For the Busy Bees centennial and fundraiser, members made homemade pie and barbecue at their houses. A fan favorite included the rhubarb and chocolate pie.

TRACY — The Amiret Busy Bee 4-H club celebrated its 100-year anniversary during the 53rd annual pie social Tuesday night at the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum.

The Amiret Busy Bees are a local 4-H club that participates in 4-H activities and competitions, including community service like trash pickup, developing skills in STEM, and teaching the youths general work skills, said Busy Bee co-leader Katie Lanoue.

Another 4-H activity is livestock judging contests. Winners of local contests get the opportunity to showcase their livestock at the Minnesota State Fair.

“I just like the whole fair and like the atmosphere of it,” said Finley Boerboom, a seven year member of the Amiret Busy Bees. “The state fair is super fun, this will be my first year actually being able to like show animals there.”

In addition to those competitions, the Busy Bees host community events and fundraisers. The annual pie and ice cream social is one of those fundraising events. Families of the Busy Bees make homemade pies and meat for the barbecue, said Lanoue.

A display showcasing the 100 years of Busy Bee history was featured at the Tuesday pie social. The display featured photos of the clubs dating back to the first year in 1926, scrapbooks of meetings and events from 1936 written from an ink cartridge, and an old uniform displayed with various badges given to Busy Bee high achievers.

Within one of those photos was Busy Bees co-leader Jeanne Knott’s husband. For her, being a part of the Busy Bees is a family tradition she’s now married into.

“My husband was a member of this club when he grew up, and when our oldest son started kindergarten, that’s when we officially joined the club,” she said. “My father-in-law was in this club too.”

Even after 100 years of community service, the Busy Bees stay committed to keeping the tradition and legacy of 4-H alive — holding community events, working toward community service, and teaching young people the skills they need to succeed.

“I think 4‒H is kind of rooted in service to the community, and like we’re always doing community pride projects and helping. We help here at the museum, and we have an Adopt a Highway on County Road 9, it’s just nice to give back, and all the kids are excited to help,” Lanoue said.