A Twist on Mentorship - 4H Youth Mentor State Officials

North Dakota leaders mentored by 4H youth at fair event

North Dakota 4H members took center stage at the State Fair in Minot, mentoring and judging state officials during a special livestock showmanship contest. The event paired 24 champion and reserve champion 4H youth with local and state leaders, teaching them the basics of showing animals. 

Each leader worked with a young mentor to learn about one of six livestock species: beef, dairy, dairy goats, meat goats, sheep, or swine. Youth then judged their partners’ efforts in the ring, creating a fun and educational experience for everyone involved. 

“It’s a good opportunity to share knowledge and learn how to teach others,” said Morton County 4-H’er Baily Kunz.  

“Hopefully, they learned a lot from the experience,” said Caleb Schwab, a 4-H member from Ransom County. “There’s more to learn about 4-H than what I could teach them in the time we had together.” 

Winners from the contest included: 

• Beef: Stephanie Schoenrock, Minot CVB Executive Director 

• Dairy: Rep. Dennis Johnson, District 15 

• Dairy Goats: Sen. Rich Wardner, District 37 

• Meat Goats: Mark Schaunaman, State Fair Director 

• Sheep: Mark Birdsall, State Ag Research and Education Board Chair 

• Swine: Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring 

“It went over big,” said Kurt Froelich, the Extension agent for Stark and Billings counties who initiated the event. “It just turned out beyond my dreams.” 

The contest was sponsored by NDSU Extension, the North Dakota 4H Foundation, and the North Dakota State Fair, offering a hands-on look at agriculture education and celebrating youth leadership across the state. 

Photo Credit: NDSU