Phyllis Nelson started the Country Kids 4-H Club as a neighborhood club in 1966. Phyllis has been a 4-H leader for 39 years. Phyllis said, "I love working with the kids. There are so many rewards from working with children. I leave my 4-H club meetings so excited." The Country Kids 4-H Club is very active. Phyllis integrates different project areas into 4-H meetings to help youth gain interests in an array of subjects and develop a diverse set of skills. Phyllis introduces new project areas and skills through workshops, clinics, demonstrations, speakers, and hands-on activities. Phyllis has been a very active volunteer in the Mercer County 4-H program. She has served 3 terms on the Extension Council, 15 years on the beef committee, 14 years on the auction committee, and 8 years on the horse committee. Phyllis has also attended many state volunteer conventions. She served on the planning committee for 1 year and taught workshops for 3 years at the convention. Phyllis is a strong believer in community service. Phyllis said, "It is important to teach kids to think of others." The Country Kids 4-H Club has prepared nursing home party favors, restored cemeteries, participated in a Christmas Nativity scene, donated school supplies, provide bedding to people who have lost their homes from fires in Mercer County, planted flowers and trees, filled sandbags when a local community was flooded, sent letters to troops in Iraq, and created an agriculture promotion program that was televised on a local TV station.
39 year leader of the Country Kids 4-H Club in Mercer County