Leader wins 4-H education award

Staff Reports

Gardnerville resident Nita Vick won the 4-H Agricultural Leader of the Year Award which was presented by Sue Hoffman, director of the Nevada Agricultural Foundation. Vick has been a volunteer leader of the Carson Valley Shepherds sheep project for 20 years and was the interim leader for the Divine Swine project for three years.

"I've had the honor of educating close to 300 youth, 600 parents, and hundreds of siblings and up to four generations of local ranching families," said Vick. "As a livestock leader, it is my duty to deliver the most effective and legitimate methods of raising sheep and pigs to my families. In my projects, youth learn about teamwork, self reliance, hard work, consistency, record keeping, leadership, demonstrations, mentoring and we have a lot of fun."

The award is given in recognition of the role of agriculture in our global economy. Nominations were accepted from all Nevada counties and the criteria for the award states that the recipient should be that educator who each year has been the most creative and tenacious in incorporating the reality of agriculture in their youth curriculum or program.

Vick was honored at the Nevada State Fair and 4-H Exposition on Aug. 24 in Reno with a plaque, a dozen red roses and a check for $1,000 to be used as she deems important for teaching supplies and the development of 4-H youth. She has decided to use the money to help fund an educational trip for her project members to visit livestock-related feed plants and processing plants.