(WAUSEON, OH) — Jill Stechschulte, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development and County Director for OSU Extension Fulton County was awarded the Charles W. Lifer Excellence in 4-H Professional Leadership at the OSU Extension Annual Conference recently. This award is the highest, peer nominated and selected award that a 4-H Educator can receive in Ohio and recognizes significant contributions to 4-H Youth Development programming. The selection is based on leadership and accomplishments in eight major areas of the 4-H youth development education program.
For the past 21 years, Stechschulte has maintained traditional 4-H club membership of over 1000 youth ages 8-18. She has recruited over 240 adult volunteer advisors who provide programming and support to the youth. In 21 years that represents 21,000 youth ages 8-18.
Stechschulte has excelled in 4-H volunteer development, 4-H older youth program and the development of 4-H Curricula. She engages volunteers in yearly program updates with question and answer sessions as well as an opportunity to evaluate project requirements for local judging. She also provides a Fulton County advisor education event in which an average sixty volunteers attend on a yearly basis and training for approximately 35 teens ages 15 and older for Camp Counselor training. She works closely with the Fulton County Jr. Fair Board and Senior Fair Board by providing support and educational sessions on topics such as “Microphone Etiquette,” “Prioritizing and Goal Setting,” “Keeping Kids Involved,” and “Public Perceptions of Youth.”
Stechschulte has been instrumental in creating “Camp Counseling” and “Miniature Gardens” Project Idea Starters, and the Cloverbud Group Project “Choose & Tell.” Her peers recognize her commitment and leadership for developing and maintaining a county 4-H program that makes a positive impact and impacting the lives of thousands.
Jill is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education and Northeastern State University (Oklahoma) with a Master’s Degree in Education. She resides in Wauseon where she enjoys flower gardening, fishing, crafting and camping with her husband, Alan.
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