2006 4-H Golden Clover Awards

The Golden Clover Awards recognize outstanding achievement of 4-H members, volunteers, and groups within the 4-H YDP.

Forty-four applications were submitted during the second year of the 4-H Golden Clover Awards, including thirteen 4-H volunteers, nine groups and twenty-two 4-H members. The Selection Committee was composed of county-based staff, volunteers, and 4-H members. Sixteen Golden Clovers were awarded in 2006.

2006 4-H Member Awards

Citizenship
Jennifer Washman, Placer County
Jennifer has had a long history with citizenship and community service throughout her 4-H experience. She has attended numerous conferences, including California Focus, Washington Focus, and CWF Global Journey. Jennifer spent much of her last year working with Operation MOM, helping gather funds and supplies to ship to U.S. Troops overseas.

Mentoring
Rose Gallegos, Fresno County
A long time member of the 4-H program, Rose has held numerous leadership roles, including planning and developing two shows at the Greater California Poultry Fanciers and the Monterey Bantam Association. According to her mentee, "besides being so helpful, Rose is pretty, smart, and good with people and kids who need help in 4-H."

Leadership
Ashley Driver, Colusa County
Ashley has been active in almost every aspect of 4-H, through projects, leadership activities, and community service. The Colusa 4-H Staff state, "She is a model of leadership held up to her peers to emulate."

Strive for Excellence
Matthew Smith, Imperial County
A committed member of the 4-H program for 12 years, Matthew has participated at the county, national, and state levels. Matthew uses his skills to educate new members; he takes what he knows and teaches it to others. Striving for excellence, Matthew goes beyond the norm, exceeding expectations, and redefining what it is to be a 4-H member.

Extended Service to 4-H
Catherine Yasuda, El Dorado County
Catherine has been an active member for the past 12 years, and plans on remaining involved in 4-H for years to come. She has truly embraced the spirit of 4-H; from being a member of the All Stars to planning and organizing Kids Expo, Catherine is a role model to all new members she recruits.

2006 4-H Volunteer Awards

Presentation (PPT)

Keith Barnes Lifetime Achievement
Fern Vacca, Ventura County
Fern personifies the spirit of 4-H: learning, laughing, living and loving. Over the past thirty-four years, Fern has been actively engaged in 4-H at all levels, lending her experience and passion to better the lives of many youth. One youth member says, "Fern takes the time to work with any 4-H member that asks for help; sitting for hours to help."

Mentor
Valerie Wilson, Yuba County
Valerie has been inspiring and encouraging the youth of Sutter and Yuba Counties for nearly forty years. She has used her passion and knowledge for horse projects to provide motivation to youth with a variety of special needs. One colleague says, "Mrs. Wilson recognizes special talents of the riders and supports their growth both inside and outside the arena."

Outreach
Sue Bohannan, Solano County
In the growing city of Vallejo, Sue is meeting the needs of changing demographics and diverse populations. Sue is creating and coordinating 4-H after school programs that appeal to youth audiences that have not previously participated in 4-H. Through her enthusiasm and tireless effort, she has recruited 94 youth into the 4-H program. The Solano County 4-H Staff say that "Sue is one of our organization's best advocates."

Keith Barnes Salute to Excellence
Mary Scott, El Dorado County
In Mary's short time as a 4-H volunteer leader, she has inspired youth within her club and county to become more involved. The breadth of activities, including community service, fundraising, and club administration, is a small illustration of the extensive time and effort Mary has contributed to 4-H over the past four years. Mary embodies the spirit of excellence in volunteerism.

Special Events/Activities
Ed Larimer, San Joaquin County
Ed has enhanced the 4-H camp experience for hundreds of 4-H members in his county for more than ten years. Ed is a hands-on director, actively involved with camp logistics, programming, and improvement. In the words of the San Joaquin County 4-H Staff, Ed is "a catalyst for change." Ed is also involved with the Statewide 4-H Camping Task Force where he has helped developed new 4-H camping activities.

Young Leaders
Brianne Ratto, San Joaquin County
After being an active 4-H member herself, Brianne chose to keep 4-H as a major part of her life and help inspire younger 4-H members. During her first few years as a new 4-H adult volunteer, she coordinated the San Joaquin County 4-H New Directions Conference as well as serving as the 2004-2005 All Star Advisor.

2006 4-H Group Awards

Citizenship
El Dorado County Youth Commission, El Dorado County
Austin Bay, Courtney Glover, Kelly Harkins, Melissa Jones, Andrew Kasabian, James Knapp, Tony Saich, Kayleigh Salstrang, Kristin Schoonover, Elizabeth White, Reed Blakemone, Allie Jones, Jared Levenson, Vinayak Ramesh, Kristina Smith, Seth Vam Dam, Bryson Haley, Colleen Moore, Shantel Byrd, Jamie Engelmann, Katie Maloney-Krips, Kylie Mitchell
Along with educating youth about the policy making process, the Youth Commission works alongside the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to ensure the voices of today's youth are heard. The common goal between the Youth Commission and the Board of Supervisors is to improve the lives of El Dorado youth by advising people in government.

Outreach
A Cow Not a Cup, Orange County
Heather McCloskey, Sjoen Koepke
This team educated the local community about the need to provide milking livestock to underprivileged countries. By developing several fundraising activities, the pair raised over $1,000, which went towards a quality breeding heifer, two goats, and a water buffalo through Heifer International.

Collaboration
Pacifica 4-H Bee Garden, San Mateo County
Mona Urbina, Cliff Rocha, Lori LaRue
Researchers Mona, Cliff, and Lori connected with the Pacifica 4-H Club to start a bee garden in order to attract different species of bees. Using native plants, donated by the University of California, Berkeley, the team and the 4-H club were able to design a bee garden that exemplified the need for quality environmental education.


Innovative Ideas
Union 4-H Mosquito Control Project, San Benito County
Lisa Dixon, Dave Escover, Denise Escover, Bonnie Flores, Bruce Green, Sandra Green, Jason Kadluboski, Sandee Kadluboski, DeLisa Russell, Steve Sando, Sharon Shelton, Anthony Brigantino, Gianna Brigantino, Rachel Brigantino, Tyler Dixon, Lauren Enz-Bowlus, Meglan Enz-Bowlus, Danielle Escover, David Escover, Dominique Flores, Adam McCullough, Kelly McCullough, Katie Nino, Sarah Nino, Megan Pape, Alyssa Russell, Ashlyn Russell, Tristan Russell, Charity Sando, Danielle Shelton, Lindsey Shelton, Sarah Shelton, William Shelton, Katie Smithee, Rachel Smithee, Kimberly Sparrer, Ashley Sparrer, Samantha Corrales, Emily Whiteley, Kelly Whiteley, Molly McCullough, Erica Leung, Ceily Hepner, Erin Hepner
Members assisted the West Nile Virus Task Force in order to address the growing concern regarding the increasing distribution of mosquitoes in the area. The group attended the Farmers Market, where they set up a booth and distributed free of charge mosquito fish to the local farmers and residents to combat the West Nile Virus.


Special Events/Activities
Leadership Conference of Regional Teens, Fresno County
Tricia Harlan, Lauren Reid, Melanie Curtis
This team planned and executed the Olympic-themed 2006 Regional Conference, which was held January 27-29 at Wonder Valley in Fresno county. In addition to recreational activities, over 350 delegates attended 13 workshops, which included "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teams" and "What Do You Stand For?"