'Such awesome work': Pine County celebrates National 4-H week with successes

The first full week of October marks National 4-H week, and Pine County’s program has a lot to celebrate in 2025.

According to 4-H Extension Educator Sarah Odendahl, 22 Pine County 4-H members exhibited livestock and general projects at the state fair, with two bringing home purple ribbons.

"Our youth do such awesome work," Odendahl said.

Morgan Schurmeier received a purple ribbon in Needle Arts grades 9+ for her counted cross stitch winter scene.

Carolyn Mangan received a purple ribbon in Fine Arts grades 9+ for her drawings of Jim Carrey.

Pine County 4-H also had nine representatives competing in the state horse show in September, with three winning Grand Champion awards.

Odendahl said Maverick Belanger earned Grand Champion in Grade 9 Barrel Racing and Pole Weaving; Camella Whalen earned Grand Champion in Grade 12 Key Race.

Pictured above: Dakota Ward, Major Belanger, Maverick Belanger, Camella Whalen, Journey Bjorklund, Jack Whalen. Not pictured: Kylie Erickson-Delaney, Emma Vogel, Dale Nelson.

Lauryn Jahnz, a member of Pine County 4-H, also won a Reserve Champion ribbon at the state dog show. She was one of four who competed across the disciplines of agility, obedience, rally, and showmanship.

Lauryn Jahnz, of Pine City, brought home a Reserve Champion ribbon in intermediate agility at the 2025 Minnesota 4-H State Dog Show.

"It's been a busy September, a very successful September for our 4-H'ers, and it's really fun to get to see them celebrate those last few wins," Odendahl said.

As part of National 4-H week, Pine County 4-H will hold an open house from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hinckley-Finlayson community education rooms on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

"I have had so many compliments paid about youth who are in the 4-H program, from teachers, from community members, from just folks who have grown up and said, 'when I was a kid, 4-H influenced me," she said.

Odendahl shared why she believes 4-H is an important component of the Pine County community.

"There's so much confidence that can get built in 4-H," Odendahl said. "Confidence and communication skills are probably two of my favorite things about 4-H, because you just have so many opportunities to stand up and make your voice heard, and to be part of a group, but also to stand up as an individual. So you get all of those pieces where you're learning about yourself, you're learning about being part of a team, you're learning about leadership, but you're also learning about being of service to your community. I think 4-H does a great job of blending that individual and community aspect, and making everyone stronger in the process."