Highlights

WISCONSIN 4-H FOUNDATION HONORS MAJOR DONORS

Donna Menart, Interim State 4-H Program Director, was the Master of Ceremonies for the annual major donor recognition event by the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.  The Recognition Luncheon was held in Stevens Point on October 16 and was sponsored by Nasco of Fort Atkinson.  Terri Dallas, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Board President, presented the awards.  Members of the 4-H State Youth Leader Council gave brief testimonials about the impact of 4-H on their lives before each award was presented.

Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Major Donor Awards

The four donors recognized at the luncheon were $5,000 and above sponsors for Wisconsin 4-H programs in the past fiscal year.  These donors, through their gifts, help to enhance and expand 4-H programs statewide.

Badgerland Financial of Baraboo continues their support for Wisconsin 4-H as a 2010 Silver Clover State 4-H Sponsor.  As part of the national Farm Credit System, Badgerland offers financial services to farmers and homeowners in Southern Wisconsin.  They have been a partner with Wisconsin 4-H since the 1960s, strengthening Wisconsin 4-H’s leadership opportunities. They also received the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation’s 2010 President’s Award.  This award is the highest honor the Foundation bestows, and marks the decades of support Badgerland Financial has provided for 4-H youth leadership development, making a positive impact on the lives of 4-H young people.

Cooperative Resources International (CRI) of Shawano is a generous annual supporter of Wisconsin 4-H programs.  This year they sponsored all four of the 2010 Area Animal Science Days, helping educate hundreds of youth statewide.  CRI also is a major purchaser at the annual Governor’s Sweepstakes Meat Products Auction at the State Fair and provide all of the 4-H Foundation’s printing needs for the year, in addition to providing staff expertise on marketing materials.  CRI is a member-owned holding cooperative formed in 1993.  Many of the 1,500 employees of CRI are 4-H members and leaders.

Rural Mutual Insurance Company of Madison is a 2010 Silver Clover State 4-H Sponsor, supporting state 4-H programs this year.   They also are a major buyer at the 4-H Foundation’s annual fundraiser, the Meat Products Auction, at the Wisconsin State Fair.  Rural Mutual Insurance Company has been a Wisconsin 4-H partner for over 30 years.  Their support is based on the company’s commitment to youth programs such as 4-H that develop future community leaders and strong citizens.  The company provides insurance products to Wisconsin families, farms, businesses, and municipalities.

United FCS of Wausau is once again the sponsor of the 2010 Wisconsin 4-H Fall Forum.  United FCS, a part of the national Farm Credit system, serves nearly 4,000 customer-members.  United FCS is a farmer-owned financial services cooperative, with a team of qualified specialists having extensive agricultural knowledge and experience.  In addition to the Fall Forum, United FCS sponsored the 2010 State 4-H Plant & Soil Sciences Day, held in July.  Their generous support helps to develop young leaders and to support 4-H volunteer leadership learning and planning activities.

Other key Wisconsin 4-H Foundation donors, who will be honored at other venues, include:

Dominion/Kewaunee Power Station of Kewaunee is one of the largest producers and transporters of energy in the nation.  Dominion is dedicated to community outreach and educational programs, including the Wisconsin 4-H Arts Camp, which they have supported for the past few years.  Youth at 4-H Arts Camp have a wonderful learning experience, as well as gain knowledge of a variety of arts options.

Land O’ Lakes Foundation of St. Paul, MN is committed to improving the quality of life in communities where the cooperative has members.  It has long been an active supporter of youth involved with the Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Program including funding the first few years of Community Service Club Grants.  Their first year of State 4-H Sponsor support benefits nearly 100,000 4-H youth.

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board of Madison again sponsored one entire day of workshops and seminars at the 2010 Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference.  They have shown a strong and sustained commitment to investing in Wisconsin 4-H youth.  The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, funded by Wisconsin’s 12,770 dairy farm families, works to build demand and increase awareness of Wisconsin’s high quality of milk and dairy products.

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