COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is presenting Jenise Burch, of Vernon County, with the 2022 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award for nearly 60 years of service and support to 4-H.

“We are honored to recognize Jenise Burch for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Vernon County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

Recipients of the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award may select a 4-H club or county program to receive a $250 award in their honor. Burch chose the Vernon County G.R.O.W. Project.

Q: How did you first become involved with 4-H?

A: As a member of the Walker 4-H Club in Vernon County in 1954.

Q: Why do you think 4-H is important for young people?

A: Through 4-H, young people develop life skills, participate in leadership training and establish a lifelong social network.

Q: What made you want to become a 4-H volunteer?

A: I enjoyed all of my years as a member and wanted to help other youth have similar experiences.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of being a 4-H volunteer?

A: Seeing a young person complete their project successfully with pride in their hard work.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to give back to 4-H?

A: All your time and effort will come back to you twofold.

The Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award is presented annually to volunteers and organizations for devoting their time and talents to MU Extension’s 4-H youth development program. The award is named in honor of Naomi Crouch, a native of Plattsburg, Mo., who was a 4-H volunteer and Missouri 4-H Foundation trustee for more than 20 years.

About Missouri 4-H

Missouri 4-H is an active, dynamic organization of young people who are learning, growing and preparing to be the leaders of today and tomorrow – making a real 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. For more information, visit 4h.missouri.edu.

About the Missouri 4-H Foundation

The Missouri 4-H Foundation is the private resource partner of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. For more than 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. Learn more at 4h.missouri.edu/foundation.

Photo available:

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2022/20220415-jenise-burch-1.jpg
Jenise Burch, a recipient of the 2022 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award from the Missouri 4-H Foundation.