Learning from peers and judges at the Minnesota State Fair through creative writing
Greta Gronfeld’s short story earned her a trip to the Minnesota State Fair in creative writing — a newer Minnesota 4-H project. In her short story that reimagines the life of Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton doesn’t die in that famous duel with Aaron Burr. Instead, he helps end slavery, ultimately avoiding the Civil War.
Prior to her Minnesota State Fair project judging, she shared that there are so many talented kids in Minnesota showcasing projects, including many other talented writers. Her main goal was to learn, both from the judge and other 4-H’ers, as part of group conference judging. She was also rewarded with a purple ribbon, surpassing her secondary goal of a blue ribbon.
Taking on a project like a short story doesn’t come quickly. Through writing this story, Gronfeld learned discipline and confidence in her communications abilities — skills she weaves into her role as a Minnesota State 4-H Ambassador.
Highlights
- 4-H youth in Traverse County can participate in afterschool programs at Wheaton and Browns Valley and through the Browns Valley Library, where they may learn about anything from crafts to geology and paleontology.
- 4-H youth grow produce at a community garden, volunteer at a local food shelf, donate food at a farmer’s market and learn how to use a freeze-drier to preserve fresh food.
- Through a No Child Left Inside Grant, 4-H youth team up with groups such as the Traverse County Sportsmen to get youth outdoors, including kayaking and learning from the Army Corps of Engineers.
- 4-H’ers Samantha R. and Elliana K. earned Community Impact recognition at the Minnesota State Fair for their service project, in which the club supports their local community-owned theater by doing a regular work rotation.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: The Gronfeld family: Tim and Sara Gronfeld operate a 1,000-acre row crop farm near Johnson, growing vegetables, apples, raspberries, grapes and elderberries. The family’s four children are involved in the operation and in the Traverse County 4-H program, showing rabbits, goats, sheep, and cattle.
- Extension provides financial capability education for participants in the judicial district’s treatment courts, including adult and juvenile drug courts, and courts for mental health, veterans, family dependency and DWI/DUI.
Traverse County office
Extension has 14 regional offices supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Traverse County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. More about Extension in our county.
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.