A better 4-H building

If you grew up in Minnesota, were involved in 4-H and took a project or animal to the Minnesota State Fair, you’re familiar with the 4-H Hilton.

If you know what the 4-H Hilton is, you also know the building is very old and much deserving of significant upgrades.

Officially called the 4-H Building and situated on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, I’m not sure if it was nicknamed the 4-H Hilton because of its iconic three-story appearance, because it houses thousands of 4-Hers during the state fair or both. Either way, it’s more than just a hotel for 4-Hers; the 4-H Building houses the kitchen that provides meals during state fair encampments, the Arts-In stage, display space for 4-Hers’ exhibits and more.

When you think of everything that happens inside the 4-H Building during the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair, it truly is incredible — and now, the 4-H Building is going to be even better. Last week, the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota 4-H kicked off the public portion of a campaign to raise funds for the complete renovation of the interior of the 4-H Building.

To launch the campaign, a gala was held on the fairgrounds to showcase Minnesota 4-H, provide an overview of the renovation plans and invite friends of 4-H to give. Monika was asked to represent the animal science project at the event, and I was able to attend as her escort. In all honesty, I had no idea what to expect of the event, but I left feeling like we had been part of a truly special night.

That feeling of something special started with the people — fellow 4-H friends. I caught up with folks I saw just last week at State 4-H Project Bowl and folks I hadn’t seen since college. Everyone was shining with the excitement of what a newly renovated 4-H Building will mean for 4-H in Minnesota.

It continued with the commitments, which were highlighted during a short program. The budget for the 4-H Building project is $35 million. Sixty percent of the funds needed have already been donated by agricultural businesses. During the program, some of the donors and several of the campaign committee members spoke about the role 4-H plays in youth development and why an investment in something as tangible as the 4-H Building is so meaningful. I felt my arms prickle with goosebumps several times during the program.

Afterward, Monika said that she, too, was moved by what she heard: “It fills my heart to see people investing in a program that has helped me so much. They are ensuring that so many young people in the future will have similar opportunities to explore their interests and develop lasting skills.”

Having heard whispers about the proposed renovation at the fair last summer and now getting to see the plans, I am impressed. I love that the exterior of the building will remain the same in all its white and green glory. Built in the 1930s, the 4-H Building is one of the most recognizable buildings on the fairgrounds. (The building did a new roof last year and is getting new windows this summer.) The layout will remain similar, with the first floor dedicated to exhibit space, the stage and learning centers; the second floor will be dining; and the third floor will still be housing.

What’s new? Everything inside. New flooring. New finishes. New showers — more of them — with room to turn around. More outlets and better ventilation. As a state fair chaperone, I know those last three improvements alone will make a world of difference. It also looks like we’ll have all new bunk beds; I’m fairly certain the current bunk beds are the originals from the 1930s. If you’d like to see architectural renderings of the new interior, go to 4HBuilding.org.

I had a chance to visit with one of the architects from the firm who is overseeing the renovation. She had been a 4-Her once herself, and her young children now are in 4-H. She said she approached the renovation design with the mindset that she could very well end up staying in the 4-H Building as a chaperone herself in the near future.

Minnesota 4-H also has new ideas for how the building will be used. The renovation will allow the space to be utilized more often – not just during the 12 days of the fair. The aforementioned learning centers will include an agricultural sciences lab, a STEM lab, and a teaching kitchen.

After hearing the vision and seeing the plans, my bet is that the renovated 4-H Building will be a place 4-Hers are excited to call home, whether that’s for a state fair encampment, leadership event or summer camp.

If 4-H played a role in helping you become the person you are today or is helping your children or grandchildren learn and grow, and if you’ve ever considered giving back financially, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to a project that will support Minnesota 4-H now and for generations to come. Visit 4HBuilding.org to give.

Sadie Frericks and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minnesota. They have three children: Dan, Monika, and Daphne. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.