Forever Buds Named the Club of the Year

The Forever Buds 4-H club was named club of the year at the Richland County 4-H Achievement Day. The annual event was held on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at the Richland County Event Center and was hosted by the Lambert Hi-Liters and Homesteaders 4-H Clubs. This event is a time for 4-H members, leaders and parents to celebrate all the accomplishments throughout the past 4-H year.

The Dynnesons, a long time 4-H family were honored as this year's Friends of 4-H. This annual award is presented to an individual, family or business in recognition of their amazing support and dedication to the local 4-H program. The Dynneson family truly believes in the 4-H program and all that it has to offer. The Dynnesons have been involved in 4-H for many generations and have been instrumental in all aspects of the program. The family is truly an asset to both the local and state 4-H programs.

Achievement Day serves as a day of celebration, a day to highlight the accomplishments of those involved in the Richland County 4-H Program. There are many different awards that are presented to members and leaders for their dedication to 4-H throughout the year.

This year's Helping Hand Award was awarded to Brady Gorder. The Helping Hands Award is presented each year to a member that shows not only great leadership, but also a willingness to go out of their way to help others in the 4-H program. We would like to thank Mitchell's Oil Field Services for sponsoring this award.

We would also like to thank the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the awards for the Jr. Members. Receiving the trophies this year were: Top Jr. Beef Judge – Trey Schepens, Top Jr. Swine Judge -Marrett Schieber, Top Jr. Sheep Judge – Riley Kostelecky, Top Reasons- CJ Nevins, Top Jr. Overall Judge – Trey Schepens, Top Jr. Girl Demonstrator – Emma Torgerson, Top Jr. Boy Demonstrator –Frank Kunda, Top Crown Demonstrator – Katrina Meldahl, Top Jr. Public Speech- Amariah Hier, Jr. Fashion Revue - Lauren Prevost and Top Jr Quilt – Emma Torgerson.

Shooting sports is by far the most attended activity in 4-H throughout the nation. The past year consisted of 6 shoots in the disciplines of Air Rifle, Archery and Air Pistol. Winners of each category are as follows: Top Sr Air Rifle-Sierra Osborne, Top Intermediate Air Rifle- Katrina Meldahl, Top Jr Air Rifle-Ben Carlsen, and Most Improved Air Rifle- Dennis Fine. Top Sr Archery-Holly Bouchard, Top Intermediate Archery-Braden Kindopp, Top Jr Archery-Jacobi Dore and Most Improved Archery-Dalton Bouchard. Top Sr Pistol-Holly Bouchard, Top Intermediate Pistol -CJ Nevins, Top Jr Pistol-Michael Webster and Most Improved Pistol-Terry Reese.

The Horse committee presented awards to Ellie Burns as the All Around Rookie, Allison Lander as the All Around Junior and Randy Lander as the All Around Senior. The Silver Spur award is given to a person that has dedicated their time and skills to help make the horse program here in Richland County a better program. This year the Silver Spur award was given to Kathy Helmuth.

Linda Simonsen, the local poultry leader also gives an annual poultry award. This year that award was given to Ali Jo Merritt.

The carcass champion awards go to the top beef, lamb, hog and goat carcass from the fair. This year the top beef carcass went to Kallie Candee, the top lamb carcass went to Becca Deming, the top swine carcass went to Cooper McNally and top goat carcass went to McKenzy Hazen.

4-H is geared towards teaching youth lifelong skills that will aid them throughout their life. One skill that 4-H members learn is how to keep accurate and detailed records. Members received recognition for their outstanding record books. The Sr. winners were: 2nd place record book- John Helmuth and 1st place record book- Rachel Prevost. The Jr. winners were: 2nd place record book- Riley Kostelecky and 1st place record book- Katrina Meldahl.

Members receiving a plaque recognizing ten years of membership were; Emily Carda, Hazen Fink, Ashton Handy, John Helmuth, Shelby Hier, Seth Indergard, Ryan Lander, Dillon Lunderby, Kolton Nevins, Rachel Prevost, Somer Reidle and Taylor Searer. For seven years of membership, members receive an engraved, sterling silver "Cross" pen for their years of investment in 4-H. Our seven year members were; Carly Candee, Kallie Candee, Clay Carpenter, Dominica Granada, Renee Granada, Tanner Lien, Autumn Rehbein, Dylan Reid and Mary Voll.

Without the outstanding group of volunteer leaders in the 4-H program, many activities would not be possible. These leaders give up personal time to ensure that youth have the best experience in the 4-H program. Receiving the award of the Silver Clover for 5 years of service were: Pam Carpenter, Jason Deming, Kelly Deming, Julie Dragseth, Katelyn Dynneson, Mary Fabian, Levi Helmuth, David Hill, Julie Hill, Brandi Lien, Patti McGinnis, Kayleen Peters and Laura Scheiber. Receiving the award of the Gold Clover for 10 years of service were: Staci Lange-Rice, Charles Nevins, Heather Nevins, Tina Rehbein and Colleen Topp. Receiving a Pearl Clover for 15 years of service were: Keith Dynneson, Tammy Dynneson and Shane Gorder. Receiving a Diamond Clover for 20 years of service were: Wendy Becker, Leslie McMillen and Howard Rambur.

Every year the clubs have 4-H displays throughout the county to celebrate National 4-H Week. The Award for Best Window Display went to the Fair View 4-H Club.

Achievement Day was a big success in celebrating all the accomplishments and hard work of 4-H youth, parents and volunteers over the past year. Congratulations go out to all involved in the 4-H program.