Summer 2024
Your voices were heard and the votes are in, the name selected for the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation newsletter is ...
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The first year as your executive director is coming to an end and what a year it has been! Thanks to the good people in Arizona Extension, industry leaders throughout the state, and valued friends and partners, thank you for helping make it a grand first year!
For those of you who don’t know, Deborah Lester retired in the fall of 2023 and is enjoying a well- deserved retirement. As your new executive director, I bring with me a background volunteering and working in local and statewide 4-H, and agriculture, with 25 years history working in these areas and having the privilege of helping align donors' dreams with program needs. What would we be without our volunteers, alumni, and outstanding staff?
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Sandra Germann
Executive Director
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The Foundation recently honored 4-H award recipients from all around the state at the annual Clover Ball in Tucson on June 2nd. And, thanks to generous donors and partners, we also awarded 25 scholarships totaling $32,000 from endowed funds to 4-Hers continuing their education this fall. For a list of all award winners, click here: 2024 Clover Ball Award Winners.
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With a new 4-H state program leader, Dr. Todd Kesner, at the helm, the Foundation is excited for the future of Arizona 4-H. Changes are taking place, and we are ready to help shape the future of Arizona 4-H as it grows. I look forward to crossing paths with many of you this year and would welcome a visit with you regarding ways you can be a valued partner of AZ 4-H in a way that is meaningful to you.
With Regards,
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Sandra Germann and Reese Urton tabling on behalf of the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation at the Pima County Fair.
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Sandra Germann
Executive Director
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Meet Our Team: Board Members, Staff, and Advisors
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Executive Committee
President – Kari Petterson
Vice-President – Bill Estes
Secretary – Taylar Irvin
Treasurer – Gregg Brummer
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Trustees 2023 - 2024
Kari Petterson
Bill Estes
Gregg Brummer
Taylar Irvin
Tom Peterson
Brett Benedict
Emily Cathy
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Advisors
Tim Bee, Tucson
Nick Pierson, Phoenix
Michelle Mixer, Tucson
Peter Hooper
Kristen Sharp
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Ex-Offico Member
Todd Kesner
State 4-H Program Leader & Associate Director
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4-H Foundation Staff
Sandra Germann, Executive Director
Donna Wertman, Bookkeeper
Christopher Rochester, Graphic Artist
Reese Urton, Student Talent
Kimberly Alvarez, Student Talent
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Arizona 4-H Staff
Todd Kesner, State 4-H Program Leader & Associate Director
Vacant, Events & Projects Manager
Vacant, 4-H Curriculum Specialist
Margaret Carroll, James 4-H Camp Director
Bryan Welborn, Finance & Policy
Zane Campbell, Student Talent
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Dr. Todd Kesner
NEW State 4-H Program Leader & Associate Director
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Dr. Todd Kesner, the new State 4-H Program Director, grew up in northern Michigan where his father was an agricultural researcher and director of the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center for Michigan State University Extension. After graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and Ag Communications, Dr. Kesner served as a 4-H Extension Agent in Michigan for six years before moving to Bozeman, Montana, and serving as the Gallatin County 4-H agent for another 12 years.
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4-H Western Heritage stagecoach with Dr. Kesner and others.
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Having completed a master’s degree in Adult, Community, and Higher Education from Montana State University, he became the 4-H Specialist for Ag and Natural Resources at the Montana 4-H Center for Development where he earned his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instructor. Dr. Kesner was named the Director of the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development at Montana State University in 2015.
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Dr. Dusti Prentice from Santa Cruz County receives Innovator of the Year.
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He chaired the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee until 2022 and introduced the 4-H Western Heritage Project which combines shooting sports with learning American history through hands-on activities. Starting in Montana, the 4-H Western Heritage Project is now active in a dozen states and is recognized as a national 4-H shooting sports discipline. Dr. Kesner is both excited about and impressed by the Arizona 4-H program and the positive impact it makes on Arizona youth.
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Dr. Kesner handing out State awards and addressing the priorities of Arizona 4-H in the coming year.
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He believes 4-H is the most effective youth development organization to teach life skills, promote citizenship, and prepare young people for a successful future. He has committed a lifetime of work to 4-H and would prefer no other career.
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Paden Dillard from Pinal County receives a scholarship from the AZ 4-H Youth Foundation Executive Committee and Trustees during the 2024 4-H Clover Ball on June 2nd.
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Rosemary Sullivan from Hualapai Nation/Mohave (2024 Bonnye Stuhr Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient) is pictured with Dr. Todd Kesner and Ambassadors.
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The 2024-2025 State Ambassadors pose for a photo at this year’s Clover Ball. From left to right, Caroline Werkhoven (advisor), Asher Goncalves (Pinal), Grace Youngker (Maricopa), Abigail Herrera (Maricopa), Isabelle Sparlin (Pima), Ellyn Peterson (Yavapai), Israel Genack (Cochise), Zane Campbell (advisor) Not Pictured: Ethan Kanuchok (Maricopa).
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Arizona 4-H State Ambassadors traveled to the State Capitol in March as part of the Engaged Citizen Event. Pictured with Phil Bashaw and Daniel Harris of Arizona Farm Bureau.
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"Farm Day" at the Phoenix Zoo. Pinal County extension agent Esther Turner and volunteer Don Heck helped at a 4-H booth on bees in April. 🐝
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The Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation and friends at the Maricopa County Fair, April 11-14th 2024.
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Thank you to our 2024 Clover Ball Sponsors
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Here are some 2024 statewide events/activity dates to keep in mind...
- J.O.L.T - July 15-19th at James 4-H Camp
- AZ Shooting Sports - Level I Instructor Certification Workshop- July 19-21, 2024
- 4-H International Program July 21st-August 16th, 2024
- Family Archery FUN Shoot - July 27-28, 202
- Annual Foundation Meeting - September 28, 2024
- Arizona 4-H State Horse Show - October 18 - 20, 2024 (Holbrook, AZ)
- AZ National Livestock Show & Horse Show December 27-31, 2024
- Western National Roundup - January 8-11, 2025
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Arizona 4-H License Plate
Click on the plate to order yours today!
Donate Today at...
Support4-H.com
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Consider the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, in your will or estate plan. Contact Sandra Germann at: slgermann@arizona.edu or 406.581.9738
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