THE MISSOURI 4-H FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER // SPRING 2016

INSIDE 4-H members preserve history by planting Liberty Trees

The Missouri 4-H Foundation, in

partnership with Crader Distributing and local STIHL dealers, has launched a new service-learning initiative that will enable 4-H clubs to play an active role in preserving American history by planting Liberty Trees in communities throughout Missouri.

The original Liberty Tree was a famous elm tree that stood near Boston Common during the Revolutionary era. In 1765, the Sons of Liberty, a group of American colonists, staged the first act of defiance against British rule under the tree. This spawned the resistance that eventually led to the American Revolutionary War. During the war, several other towns designated their own Liberty Trees as support for the resistance spread throughout the colonies. These Liberty Trees became symbols of American independence.

The last original Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar, stood on the grounds of St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md., until 1999 when it died during Hurricane Floyd.

Prior to its death, 14 seedlings were successfully germinated from the tree through a project spearheaded by the nonprofit conservation organization American Forests. The seedlings were planted throughout the original 13 colonies.

In order to further preserve the legacy of the Liberty Trees, a bud-grafting program was launched, through which several bud-grafted trees were grown. Thanks to the generosity of Crader Distributing and local STIHL dealers, 30 of these bud-grafted trees will be donated to Missouri 4-H clubs to be planted in public spaces throughout Missouri.

“Since 4-H leaders and members

Trivia NightInaugural Trivia

Night raises funds for Missouri 4-H

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Legislative Academy

Youth delegates gather for 11th

annual 4-H Legislative Academy

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Volunteer Awards

2016 Volunteer Leadership Honorees

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Clover ClassicJoin us for the 7th

Annual Clover Classic Golf Tournament

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Spirit is published biannually by the Missouri 4-H Foundation with generous support from the MFA Foundation.

Missouri 4-H Foundation1110 S. College AvenueColumbia, MO 63211573-882-26804h.missouri.edu/foundation/

SPRING 2014

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The original Liberty Tree in Boston, as illustrated in 1825.

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Honorary ChairGovernor Jay Nixon

ChairMarla J. Tobin, MD

TrusteesLynn K. Ballew

Kelli Jo BuettnerMorris BurgerBill Copeland

Mary C. DavisMark Goth

Thomas Henderson, PhDRobert E. “Bud” Hertzog, DVM

Joan HickmanRobert G. Idel

Patricia S. KoenigsfeldIna Linville, PhDDale R. Ludwig

Brock M. LutzDon NikodimDiane OlsonJohn Raines

Linda J. Scorse, DVMVida Stanard

George E. ThomasLeroy Van Dyke

Mindy Ward

Executive DirectorCheryl Reams

Incorporated in 1949, the mission of the Missouri 4-H

Foundation is to secure and manage financial resources to enhance and expand the

Missouri 4-H program.

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Dear 4-H friends,I hope 2016 is off to a great start for you! On behalf of all of us at the Missouri 4-H

Foundation and our board of trustees, I want to thank you for your past and continued support of Missouri 4-H. Together, we are helping young people learn real-world skills that will prepare them for future success.

We are excited to offer a new service-learning initiative that will enable 4-H clubs to plant Liberty Trees in their local communities. Thanks to our generous partners Crader Distributing and local STIHL dealers, this spring Missouri 4-H clubs will begin planting tulip poplar trees that are direct descendants of the last standing Liberty Tree in Annapolis, Md. Through this initiative, we are helping young people better understand the history of our nation and the importance of community service.

It was a great pleasure to honor 41 dedicated volunteers at the Missouri 4-H Foundation Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet on March 18. Thirty-six volunteers were recognized with the 2016 Frank Graham Volunteer Leadership Award, three were recognized with the Naomi Crouch 4-H Leadership Award, one was the recipient of the Missouri 4-H Alumni Award and one was the recipient of the Friend of 4-H Award. They each have contributed many years of dedicated service to Missouri 4-H, for which we are deeply grateful.

Our work at the Missouri 4-H Foundation is made possible by the corporations, organizations, alumni and friends who support 4-H programs, projects, events, scholarships and more. Thanks to your generous support, we recently sent a youth delegation to the 11th annual 4-H Legislative Academy, and many youth are preparing to participate in a host of animal science programs this spring. For some it’s on to the State and National 4-H Congresses later this year. Sponsors and donors to the Missouri 4-H Foundation’s Inaugural Trivia Night in November and the 46th Annual Governor’s Conference on Agriculture in December support the foundation’s work and the greatest needs of Missouri 4-H. These are just a few of the programs and events that are made possible because of the generous support of our partners. Thanks to each of you.

