A homerun for a 4-H Crafts and Fine Arts project
In the 4-H Crafts and Fine Arts project, youth are asked to “Express yourself, be creative and make an impression.” A new 4-H’er, Nash Lund, is self-taught in leather craftsmanship. He shared his craft with his Country Roads 4-H Club, leading project talks. Crafts and Fine Arts is 4-H’s most popular project, so he always has an audience.
The baseball that Nash re-made was old and worn. He carefully removed the old leather from the ball and traced the pieces onto new leather. He cut them out and then meticulously stitched the leather together, renewing the baseball. Nash won a Purple Ribbon of Excellence at the Minnesota State Fair. He also showcased projects in industrial technology/ woodworking, and fishing sports.
“Winning a purple ribbon catapulted his interest and increased his confidence in leather-crafts,” said Heather Lund, Nash’s mother. “He has now also made bracelets, sandals and wallets, and his latest project was a beautiful leather satchel.”
Highlights
- RSDP impact: With support from a CERTs Seed Grant, the Middle River Legacy Program was able to overhaul the building’s dated fluorescent lighting and upgrade to LEDs with an expected yearly savings of nearly $7,000.
- Jim and Carol Larson were known as “the house with all the lights” along Highway 32, bringing joy to the community. Jim, a retired veteran, had cancer, making it challenging to enact his annual tradition. In November 2024, the New Maine 4-H Club set up Jim’s display as part of their Community Pride project. Jim Larson passed away in July 2025.
- 4-H in Marshall County prepared youth for 4-H officer roles, whether they were new to the roles or wanted more advanced training. Hands-on activities helped them train and practice various leadership roles.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: The Bjorgaard Family grows wheat, soybeans, corn and alfalfa. Todd is a township supervisor and serves on the Newfolden Elevator Co-op Board and the Newfolden Oil Co-op Board. Carla volunteers as a 4-H leader.
- The RRV Emerging Leadership Program, developed in 1985 as a partnership between Extension and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, developed leadership skills and civic engagement. The program is now called the Growing Local Leadership Program.
- Marshall County used local climate projections from the Climate Adaptation Partnership for its Hazard Mitigation Plan, a requirement for federal hazard mitigation grant funding programs and a powerful frontline tool for climate resilience.
Marshall County office
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About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.