Heart of 4-H Award Winner: Jean Pedersen

Heart of 4-H logo.

Lancaster County 4-H presents a Heart of 4-H Award to a Lancaster County 4-H volunteer each month in recognition of outstanding volunteer serice. The purpose of this award is to recognize volunteers who are, indeed, the heart of 4-H.

See All Heart of 4-H Winners
July 2006
Jean Pedersen
Jean Pedersen holding balloons and a certificate
Jean Pedersen

Jean began volunteering for 4-H 10 years ago when her daughter Nicole was old enough to join 4-H. Jean has been a dedicated parent volunteer who helps her children and other members of the Cool Clovers 4-H club complete projects in sewing, foods, entomology, horticulture, photography, home environment, cats, household pets, leather and welding – and prepare for Style Revue, Table Setting, Speech & PSA, Contest and Music contests. Four years ago, Jean and Nicole joined 4-H Council. Jean currently schedules volunteers for the County Fair 4-H Corner Stop (food booth). Last year, Jean became Cool Clovers organizational leader. This year, Jean and Nicole are teaching a plant class at Clover College.

"I like being a 4-H volunteer because I like to see kids learn, grow and excel in many project areas," says Jean. "I like to see kids help each other and grow into responsible confident adults. My favorite experience as a 4-H volunteer is having the kids do well in the horticulture contests. I have also had fun serving at the 4-H Council sponsored Spudfest at the county fair."

Jean is also a UNL Extension Master Gardener volunteer. She is also a member of the Lincoln Iris Society, the Lincoln Rose Society, the Lincoln African Violet Society, the Lincoln Orchid Society, the Lincoln Herbal Society and P.E.O. Chapter HW.

Jean is currently working for Landscape Services on UNL East Campus and taking courses towards a Masters Degree in Horticulture at UNL.