It’s not too early to start making plans to join us for the 7th Annual Clover Classic Golf Tournament to raise funds for Missouri 4-H! This year’s tournament is presented by The Climate Corporation, a division of Monsanto Company, and Great American Insurance-Crop Division, and will be held June 7 in Columbia. If you can’t join us that day, we hope you will show your support of Missouri 4-H by sponsoring the tournament, which you can learn more about on our website, http://4h.missouri.edu/foundation/.

Thanks so much to each of you for partnering with the Missouri 4-H Foundation. Please continue your annual or endowed support today!

Warm regards,

Cheryl ReamsExecutive Director

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planting and long-term care for the tree. Clubs are also encouraged to work with their county extension offices, governments and community leaders to implement their plans.

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Crader Distributing and local STIHL dealers to offer this unique service-learning project to Missouri 4-H members,” said Cheryl Reams, executive director

represent many of the same patriotic and self-sustaining qualities inherent in America’s forefathers, Crader Distributing and local STIHL dealers are delighted to team with Missouri 4-H in the distribution and planting of seedlings from America’s last standing Revolutionary era Liberty Tree,” said Stan Crader, president of Crader Distributing. “It is our hope that each tree will grow into a highly visible living monument to deep-rooted American values.”

Through this initiative, up to 30 Missouri 4-H clubs will have the opportunity to plant a Liberty Tree in their local community starting in early April. In order to receive one of the trees, clubs must develop a detailed plan that outlines a publicly-accessible location for

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of the Missouri 4-H Foundation. “Through this initiative, we can help young people better understand the history of our nation and their role as civic-minded leaders.”

Founded in 1944 in Marble Hill, Mo., Crader Distributing (CDC) is a family-owned business and the exclusive distributor of STIHL outdoor power equipment in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and southern Illinois. Along with its sister organization, Blue Mountain Equipment, which services Texas and Oklahoma, CDC provides STIHL outdoor power equipment to more than 1,300 dealers throughout the Midwest.

“It is our hope that each tree will grow into a highly visible living monument to deep-rooted American values.”

Tobin elected Foundation ChairMarla J. Tobin, MD, is the newly-elected chair of the Missouri 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Tobin, a graduate of the University of Missouri, is a retired family medicine physician from Johnson County.

Tobin was a 10-year 4-H member in Lafayette County and a 1972 National 4-H Conference delegate.

“4-H played such an important role in making me who I am today that I wish every young person could have such an experience. By supporting the Missouri 4-H Foundation, we can help promote experiences for Missouri youth to “learn by doing” and create a great workforce for the future,” Tobin said.

Marla J. Tobin, MD, chair

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Nearly twenty teams competed for charity at the Inaugural

Missouri 4-H Foundation Trivia Night, held Nov. 7 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Columbia, Mo.

“Thanks to the tremendous support of our 4-H partners and friends, together we raised nearly $6,000 for Missouri 4-H,” said Cheryl Reams, executive director for the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

Alison Copeland, 4-H youth development specialist, welcomed players and challenged teams to test their trivia knowledge and compete on behalf of Missouri 4-H youth. The “Adroit Clovers of Cooper” were crowned the 2015 Missouri 4-H Trivia Champions.

Sponsors of the Inaugural Missouri 4-H Foundation Trivia Night included Lynn Ballew, FCS Financial-Crop Insurance, Marianne and Donald Fues, Olive Graham, Dr. Ina Linville, Missouri Geographic Alliance, Diane Olson, Parker Funeral Service & Crematory, Sid and June Powell, Bill Streeter and Susan Coburn, George Thomas, Marjorie Thompson and Tiger Tots of Columbia.

Teams and players won cash prizes donated by Rachel Augustine, Lynn Ballew, Wayne and Jo Behymer, Kelli Jo Buettner, Nancy Coleman, Alison Copeland, FCS Financial-Crop Insurance, Mark Goth, Joan and John Hickman, Patty Hudnut, Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Dr. Ina

Linville, Missouri Farm Bureau, Dr. Linda Scorse, The Mizzou Store, Dr. Marla Tobin and Chris Willow.

