Iowa 4-H healthy living summit team recognized

AMES - Iowa 4-H recognized the Healthy Living Summit team in October at the Iowa 4-H Youthfest professional development conference. Award recipients were recognized for their efforts to work together to address a specific need and to create a successful programming effort.

The award ceremony was held Oct. 30 in Ames, as a part of the annual Youthfest conference which brings together ISU Extension and Outreach staff from all over the state to celebrate the work they are doing and participate in workshops and educational opportunities in the field of 4-H youth development.

'This event provides an opportunity for all of us to learn about significant impacts our 4-H staff are making in their local communities and to celebrate those accomplishments.” 4-H staff recognition committee chair Brenda Allen said.

The awarded team was made up of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff on state and county levels and a 4-H youth volunteer. Team members included Laura Liechty (state staff), Kim Kuester (Jasper County), Cherry Sandeen (Henry County), 4-H youth volunteer Joy Westercamp (Van Buren County), and former 4-H youth program specialist Brenda Spurgeon (Davis, Appanoose, Van Buren, and Wapello Counties).

The group came together to support the School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health (SWITCH) program by creating the Healthy Living Summit, a professional development opportunity for SWITCH youth and adult leaders. The daylong summit incorporated experiential learning activities and opportunities to learn about the healthy changes adopted by other schools.

To find out more about these individuals and the work they are doing for Iowa youth, contact their respective county ISU Extension and Outreach offices by visiting the Iowa 4-H county offices website at www.extension.iastate.edu/countyservices.