SAUK R RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 | Page 1B
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Sauk Rapids Herald
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019
A leader for Minnesota’s 4-H program Skuza takes on role within organization
Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag
Langer raises goats, sheep as hobby BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
BY DANNA SABOLIK STAFF WRITER
SAUK CENTRE – University of Minnesota Extension had been in search of a youth development associate dean and state 4-H director and found one of their own to assume responsibility – Jennifer Skuza. Skuza served as the assistant dean of the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development for the past six years and has been able to learn the ropes firsthand. In this position, she helped lead the Minnesota 4-H program and was responsible for initiatives, reaching new audiences, research and evaluation. Skuza, a Sauk Rapids-Rice graduate and PhD, has always been interested in serving youth and communities. She has been involved with youth development for more than 20 years as her journey with Extension began in southwestern Minnesota. There, she encountered an influx of newcomers and changing communities due to migration. “With the increase in
A part-time farmer
Jennifer Skuza
agricultural employment in that region, there were many newcomers at that time which is really what piqued my interest in both new populations and those that lived in the region for generations, and how 4-H can be used as a tool to help new families adjust to a community while positively impacting the lives of youth from diverse backgrounds,” Skuza said. Skuza then moved to the Twin Cities metro area, where she established the Minnesota Urban 4-H Youth Development program. In this position, she grew 4-H in urban communities by working with a team of staff, community partners, parents, volunteers and youth leaders Stepping up the youth development ladder,
Skuza page 2B
RICE – When you arrive at John Langer’s home on 15th Avenue Northeast in Rice, you will be greeted with noise and looks of curiosity from 100 goats and sheep and their offspring. “I have had a handful of goats over the years, but nothing this big until now,” Langer said. “I enjoy having them around, especially the babies.” Langer began raising goats and sheep in 2013, and, as he added more animals, his love for the creatures grew and turned into a hobby. Langer had raised pigs, as well, but now uses the goats and sheep to keep the barn filled. For 10 months of the year, Langer’s farm duties are minute, with morning and evening chores taking about 15 minutes each. In March and April, the hobby is more complicated. “Lambing and kidding season is pretty chaotic around here,” Langer said. “Kidding usually starts March 1 and lambing is usually late March or early April. I had 10 pens set up
PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
John Langer holds a lamb May 14 in Rice. Langer had 50 kids and lambs this year. He plans to keep 10 and sell the rest.
for lambing and kidding this year and installed a security system so I could watch them from my phone at work on breaks. If I saw one coming in, I could text my mom, and she would go check on it.” The hobby started with four goats. Today, Langer’s barn is full a
variety of breeds including babydoll Southdown sheep and Anglo-Nubian goats. “The main difference in all of my breeds is size,” Langer said. “I sell them mainly, but will butcher some on my own for the meat, too. I have a buyer right now that I can call when I have animals the
size he wants, and I don’t have to take a day off to go to the sales barn. He just comes out and gets them from the farm.” Langer has a relationship with a buyer in the area who wants any animals over 2 years in age
Langer page 2B
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