BROOKINGS, S.D. — SDSU Extension announces Amber Erickson is the new SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Field Operations Coordinator.
“Amber has hands-on experience and understands the role of the staff she will be serving,” explains Donna Bittiker, SDSU Extension State 4-H Program Director.
Prior to this new position, Erickson served as the SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Davison and Hanson Counties. In her new role, Erickson will work closely with Bittiker to provide training and serve as a mentor to SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisors across the state.
She will also develop and lead professional development programs for South Dakota 4-H Professionals and will guide and engage the work of county-based 4-H Promotion and Expansion Committees. Erickson will work in collaboration with the State 4-H Program Director to engage communication and serve as a liaison to County Commissioners and other stakeholder groups.
“I am eager to provide support and training through this role to my SDSU Extension colleagues,” Erickson said. “Having served in this role, I understand the work that they do and have tremendous respect for the staff who serve 4-H members, youth and families across our state. They are a generous and hard-working team of professionals.”
More about Amber Erickson
Since 2014, Erickson has served as the SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Davison and Hanson Counties. However, her connection to 4-H began a couple decades earlier.
Growing up on a cow/calf operation south of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Erickson began her 4-H career at age 8 showing beef cattle and then expanded her involvement to include photography, other static exhibits, camps and leadership positions.
“4-H is an organization that helped mold me into who I am today,” Erickson said. “It is my hope that I can work with our team to help cultivate similar experiences for youth throughout our state. 4-H does a great job of helping youth discover their passions and empowers them to achieve their dreams and goals.”
Erickson holds a bachelor of science in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota.
To learn more about how you can become involved in SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Programming as a member or volunteer, contact your local SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor. A complete listing can be found at iGrow.org under the Field Staff icon.
More about South Dakota 4-H
SDSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program is a partnership of federal (USDA), state (Land Grant University), and county resources through youth outreach activities of SDSU Extension. Youth learn and experience Leadership, Health and Wellness, Science and Ag-Vocacy through a network of professional staff and volunteers reaching more than 9,000 enrolled members with yearly programming efforts to an additional 35,000 youth participants.
— SDSU Extension
For more news from South Dakota, click here.