Meet the new 4-H Ambassadors — Megan von Helf, Molley Dickson and Ashley von Helf. Photos submitted

Here are our new 4-H Ambassadors!

The Lassen County 4-H Council announces the 2023-2024 4-H Ambassadors. As a 4-H member the highest local rank that is possible is the County Ambassador. The council accepted and reviewed the applications of Ashley von Helf, Megan von Helf and Molly Dickson. These young ladies have been in 4-H for many years and participated in various projects to build their leadership skills, knowledge of animal care and developed skills in different life skills.

Meet the new 4-H Ambassadors
The girls are excited to start the new program year and have written brief biographies to introduce themselves.

Ashley von Helf
Howdy, y’all. I am Ashley von Helf, and I am one of this year’s County Ambassadors. I am 17 years old, and I am a senior at Lassen High School. I have been in 4-H for eight years and have been showing animals for longer than I can remember. I have been in many projects like quilting, cooking, sheep, and steers.

I have shown sheep, steers, goats, dogs, swine and dairy cattle all at the Lassen County Fair. Not all in the same year of course. I love the showmanship classes especially sheep. All of which were from my flock that has quickly grown in number.

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Along with my animals, I also enjoy trap shooting. Last year I won the award for the best female shooter. Let me tell you, that was the most expensive award I have won yet.

Molly Dickson
Hey, there! I am Molly Dickson and this is my 11th year in Richmond 4-H. I have been selected to be a Lassen County Ambassador for this coming year.

Did you know that 4-H has many different projects for members? Some of the projects that I participated in include quilting, arts and crafts, clover buds and shooting sports. Then there are the animal projects. I have shown swine and rabbits in the past. The project that I have really excelled in is poultry, I have been in the project for 11 years and am a teen leader for the project, helping several clubs get their members ready for fair. I enjoy helping others with their birds. Thanks to the variety of experiences, I have been fortunate to win small animal master showman for 4-H the last two years at the Lassen County Fair.

I am very excited to have the opportunity to be one of the 2023-24 Lassen County Ambassadors. My goal as an ambassador is to create positive experiences for new and returning members so they can view 4-H the way I do — as a great program that grows the future of our community. I plan to represent the Lassen County 4-H program as an ambassador so I can promote and encourage people to continue viewing 4-H as a positive youth activity for kids to learn and develop skills they can use throughout their lives.

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I can’t wait to give back to the organization that has given so many wonderful experiences to me. The 4-H motto is “To Make the Best Better.” That’s exactly what we have planned this year as ambassadors, to make this year one of the best for our members.

Megan von Helf
Hi, there. My name is Megan von Helf. I am 15 years old and this is my eighth year in 4-H. I am a member of Richmond 4-H and I am the club historian. I currently hold a platinum star rank and am excited to be one of the 2023-2024 Lassen County 4-H Ambassadors.

I love 4-H and what it has to offer. I love raising animals and showing them at the Lassen County Fair. I have shown sheep, goats, beef cattle, dairy cattle and dogs. I have my own breeding sheep program and love showing lambs at the fair. This year at the Lassen County Fair I showed my dog, lambs and dairy cattle. I also participated in 4-H small animal master showmanship. I also got to participate in the 4-H large animal master showmanship and was awarded first place.

I am very honored to get the opportunity of being one of the Lassen County 4-H Ambassadors. I love working with Molly and Ashley and can’t wait for our friendship to grow stronger through our experiences. We have been in quilting, arts and crafts and shooting sports together.

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The ambassadors will be leading a Beginning 4-H project to help new 4-H members get a start on their 4-H adventure through joining projects, starting a record book and learning the opportunities through the premier youth development program in the world.

Community invited to 4-H Open House Tuesday, Aug. 22 at Farmer’s Supply
The ambassadors invite the community to join them from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Tractor Supply, 142 Robs Way, for the annual 4-H Open House. This is an opportunity to meet members and leaders of the various clubs throughout Lassen County.

There will be information about the projects available in each club, as well as the countywide project open to all regardless of club membership.

After the Open House the members will  head over to the Lassen County Fairgrounds for the Carcass Contest Awards and check dispersal. The animals sold at fair were given an ultrasound. The measurement of meat, fat and bone structure is evaluated against established standards and the best carcass of each species is determined. The winner of each species wins a belt buckle. All members who sold their animals at the Junior Livestock Auction can pick up their sales check after the meeting is over.

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Thank you to 2022-2023 Ambassadors
The council would like to thank the 2022-2023 Ambassadors, Maddi Johnson and Lily Ammon for their service this last year. Thank you for leaving a lasting legacy for our community.

If you would like to know more about the opportunities of Lassen County 4-H, call Darcy Hanson, 4-H Community Education Specialist, at (530) 251-8285 or email [email protected].