New 4-H program assistant brings enthusiasm

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. --Monie Brehmer really believes in the benefits of 4-H and the opportunities it offers the youth of Stoddard County. It was why she decided to leave the family farm south of Dexter to take the job as 4-H youth program assistant, a part-time job at the Missouri Extension Service office in Bloomfield. This is the first time she has taken a job outside the home.

"I love kids," says Brehmer. "I want to see them succeed." She adds that youth need a boost to their self-confidence, and 4-H can help.

Stoddard County has been without a county program assistant since the retirement of Clara Green in Sept. 2012. Brehmer began work Nov. 4. She wants to get the word out that 4-H isn't just about agriculture and the Stoddard County Fair.

"It is about responsibility, leadership and community involvement," says Brehmer. "It has something for everyone."

Brehmer says the youth in 4-H "run their own club." They come up with ideas and determine what projects they want to undertake, after consulting the adult leaders.

"Parents of 4-H kids are very involved," notes Brehmer, though she adds that youth can still participate even if their parents are not able to be involved.

"We never turn down any kids because there are other parents who will help," says Brehmer.

There are statewide events available to 4-H members including the State Congress for 14-19 year-olds and the State Teen Conference for 11-13 year-olds. There is also a Citizenship Forum for 4-H members.

Brehmer and her husband, J.T., got involved in 4-H in 2000, 13 years ago. The family that was overseeing the Star Banner 4-H Club in Dexter was looking for someone to take over the club. The Brehmers had two children, who would become very involved in 4-H, so they made the decision to take on the responsibility. They began meeting at their church, Faith Lutheran Church which is behind the Bearcat Event Center. The club still meets there.

"I was never in 4-H growing up," Brehmer explains.

Her husband, however, had grown up in the Star Banner Club.

"We started with five kids," remembers Brehmer.

Meagan, the Brehmer's only daughter, became very active from the beginning. She went on to be the SE Regional Representative to the State Council and the State Representative in 2010. Prior to her, Jennifer Johns served as State Representative in 2009. Meagan was active in all aspects of 4-H, including public speaking and showing livestock. She is an avid equestrian, now in her senior year in college.

Brehmer's son, Will, has also been active in 4-H from early on. He is a freshman at Dexter High School. The Brehmers raised cattle for a time on their farm, but now lease the pasture. Still, Will is able to raise and groom livestock for the County Fair.

The farm is home to 4B Kennels. They breed Golden Retrievers.

"It started as a way for the kids to earn money," says Brehmer. "Our kids were never given anything without putting working for it."

Both Meagan and Will worked in the kennel to earn money. The money earned was used by Meagan to help with college expenses and to buy a car. Will also plans to buy a car with his earnings and save for college.

Brehmer said with the absence of Meagan and the travel required by J.T.'s work, they have now downsized the kennel. That is one of the reasons she was able to take the job as youth program assistant.

There are seven 4-H clubs in the county. They are the Crowley Ridge 4-H Club in Bloomfield, Star Banner 4-H Club in Dexter, The Show Me Club in Dexter, the Advance Clovers, the 4-H Rider Club in Puxico, the Stoddard County Swine Club and the Puxico Warriors.

Brehmer also points to the scholarship opportunities offered by 4-H. There are over 100 scholarships available. The more involved the members are at the state level, the better chance they have of earning a scholarship.

The big event coming up in the county is the Recognition Banquet planned for Dec. 7. Members from the county 4-H clubs submit project forms that are judged and evaluated by an outside group of individuals. Winners of the awards in a variety of categories will be announced at the banquet. Also chosen will be the outstanding officers. An award will be presented for the top club president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and reporter from the county will be announced at that time. In years when there is a worthy 4-H member, the Missouri Key Award is presented.

Brehmer says 4-H attracts students from all walks of life and from a variety of backgrounds.

"Some of the kids are athletic, some are in band and some choose not to participate in extra-curricular activities," notes Brehmer. "It doesn't matter. When they are in 4-H they come together and encourage each other."

The Star Banner Club is currently the largest in the county with 40 members. It is the second largest in Southeast Missouri, second only to a club in Cape Girardeau.

The starting age for 4-H is five years old, which is when they can become Clover Kids. They can become members of 4-H clubs at the age of eight years.

Brehmer cites several projects of the Star Banner Club. The club raised $2,400 on Trivia Night for 18 Fore Life, they volunteer to help set up for Relay for Life, they came together to provide needed items for flood victims in 2011, helped with adoptions at the Dexter Animal Shelter and raised $500 to help with the cost of new roof and placed wreaths on gravesites at the Wreaths Across American program annually at the State Veterans Cemetery.

Brehmer is proud of the community contributions made by the club. Their fundraisers help pay dues and pay for half the costs of such things as club trips and summer camp.

"They are awesome," she states. "They never think of themselves and spend everything they raise on others."

Brehmer's parents were Bobby and Peggy Jackson. Her father was a farm manager, and the family moved several times while she was growing up. She spent much of her school-age years in Mississippi, before moving to McCrory, Ark. He father took a job managing farmland owned by the late Gaylon Lawrence in the Richland School District. She attended Richland Schools from her sophomore year until February of her senior year. They then moved back to Arkansas, and she graduated from there.

It was in Holly Grove, Ark. that she met J.T. He was working for Helm Fertilizer. They married in July 1997. J.T.'s father, John, developed cancer. J.T. and family moved back to Dexter. J.T. serves as a sales representative for Helm Fertilizer.

"I have a passion about 4-H," says Brehmer. "I want to see kids go as far as they can."

"I want to be able to keep 4-H alive in the community," she adds about her decision to take the position, "I did it for the kids."