For the second year in a row, the 4-H program and Extension Office have hosted an awards banquet for the 4-H program at the Event Center in Malad.  In the past, awards were distributed at the end of the fair, in what can be imagined to be a more hectic situation.  With more time for preparation and organization, the Award dinner provides a chance for the 4-H community to get together and celebrate the successes of the year.

This year, the event also provided a chance for the community to pay respects to the recently departed Rauhn Panting, former extension agent and all-around supporter of the 4-H program and its kids.  Panting passed away around the same time as this year’s county sheep show, which was a perfect sign to many who had witnessed his love of the show over the years.  The sheep barn will officially be renamed the Rauhn Panting Sheep Barn. Current and former members of the extension office and 4-H community shared their memories and thoughts about Rauhn at the close of the banquet in a touching tribute.

The bulk of the program consisted of the various 4-H leaders presenting individual awards and recognition to their participants.  The leaders included GeAnna Roe (of the Sheep Peeps), Callie Werk (Chicken Clucks), Sawyer Fonnesbeck (Livestock Judging), Ginger Davis and Allison Eliason (Beef’in It Up), Wendy Thomas (Dairy Goats), Mike Semrad (Leather Club), Kelly Sorensen (Dragon riders), Tresie Carter (When Pigs Fly), BreAnn Weeks (RRR Horse Club), Lacey Clark (Wildlife, 4-H Camp, Teen Leaders, Scrapbooking), Andrea Jones (Cake Decorating), Tina Bullcreek (Art), Annie Wangsgard (Awesome Lambers), Sue Evans (Crochet 1), Regene Jones (Crochet 2).  Many other volunteers and helpers were acknowledged for their work over the year.

The State 4-H Leader of the Year award was presented to Becky Moss, for her tireless volunteerism in many different capacities.

The county organization presented its own County Volunteer of the Year award to Emily Christiansen, and recognized her for an impressive stewardship of multiple clubs spanning two decades.  

Kennadee Thomas was recognized for having the most animals in the fair, and Alyssa Seamons was recognized for having the largest number of project entries inside the building. 

The banquet was catered with roast beef sandwiches, and a pot luck of salads and other food brought by volunteers and attendees.

The packed Event Center was a clear sign that support for 4-H is strong in the community, and the number of participants, leaders, and programs continues to increase.  This year saw the introduction of a market goat show, a breeding sheep show, and several other new pursuits.  

Anyone interested in joining 4-H and participating in the wide variety of available programs can contact the extension office at 208-766-2243.