4-H Leader's Banquet

The 55th Annual Kalamazoo County 4-H Leaders Banquet was held on January 22, 2009 at Schnauzer’s Banquet Hall in Schoolcraft. Thirty-Four leaders were honored, including one leader who received her Thirty-Five Year Clover Award, Barbara Buckham of Schoolcraft.

First year leaders receiving certificates were: Meg Blinkiewicz, Veronica Bolhuis, Christina Chase, Gwen Conarton, Stacy Davison, Mike Dyer, Yvonne Hart, Jamie Hassing, Pamela Kennedy, Tammi Mallos, Virginia Page, Janey Tomilo, Larry Trewuitt, Nancy Wolf, Kalee Wolthuis, Steven Wooley, Cary Booth, Cheryl Booth, Larry Elliott, and Lacey Ranes.

Five year leaders receiving certificates were: Carolyn Burke, Wade Lawrence and Pamela VanDongen.

Ten year leaders receiving certificates were: Sara VanDyk and Tom Gansen.

Fifteen year leaders receiving certificates were: Stacey Coville, Tara East, Diane Ford, Michael Moreland, Robert Shell and Mary Vliestra.

Twenty year leaders receiving certificates were: Michael Swihart.

Twenty-Five year leaders receiving certificates were: David Rutten.

Thirty-Five year leaders receiving certificates were: Barbara Buckham.
It’s an honor to recognize Barb Buckham for her years of service to Kalamazoo County 4-H. Over the years Barb has been involved with the Sheep Project, Schoolcraft Future Farmers and Farmettes Community Club, Leaders Council and Livestock Superintendent’s Association. She is currently serving as Sheep Superintendent, a position she has held since 1988, and as Treasurer for the Livestock Superintendents association. She is a super resource and pays great attention to detail. In the 4-H office we like to say if you have a question about how something has been done in the past, call Barb, she probably has it written down somewhere.
How many lives has Barb Buckham touched? We can only guess that it must be in the thousands. It says a lot about ones character when they find a way to mentor youth and then stick with it for 35 years.