Six people from Northeast Missouri counties among inductees into Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame

SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H community honored this year’s inductees into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame in August at State Fair Community College in Sedalia.

Local Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inductees include:

• Barb Clark, Clark County
• Tracy Dames, Lewis County
• Kevin and Diane DeHaan, Marion County
• Helen Miller, Monroe County
• Marion Branstetter, Pike County

In a press release, Rachel Augustine, senior director of advancement for the Missouri 4-H Foundation, said, “This year’s inductees represent not just the best but a commitment to making the best even better. With unwavering dedication, remarkable contributions and a profound legacy of volunteer leadership these remarkable individuals have elevated the standards of excellence within the 4-H program.”

Inductees representing 33 counties and one inductee representing the state established a legacy totaling 1,061 years of service to 4-H, Augustine said. Friends and family members attended the 17th annual event sponsored by FCS Financial and the Missouri State Fair in partnership with the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

“Each year, the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame induction serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact that volunteers can have on the lives of young people, families and communities,” she said. “It is a celebration of passion, selflessness and a relentless drive to empower the next generation of leaders.”

“We are eternally grateful to these volunteers with an incredible legacy of service and honor these exceptional individuals,” said Lupita Fabregas, director of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. “From the heart of Missouri’s vibrant cities to the quiet corners of its rural landscapes, the 2023 inductees have woven together a tapestry of experiences, knowledge and wisdom that has enriched the lives of countless 4-H members. Their stories inspire us to reach greater heights, to embrace challenges with resilience and to pass on the torch of leadership to the generations that follow.”

4-H is the youth development program of the University of Missouri and the nation’s Cooperative Extension System. For more information, visit 4h.missouri.edu.