Dedicated to 4-H
New extension agent brings her experience as a 4-H’er in Minnesota to Lyon County
By Brandy Nance
Saturday, July 28, 2007
For Lyon County Extension Agent Michele Koenig, life is all about 4-H.
Koenig, who became an extension agent on June 11, is in charge of 4-H youth development.
She is a recent graduate of South Dakota State University, where she earned her degree in sociology. She had been to the Lyon County area when she went on an exchange trip through 4-H in her senior year of high school.
She spotted the extension position in Lyon County on a national job page and decided to go for it. She got the job and now is sharing her knowledge with Lyon County youth.
Koenig is originally from Ruthton, Minn. She grew up on a farm outside of town. Until she was in middle school her family ran a dairy. They also grew soybeans, wheat, oats and alfalfa. Koenig has her roots in 4-H, having been in the program nine years when she was a youth.
“I started when I was 10,” Koenig said.
Koenig’s 4-H project was in horses. She showed a horse in events such as barrels and poles. She got to take her Arabian horse, Ginger, to the state show several years, Koenig said.
“Ginger is the only horse I ever showed in 4-H,” Koenig said, adding that Ginger, who is 15, was recently sold, but to a family friend.
Koenig likes all aspects of 4-H, she said.
“I like everything,” she said. “It’s great for the kids to build skills necessary to being out in the real world. Just the people skills that you need to have to succeed.”
Koenig now is returning all the lessons she learned in 4-H by working with 4-H members here. With the Lyon County Free Fair in full swing by this weekend, Koenig is on an upward learning curve.
“Right now I’m learning a lot,” she said. “I’m helping out with the fair.”
After the fair, Koenig has many responsibilities to tackle such as 4-H camp, working with the ambassador program and meeting people in the community.
Koenig is excited about her position.
“This county is bigger than the one I grew up in,” she said. “It’s fun to see all the differences.”
One of the big differences between Lyon County and Koenig’s home is the heat.
“It’s way hotter here,” she said with a smile.
Another big difference is the fair.
“The fair is a lot longer,” she said. “At home it’s only three days.”
Dedication to 4-H is very strong in Lyon County, Koenig added.
“It’s something people take very seriously,” she said. “It’s very important and I can see how important it is to a lot of people in the community.”
4-H camp here is a lot different than Koenig’s home, she said. There also are more leadership training opportunities here. Koenig still looks at her hometown 4-H fondly, however.
“The Minnesota 4-H has a good program too,” she said. “They are both highly regarded — both here and in Minnesota.”
Outside of 4-H, Koenig has many things she likes to do. She loves to travel — and that means anywhere, she said. She likes taking trips to the next state or abroad. She did two study abroad trips in college. Koenig enjoys ranch rodeos and cooking.