More than 280 Butler County 4-H volunteers, members, and their guests were on hand for the annual Achievement and Recognition Banquet held recently at Butler County Community College. This program recognizes leaders and members for their contributions to 4-H programs and their accomplishments for the past program year.

Volunteer service

A number of club leaders were recognized for their years of service.

• first year — Rita Mager, Nancy Masterson, Julie Scott, Anna Flick, Carol Greiner and Scott Wood

• 5 years — Beth Bash, Shawna Littlejohn and Kayla Tuzikow

• 15 years — Carol Weaver, Jay Yobst and Kim Yobst

• 20 years — Patricia Rassauand Alvin Vogel

• 25 years — William DeHart

Tina Bryner of Prospect was recognized as the 2011 Outstanding 4-H Leader for her work with the Caprine Connection 4-H goat club.

John Stilley of Amerikohl Mining was recognized as the Butler County Friend of 4-H.

In addition, a number of 4-H club members were recognized for their accomplishments in 2011:

Elizabeth Greiner of Tarentum was recognized as Outstanding Junior 4-H member for Butler County. Trisha Covert of Chicora was honored as the Outstanding Intermediate 4-H member. Outstanding Senior 4-H member recognition went to Joseph Vaerewyck of Tarentum.

Participants in various regional, state and national activities such as poster contests, State 4-H Achievement Days and National 4-H Congress were recognized.

Outstanding project work

• Horse — Jesse Dillaman, Slippery Rock; Rachael Mogielski, New Brighton; and Laurel Johnson, Chicora

• Dairy — Charlene Rosenberger, Sarver; Trisha Covert, Chicora; Cody Stephenson, Chicora

• Beef — Ben Drake, Slippery Rock; Sara Lang, Harrisville; Joshua Drake, Slippery Rock

• Sheep — Taylor Kennedy, Valencia; Nathan Patton, Prospect; Adam Drake, Slippery Rock.

• Swine — Madilynn Kerr and Nataleigh Kerr, Harmony; Brittany Foertsch, Butler

• Rabbits — Shirlann Harmon, Evans City; Rachel McGinley, Butler; Angela Kelley, Evans City

• Goats — Melina Bryner, Prospect, Samantha Erskine, Butler; Stacy Arner, Valencia

• Other animal science — Kaitlin Eichenlaub, Saxonburg

• Science and technology — Joseph Vaerewyck, Tarentum

• Leisure education —Wesley Barclay, Saxonburg; Wesley McCurdy, Butler

• Textile science — Elizabeth Barclay, Butler; Dana McCurdy, Butler

• Foods — Sarah Dunlap, Saxonburg

• Consumer science and expressive arts — Anna Judd, Cabot

• General projects — Hannah Dunlap, Saxonburg.

The following were recognized for the quality of their 4-H project book completion in agricultural production: Cody Stephenson, dairy; Adam Drake, beef; Paul Drake of Slippery Rock, sheep; Brittany Foertsch, swine; Rachael Mogielski, horse production; Stacey Arner, goats; Rachael McGinnley, rabbits and Kaitlin Eichenlaub, poultry.

The Pomona Grange recognized the following for evidence of life skill development: Jesse Dillaman, horse; Cody Stephenson, dairy; Shawna Erskine, dairy goats; Jacob Kennedy of Valencia, beef; Sara Lang, sheep; Nataleigh Kerr, swine; Shirlann Harmon, rabbits; and Shawn Doyle, other animal science; Joseph Vaerewyck, science and technology; Dana McCurdy, leisure education; Maria Hone of Prospect, textile science; Ben Drake of Slippery Rock, foods and nutrition; and Hannah Dunlap, consumer science and expressive arts.

Horsemanship skills

Completing Level 1 ground handling skills was Rachael Mogielski. Cody Jones of East Brady, Codi Misera of Butler and Alexis Wheeler of Karns City completed Level 1 handling and riding skills. Carissa Chilcott of Butler and Laurel Johnson of Chicora were recognized for completion of Level 1 and Level 2 skills. Recognized for completing Level 3 and Level 4 skills, the most advanced levels, was Dakota Roy of Butler.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.