Emily Ovrebo is the new Faribault County Extension Educator and 4-H youth director. She is currently working hard preparing for the Faribault County Fair in July.

Growing up, being involved in 4-H was a big part of Emily Ovrebo’s life. Now, as the Faribault County Extension Educator, 4-H youth director, she has been given the opportunity to continue her involvement with the youth who are members of that organization.

“I grew up on a farm outside of New Richland and attended New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva School,” Ovrebo comments. “We had some cattle and I showed pigs in 4-H in addition to having other 4-H projects.”

She was also a junior leader, a 4-H ambassador and held many club officer positions.

“In 2014, I worked as a summer intern in Freeborn County,” she adds.

After graduating from high school, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in ag communications from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota.

She will celebrate her second wedding anniversary to Taylor Ovrebo this August.

“Taylor and I live in Wells and have a seven-month old daughter named Brynn,” she shares. “At some point in the future we will probably move out to Taylor’s family farm.”

Prior to beginning her job with the county in February of this year, Ovrebo worked at Good Steward Consulting in Albert Lea for over four years.

There are a couple of old sayings. One of them is, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Another saying mentions, “Being in the right place at the right time.”

Those two sayings help explain how Ovrebo came to get the job in Faribault County.

“My mother-in-law, Mary, was at a Blue Earth Area versus United South Central basketball game last winter and happened to be sitting by Michelle Boness-Hahn, who was the person who previously had been the Extension Educator,” Ovrebo explains. “Michelle mentioned they were having trouble finding someone to take her place and Mary told her she thought I might be interested.”

Ovrebo was, and since accepting the job much of her time has been spent preparing for this year’s Faribault County Fair.

“There is so much background work to do to get ready,” she comments. “Then, once the entry day is done, it’s really off to the races.”

Since she did not grow up in this county, she is not familiar with this fair.

“There are a lot of pieces that have to come together to ensure we have a successful event for our youth, our families and everyone who attends the fair,” she says.

Not having any experience with the Faribault County Fair makes Ovrebo extremely thankful for her coworkers at the Extension office.

“Megan Cook is the secretary and will be celebrating her first anniversary at the job soon. Lauren Schavey, who was active in 4-H in this county her whole life, is our summer intern,” Ovrebo mentions. “I am so grateful to have those two on board with me. I don’t know what I would do without them.”

One thing Ovrebo says they are working hard on is the 4-H Food Stand.

“We are giving the building a good cleaning and parts of it will be getting a fresh coat of paint,” Ovrebo comments. “We will be offering new, more inviting food options. The 4-H Food Stand is our only fundraiser for the year so it is important we do things well. We really want to showcase local producers and businesses who have helped out with the food stand.”

When the fair is over, she says work will begin on planning a fall rally and the annual 4-H banquet. Ovrebo shares she will also be working with after-school offerings through the Community Ed programs at the local schools.

“We need to have a good understanding of what the community has to offer,” she says. “I am excited the Master Gardeners are getting involved and hope we can find other individuals or groups who are willing to volunteer their time to help us.”

Involvement and volunteers. Ovrebo notes those two words help sum up where she wants to concentrate her efforts in her new job.

“Whether it’s getting more kids to attend 4-H youth camps or getting them to be camp counselors, I want to work to get more people involved and excited about 4-H,” she offers. “We need to reach the younger kids and get them started at an earlier age.”

She would also like to see a 4-H club return to Wells.

“It is good for kids to be active and interested in worthwhile projects,” she sums up. “4-H is a great way to accomplish those things.”