Extension work fit Handegaard’s mission like a hand in a glove

By Matt Bewley | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, April 14, 2007

Looking back on his 30-year career with the University of Minnesota Regional Extension Office and decades of work with 4-H, Stephen Handegaard sees his time as well-spent.

“I’m really glad that I got into the profession that I did,” he said. “A lot of it has to do with working with and helping people, especially the youth. Sometimes, actually doing day-to-day activities, you don’t necessarily see the growth overnight. You have to look at the long-term benefit. When you’re in it long enough, you see it.”

He retired from the Extension Service April 1.

Born in Detroit Lakes, he lived by Lake Park in Becker County on his family’s dairy farm.

“We did a lot of outdoor things for fun,” he said of his time as a kid. “I had a horse, and did a lot of riding. Of course there were lots of animals on the farm. I was in 4-H as a kid and was pretty much involved with animal projects, like showing dairy cattle, and also some of the leadership activities. It continued through high school. I did go to the State Fair on the Becker County judging team. You judge classes of animals, and are compared to the official judges.”

He ran relays and the 100-yard dash in high school, and was involved with the student council and performed in the school plays.

For kicks, he and his friends did pretty typical things.

“It seemed like every Friday night we’d go to the basketball or football games,” he said. “I can remember going to drive-in movies a couple times, just outside of (Detroit Lakes).”

He graduated from Lake Park in 1968, and went on to North Dakota State University, studying agricultural education.

“It qualified me to teach high school ag,” he said. “I did that for four years at Turtle Lake, N.D.”

It was there that he met his future wife, Laura Langlie.

“She was in her first year as am elementary teacher,” he said. “She now teaches at Underwood School. We first met at a school event. We went to dinner in Bismarck.”

They dated for year and married in June of 1974.

“In 1976, being from this area, I had my eyes open for a position here. Turtle Lake was beautiful, but there were less trees and fewer lakes and not as much fishing. And of course, my family was here.”

He applied at Fergus Falls High School for a teaching position in the agricultural department and was hired. He’d taught there for just a year when a different position opened up.

“A position at the Extension Office opened up,” he said. “It was at the Otter Tail County Extension Office. I believe the official job title then was ‘Assistant County Extension Agent.’ As an Extension agent, our main role was to bring the research and the resources of the University of Minnesota to people across the state.”

He became involved with the 4-H program, also a part of Extension services.

“A big part of my role was to manage the volunteer leadership system, providing training for leaders, and also setting up learning opportunities for kids. I think kids learn by doing. Learning hands-on sinks in faster and stronger.”

In the meantime, the Handegaard clan was growing. Their first son, Jason, was born in July of 1975. Kristen came along three years later, followed by Amanda and Matthew.

After his many years with the Extension Service and 4-H, he has worked with multiple generations of several families.

“It’s all about working with people and helping them help themselves,” he said. “It was just a real honor and privilege to work with all these youth and their families. Sometimes you get to work with grandparents and parents, and sometimes get to see their kids come into it, too. It gave me a very optimistic outlook on life. Most families are so dedicated and interested in working with their kids, wanting to see them succeed.”

He is now active in Kiwanis, which also stresses serving others.

“I call it an opportunity to work with Kiwanis,” he said. “I am now District secretary treasurer and the executive director for the district portion of our organization.”

On March 31, his Extension office co-workers got together at the Jazzy Fox and celebrated his years of service. They presented him with two gifts.

“They did give me a silver clock and a framed print. It’s a big county fair scene, typical of many of the small county fairs around here.”