Submitted Photo The 4-H Pollinator Habitat Ambassadors for North Dakota are shown during their visit to Washington, D.C., including a meeting with Sen. Kevin Cramer and Congressman Kelly Armstrong. From left to right are chaperone Laura Devick, Kaylee Kemp, Sarah Potts, Sam Devick, Cramer, Katherine Troutman, Hannah Myrdal, Katherine Arnold and chaperone Brenden Klebe.

Three north central and northwest North Dakota 4-H members are among six in the state selected for the 2022 North Dakota 4-H Pollinator Habitat Ambassador team.

Those selected are: Sarah Potts, Ward County; Katherine Arnold, Pierce County; Katherine Troutman, Williams County; Kaylee Kemp, Pembina County; Sam Devick, Cass County; and Hannah Myrdal, Walsh County.

North Dakota 4-H received a National 4-H Council grant in collaboration with Corteva Agriscience for the 4-H Pollinator Habitat Ambassador Program (4-H PHA). The program works to prepare the next generation of pollinator experts by connecting local 4-H programs and grantee-identified community organizations to plan and install pollinator habitats.

Through national and local learning experiences, the teen leaders learn about the importance of pollinators and why they are essential to the ecosystem and for crops worldwide that depend on pollination. Additionally, they learn how to plan, install and work together to sustain pollinator habitats. As a result, these North Dakota 4-H PHAs learn more about their community and the resources it takes to plan and launch a project.

“In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people,” says Leigh Ann Skurupey, interim chair of the Center for 4-H Youth Development. “We see that every child has strengths and real influence to improve their communities and the world around us.”

The first action item for the North Dakota 4-H PHA delegates was to attend the National 4-H Agri-Science Summit held near Washington, D.C., March 10-14. 4-H members had the opportunity to participate in over 20 workshops to discuss agri-science issues impacting communities and economy. The event culminated with 4-H members developing local action plans to create positive change. Nearly 300 teens from 33 states and Puerto Rico attended the summit.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this N.D. 4-H PHA team and how they represented our great state during the Agri-Science Summit,” said Skurupey. “The 4-H PHA team and their chaperones, Laura Devick, a parent volunteer from Cass County, and Brenden Klebe, the agriculture and natural resources NDSU Extension agent for Pierce County, were able to experience some neat opportunities that included meeting Senator Kevin Cramer and Congressman Kelly Armstrong. These 4-H PHA members also worked to brainstorm some fantastic ideas to lead change this summer.”

The North Dakota 4-H Pollinator Habitat Ambassadors team has four open seats. Those interested can email Skurupey at LeighAnn.Skurupey@ndsu.edu for an application.