4-H Youth Lead Food Security

By Scout Nelson

Minnesota's 4-H program showcases the power of youth leadership in addressing community food needs through the Food Partner Challenge. This initiative funds 4-H clubs across the state to collaborate with local food shelves and nutrition organizations in organizing food and essential supply drives.

In one inspiring example, the Pleasant Busy Bees 4-H club of Winona County rallied the students at Ridgeway Community School to collect non-perishable food items, with each item matched by the club.

This effort was part of 58 projects funded through $29,000 provided by Compeer Financial and various donors. Each participating club received a $500 award, supporting projects in 37 counties—a significant increase from the previous year's 31 projects in 24 counties.

Volunteer club leader Melinda Growth reported that their December meeting tallied 1,445 donated items, significantly bolstering the local food pantry's resources. This project not only filled shelves but also instilled a sense of accomplishment and community spirit among the youth.

The challenge has spawned a variety of projects statewide. For instance, the Delton Doers club focused on donating home-grown squash and essential recipes for holiday meals. The Cleveland Pioneers aimed to nourish their peers with healthy snacks at school, ensuring no student goes hungry during the day.

Further, the Clearwater County ambassadors assembled care packages for the elderly and homebound, highlighting a commitment to the community's most vulnerable. Another noteworthy project by the Otsego 4 Leaves club involved partnering with a local creamery to provide snack-sized cheese curds to families during a food shelf's Kids Weekend event.

These projects underscore the vital role that young people play in sustaining their communities while learning valuable lessons in leadership and empathy.

With a completion deadline of March 31, 2025, these youth-led initiatives continue to make a tangible impact, demonstrating the potential of dedicated young individuals to drive significant community improvements through proactive and thoughtful action.

Photo Credit:4-h