Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes Taylor family in Lewis County, Bross family in Marion County with 4-H Century Family Award

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently recognized eight families with the 2021 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award, and two of them are from northeast Missouri.

The Taylor family of Lewis County and the Bross family of Marion County each represents a combined 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service within 4-H. Six other families in Vernon County were recognized.

The 4-H Century Family Award commends families for their dedication to supporting and building the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Youth Development Program in communities across Missouri.

The Bross family’s involvement with 4-H started when Elizabeth Schade was with the Marion Boosters 4-H club for 11 years. She was followed by Lucille Watters, who spent 11 years with the same club. Lucille’s daughter, Marcia (Watters) Bross of Palmyra, Mo., has been with the Marion Boosters 4-H club for 44 years. Marcia’s husband, Kent, has been with the club for 18 years, and their son, Doug Bross, has been with the club for 18 years as well.

“When I turned 8 years old, I joined 4-H and met many new friends,” Marcia Bross said. “I quickly learned that 4-H had several opportunities. I showed horses and was in the foods and home environment projects. In the beginning, I showed at the Marion County Junior Fair. My mom and grandma were my leaders for 11 years each.  Through 4-H, I got more confidence and started to compete on the regional and state levels.

“After I turned 18, I knew I wanted to give back to 4-H for all the things it has given me.  I was a leader at the 4-H Horse and Pony club in Woodford County, Ky., for four years. I have been both a club and project leader and have been on 4-H Council for a total of 33 years as a 4-H volunteer.”

Marcia said her son, Doug, joined the Clover Kids when he was 5 years old and became a shooting sports leader as soon as he turned 21. Kent has been a project leader for 18 years.

The Taylor family’s involvement started when Thelma and Morton Anderson spent 10 years with the Wyandotte 4-H Club in Linn, Mo., and Ethyl and Toby Taylor spend 10 years with the Pink Prairie 4-H Club in Lewis County, Mo.

Robert and Rosemary Taylor of Canton, Mo., each spent 23 years with the Pink Prairie 4-H Club, followed by their son — 23 years with the Pink Prairie club from Jere Taylor, and 14 years with the Ten Mile 4-H Club by his wife, Mary Taylor of Canton, Mo. — and their daughter — 23 years with the Pink Prairie and the Monticello 4-H Club by Cathy Nelson of LaGrange, Mo.

Robert and Rosemary’s grandchildren also were involved — 21 years by Lezlie Durst of LaGrange, Mo., 10 years by Hollie Taylor of Wentzville, Mo., and 14 years by Aron Knoche of LaGrange, Mo., all with the Ten Mile Club.; plus Haliee Turnbaugh and Heath Turnbaugh of LaGrange, Mo., and Tuesday Heatherton and Tate Heatherton of LaGrange, Mo., who are members of the Ten Mile Club.

Missouri 4-H is an organization of young people learning, growing and preparing to be the leaders of today and tomorrow while making a difference in their community, country and world. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Missouri and the nation’s Cooperative Extension System. 

The Missouri 4-H Foundation is the private resource partner of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. For 70 years, the foundation has secured and managed funds for Missouri 4-H, providing higher education scholarships, recognizing 4-H volunteers and supporting the work of MU Extension 4-H.