Madelyn Zimmerman, Milford, Ind., may only be 19, but she’s already accomplished more than some people twice her age. Because of her efforts, dozens of the most at-risk kids in her community have experienced the value of being actively involved in 4-H by showing beef cattle.

Recently, the National 4-H Council named Zimmerman as the winner of the 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Award for Agriculture. The award is sponsored by Bayer, and only four winners are recognized nationally each year. Zimmerman received a $5,000 scholarship and will be a spokesperson for 4-H agriculture programming.

Her award is noteworthy, but her story is even more intriguing. Here’s an exclusive interview:

Why do you believe you received this award? It’s based on what I accomplished during my 10-year 4-H career. What stood out for me was finding a way to help others become involved in 4-H. I started a program that helps kids who would not have a chance to show animals in 4-H become involved. We keep the animals at our farm.

Where does your story begin? I joined 4-H in third grade, all excited about it. My parents, John and Peg, farm, with dad tending about 900 acres and mom also being a schoolteacher. But we didn’t have beef cattle until we got calves for me to show in 4-H. I wanted to have my own beef herd.

I believe you noted earlier that things didn’t always go as planned. Is that right? Yes. My first animals came down with a disease, which required us to put them down. I was devastated. Around the same time, in sixth grade, I attended a school where I was the only kid in my class interested in agriculture. I felt like I didn’t belong. I realized that if I felt that way, there were other kids who probably felt like they didn’t belong, maybe for other reasons. I reached out to one of them, and that is where my idea to help others started.

How did your efforts grow over the years? My mom eventually helped me identify others who might be interested. We offered for these kids to show calves that we kept at our farm. I worked with the kids and animals during the year, and we all showed in 4-H. I also worked with some kids through Poss-Abilities, a Purdue University Extension program in Kosciusko County. It helped expand my reach to more kids.

How large is your herd today? By my 10th year in 4-H, I had 30 cows. My brother, Cameron, also has cows. Together, we now have about 80 altogether.

What are you pursuing currently? I am a junior at Kansas State University. I visited several schools but fell in love with the people here. I am majoring in ag communications, with minors in animal science, mass communication and journalism. Dad is stepping up and helping take care of the cows while I am at school. Someday I hope to have my own herd and have a position in agriculture, focusing on youth, where I can continue to help other people.

Will your spokesperson role be different because of the pandemic? We are doing things virtually. I’m still finding ways to tell others about my story, the value of 4-H and the opportunity to help others.