Wylie Young, of the North Osage 4-H Club, hosted a countywide pet project workshop July 14, 2018, at his residence in Overbrook, Kan. The event focused on encouraging project participation and how to prepare for a show.

Wylie, along with Lynnea Nelson, also of the North Osage 4-H Club, gave project talks, demonstrations, and answered questions about their project experiences. Guest speaker Amy Miner gave a presentation about the TNR Program (trap, neuter, release) and her efforts to help control the feral cat population in Scranton. Other activities included a brief project meeting and a tour of Wylie’s backyard pets. Lynnea Nelson provided refreshments that were enjoyed by all.

Pet project workshop participants, from left, Lynnea Nelson, Choloe Cannon, Jocie White, Wylie Young and his dog, Scooby. Courtesy photo.

Wylie also enjoyed participating in leadership activities this year during the Osage County Fair.  He attended board meetings before and after the fair, served as the junior superintendent at the 4-H and open animal costume contest, and helped serve customers at the fair board’s concessions stand. He plans to assist in the planning and operations of the fair again next year.

Gary and Peggy DeForeest, 4-H Family of the Year.

The 4-H Family of the Year Award recognizes a family’s support for local 4-H members and programs. Presented the award last 4-H year, Gary and Peggy DeForeest, of rural Scranton, were recognized for the love and guidance they have given to Osage County 4-H over the years.

Peggy began her employment with the Extension office in July 1986. She fell in love with the 4-H program and Extension that summer and continued to work here for 30 years. Everyone knows they would be greeted with a warm smile when they walk through the door at the Extension office. But, Peggy also handled many things for the 4-H program, such as typing the fair book every year, putting 4-Hers’ information into the computer year after year, newsletters for 4-H clubs. She was recognized as the glue that holds the Extension office and 4-H program together. Peggy retired from her job at the Extension District this summer.

Gary was recognized for his support for Peggy and the 4-H program in his own way. Gary is a gifted carpenter, and judges projects at local county fairs around the state. For the last three years he has been a woodworking project leader for the Lyndon Leaders 4-H Club. The woodworking project has grown in number of participants every year, and when other youth in the county have asked for help with woodworking, Gary has always been happy to help.

The 4-H Family of the Year Award recognizes the DeForeest family for their care of the community and the families that live here.

Local club leaders Jodi and Keith Bergkamp were recipients of the Alumni of the Year award, along with Carolyn Lowry, not pictured.

The 4-H Alumni of the Year Award is awarded to past 4-H members who continue to make significant contributions to the 4-H program. This past 4-H year, local club leaders Jodi and Keith Bergkamp and Carolyn Lowry were nominated for the award.

Jodi and Keith Bergkamp were nominated for the Alumni of the Year Award by Vassar Blue Ribbon 4-H Club. Jodi and Keith were both 10-year 4-H members and are now active in 4-H with their children. Their favorite projects in 4-H were swine, sheep, cattle, foods and photography. They are club leaders of Vassar Blue Ribbon.

Carolyn Lowry was nominated for the Alumni of the Year Award by the Burlingame 4-H Club. She was in several projects during her 12 years as a 4-H member, including sewing, cooking, junior leaders, and of course, horses. She attended CWF (Citizenship Washington Focus) with Osage County 4-H. In her best year at the Kansas State Fair, she was in the top five in pole bending and top 10 in barrel racing. She is a club leader for Burlingame 4-H Club.