By Scout Nelson
North Dakota 4-H clubs across 19 counties were recognized for helping young members learn and practice healthy habits during the 2025-2026 program year. The Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs program recognized clubs that included nutrition, fitness, or health activities in their regular meetings.
A total of 34 4-H clubs, representing 734 members, earned the Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs designation. Clubs had to include at least one nutrition or fitness activity during six or more regular meetings to receive the recognition.
The Valley Friends 4-H Club in Barnes County was one example. Its 15 members adopted a healthy snack policy and tried activities such as geocaching and outdoor scavenger hunts. The club also participated in a Tractor Safety Program and helped the community by putting together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Eight clubs also completed the Family Mealtime Challenge. The month-long challenge encouraged members to share more meals with their families at home. Family meals can support healthy eating, school performance, and positive behavior.
“These clubs have made a difference in their clubs and in their communities,” says Julie Garden-Robinson, North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs program coordinator. “When children practice healthy habits at a young age, the practices can be sustainable throughout their lives.”
The program also showed the long-term work of many 4-H clubs. Four clubs received the healthy club recognition for the first time, while some clubs had continued the program for many years. The longest record among this year’s recognized clubs reached 16 consecutive years.
Each member who earned the designation received a certificate of achievement and a small prize. The recognition gave clubs an opportunity to celebrate their work while encouraging members to continue healthy activities.
The recognized clubs came from Adams, Barnes, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Divide, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, Mercer, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Sheridan, Steele, Stutsman and Williams counties.
Adams County’s Adventurers has 16 members and received recognition for four years. Barnes County’s Valley Friends has 15 members and fourteenth-year recognition, along with completion of the Family Mealtime Challenge.
Burleigh County had Bowmasters with 55 members and three years of recognition, Clover Power with 13 members and five years, Meadowlarks with 18 members and six years, and Silver Colts with eight members and 16 years. Clover Power and Silver Colts completed the Family Mealtime Challenge.
Cass County recognized Golden Clovers with 19 members and four years and Kindred Sandburrs with 45 members and eight years. Dickey County’s Fullerton Achievers had 17 members and one year of recognition. Divide County’s Roughriders had 16 members and four years and completed the challenge.
LaMoure County’s Cloverleafs had 30 members and 14 years. Logan County’s Napoleon Dynamite had 24 members and one year.
McHenry County recognized Balfour Roughriders with 15 members and 10 years and Velva Guys and Gals with 26 members and six years. Balfour Roughriders completed the challenge. Mercer County’s Star Equestrians had 13 members and four years, while Pembina County’s Crystal Clovers had 33 members and four years.
Ramsey County’s Country Kids had 14 members and five years, while Royal Rowdies had 28 members and three years.
Ransom County had five recognized clubs: Aliceton, with 24 members and 15 years, completed the challenge; McLeod Ag had 40 members and three years; Sandy Critters had 13 members and seven years; Sheyenne Braves had 35 members and two years; and Tri-County Ag had 32 members and 12 years.
Richland County’s Helping Hands had six members and nine years. Sargent County’s Busy Bobcats had 15 members and five years.
Sheridan County’s Bits and Bridles had 11 members and one year and completed the challenge, while Clever Clovers had 13 members and four years.
Steele County recognized Country Blossoms with 15 members and one year, 4-H Promoters with 29 members and one year, and Wildlife Explorers with 35 members and three years.
Stutsman County’s Country Kids had 17 members and eight years and completed the challenge. Moon Lake had 13 members and six years, while Prairie Winds had 18 members and one year. Williams County’s Clever Clovers had 42 members and two years.
The program received funding for nutrition education from several North Dakota commodity groups and Rural Health Transformation funding from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.
“We are grateful for the funding provided for nutrition education programs by several North Dakota commodity groups and from the Rural Health Transformation funding from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, which helps make these programs possible,” says Garden-Robinson.
Clubs interested in the 2026-2027 North Dakota Healthy 4-H Clubs program can contact their NDSU Extension county office or the North Dakota Center for 4-H Youth Development. North Dakota 4-H is a program of NDSU Extension.
Photo Credit: 4-h
Categories: North Dakota, General