POLO, Ill.— Each year, the Polo Lions Club partners with the keynote speaker of their annual Farmers’ Night to support youth programming in our area. Daniel Carmichael, an engineer with Blue River Technology and John Deere, was this year’s choice. Carmichael visited the Polo Lions Club and spoke with them about the advancing technology of autonomous machinery, after which he was asked to choose a local organization to direct this year’s $500 donation to. “Ogle County 4-H” was his immediate answer.
As technology advances every day, Carmichael hopes this donation will help support youth involvement in STEM programs and careers. His own 4-H career included trips to the Illinois State Fair, where he was one of the first winners in the Computer Science project, taking home the Grand Champion title. Now his daughter is in her first year of 4-H and excited to continue trying new projects & “Learn by Doing”.
“Community partnerships like this are what make 4-H possible,” says Jodi Baumgartner, Ogle County 4-H Program Coordinator. “We are thankful to the Polo Lions Club and Daniel Carmichael for their generosity and belief in our youth. Their support helps ensure that youth in Ogle County will have opportunities to learn new skills, explore their interests, and grow into confident leaders who are prepared for the future.”
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, giving millions of young people a place to experience belonging, independence, mastery, and generosity.
The Ogle County 4-H program sincerely appreciates the Polo Lions Club and Mr. Carmichael’s commitment and partnership.
For more information about Ogle County 4-H, please contact University of Illinois Extension at 815-732-2191.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Daniel Carmichael & Greg Cross present a check to Ogle County 4-H. Pictured left to right: Immanuel Arellano, Ogle County 4-H Ambassador; Anna Henson, Ogle County Office Support; Allissa Martin, Ogle County 4-H Ambassador; Daniel Carmichael, Rochelle; Jodi Baumgartner, Ogle County 4-H Program Coordinator; Greg Cross, Polo Lions Club Member; and Josh Snow, Ogle County 4-H Ambassador.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.