Keeping 4-H alive in Boone County

By Kathryn Menue

EDITOR

Gary and Ann Turner have been recognized at the state level for their dedication and numerous years of service to 4-H.

The road to recognition definitely has been a long one.

Gary, joined the Garden Prairie Grasshoppers 4-H group when he was 10-years-old.

“Back then, everyone lived on a farm,” and joining 4-H “was the thing to do,” Gary, 82, said.

Joining 4-H in the 1940s was a lot different than the 4-H known by today’s standards. When Gary first joined, anyone could join for free. 4-H members had free farmland donated to them where they could raise and sell crops to earn money for their organization. They had basketball tournaments and softball tournaments against other 4-H groups in the county.

Although 4-H attracted more rural community members, one “city girl” joined the Sweet Clovers 4-H club for girls in 1952 when she was 15-years-old.

“I didn’t join 4-H to join 4-H. I was going after a boy,” Ann, 80, said as she pointed at her husband Gary.

Ann won Gary’s heart, and Gary and 4-H won over Ann’s heart as well.

Gary and Ann married young and continued their dedication to 4-H by stepping into the leadership role.

“Parents step up [to be 4-H leaders] when their kids are in 4-H, and then, they leave; but, Ann and I never left,” Gary said. “We stayed to keep the club stable.”

Together, Ann and Gary have been 4-H leaders for over 50 years. Taking on that leadership role provided them with some of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.  They’ve taught kids special skills such as cooking, helped them through the showing process at fairs, and aided them in overcoming shyness through 4-H presentations.

“These kids learn confidence in themselves,” Ann said.

Gary agreed, watching the children grow into leaders themselves, had been the most gratifying part of their journey.

“The kids are smart and really work hard at their projects. It’s a joy watching kids develop and become citizens of the community. I really can’t say I’ve known one of our 4-Hers who’ve been in trouble. They’re just good people,” Gary said. “Just helping 4-Hers, that’s my favorite thing.”

Both Gary and Ann agreed, over the years, they’ve seen 4-H members achieve the necessary skills for successful careers. They noted members who’ve become doctors, veterinarians, teachers, bankers, business men and women, military personnel, farmers, and pilots.

Obviously, they’ve impacted 4-H children in a positive way, since former members still come up and recognize them.

Recently, Tina Scarbrough, the Volunteer Coordinator for RSVP, a volunteer organization for seniors 55-years-old or older, recognized Ann Turner and approached her saying, “Mrs. Turner, you were my 4-H leader.”

For Gary and Ann, it means so much that they’ve been able to affect so many lives.

“We’ve been blessed with good health. As long as we continue to function, we continue to do it,” Gary said.

For the couple, 4-H is one of the loves of their lives. Gary even gave Ann a 4-H necklace for their 25^th wedding anniversary. One time at a Lyle Lee auction, Ann saw a 4-H locket that she just had to have. She found herself in a bidding war, but won the locket in the end.

“I probably paid top dollar for that locket,” Ann said.

4-H is a passion they’ve passed on to their children, grandchildren, and even one great-grandchild.

“We encourage all kids to join 4-H,” Gary said. “There’s a 4-H club for every kid in the county.”

After 62 years of marriage and over 50 years of leadership service to 4-H, the Turners still are going strong. Even though they’ve withdrawn a bit from their leadership duties, they still help out where they can.

“We’re not as involved as we used to be, but I go to the events the young girls can’t make,” Ann said. These include working the 4-H stand at the fair, along with judging 4-H projects.

“Ann is very good at it, and she kind of drags me along,” Gary joked.

In all honesty, they do a lot for their 4-H group, including allowing for makeup presentations at their house. Gary continues to take charge of the annual Lawrenceville Cemetery Memorial Day Service too.

As the age of technology continues to advance, Gary and Ann allow for more of the tech savvy leaders to take charge. That doesn’t mean they are giving up on their beloved 4-H.

“We eat and bleed 4-H,” Ann said. “I’ll probably take 4-H to my grave.”

For that dedication, Gary and Ann received certificates for their lengthy leadership with 4-H. Illinois 4-H presented Gary and Ann with certificates, 4-H alumni t-shirts, and 4-H license plate covers at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 20.

The Turners’ friend, Bob Edwards, was very proud of their accomplishment and had to share the news.

“Anyone who’s spent 54 years as a 4-H leader has a halo around his head,” Edwards said. “He’s [Gary] pretty bashful about these things and doesn’t like to make waves, but I think it’s time they come crashing on shore.”

To Gary, recognition really should go to the Boone County 4-H and the Granges.

“Boone County is lucky we have a 4-H fair – probably one of the best,” Gary said. “We want to thank the Granges for having a 4-H fair.”

Gary hopes 4-H continues to grow, but is a little concerned about the future. He said other 4-H programs in the state seem to be dwindling, but Boone County is holding strong. He does see problems with not as many people volunteering, which is one of the reasons he advocates that children join 4-H.

4-H offers numerous areas of expertise children can study from cooking to agriculture to photography to entomology.

Joining is easy.  Contact Program Coordinator of 4-H and Youth Development Melissa Irwin at (815) 544-3710, or email her at [email protected]. Interested parties also can go to the University of Illinois Extension Office at 205 Cadillac Court Unit 3 in Belvidere. Membership for 4-H is $20.