The 2016 Friends of 4-H Award was presented on April 18 at the Member, Officer and Adviser Conference.

The first Friend of 4-H is NCB Bank. It has helped not only 4-H, but the entire Extension Office. Its support through the financial difficulties that face Highland County has helped keep the Extension office open and 4-H programming going through donations, grant opportunities and purchasing animals at the Highland County Fair. It not only is supportive of the traditional 4-H programming, it also assists with in-school youth development programming such as Real Money, Real World and Ag Reality.

The second Friend of 4-H is Fender Realty. It has been involved in the 4-H program for many years. This family-run business passed along the importance of 4-H to the current generation. It supports 4-H in many different ways – through helping purchase T-shirts for 4-H Committee members and FCS Board members to displaying bill boards promoting 4-H for all those passing by to see. Whenever asked, it is always willing to assist in any way possible.

The third, but not final Friend of 4-H is Hamilton Insurance. It also helps in numerous ways to support 4-H since 1962. It understands that leadership and life experiences are obtained by the 4-H program. Embodying the leadership learned in 4-H, it has served on the 4-H Committee and Extension Advisory Committee. It has also supported the 4-H youth at the livestock sale during the fair as well as donating equipment to the Sale Committee and 4-H Food booth. It is proud to be a part of the 4-H program and to watch the youth of the county achieve their goals.

All three are truly “Friends of 4-H.”

Submitted by Kathy Bruynis, county director & 4-H youth development educator, OSU Extension, Highland County.

Representing NCB Bank is Heather Cummings. Pictured, from left, are Kathy Bruynis, 4-H educator; Heather Cummings, NCB; and Kim Allen, 4-H Advisory Committee president.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/04/web1_Friends-pic-1.jpgRepresenting NCB Bank is Heather Cummings. Pictured, from left, are Kathy Bruynis, 4-H educator; Heather Cummings, NCB; and Kim Allen, 4-H Advisory Committee president.

Representing Fender Reality is Amy Fulkerson. Pictured, from left, are Kathy Bruynis, 4-H educator; Amy Fulkerson, Fender Reality; and Kim Allen, 4-H Advisory Committee president.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/04/web1_Friends-pic-2.jpgRepresenting Fender Reality is Amy Fulkerson. Pictured, from left, are Kathy Bruynis, 4-H educator; Amy Fulkerson, Fender Reality; and Kim Allen, 4-H Advisory Committee president.

Representing Hamilton Insurance is Dwight and Dwight Paul Hamilton. Pictured, from left, are Kathy Bruynis, 4-H educator; Dwight Paul Hamilton and Dwight Hamilton, Hamilton Insurance; and Kim Allen, 4-H Advisory president.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/04/web1_Friends-pic-3.jpgRepresenting Hamilton Insurance is Dwight and Dwight Paul Hamilton. Pictured, from left, are Kathy Bruynis, 4-H educator; Dwight Paul Hamilton and Dwight Hamilton, Hamilton Insurance; and Kim Allen, 4-H Advisory president.