News Release

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For more information, please contact Rob Robertson, 402/421-4404 or 800/742-4016.

4-H Leaders from Orleans, Holdrege, Moorefield, North Platte, Curtis, Norfolk Receive Farm Bureau Award

            Lincoln  – Six 4-H leaders from across Nebraska were honored Dec. 6  by Nebraska Farm Bureau at its 2005 convention in Kearney with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Salute to Excellence Award.

Farm Bureau established the award with the Nebraska 4-H Foundation in 2003 “to provide well-deserved recognition to specific individuals and to the more than 10,000 adult 4-H leaders who give generously of their time to Nebraska 4-H’ers,” said Rob Robertson, Nebraska Farm Bureau vice president/governmental relations. Robertson also is a member of the 4-H Foundation Board of Directors. Farm Bureau has endowed the awards program through 2007.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes 4-H leaders with fewer than 10 years of service while the Lifetime Volunteer of the Year Award honors those who have served 10 or more years. Winners in each category receive $500 from Farm Bureau, while two nominees in each category who receive Honorable Mentions are awarded $250 each.

            The Lifetime Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Jerry and Susan Bose of Orleans. Between them, they have been 4-H leaders for 56 years in Harlan County. They currently lead the Dry Ridge 4-H Club. Their goal is to impact and change the lives of young people through 4-H learning and service. Each year, instead of a club project, they do a club “learning” where the youths are exposed to new knowledge and skills they can apply to life.

            Honorable Mentions in the Lifetime category were awarded to Duane Schoff of Holdrege and Jane Wilson of Moorefield. Schoff has been a 4-H volunteer leader for 13 years in Phelps County, working with the Atlanta Industry 4-H Club. This past year his club members raised money for and built a six-foot wide, 900-foot long sidewalk throughout the entire Phelps County Fairgrounds to make the grounds more accessible for elderly and handicapped visitors and families with strollers.

            Wilson’s 4-H leadership career began in 1978 when she and her husband revitalized livestock participation in the county fair with a new 4-H livestock club. That experience helped her to realize the impact 4-H has on the local community and she has been a dedicated volunteer ever since. Her Lucky Star 4-H’ers often partner with the Stockville Women’s Club on community service projects.

            The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Julie Jacobson of North Platte, a 4-H leader for 10 years. Jacobson is known for her creative projects. She worked with five local businesses to pioneer the Life Challenge program at the North Platte mall. Her club invited youths from surrounding counties to compete in a consumer knowledge challenge that required them to report back with written essays and their answers to judging questions.

            Honorable Mentions for Volunteer Leader of the Year were presented to Kelly Popp of Curtis and Elaine Renner of Norfolk. Popp, a seven-year volunteer, helped to organize the Rough Riders 4-H Club in Frontier County. He actively recruits new 4-H members and when a few youths couldn’t attend regular meetings, he added a weekly session closer to their homes. Popp also serves as superintendent for the county 4-H horse show.

            Renner, a 4-H leader for nine years, believes in unlocking the potential of young people by challenging them to discover skills they didn’t know they had. For example, one year she challenged all of her club members to compete in public speaking and all of them did, with many placing very well. Renner also serves as treasurer for the Madison County 4-H Council and is known for her fund-raising ability.

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