Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County Commissioners approved a three-year memorandum of agreement with the University of Minnesota Extension Service Tuesday that included hiring Madeline Clarke of Arlington as Brown County 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator.

NEW ULM ‒ Madeline Clarke of Arlington became the new Brown County 4-H Youth development Extension educator Tuesday after Brown County Commissioners approved a three-year agreement with the University of Minnesota Extension Service by a 4-1 vote..

The pact included .4 full-time administrative support and an additional 24 hours of admin support for fair related events and activities from July 15-Aug. 15 came on a motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Brian Braun. Brown County administrative support specialist costs are $30,865 in 2025, $31,795 in 2026 and $33,750 in 2027.

Commissioner Brian Braun supported the full-time position.

“I support 4-H. We built community with youth investments,” he said.

Citing cost, Commissioner Scott Windschitl cast a dissenting vote, saying he would support a .75 full-time position instead of a full-time 4-H/youth extension educator post that was approved.

“We cut back to .75 from a full-time job before,” he said.

According to the agreement, the extension educator/4-H youth development position costs $100,000 in 2025, $103,000 in 2026 and $106,100 in 2027. The University of Minnesota will provide employee supervision, staff development, performance management, program leadership connections to University research, enhanced programming from state and regional Extension employees, oversight for risk management and contract management, payroll and accounting services including reimbursing employees for business travel.

The County agrees to provide office space, furnishings, telephone, computer and printer, software, internet service, storage space and general office supplies.

University of Minnesota Extension Regional Director Christina Kallevig said Clarke has program development experience.

“I’m excited to get to work on workshops and wherever they may need me,” said Clarke who has bachelor and masters degrees in biology with an emphasis in ecology and plant science at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

She worked as a farm educator at Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista, as an MSU Mankato Aquatic Weed Science Research Assistant, biology teaching assistant and animal care provider and a farm share assistant at Cedar Crate Farm, Waldorf.