Heart of 4-H Award Winner: Ron 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.

See All Heart of 4-H Winners
June 2006
Ron Dowding
Ron Dowding holding balloons and a certificate
Ron Dowding

Ron has volunteered for Lancaster County 4-H for more than 20 years. He was organizational leader of Happy Go Lucky club for many years (in photo, he is wearing a belt buckle presented to him by the club). The club has been one of the larger 4-H clubs in Lancaster County. Ron has served as a county fair 4-H Sheep superintendant, 4-H recruiter, 4-H Council member, livestock VIPS committee member and Extension Board member. He also sponsors several livestock trophies.

"Being a 4-H volunteer is a great opportunity to give back to a program that's been a big part of my life," says Ron. "From that first rabbit at 8 years old to showing swine, sheep, dairy and beef cattle in Otoe County 4-H, to raising a small herd of registered shorthorns today in Lancaster County. My favorite part of volunteering is watching the youth not only of our club, but the youth of all Lancaster County 4-H grow into champions!!! It is very rewarding watching that little brother or sister too young for 4-H grow and mature through 4-H."

Ron is a Lancaster County Agricultural Society board member (he currently is Vice President) and he volunteers through his church.