More than 115 volunteers, members, friends and community supporters attended this year's Lincoln County 4-H Leaders' Association Annual Recognition Banquet on Oct. 24 at Schult County Inn in Merrill. The banquet theme was "4-H Volunteers are Always Willing to Lend a Hand."

Members of the Merrill Busy Bees 4-H Club provided entertainment, and 4-H ambassadors served as emcees.

The prestigious 4-H Key Award, one of the highest honors a 4-H member can receive, was presented at this year's banquet to Erin Riddle of the Merrill Busy Bees. Recipients of this award have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership ability and actively participated in the functions of their club and their community.

Two outstanding youth leaders received the American Youth Foundation's National Leadership Award, in recognition of personal integrity, balanced living and potential leadership. Myria Kludy of the Barnes Creek Buccaneers and Kelsey Schoeppler of the Pesobic Pathfinders received this award.

Amanda Barkley of the Merrill Busy Bees and Daniel Tiffany of the Pine River Pioneer Sunrise received the Lincoln County 4-H Crowley Leadership Award for 2009, which includes the chance to compete for state-level awards during the Wisconsin State Fair in August.

In addition to this individual dairy award, the Merrill Busy Bees and the Hi-Lo's were recognized for their efforts in promoting Wisconsin's dairy industry. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board recognizes 4-H clubs around the state for their efforts in promoting and celebrating June Dairy Month.

There are 163 4-H volunteer leaders in Lincoln County who have given 1,572 years of service to the program. Leaders who have been involved for 1, 5 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 50 and 55 years received recognition, pin and/or a certificate at the banquet. They included 30-year leader Treva Schmidt of Pine River Peppers, 45-year leader Eleanor Fehlberg of Merrill Busy Bees, 50-year leader Caroline Lemke of Hi-Los and 55-year leader Deloris Larson, a non-club leader.

Jane Maule from the Merrill Busy Bees and Jeanne Schmidt from the Barnes Creek Buccaneers were honored as outstanding leaders in Lincoln County. The Outstanding Fair Volunteer Award was presented to Mark McDonald and Helen Hanson.

The 4-H Leaders' Association recognizes two people, committees or organizations as Friends of 4-H. This year's awards went to Ann Stoeckmann, owner of Green's Flower Shop, and Sandy Block, editor of the Merrill Focus, a weekly publication of the Wausau Daily Herald.

Lincoln County 4-H Ambassadors contribute an incredible amount of time and energy to the program: fundraising, emceeing, promoting and planning activities and events. A big 4-H thank you goes out to last year's ambassadors, RaeAnn Brixius, Myria Kludy, Amanda Koshak, Erin Riddle, Stevie Roets and Cassie Timm. Ambassador advisers, Lori Lemke and Kim Brixius, were recognized.

Youths in grades kindergarten through 13 (one year after high school graduation) can join 4-H, regardless of where they live.

More information about Lincoln County 4-H is available at www.lincolncounty4h.com or by calling the University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 539-1072.