Twin Cities farm girl takes over Steele County 4-H role

Don’t let location fool you.

Steele County’s new 4-H program coordinator has a hometown of Oakdale, a suburb located in the middle of the Twin Cities. Despite being from the heart of the city, Kelsey Erf can be considered a farm girl as she grew up on a dairy farm located in the middle of several housing subdivisions and the only farm in Oakdale.

“We were the first there,” Erf proudly said of her mother’s farm. She noted the farm, which is located just off I-694, has been in the family for 103 years, though it’s not considered a century farm because of its size. At this point, her family’s farm is considered a hobby farm with about 18 heifers. They used to grow corn and alfalfa.

“The neighbors call us if the heifers get out,” Erf said pointing out that the farm is so close to other neighbors surrounding them. People walk by their farm all the time as they have a pasture lined with a white fence. “We’re well liked when nobody can smell it,” she said with a chuckle.

“I grew up with the best of both worlds,” she said, adding she got to experience city life while at the same time enjoying agriculture in the heart of the city.

Besides having dairy in her blood, Erf also has family ties with Extension. The University of Minnesota Extension operates the 4-H program in Minnesota. Erf’s mother and aunt both work for Extension in Washington County.

During her childhood, Erf was actively involved with 4-H in Washington County. “Four-H was a huge part of our lives,” she said. “As soon as I could walk, I was going to Cloverbud events.”

While in 4-H, Erf took part in many projects, including dairy, poultry, sheep, animal science, gardening and arts and crafts. Her favorite project was dairy, which led her to various shows on the county, state and national levels. She was involved in dairy judging, which she credits as “building my passion for dairy.”

After graduating from Stillwater High School in 2019, Erf attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where she majored in dairy science. She graduated from SDSU in May.

Erf had planned to go into dairy communications, but after serving as a 4-H summer coordinator for Washington County this past summer, she decided to pursue a full-time career in 4-H. She took over the reigns of Steele County’s 4-H program on Sept. 18 by joining Tracy Ignaszewski in leading the program. Because of Steele County’s high participation in the 4-H program, the county offers two full-time coordinators.

“I loved it a whole lot more than I thought I would,” Erf said of getting involved with the 4-H program as a professional career. “I thought I would be a volunteer, but I didn’t think I would be running a program,” she said, adding, “I didn’t think I would end up here, but I’m glad I did.”

Erf will be spending the next several months getting acquainted with Steele County’s 4-H program. She will work closely with Ignaszewski in splitting responsibilities. “I will learn a little of everything,” Erf said.

One of Erf’s first projects will be to lead the 354 Club, which was started last year by Ignaszewski and includes third, fourth and fifth graders. Erf explained that the club was started to get children involved with 4-H before they drift away and find other interests. There are currently 30 children involved, but Erf hopes to increase that number.

Erf will also focus on three days of activities every month at NRHEG Elementary School in Ellendale. She will touch around 400 students within three days by providing 25-minute sessions as part of “community outreach.”

The new coordinator got a taste of the local 4-H program earlier this summer by attending the Steele County Free Fair. “I’m blown away by the passion they have for the program,” said Erf. “They put on a super high-quality program.”

Currently, Steele County has about 550 kids involved in 4-H, excluding those involved in school-related programs put on by 4-H. Erf said enrollment in 4-H is back to pre-COVID numbers and growing. 

Erf admits she has lots to learn, but she is eager to get to know all the kids and volunteers in the 4-H program.

She credits 4-H has helping her grow as a leader. “It helped me find the voice as a leader,” Erf said.

“I think I’ve found my calling,” Erf said. “I love 4-H and I believe in the program. I hope this is something long-term.”