Two Washington County 4-Hers earn state awards

Fifty Iowa 4-H members have been awarded 2020 state 4-H project area awards following the statewide recognition process, which was held virtually this year. Two Washington County 4-H members were recognized as recipients: Roy Carter in Civic Engagement and Jenna Messer in Food & Nutrition.

Each award recipient was granted a $100 award from Glen and Mary Jo Mente of Ames and the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

4-H project areas are broad topics that members can explore on their own or with the mentorship of a 4-H leader or other caring adult. Project area award applicants were asked to explain how they've demonstrated exemplary leadership, communication and civic engagement through their exploration of a project area over a number of years.

Jenna Messer is the daughter of Julie and Mark Messer of Washington. She is a member of the Washington Go Getters and has been a youth leader to Clover Cookers Club.

'It is a great honor to receive the State Food and Nutrition Award,” said Messer. 'I have worked hard in this project area both at the fair and with volunteer opportunities in the community and through 4-H programming. I enjoy learning to make family recipes to keep our food traditions alive. I also have enjoyed connecting with elementary students in the food related after school programs.”

Roy Carter is a member of the Jackson Jets 4-H Club and also the ELITE Project Team. He is the son of John and Kim Carter of Washington. Carter received the project award for Civic Engagement closely related to leadership and citizenship.

'Being a good citizen isn't narrowly focused on only what appears to affect us directly, but includes random acts of kindness that can have a ripple effect and improve the lives of many,” Carter said. 'I really enjoy the satisfaction of helping to make our world a little better. 4-H has taught me many valuable skills that I will be able to use throughout my life, such as responsibility, accountability, communication, leadership, and civic engagement. These skills are applicable to whatever we do through school, college, work, and our personal lives.”

'This recognition is a great honor and testament to the dedication Jenna and Roy have invested in mastering skills in their specific project area,” said Amy Green, Washington County 4-H/Youth Coordinator. 'They are great role models for other youth in our 4-H family in the way they set goals, achieve, and provide service to others.”

4-H projects provide members learning opportunities to strengthen their skills and knowledge in topics that interest them.

The recognition process provides additional skill development opportunities that help young people prepare for future career processes such as applying for a job or for college through a resume, written application and virtual interview, which was judged by volunteers from related industries around the state.

Applications for next year's state 4-H project area awards will be due Feb. 1, 2021. All Iowa 4-H members who are in grades 9-12 may apply for up to two project area awards per year, with a maximum of one award per applicant.

For more information about Washington County 4-H or how to become a member or volunteer, contact the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811. The new 4-H year begins in September.