Hill County 4-H honors leader, friends of 4-H

Press release

Hill County 4-H recently held its End-of-Year Celebration event. 

During the event the "Leader of the Year" and "Friend of 4-H" award recipients were recognized. The individuals and businesses who receive these awards each year are nominated by the Hill County 4-H members and leaders.

The "Leader of the Year" exemplifies the 4-H motto "making the best better" through their actions and support of 4-H members. The 2019 Hill County 4-H Leader of the Year is Josh Heitzenroder of the Happy Havre 4-H Club.  Heitzenreider is an exceptional leader and has been enrolled as a 4-H leader for four years.  He has given a great deal of his time as a club leader and each year has taken on more and more duties for 4-H. 

Two years ago, he took the necessary courses to become a shooting sports leader. Since that time, the project has flourished, starting with archery, and has expanded into rifle and shotgun as members become interested in other disciplines.

Outside of his 4-H club, he has taken the lead in designing and constructing the Legacy Wall in the Chuckwagon.

He has also taken on a big role with the sweat equity projects at the Fairgrounds. He has worked on the lawn equipment up there to make sure it is safe for the 4-H'ers to use and also mowed several times himself when it was needed. 

"Josh is most certainly deserving of the title 'Leader of the Year,'" Hill County 4-H representatives said in a press release.

Each year Hill County 4-H honors community members with the "Friend of 4-H" award.  This award recognizes businesses and/or individuals that contribute and support the Hill County 4-H program throughout the year.  This year the selection committee chose two businesses that have contributed and supported 4-H through different modes.

     The first "Friend of 4-H," D.J. Baker and Aquatana, are a prime example of what a "Friend of 4-H" is, a business that has supported Hill County 4-H for many years.  They have donated all or part of the bottled water sold at the fair concessions in the 4-H Chuckwagon and the Pepsi Wagon in the Bigger Better Barn for many years.  This year, all of the bottled water was donated to 4-H for the fair concessions in both locations. In addition, they worked extensively on making labels for the bottles that touted Hill County 4-H. They also designed a special label specifically for the 4-H Buyer Appreciation Luncheon held prior to the 4-H Livestock Sale Sunday during the fair. The labels were great and they went above and beyond with this special detail. D.J. Baker and Aquatana are a prime example of what a "Friend of 4-H" is all about, the representatives said in the release.

The second "Friend of 4-H" is Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods, which has also supported Hill County 4-H for many years.  Last fall, it allowed a local 4-H club to place a "Little Free Library" in its entry way to help promote reading.  Its supports yearly 4-H events by providing competitive pricing for food supplies.  And it supports the 4-H Livestock Sale at the fair each year by purchasing animals and then showcasing them in their meat counter.  It was instrumental in the success of the Hill County 4-H mini-steer program a few years ago by promoting the program in their meat counter with a special display.

The Hill County 4-H members, leaders and parents want to congratulate the 2019 4-H Leader of the Year and Friend of 4-H recipients, and thank them for their continued support to our program.