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Hello! My name is Lesley Rygaard the new SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Bon Homme and Charles Mix County! I am from Winner, SD where I grew up participating in 4-H for all 11 years. Some of my favorite memories in 4-H were showing horses and beef, making crafts and different foods, and presenting public presentations. From showcasing your art skills, or showing an animal in the ring, to building your leadership skills, I loved all the aspects of 4-H and the fact that there truly is something for everyone. In conjunction with my involvement in 4-H, I was also involved in FFA in high school which is where I grew and deepened my passion for agriculture and agriculture literacy. My high school involvement in 4-H projects and my FFA Chapter drove me to pursue a bachelor's degree in agricultural education and animal science from South Dakota State University. Throughout college I interned with Tripp county 4-H and SDSU extension 4-H. Immediately following graduation, I taught agriculture education in northern Nebraska and later moved and worked on a small ranch in southern Nebraska with my husband for two years. I'm excited to be back in South Dakota, and closer to our families, as my husband and I just welcomed our new little girl into our family in early September. We are both excited to be a part of a new community and look forward to connecting with other families and supporters of 4-H. I am excited to get to work with the communities and watch youth grow in the 4-H programs throughout the year. Feel free to stop into the 4-H office and say hi I would love to get to know you!
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November is a month associated with many things—the last of our beautiful fall foliage, winter weather sets in, honoring our veterans, and celebrating Thanksgiving. At Thanksgiving, we gather around the table and celebrate things we’re grateful for like our home, safety, freedoms, and our loved ones.
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If there is a simpler and more effective way of doing something, that’s how it should be done. Republicans put this principle into practice five years ago with our pro-growth tax reform that simplified the tax code, lowered rates, and reduced South Dakotans’ tax bills. The fact that most South Dakotans were able to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks while the federal government has collected record- high revenues helps prove that the Republican plan worked.
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For most of us, we hope to never need help from emergency responders. But when our darkest moments come, we depend on them to be there for us. And they answer the call. They put their lives on the line to help others every day. Wherever you live – whatever and wherever your emergency may be –every South Dakotan can be taken care of in an emergency.
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