BROOKINGS It was nothing but good news from the 4-H world at the Sept. 16 meeting of the Brookings County Commission and that news included a member whos heading to a national competition in January.
We had a good summer. All of our events went really well, SDSU Extension 4-H Educator Sonia Mack said during her report.
(The South Dakota) State Fair was successful for Brookings County as far as kids participating and doing well, she continued. We do have one individual that will be going on to a national-level experience in January from the Fashion Revue contest: Aubrey Underwood placed first in the senior category and will go to San Antonio, Texas, in January for the national FCS championship event.
Mack said enthusiasm certainly played a role in Underwoods first-place performance.
She had a real nice wall outfit that she modeled. Her mom told me after the fact, The difference maybe between this year and previous years is that she just really liked this outfit, Mack said. It just kind of goes to show that when youre feeling really good about yourself in something, you can really make a good impression and she did definitely do that with our judges at the State Fair.
Brookings County also had another state champion crowned during the Fashion Revue, this one at the junior division level: Elin Cowan.
Child-care came up as well during Macks report, as she touched on what 4-H is doing to help alleviate a growing problem in South Dakota.
Theres a discussion happening concerning the decline in available childcare at multiple levels, she noted.
She said 4-H has conducted a baby-sitting workshop known as Kid Care, in this area for a number of years, and that efforts are now being made to package that program into a curriculum which can be utilized by 4-H advisers and professional across the state, as well as programs at child-care facilities and after-school programs. The idea is that itll aid those entities in better preparing some of their employees to take part in caring for children.
Mack said the effort also includes material that can help prepare a child for the decision on whether the youngster wishes to continue attending a child-care facility or stay home alone for the first time.
The report Mack referred to during her presentation also included highlights from events such as:
The 4-H Burger Battle on May 30 in Watertown
The Brookings County 4-H Horse Show on June 10 at the Dacotah Bank Center
The Special Foods Contest on July 16 in Volga at Sioux Valley High School
The Summer Cloverbud day camps, which recently wrapped up
Brookings County Achievement Days
The upcoming Whats on Your Plate? exploring food science program, which will start Oct. 9 and continue until March 26. Registration is due by Sept. 28
Following Macks presentation, Commission Chairman Larry Jensen asked Mack about 4-H numbers from last year to this year. She said that current membership is at 375 enrolled members, along with 74 volunteers.
I think our volunteer number is up a little bit. I didnt look at last years final enrollment number, but (its) very similar to that 375 number, she said. Our program numbers stay consistent.
Mack said a big enrollment push will begin in October because all active enrollments become inactive at midnight on Oct. 1, which is the start of the new 4-H year.
I think were ending our 2024-25 year in a very similar fashion to that of last year, she said. (We) have already begun getting a number of emails and phone calls about My child is reaching that 4-H age now, especially with a lot of interest in 4-H shooting sports and becoming involved in 4-H clubs.
People interested in joining Brookings County 4-H can attend an open house on Oct. 7 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and snag some donuts as well. The event will be at 2810 22nd Ave. S., suite 2.
I just really would like to express my gratitude for your support of 4-H in Brookings County and in South Dakota, Mack said. As National 4-H Week approaches its Oct. 5-11 this year and the end of this 4-H year comes to a close on Sept. 30, its nice to hear that your support is appreciated and I want you to know how much that means to me, the people in my office and the program that I support.
Commissioner Dave Miller verbalized that support.
I just wanted to say thank you, Sonia, for all you and your staff do for those of us that arent plugged in and not involved with 4-H, its really fun to read through this newsletter and see all the kids in the different activities, he said. A big thank you to you and the volunteers that make a difference in these kids lives.
They do make a difference, and they make a difference for me, too, Mack replied. Thank you!
In other business at the Sept. 16 meeting, commissioners:
Heard from Sheriff Marty Stanwick about speeding concerns in the Aurora area, specifically the recently resurfaced 214th Street between Aurora and Brookings.
(Weve been getting) some complaints coming into Aurora, he said. Weve been putting the radar trailer out there and been trying to work that area to slow people down.
On a 5-0 vote, agreed to a resolution that updated policy regarding credit card use by county employees, department heads and elected officials.
The changes include issuing a credit card with a $3,000 limit to each department head, who in turn is responsible for their departments use of the credit card.
Furthermore, personal use is strictly prohibited.
Misuse of a county credit card will be considered grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination, according to the resolution. All improper charges are the responsibility of the employee.
Approved a resolution, also on a 5-0 vote, to continue support for the First District Association of Local Governments for fiscal year 2026.
Conducted an annual review of open-meetings laws in South Dakota.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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