Six Hoosiers and Families Earn Recognition from Extension

One of the highest honors passed out each year at the annual conference of Purdue Extension workers, held last week on campus in West Lafayette, are the Friend of Extension awards. They're special, educators say, because they are awards for the people they work with- farmers, farm families and rural and urban families who also benefit from Extension, and excel at helping promote 4-H and community-wide Extension programs in their locality.

Six honorees were named this year. They include:

• Carolyn Davis, Covington- She may not be Mrs. 4-H in Fountain County, but she would be a strong candidate if there was such an award, Extension educators there say. She organizes 4-H promotion for all ages of students in Covington, heads up the Fountain County 4-H Demonstration Contest, and has pitched in through many other countless ways. She has even taken the 4-H and Extension message to Washington, D.C. through her roles of leadership in other organizations.
  
• Dave and Lois Hensel, Morocco- This Newton County couple is active in Purdue Extension and community activities in other areas. Lois has served two terms on the local Extension Board, plus time served on the Purdue CARET Area organization. She also coordinates the Step Ahead program for the Purdue Extension office in Newton County. If there is a need for assistance in Newton County, especially with youth programs, this couple is always one of the first to volunteer.
  
• William Root, Sheridan- Mr. Root has performed double duty, serving on both the Hamilton County Extension Board and the 4-H Council there for seven years. He has also served as Area VI PCARET chairman. It is the support arm for Purdue whereby members of Extension Boards and communities in geographic areas band together to discuss issues and lend support to Purdue Extension projects and activities bigger than one county could sustain alone.
  
• Bob and Kay Tusing, Leesburg- Can you imagine being 4-H dairy superintendents in the same county for more than two decades? This spry young couple has carried out that feat in Kosciusko County. In addition, their involvement with Extension in the county goes back more than 30 years. In fact, they helped develop a county lease program for dairy animals so 4-H'ers without a chance to participate in the dairy project in any other way could take part. Kay has also seen active service both on the local and state level in the Extension Homemakers program.

Congratulations to these families worthy or recognition, and to all the others out there who also do great things on behalf of Purdue University Extension every day.