The second annual Missouri 4-H Foundation Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Columbia. For more information

about sponsoring a round, registering a team or donating a raffle item, please contact Rachel Augustine, associate director of development, at 573-884-7641 or augustinere@missouri.edu.

Trivia Night raises funds for Missouri 4-H

Top: (from left) State 4-H Council representatives Kenlyn Shettlesworth and Russell Mitchell with Cheryl Reams. Bottom left: 4-H doughnuts hand-crafted by Harold’s Doughnuts in Columbia. Bottom right: first place ribbons awarded to the “Adroit Clovers of Cooper.”

5SPIRIT

Youth delegates gather for eleventh annual 4-H Legislative Academy

Missouri 4-H youth representatives from 12

counties gathered at the State Capitol in Jefferson City Feb. 15-17, 2016 to share their stories and experiences with legislators, commodity groups and state agency leaders.

The 11th annual 4-H Legislative Academy, presented by FCS Financial and the Missouri Pork Association, immersed youth delegates in three branches of Missouri state government over three days. Academy delegates included 4-H youth from the following counties: Adair, Bollinger, Cooper, Dade, Franklin, Johnson, Lafayette, Moniteau, Monroe, Platte, Scott and St. Charles.

During the opening luncheon, delegates met with local attorneys and judicial educators to learn about law-related careers and the implications of court decisions. Later, the group toured the Missouri Supreme Court and met with Justice Mary Rhodes Russell to gain perspective on Missouri’s highest court.

At the Missouri State Capitol, delegates learned about etiquette and the state budgeting process from MU governmental relations leaders. Sen. Brian Munzlinger, the legislative host of the 2016 academy, explained to the group how bills move through the legislative process to become law.

Rep. Mike Kelley led delegates on an evening tour of the Capitol building.

While in Jefferson City, delegates also met with agricultural commodity group leaders, and presented college and career plans to a crowd gathered for an evening banquet, sponsored by MO-AG.

Delegates rounded out their academy experience by networking with state agency leaders and visiting the offices of Secretary of State Jason Kander, State Treasurer Clint Zweifel and Governor Jay Nixon.

As a result of the academy, delegates said they have a positive impression of leaders they met within the three branches of state government. Delegates also said they are more likely to be active as citizens and leaders in their communities, and to potentially pursue careers in public leadership and service.

Premium sponsors of the 4-H

Legislative Academy included FCS Financial and the Missouri Pork Association. Delegate sponsors included the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Axiom Strategies, Missouri Automobile Dealers, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Sheriffs’ Association, Missouri Trucking Association, Nelda S. Godfrey and Polsinelli. Supporting sponsors included Ameren Missouri, Gamble & Schlemeier, Missouri Agribusiness Association, MO-AG’s Jim Russell Foundation and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Left: Adair County 4-H member Holly Hatfield (right) job shadowed Sen. Brian Munzlinger (center). Right: Dade County 4-H member Sarah Townley (left) job shadowed Rep. Mike Kelley (right).

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2016 volunteer recognition awards presented to long-time Missouri 4-H advocates

The Missouri 4-H Foundation honored 41 dedicated volunteers for their commitment to the University of Missouri Extension’s 4-H youth development program during the foundation’s 2016 Volunteer Recognition

and Awards Banquet on March 18 in Columbia, Mo.

Top left: State 4-H Council Representatives Maria Calvert (left) and Holly Hatfield (right) present the Missouri 4-H Alumni Award to Sen. Brian Munzlinger. Top right: State 4-H Council Representatives Maria Calvert (left) and Angela Marulanda (right) present the Friend of 4-H Award to Dave Hileman. Bottom left: Cheryl Reams (left) and Dr. Marla Tobin (right) present the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award to Ann Niemeyer-Glass (left-center), Randy Alewel (center) and Charles Rosenkrans (right-center). Bottom right: (from left) Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award recipients (front row) Diane Temmen of Cole County, Kandy Peek of Cape Girardeau County, Dana Keller of Ralls County, Angie Waddell of Pike County, Valerie Noblitt of Polk County, Kimberly Brannon of Polk County, Denise Jennings of Harrison County; (middle row) Mary DeOrnellis of Monroe County, Jackie Davis of Jackson County, Ann-marie Scott of Cole County, Carolyn Durham of Adair County, Michelle Todd of Marion County, Christy Brandt of Osage County, Susan Mudd of Lincoln County, Cathy Daniels of Howard County, Oleta Edwards of Montgomery County, Michele Sargent of Audrain County; (back row) Darrin DeOrnellis of Monroe County, Don Nicholson of Marion County, Janet Johns of Stoddard County, Marvin Hoffman of Lewis County, Jack Remboldt of Platte County, Amy and Richard Messner of Gentry County, Caroline Green of Lincoln County, Chris Bargfrede of Lafayette County and Curtis Sargent of Audrain County.

