Eight youth have been selected to join the North Dakota 4-H Ambassador program. The North Dakota State 4-H Ambassadors is a group of young adults from across North Dakota who are actively involved in 4-H. They coordinate many activities that involve teaching youth and adults about topics such as leadership, team work and citizenship.

The new team members are:

• Marit Ellingson, Walsh County, Dakota Prairie High School
• Wyatt Dunlop, Rollete County, Rolla Mt. Pleasant School
• Forrest Sears, Cass County, Central Cass High School
• Grady Hornung, Pembina County, North Border Walhalla High School
• Aidan Sears, Cass County, Central Cass High School
• Alyssa Thomsen, Barnes County, Valley City High School
• Kiley Kvamme, Cass County, Kindred High School
• Taiton Axtman, Cass County, Davies High School

The 4-H Ambassadors specialize in planning and facilitating 4-H events, such as the annual statewide Extension Youth Conference (EYC), workshops, training sessions and regional events. They strive to create events that are fun, educational and skill building, and promote self-improvement. They also are active volunteers for 4-H programs in every North Dakota county.

After another year of COVID-19, the 4-H Ambassadors held their annual selections event in person this year. The event took place during the Ambassadors’ fall retreat at the North Dakota 4-H Camp in Washburn. This event was run by selection co-chairs Tucker Regner from Cavalier County and Brianna Mohs from Cass County.

“Our elections co-chairs did a great job and provided a positive and engaging experience for youth running to become an Ambassador,” says Hannah Nordby, 4-H Ambassadors co-adviser and North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension agent in Adams County.

“Running this event was a very fun time, and I learned so much about facilitating a large event,” says Regner “Our candidates were absolutely amazing and really made this a fun day.”

The election process begins with candidates completing an application and providing references.

 “Once the application is received in the state 4-H office, then candidates must commit to the selection interview process,” says Sue Quamme, North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors co-adviser. “They must attend in person, where they participate in various events that include a formal interview, informal interview, problem solving event and a group project.”

 “I joined the Ambies [Ambassadors] because I saw how much fun they were having at EYC,” says Hornung. “It seemed like everyone there valued 4-H and were very serious about it. I felt the same way and had join.”

Former 4-H’ers and Ambassadors helped with the judging process.

“Judging Selections as an Ambassador was a very rewarding experience,” says Raquel Bata, current 4-H Ambassador. “I was able to meet wonderful individuals and watch them exhibit their leadership, communication, and personable skills. Selecting new ambassadors is an exciting process, and I know the newly selected ambassadors are all going to do great things in the program.”

For more information about the 4-H Ambassador program, contact the Extension office in your county or visit the North Dakota 4-H Youth Development website at https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/north-dakota-4-h-youth-development.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Dec. 14, 2021

Source: Sue Quamme, 701-231-5923, susan.quamme@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-5391, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu