Awards and Recognition
Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award
The Illinois 4-H Foundation created the Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award to annually recognize an Illinois family who has substantially benefited from and who has been an advocate for the Illinois 4-H program over multiple generations. The minimum criteria for nominees are that at least three generations of the family are represented, a minimum of 15 different family members (including in-laws) have either been 4-H members, leaders, or volunteers, and at least 100 cumulative years of 4-H membership or volunteerism are represented by the family. Selection will be based on the total number of family members with 4-H connections, the total number of years of 4-H involvement, the diversity of experiences and recognitions earned by the 4-H members, and the collective impact that family members have made as advocates of their respective county and state 4-H programs.
Previous winners include:
- The Bauer-Hileman Families (2007)
- The Fred A. Francis Family (2006)
- The Thomas & Fern Troyer Rice Families (2005)
- The Howard Peverly & Marvin Schnitzler Families (2004)
- The Clarence & Mabel Ropp Family (2003)
- The W.B. Otwell Family (2002)
Nomination Information
- The family member taking the lead on the nomination should complete the information listed below and use this page as the cover sheet of the nomination.
- Make as many copies of the family member biography sheet as needed so each family member is listed on one separate page.
- Provide up to a two-page typed "Family 4-H Story" reflecting on how 4-H has impacted your family and how your family has supported 4-H.
Illinois 4-H Corporate Clover Award
The Illinois 4-H Foundation created the Illinois 4-H Corporate Clover Award to recognize companies or organizations that employ a significant number of 4-H alumni, parents, or volunteers. The company or organization must have at least a partial presence within the state of Illinois. The minimum criteria for nominees are that at least 20 employees are 4-H alumni. Selection will be based on the total number of employees with 4-H connections, the diversity of 4-H experiences and recognitions earned by those respective employees, and the degree to which some of those employees are providing management-level leadership to the company or organization.
Nomination Information
- The company representative taking the lead on the nomination should complete the information listed below and use this page as the cover sheet of the nomination.
- Complete one copy of the employee biography sheet for each employee that has been a 4-H member, parent, leader, or volunteer and number the pages sequentially.
- Submit a one page statement from an officer of the company or organization indicating their recognition of the value that 4-H experiences and the 4-H youth development program provide.
Illinois 4-H Larry Fischer Leadership & Spirit Award
The Illinois 4-H Foundation created the Larry Fischer Leadership & Spirit Award in 2001 to honor county 4-H or Extension foundation board members or other county fundraising volunteers who exemplify the spirit of "making the best better" for their county's 4-H or Extension fundraising efforts.
Larry Fischer has been a dedicated volunteer for Illinois 4-H for many years. His effective and inclusive leadership style and his passion and spirit for the youth that 4-H serves earned him the respect that resulted in his name being associated with this Leadership & Spirit Award. An Adams County native and a graduate of both Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and the University of Illinois, Fischer is the Director of Agricultural Programs at John Wood Community College. Larry Fischer served on the Illinois 4-H Foundation board for eight years and was elected to two terms as President.
Nomination Information
Nominees must have served on the county 4-H or Extension foundation board or in a similar volunteer role as a fundraiser for county 4-H or Extension programs. The person nominating the volunteer should complete the following application and submit a letter of nomination, which includes the nominee's:
- Significant contributions to the county's 4-H or Extension fundraising efforts
- List of outstanding professional accomplishments
- Notable contributions in citizenship and community service
- Other notable honors, special recognition, civic and volunteer activities, and philanthropic interests.
Additionally, submit at least two letters of support, a one-page biographical sketch, and a one or two-page description of career accomplishments (a resume or curriculum vitae are also acceptable).
