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Vilas County board passes 4-H Centennial resolution

Our thanks to the Extension, Education and Economic Development committee on the Vilas County Board for passing a 4-H Centennial Resolution! We are so grateful for your support and partnership, and look forward to 100 more years of growing Wisconsin leaders together!

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Mitch Mackey

J. Mitchell “Mitch” Mackey recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Mitch’s career was inspired by contact with early 4-H pioneers Verne Varney and Wakelin “Ranger Mac” McNeel. Mitch trained returning veterans to be successful farmers in Grant County. In Milwaukee County, he worked with 4-H programs as the Assistant County Agent, where he organized the County 4-H Leaders’ Association and implemented the early use of the new media: TV. He served as statewide Cooperative Extension Assistant Director of Personnel, Assistant Director of Community Programs, and Chair of the Department of Community Affairs. He served as 4-H Specialist and retired as State 4-H Program Leader in 1982.

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David Running

David Running recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

David first experienced the value of learning by doing as a 4-H member in Vernon County. His 4-H career began in Lafayette County as a 4-H and Youth Development Agent. After seven years, he continued as the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in Fond du Lac County. As a 4-H agent he valued the leadership development that he was able to witness in youth and adult volunteers.

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Jack Heller

Jack Heller recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Wisconsin 4-H is proud to be represented by Jack Heller in the 4-H Hall of Fame. The highlight of Jack’s career was being at Upham Woods. He loved the outdoors and is remembered for his creative ability to engage youth in environmental education and help them appreciate the out-of-doors. He especially found Blackhawk Island to be a great place of learning for youth.

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Dr. David Dickson

Dr. David Dickson recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Known worldwide for his knowledge and skill in dairy cattle judging, Dr. Dave was involved with the 4-H Dairy project in Wisconsin for three decades. He was a UW-Madison dairy science professor and UW-Extension dairy specialist for 31 years. Dr. Dave’s ability to teach students was recognized by the American Dairy Science Association in 1996, when he won the Purina Mills Teaching Award the first year he was nominated.

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Jim Everts

James Everts recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Jim began his Extension career as a 4-H Agent in Wood and then Rock County. He was hired as the first Livestock Youth Specialist, where he developed the first livestock literature, started the 4-H horse project, and organized the first statewide 4-H Horse Show in 1957. He then served as the Western District Director. He finished his career as the State 4-H Program Leader, where he provided administrative leadership to a grant through the National 4-H Council and W.K. Kellogg Foundation to strengthen volunteerism.

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Kathi Vos

Kathi Vos recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Kathi was a 10-year member of the Wheatland Willing Workers 4-H Club in Kenosha County. As the Manitowoc County 4-H & Youth Agent, Vos empowered the 4-H Board to co-create a management system of 170 resource staff serving on 23 committees, to support 34 4-H clubs with 1,051 4-H members. As a state 4-H Youth Development specialist, she provided leadership to 4-H Family, Home and Health projects and Curriculum Development.

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Norman Everson

Norman Everson recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Norm personified 4-H. His passion began as a member of the Milton Club in Rock County and continued through his professional career with UW-Extension and volunteer leadership at the local level. Norm’s attitude was always, “We can do that!” He was a person of great integrity, compassion, and energy. Norm loved and believed in Wisconsin 4-H just as he loved and believed in helping others, and he always did so with a smile.

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Elizabeth and Caroline Upham

Elizabeth Upham Davis and Caroline Upham Hughes recognized in Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame

Elizabeth and Caroline Upham spent their childhood at their summer home outside of Wisconsin Dells. The sisters gave 310 forested acres, including 200 on Blackhawk Island, to the University of Wisconsin. They wrote, “These lands are to be used as an outdoor laboratory and camp for youth, such as 4-H clubs and other people cooperating with the University of Wisconsin in the advancement of conservation, of agriculture and rural culture.”

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