Five North Dakota State University Extension agents and specialists were honored for their work during the recent National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Those recognized were:

• Breana Kiser, agriculture and natural resources agent, Dickey County – awarded national Achievement in Service Award; district winner of specialty award for Excellence in 4-H Volunteerism.
• Lindsey Leker, former 4-H youth development specialist – awarded national Achievement in Service Award.
• Rachel Wald, agriculture and natural resources agent, McHenry County – awarded national Distinguished Service Award.
• Sue Quamme Wehlander, 4-H youth development specialist – awarded National Distinguished Service Award.
• Sue Isbell, 4-H youth development agent, Sioux County – awarded national Meritorious Service Award.

The National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals is the professional organization for those dedicated to promoting, strengthening, enhancing and advocating for the 4-H youth development profession.

The Achievement in Service Award recognizes current members of the organization that have served more than three years but fewer than seven years in Extension 4-H youth programs.

Kiser has been with NDSU Extension in Dickey County since 2014. She is passionate about the youth in the 4-H animal science program, especially the horse program. She is a co-superintendent of the North Dakota State Fair 4-H Horse Show and collaboratively works to support 4-H volunteers.

Leker created strong 4-H robotics and coding programs. She has a passion for reaching underserved and under-resourced youth and excels in securing grant funding. She served on the National STEM 4-H Committee and has a lead role in North Dakota 4-H camp programing.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes current members that have served seven or more years in Extension 4-H youth programs.

Wald facilitates a variety of 4-H programing. She is co-superintendent of the North Dakota State Fair 4-H Horse Show, sits on the North Dakota 4-H Equine Committee and is the treasurer for the North Dakota Association of Extension 4-H Youth Workers. She is motivated by seeing youth thrive and change.

Quamme Wehlander champions inclusivity. She brings accurate and culturally appropriate learning opportunities to 4-H professionals. Relationship building guides her work as the first step to creating safe spaces for youth and adults to expand their knowledge about Indigenous culture. She is a mentor and leader for the North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors.

Meritorious Service Awards recognize current members in each state that have served fifteen years or more in Extension 4-H youth programs. Award winners have demonstrated innovative youth programming and leadership in the association at the state, regional and national level.

Isbell leads youth entrepreneurship programs through the Standing Rock Community School.

“The commitment and dedication Sue Isbell has for the youth of the Standing Rock Community School is endless,” says Dena Kemmet, NDSU Extension’s central district director. “Her programs have enabled many youth to see themselves as business professionals. Being able to see themselves in a future with promise and purpose is a gift everyone should be given.”

In her 20 years of working with NDSU Extension, Isbell has served as an officer in the North Dakota Association of Extension 4-H Youth Workers for half of those years.

The specialty award for Excellence in 4-H Volunteerism is awarded at both the district and national levels. This award is given for programs that encourage and recognize excellent work in managing a 4-H volunteer program and enhancing 4-H volunteer development.

Kiser received the district Excellence in 4-H Volunteerism award for her North Dakota Horse Education Program: Coaching 101 Google Drive. She created her volunteerism program to provide local Extension professionals and 4-H volunteers the tools and resources that will help them build a successful 4-H competitive horse education team. The Google Drive is an important coaching resource, sharing online locations that have hands-on opportunities for youth to engage in the 4-H horse program.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Nov. 20, 2023

Source: Rebecca Hager, 701-627-8034, rebecca.hager@ndsu.edu

Contact: Breana Kiser, 701-349-8326, breana.s.kiser.3@ndsu.edu

Contact: Rachel Wald, 701-537-5405, r.wald@ndsu.edu

Contact: Sue Quamme Wehlander, 701-231-7039, susan.quamme@ndsu.edu

Contact: Sue Isbell, 701-854-3412, sue.isbell@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu