The ability to communicate effectively is considered one of the basic skills needed today to achieve success in school and on the job. The Minnesota 4-H Foundation recognized this, and formed the Communicate. Lead. Succeed. award for 4-H’ers across the state. The award rewards young people who work to meet criteria that helps build their personal communications skills. In its first year, this award was given to 36 4-H’ers across the state, including Jake Knutson of the Hartland 4-H Club of Freeborn County.

To qualify to receive the award, youths had to complete a series of requirements over a one-year period from October to September. Winners of the Junior Communicators award (grades three through six) received a certificate of excellence from the Minnesota 4-H Foundation. Senior communicators (grades seven and older) were awarded a cash prize of $25 or $50, depending on the level of the award completed.

Young people involved in 4-H have been participating in public demonstrations and communications as part of their clubs’ activities for nearly 100 years. 4-H members in canning clubs in the early 1900s learned and demonstrated safe methods of preserving food from home gardens. Today, 4-H members have opportunities to give demonstrations and public speeches on everything from how to build a rocket to the best way to groom a rooster.

Public presentations help youths:

Develop poise and self-confidence.

 Acquire knowledge through research.

 Plan and organize thoughts.

 Express ideas logically and clearly.

Respond to questions.

4-H knows that regardless of what business a person is in — a large corporation, a small company or even a home-based business — effective communication skills are essential for success. The Communicate. Lead. Succeed. award is designed to encourage youth to develop their communication skills by giving demonstrations, attending communication and leadership training workshops, becoming youth leaders in their clubs, county and even state, serving their community with local service projects, speaking in front of groups such as a classroom or other club, participating in the performing arts, and practicing their writing skills by writing things such as press releases, or secretaries reports for club meetings.

To learn more about the 4-H program, contact the Freeborn County Extension Office at 377-5660.