By Frank J. Buchman
Positive return on investment was most apparent when 4-H club members presented the program at the annual Morris County 4-H Foundation Recognition Banquet in Council Grove.
Incorporated in 1977, the Morris County 4-H Foundation entirely with voluntary membership, gifts and memorials has supported increasing number of 4-H members in educational and leadership endeavors to be pattern for many throughout the country.
Larry Johnson, Foundation president, verified accomplishments of Morris County 4-H members in welcoming remarks, and trustee Cynthia Schrader coordinated and introduced the program.
Aleyah Snyder, first-year member of the Willing Workers 4-H Club, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Morgan Poole, Dwight Sunflower 4-H Club, led the 4-H Pledge.
Mason Ellerman, Burdick Hustlers 4-H Club, presented his 4-H Club Day top blue award reading of a poem about calving time.
Carissa and Cassidy Dalquest, Flint Hills 4-H Club, joined for a top blue team demonstration about tagging cattle for identification.
Jess Prudence, Flint Hills 4-H, has reorganized the Clover Buds Program as an introduction to 4-H club work in Morris County and discussed how it has developed.
Flint Hills Extension District Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Chelsea Richmond, with offices at the Morris County Courthouse, gave a Morris County 4-H Update.
Strong growth and accomplishments of 4-H members were noted by Richmond, while crediting the Morris County 4-H Foundation for making an increasing number of opportunities available to members.
The Morris County 4-H Foundation has been designated for memorials upon passing of loved ones who’ve had influential affiliations through 4-H.
Appreciation recognition included Doug Laue Bequest, Diamond Memorial; Karen Ruth Meyers, Silver Memorial; and Edith Williamson, Patron Memorial.
A Silver Award was presented in the name of James and Eleanor Collier.
Honored with the Bronze Award were Russ and Shannon Banta, Charles H. Downes, Eric Nelson at Neosho Gardens, the Dwight Schrader family, Larry and Carol Stilwell, Monte and Kimberly Stilwell, U.S. Stone Industries LLC, and the Marty Wright family.
Patrons Award recipients were Jamie Beck, Elaine Olson Deschner, Teresa Disberger, Hold ’Em Fence Company LLC, Jace and Amy Johnson family; R.J. and Jane E. Kirkeminde, Fred Miller, Page and Jason Pratt, Ray’s Apple Market, and Nick and Beth Weibert at Cowtown Nutrition LLC.
During the business session, minutes of last year’s annual meeting, as prepared by secretary Mary Alice Waylan, were presented, and treasurer Larry Landgren gave the financial report.
Carolyn Andres and Landgren were re-elected to serve on the Morris County 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Connie Burton and Frank Buchman are the other trustees on the seven-member board.
