A Crawford County Fair official was recently honored for his efforts  on behalf of 4-H.
Joe Stephenson, the secretary and treasurer of the Crawford County Fair Board, was recently honored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation for his selfless dedication to the University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development program.
Stephenson was among 84 individuals were inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame during a virtual ceremony May 20. Five of the honorees were named posthumously.
Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles.
The Illinois 4-H Foundation established the statewide Hall of Fame in 2005 to honor and celebrate extraordinary 4-H alumni, volunteers and former 4-H staff.
Those inducted have a track record of exemplary service to 4-H or outstanding career and community achievement and were nominated by either county University of Illinois Extension staff or the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board. Each inductee receives a commemorative Hall of Fame medallion.
“Mr. Stephenson has worked closely with our 4-H program for the past 20 years and is a former 4-H’er in Perry County, Ind.,” acording to county 4-H program coordinator April Knoblett.
“He works many hours preparing the fairgrounds for the 4-H shows, often the first to arrive and the last to leave,” Knoblett said. “We don’t thank behind-the-scenes volunteers often enough and we didn’t want this opportunity to pass without recognizing him.”
Illinois 4-H programs reach nearly 130,000 youth each year through 4-H clubs, camps, educational programs, workshops and conferences held in communities, schools, parks and homes across Illinois.
Volunteers fill key leadership and mentoring roles throughout the state.
“The foundation provides avenues to support the work of Illinois 4-H by accepting financial gifts specifically directed to the program you wish to support,” foundation Executive Director Angie Barnard said. “Gift planning services are available to those wishing to continue their 4-H legacy.”
The 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 4hfoundation.illinois.edu.
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.