MORRIS, Ill — University of Illinois Extension in Grundy County announced last week the recipients of the 2025 Grundy County Friend of 4-H Awards. Recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in helping the 4-H program and Grundy County members, this award is presented to organizations or individuals who are pillars in the local 4-H community.
This year, Grundy County 4-H recognized Kathy Wise and the 4-H Clover Supporters. Awards were presented in early December by Olivia Truhlar, the youth President of the Grundy County 4-H Federation, a youth-led leadership group representing Grundy 4-H.
Kathy Wise, 2025 Grundy County Friend of 4-H Award recipient
The first recipient is Kathy Wise of Morris, who serves the community as part of the Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau. Grundy 4-H Federation President Olivia Truhlar said:
“Depending on who you ask, Kathy Wise is either the Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau bookkeeper or THE person who keeps the Farm Bureau and Extension building from burning down. When someone first visits the 4-H Office, their first interaction is usually with Kathy (who is more than likely telling them that they’ve entered the wrong door and Extension is on the north side of the building - before walking them to the right place).
Despite not being an Extension employee and never having been in 4-H herself, Kathy is a guide, a helper, and very often a problem-solver for 4-H members and their families. Whether it’s patiently answering questions when 4-H staff are out at programs or being the go-to expert for everything about the building and community at large, every interaction with Kathy leaves you feeling better than you started.
There are not enough words to describe how much Kathy impacts 4-H other than to say, if something needs fixing, answering, or figuring out, Kathy already knows the solution. When she found out she was getting this award, she said ‘but I don’t even work for 4-H!’ and that’s precisely why she’s being recognized this year – she does all of this out of the kindness of her heart and Grundy 4-H wouldn’t be the same without her.”
4-H Clover Supporters, 2025 Grundy County Friend of 4-H Award recipient
The second recipient is 4-H Clover Supporters, an organization founded by Mark Mitchell of Verona and Mike Lowery of Mazon. Grundy 4-H Federation President Olivia Truhlar said:
“For most people, the day before Thanksgiving is a busy time to prepare for the holiday. But for Mark Mitchell, Mike Lowery, and the rest of the Grundy County Clover Supporters, the day before Thanksgiving is the largest fundraising event of the year.
Originally started to provide funding for more in-depth livestock programming, Clover Supporters has grown to provide scholarships and program funding for both Livestock and General Project opportunities, as well program needs that arise throughout the year – such as family fun events, learning opportunities, event scholarships, and much more. Clover Supporter volunteers gather donations, sell tickets, sort meat lots, and handle all logistics… culminating this year in over $40,000 raised directly for the 4-H program.
Grundy County Clover Supporters is very much an organization that ebbs and flows with the needs of the 4-H program in Grundy County – you will never find a group that loves 4-H and gives of their time so selflessly as this group of wonderful individuals.
Please join us in congratulating the Grundy County Clover Supporters - We are immensely grateful for your support and your caring heart.”
The 4-H Program is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois. 4-H grows true leaders who are ‘Beyond Ready’ for life. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. For more information about 4-H in your county, visit go.illinois.edu/About4HGKW.
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
SOURCE: Brooke Katcher, 4-H recruitment and engagement coordinator, Illinois Extension
MEDIA ACCESS: The images in this release are available to download for media use. For press inquiries, contact Anthony Warmack, warmacka@illinois.edu, 217-244-5813. Want to keep in touch with news from Illinois Extension? Sign up for press updates.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.