Hartke Among Those Inducted Into 4-H Hall of Fame

Phil Hartke of Teutopolis is among those honored this year as a member of the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame.

The Illinois 4-H Foundation annually recognizes one 4-H volunteer per county for exemplary service to the Illinois 4-H program as a Hall of Fame winner. This year, 74 new members were inducted into the Hall, the largest inductee class to date.

(PHIL HARTKE)

This year marks the 12-year anniversary of the award. The ceremony was held Saturday at the Illinois State Fair.

The Illinois 4-H Foundation established the statewide Hall of Fame in 2004 to honor and celebrate extraordinary 4-H alumni, volunteers, and former 4-H staff. Each inductee received a commemorative Hall of Fame medallion.

In addition to Hartke as the Effingham County inductee, area honorees included Amanda Dial of Clay County, Melvin Koester of Cumberland County, Renee Whightsil of Fayette County, and Patricia Hildebrand of Jasper County.