OREGON, Ill.— Ogle County 4-H proudly announces that Karen Marsh has been inducted into the 2025 Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, recognizing her 24 years of exemplary service and dedication to local youth.
The Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame honors volunteers who demonstrate outstanding service to 4-H or have achieved notable career and community accomplishments. Karen has done both, leaving a lasting impact on youth in Ogle County and beyond.
For the past 24 years, Karen has served as a 4-H Club leader and a member of the Ogle County 4-H Fair Committee, with many of these roles including Dairy Goat Superintendent. Karen can always be counted on to lend a hand. Karen’s enthusiasm for 4-H has brought her back into the organization as a leader for the Ogle Jolly 4-H Club, as her grandkids have become old enough to be active in the club. Previously, Karen was a 4-H leader for Hayseed Kids 4-H Club, in which her kids were involved.
"I am proud that the 4-H program is so important to our youth in the community. It allows them not only to learn but to inspire them with dreams for the future! There is no limit to what kids can do in 4-H," stated Karen.
In 2019, Ogle County 4-H collected plastic to be donated and turned into a bench. Since then, Karen has taken this project to other community groups, schools, libraries, and various other organizations. Karen’s passion for giving back is why Ogle County 4-H nominated her for the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame.
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.