"It taught me organization and time management, how to be an active member of an organization and to work effectively with others, how to run a meeting and lead a productive discussion, how to present my thoughts effectively to a group....wow, I guess it taught me just about everything I know as a leader!"
B.S. '97, University of Illinois, Agronomy/Ag Mechanization
SunStar Farms, Owner & Operator
Favorite 4-H Projects: Sewing, Cooking, Photography, Swine, Arts and Crafts
Did any of your 4-H project skills, experiences or connections help prepare you for your career path?
Raising pigs taught me ALOT about farming which became my livelihood but it also taught me that I DIDN'T want to raise hogs! :-) Cooking and sewing were incredibly valuable as I raised my family and my 4-H experience as a whole (setting goals, planning a project, following thru with a project, exhibiting, and completing records....and doing talks and demonstrations, being a part of an organization and leadership) prepared me for life in general in ways I could not have learned in any other organization.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to enter your career path?
Good luck!! It's really hard to get into farming today unless you have family members already there! Learn as much as you can, think outside the box, find someone who can serve as a mentor....join 4-H!!! Take horticulture, crops, animals, and entrepreneurship as projects. Get a feel for what's involved to be sure it's what you really want to do.
How did 4-H contribute to your leadership skills today?
It taught me organization and time management, how to be an active member of an organization and to work effectively with others, how to run a meeting and lead a productive discussion, how to present my thoughts effectively to a group....wow, I guess it taught me just about everything I know as a leader!
What advice would you give a current 4-H member?
Get involved!!! There is SO much out there to do and learn from! Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone - you'll be so glad you did!!
Do you currently volunteer or have volunteered with the 4-H program? If so, in what capacity.
I recently retired as a 4-H leader. It was one of the hardest things to do but I remain active in my county 4-H foundation, I serve as a judge for several area counties in several different projects and I am now on the IL 4-H Alumni Advisory Committee.