By Erv Skaar
September, 2009
Some of you reading this may recall that I worked with Jean Anderson for many years on county extension programs (now called University of Minnesota extension). Before Jean, I started work there with Elaine Komula, a wonderful lady of Finnish extraction. Agnette Duncan and Mrs. David Oakland also served a number of years. The county home economist and the county agricultural agent worked together on the 4-H youth development programs. In addition to homemaking, extension was involved in community development programs such as rural development and housing, agricultural production, dairy, livestock, and crop production programs. We worked with the county extension committee to develop programs for the extension program plan of work each year. Some of the early members of the extension committee included Robert Moody, Robert Lund, George Sundberg, Helen Johnson, Mrs. Orville Myrom, Lloyd Staven, Dorothy Munkberg, Lyle Schleif, Jeanne Johnson (author of On the Banks of the Rum!), and Florence Soderberg.
When Jean Anderson came to the county, the 4-H program grew to over 800 members and we were able to convince the county extension committee to consider requesting a 4-H agent. Working with the county board of commission and the University of Minnesota, Melissa Cummins was hired as the first full-time 4-H extension agent in Isanti County. When she left and went out to the state of Washington to work with the Farm Home administration, Valerie Malmquist was hired as 4-H agent.
After I retired from county extension work, Elaine Glidden, the liaison person with Family Services and the Senior Activities Program at the time, recruited me to serve on the Isanti County Commission on Aging Board. I have served in various capacities including member of the board, board president, bus driver, and volunteer driver. These experiences showed me the importance of Isanti County’s senior programs and allowed me to remain active in the community after my retirement.
When Curtis Klint was appointed superintendent of the vegetable potato department of the Minnesota State Fair back in 1987, he asked me to help him. After nineteen years with the department I retired again and was recognized by the State Fair for over 50 years of service to the Minnesota State Fair. This year I was walking down to the Agriculture/Horticulture Building on the first Sunday of the State Fair. I walked past the University of Minnesota booth, and they were asking my replacement, Phil Klint, about the pumpkin contest in the vegetable department. He saw me and recognized me as the old superintendent, and it was great to see him. He took me to the southwest part of the building and showed me the vegetable display and all the large pumpkins. This year the winner was 1,186 pounds. The public is always impressed with the size of the giant pumpkins.
It was a surprise this year when I visited the display to see my son on display with the vegetables. One of the workers had been at the National Guard deployment in Rosemount last April and had a picture of my son made into a poster since he had worked with them in the vegetable department the last several years. They put a blue ribbon on it with a note that said "1st place in our hearts." He is currently serving in Iraq with the 34th Red Bull Division Band.
I have gotten to work with a lot of interesting people over the years through all of these programs. It's enjoyable to think about where we've all been.
[Note from Cart to Cupboard: Erv also has a well-deserved place in our hearts!]
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