BP teen reigns as state 4-H ambassador

For the past nine years Alexis Steckelberg has been heavily involved with the 4-H program on the local level. But just this summer she stepped it up a bit by taking on the role of becoming a state 4-H ambassador.

Steckelberg is one of 22 ambassadors from across Minnesota. She is the first ambassador from Steele County since Kalli Jensen was an ambassador in 2009.

State 4-H ambassadors are youth who want to make a difference in 4-H and in their communities. For more than 50 years, ambassadors have been role models for other 4-Hers and they serve as positive representatives of the Minnesota 4-H program. The teenagers use their skills in leadership, civic engagement, communication and teamwork to promote 4-H.

Steckelberg, who is a member of the Merry Lane 4-H Club, found out in May that she had been selected as an ambassador. She attended orientation in late July with her first job being at Farm Fest by Redwood Falls.

She then worked during the entire Minnesota State Fair except for a couple days because of school sporting conflicts back home. Steckelberg is a senior at Blooming Prairie High School.

Just as if working at the State Fair wasn’t enough, Steckelberg also won a trip with her 4-H barrow, which she earned a blue ribbon.

Wearing a green 4-H shirt, Steckelberg worked as a greeter at the front door of the 4-H Building during the State Fair. She also worked in the 4-H Information Booth just inside the building as well as being visible in the daily State Fair parade.

She said being the door greeter was her favorite aspect of being an ambassador. “You get to talk to everyone coming into the building,” said Steckelberg. “I want to make everyone feel welcomed.”

Her reign as an ambassador will end next May.

“I just felt it was a good leadership role to fill,” Steckelberg said of wanting to become an ambassador.

She describes herself as a shy person, but she hopes being an ambassador will help change that characteristic. She expects her ambassador duties will develop better public speaking skills.

“We can’t be afraid to talk to people,” she said. “I go up to people to start conversations, which is something I would have never done before. Not all strangers are scary people.”

Steckelberg plans to use her ambassador experience to “build connections with people that are going to last forever.”

She hopes other 4-Hers from Steele County will consider becoming a state ambassador.

“You don’t need to be an outgoing kid who lives on a farm,” Steckelberg said, noting ambassadors can be city kids who don’t take any livestock projects. She emphasizes the motto imprinted on t-shirts: “No farm, no problem, join 4-H.”

Being an ambassador isn’t the only activity Steckelberg is involved with. Among other things, she is president of the Blooming Prairie FFA chapter, plays on the Blossoms volleyball and softball teams and is a member of the Minnesota Honor Society.

She is the daughter of Karl and Tricia Steckelberg. The family lives on a cattle and hog farm west of Bixby.

The Steckelbergs are mentors to at least three other area 4-H families so they can experience what it’s like to show at the fairs.

Asked what her favorite highlight of 4-H is, Steckelberg laughed by saying, “All of it.”

She added she enjoys making friends and connecting with others at the state level.

Through the years, Steckelberg has found that “4-H is a leadership organization that has something for everybody.”

She highly encourages other kids to join 4-H.

“I love 4-H.”