of camps were offered by the 4-H program. Youth learned about livestock, horses, tractor safety, grilling and cooking, different trades, robotics and STEM, and pollinators and nature. A highlight for many campers was the new pond at the North Dakota 4-H Camp. Youth were able to swim, fish, kayak and canoe right on the camp property. The pond was a result of some great new partnerships for the 4-H Foundation. It will be an asset for many years.
North Dakota 4-H youth competed in events at the local, regional, state and national levels. Youth attended National 4-H Conference and National 4-H Congress. 4-H’ers showed off their work at county fairs or achievement days, and at the North Dakota State Fair. 4-H’ers completed volunteer projects in their communities. These opportunities are a chance to learn new skills, meet new people to build key relationships and try new things. The 4-H Foundation is happy we can support many of these great programs. We are also happy to be able to support the annual volunteer trainings held at various locations around the state. As volunteers ourselves, we recognize how important volunteers are to the 4-H program. The resources provided by our donors and sponsors help us provide this support for 4-H programming across the state.
NDSU Extension’s goal is to increase 4-H enrollment by 25% to reach one in every five youth by 2030. Your continued or increased support can make this and many other exciting things happen.
Thank you to everyone who supports the 4-H Foundation by giving your time, talents and/or treasures. Your generosity is helping build future leaders through the ND 4-H Youth Development program. We hope this report gives you a brief glimpse of what happened in 2021-2022 and how your support helps make a difference for North Dakota’s 4-H youth, volunteers and others.
Mark Landa
North Dakota 4-H Foundation Chair
AO1 Foundation and Others Support ND 4-H Camps
A pond was added last spring at the North Dakota 4-H Camp near Washburn, which is owned and managed by the 4-H Foundation.
Carson Wentz’s Audience of One (AO1) Foundation provided $100,000 for pond construction and hosted two camps at the ND 4-H Camp. North Dakota Game and Fish provided $60,000 plus expertise on designing the pond and stocked it with rainbow trout. Apex Clean Energy, Inc., provided a handicap-accessible dock, and Rainbow Energy Center, LLC, and others provided donations for aeration equipment, lifejackets, paddle boards and other pond equipment.
“A pond for fishing and water sports has been on our camp wish list for years,” said Karla Meikle, former Morton County 4-H Youth Development agent who is now the state 4-H activities coordinator. “Zach Wentz toured the camp and knew they wanted to use and add to this beautiful facility.”
In addition to the two AO1 camps with 70 participants, the 4-H Camp brought nearly 400 youth to:
- 4-H Adventure Camps
- 4-H Explorer Camp
- 4-H Forensics Science Camp
- Camp Chef Cook Off
- Clover Camps
- Fish Camp
- Just Starting to Ride: Wish I Had a Horse Camps
- Livestock Camp
- Outdoor Adventures for Air Force Youth
- STEM Explorer Camp
- Tractor Safety Camp
- Trades Camp
Odessa Veith, an 11-year-old from Bismarck, said, “I had so much fun at camp, meeting new friends and learning new things. We kayaked and ran the obstacle course. Everything was so much fun! My favorite parts were meeting new friends and new adventures.”
The ND Rural Rehabilitation Corporation supported camp scholarships. The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, with match from ND 4-H Foundation general funds, provided scholarships for tribal youth from across the state to attend camps plus professional development and culture training for the 2022 4-H camp counselors. For example, at Forensics Science Camp, five Standing Rock tribal youth took part in crime scene investigation, escape rooms, investigational drone technology and more.
Meikle said people also can support camps by providing supplies from the Amazon wish list or that are purchased from any business. In addition, about $47,000 is needed to complete and upgrade camp buildings.
In addition to hosting camps, the site is rented for family reunions, meetings, graduation parties and other events.
Shooting Sports Continue to Grow with Scheels Sponsorship
The shooting sports program, which includes archery, air rifle, and shotgun, includes skills, safety and teamwork. Sponsorship from Scheels supports equipment, teaching materials, instructor training, travel to national contests and more.
One parent said the advantage for their child was “learning a new lifetime sport that otherwise he wouldn't have had the opportunity. It also helped us as parents understand the safety and what it entails so we could provide support outside of the set practice time. My son learned patience and how self-control plays a big key in success in the sport. The instructors were great mentors and so willing to help that we hope this program will continue.”
LAND Supports Galactic Quest STEM Challenge
More than 1,000 ND youth experienced Galactic Quest, the national 2021 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Challenge. With Landman’s Association of ND and ND 4-H Foundation support, more than 30 counties ordered kits that explored the history of humans in space, the technology and resources needed for missions, and the obstacles humans encounter in orbit.
County Extension agents facilitated the STEM Challenge in classrooms, after-school programs, STEM events and 4-H club meetings. The activities explored important STEM topics ranging from physics and engineering to computer science and space agriculture.
Volunteers Gain Hands-on Training with ND Farm Credit Services Support
Volunteers from across the state learned about the 4-H Ambassadors program, STEAM activities for club meetings, canning, ladybugs, photography, dressing for success and helping youth thrive at 4-H events. More than 125 volunteers took part in the November 2021 trainings at Stanley, Jamestown, Grand Forks and Dickinson that were sponsored by ND Farm Credit Services and the ND 4-H Foundation.
One volunteer said, “On a personal level, I have learned valuable leadership skills that extend beyond 4-H, but seeing the kids learn a new skill or take on a leadership role is my favorite part of being a 4-H volunteer.”
ND Farm Credit Services sponsorship also supported livestock, land and crops judging activities.
Ambassadors Represent and Lead 4-H with Rural Rehab Support
The ND 4-H Ambassadors promote 4-H, support county events, and lead Extension Youth Conference among other activities.
