Place of residence: Rosehill Township
4-H member in which county & club name: Cottonwood County – Springfield Sparklers
Involvement with 4-H (as youth or adult): Ethan was a dairy exhibitor, 4-H Ambassador, 4-H camp participant, club officer and Federation officer. He also worked in the 4-H food stand, exhibited at the MN State Fair, served as a youth representative for the LIA committee and was a youth representative on the extension committee.
Favorite 4-H memory: Ethan’s favorite 4-H memory is helping his cousin, who was a Cloverbud at the time, show her first dairy heifer.
Advice to current 4-H youth: “Be active in your community. Learning to serve through 4-H created some of my best memories. It taught me the importance of putting others’ needs before my own, especially when they need help. Whether it was volunteering, spending time in fellowship at the local nursing home, or cleaning road ditches, each act made a difference – often greater than we realize as members.”
Why do you think people should be involved in 4-H? “To become more involved citizens that work to improve their community.”
Current occupation: Ethan is a dairy farmer and cheesemaker (future Amo Creamery)
Family: Parents Dean and Elizabeth, siblings April Von Ruden, Chelsey Asche and Jacob Johnson
Anything else you’d like to include: “4-H can be an impactful experience, it’s up to the member to find out how they can make the best impact on their community.”