Purdue Extension Kosciusko County recognized six individuals as Extension All-Stars and one individual as a Super-Star at its annual meeting Monday, March 2. All-Stars recognized were Martha Klinger, Bruce Ferguson, Carol Edmonds, Karen Templin, Steve Koontz and Arial Strange. Suzie Light was recognized as the Extension Super-Star.
Shown are four of the six All-Stars present for the presentation. From left are Ferguson, Templin, Klinger and Edmonds, receiving her recognition envelope from June Thomas, presenter. (Photos by Deb Patterson)

LEESBURG — The annual meeting for Purdue Extension Kosciusko County was highlighted by the recognition of six individuals as Extension All-Stars and one Extension Super-Star. The meeting was held Monday night, March 2, at Maple Leaf Farms Inc., Leesburg.

Steve Koontz, Karen Templin, Bruce Ferguson, Ariel Strange, Martha Klinger and Carol Edmonds, were honored as the All-Stars. Suzie Light was honored as the Super-Star.

June Thomas and Amy Irwin, extension board members, presented each recipient with a special gift, after a brief summary explaining why the person was being honored.

Shane Checketts, Kosciusko County Fair Board president, gave a report on upcoming events hosted by the fair board as well as special days at the upcoming fair.

Koontz, a master gardener, was honored for sharing his enthusiasm of tower gardening. He has hosted a tower gardening spark plug workshop for adults and youth. He has also updated by-laws for the master gardeners association and presented a program on gardening away winter blues. Additionally he has provided new ideas for future success of the master gardener program.

Templin was noted as a person with the willingness to ask questions for the benefit of others and for her leadership. She was instrumental in looking to the future for what is relevant for the next generation, updating the Facebook page and served on the county’s cattleman’s association.

Thomas noted Ferguson is one of those who is behind the scenes doing great things in the agricultural and natural resources area. He has frequently attended extension education programs and through Ferguson Farms has made donations to buyers support groups and individual 4-H’ers in the auction program. He also donates grain to help the Combined Community Service program.

Strange, a fifth-year 4-H’er, is involved more than just 4-H. She volunteers a few hours a week in the extension office and has helped arrange areas for new staff and with the STEM program and getting out notices to members.

Klinger, noted as another person behind the scenes working hard without seeking recognition, was honored for her work in her extension homemaker’s club, Merry Tones. Klinger is among the members who make and donate up to 300 fleece blankets a year to a local hospital, adopted students at an elementary school to provide blankets to those not having one, helps with the fair program and is the first one to volunteer. She also is known to make macaroni and cheese to take to someone who is ill.

Edmonds, president of the county extension homemakers, was noted as keeping daily details on each club and for the work in her own club.

Light, who just retired as executive director of the Community Foundation, was recognized for her leadership in helping Purdue Extension provide successful programming on different levels, leadership advice, the vision of starting the Agriculture Care Fund to help with ag activities, finding numerous grants to support the building of programs and others areas of assistance.

The meeting also provided programming updates from Jackie Franks, health and human sciences educator; Mindy Wise, 4-H educator and Kelly Heckaman, agriculture and natural resource educator/county educator.

Courtney Jenkins, right, explains the county extensions participation in the Jail Chemical Addiction Program at the county jail. Jackie Franks, health and human services educator, who presents the programs, is shown on the left.

Franks’ highlights included a presentation by Courtney Jenkins with the Jail Chemical Addiction Program, talking about extension’s participation in the program and Edmonds on the extension homemakers activities.

Blake Schnackenberg, president of the county Junior Leaders, presented information on the group and new programs that have begun, including a mentoring program with first year members, ambassadorship program, and service project of JCAP Pack-A-Sack program. Wise spoke of the various programs offered for youth.

Heckaman briefly spoke of the Fast Start Program through Purdue and the Mental Health First Aid program and farm stress program.

While the meeting normally includes the election of extension board members, Tyler Boganwright, president, noted there are four vacancies still needing filled. Retiring board members Kylene Crabb and Judy Egolf were recognized for their service on the board.

Reports were also heard from Shane Checketts, fair board president, and Doug Shock on the Purdue Council for Agriculture, Research, Extension and Teaching Members program.