10-30-09
pat.harrington@uwex.edu.
Wisconsin 4-H Foundation honors major donors
STEVENS POINT
The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation recently honored several of its top donors of the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The donor recognition was held during the 2009 4-H Volunteer Fall Forum in Stevens Point. The 4-H donor recognition luncheon was sponsored in part by Nasco of Fort Atkinson, and brought together major 4-H donors, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation board members and youth and adult 4-H volunteers from all over the state.
Following are the donors who were recognized during the luncheon for their generous support of Wisconsin 4-H activities:
• Badgerland Financial, Baraboo, continues their long-term support for Wisconsin 4-H as a 2009 Silver Clover level state 4-H sponsor. By contributing to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, Badgerland Financial supports a number of leadership development opportunities for 4-H youth of Wisconsin. Badgerland Financial offers financial services to farmers and homeowners in southeastern Wisconsin. Their donation of $5,000 to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation impacts the 4-H experiences of nearly 100,000 youth participants. They have been a partner with Wisconsin 4-H since the 1960s and have a generous history of strengthening Wisconsin 4-H leadership opportunities.
• Cooperative Resources International, Shawano, is not only a major purchaser at the annual Governor’s Sweepstakes Meat Products Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair, they are also providing all of the 4-H Foundation’s printing needs for the year and providing staff expertise on marketing materials. CRI has made a strong impact on the animal sciences activities for many years. As a generous annual supporter of Wisconsin 4-H programs, this year they sponsored three of the 2009 area Animal Science Days, helping educate hundreds of youth statewide. CRI is a member-owned holding cooperative formed in 1993. Many of the 1,500 employees of CRI were 4-H members and leaders.
• Rural Mutual Insurance Company, Madison, is a 2009 Silver Clover level state 4-H sponsor, supporting state 4-H programs, in general, for this year. Their support means that counties will continue to receive the learning resources, the access to state and national 4-H events and the ongoing project instruction that keeps Wisconsin 4-H strong. Rural Mutual Insurance Company has been a Wisconsin 4-H partner for over 30 years. Their support is based on the company’s commitment to youth programs such as 4-H that support and develop future community leaders and strong citizens. They have been long-time co-sponsors of 4-H’s prestigious Key Awards, along with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. The company dedicates itself to providing insurance products to Wisconsin families, farms, businesses and municipalities.
• United FCS of Wausau is the sponsor for the 2009 Wisconsin 4-H Fall Forum. United FCS, a part of the National Farm Credit system, serves nearly 4,400 customer-members. It is a farmer-owned financial services cooperative, with a team of specialists having agricultural knowledge and experience. In addition to the Fall Forum, United FCS sponsored the 2009 state 4-H Plant & Soil Sciences Day, held in July. Their support helps to develop young leaders and to support 4-H volunteer leadership. “Today’s youth is tomorrow’s next generation of small business owners and workforce. Sponsoring 4-H programs like the Plant & Soil Science Day and the leadership Fall Forum provide our youth with key developmental and learning opportunities,” stated Jay Nickel, senior vice president for United FCS.
• Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation of Madison has sponsored the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award program for more than 30 years, helping counties to recognize their 4-H youth who have made significant growth in their leadership skills. The Key Award is one of the top honors given to Wisconsin 4-H youth. Since 1974, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has been a strong and active supporter of Wisconsin 4-H youth. In addition to their support of many county-based 4-H activities, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is a generous donor to 4-H programs in general, and a strong supporter of the 4-H Foundation’s fundraising events. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing the needs and interests of farmers for all commodities.
