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Wisconsin 4-H posthumously inducts Johnson into Hall of Fame

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Ruth Ann Johnson (center) accepts an award on behalf of her late husband, Ken, who was inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame. She is pictured with Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Program Director Dale Leidheiser and Wisconsin Leadership Council Youth President Sarah Schuster (right).

Crawford County 4-H and Youth Agent Kenneth Johnson was posthumously recognized for outstanding service and inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Green Lake Conference Center on Nov. 5. His wife, Ruth Ann Johnson, accepted the award on Ken’s behalf.

“Each of the 2016 Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame laureates has transformed the lives of children and families with whom they’ve worked and the communities in which they’ve lived,” said Dale Leidheiser, program director of Wisconsin 4-H youth development, which is part of the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Kenneth “Ken” Johnson passionately integrated his life into his career as a 4-H and youth agent for 33 years, 20 of them in Crawford County.

Johnson’s dedication to the program and his innate ability to build relationships set Johnson apart as an extraordinary agent. He approached his work with the idea that the youth are the future of our nation, helping them to truly “make the best better.” He valued and motivated them to see the importance of their role so they did their job in a way that would benefit not only 4-H members, but everyone involved. Through his years as a 4-H agent, Johnson’s program efforts, volunteer leadership development, and community involvement were highly respected.

Johnson was also a member of and held leadership positions in the Jaycees, Rotary Club, Optimist Club, Lions Club, and United Methodist Church. He was a member of committees for promoting Crawford County Dairy Promotion, the dairy breakfast, and Town and Country Jamboree.

Johnson’s colleagues say he set a positive image for the 4-H program in Crawford County and beyond. He portrayed a great role model for youth and adults, as well as colleagues. He was instrumental in developing the Crawford County Meat Animal Sale. He also provided diligent leadership to the draft horse and horse carriage clubs, as well as horticultural programming and the Crawford County Fair.

The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame was established to recognize 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major contributions to the 4-H movement at the local, state and national levels. The candidates represent 4-H in the broadest sense —people who had an impact on the lives of children, their community or state through significant contributions of time, energy or financial resources to 4-H and its members.

The Hall of Fame ceremony and dinner were held during the annual Wisconsin 4-H Fall Forum weekend. Fall Forum is an opportunity for youth and adult leaders to attend a statewide training weekend with county and state staff to develop relationships, facilitate discussion between counties and provide an opportunity for youth and adult volunteers to be involved in the planning and evaluation of state programs.

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