Thanks to support from the ND Rural Rehabilitation Corp., the ambassadors sport professional uniforms, enjoy safe environments at retreats and are able to participate in events across the state.
Haley Cowan, an ambassador overall chair, has been an ambassador since 2018. She appreciates being able to hold quarterly retreats. “Having retreats is very important. It allows us to make connections with each other and the communities we have them in. It gives us a chance to further our leadership skills to be applied in our lives later.”
State Fair Gains Support for Leaders Showmanship and Horse Shows
In addition to plaque, trophy and ribbon supporters, the 2022 State Fair included new sponsorships.
The ND Public Leaders 4-H Showmanship Event featured legislators, government officials, NDSU administrators and other state leaders. They were paired with the 24 4-H’ers who won champion or reserve champion at the intermediate and senior level in showmanship for six livestock species. First International Bank and Trust, the ND Corn Council, ND Soybean Council, Lighthouse Commodities, ND Livestock Alliance and others sponsored the second annual event.
At the State Fair Horse Show, Minot Veterinary Clinic, Schaefer Veterinary Services and others sponsored custom tack for winners.
Communication Arts Winners Share What They’ve Learned
Thanks to support from Red River Farm Network, Slope Electric Cooperative Inc., Verendrye Electric Co-op, Inc. and Northern Plains Electric Coop, Communication Arts district winners shared their winning entries at the ND State Fair and Extension Youth Conference.
Grady Hornung, a Pembina County 4-H’er, said, "4-H Communication Arts allow youth to truly express themselves in an accepting and protected environment. With countless categories to choose from, there really is something for everyone! By earning the EYC Scholarship, I had my eyes opened up to countless new opportunities through such a wonderful program."
General Donations Support Delegates to National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference
Attending the November 2021 National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, was an experience of a lifetime for North Dakota delegates Rachel Larson, Adams County; Kaylee Kemp, Pembina County; Margo Mumm, Richland County; and chaperone Emily Burkett, NDSU Extension – Ward County agent.
Kemp said, “National 4-H Congress was an educational opportunity that allowed for the chance to be a leader, network with others from across the nation and serve through community service projects. This experience will allow me to make a difference in my state, county and community through the knowledge I have gained.”
In April 2022, Samantha Bergrud of Menoken, Emma Gillespie of Lisbon, Sarah Kempel of Casselton and Samantha Meehl of Oakes represented North Dakota at National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. Paige Brummund, NDSU Extension – Ward County agent, chaperoned the delegates.
“It was challenging to effectively communicate with people from across the country and U.S. territories,” said Bergrud. “Adapting in order to work together greatly affected my communication skills.”
Foundation Recognizes Hall of Fame Inductee and 6 Century Families
Bob Finken of Douglas in Ward County was inducted into the ND 4-H Hall of Fame in November 2021. Finken joined 4-H in Ward County as a youth in the 1970s. As an adult, he was a 4-H leader and started two clubs during his almost three decades as a volunteer. He was president of the Ward County 4-H Council for four years and served on a number of committees. Finken has judged communications arts and static exhibits at achievement days and was a superintendent for statics and the goat show.
The six 4-H Century Families were:
• David and Trish Mueller of Traill County, 129 years of 4-H participation
• Mike and Julie Liffrig of Oliver County, 142 years
• Oscar and Gloria Kleven of Benson, Morton and Ramsey counties, 100 years
• Ron and Tamara Keller of Benson County, 140 years
• Sarah Bedgar Wilson family of Stutsman and McLean counties in North Dakota and in Maryland, 159 years
• Brian and Vicki Maddock family of Benson, Cass and McHenry counties, 118 years
Want to Sponsor a 4-H Program?
General donations are always appreciated, but sponsors are needed for specific 4-H programs, too, including:
- Extension Youth Conference – EYC is a four-day leadership summit led by the North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors on the NDSU campus with keynote speakers, breakout sessions and activities.
- Leadership Awareness Wednesday – LAW is a statewide event that gives youth hands-on experience with leadership activities and the opportunity to learn from leaders at various levels.
- National 4-H Conference – ND’s delegates attend the week-long conference in Washington, D.C., to participate in roundtable discussions, present to federal partner agencies and engage with their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
- National 4-H Congress – ND’s delegates engage in the Atlanta event through workshops, tours, community service projects and speakers.
- Communication Arts – Award-winning 4-H’ers in categories such as speech, demonstration, broadcast, video and interpretative reading share at the ND State Fair and Extension Youth Conference.
For example:
- $370 will fund a camping experience
- $3,500 will fund a program such as a 4-H horsemanship clinic, judging clinic or STEM experience
- $9,000 will fund 4-H volunteer trainings, youth conferences and leadership opportunities
- $10,000 will fund programs and experiences in educational programing around critical issues such as workforce development, healthy behaviors and childhood obesity
Contact Penny Dale, foundation manager, at penny.dale@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8569 to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Donate on Giving Days When Contributions are Matched
On Giving Hearts Day in February 2022, donors gave more than $45,000 to the ND 4-H Foundation. In addition, the 4-H Foundation received the $4,000 second-place award for donor retention from the sponsoring Impact Foundation.
A big thank you to the people and organizations that provided matches:
- Julie and Carl Peterson, Peterson Farms Seed
- Jeff and Leann Schafer
- Greg and Lynae Lardy
- Eric and Suzanne Lahlum
- Jim Kirkeide Memorial Fund
- Keith and Cathy Peltier, ProSeed
- Julie and David Hassebroek
- ND Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
- Landman’s Association of North Dakota
- ND Association of Extension 4-H Youth Workers
- Alana and Todd Sears
Mark your calendar for the next Giving Hearts Day on February 9, 2023, to donate to the 4-H Foundation. Contact Penny Dale/701-231-8569, foundation manager, to donate match funds.
