4-H’ers across North Dakota recognized for embracing healthy habits
4-H clubs from 19 counties across North Dakota have been recognized for incorporating nutrition, fitness and health-focused activities into their meetings throughout the 2025-2026 year.
A total of 34 4-H clubs, representing 734 members, earned the designation of Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs. To achieve this recognition, clubs incorporated at least one nutrition or fitness activity into six or more regular meetings. Activities ranged from field trips and food demonstrations to hands-on community service projects.
One standout example is the 15 members of the Valley Friends 4-H Club of Barnes County, who adopted a healthy snack policy, explored new activities such as geocaching and outdoor scavenger hunts, participated in a Tractor Safety Program and gave back to the community by assembling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Eight clubs joined the Family Mealtime Challenge, encouraging members to share more meals together at home. Research shows that eating as a family can improve school performance, support healthier eating and reduce risky behaviors. Clubs offered practical tips such as discussing family schedules at the beginning of the week, setting family calendars, prepping freezer meals in advance and cooking together.
“These clubs have made a difference in their clubs and in their communities,” says Julie Garden-Robinson, North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs program coordinator. “When children practice healthy habits at a young age, the practices can be sustainable throughout their lives.”
This year’s honorees included four first-time healthy clubs and others who have sustained their recognition for up to 16 consecutive years. Each member received a certificate of achievement and a small prize to mark the accomplishment.
The clubs recognized this year are listed by county, number of members, number of years they have received recognition and if they completed the month-long Family Mealtime Challenge.
Adams County
- Adventurers, 16 members, four years
Barnes County
- Valley Friends, 15 members, 14 years; completed FMC
Burleigh County
- Bowmasters, 55 members; three years
- Clover Power, 13 members, five years; completed FMC
- Meadowlarks, 18 members, six years
- Silver Colts, 8 members, 16 years; completed FMC
Cass County
- Golden Clovers, 19 members, four years
- Kindred Sandburrs, 45 members, eight years
Dickey County
- Fullerton Achievers, 17 members, one year
Divide County
- Roughriders, 16 members, four years; completed FMC
LaMoure County
- Cloverleafs, 30 members; 14 years
Logan County
- Napoleon Dynamite, 24 members, one year
McHenry County
- Balfour Roughriders, 15 members, 10 years; completed FMC
- Velva Guys and Gals, 26 members, six years
Mercer County
- Star Equestrians, 13 members, four years
Pembina County
- Crystal Clovers, 33 members, four years
Ramsey County
- Country Kids, 14 members, five years
- Royal Rowdies, 28 members, three years
Ransom County
- Aliceton, 24 members, 15 years; completed FMC
- McLeod Ag, 40 members, three years
- Sandy Critters, 13 members, seven years
- Sheyenne Braves, 35 members, two years
- Tri-County Ag, 32 members, 12 years
Richland County
- Helping Hands, six members, nine years
Sargent County
- Busy Bobcats, 15 members, five years
Sheridan County
- Bits and Bridles, 11 members, one year; completed FMC
- Clever Clovers, 13 members, four years
Steele County
- Country Blossoms, 15 members, one year
- 4-H Promoters, 29 members, one year
- Wildlife Explorers, 35 members, three years
Stutsman County
- Country Kids, 17 members, eight years; completed FMC
- Moon Lake, 13 members, six years
- Prairie Winds, 18 members, one year
Williams County
- Clever Clovers, 42 members, two years
“We are grateful for the funding provided for nutrition education programs by several North Dakota commodity groups and from the Rural Health Transformation funding from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, which helps make these programs possible,” says Garden-Robinson.
4-H clubs interested in participating in the 2026-2027 North Dakota Healthy 4-H Clubs program should contact their NDSU Extension county office or visit the North Dakota Center for 4-H Youth Development to become involved.
North Dakota 4-H is a program of NDSU Extension.
NDSU Agriculture Communication – Sept. 17, 2026
Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, 701-231-7187, julie.garden-robinson@ndsu.edu
Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu
