(ND Ag Connection) – Five North Dakota State University Extension agents and specialists were honored for their work during the recent National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Those recognized were:
Breana Kiser, agriculture and natural resources agent, Dickey County – awarded national Achievement in Service Award; district winner of specialty award for Excellence in 4-H Volunteerism.
Lindsey Leker, former 4-H youth development specialist – awarded national Achievement in Service Award.
Rachel Wald, agriculture and natural resources agent, McHenry County – awarded national Distinguished Service Award.
Sue Quamme Wehlander, 4-H youth development specialist – awarded National Distinguished Service Award.
Sue Isbell, 4-H youth development agent, Sioux County – awarded national Meritorious Service Award.
The National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals is the professional organization for those dedicated to promoting, strengthening, enhancing and advocating for the 4-H youth development profession.
The Achievement in Service Award recognizes current members of the organization that have served more than three years but fewer than seven years in Extension 4-H youth programs.
Kiser has been with NDSU Extension in Dickey County since 2014. She is passionate about the youth in the 4-H animal science program, especially the horse program. She is a co-superintendent of the North Dakota State Fair 4-H Horse Show and collaboratively works to support 4-H volunteers.
Leker created strong 4-H robotics and coding programs. She has a passion for reaching underserved and under-resourced youth and excels in securing grant funding. She served on the National STEM 4-H Committee and has a lead role in North Dakota 4-H camp programing.
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes current members that have served seven or more years in Extension 4-H youth programs.
Wald facilitates a variety of 4-H programing. She is co-superintendent of the North Dakota State Fair 4-H Horse Show, sits on the North Dakota 4-H Equine Committee and is the treasurer for the North Dakota Association of Extension 4-H Youth Workers. She is motivated by seeing youth thrive and change.
Quamme Wehlander champions inclusivity. She brings accurate and culturally appropriate learning opportunities to 4-H professionals. Relationship building guides her work as the first step to creating safe spaces for youth and adults to expand their knowledge about Indigenous culture. She is a mentor and leader for the North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors.