More than $50,000 was raised over the weekend for 4-H programming, a testament to Mower County’s dedication to educating and enriching young people.

The amount raised Saturday surpassed last year’s total by nearly $8,000.

In a time when young people are leaving rural communities more and more, programs like 4-H teach youth values and skills that have expanded on the organization’s largely farm-related instruction decades ago.

From cooking to photography to public speaking, 4-H offers a wide selection of activities to build strong values, citizenship, leadership and life-long skills, while still maintaining its traditional and most recognized projects, like showing livestock at county and state fairs.

Mower County 4-H clubs had a strong showing at the fair last week, evidence the organization is still strong and relevant to our local youth.