More than 200 Butler County 4-H volunteers, members and guests were on hand for the annual Achievement and Recognition Banquet held recently at the Butler County Community College.

This program recognizes leaders and members for their contributions to 4-H programs and their accomplishments.

Volunteers are a vital part of the 4-H program. Their efforts make it possible for the Cooperative Extension youth program to reach large numbers of youth on a regular basis.

A number of club leaders were recognized service:

FIRST-YEAR LEADERSDenise Foertsch, James Foertsch, Mandi Foertsch, William Foertsch, Henry Grabe, and Mary Miles of the Butler area; James Dillaman, Karen Dillaman and Lillian Krehely of Slippery Rock; Christina LeFevre of Kennerdell and Marcy Ellis of Natrona Heights

FIVE-YEAR LEADERSHarold Dunn, Tom Huff, Janice Kennedy, Diana Lehnerd and Ken Metrick of Butler; Patricia Turner and Scott Turner of Renfrew; James Govan of Valencia and Grant McKinnis of Connoquenessing

10-YEAR LEADERSKaren Protzman, John Yobst, and Kim Yobst of Butler.

15-YEAR LEADERSBonnie DeHart of Evans City; Glenda Wright of Butler and John Noland of Darlington

35-YEAR LEADERIna Mikalauskas of Evans City.

OTHER AWARDSOther awards include AgChoice Farm Credit, represented by Kathy Hartzell of Slippery Rock, honored as the 2005 Butler County Friend of 4-H.

Carol Weaver of Butler was one of 13 Pennsylvania 4-H leaders recognized in the "Salute to Excellence" program.

Alvin Vogel of Evans City was chosen as Butler County's Outstanding 4-H volunteer for 2005.

Club members recognized for their accomplishments were:

Bethany Scheboth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Scheboth of Gibsonia, who was recognized as Outstanding Junior 4-H member for Butler County.

Krystle Foertsch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Foertsch of Butler, who was honored as the Outstanding Intermediate 4-H member.Outstanding Senior 4-H member recognition went to

Amanda Mabold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mabold of West Sunbury.

OUTSTANDING PROJECTSTwenty-six 4-H club members received awards for outstanding projects:

HORSEAmanda Dillaman of Slippery Rock and Kimberly Dow of Zelienople

DAIRYTina Kramer of Butler; Kate Booher of New Castle; and Cara Stephenson of Chicora

BEEFAdam Drake and Sam Drake of Slippery Rock and Krystle Foertsch

SHEEPJosh Drake and Eric Drake of Slippery Rock and Elaina Rader of Connoquenessing

SWINEBrittany Foertsch and Amy Metrick of Butler, and Sandy Hosack of Slippery Rock

RABBITRichard Vaerewyck of Tarentum and Randi Kummer of Butler

GOATSStacy Arner of Valencia; and Sara Mabold and Amanda Mabold of West Sunbury

CLOTHINGErica Johns of Butler and Katie Sefton of Saxonburg

FOODSAmanda Scheboth of Gibsonia

PLANT SCIENCECurtis Scheboth of Gibsonia

HEALTH, FITNESS, AND FAMILY LIVINGBethany Scheboth and Ashley Kreutz of Slippery Rock

ALL OTHER PROJECTSLaura Metrick of Butler.Seven 4-H club members received awards for outstanding 4-H project book completion in agricultural production for 2005.Recognized were:Dairy, Amy Kramer of Butler; beef, Stephen Drake of Slippery Rock; sheep, Eric Drake; swine, Debbie Drake; small animal, Randi Kummer of Butler, plant science, Amanda Scheboth and horse production, Amanda Mabold.Evidence of life skill development was the primary criteria for 4-H awards sponsored by the Pomona Grange.Selected for recognition by 4-H project category were: Horse, Kimberly Dow; dairy, Amy Kramer; dairy goats, Josh Arner; beef, Eric Drake; sheep, Sandy Hosack; swine, Elaina Rader; rabbits, Randi Kummer; small animals, Richard Vaerewyck; plant science, Bethany Scheboth, foods, Amanda Scheboth; clothing and textiles, Erica Johns; health, fitness, and family living; Ashley Kreutz, and all other projects, Laura Metrick of Butler.Four 4-H horse project members were recognized.

LEVEL 1 HANDLING SKILLSDaniel Abbott of West Sunbury; Madalyn Boy of Boyers; Heather Corbett of Butler and Grace LeFevre of Kennerdell

LEVEL 1 HANDLING AND RIDING SKILLSBailey Bennett of Harmony; Kelsey Lackey of Chicora; Beth Larson of Harmony; Grace LeFevre of Kennerdell; Pam Pivaronas of Saxonburg; Jennifer Plecher of West Sunbury and Sonia Sacco of Butler

LEVEL 2 HORSEMANSHIP SKILLSGinger Ullrich of Slippery Rock and Jason Zang of Evans City.The Beef Breeding club was recognized as the Blue Ribbon Club for their efforts in club organization, community service, member participation in 4-H activities at the county and regional level, and member participation in project activities.The 4-H Achievement and Recognition Banquet was planned and conducted by the Butler County 4-H Development Committee in cooperation with the Butler County Extension staff.This material is submitted by Donna Zang, director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing Home complex.