AMES, Iowa – Interviewing 103 teenage 4-H members takes time and dedicated adult volunteers.

The 4-H’ers were being interviewed for state 4-H project awards and the opportunity to attend the 2009 National 4-H Congress and 2010 National 4-H Conference. Selection of awardees was based on their written applications, regional screening, and state-level review of their applications and an interview. The 33 volunteer interviewers included Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development staff, 4-H volunteers, ISU students and Monsanto representative Dave Tierney.

Tierney was part of the team interviewing 4-H teens who had applied to attend the 2010 National 4-H Conference at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md. Monsanto and the Des Moines Register co-sponsor the Iowa 4-H’ers who attend.

Monsanto sponsors 4-H volunteer development programs in Iowa and 48 additional states and three U.S. territories. The company also sponsors four Regional 4-H Volunteer Forums.

This nationwide support shows Monsanto’s commitment to agriculture and to the development of young people, Tierney remarked. Monsanto has committed $500,000 per year to 4-H volunteerism, including the sponsorship of one 4-H volunteer forum or equivalent volunteer development activity for each state and the regional events as well. 

Chris Gleason, ISU Extension 4-H volunteer specialist, said, “These youth are at the highest level of achievement because of the many caring adult volunteers in their lives. Monsanto’s support of volunteer training enables Iowa 4-H to make sure volunteers have the skills they need to mentor 4-H members throughout their 4-H experience.”

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