7SPIRIT

Governor’s Conference on Agriculture benefits 4-H

More than 750 farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state gathered

at the Lake of the Ozarks Dec. 16-18, 2015 for the 46th annual Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The three-day conference featured a Thursday evening benefit auction and BBQ, sponsored by FCS Financial, in support of Missouri 4-H, Missouri FFA and Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT).

The top selling items for Missouri 4-H included the 2015 Missouri State Fair Grand Champion Ham, donated by Ditzfeld Transfer, Inc. and Murphy Brothers Exposition and purchased by Orscheln Industries Foundation, and a John Deere pedal tractor and wagon, donated by Sydenstricker Implement Co. In total, live and silent auction items raised $5,568 for 4-H.

Additional Missouri 4-H auction donors included 5 Horizons Group, A. L. Gustin Golf Course, Rachel Augustine, Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tammy Gillespie, Henry Repeating Arms Co., Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Dr. Ina Linville, Missouri Ducks Unlimited, Missouri Geographic Alliance, Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, Missouri Star Quilt Company, Missouri Wine and Grape Board, Carolyn Schomaker, University Concert Series and Chris Willow.

Thank you to all of our winning bidders: Matt Amick, Dave Baker, Glenn Coleman, Elizabeth Farmer, Kelly Forck, Harold Freese, Brady Hawk, Nancy Heimann, Michele Hopson, Phil Howerton, Tony Hursch, Bob Idel, Steve Iverson, Dr. Ina Linville, Steve Meredith, Greg Onstott, Orscheln Industries Foundation, Mark Russell, Barbara Sheppard, Terry Smith, Gary Wheeler and Mark Wolfe.

THE 7th ANNUAL

GOLF TOURNAMENT

In support of Missouri 4-H, mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 7, 2016 and

join us for the 7th Annual 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament presented by The Climate Corporation, a division of Monsanto Company and Great American Insurance-Crop Division at A. L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia. Team up with the Missouri 4-H Foundation in supporting Missouri 4-H youth.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

10 a.m. Registration, followed by lunchNoon Shotgun start

Four-person scramble, 18 holesTeams $360 | Individuals $90

Registration includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, refreshments and a team photo.

Sponsorship opportunities

Platinum Sponsorship $750Includes one team registration, banner signage

and special promotions

Premium Sponsorship $500Includes one player registration, banner

signage and special promotions

Hole Sponsorship $250Includes one hole sign and special promotions

Register online

4h.missouri.edu/foundation/

Missouri 4-H Foundation1110 S. College Ave., Room 152University of MissouriColumbia, MO 65211

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4-H meats judging contest draws youth from across Missouri

The University of Missouri Extension 4-H State Meats Judging contest on Feb. 6 drew 38

competing 4-H members. More than 50 FFA students also participated as practice for upcoming events.

Held in partnership with the MU Collegiate Meats Judging Team and generously sponsored by the Missouri Association of Meat Processors, the contest gives participants an opportunity to hone their judging skills and explore career options.

Youth involved with the meat judging program develop key life skills to aid in their future career success. “Through involvement in a 4-H judging team, members must make rapid, logical decisions and defend their decisions via oral reasons. Therefore, students improve their ability for critical thinking and accurate communication. In addition, students become organized and self-disciplined, learn to accept criticism, develop self-confidence and become leaders,” said Shane Potter, 4-H youth development specialist.

Alumni from the program report that success in the meat judging competition has translated to employment opportunities, internships and scholarships.

The 2016 contest included two age divisions: Junior for ages 8-13 and Senior for ages 14-18. The top three junior teams representing the following counties were Monroe, first; Randolph-Green, second; and Platte, third. The top three senior teams representing the following counties were Randolph, first; Platte, second; and Elkhorn-Warren, third.

The members of the championship team from Randolph County will advance to the National 4-H Meats Judging Contest held in the fall as part of the American Royal.

Senior division top 10, Missouri 4-H State Meats Judging contest.