Heart of 4-H Award Winner: Nate Dowding

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.

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December 2015
Nate Dowding
Nate Dowding holding 4-H balloons and a certificate.
Nate Dowding

Nate goes above and beyond as an operations manager at the Lancaster Event Center to help set up for 4-H events held at the facility. There are four full days of 4-H events at the Lancaster County Super Fair and 4-H events throughout the year, such as clinics and shows. Nate works with the rest of the operations team at the Lancaster Event Center to set up for events (for example: assembling livestock pens, getting tables and display cases from storage, rolling out carpet, setting up sound systems, ordering bedding, etc.). Nate helps during events as additional needs arise.

Cole Meador, extension assistant, says, “Nate never hesitates to gather those last minute things which allow for shows to go on. He is a problem solver and the reason events run smoothly.”

Marty Cruickshank, extension associate, says, “It takes a huge cooperative effort to organize and run the Lancaster County Super Fair. Nate is key in helping the fair run smoothly.”

Tracy Anderson, extension associate, says, "During the Lancaster Super Fair, he strives to ensure all pre-event set up is correct and completed in a timely manner. In addition he determines methods to increase the efficiency of set-up and flow of fair events."

Nate says, “I feel that I have a good working relationship with the 4-H staff. Even though the fair is stressful and a lot of work, we still have time to joke around and have a good time.”