A big Congratulations to Dodge County’s Brandon Boyd!
He is this year’s Wisconsin 4-H Key Award Recipient!
The prestigious Key Award, one of the highest recognitions a 4-H member can receive, honors a select group of 4-H participants annually. The youth receiving this award are among those who have demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in their club and community.
According to Dodge County 4-H Youth Development Educator Marie Witzel, this year’s recipient exemplifies the goals and values of the Wisconsin 4-H Program.
Brandon Boyd is the son of Bruce and Rhonda Boyd. He is in his 13 year as a Dodge County 4-H member.
Brandon is currently at UW Madison majoring in Agronomy and Agriculture Business Management. Brandon is involved in the Lebanon Luckies 4-H Club. He has been involved primarily in Beef, Shotgun, Poultry, Woodworking, Vegetable Garden, Self-Determined, Legos and youth leadership.
Brandon shared in his speech to the county board supervisors, “4-H was a great networking opportunity with people around our area and the country. During my time in 4-H, as I mentioned, I have shown both beef cattle and poultry, which has allowed me to meet and compete with many people that had similar interests. These projects allowed me to compete in many other shows and contests in addition to the Dodge County Fair, such as the World Beef Expo Youth Sweepstakes and represent Wisconsin at the National 4-H Poultry Conference in Louisville, Kentucky in the quiz bowl and poultry judging. 4-H allowed me to make connections with other 4-H members and adults as close as Dodge County and as far away as Louisiana. Networking with these people is very important because I know I will continue to work with these people as I move into my professional life”.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau has been sponsoring the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award Program for over 40 years, having started their support in 1974. Over the years, 4-H youth in every county have received special Key Award recognition, thanks to Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.
The Wisconsin 4-H Key Award is the highest honor a 4-H youth can receive. Recipients are selected at the county level, based on the young person’s consistent growth in 4-H involvement, their developed and applied leadership skills, and their active participation in the activities of their 4-H club and their community. Each county is responsible for selecting the Key Award recipients in their area, based on an evaluation of a candidate’s total 4-H record, including project work, personal development, leadership, and community involvement. Counties award a specific number of Key Awards, based on the 4-H club enrollment in that county.
Candidates must have passed their 14th birthday on January 1 of the year in which the recognition is given and must have completed at least three years of 4-H and one year of youth leadership. Selection is based on an evaluation of the candidate’s total 4-H record (membership, projects, activities, leadership, personal development and county 4-H and community involvement.) Each Key Award recipient receives a framed certificate and a Key Award pin.
