MARSHALL-PUTNAM, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension Marshall-Putnam honored 4-H’ers from throughout Marshall and Putnam counties to celebrate a year of hard work, leadership, and dedication to personal growth on Sunday, November 5, 2023.  Marshall-Putnam 4-H would like to thank Henry Presbyterian Church for allowing us to have our award ceremony at its facility.

The award level is determined by how many experiences the member completes in each dimension. The four levels are participation, community service, leadership and project learning. Project Achievement winners receive a bronze medal, Service Achievement winners receive a silver medal, and Leadership Achievement receive a gold medal. 

Bronze Clover Award: youth complete at least 1 experience in each of the four dimensions.

Silver Clover Award: youth complete at least 2 experiences in each of the four dimensions; at least 2 of those experiences must be at the County level or beyond.

Gold Clover Award: youth complete 4 experiences in each of the four dimensions; at least 2 of those experiences must be BEYOND the County level.

Many do not complete the form because they do not think they will earn it. Sunday, we recognized those who took the time to complete the form to see where they stand in earning the award. To those members, we give the effort award.

The Marshall-Putnam 4-H member who earned the Effort Phoebe Kammer-Lostant Leaders.

The Marshall-Putnam 4-H members who earned the Silver Achievement award are:

Sarah Daugherty-Lostant Leaders, Daphne Heeley-Saratoga Leadaways, Gwen Heeley-Saratoga Leadaways, Josephine Heeley-Saratoga Leadaways, Paige Kammer-Lostant Leaders, and Piper Kammer-Lostant Leaders. 

The Marshall-Putnam 4-H members who earned the Gold Achievement award are:

Cadence Breckenridge-Lostant Leaders, Lilly Breckenridge -Lostant Leaders, Salina Breckenridge-Lostant Leaders, Ryan Carlson-Henry Guys and Gals, and Samantha Nauman-Henry Guys and Gals

In addition to the Experience awards, there were also special awards and honors that were presented.

Each year the 4-H club secretaries can turn in their secretary’s book for judging at the county level. We would like to recognize each of the 4-H’ers who turned in their club’s book: Bennington Go-Getters- Kearney McKay, Federation- Sarah Daugherty, Henry Guys and Gals– Ryan Carlson, Lostant Leaders-Sarah Daugherty, PC Progressors– Sophia Brown, Saratoga Leadaways– Lillian Lindstrom, and Steuben Rangers-Anna McGlasson   This year’s outstanding secretary is Ryan Carlson-Henry Guys and Gals. His name is on a plaque in the Marshall-Putnam Extension office.

Record books are a very important part of 4-H. It gives the members an opportunity to reflect on their yearly work and helps develop written skills for all the records they will need to keep in their life. The record books are judged in several areas with the most important being completeness, accuracy, and neatness. The Best Kept Record Book winners are Samantha Nauman of Henry Guys & Gals and Ryan Carlson of Henry Guys & Gals.

Cloverbuds are 4-H’ers between the ages of 5-7. This year our Cloverbuds moving into their 4-H club were recognized: Hayden Baugh-L-W Achievers, Caroline Day-PC Progressors, Ben Harvey-PC Progressors, Ike Heckman-PC Progressors, Sandra Hussemann -L-W Achievers, Madison Knapp-PC Progressors, Noah Miles-Bennington Go-Getters, and Heather Minton-L-W Achievers.

4-H would not be possible without the hard work of our volunteers and leaders. Those recognized for milestone years are Shauna Breckinridge-Lostant Leaders and Hunting & Outdoor Skills, Jamie Eilts-L-W Achievers and Sheep/Swine Superintendent, and Joy Meachum-Saratoga Leadaways for 10 Years, and Tonni Wink-Past leader and current Aerospace Superintendent honored for 20 years.

We all know that 4-H only works because of volunteers. Leaders were asked to list the parents who help them above and beyond. Those honored are Lindsay Bogner-Saratoga Leadaways, Tammy Brown-PC Progressors, Jennifer Campbell -PC Progressors, Josie Hall-Saratoga Leadaways, Angie Heckman-PC Progressors, Liz Keller-PC Progressors, Sarah Knapp-PC Progressors, Randie Kocher-Saratoga Leadaways, Tiffany Moodie-Steuben Rangers, and Lauren Smith-Saratoga Leadaways.

Keeping up with all the happenings and changes of the 4-H program is an important job. Thankfully, we have a wonderful 4-H Association that works together to keep the activities, policies and 4-H Show up to date. We are thankful that each year a few people are willing to take on a leadership role for the Association. President – Kevin Knisley, Henry Guys & Gals, Vice President – Beth Palm, Bennington Go-Getters, and Secretary- Lisa Palm, Wenona Highlighters.

The Spirit Stick is a favorite of the members.  Each club presents a skit or sings songs to show their 4-H spirit. Creativity and group involvement is the key to winning the Spirit Stick. It was a tough competition with original songs, costumes, and a game show. This year’s winner is PC Progressors.

The evening ended with refreshments from our host clubs, Federation and Steuben Rangers.

Congratulations to all the Marshall-Putnam 4-H members.