The Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame gained three new members earlier this month at the 2024 Ohio 4-H Conference. Phil Grover, Kathleen Smith, and Brenda Teeters were inducted at the conference’s volunteer luncheon on March 9 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Phil Grover, Fayette County
For more than 65 years, Phil Grover has dedicated himself to the Ohio 4-H Youth Development program as an Extension employee, volunteer, and club leader. As Extension educator for 4-H in Fayette County, Grover helped widen the impact of the 4-H program by developing the camping program and collaborating with local organizations to increase community support. Throughout the 30 years he served as club advisor for the Rowdy Ranchers 4-H Club, Grover empowered youth to discover their passions, become more self-confident, and develop a strong sense of responsibility, creating a ripple effect that has impacted countless lives. With more than 20 years of service to the Ohio State Fair as director of the swine and sheep departments, he has also been instrumental in elevating the fair experience and giving youth a platform to showcase their accomplishments in agriculture with a wider audience.
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Kathleen Smith, Medina County
Thanks to Kathleen Smith, the Medina County and Ohio 4-H shooting sports programs are growing and thriving. At the county level, she served as advisor for the Medina County Sharpshooters 4-H Club for 10 years, wrote grants to secure needed supplies for the club, and built a relationship with a local shooting range that has endured for 22 years. She has also stretched her impact across the state by organizing and leading the archery discipline at state Junior and Senior Shooting Education Camps and obtaining her national certification in archery. With this certification, she is qualified to train fellow volunteers so they can run archery programs in their own counties for years to come. In addition to volunteering as a judge and organizer at numerous county and state fairs, Smith lent her passion and expertise to Ohio 4-H’s Archery project book, for which she was the primary author, and serves as the secretary of the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Committee.
Brenda Teeters, Lorain County
Since becoming an advisor for the 4-H Home Growers 4-H Club 33 years ago, Brenda Teeters has guided more than 400 youth through the Lorain County 4-H program. Serving as a constant source of encouragement and positivity, Teeters’ genuine interest and concern for all youth that cross her path is what makes her such a wonderful mentor. She has served a total of 14 years on her county’s 4-H Endowment Board and 17 years on the 4-H Advisory Committee, holding a variety of leadership positions in both instances. Teeters has also volunteered as a 4-H camp adult staff member, 4-H Public Speaking coordinator, Junior Fair adult consultant, and a member of Assuring Quality Care of Animals team in Lorain County. Her enthusiasm and passion for 4-H is contagious and has influenced youth and adults alike as she shares the impact of 4-H with everyone she meets.
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Join us in congratulating the other award winners who were recognized at this year’s Ohio 4-H Conference:
Ohio Friend of 4-H Award
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, Franklin County
Rural Beans Roastery, LLC, Fayette County
Uncle Dan’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, LLC, Washington County
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4-H Meritorious Service Award
Tim Beltz, Licking County
Darlene Burke-Ogletree, Washington County
Daphne Hedgecock, Madison County
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4-H Community Service Award
Jackson County 4-H Junior Fair Livestock Committee
Lainie Johnson, Scioto County
Mid-Valley Riders 4-H Club, Warren County
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4-H Innovator Award
Brown County 4-H Committee
Kristine Kraft, Warren County
Scioto County 4-H Committee
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4-H Experienced Alumni Award
Kayla Jones, Licking County
Guy Schultz, Lucas County
Ashley Vetter, Wood County
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4-H Young Alumni Award
Gregory Williams, Scioto County
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Please join us in thanking the sponsors who made this year’s awards ceremony possible: Ron and Carolyn Cull, Ohio 4-H Foundation, Paul Hall & Associates Foundation, The Honorable Frederick D. and Dr. Kathryn C. Pepple, and Lois Puskarich.