BLUE EARTH– Participation in Faribault County’s 4-H programs has increased dramatically, according to Faribault County Extension Educator, Emily Ovrebo.

Ovrebo attended the Faribault County Board meeting on Tuesday to provide the commissioners with an update on the most recent 4-H year which runs from Oct. 1- Sept. 30.

“We have 199 youth enrolled in the county’s 4-H through community clubs which include summer programming and after-school adventures though program agreements,” Ovrebo said. “That represents a 32 percent increase from 2022-2023.”

She also shared that new member enrollment is thriving.

“We have 50 first generation members (families who have never been in 4-H). That number is up 138 percent from 2022,” Ovrebo shared. “There are also 79 new members which is up 147 percent from 2022.”

Faribault County currently has six community clubs. They are the Barber Flyers, Foster Fireflies, Minnesota Lake Voyagers, Elmore Soaring Eagles, Lucky Clovers and Riverside Ramblers.

“The Barber Flyers, with 41 members, and the Elmore Soaring Eagles, with 37 youth, are the two biggest clubs right now,” Ovrebo noted.

Ovrebo shared a lot of effort has been put forth to enroll Cloverbuds (those kids in grades K-2).

“A lot of the credit also goes to our growing volunteer numbers,” Ovrebo stated. “We now have 49 screened volunteers which is up over 11 percent from our previous year.”

She also took a look into the future.

“Our goal is to host more events, day camps, clinics and leadership opportunities this year,” Ovrebo concluded.

During the meeting the board also passed a preliminary levy increase of 9.238 percent for 2025. The commissioners will set the final levy amount at their Truth in Taxation meeting in December.

In other business:

— The board recognized Barry Meyers of the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department for 25 years of service.

— Approved the request of Vincent Do of the Sheriff’s Department to attend Standardized Field Sobriety Test – DWI training.

— Voted to approve the request of Isabella Nelson of the Assessor’s Office to attend a Mass Appraisal Basics course.

— Approved the request of Luke Schonborn of the Drainage Department to take an online course on Frontier Precision Survey Training.