BRODHEAD - She grew up on a farm in Rio and hails from a three-generation 4-H family. But for Ellen Andrews, who is more than happy to get her hands dirty, her top memory has nothing to do with blue ribbons for showing hogs or milking cows. It has to do with a fashion show.
"I participated in one at the (Wisconsin) State Fair and I was just thrilled," said Andrews, 34, who in October was named Green County's 4-H youth development coordinator. "The animal projects are still thriving, but don't forget that 4-H means a lot of things - there's rocketry, there's photography, there's robotics, and more.
"I have heard so many times, "I don't live on a farm, but can I still join?'"
The answer is a resounding yes.
"I made the most of the leadership opportunities," she said. "I enjoyed the demonstrations and the public speaking most of all and the life lessons I learned. I'll never forget when I gave a speech that didn't go right from the first word, so I just sat down. I learned the hard way that quitters aren't allowed, and I never did so again."
Especially with 4-H, where she's already logged 11 years of service in four counties, coming most recently from Calumet County where she's held the same title the last seven years. Her office, which is run through the University of Wisconsin-Extension, is in Monroe's Justice Center. Andrews lives in Brodhead.
She said she jumped at the chance to come to Green County for many reasons, one of which is to be on board with one the state's best 4-H settings.
"In a place like this, a coordinator doesn't often leave - there is only one per county and you'll see them stay in place as long as 20 years," Andrews said. "There are 18 clubs throughout the county, which is more than most. The middle pieces are solid, so I'll be focused on sharpening our philosophy and working with the schools and the government agencies in the name of promoting youth development."
The other big reason involves the opportunity to be a rock star as far as her husband's family is concerned. You see, Bryan Andrews is a Monroe native, so the in-laws are thrilled with the couple's return to the area, with its 4-year-old daughter, Mickaelynn, in tow.
"They actually set us up," Ellen Andrews said of Bryan's parents. "I was working with 4-H in Lafayette County and they invited me to a church event, where we met. Apparently they felt I was good enough."
Ironically, Bryan Andrews is still commuting from up north, so Ellen Andrews isn't shy about asking for occasional baby-sitting help.
"Another one of the perks," she said. "But I've had a lot of night meetings working with our volunteers."
One of those was Monday, despite it being a holiday. Juda's Krista Bethke is the leader of the parents who give their time and has been part of 4-H for 36 years.
Does she think Andrews is a good fit?
"Yes," she said. "And I just know - that's how long I've been around it."
Feedback from her daughter, Abby, has helped with that determination.
"She's trying to become a camp counselor, and with that comes a lot of responsibility," Bethke said. "She told me, "She (Ellen) is really engaged with us. She takes it seriously.'"
So does the multi-letter-named Mickaelynn, Andrews said of her own daughter with a laugh, because she's already been toted to so many 4-H events.
"She's already throwing my 4-H terms back at me," Andrews said. "She'll know all about it before she's able to spell her own name, which she'll hate us for when that times comes."
"I participated in one at the (Wisconsin) State Fair and I was just thrilled," said Andrews, 34, who in October was named Green County's 4-H youth development coordinator. "The animal projects are still thriving, but don't forget that 4-H means a lot of things - there's rocketry, there's photography, there's robotics, and more.
"I have heard so many times, "I don't live on a farm, but can I still join?'"
The answer is a resounding yes.
"I made the most of the leadership opportunities," she said. "I enjoyed the demonstrations and the public speaking most of all and the life lessons I learned. I'll never forget when I gave a speech that didn't go right from the first word, so I just sat down. I learned the hard way that quitters aren't allowed, and I never did so again."
Especially with 4-H, where she's already logged 11 years of service in four counties, coming most recently from Calumet County where she's held the same title the last seven years. Her office, which is run through the University of Wisconsin-Extension, is in Monroe's Justice Center. Andrews lives in Brodhead.
She said she jumped at the chance to come to Green County for many reasons, one of which is to be on board with one the state's best 4-H settings.
"In a place like this, a coordinator doesn't often leave - there is only one per county and you'll see them stay in place as long as 20 years," Andrews said. "There are 18 clubs throughout the county, which is more than most. The middle pieces are solid, so I'll be focused on sharpening our philosophy and working with the schools and the government agencies in the name of promoting youth development."
The other big reason involves the opportunity to be a rock star as far as her husband's family is concerned. You see, Bryan Andrews is a Monroe native, so the in-laws are thrilled with the couple's return to the area, with its 4-year-old daughter, Mickaelynn, in tow.
"They actually set us up," Ellen Andrews said of Bryan's parents. "I was working with 4-H in Lafayette County and they invited me to a church event, where we met. Apparently they felt I was good enough."
Ironically, Bryan Andrews is still commuting from up north, so Ellen Andrews isn't shy about asking for occasional baby-sitting help.
"Another one of the perks," she said. "But I've had a lot of night meetings working with our volunteers."
One of those was Monday, despite it being a holiday. Juda's Krista Bethke is the leader of the parents who give their time and has been part of 4-H for 36 years.
Does she think Andrews is a good fit?
"Yes," she said. "And I just know - that's how long I've been around it."
Feedback from her daughter, Abby, has helped with that determination.
"She's trying to become a camp counselor, and with that comes a lot of responsibility," Bethke said. "She told me, "She (Ellen) is really engaged with us. She takes it seriously.'"
So does the multi-letter-named Mickaelynn, Andrews said of her own daughter with a laugh, because she's already been toted to so many 4-H events.
"She's already throwing my 4-H terms back at me," Andrews said. "She'll know all about it before she's able to spell her own name, which she'll hate us for when that times comes."