Farm Bureau Honors Taylor Hartke, Craig Logan

The Youth Education Committee of the Illinois Farm Bureau and its affiliates awarded 10 Illinois 4-H members with its Leadership, Citizenship, and Professionalism Award at a ceremony held Saturday, Oct. 20 in Champaign. In addition to the award, the winners participate in an elite leadership training with members of Illinois FFA.

The winners included Taylor Hartke of Effingham County; Andrew Cunningham, Macon County; Katelyn Hamilton of Randolph County; Parker Karrick of Marion County; Grace Koester of Randolph County; Jacob Larkin of Livingston County; Elaine Miller of Hamilton County; Sowmya Monroe of Winnebago County; Grace Skelton of Logan County and Garrett Williams of Richland County.

Presenting the scholarships on behalf of the Illinois Farm Bureau was Jenny Webb, Farm Bureau membership and program specialist. In addition to her work in Farm Bureau, Jenny is a McLean County 4-H alumna and former Extension staff member.

Taylor Hartke

Taylor has grown up in the agriculture industry and is preparing for a career in agriculture communications. Through her 4-H officer positions and opportunities, she is a confident speaker in front of various audiences. She sets and achieves the goals she aspires for her life. She dreams of showing the world how important agriculture is and present in our everyday lives. She knows this isn’t a small task, but she is convinced that she has been well prepared to tackle it.

Twenty-two 4-H members from across the state were honored for their lifetime 4-H achievements. The Illinois State 4-H Award recognizes exemplary work in five major areas: communications, community service, leadership, personal growth, and project mastery. The winners were recognized during a ceremony held Oct. 20 in Champaign.

Winners select either a trip to National 4-H Congress or a $1,000 college scholarship as their prize. The award is supported through gifts to the Illinois 4-H Foundation by donors, including the Illinois Farm Bureau, Jennifer Cowsert, Keith Engel, Carrie Francis, Paul and Kristen Hadden, Peter Johnson, Victoria Jozef, Janet Kolmer Grommet, Donna Mueller, Keith and Lissa Parr, Michael Razim, Ryan and Elaine Ruwe, Marvin and Elizabeth Schnitzler, James and Jean Shinn, Jason and Andrya Smith, Kenneth and Lorna Smith, Gerald and Linda Thiele, and John and Tania Wilken.

Craig Logan of Effingham County received the state award in communications. In the community service category, the winners include Jessica Anderson of Macon County, Lindy Couch of Henry County, Aaron Fishburn of Sangamon County, Evelyn Martin of Kendall County, and Christivie Nzengo of McLean County.

Four 4-H members were honored for their leadership, including Maddie Franklin of DeWitt County, Anne Becker of Morgan County, Kate Mueller of Peoria County, and Lydia Widener of McLean County. Five others received recognition in the area of personal growth: Daria Cleland of Boone County, Gwendolyn Fowler of Mercer County, Brady Haring of JoDaviess County, Josh Rossi of Grundy County, and Dillon White of Morgan County.

Honored for their exceptional project work are Grace Betz of Will County, Bradley Bruhl of McLean County, Mackenzie Kraft of McLean County, Jake Ryan of Boone County, Abigail Steffens of Logan County, Jonathan Timm of Marion County, and Nalia Warmack of Grundy County.

Craig Logan

Craig’s desire to start a school garden started his public speaking career. His first speaking event was a proposal for the garden to his entire school. This gave him the confidence to speak with local businesses for financial support and to the school board. He has organized the 4-H Club Showcase where clubs demonstrate their community impact. Craig also sets up booths with hands on activities at county-wide events promoting 4-H. He attributes his confidence and communication skills to opportunities he received through 4-H.