Celebrating 4-H Hall of Fame inductees

Courtesy photo. Cliff Craven, Leaf River was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame at the Illinois State Fair.

ILLINOIS – The Illinois 4-H Foundation annually recognizes one 4-H volunteer per county for exemplary service to the Illinois 4-H program as a Hall of Fame winner. This year, more than 800 supporters watched the induction of 70 new members into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, the largest inductee class to date.

This year celebrated the 11-year anniversary of the award, said Angie Barnard, director of the Illinois 4-H Foundation. The ceremony was held Saturday, Aug. 15 on the Director of Agriculture’s lawn on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Ag Director Phil Nelson is a 4-H supporter and was last year’s Illinois 4-H Foundation Alumni Award winner.

“These long-time volunteers fully embody what 4-H strives to instill in youth,” Barnard said. “They are caring, dedicated, generous leaders, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation is extremely proud to be able to provide this honor to each and every one of them to thank them for their service to this wonderful organization.”

The Illinois 4-H Foundation established the statewide Hall of Fame in 2004 to honor and celebrate extraordinary 4-H alumni, volunteers, and former 4-H staff. Nominations for the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame are made by University of Illinois Extension staff. Each inductee received a commemorative Hall of Fame medallion.

“As a result of these volunteers’ years of service and leadership to Illinois 4-H,” Barnard said, “the program they love will continue to create brilliant futures for the young people whose lives it touches.”

In Ogle County the winner was Cliff Craven, Leaf River. Cliff has always had a strong presence in the Ogle County 4-H program. He was a leader for the Leaf River Busy Beavers for 35 years, has been a member on the Expansion and Review Committee from the beginning, has served on the Extension Council, has been a Swine Fair Committee member, the Assistant Superintendent for the Jr Fair, along with having other responsibilities. Most importantly, Cliff was always willing to volunteer whenever extra help was needed.

The Illinois 4-H Foundation raises private funds that are invested in Illinois 4-H programs that provide meaningful, positive development experiences for Illinois youth to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills. To learn more, visit: www.4hfoundation.illinois.edu.

News Writer: Judy Mae Bingman, Extension Media Communications Specialist, 217-300-2113