Elizabeth, Ill. - Illinois 4-H honors and celebrates extraordinary 4-H alumni, volunteers, and former 4-H staff. Two volunteers from Jo Daviess County were honored during the 2023 Illinois State Fair. Those honored have a track record of exemplary service to 4-H or outstanding career and community achievement and were nominated by local 4-H Extension staff. "I love showing my appreciation to the individuals in our program and recognizing them for their effort," says Angela Miller, 4-H Program Coordinator. "They matter! It is important they realize the impact they have on our members and how grateful we are."

Codie Koester was chosen as the Illinois 4-H Young Alumni Award recipient. Codie is a valued volunteer of the Jo Daviess County 4-H program. As a third-generation 4-H alumna, Codie’s blood runs deep for 4-H. She began her 4-H career as a Cloverbud in the Top Notchers 4-H Club and excelled in her 11-year 4-H career. Codie’s love for food and nutrition was sparked when she enrolled in the Cooking 101 4-H project. There, she found new skills and continued challenging herself to learn more. Do More. And Teach Others.  4-H helped her find her passion for food and inspired her to attend culinary school, and then she received her bachelor's in Family and Consumer Sciences from Illinois State University. Today, Codie serves as a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Warren High School.  She has designed her classroom much like her 4-H experience, with hands-on and student-led experiences. Codie’s students learn about farm-to-table and work closely with the agriculture teacher to provide these experiences. Codie is still committed to 4-H and is currently serving as a 4-H club leader, fair superintendent, judge for the 4-H fair, and Unit 1 Extension Council member. "Our 4-H program is designed to build youth’s skills and experiences based on the commitment of our dedicated adult volunteers. It is heartwarming to see accolades given to our local volunteers based on their years of service and hard work. I have watched Codie grow, first as a 4-H member and then as a volunteer. I have always been impressed with her knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with the youth she is with," states Margaret Larson, County Director.

Betsy Muehleip is one of the newest volunteers inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame. Betsy began her career in Boone County and has attended the county fair every year since she was 8. She began volunteering in 4-H when her son became a member and has been a devoted volunteer for Jo Daviess County 4-H for the past 15 years. She has served as a volunteer and overnight chaperone, led workshops, led and mentored young livestock exhibitors, as a fair superintendent, and volunteered for the Scales Mound 4-H Club. Betsy's commitment to 4-H, her countless hours of service, and her unwavering support have made her a valuable asset to Jo Daviess County. "Each summer at our 4-H Livestock Shows, I am amazed at the energy Betsy brings to the show ring and her guidance to youth showing their animals. She is an enthusiastic, dedicated volunteer, and we are so lucky to have her in the program," says Larson.

"Volunteers make 4-H possible, and Jo Daviess County is fortunate to have volunteers who believe in our organization," says Miller. "Our volunteers have dedicated a lot of hours to help transform our members into confident, young leaders and to help teach them skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. You have heard Elizabeth Andrew's quote, 'Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.' Codie and Betsy dedicate a lot of time to their jobs, communities, and families, but no matter how busy they are, they make time for the kids in our county. Their dedication and the dedication of all our volunteers is at the heart of our program."

For more information about 4-H or how to become a volunteer, contact the Jo Daviess County Extension office at (815) 858-2273.