MARSHALL — Lyon County 4-H programs are continuing to expand, University of Minnesota Extension representatives said this week.

In a presentation to Lyon County commissioners, Extension educators said partnerships with area schools and communities have allowed 4-H to reach 20% of eligible youth in Lyon County.

“That’s a big number. I don’t think that there’s many counties around that are in our region that are anywhere close to that,” said Sam Jens, Extension educator for youth development. Statewide, 4-H programs only reach 5% of eligible youth.

Extension staff gave an update on 4-H activities at Tuesday’s Lyon County Board meeting. Later in the meeting, county commissioners voted to approve a new three-year agreement with the U of M Extension in Lyon County.

Renae Jenniges, Extension educator for youth development, said this year Extension staff had worked to forge new partnerships with schools and community organizations.

“We have been able to establish two new community partners, one being Upward Bound, which is a high school organization here in Marshall, and then Holy Redeemer Catholic School,” Jenniges said.

Part of the partnership with Upward Bound included forming a leadership council of about 50 students, and offering leadership training and support for those students.

“We’ve also been able to rebuild and expand our relationships with Minneota, specifically at St. Edward (Catholic School) and the public school with their Community Education program,” Jenniges said. “In addition to these new partnerships, we’ve been able to continue our programming and our reach to students within the YMCA, Marshall Community Services or the Marshall summer school program, along with Tracy Community Education.”

Jens said one new program that has developed through community partnerships was a “home alone” class that grew out of 4-H babysitter training programs. The “home alone” class let youth build skills that would help them stay safe if they are at home alone.

Jens said there are a total of nine 4-H clubs in Lyon County, which includes six traditional clubs and three project-based clubs.

“It’s just like a community club, except for they have a project area they focus on,” Jens said. In Lyon County, the project-based 4-H clubs include shooting sports, the 4-H dog project and the 4-H llama project.

Between 4-H clubs and community partnerships, the program was able to reach a total of 932 youth in Lyon County this year, Jens said. They also had 72 new 4-H members, including 39 first-generation 4-H members.

Jens said Lyon County 4-H also had an overall retention rate of 79%, which exceeded the state average.

Jens also shared comments from 4-H youth member surveys.

“They feel that they can talk more effectively, and they feel that they know how to lead properly and can take criticism nicely, which to me is something really awesome,” he said.

Commissioners asked Extension staff if it would be possible to continue growing 4-H programs in Lyon County.

“Our goal is to always grow and expand and offer more opportunity to as many youth as we can,” Jens said.

Commissioners went on to approve an agreement with the Extension for 2025 through 2027. The agreement provides funding to support Extension programs and staff in Lyon County, including one full-time educator for 4-H youth development, and one 0.75 time 4-H educator position.